Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for this amendment. I fully agree with his intentions here, and this amendment aligns with Government position with regard to changing employer through a parallel process that is not a new employment permit application. The amendment requires a 12-month period for which a permit holder will be linked to an employer and we have actually gone further than that in this legislation. This legislation provides for the employee to be able to change employer within a prescribed period, and our intention is that is nine rather than 12 months. The amendment also seeks to introduce a route to change employer where exploitation or other circumstances has forced a permit holder to seek alternative employment. Again, the employment permits system provides for this.I firmly believe that the Bill achieves the intent of exactly what the Senator outlined. I do not believe there is a need to accept this amendment because we have gone further than it in one instance and have it covered in the second.