The Government is expected to introduce work-permit or quota restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian workers similar to those the British government is planning to introduce.
The move follows discussions on the issue in the last month between the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and British prime minister Tony Blair in advance of the two countries joining the EU on January 1st.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair are expected to touch on it again on the sidelines of the EU summit in Finland tomorrow.
The Government has yet to make a decision on its approach to workers from the two states, but there have already been indications from Government members that there will be some level of restrictions introduced.
Separate announcements on restrictions are expected by the Irish and British governments shortly.
The restrictions can last for a maximum of seven years under EU law.
There is an acknowledgment among senior officials that in practical terms, the regime in Ireland in relation to workers has to be very similar to that operating in Britain, because of the common travel area between both countries.
It is understood that under proposals being considered by Government, the current work permit system for non-EU nationals would still apply to Bulgarian and Romanian workers, whereby jobs are tied to a specific employer.
However, the Government is anxious to introduce some additional measures whereby workers from Bulgaria and Romania would be prioritised. A quota system is being considered as part of this package.
The move to restrict Bulgarian and Romanian workers is in contrast to the approach taken in May 2004 when 10 accession countries joined the EU. Ireland, along with Britain and Sweden, were the only EU members to allow unrestricted access to their labour markets.
The approach has seen more than 275,000 workers from new EU states obtain PPS numbers in the State since accession. In Britain more than 600,000 workers from the new member states are now estimated to be working. The British government is under pressure to introduce restrictions after its gross underestimation of migration from the 10 accession countries.
In Ireland the issue of restrictions on migrant workers has been raised by the Labour Party, while trade unions suggested a need for stronger protections for existing Irish workers.
Earlier this month the ESRI also called on the Government to introduce some level of restriction on Romanian and Bulgarian workers coming into the State, claiming that a "pause" on the current immigration policy was advisable.
Senior officials from Bulgaria and Romania have called on Ireland and Britain to allow unrestricted access. They say their citizens have shown limited interest in moving to either country.
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