The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform aims to develop the State's immigration system to meet the highest international standards, a senior official told yesterday's seminar.
Mr Paul Burns, from the Department's immigration division, said new policies were being prepared which would lead to a new Immigration and Residence Bill.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, will today launch a public consultation document aimed at shaping the future direction of immigration policy and the forthcoming legislation.
The Immigration and Residence Bill will replace the Aliens Act 1935 and will set out procedures for those applying for work and study visas and residence permits here.
It is expected that responsibility for immigration matters will be transferred to a new immigration service, which would be "quasi-independent" of Government departments.
With regard to the new legislation, Mr Burns said "we will need to look for a balance between flexibility and a greater certainty of procedures and transparency within the system.
"Our aim in the Department is to develop our immigration system to try and take on board international practice and to try and bring our standards up to the highest internationally." He said a cross-departmental group on immigration had been established. There were plans to appoint consultants to study immigration legislation and practice in other countries. And there would be a review of practices within the immigration and citizenship division of the Department to improve its service to the public.