Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Romanian and Bulgarian partners of Irish citizens resident in Ireland have unrestricted access to the labour market here; if an application process is required to prove their status as partners of Irish citizens, and if so, the requirements of the application process including the office to which such applications should be made. [15109/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is assumed, for the purposes of the Deputy's question, that the Bulgarian or Romanian national does not qualify in their own right for access to the labour market (for instance, having held a work permit for 12 months) and that their access is dependant on their relationship with an Irish national.

As a general rule the Romanian or Bulgarian partner of an Irish citizen, who can provide evidence of a durable attested relationship with that person of at least 2 years duration, will be exempt from the requirement to hold an employment permit. However, it is important to stress that both the Romanian or Bulgarian national and their partner must be resident in the State as a family unit.

Applications should be made to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and should include copies of the current passports of both parties. In order to assess the de facto relationship evidence of the finances of both parties and of a relationship of at least two years duration will be required. This evidence should take the form of documents which can demonstrate the interdependence of the partners, such as, a shared tenancy agreement, shared utility bills or a shared bank account. However, the Immigration authorities may require additional evidence depending on the circumstances of the particular case.