Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for attending. My matter refers to the need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to consider honouring the contribution of the Irish navvy to Britain and Ireland by issuing a new postage stamp and to outline ways to facilitate same.

Last year, my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Cannon, who has responsibility for the diaspora, called on An Post to issue a stamp to honour the contribution made by the Irish diaspora to society at home and abroad. His idea is wonderful. I have made a similar proposal but this time I want the enormous contribution made by the Irish navvy to Britain and Ireland to be recognised.

During the recent St. Patrick's Day celebrations, I was delighted to attend an art exhibition by Bernard Canavan, a London-based Irish painter, in the House of Commons. The exhibition was facilitated by Chris Ruane, the UK Labour Party MP for the Vale of Clwyd. Like my own father, Mr. Canavan's father, who hailed from Longford, was one of tens of thousands who took the boat to England in search of work. Bernard was 16 years of age when his family were forced to move to the UK because of harsh economic conditions here. Over the years, Bernard's paintings have paid homage to the generations of Irish people who worked very hard and sent money home in order to assist members of their families. Countless men and women emigrated for work and they often had very tough lives in the process. It is estimated that the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of euro were sent back to this country by labourers. This money helped families here to survive.

Many of Bernard Canavan's evocative paintings are worthy of providing images for a commemorative stamp that pays tribute to the Irish navvy. As many Senators will know, the life of a navvy was a hard one. It was a life marked by many emotions, ranging from happiness to sadness to loneliness. It was a life often fuelled by a large amount of alcohol. Last year, Bernard was awarded a distinguished service award by the President for representing the forgotten Irish in Britain through his art.

Many labourers went on to make great lives for themselves. They set down solid roots in many corners of Britain and, in doing so, reared families who now proudly display their Irish heritage and culture at every opportunity. We must not forget that many of the labourers who left this country went on to build successful construction companies and businesses that continue to provide thousands of jobs across these isles. In many cases, unfortunately, the story of the Irish navvy was one of tragedy whereby comfort was found at the bottom of a pint glass. This led to broken families and people losing touch with home. Sadly, many of them ended up living on the streets of London and many other cities far from their native shores. I know that the Cathaoirleach went to London in the late 1970s and worked as a navvy. I know that every politician here understands the work and sacrifices made by Irish men and women who went there.

Ultan Cowley is the author of a seminal book, The Men Who Built Britain: A History of the Irish Navvy, which captures the often bleak world of the Irish migrant labourer. Up until recently, these men had been largely forgotten or ignored but Mr. Cowley has rightly pointed out that, in terms of the canals, railways, roads, tunnels, dams and public utilities, such people, and those in the professions of teaching and nursing, effectively ran Britain. Their standing is a lasting monument to their sacrifices and achievements. Truly, they built Britain and, indeed, they built Ireland. They have made an enormous contribution to British and Irish society. That contribution should never be underestimated. It is my view, therefore, that a commemorative stamp to honour the Irish navvy would be a lasting testament. I look forward to hearing the thoughts of the Minister.