Jim O'Keeffe
Question:184 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the issue of work permits here and throughout the European Union to citizens of Kosovo. [11192/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (127)
Written answers
It should be noted that my Department does not discriminate, positively or negatively, between nationals of the various non-EEA countries. Any work permit granted in respect of personnel from outside the expanded EU is granted on the basis of the skills, experience and qualifications of the person in question. My Department is satisfied from experience in recent years that the great bulk of Ireland's overseas labour needs can be met from within the enlarged EU. However, exceptionally skilled, highly paid employees can still be sourced from the wider world after May 2004. Policies adopted by other member states of the European Union in respect of the issue of work permits are a matter for the Governments of those states.