Vol. 558 No. 6
61 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in her consideration of the legal framework relating to the recruitment and employment of persons from outside the EU and EEA area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24876/02]
The proposed employment permit Bill, the heads of which were approved by Government in March 2002, aims to put the Irish employment permit system on a modern statutory basis, while also putting in place appropriate penalties for breaches of the proposed legislation. My Department is in discussions on drafting the text of the Bill with the Parliamentary Counsel's office, and it is intended that the Bill will be published early in the new year.
