We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE VOLUNTEER INFORMATION group TellUsWhy.ie has asked each of the Presidential candidates a question for each day of this week to discern their priorities for the office.
TheJournal.ie is hosting the question – and answers – each day.
Question 5: “What has been Ireland’s greatest contribution to the world”
David Norris:
Our culture. This has not only been responsible for our amazing achievements in art and literature, but has nourished our energy, innovation and sense of adventure. As President I will champion Ireland and our successes and highlight our proud track record in all fields of endeavour, from culture, business, science to the arts.
Gay Mitchell:
Perhaps the greatest contribution was ourselves – our emigrants travelled worldwide, and have been crucial in the development of the United States, Britain, Europe and beyond. Our Missionaries and NGOs have been crucial in African affairs in recent decades. It used to be said in the 19th century that the Irish built the British Empire, while some call the impact of the diaspora as the Irish Empire. So that has been our greatest contribution – ourselves.
Martin McGuinness:
Ireland’s biggest contribution to the world has been her people. Over many years Ireland has made an enormous contribution to the world in education, academia, the world of literature with writers like Heaney, Joyce and Shaw. With the massive emigration from Ireland over many centuries we have had a major impact on many countries – Britain, the US, Australia – in political and business life, in the building of the physical infrastructure of these countries. The positive contribution that we have made also provides huge opportunities as we work to rebuild the economy. There is huge goodwill towards Ireland and there are many millions among the Irish diaspora who want to offer their help now.
Mary Davis:
Despite its geographical size, there is no doubt that Ireland has left an indelible cultural mark on the international stage. Our contribution to arts, culture and literature is second to none and has led to our capital city earning recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature. However, I think our greatest contribution as been our people. Irish people are regarded the world over for their convivial and welcoming nature. The fundamental traits that have made us so successful still exist; our talent, work ethic, resilience and innate belief.
Our greatest export has always been our people. Our innovation and skills of creativity are respected the world over. Sadly, in recent years that wonderful talent and expertise has been forced to flood to other countries to seek employment and security. That is a gross betrayal of trust. We must ensure that the Irish diaspora feels connected to Ireland and that everything is being done to create a stable, secure and sustainable state for them to return to.
Michael D. Higgins:
Thomas Davis famously said that “This country of ours is no sand-bank thrown up by some caprice of earth. It is an ancient land, honoured in the archives of civilization, traceable into antiquity by its piety, its valour, and its sufferings. Every great European race has sent its stream to the river of the Irish mind”.
I believe this quote from Davis aptly, and powerfully, explains Ireland’s contribution to European civilisation as indeed to the United States and, to varying extents, to all parts of the globe. We should be extremely proud of the contribution that our culture, our people, our ideas, our scientific research and our leadership in the areas of humanitarian work and peace-building have made to the world and determined to maintain and build on every strand of that contribution in the years ahead.
Seán Gallagher:
Ireland is a great country and we are a proud people. The energy and passion of our people is our greatest contribution to the world While our reputation has suffered internationally of late, it is not permanently damaged. I believe we must remember what we have achieved, what we have contributed and focus on what we can and will achieve.
The resilience of and support network of our international community is legendary while our energy and entrepreneurial spirit is second to none. We have a rich knowledge economy that has ensured our unique reputation in the Arts and Literature continues to be a catalyst for various entrepreneurial and social initiatives, reaching all around the world. What we need now is a safe pair of hands to hold and protect these contributions and who will work every minute of every day to continue to promote the best of Ireland.
Dana Rosemary Scallon: Failed to return an answer to the question.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
They are doing great work but we should do everything to keep our own healthcare workers here.
@Munster1: having immigrants working here means that at least some of the pressure is taken off overworked staff meaning that staff don’t leave the job or country in search of better working conditions as much
@Munster1: I remember going to Kerry for holidays as a kid and asking my mum what language they were speaking… it’s also sometimes hard to understand some accents. Instead of forcing it why not provide classes as anyone who comes here is eager to learn English…
Make fluent English one of the criteria. Some of them are impossible to understand. Also, make citizenship conditional upon HSE employment.
@Benny McHale: Having worked in Healthcare for more than 20 years, I have encountered many non-EU employees. All of the non-EU doctors and nurses I have met speak fluent English. Some of my Irish colleagues are not quite so easy to understand.
@Benny McHale: the majority of foreign medical staff in ireland are fluent English speakers but much like Kerry people their accent makes it difficult to understand….
@Benny McHale: The article was perfectly clear and articulate. If I had to be hospitalised I’d certainly appreciate being treated by a doctor capable of speaking out when necessary. Certainly not one that settled for struggling in silence for fear of what people might imagine. Everyone needs some hope that they can progress in life.
We are producing enough of our own at significant cost to not to have to do this.
@Bill ORourke: not everyone who graduates wants to stay in Ireland and they shouldn’t feel like they have to, and some will go abroad for a few years experience
@Bill ORourke: no we’re not.
@Sam Harms: isn’t that more of a case to better the working conditions in Ireland. For the Irish people. Rather than setting the bar lower and lower and staffing the country with foreigners in the first place? It’s only putting a bandage over the wound the country is continuing to cut into itself.
This is a consequence of brain drain of the last decade as a result of failed policy to retain talent.. Recent survey from nurses graduates showed over 70% are planning to emigrate.
How about paying student nurses Donnelly…. their the backbone of the health sector. Which you are missing…..
We produce more than enough doctors and nurses- highest per capita in Europe- that is Irish doctors alone excluding the foreign students who also graduate here.
The issue here is that doctors and nurses are leaving for better conditions overseas and in the private sector. 20% of consultant postions in the public sector are unfilled.
Asking him to do something.. Like that’s gonna work.
Thumbs up
Good for Ireland, not so good for the countries these badly needed professionals are leaving behind.
Wow how fast can these guys respond to a trending story however merited but take years to deal with true problems like paid sick leavefor workers, nurses retention, poor public transport systems etc
These articles about immigrants in Ireland are always guaranteed to bring out the whataboutery, closet xenophobia and racism…
This is bound to just create some form of “look after own” thread .
@Paul Hayes: are you suggesting that looking after our own is a bad thing?
@Cormac McCarthy: Cormac, our own are not here today to care for our own. .. it’s a pandemic and our own choose to look after themselves.
have your say