Madam, – I am one of the 100,000 people Joe Costello spoke of in the Dáil (Home News, June 18th), who left Ireland in the past two years. Leaving to work abroad no longer carries the trauma or stigma it may have in the 1980s, indeed it is often a positive experience. But it is still damaging for the country.
The life I get to live here is not fulfilling my every hope, or dream, nor is it financially lucrative, but what I do have here is a sense that one day my potential may be realised, that I can pursue a career worthy of the brilliant education I received in Ireland.
The country I live in is Belgium. It currently has no government and they are also in the throes of a downturn, but there is still a sense here that all is not lost. I cannot say the same for Ireland, which seems to be strangling in anger and frustration.
Could I ask the Government to provide some small sense of justice to accompany the almost pornographic figures of money the banks are receiving and the terrifying social spending cuts, necessary though they may be? Could the Opposition be worthy enough to overcome rivalries and put their party after the people? A vote of no confidence in the Taoiseach cannot be tabled by a party clearly showing no confidence in themselves.
The sense of potential – that Ireland can be great – needs to be restored. Ireland is a country, not just an economy or a political playground. The focus of our elected representatives should be firmly on what the country needs. I am sure what it does not need is for a further 100,000 people to conclude they have better options than Ireland. – Yours, etc,