Ms Clare Dunne:

As the Deputy probably understands, the 50:50 rule is there as a protection for migrant workers so that we do not end up with sectors or employers that overuse employment permits, with too much of a concentration of third country employees. Migrant workers are often vulnerable, especially at the lower-paid end. We already have a provision whereby for new companies coming into Ireland, not just start-ups, we operate a waiver system, especially if they are coming in with the assistance of Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland, which would know the company. There is already a waiver of two years where we would allow companies to go beyond the 50:50 rule.

It is one reason we would allow them to go beyond the 50:50 rule. We would look at that. One reason we want to amend the legislation is that we do not want to build such an inflexibility into primary legislation. We want to make sure that if there is a valid and verifiable reason to waive such a provision, it is given due consideration and, if possible, a favourable consideration.