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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008We’ve had a request for the video “Over Here”, which was produced by Emigrant Advice some time ago. The Crosscare Migrant Project (formerly Emigrant Advice) no longer has a copy. If you or your organisation has a copy, perhaps you might let me know at noreen@ean.ie.
Actress at odds with US-Ireland Alliance on visa campaign
Thursday, January 17th, 2008Actress Fionnuala Flanagan has refused to appear at an event sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance because of the stand the organisation has taken regarding the Irish undocumented in the US.
US-Ireland Alliance director Trina Vargo wrote an opinion piece that appeared in the Irish Times in October, where she criticised the efforts of those who are campaigning for a special deal that would allow the undocumented Irish to stay in the US. Some immigrant advocates had moved toward working toward such a special arrangement following the defeat of comprehensive immigration reform earlier last year.
When Ms Flanagan heard of the article, she pulled out of a previously scheduled appearance. She wrote to Ms Vargo that she muse “respectfully decline to be honoured by your organisation which appears to have taken such a strong position against the most vulnerable of my countrymen”, according to the Irish Times.
She further added that Irish immigrants had resorted to organised lobbying on their own behalf because they were disillusioned by the repeated failure of governments to solve the issue.
Ms Vargo told the Irish Times, “Ms Flanagan supports a special deal for illegal Irish immigrants. I support legalisation of all immigrants”.
See the article in the Irish Times (registration required).
Free travel a no-go, says Minister
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008Extending free public transport to elderly emigrant visitors to Ireland is not currently possible, according to Social and Family Affairs Minister Martin Cullen. The Irish Independent has reported that the Minister said that despite a Government pledge to work toward free travel for emigrant pensioners, the minister said:
“Legal advice indicates that it would not be possible to extend entitlement to free travel to Irish-born people living abroad, as to do so would be contrary to European legislation, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of nationality”.
Labour Party chief whip Emmet Stagg, however, says the Government is actually opposing a complaint made to the European committee on Social Rights, investigating whether the current denial of free travel breaches the EU’s social charter. “The Government have fought against that tooth and nail to prevent them having to grant free travel. This flies in the face of their statements in the Dail, where they are saying the EU won’t allow them to do this”.
See the report by Michael Brennan in the Irish Independent.
Independent explores lure of Spain
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008The Irish Independent says there are an increasing number of Irish families moving to Spain, with 78,000 Irish people registered as living there. Journalist Niamh Horan says the Irish-born are lured by cheap and convenient flights, warm weather, an inexpensive lifestyle, and the widespread use of English.
Additionally, some claim they are finding they are having to give up few of their comforts. Patrick Hughes, MD of an estate agency selling to Irish people, says, “There’s no sacrifice. We have RTE here. We can get the Irish papers every day; it’s like home from home, except warmer and more comfortable… You live the same here as you do at home”.
The one caveat expressed in the article is that children tend to become more independent and grow up more quickly in Spain.
The Irish in Spain have been in the headlines over the last two weeks with the disappearance of Amy Fitzpatrick, who went missing from Mijas on New Year’s Day. Her family has lived in the Costa del Sol for about a year.
See the full article in the Irish Independent, “Boom in Irish families living Spanish dream“.
Irish activist challenges Republican candidate
Friday, January 11th, 2008A New-York based, Mayo-born bar owner and immigration activist has made national headlines in US newspapers for his questioning of presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Ciaran Staunton, of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, poised the opening question at the “Ask Mitt Anything” event, held in New Hampshire shortly before the primaries were held this past Tuesday.
Mr Staunton noted that Mr Romney had had a strong record on immigration as governor of Massachusetts, but then asked him why he had changed. He spoke of the estimated 50,000 Irish undocumented, noting that many are the parents of American-born children, adding, “When you sit down tonight, Gov. Romney, will you do me a favor, please remember that they are human”.
Mr Staunton was jeered by Romney supporters. Mr Romney replied that he loved legal immigration but that he wants to end illegal immigration: “They should get in line if they want to become a citizen”.
Mr Staunton told the New York Daily News that Mr Romney had been generous in funding immigration centres in Massachusetts in the past, but has now done an “about-face in his immigration policies”.
The Irish Echo says the publican, who owns O’Neill’s Irish Bar in midtown Manhattan, denies his challenge was out of order. “Sure I’m a pillar of society”, the paper quotes him as saying.
Meanwhile, the Irish-American Republicans group has endorsed Senator John McCain for president.
Read the coverage of the event:
Irish Echo
New York Daily News
USA Today
Emigrant film dominates Irish awards
Friday, January 11th, 2008The emigrant-themed film Kings has dominated the nomination for the Irish Film and Television Awards. The film, which tells its story mostly through Irish, depicts the troubled lives of a group of Irish emigrants who left Galway for London in the 1970s. It received 14 nominations, including the categories of best Irish film, best actor (Colm Meaney), best supporting actor (Donal O’Kelly and Brendan Conroy) and best screenplay (Tom Collins). The awards ceremony will be held on 17 February.
The film, based on Jimmy Murphy’s play “Kings of the Kilburn High Road”, has also been put forward by Ireland to the Oscars for consideration for the best foreign language-film. The film is getting mixed reviews in the US, however. Several commentators have noted their opinion that the film is too confined by its theatrical roots.
Visit the IFTA website.
Read the reviews on the Reuters and Boston Globe websites.