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Irish Post
15 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Post
Ireland commits to sending €2m funding for food as Gaza faces famine
IRELAND has committed €2m in funding to support a programme delivering food to Gaza. Humanitarian agencies have warned this week that the war-torn region faces famine as deaths due to malnutrition and starvation are increasing as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues. The IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) has issued an alert claiming that the 'worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip'. 'Conflict and displacement have intensified, and access to food and other essential items and services has plummeted to unprecedented levels,' they said in a statement. 'Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths,' they add. The IPC has warned that famine thresholds have been reached in war-torn Gaza (Pic: IPC) The IPC further confirmed that famine 'thresholds' have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City. 'Malnutrition has been rising rapidly in the first half of July,' they explained. 'Over 20,000 children have been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition between April and mid-July, with more than 3,000 severely malnourished. 'Hospitals have reported a rapid increase in hunger-related deaths of children under five years of age, with at least 16 reported deaths since July 17.' They added: 'Immediate action must be taken to end the hostilities and allow for unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response. 'This is the only path to stopping further deaths and catastrophic human suffering." Yesterday Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed Ireland would send €2m to support the World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver food to Gaza. 'Deliberately denying food to people, including babies, in Gaza is beyond comprehension,' he said. 'Children are starving in what is a catastrophic situation on the ground,' he added. 'In recent days I've asked my officials to examine how best Ireland can play a part in helping. 'This emergency package of funding being announced today will support the World Food Programme to get food to people who urgently need it. 'The WFP managed to deliver 4,000 tonnes of food to people in Gaza last week. 'This is life-saving work but WFP estimate that 62,000 tonnes of food aid is needed per month. 'Once again, we call on Israel to remove the many restrictions and delays on transport into and within Gaza. 'This is the only feasible way to avert famine in Gaza.' Ireland's Minister for International Development, Neale Richmond, said the situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic'. 'People are being deliberately denied food and are now on the brink of famine, this must stop," he said. 'The World Food Programme is best placed to deliver food to people in Gaza," the minister added. :This is the only way to avert a famine in Gaza. Ireland will continue to support their life-saving work.' See More: Famine, Food, Funding, Gaza, Ireland, Israel
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Our greatest export has always been our people – Irish abroad can play valuable role in nation's future & global links
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.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
A belated appreciation of one of Britain's oldest ethnicities: the Irish ‘elders'
Irish-Americans have always been somewhat feted in their homeland, like a national gold card sitting proudly in the wallet of the State. It hasn't always been the same for the Irish in Britain , due to reasons rooted in Ireland 's complex historic relationship with its nearest neighbour to the east. Irish emigrants to Britain were not as celebrated back home and many knew it, according to older members of the community to whom I have spoken over the past 2½ years. 'It's a fair point,' said Neale Richmond , the Minister of State for Diaspora, as we supped coffee on Monday afternoon in the good room on the top floor of the Irish embassy. READ MORE He was in London to launch the Global Irish Survey, a Government initiative to canvass the views of Irish emigrants and their descendants across the world, in advance of the publication next year of a new five-year strategy for the diaspora. According to Richmond, a key component will be to demonstrate to the Irish in Britain that the State values them. The Minister said he believed President Michael D Higgins 's 2014 State visit to Britain was positive on a number of levels. He says it prompted the beginning of a 'real release, a reawakening' among Irish people back home of their relationship with their Irish-British kin across the water. The Irish who settled in Britain over past decades are now an aged community. They are one of the oldest ethnicities in Britain, according to census data. More than 32 per cent of those who ticked the 'white Irish' box in the England and Wales census of 2021 were over 65. This compared with an average of 18 per cent for the rest of the population. There were also 160 Irish centenarians in England and Wales in 2021, a proportion that was 1½ times more than the rest of the population. Anyone who is familiar with London's old Irish haunts such as Kilburn, Cricklewood and Archway can attest to the ageing of the local embedded Irish population. It is a similar story elsewhere in Britain, perhaps most notably in Coventry, where there is a particularly old Irish community that was curiously underappreciated back home. Richmond said the State wants to send out the message to the Irish in Britain that 'yes, they are celebrated' by the rest of us. He also made them a promise, as politicians do: 'Using money from the Emigrant Support Programme, we will make sure their needs, particularly as they are later in life, are fully funded. The networks will be there, the lunch clubs, the bingo . . .' Irish community groups in Britain, meanwhile, toil to help their members. Many operate under the umbrella organisation Irish in Britain, which is supported by the Irish Government. Most individual groups operate on a mix of State cash and their own fundraising. Some Government funding is directed towards organisations such as the Irish Elderly Advice Network, which runs lunch clubs, and the London Irish Centre in Camden, which operates extensive community outreach to the ageing Irish in the city. So does the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in Hammersmith, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Wear away, don't rust away — John Hurley The ICC last Thursday held an extravaganza to celebrate local Irish 'elders'. It comprised an intergenerational project in which teenagers from the local Sacred Heart Catholic High School interviewed older Irish immigrants to London about the lives they built in the city and the lives they left behind. The children sang songs and read poetry about their new older Irish friends. They screened an hour-long documentary they made about the elders. We heard from 80-year-old Margaret Curran from Dublin, who moved to London 63 years ago and worked in the fashion industry. Her bridal designs used to make the front cover of Wedding and Home magazine. Justa Madden, originally from Co Sligo, was also among the celebrated elders. After a sojourn in Chile, she moved to Britain and became a teacher. It is important to give students 'awe and wonder', she said. [ Government fears referendum to give Irish diaspora vote in presidential elections 'could be lost' Opens in new window ] Mary Leslie (90), originally from Athenry, Co Galway, advised the Sacred Heart students at the ICC to 'be positive and you will see the bright side of life'. Mary Hamrogue (86), from Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, came to London in 1958. She is now a stalwart of the ICC knitting club. She lamented that she no longer knows many of her neighbours in Hammersmith. Mary Swan (90) was born in England to Irish parents but moved to Ireland aged four at the outbreak of the second World War in 1939. She returned to London aged 19 when she got married. In 2020, she was voted the Belle of Soho. Cork man John Hurley (89), who moved to London aged 17, also shared his wisdom at the ICC project launch. He began writing at the age of 74 and has since published two novels, and also writes poems daily. His advice? 'Wear away, don't rust away.'
