Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates to the committee. Canada had a major involvement in the Irish peace process, when a number of Canadians played a significant and important role. General John de Chastelain dealt with the issue of putting weapons beyond use. Mr. Al Hutchinson dealt with policing and served as Police Ombudsman in the North. Mr. Justice William Hoyt was involved in the Saville inquiry which dealt with difficult issues from the past and tried to come to terms with those difficulties. The International Fund for Ireland makes a positive contribution to present day issues and supports clubs, groups and individuals to bring about a more positive environment. The peace process was, partly, about people moving on. It was also about people seeing change in their own lives.

Canadians have opened their country to young people from Ireland, particularly in the difficult circumstances we are experiencing at present. I listened to the Canadian ambassador at a jobs fair at the weekend. He spoke about the welcome Canada offers to people from Ireland. What skills does Canada seek in young Irish people who are emigrating? Many young Irish people are going as far away as Australia. The ambassador made the point that Canada is a six or seven hour flight from Ireland and that it is much easier to keep in contact with family, or to get home in case of a family emergency, from Canada than from Australia.

The issue is the jobs. Where are the jobs available? One of the previous speakers referred to the construction industry. That industry has collapsed in Ireland. My young brother, who has a young family, has been out of work for the past three years. Is the work in Canada family-friendly? I spoke to a young man who worked in carpentry and he is talking about going there to work in the mines. Many of the Irish might find it difficult to cope with the long winters.

I listened to Mr. Tilson speaking about his past. I also heard on the radio earlier that Neil Armstrong, the first man to step onto the moon, had Irish connections. Apparently, there was cattle rustling in his background. I hope there is nothing like that in Mr. Tilson's background.