The Minister of State has outlined the background and purpose of the Bill which will allow full freedom of access to the Irish labour market by citizens of eight EU accession countries – the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia – with effect from May 2004. It is prudent and proper, as the Minister of State said, that non-nationals working in Ireland will be required to hold a work permit. The Bill provides for fines of up to €250,000 and up to ten years in prison, or both, for employers found guilty of hiring illegal workers.