Vol. 530 No. 1
163 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received any communication from the authorities in Moldova arising from the treatment of a number of Moldovans here recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3374/01]
My Department has not received communication from the Moldovan authorities in this regard.
164 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he proposes to issue instructions relating to the treatment of non-nationals who arrive here with or without work permits and other necessary documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3375/01]
Under Article 5(2) of the Aliens Order, 1946, as amended, one of the grounds upon which an Immigration Officer may refuse leave to land to a person arriving in the State is where the person, although wishing to take up employment in the State, is not is a possession of a valid permit for such employment. During 2000 a total of 149 persons were refused entry on these grounds. Where a person arrives in the State with a valid work permit they are generally granted leave to land without undue formality. Last year more than 20,000 non-EEA nationals were authorised to take up employment here or were otherwise exempted from the work permit requirement.
As the Deputy will be aware, an arrangement has now been agreed between my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Garda national immigration bureau to deal with any future cases where a person arrives in the State with a validly issued work permit but where the job in respect of which the permit was issued no longer exists. Measures to give effect to those arrangements are currently being put in place.
