Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

In 2001 some 2,600 work permit employees changed employer and the figure is likely to exceed 3,000 in 2000. There is no question, therefore, of people being handcuffed to a particular employer. If the measure was draconian or anti-business, I would be the last to propose it. One must distinguish between legitimate business and unfair business. Those who obey the rules deserve to be protected from competition from those who flout the rules.