Vol. 540 No. 1
174 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the Japanese Ambassador to request the Japanese Government to introduce a working holiday agreement between Japan and Ireland to enable Irish nationals to take up employment in Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/01]
The Japanese authorities are aware of the Irish Government's strong interest in having a working holiday scheme to facilitate young Irish and Japanese people spending some time experiencing the life, language and culture of the other country. They are in the process of negotiating a number of such agreements with different countries and we must await our turn. Proposals from Ireland in this regard are under consideration by the Japanese authorities.
