The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) has asked the Government to urgently update immigration policy to enable Irish business combat staffing difficulties.
The CCI labour force survey 2001, published today, said almost 40 per cent of businesses polled had vacancies they could not fill and companies were increasingly looking overseas to meet staffing requirements.
In 2000 26 per cent of the Irish businesses surveyed had recruited non-nationals - up from 14 per cent in 1999. Most employers said this experience was positive and recommended it to their peers.
But a quarter of employers said they had problems processing work permits of non-European Economic Area citizens.
Yesterday the Minister for Justice Mr O'Donoghue announced plans for legislative reform in the area to be preceded by a consultation period of nine months.
But CCI chief executive Mr Simon Nugent said the organisation is concerned at the proposed time scale.
He said considering a general election was likely in the next year the delay "sounds a bit like the Government is kicking this issue into touch".
Mr Nugent added the CCI was "amazed" the Government only intended to begin the consultation process now when the CCI published a statement and policy recommendations on economic immigration 12 months ago.
"The Aliens Act was passed in 1935 and Irish business is now trying to operate in the 21st century," he said.
Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste Ms Harney said the CCI's report would provide"valuable" input into the development of a "clear economic immigration policy" and said work had already begun in the area.
But she said: "While there has been some public discussion of the future direction of immigration policy it has not always been very focused or informed and has tended to become confused with the issues of refugees, asylum-seekers or indeed allegations of exploitation of immigrant labour".