PD rift on work permits denied

The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, have strongly denied…

The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, have strongly denied there is a rift between them on work permits for asylum-seekers.

Ms O'Donnell described as nonsense a report in yesterday's Irish Independent claiming there was a "deep rift" between her and Ms Harney, and said it completely misrepresented the situation.

The report was based on "a constructive letter from me" to Ms Harney, and a departmental-style reply, she said.

They both shared the aim of attempting to ensure that asylum-seekers entitled to work could get work. The main problem, she said, was in matching people who were seeking work with employers seeking workers.

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In Galway yesterday, when asked about a reported rift, the Tanaiste denied any such difference of opinion. Both she and Ms O'Donnell shared a common goal to see the Government position on work permits for asylum-seekers implemented, she stressed.

"This story was obviously spun by somebody who doesn't want to see the Government position implemented," Ms Harney said. "I think any fair-minded person reading that correspondence would know that Liz O'Donnell and I share a common view.

"My officials have had discussions with various people in the recruitment area over the last few weeks, and we are seeking to facilitate legitimate requests that have been made by them to have refugees employed in various companies. So the logistics are certainly being worked on and that will continue to be the case."

The fact that only 15 permits had been issued since the new regulations came into effect was due to a difficulty in matching asylum-seekers to employers. It was suggested that up to 2,000 refugees could qualify for permits, and discussions with recruitment agencies were aimed at identifying some of the obstacles, she said.