logo
Our greatest export has always been our people – Irish abroad can play valuable role in nation's future & global links

Our greatest export has always been our people – Irish abroad can play valuable role in nation's future & global links

The Irish Sun09-07-2025
IRELAND this week launched an online consultation for the Irish diaspora: The Global Irish Survey.
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, made the announcement on a visit to
2
Minister Neale Richmond said the Irish abroad can play a huge role in the nation's future on the global stage
Credit: Getty
2
Minister Richmond has said he wants to hear from Irish expats around the world
Credit: PA
The survey is the latest in a series of consultations he is having with Irish communities around the world as part of the
To date, he has met with representatives of the Irish community in Nairobi,
In the weeks and months ahead, he will host sessions in the
Writing in the Irish Sun today, Minister Richmond says he has heard first hand from many remarkable members of our diaspora on the challenges and opportunities of being Irish overseas.
READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS
IRELAND has come a long way since some of the darkest days in our
Emigration has always been a constant for the people of this country.
Indeed, the Great Hunger and various periods of our past, where poverty and unemployment were extremely high, were times of significant migration from our island.
Many of the people who left these shores in the 1980s, for example, would barely recognise the country which they left all those years ago.
Most read in The Irish Sun
There isn't a family anywhere in Ireland that doesn't have a relation abroad, be it the uncle in
The experience of many Irish people who left these shores has been mixed.
Victoria Smurfit leads Dublin's St Patrick's Day parade
Plenty of the Irish diaspora have made incredibly successful careers and livelihoods for themselves all across the world — the Irish American story is one significant pillar of the fabled 'American Dream' — but equally the Irish have also experienced significant discrimination.
One need only think of the 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish' signs which were commonplace in London in the 1950s.
The story of the Irish abroad is one of opportunity and hard work.
Our greatest export has always been our people.
GREATEST EXPORT
They have always enriched the different places which they call their new home, despite the reasons for leaving.
But who or what is the Irish diaspora in 2025? How do we define that; and do we have a catch all representation of this diaspora?
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, work is underway on preparing the development of the next Diaspora Strategy.
Central to this is a series of consultations, which I am in the process of conducting, with diaspora communities and key stakeholders overseas and in Ireland.
Since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for the Diaspora, this process of con-sultation has taken me to Brussels, Nairobi, Boston, Philadelphia, Glasgow, and Manchester.
INCLUSIVE APPROACH
In the weeks and months ahead, I will host sessions in the Middle East, across the US and Canada and at home to name but a few.
This week, I launched the first ever global online consultation of the Irish Diaspora - the Irish Abroad: The Global Irish Survey.
This survey will build on the in-person consultations and ensure we hear from as many voices as possible in order to reflect the diversity and values of our contemporary diaspora.
The findings of the survey will feed into our consideration of the new strategy.
LISTENING EAR
It will also form the baseline for future surveys with the intention to roll others out on a regular basis, and to build up a picture over time of interests and issues that Irish communities overseas feel are important.
The world, Ireland and immigration has changed since our last strategy was launched in 2020.
To understand the issues affecting both long-standing emigrants and newer arrivals, I am keen to hear from a range of voices and experiences in order to ensure the new strategy meets the needs of global Irish communities and can adapt to evolving circumstances.
As I'm finding out as I meet people all over the world, 'Ireland' and 'the Irish' are terms that mean a lot of different things to different sections of our diaspora.
It is important that we continue to take a broad and inclusive definition of our diaspora that reflects our modern and diverse Ireland.
REAL WORLD BENEFIT
We are a community that encompasses Irish born citizens; and those with parents or grandparents born on the island; others with ancestral ties, as well as an affinity diaspora who may have once lived, studied or worked here; and those who hold a deep appreciation for our people and culture.
Getting to hear the views of Ireland's diaspora has allowed me to delve into and reflect on some of the key issues facing our diaspora, but also some of the opportunities that the Irish abroad community presents for us as a nation.
Our new diaspora strategy is not just about staying in touch with our Irish abroad, but provides very real benefits during these uncertain economic times.
Our diaspora and affinity diaspora who live in the US provide us with very real and tangible benefits through their connections to state legislators and the business community.
These relationships, in the US and elsewhere, are crucial to copper-fastening our current trading relationships, but also in forging new ones.
FUTURE ROLE
During my most recent trip to the US, I launched the Ireland-Massachusetts Trade Forum.
This forum consists of Massachusetts state legislators, business leaders, educators and academics.
These people, with their profound connections to Ireland, provide us with the expertise and links to opportunities.
As the world becomes an ever more uncertain place, our Irish abroad can play a growing role.
We need a truly representative diaspora strategy.
To achieve this, we need to hear from you.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Be a 'sound' citizen this summer
Be a 'sound' citizen this summer

Extra.ie​

timean hour ago

  • Extra.ie​

Be a 'sound' citizen this summer

Dublin City Council is urging everyone to 'Be Sound This Summer', in a clever campaign encouraging commuters to put safety first whilst walking, cycling, or driving on the capital's roads. We all know what Dublin's traffic is like, it can be extremely busy at times, so the council has sent out 'Soundness Detectors' to the city streets, to reward all road users for being good citizens, or being 'Sound'. Commuters will be rewarded for their 'sound' conduct with an 'I'm Sound' badge, by these 'detectors' basically members of DCC who will be keeping an eye out in the capital for good commuting behaviour. Pic: Dmitri Otis/Getty Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam said, 'As a city, we're working to make travel safer, cleaner, and more connected – not just through infrastructure, but through how we treat one another. 'Be Sound This Summer' is about recognising and celebrating those small, everyday actions that make our streets safer and more respectful for everyone'. But he says that by 'adding a bit of fun and positivity to the message, we're encouraging all road users to look out for each other. Whatever way you travel, being sound goes a long way.' Cyclists pictured in Dublin City centre… Pic Stephen Collins;/Collins Photos The latest 'Walking and Cycling Index' reveals over half a million cars are taken off the roads of the capital every day by people walking or cycling through the city. The acting Director for the Active Travel Programme Office in Dublin City Council, Christopher K Manzira, says, 'With more people choosing to travel actively across the city, we all have a shared responsibility to look out for one another. 'Be Sound' is a reminder that safety and respect are essential on our streets.' If you see any of these 'I'm Sound' detectors on the streets of Dublin, be sure to say hello, you might just earn yourself a badge for being 'Sound'.

