John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am 31 years of age and I am the youngest Member of this House. I was thinking back to 2009 when I did my leaving certificate. We were coming out of the height of the economic recession and some of the toughest financial times, not just this country but the world had seen. When I think about people I know who emigrated back then, they did so out of economic necessity because they were no jobs in this country. It was not just young people. Those who had been in employment for 20 or 30 years in construction, etc., had to move. It affected all age groups in society at the time. When I fast forward ten or 12 years and look at some of my friends who emigrated in their mid-20s to places such as the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and across the board, it is safe to say that the number of people who emigrate out of economic necessity is much lower than it was between 2008 and 2011 when the country and its economy were at rock bottom.

Of course, people still emigrate today out of economic necessity. That is absolutely the case. I am not trying to deny that but they also emigrate for other reasons, such as advancement in job opportunities, the ability to experience another country, the ability to live and learn in another country and to experience a different type of culture. At the age of 31, I have seen most of my friends who have spent their 20s abroad making the decision to come back to Ireland. They come back much more rounded and educated and with professional ability. They are able to come back and get good jobs. Obviously, the cost of living and housing are difficult situations, but there is no country in the world where everything is great and it is a promised land of milk and honey and so on. That is not the case. Everywhere has its own opportunities but everywhere also has its own-----