John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I also welcome the Minister and support the Employment Permits Bill 2003. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the granting of free access to the Irish labour market to nationals of EU accession states with effect from May 2004. I am reminded of a speech the Pope made in the 1980s in which he said Europe had two lungs. He was referring to eastern and western Europe and it is good that fresh life will be breathed into the European continent by the accession of new states to the EU. It will benefit labour markets and provide new opportunities. This Bill is part of that process and it is to be broadly welcomed.

From the date of accession, nationals of the new member states will no longer require employment permits to work in Ireland. The Bill also puts in place a safeguard mechanism whereby a requirement for employment permits can be reintroduced in respect of nationals of the relevant countries should the Irish labour market suffer a disturbance after EU enlargement. The Bill also incorporates a provision whereby, for the first time, a requirement for employment permits in respect of non-nationals working in Ireland is set out in primary legislation, together with penalties for non-compliance by employers and employees.