'Perfect fit': Irish firm Fexco acquires Sainsbury's Travel Money business
'Perfect fit': Irish firm Fexco acquires Sainsbury's Travel Money business

Irish Post

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Post

'Perfect fit': Irish firm Fexco acquires Sainsbury's Travel Money business

IRISH financial services firm Fexco has acquired Sainsbury's Travel Money business in what the Kerry-based company has described as a 'perfect fit'. Offering foreign exchange and payment services, Fexco operates an extensive network of travel money stores and agents across Ireland, Britain and the Pacific. The Kilorglin company said the Sainsbury's deal will significantly expand its British operations, giving it control of more than 220 travel money bureaux within the supermarket chain's stores "We are thrilled to welcome Sainsbury's Travel Money, its talented team and their millions of loyal customers to Fexco Group," said CEO Neil Hosty. "The reputation and reach of the Sainsbury's Travel Money business, with over 220 locations, make it a perfect fit with our commitment to delivering market-leading travel money services. "Since 1981, Fexco has built a legacy of outstanding customer service, delivered through strong partnerships and product innovation. "We are excited to extend that same level of excellence and continuity to the exceptional Sainsbury's group as we bring the Sainsbury's Travel Money business into the Fexco family." 'Strong fit' Fexco says the deal, which includes Sainsbury's digital platforms as well as outlets, will place the company among the top five players in the sector. It also opens up access to over 18m Nectar members, offering an opportunity to extend Fexco's travel money services. Bláthnaid Bergin, Sainsbury's Chief Financial Officer, said customers in Britain will see no immediate changes, with the Sainsbury's Travel Money brand continuing as normal. "Travel money is a service our customers value and we're pleased to be entering a new long-term partnership with Fexco Group that ensures they can continue to access foreign exchange both in-store and online with the same ease and confidence," she said. "With over 220 bureaux nationwide and almost 10 per cent of the UK market, this is a well-established part of our offer and we're pleased it will continue under the Sainsbury's brand. "With specialist expertise and a strong track record in foreign exchange, Fexco Group is a strong fit for our business. "I'm also pleased to confirm that there will be no immediate changes, and customers can expect the same high level of service they know and trust." Fexco say full integration is planned for early 2026. See More: Fexco, Sainsburys

Dublin Airport passengers warned of long delays due to air traffic control issue
Dublin Airport passengers warned of long delays due to air traffic control issue

Irish Daily Mirror

time4 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Dublin Airport passengers warned of long delays due to air traffic control issue

Passengers due to travel to and from Dublin Airport have been warned that they face delays to their flights after an air traffic control (ATC) fault caused major flight disruption across the UK. ATC operator the National Air Traffic Service, or NATS, said at around 4pm on Wednesday that a technical problem meant that only a limited number of aircraft were able to fly in the 'London control area', which covers most of England and Wales. NATS said the technical glitch happened at its control centre at Swanwick, near London, with the ATC provider issuing a statement saying they were "limiting the number of aircraft flying in the London control area in order to ensure safety". Gatwick airport said the problem was affecting all outbound flights across the UK, while Birmingham airport said departing flights from many UK airports had been suspended as a result of the glitch. Dublin Airport says some delays to flights to and from the airport "are possible this evening" and advises passengers due to fly to contact their airline for updates (Image: mikroman6 via Getty Images) NATS has since confirmed that the technical error has now been fixed, although Irish passengers have been warned that there may be delays to a number of flights this evening due to the system error, with Dublin Airport advising passengers due to fly this evening to contact their airline for updates. In a statement, a spokesperson for the airport said: "Some delays to flights to and from Dublin Airport are possible this evening due to a now-resolved air traffic control issue in the UK, which impacted on flights flying over the UK for a period of around 30 minutes earlier this afternoon. "Passengers due to fly this evening are advised to contact their airline directly for updates on their flight." Meanwhile, Ryanair has called for NATS' chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign following the air traffic control fault on Wednesday. The Irish airline chief claimed 'no lessons have been learnt' since the August 2023 system outage, when more than 700,000 passengers suffered disruption when flights were grounded at UK airports after NATS suffered a technical glitch while processing a flight plan. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Ryanair's chief operating officer Neal McMahon said: 'It is outrageous that passengers are once again being hit with delays and disruption due to Martin Rolfe's continued mismanagement of Nats. Yet another ATC system failure has resulted in the closure of UK airspace meaning thousands of passengers' travel plans have been disrupted. 'It is clear that no lessons have been learnt since the Aug 2023 Nats system outage, and passengers continue to suffer as a result of Martin Rolfe's incompetence. 'If Nats CEO Martin Rolfe fails to resign on the back of this latest Nats system outage that has disrupted thousands of passengers yet again, then UK transport minister Heidi Alexander must act without delay to remove Martin Rolfe and deliver urgent reform of Nats' shambolic ATC service, so that airlines and passengers are no longer forced to endure these preventable delays caused by persistent Nats failures.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store