Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is a very valid point. I would like to raise a further question. The new Bill seeks to introduce a seasonal employment permit. Does IBEC have any thoughts on how long the seasonal employment permit should be valid for? The Department's officials were before the committee two weeks ago. It has not really finalised its position on this. It is open to different viewpoints. In the tourism industry the season runs with the weather. It could be four, five or six months depending on what kind of summer it is. Does Dr. McGann have any thoughts on that?

Dr. Kara McGann:There is certainly a conversation worth having. We think it should be between six and 18 months. The important considerations would be very strong parameters around how people would leave and ease of renewal should somebody wish to return, for example in the following season. It would be important to ensure that the seasonal permit works efficiently to allow people to come for a period and then leave and allow them to return for a later season should they wish to. It appears that a lot of people move from one jurisdiction to another in different seasons, depending on where they are at certain times. The conversations we have had have envisaged somewhere between six and 18 months.