Hotels complain of permit difficulties

The Irish Hotels Federation has warned that staff shortages caused by Ireland's inadequate work permit process is causing damage to the tourist industry.

It said it currently takes up to seven weeks to receive a permit and that fed-up foreign workers are going to other countries instead.

Federation president Mary Fitzgerald also called for the length of work permits to be extended.

"I'd like the Government to look at the archaic bureaucracy that is damaging the potential of Irish tourism and to try to extend the length of time people are committed to work under the permit from one to two years," she said.

"These foreign workers, who cost a lot of money to interview, take up employment in competing countries instead."