3A.—(1) Notwithstanding section 2(10), the Minister may, subject to subsection (2), make an order providing that section 2 shall apply neither to nationals of the Republic of Bulgaria nor to nationals of Romania and for so long as such an order remains in force that section shall not apply to such nationals accordingly.

(2) The Minister shall not make an order under subsection (1) at a particular time unless, having regard to the conditions of the labour market in the State at that time, the Minister is of the opinion—

(a) that it is desirable in the interests of the proper functioning of the economy to make such an order, and

(b) that, in the 24 months following the making of the order, employment in the State is likely to become available on a continuous basis for nationals of the states referred to in subsection (1) contemplating entry into employment in the State.

(3) An order under subsection (1) may not be revoked by a subsequent order under that subsection unless, in the opinion of the Minister, the labour market, at the time of the making of the second-mentioned order, is experiencing a disturbance or is likely thereafter to experience a disturbance.

(4) Notwithstanding section 2(10), where an order under subsection (1) is revoked by a subsequent order under that subsection section 2 shall not apply to a national of the Republic of Bulgaria or Romania if he or she has been in employment in the State for a period of not less than 6 weeks immediately before the commencement of the second-mentioned order and has been in receipt of remuneration for such employment.

(5) In this section—

‘disturbance’ shall be construed in accordance with the Treaty of Accession with the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania;

‘labour market’ shall be construed in accordance with the Treaty of Accession with the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania;

‘Treaty of Accession with the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania’ has the same meaning as it has in section 2A. ]