Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá céad míle fáilte romhaibh. The delegates are very welcome. Their presentation was very helpful and inspiring. I acknowledge the work of the Chairman and the clerk in making this visit possible. They have shown prowess in collecting, if my figures are right, over 6,000 books and 1,000 CDs and DVDs. This says something about the work they have done, but it also says a lot about the Irish in Britain and the affection for, and strong links with, them.

I had the privilege and pleasure last year of hosting two groups of Irish senior citizens from Britain. The event was organised by Sally Mulready, a remarkable lady who is a Labour Party councillor in Britain but also sits on the Council of State with the President. Over the course of several hours with the people concerned I saw their great emotion when thinking about the homeland and their great pride. I did not hear one negative word from them.

The work of the London Irish Centre in Camden Town is unique and historic. It was the first port of call for many Irish people who found themselves in difficulties for different reasons. I saw how they were received with respect and given help exactly when it was required. The new wave of emigration and the thousands of people going to the United Kingdom again must cast the London Irish Centre back into a role which, to some extent, had been changing.

I presume the London Irish Centre receives funding from the Irish abroad or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or some source in Ireland. How successful has it been in accessing funding from British sources such as the welfare system and so on? I recall Fr. Sheridan years ago banging down many doors until he ensured what was available to UK citizens and other ethnic groups was made available to the Irish. What is that relationship like now?

Other ethnic groups have the same issues as the Irish. Does the London Irish Centre interact with them? Do they come along and display their wares and so on? There is a seanfhocal, ní neart go cur le chéile - there is strength in unity. Are there opportunities to work with the other groups? It is more difficult for Irish people leaving now because there are no jobs. What is the position when they arrive in Britain? The delegates mentioned insufficient planning. I can understand this because many young people never saw themselves having to leave Ireland. The recession has happened quickly. Do they have great difficulty in accessing work when they arrive? What type of work is available? The construction industry absorbed many members of the Irish community in the past.

The question of votes for Irish emigrants may be outside the delegates’ remit. Are they as exercised about it abroad as we are here? It is often discussed at the Convention on the Constitution and debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas. I am sure it is a discussion point. The delegates might have a more focused idea because they are at the coalface. The Convention on the Constitution suggested that where there would be votes, perhaps for the President, they be confined to those who had emigrated in recent years. I have received a lot of correspondence from people abroad in a different age group who would feel left out if that were to be the case. I am not ignoring the logistical problems but focusing on the emotion. What is the thinking on the voting issue? How important is it and for what should they vote?

I compliment the London Irish Centre on its outstanding work. It played a very important role during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. They also visited Britain when the Irish community came under terrible pressure. Places such as the London Irish Centre became a focal point where people went to have a sense of security or support. I presume this has changed, particularly since the Queen’s visit here and given the President’s forthcoming official visit to Britain. I presume, too, that the Irish community in Britain looks forward to a new future now that our relationship with its adoptive country has changed.