The current work permits system is to be retained by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, despite criticism of it by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
The two Progressive Democrats Ministers have expressed conflicting opinions about whether the current scheme leaves immigrant workers open to exploitation.
The existing system has been likened to "bonded servitude" by the former president, Mrs Mary Robinson, because permits are held by employers rather than workers. As a result, employees who are unhappy with pay or conditions are not free to change jobs. In a recent radio programme Mr McDowell agreed that the current system was wrong.
He said he favoured moving to something like the American "green card" system, under which workers granted visas would be free to change employers.
"I am working towards that and I am going to bring forward legislation to bring that about in the next 18 months," he said.
As Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell is in charge of immigration policy. The work permit system, however, is administered by Ms Harney's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
A spokesman for Ms Harney said she was on record as favouring the introduction of a green card system, but only for skilled labour.
While the number of work permits would be significantly reduced as a result of the accession of 10 new states to the EU, there would continue to be a need for a permits system for unskilled workers from other countries.
The spokesman rejected claims that the system left workers open to exploitation, pointing out that the Department facilitated those who needed to change employers. Last year 3,000 workers had been allowed to change employments.
In the radio debate, Mr McDowell said that, while he accepted that the permits system was wrong, the impact on immigrant workers was not as "draconian" as some suggested.
"The amount of people who are flung out of Ireland because their work permit has been shredded by their employer is minimal," he said.
He accepted, however, that some people did not report abuses of the system.
