Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I have tried to avoid excessive accusations other than criticising the Government's lethargy on this matter. The Minister's proposals are interesting but I wish to ask him one question. Given the range of nationalities of immigrants, in what language will the prospective employee sign the section of the application for a work permit which lists the functions of the job, salary, wages, deductions, etc.? I would lay odds of a pound to a penny that the worker signs it in English. It is not impossible to insist that an employee may sign a document which is sent to the Minister's Department in a language that he or she can understand.

I agree with the reasons given by Senator Morrissey why this issue should not become one of giving a license for exploitation. If a culture of exploitation is allowed to exist, the business position of this country's decent employers would be undermined. Unlike Fianna Fáil, I do not believe that all our workers are exploited.