GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO CONTINUE THE EXISTING WORK PERMITS REGIME FOR NATIONALS OF BULGARIA AND ROMANIA FROM 1^ST JANUARY 2007

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Tuesday, 24 October, 2006) announced that the Government had decided to continue to require that nationals of Romania and Bulgaria apply for work permits in order to participate in the Irish labour market, but that preference would be given to them over nationals of non-European Economic Area countries.

Minister Martin said that this would be kept under on-going review and would be assessed comprehensively before the end of 2008.

Minister Martin said that the Government was informed in its decision by the very significant inflow of labour migrants Ireland had experienced since May 2004, when the decision was taken to allow nationals of the EU 10 Member States to participate in the Irish labour market without work permits. The views of IBEC and ICTU and the position of other Member States on the issue were also taken into account.

Minister Martin said that the Government felt that on this occasion, it was appropriate to take stock, be cautious and concentrate on addressing the integration needs of those who had already come to live and work in Ireland.

ENDS

ETE 1653