Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 7, line 22, to delete “Employment Permits Act 2006” and substitute “Act of 2006”.

Amendment No. 12 is a technical amendment as the "Act of 2006" is not defined in section 1 of the Employment Permits Act 2003.

The effect of amendment No. 13 would be to create a new employment permit scheme specifically for this cohort of foreign nationals. The normal criteria generally applying to employment permits, the purpose of which is to protect the labour market from distortion, would not apply to such cases, for example, a specific job with a specific employer for a specific duration. In general, Government policy is to issue employment permits for the employment of non-EEA nationals for specific vacancies and in response to employer demand where there are demonstrated shortages. Such a permit type would run counter to this policy objective. If a foreign national who has entered such civil proceedings meets the four criteria for the reactivation permit, that is, he or she has a job offer, is not currently working, has a letter of permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality and previously held a permit, he or she may be eligible to apply for that permit.

I emphasise that my intention in bringing forward the new section 2B is to give an undocumented worker the opportunity to be compensated for work done for, or services rendered to, a person, as well as creating an important deterrent effect for any employer contemplating hiring illegal workers. It is not my intention that it would act as a back door for illegal economic migrants who, under current legislation, have not been or would not be granted employment permits.

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