asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will investigate the number of cases in which firms employ non-nationals or foreigners in higher posts in their Irish offices with a view to ascertaining the necessity or otherwise for legislation to control the practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Non-Nationals.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce proposals for legislation to deal with foreign firms operating in this country which make a practice of appointing non-nationals and foreigners to the higher posts in their offices over the heads of Irish employees whose experience and length of service would in normal circumstances ensure their promotion to such posts.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject asked by Deputy Dunne on the 7th June.
I do not consider it necessary or desirable to introduce proposals for further legislation, or to institute an inquiry into the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the particularly glaring case of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which promoted a foreigner to the second highest position on their staff?
I have seen the particular case to which the Deputy refers but, as the law stands, there is no restriction on a firm employing a non-national provided that firm has a registered Irish office and, in this instance, I understand the firm has complied with the law.
Is it not possible to amend the law?
I do not know whether the Deputy is aware that the suggestion that the law should be amended would involve wider considerations than the suggestion in the question and would involve taking into consideration the reciprocal arrangements which exist between this country and certain other countries and, in the absence of a very full examination and in the light of possible legislation elsewhere, it is not considered either necessary or desirable to do so.