An RTE reporter met people considering packing their bags yesterday – those interviewed included both Irish-born people and returning emigrants from other countries.

England, Denmark and Sweden were among the destination countries named, while a Polish person said he would return home, and an Irish electrician said he was heading for Australia.

The last ESRI quarterly report has projected that net outward migration would begin again next year.

View the report at RTE’s website.

He spoke to Paris-based journalist Greg Delaney, London writer Joe Ambrose, and New York journalist Niall Stanage. The men, all successful media professionals, shared the perception that Ireland’s smallness had led them to choose to emigrate. They commented on such issues as the Irish communities around them, the drive toward multiculturalism in Ireland and the perceptions of Ireland held by people in their host countries.

The discussion prompted a number of comments from listeners.

Listen to the programme.