Does having tattoos impact on employment or promotion prospects?

Tattoos are permanent, cost money and subjecting one's body to the tattooist’s needle is not an entirely pleasant process,  

The pain is described as dull, but you get used to it.

For those who change their minds, removal is an option, but is expensive and can leave unsightly scars.  

Dominic Maguire was a teenager when he decided to get tattoos done a decision he now regrets. Peer pressure was the main motivator, he says, and his choice of body art was restricted, 

The amount of money you would have in your pocket.

Now ashamed of his tattoos he is worried about future job prospects and furthering his career, as  

I think there is a lot of people that would discriminate against tattoos on arms, especially in job employment and things like that.

Currently saving to buy a house, he is also saving for tattoo removal surgery, and would like to see a law enacted which would prohibit young people from having tattoos done in the first place. 

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 October 1980. The reporter is Deirdre Purcell.