Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the promised legislation to put the employment permit regime on a comprehensive and sound statutory footing will be brought forward; the reason for the delay in bringing forward the legislation, which was originally promised for early 2003; if it is intended to replace the current work permit system with a green card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6153/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A Bill to put Ireland's existing employment permit system on a statutory basis is in the final stage of drafting. The intention is to have the Bill enacted before the summer recess. The preparatory stages of this Bill have taken longer than expected because of the change in labour market circumstances, due to the enlargement of the European Union.

The proposed Employment Permits Bill 2005, which will govern the issue of all employment permits for nationals from outside the European economic area, EEA, will put the existing employment permit administrative arrangements on a sound legislative footing and thereby provide greater accountability and transparency. The EEA comprises the 25 EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

It is also intended that the Bill will include provisions that will empower me to issue employment permits of extended or indefinite duration, analogous to a "green card" type system, where the workers in question are critical to meeting Ireland's skill and employment needs.