Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department is conscious of this matter. We believe having an efficient and responsive employment permit system is critical in addressing the economy's skills needs and in ensuring that talent is attracted to Ireland. There are people from all over the globe working in multinational companies here. Recently, I was at Google’s headquarters in Barrow Street where there are 65 different nationalities.

It is important we attract these people into the country and monitor the skills shortages. With the changes we have made in the employment permits section, along the provision of additional resources and efficiencies in skills training and computers, we can get on top of the situation. To be fair to the staff, they are working hard and doing overtime to deal with it.

I am conscious that our reputation is at stake. The flow of talent is crucial. At this time of the year, there is a large volume of permit applications as we are coming towards the end of the year. We are also reviewing the type of employment shortages to be able to deal with this. It is crucial as our economy grows. The Senator referred to trade wars. We want to be seen as a country that is leading when it comes to attracting multinationals to locate here.