David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Page 9 of the Bill has a definition of a dependant as a foreign national who has been determined by the Minister to be a dependant other than a spouse or civil partner. Further on, the Bill mentions critical skills. Those here on an inter-company transfer are entitled to work but their partner or spouse is not. Quite often, they are here twiddling their thumbs. It would be unfair to prevent them from coming. Some of these people are highly skilled but they are barred from working. Has the Minister of State given this any consideration? I have raised the issue on several occasions with the Tánaiste and in parliamentary questions. I would like to return to it on Report Stage if the Minister of State does not have anything on it now. It is simply a matter of adding a line to the Bill. Perhaps it is there already and I have missed it. I cannot see it. The spouse or partner of a person who comes here on an inter-company transfer cannot work.