Govt to make 200 changes to Immigration Bill

THE GOVERNMENT is to make more than 200 of its own amendments to the controversial Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, The Irish Times has learned.
The amendments, which were drafted after a series of meetings between officials from the Department of Justice and the Office of Integration, include the removal of a requirement for residents from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to seek the Minister for Justice's permission to marry.
Officials have agreed that aspects of the proposed law could damage Ireland's ability to attract and retain skilled migrants, and many of the changes aim to make the immigration regime more attractive to those who are legally resident here.
One change will allow for multiple re-entry visas to be issued to 60,000 resident foreigners who currently have to apply for a re-entry visa each time they leave the State.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0421/1208468936238.html?via=mr