Irish President speaks about heartbreaking emigration rates

As reported by The Journal, Irish President Michael D Higgins gave a speech in New York, in which he called “heartbreaking” the return of Irish joblessness and mass emigration. The President stated that, with the aftermath of the financial crisis, there was a cycle of major challenges and strains.

Giving his speech at the Irish Network New York Business Breakfast, he called it “heartbreaking” that the Irish people are again living with the huge economic and social challenges created by joblessness and emigration.

He said that many in audience must have understood very well the pain inflicted on youth and their families, as the economic crisis meant that opportunities at home were simply unavailable. Yet, those people still felt compelled to take the vital and life-changing choice of pursuing a life abroad, he added.

Higgins expressed his hopes to someday watch many of them go back to Ireland, saying that the nation was committed to creating a society and economy that learns the important lessons from past mistakes.

The President said that he was proud of what the immigrants were doing in the US and how they were representing Ireland, adding that he looked forward to seeing some of them returning home to help transform the Republic.