Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I thank the Minister for that reply. Is there also an EU directive which makes it a criminal offence for employers to employ illegal immigrants? Could Ireland opt out of that directive, along with Britain, under the terms of Title lV? Can the Minister provide details of that possibility?

There is a general perception that while employees are prosecuted if detected working illegally, employers are not. It is important, because of this perception, that accurate figures are provided and I ask the Minister for further clarification. It is my understanding that Ireland and the United Kingdom indicated an intention to opt out of a new EU directive making it a criminal offence to employ illegal immigrants. This is so that criminal sanctions would not attach to employers. Is that the position or am I misinformed? If I am misinformed I will accept that, but I do not think I am.

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