Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I was very nervous until the last sentence because the Minister held back that crucial piece of information about which I asked, that is, whether the new Bill will give the worker the right to hold the work permit. The Minister said the Bill will contain a provision for regulation whereby the Minister will be able to decide. If the Minister is still in office when this Bill comes into force, will he effect such a regulation? Does he agree what is going on at present is an international shame? Some of the examples were cited earlier in response to Deputy Howlin's priority question where workers are not paid the minimum wage or prearranged wages and are working an excessive number of hours.

I asked if the Minister had seen the report from the migrant workers' centre dealing with a series of cases where foreign women in domestic jobs in middle class homes were working under disgraceful conditions. Does the Minister agree part of the reason foreign workers feel locked into these employments is that their permits are held by employers and not by themselves? The key issue is the Minister's willingness to exercise that regulation so that workers hold the permits which we all agree would enhance workers' rights considerably.

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