Irish Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
First ever survey of Irish people across the globe launched in London
THE first ever survey of the Irish community worldwide has been launched in London. Ireland's Diaspora Minister Neale Richmond revealed the Global Irish Survey while in the capital yesterday for a series of meetings with members of the community. 'Over the last six months, I have heard first hand from many remarkable members of our diaspora on the challenges and opportunities of being Irish overseas,' Minister Richmond said. 'However, I am also conscious that the Global Irish are truly global,' he added. Diaspora Minister Neale Richmond launched the survey in London yesterday 'I am launching the first ever Global Irish Survey so we hear from as many voices as possible to ensure our new diaspora strategy reflects our contemporary diaspora,' the Minister explained. 'I hope that those abroad and those who have recently returned home will share their views through the Global Irish Survey so they can have their voice heard and help shape our new policy.' The survey, which is described as an 'online consultation for the Irish diaspora', is open until the end of August. It is part of the Irish Government's diaspora engagement strategy, and its findings will inform their plans for the years ahead. Their current Diaspora Strategy ends this year. While in Britain this week, Minister Richmond took the opportunity consult with members of the diaspora in the southern England and in Wales on the survey. 'I am always pleased at the positive approach these conversations take,' he said. 'We have a shared focus on working together to support long-standing emigrants and newer arrivals and, importantly how we can strengthen the links – be they social, cultural, business, sporting or educational - between our overseas communities and Ireland,' he added. 'I have had a chance to hear from Irish-born, second or third generation Irish, underrepresented group and the affinity diaspora who through familial, work or education connections hold a deep appreciation for our people and culture. 'All their insights are actively shaping our thinking on the new strategy.' He added: 'In an ever changing world, where the economic environment is experiencing significant transition, the Irish diaspora and affinity diaspora provide a significant opportunity for Ireland in relation to trade and investment. 'We know that the Irish abroad have a vast network of business contacts and a large amount of the diaspora are in very influential and powerful positions across the globe. 'This network presents the opportunity to continue to diversify and expand trade and investment links as the world economy experiences a period of flux.' The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and all data supplied is anonymous, "nothing personal is requested". Mr Richmond's department has confirmed. You can complete the survey here.
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Government fears referendum to give Irish diaspora vote in presidential elections ‘could be lost'
There is a significant concern that the Government could lose a referendum to extend the vote in presidential elections to Irish citizens living abroad, the Minister of State for Diaspora has said. Neale Richmond said he was personally in favour of giving the right to vote in presidential elections to the Irish diaspora 'anywhere ... if they are entitled to Irish citizenship'. He said it should not just be limited to Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland . [ Should people in Northern Ireland vote in Irish presidential elections? Opens in new window ] 'It is my personal opinion, my party's policy and it is the Government's policy that we will introduce voting for the Irish abroad for presidential elections,' said the Fine Gael TD during a visit to London. READ MORE Mr Richmond noted the Government recently accepted an opposition Dáil motion on the issue. 'But it's a tricky debate,' he said. However, he complained of 'deliberate disinformation from the commentariat', which he suggested had misled some to believe that extending presidential votes could also bring into play voting for the Oireachtas or local councils. He said there is a 'major concern' a poll on giving the diaspora votes for the presidency could be defeated 'if we hold this referendum without a proper debate, without a proper consultation and without letting people know what this means'. In response to the suggestion that there was relative political unanimity on the issue, he said: 'We had relative unanimity on the last two referendums [held last year on expanding the definition of the family and on references to a woman's place in the home] and we lost those spectacularly badly.' The Dublin Rathdown TD said he was not trying to be a 'killjoy' on the issue. 'But as a politician, I don't want to run a referendum and lose it because then you can't have another referendum on this issue for a generation.' Why does Ireland's presidential race still have no one at the starting line? Listen | 42:06 The Minister was speaking at the Irish Embassy in London at the launch of the Global Irish Survey, a Government survey of the diaspora that is available at and will run until the end of August. He said the Government wanted to canvass the views of Irish people living abroad before formulating a new strategy for the diaspora; the existing five-year strategy runs out at the end of the year. Mr Richmond said he hoped a new strategy would be in place by next April. In addition to maintaining connections with people who had recently left the Republic, he said it would also seek to 'go deeper' with second, third and fourth generation descendants. In addition to launching the survey, he was also due to hold talks with Jenny Chapman, the British Labour government's development minister.
