Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 131: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is possible for a Bulgarian national to enter Ireland on 1 January 2007 with a valid passport only, if that person only wishes to visit the country; the length of time they will be able to stay here without working; the documentation a Bulgarian national would need to live here indefinitely if supported by an Irish person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36798/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Nationals of Bulgaria, as and from 1 January, 2007, will have the same rights as other EU citizens except that, arising from the Government's recent decision, nationals of Bulgaria (and Romania) may not take up employment in the State except in accordance with an Employment Permit or where they are otherwise exempt. They may enter Ireland on production of their passport and/or national identity card. Visa requirements will no longer apply and they may reside here for up to three months. Thereafter, they must be: in employment; self-employed; enrolled on a course or study or vocational training and have private medical insurance; or self sufficient and have private medical insurance.

As and from 1 January, 2007 the main immigration law which will apply to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals is the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 226 of 2006). Those Regulations, which I signed on 28 April 2006, transposed into Irish law the European 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.

While the Regulations do not specifically require the registration of EU citizens with the immigration authorities in the State, EU citizens can apply to my Department for a Permanent Residence Certificate if certain conditions are met as set out in the Regulations. In that context, a national of Bulgaria residing in the State and not economically active but supported by an Irish person and who claimed self-sufficiency on that basis would be expected to provide my Department with details of the relationship with the person on whom they depend and documentary evidence that they had sufficient financial resources to maintain themselves without recourse to State benefits.