In a column published 24 November, economist John FitzGerald warned that calls to curb skilled immigration from outside the EU would be a “serious mistake” for Ireland. Drawing on Department of Finance scenario analysis, he argues that an ageing population and tight labour market mean continued inflows of highly qualified workers—particularly from India and Brazil—are essential to sustain growth and fund future healthcare costs.
FitzGerald calculates that if the Government restricts work permits, wages in shortage sectors will surge, driving inflation and discouraging foreign investment. He contends that infrastructure bottlenecks should be addressed by boosting housing supply rather than limiting talent, echoing concerns from technology and biopharma employers that already struggle to fill specialist roles.
![Opinion: Cutting non-EU skilled immigration would backfire on Ireland’s economy]()
The piece comes amid political debate over whether migration caps could ease pressure on public services. FitzGerald counters that a blanket reduction would leave Ireland less competitive and could simply shift inflows toward EU candidates, offering little relief to housing demand while shrinking the tax base.
For multinationals, the editorial reinforces the business case for maintaining flexible employment-permit quotas. Mobility managers may use the argument to lobby against policy moves that would restrict Critical Skills and General Employment Permits. The article also highlights the need for companies to engage in consultations on the occupations-list review now open at the Department of Enterprise.
Although an opinion piece, FitzGerald’s analysis is influential in Irish policy circles and signals resistance among economists to proposals that conflate infrastructure shortages with immigration levels.
FitzGerald calculates that if the Government restricts work permits, wages in shortage sectors will surge, driving inflation and discouraging foreign investment. He contends that infrastructure bottlenecks should be addressed by boosting housing supply rather than limiting talent, echoing concerns from technology and biopharma employers that already struggle to fill specialist roles.
The piece comes amid political debate over whether migration caps could ease pressure on public services. FitzGerald counters that a blanket reduction would leave Ireland less competitive and could simply shift inflows toward EU candidates, offering little relief to housing demand while shrinking the tax base.
For multinationals, the editorial reinforces the business case for maintaining flexible employment-permit quotas. Mobility managers may use the argument to lobby against policy moves that would restrict Critical Skills and General Employment Permits. The article also highlights the need for companies to engage in consultations on the occupations-list review now open at the Department of Enterprise.
Although an opinion piece, FitzGerald’s analysis is influential in Irish policy circles and signals resistance among economists to proposals that conflate infrastructure shortages with immigration levels.
