Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I will be helpful to the Deputy, as amendments Nos. 143 and 144 would not have the desired objectives he has articulated. In fact, they may have the opposite impact in so far as they would take the employer out of the equation. If I were to accept them, in essence I would be excluding the employer from his or her responsibilities in this regard. In other words, the Deputy would be letting him or her off scot free. If the employer was guilty of fraudulent behaviour in respect of a work permit, only the employee would be left in the section. He or she would be the subject matter of potential difficulties because the word "employer" would be removed. That is not what the Deputy intends but it would occur. The employee holds the permit also. Under legislation, both the employer and the employee have the right to apply for a work permit.

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