A chara, – This week has reawakened the emigration debate and in particular the development of the relationship that this country can have with its people living abroad.
Isn’t extraordinary to witness the manner in which Australia has formally recognised the goodness of Jim Stynes and at the same time realise that the Irish nation has no formal way to acknowledge the political, cultural, religious or sporting contribution that Irish emigrants such as those of Jim Stynes’s stature have made to the countries they now call home.
The Report of the Task Force on Policy Regarding Emigrants (2002) recommended “The establishment of an awards scheme to recognise exceptional or distinguished service by Irish people abroad”. One could justifiably fear the politicisation of such awards. However, there are a number of schemes in place throughout the world that would provide valuable assistance in the creation of such an important and valuable award. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I couldn’t agree more with Gearóid Ó Loingsigh (March 21st) regarding the “New Diaspora” survey. The resulting analysis, although professionally accrued, is most certainly flawed. The bare statistics show a massive increase in emigration following our economic collapse.
The upbeat nature of a large number of emigrants is probably more to do with the relative financial ease one can fly to the opposite side of the world. It’s not that many years ago since emigrating to London was a life-changing decision and many seldom, if ever, came home. Some Irish workers now “commute” to Britain.
I have two sons living in London and I probably see them more often than if they worked in Cork! However, I firmly believe that the vast majority of our current flock of emigrants had their decision to leave Ireland swayed by the lack of work.
If our economy had not imploded, how many would have left? The Celtic Tiger is one of the most shameful episodes in our history and like any major catastrophe we must learn from it. – Yours, etc,