Groups abroad welcome task force report

Irish organisations abroad have welcomed the task force report on emigration as a watershed in the State's relationship with the Irish emigrant community.

Mr Jerry Kivlehan of the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain said the report and its recommendations marked the "first formal recognition of the reality of emigration". It was the first proper attempt by any Irish government "to understand the specific concerns and needs of the Irish emigrant community".

The federation is an umbrella organisation for the 120 Irish societies in Britain, representing almost a million Irish people living there, including almost 800,000 in London alone.

It particularly welcomed the establishment of a specific office dealing with emigrants within the Department of Foreign Affairs. "The Government wishes to be informed about emigrants and that is key for a start," said Mr Kivlehan.

The organisation estimates that there are 1.3 million Irish-born people living abroad and says those emigrants have made a significant contribution to Ireland "and what it is today".

The recommendation that emigrant organisations would work with agencies in Ireland to facilitate the return of emigrants for holidays in Ireland was welcomed. "Many Irish people have done well abroad, but not all of them. There are many for whom the high costs of travel and accommodation prevent them taking trips home".

There was also considerable welcome for the recommendation on "pre-emigration" preparation.

One of the report's recommendations includes a five-fold increase in funding for emigrant organisations to €34 million. The Independent TD for Mayo, Dr Jerry Cowley, has already expressed concern that current spending cutbacks might result in funding and other proposals in the report being shelved.

The Minister for Foreign affairs, Mr Cowen, who launched the report, said "it will take time for the necessary measures and resources to be put in place".

He believed the task force's report was "a template for a coherent and considered approach to take in the long term to meeting the needs of our emigrants".