Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The amendment would create open season on the labour market by providing that all non-nationals entitled to be in the State would be free from the obligation to obtain an employment permit. The wording would exempt all non-nationals and then particularise a group of non-nationals, somewhat redundantly, who would be exempt on particular grounds. Thus, many non-EEA nationals who would come here on a holiday or a short study course, for example, would, under this amendment, be potential employees in the State and would be entitled to take up work as the opportunity arose.

The Senator will be delighted to know my speaking note suggests this is a buccaneering, free market approach and, in so far as that shows a change of heart on her behalf, I would almost be sympathetic to it. However, there would be chaos if everybody who came here for a holiday or study course could take up employment. It would not have a beneficial effect.

Many changes have been made to the rules governing work in the State for non-EEA nationals, which have considerably eased restrictions on entering the workplace, but there is also a need to provide sufficient safeguards to protect the best interests of the domestic workforce. The freedom of movement of EEA nationals and their dependants is not an absolute right but is subject to public policy concerns and this applies to EEA nationals and their dependants who come here to work. We are some way off global freedom of access to the Irish workplace and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, in particular, would agree the amendment would not be in the interest of Irish workers.

Amendment to amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 12, as amended, agreed to.

SECTION 4.

Question proposed: "That section 4 stand part of the Bill."