Taoiseach calls on employers to recruit Irish staff

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has called on employers to give priority to Irish people when recruiting new staff.

Mr Ahern was speaking amid reports that 600 jobs are under threat today in Cork city and Tullamore, Co Offaly.

At present, the Government issues about 700 work permits to non-nationals each week and Mr Ahern said this makes no sense at a time when Irish people are losing their jobs.

The Taoiseach also insisted today that the Irish economy is recovering, despite the fact that almost 1,000 workers were laid off last week alone.