THE GOVERNMENT is expected to impose work restrictions for Eeropean Union citizens from Romania and Bulgaria for at least another three years due to rising unemployment levels in the State.
This is despite lobbying by the Romanian and Bulgarian governments, which say the move is discriminatory and treats them as second-class EU members.
The European Commission has also encouraged member states to lift labour restrictions against the two member states.
The Government decided to impose a two-year work permit requirements on Romanian and Bulgarian nationals when the two countries joined the EU in January 2007.
Under EU law, the Government may impose these "transitional restrictions" for seven years in total. The Government is expected to make a decision on the issue at a Cabinet meeting shortly.
A spokesman for the Romanian embassy confirmed it has been in contact with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan in a bid to have the restrictions lifted.
"We are hoping for a revision of the present mechanism and hope we will be treated like other EU countries. If it is not possible to completely lift the restrictions, we are hoping for a more flexible way of dealing with the issue, especially if the economic situation improves," the spokesman said.
However, Government sources say the restrictions will most likely be maintained due to the lack of job opportunities, as well as the significant numbers of EU citizens from Eastern Europe still resident here.
The Romanian Community of Ireland, a representative group for many of the country's citizens, have also called for a change in the Government's stance.
The group's chairwoman, Anca Lubu, says it is very difficult for citizens to get work permits because of delays of up to three months in processing them.
"Very few employers are willing to wait that long. We feel it's not fair and it's creating a second class EU citizen.
"I know there may be economic difficulties in Ireland, but this is about equality and treating EU citizens fairly," she said.
A small number of employment permits have been issued to nationals of Romania (241) and Bulgaria (58) between January 2007 the end of October 2008.
Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are free to travel and live here, even though they may not get a job without a work permit and do not qualify for social welfare.
There are exceptions, such as the self-employed, or those who were resident and held a work permit for a year prior to 2007.
The Government's stance is at odds with that of 2004, when it, along with the UK, allowed citizens from the 10 new EU accession states to work in Ireland without a permit.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the time accused countries sticking to a policy of keeping closed borders of taking a "negative position".
However, he justified the Government's decision not to extend the same benefits to Romanians and Bulgarians two and a half years later on the basis that Ireland had experienced a very significant inflow of economic migrants since May 2004.
The Government said it was appropriate to be cautious and concentrate on the integration needs of those who had already come to live and work here.
This position was supported by trade unions and the employers' group, Ibec.
The two groups are also understood to support the renewals of labour restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians.