Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very grateful to the Minister of State for clarifying the matter. The devil is in the detail. The detail is contained in the last paragraph and it includes the fact that the Department is considering the legal implications. It is a very serious matter for the Department to draft legislation that might further limit those who have entered the country who are genuinely seeking unemployment assistance or social welfare assistance and who are complying with the EU directive. I appreciate the flexibility that the Department affords through the habitual residence scheme in regard to Irish nationals who have decided to return here for a short period because of family and other considerations. This was of major concern to members of the Irish diaspora in the United Kingdom some years ago but the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, was very sympathetic to their view. The Minister of State will be very aware of the importance of ensuring Irish nationals are not denied unnecessarily. There is generous sentiment within the Minister of State's Department when dealing with cases of this nature. While the habitual residence directive is slightly separate from the issue I raised, it obviously has an impact on what we are discussing. It is for this reason that I am putting these points on the record.

I would be grateful if, at this early stage, the Minister of State could give any indication as to whether Department might be considering seriously the drafting of legislation, especially in light of the promise in the United Kingdom to introduce legislation in respect of the Dano case.