Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will begin to wrap up. Recent OECD figures show that one in six Irish-born people now live abroad. That is a significant number. In recent years emigration has been a major factor. Economic pressures drove young people in particular out of this country. We are good at organising feel-good PR events but we are failing miserably to treat emigrants as Irish citizens. That is wrong, and we must correct the situation. We need concrete policies and a cross-departmental approach from the Government to encourage and allow citizens to return and to vote if they are living abroad or in the Six Counties.

Many citizens in the diaspora actively contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of Ireland from afar. They send over money and invest in the country. They actively support the peace process and participate in and promote Irish heritage and culture. They get involved in voluntary activities in the areas of language, the arts and sporting organisations.

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