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TÁNAISTE AND FOREIGN Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore has announced a new “recognition” awards system for members of the diaspora who are considered to have served Ireland or Irish communities abroad.
In his opening address to the Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle this morning, Gilmore applauded the “influence of the global Irish” which he said spread further in the world than any other small country. He described the Irish diaspora as hard-working and creative and that Ireland should take pride in their achievements. He said:
I am, therefore, pleased to announce that the Government will shortly introduce a new system of recognition for sustained and distinguished service to Ireland or Irish communities abroad by individual members of the diaspora.
He insisted that the system would NOT be an honours system but “rather will involve the formal recognition every year of individuals from a range of sectors at a ceremony in Ireland”.
The Tánaiste said that more detailed proposals would be brought before the Government shortly. The Irish Constitution does not support an honours system or nobility classification such as that conferred by the English monarchy.
The Government awarded its first Certificate of Irish Heritage two weeks ago to Bridget Hunter, the mother of a New York firefighter who died on 9/11. Joseph Hunter died while attending the site of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in 2001. People have been able to apply for the certificates since last Friday – but unlike that honorary first one, they will have to pay €40 plus delivery costs for them.
He also announced that an online network for Irish people “and those who think Irish”, WorldIrish.com, was being launched at the forum by John McColgan.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s opening speech recalled that in the same hall where the main forum was taking place, the Government and the President had welcomed Queen Elizabeth II last May – “a sight, an even, we thought we might never see”.
He said that he felt that the event was part of Ireland’s bid to get its “message of regeneration and resurgence” out to the rest of the world. He paid tribute to the late co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, who died on Wednesday night at his Californian home, saying that his example of creativity and leadership set the bar for the next generation.
It is that same spirit, that same creativity, that same love of Ireland, belief in Ireland, that brings us here to Dublin Castle today.
Clearly intent on reminding us of the State visits earlier this year, the Taoiseach referred to US President Barack Obama’s words of encouragement to Ireland on the steps of College Green, saying that our best days are ahead of us. As with Eamon Gilmore in a later response to Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams at the forum, he focused on some positives in the Irish economic situation in recent months, including:
He said: “My vision is to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business by 2016.”
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My daughter is a social care worker with adults with learning difficulties & in her place of work they still haven’t been tested. All these adults are all live in house’s where she works.
I’d like to see some up to date reports of testing figures. This article quotes 188,837 from last Saturday, even though a figure of 214,761 has been published since then. What is the current figure for community testing?
It is right we test the people in Direct Provision as a priority because they have suffered enough after fleeing war torn countries.
@Frances Faller: nobody should be a priority in this. Everybody needs to be treated the same. Nobody’s health is more or less important than anyone else, does not matter where they came from
@Frances Faller: This is a common misconception. One can claim asylum under many different categories including sexual orientatation
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: maybe not a priority but their pleas shouldn’t be falling on deaf ears for weeks now. Money talks – FG don’t want to challenge those making a fortune out it direct provision to implement social distancing.
Also the Irish public just doesn’t care.
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: not true. Not everyone has the luxury of isolating themselves. People in direct provision and nursing homes are by default in environments where it’s difficult to isolate and where the virus is more easily transmitted. Tackling these outbreaks helps to eradicate the virus for everyone.
@Frances Faller: but what to do with the with people in direct provision that are making a mockery of the asylum process Pamela Izevbekhai springs to mind, cost the state half a millon Euro.There is no war in Albania, Moldova,Nigeria,Zimbabwe,Pakistan and Bangladesh to name but a few.
@JJandtim Dwyer: The Irish went all over the world and was treated very well and a lot became millionaires. All the refugees want is the same chance.
@Frances Faller: no problem with people coming from war torn countries, but as a certain Judge who is an expert on the topic,stated that 95% of asylum seekers are not telling the truth on why they came to Ireland, but in fact they come for work/migration
@Frances Faller: you are terrible at trolling
@Frances Faller: Have absolutely no problem with people coming here from a war torn country, its their right to seek shelter from tyranny,but I will not be made a fool of by those that spin the most outrageous yarns to gain access to my country.
I am sick to death of this comparison of , The Irish went all over the world , of course they did as they had their land was confiscated and their crops stolen , and were transported for stealing a loaf of bread, They built countries infrastructure , railways , highways, Dams and broke their backs doing it and never requested a nice hotel in the city.with 3 meals a day and weekly payment.
Their is nothing free in this world we al have to do our bit there is no such thing as a free lunch.
@JJandtim Dwyer: Well said. That horse that is usually trotted out about the Irish going “all over the world” when really it was to anglophone countries in the vast majority of cases, and as you rightly point out – it was sink or swim for those Irish souls.
Deport.
Why were they tested? Were they in at risk categories?
The Irish went all over the world and were treated well?? It’s for exactly the opposite reason we should have empathy with asylum seekers ‘ no dogs and no Irish ‘
have your say