Employment Permits Bill 2003: Second Stage
Dr. Henry: I wish to share my time with Senator O'Toole. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, to the House and I welcome the Bill. I am glad the Government has decided to take a generous attitude towards the granting of work permits immediately to people from the EU accession countries. It is the right thing to do.
After the comprehensive and useful speech by Senator Hanafin I will keep my remarks short. It is just as well that we are going to give these immigrants work permits straightaway because I do not know what we would otherwise do to keep business going in the retail trade, in hotels, restaurants and numerous other areas of the economy.
The Minister of State has said that more comprehensive legislation is on the way regarding employment permits in general for people from outside the EU. I hope there is no delay in this because the two areas in which I am involved in employment are the university and medical sectors. Delays in getting employment permits in these areas are appalling and it is our loss when, for example, doctors and lecturers in foreign languages have their work permits delayed. I hope this promised legislation will be brought in very shortly.
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