Mr. Martin:

During my Second Stage speech in the Seanad I reiterated the key point that the offer of a job is central to this legislation. The work permit follows the existence of a job vacancy or the offer of a job. That arrangement is superior to a points or quota system because it is directly related to labour market needs and is more efficient and less bureaucratic.

Mr. Martin:

We have opted for this approach based on the work undertaken by the expert skills group and Forfás on economic migration and it is the correct policy response to the current situation. The Bill is flexible enough to facilitate future Governments to implement a points or quota system. Given all the discussion that has taken place, the offer of a job, the fact that the employer applies for a work permit, and that the employee can also apply for a work permit, gives the best of both worlds. It allows traceability, puts us in a reasonable position to police any abuses of the system and empowers the employee to a greater extent in that he or she will be in possession of the work permit, will be able to apply for a work permit and will be able to move on quickly. There is flexibility over time. The offer of a job should remain a centrepiece of the new economic migration arrangements and for that reason I am not in a position to accept the amendments.