David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's commitment to this. The Department of enterprise is on the same playing field as her on this, so it is a matter of the two Departments getting together and making it happen. The Minister might write to me setting out what is required to make it happen. The spouses and partners of those with critical skills visas can work automatically. There is no issue there. It may take no more than the stroke of a pen to allow also the spouses and partners of people who come here under intra-company transfer employment permits to work. As the Minister noted, it would be a win for Ireland, make us a more attractive business destination and boost skills, inclusion and innovation. It would be a win for employers, it would increase the chances of success for that intra-company transfer assignment and the retention of talent, and it would also be a win for the dual-career couple. Is the Minister aware some people decline to come here because their spouse or partner would be at home all day twiddling their thumbs and could not work under our current arrangements? Will she commit to moving on this as quickly as possible, separate to everything else?

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