Sir, – I was very surprised at how hurt I was at Michael Noonan’s recent comments about people emigrating for the lifestyle and the kick of it.
I have two children, educated at a huge cost to me and the other taxpayers in this State and they had to emigrate rather than be a further drain on this beleaguered economy.
I do not belong to the parallel Ireland that can assure children a livelihood or indeed a “lifestyle” as Mr Noonan seems to think is available to our emigrants.
I will probably never know my grandchildren properly and while I rejoice in the self-fulfilment and the work my children are enjoying, their choice to emigrate was a no-brainer. – Yours, etc,