Archive for August, 2006

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NY mayor calls for "common sense" in immigration laws

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, speaking at Sligo’s City Hall, pledged to fight for legislation that would help undocumented Irish immigrants in the US. “I know that many Irish-born New Yorkers are caught in the trap of our federal immigration policies,” he said. “If we are going to attract the best and the brightest — and Ireland has more than its fair share — we need to inject some common sense into our immigration laws, and I’m doing my best to make that case in Washington.”
The mayor was speaking as part of his trip, postponed from earlier in the month, to dedicate a memorial to the Fighting 69th, the “Irish brigade� of the US Civil War. The memorial includes metal from the World Trade Center.
http://www.nysun.com/article/38427

Fine Gael TD John Perry made a speech at the monument’s unveiling, in which he said: “This monument represents the unbreakable link between all those who emigrated from Ireland to the United States over the past 200 years. It is a link of dedication. It is a link of service to others. It is a link of sacrifice for others. It is a link of friendship between our two nations. And it is a link of hope for a future that is free and possible.�
The entire text of the speech is available at http://www.irishdev.com/NewsArticle.aspx?id=3608

Topics: US Immigration reform, history

ILIR efforts continue

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform is continuing its efforts throughout the Congressional summer recess, says the Irish Voice in New York. The group is hosting weekly local meetings to discuss tactics around the New York Area; volunteers have also been spreading the word through attending Irish festivals. In addition, Irish comedian Des Bishop will feature in fundraisers hosted by the ILIR and by the Aisling Immigration Center. The ILIR is also sponsoring a bus to participate in a cross-cultural rally in Washington DC on September 7. The group has also been attending Congressional hearings on the immigrant issue around the country, and will step up their efforts to pressure Congress on the issue this autumn.

Returning emigrants need info, says Brennan

Sunday, August 20th, 2006

Unison.ie’s breaking news reports that Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan, speaking as he presented a cheque for €200,000 to the Emigrant Advice service, said that returnees must have all the up-to-date information needed to make the return process as smooth as possible. The report noted that 20,000 Irish people are coming home every year.

New York mayor to unveil Sligo monument

Thursday, August 17th, 2006

In other news about Irish men serving in forces abroad, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York will visit Ballymote, Co. Sligo to unveil a monument to the 69th Regiment of the American Civil War – also known as the “Fighting Irish�. The monument’s base contains steel from the Twin Towers in memory of Sligo-born Michael F Lynch, a firefighter who died on 9/11.

Irish WWI soldiers to be granted pardons

Thursday, August 17th, 2006

The British government’s announcement yesterday that it would seek pardons for the 306 soldiers who were shot at dawn for cowardice or desertion during World War I has been welcomed by Irish campaigners and Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern.. There were 26 Irish killed for such offences; Irish men were four times more likely to be executed as a result of court martial than British, Canadian, or New Zealand troops. The offences for which they were killed were repealed by British authorities in 1930; many of the offences were apparently related to post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2006, Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern called for pardons for the Irish-born soldiers shot by the British army; his department had produced a report, presented to the British government, that outlined the flawed justice the men had been subjected to.
http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/Press_Releases/20060328/2010.htm

Minister re-iterates support

Tuesday, August 15th, 2006

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has re-emphasised the Government’s commitment to supporting the interests of the Irish abroad. He said, “This commitment is reflected in the fact that funding for emigrant services has never been higher. I am delighted that the unprecedented amount of €12 million has been allocated for this purpose this year. This follows on other substantial increases in recent years, so that funding is now twelve-times the sum that was available when this Government came to office in 1997.â€?

Commenting on the distribution of grants, the Minister said:
“So far this year I have been happy to announce grants exceeding €9 million. Most of this funding is being distributed to organisations in Britain that support Irish people there. In July I approved grants to over 140 organisations throughout Britain that are engaged in a wide range of activities of benefit to our community there.
The bulk of funding to groups in Britain, which I expect will reach some €9 million by the end of the year, is allocated to welfare projects that benefit the vulnerable members of our community there. I am also delighted that increased funding has enabled us to support a much wider range of initiatives in Britain than was possible in the past, including social, heritage and sporting projects which foster a sense of community.
The interests of the Irish in the United States remain an important priority for the Government. I have been happy to announce funding to organisations there of over €1 million. The information and advisory services provided by Irish organisations in the US make a critical difference for many members of our community there. These services are of particular value to the undocumented Irish whose welfare remains an issue of deep concern for the Government.
While most funding is directed to organisations in Britain and the United States, I have also been happy to announce financial support to a number of organisations in Ireland that are engaged in activities of benefit to Irish people abroad. I have also approved first time funding to Irish-Argentine community organisations. I look forward to announcing further grants later in the year to Irish community groups abroad, including to organisations in Australia and elsewhere.�

See the full press release on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

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