Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way Irish workers are expected to compete in the employment market if firms do not advertise job vacancies locally but do so through agencies in other EU States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8421/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there is an obligation in the interests of fairness and equal opportunities for Irish firms to advertise job vacancies here at the same time that they do so in other EU States. [8422/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.

As a Member State of the European Union, Ireland is part of a wider EU labour market of some 200 million workers, including workers from the ten new Accession States who were admitted to the Irish labour market without restrictions on 1st May, 2004. Employers are therefore free to advertise in and recruit from within any part of the European Union. There is no obligation to advertise within a specific part of the European Union.

I would point out that FÁS Employment Services provide a wide range of services and supports for Irish workers. These include career advice and guidance and information on job and training opportunities. FÁS Employment Services also provide information on suitable vacancies which may be available locally.

I would also mention that under the principle of "Community Preference", firms must advertise all job vacancies throughout the EU to ascertain whether a suitable candidate can be obtained within the European Economic Area, before offering them to a third country national from outside this Area.