Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I will check that matter for the Deputy.

The situation has changed somewhat. The Employment Permits Act 2003 provided for no enforcement body other than the Garda Síochána. The 2006 Act provides that "the Minister may appoint, in writing, such and so many of his or her officers to be authorised officers for the purposes of all or any of the provisions of the Act or the Act of 2003". My Department is currently holding discussions with the Garda national immigration bureau, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the National Employment Rights Authority with a view to developing a very robust system for such prosecutions.

The fundamental ethos of the National Employment Rights Authority will be one of building compliance. It will give people the opportunity to correct their wrong ways. Its objective will be to reduce transgressions by building a robust compliance model. Article 27 of the Employment Permits Act 2006 allows the exchange of information held by my Department for the purpose of the Acts, between my Department, the Ministers for Social and Family Affairs and Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Revenue Commissioners. This will allow agencies to combine their focus on employment sectors, such as the construction or hospitality sectors.

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