EMIGRANT APPEAL:FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore have been urged by the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain not to "sacrifice" the needs of Irish emigrants in Britain as they seek to prepare a coalition pact.
In letters to Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore, the federation appealed to both to ensure that “the critical support” offered by the Irish government over the last decade, or so, to emigrants in Britain “is sustained and developed”.
“We have hope and a vision for our community but we need to work together and speak with one voice,” said Jennie McShannon, the chief executive of the federation, which has acted as an umbrella group for Irish societies and clubs in Britain since 1973.
“The Irish in Britain don’t come to the table with a begging bowl. We bring with us the goodwill and wealth of our community with a ‘win-win’ proposition. While we care for those most in need; we are a community of suppliers, of customers, investors and entrepreneurs.
“We are a giving community of exceptional generosity for Irish causes. We are the unpaid ambassadors for Irish arts, media and sports. We are proud of our community and believe in pulling our weight. We believe the Irish have the potential to play a constructive role in economic recovery and a changing world,” Ms McShannon told the two party leaders.
Last November, she noted, the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly said it would “be deeply regrettable” if Irish funding for emigrant groups were viewed “as an easy target for cuts” by a government seeking to make savings.
