Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his intentions to resolve the anomaly whereby the spouses and partners of non-Irish EU citizens have more residency rights here than the spouses and partners of Irish citizens. [22196/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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EU Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States was transposed into Irish law on 28 April 2006. I am aware that this has resulted in the granting of more favourable conditions in certain circumstances to such persons than are presently granted to spouses/partners/family members of Irish citizens.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I will be considering this issue fully in the context of the forthcoming Immigration and Residence Bill.