6. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to address the huge delays associated with work permit applications, particularly for the licensed haulage sector in Ireland; if he has met with the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, to discuss the issues it is experiencing due to these ongoing delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/25]

Sentiment score: 0.11

What steps is the Minister for trade and employment taking to deal with the huge delays relating to the bureaucratic system that companies in Ireland face in trying to get work permits for foreign applicants? I refer especially to the IRHA and many other industries - agriculture, to name one - and parts of industries. Has the Minister met with the IRHA to discuss these issues? The ongoing delays are crippling the economy.

Sentiment score: 0.08

It was not too long ago that the Minister of State was on this side of the House. I wish him well in his new position. He is aware that the situation faced by our licensed hauliers is disgraceful. Hard-working Irish businesses are trying to operate legally only to be choked by a lot of regulatory issues and a dysfunctional recruitment process. It is unbelievable. If a haulier in Tipperary in my constituency or anywhere else wants to hire a qualified driver from outside the EU, for example, South Africa, they must wade through a nine-stage bureaucratic minefield and deal with five different departments. The process involves licence exchange agreements, a mandatory 28-day labour market, visa applications, work permits, PPS numbers, residence cards and CPC modules. The list goes on. This process can take up to two years, with costs racking up every step of the way. At the end of it, the driver may not even be allowed into the country.

Sentiment score: 0.07

I do not believe those figures. They do not reflect my experience. People come here illegally and get all the treatment, including free housing and everything else. The message the Minister is giving out is to penalise those who play by the rules. Multinationals can get away with stuff as well. This affects small businesses. It is not just the hauliers; it is also agriculture and hoteliers trying to get people in. They pay the money and go through the system. It is so bureaucratic, and the Minister is telling me it takes 19 days. That is simply not happening. It is not the case in Tipperary, certainly. People are not telling me lies. The process needs to be streamlined. Where a business needs employees from abroad in order to carry out its business, where those people are qualified and meet all the criteria, there must be a streamlined process in order that businesses can get them in . They make a huge investment and the driver, operator or whomever may not come at all or might leave after a short time. It is a risky business for employers. They need these people. The Minister must cut out the red tape.

Sentiment score: 0.10

I do not believe them.

Sentiment score: 0.00

They are numerous.

Sentiment score: 0.00