Chairman’s Address
AGM
Saturday 1st of December 2007

‘There’s Gold in them thar Hills’

Alan Hilliard
KEEPING IN TOUCH
At our AGM in November 2005 I posited that EAN as with many of our affiliates was not so much a service provider as a learning organisation. A learning organisation demands creativity, imagination, reflection and serious deliberation. This is inevitable as we may be hear more and more talk about outcomes and plans, however migration by it very nature eludes the best plans. Any organisation that serves emigrants (and migrants groups in general)is by its very nature therefore a learning organisation and is called to be responsive not only to the emigrant (or migrant)but to the myriad of relationships that are part and parcel of the emigrant agenda. The last four years have highlighted the need to identify and work with many organisations that are part of mainstream society but have no direct commitment to emigrants. However when they are canvassed we find that are open to including the needs of emigrants within their agenda. 

Today many nations are waking up to the political and monetary power of their Diaspora. More and more they wish to cultivate strategic relationship with their people living abroad. Some wish to stay in touch with their Diaspora in order to entice their best people back to their homeland. Reversing the brain drain is a key policy now for many countries. If Ireland is to be a leader in this area we have a lot more work to do. We have allowed circumstance attract people back rather than actively strategise the involvement of people in their homeland. I know that objections may be raised with regard to this view by highlighting that Ireland hosted an employment fair in New York last year. This is precisely the problem with emigration today and indeed the more global issue of migration in that it is labour focused.

TAKING SECOND PLACE
None of us want to revert back to the days of unemployment; days when ‘The town I loved so Well’ saw men who walked the dogs and women sought out the few jobs that were available. However we cannot say that human well being lies solely with a job.  Human well being has many indicators; having a job is one of them. Those among the undocumented population in the US have jobs yet the insecurity that they face at a daily level tears at their sense of well-being. The lack of a positive political outcome for the undocumented in the United States is a disappointment to all of us involved in the care of Irish emigrants and is only a shadow of the disappointment felt by those that are still living furtive lives and try to keep hope alive. We have focused on the issue of immigration reform when maybe we should study the issue from a different angle namely reform of the labour market. These people are working at jobs that contribute to the Gross National Product of the US. The vast majority pay taxes. They are employed by American Citizens who face a labour market shortage and a resulting loss of revenue should this supply of labour dry up. They employ these people, benefiting from their work yet they fail in their responsibilities to them. In a 2005 publication by the California Farm Bureau Federation, it was estimated that "70 percent of the state's seasonal farm workers are falsely documented." The screw is now turning as the Department of Homeland security try to enforce immigration laws States are reacting. In August, Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed a law amending the state's Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act to prohibit employers from participating in the agency's voluntary electronic employment-verification program known as E-Verify. Then last month, a federal judge in California blocked an agency plan that would have given employers 90 days to reconcile employee Social Security numbers that don't match official records or be held accountable for hiring undocumented workers. These masure are taken not to support undocumented workers but to protect business interests.

There is no doubt that many Irish have done well in the United States and enjoy the wonderful opportunities that are offered. However there have always been cohorts that somehow were never acknowledged for their contribution. The Irish that dug the levies in New OrlEANs were given the work in place of the slaves. The slave owner could not afford to let a slave die, as a slave was a valuable asset; more valuable than the Irish that had recently arrive off the boat. In the mind of the employer the loss of an Irish person was infinitely preferable than the loss of a slave. ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door’ …….maybe its time to change the script. The statue of liberty now may be more like Ellis Island; a historical record describing a past moment in time rather than a present reality. The nation of the United States manages its diversity by referring always to the right of the individual. At this stage for anything to be achieved we need to hear the voices of great individuals akin to Rosa Parkes in the Civil Rights movement. We need leadership from within to expose the injustices in a nation that claims to offer moral leadership to the world. Let us be in no doubt as to the enormity of the challenge. The reality is for every one supporter of reform there are a thousand anti immigrant voices. At a migrant advocates' conference last week in Mexico City  Alonso Flores, member of the Institute of Mexicans in the Exterior, an agency of the Mexican government that fosters ties with Mexicans living abroad. His agency estimates that 1 million Mexicans will be deported in the coming year from the United States as a result of the new laws. Calderón, in a speech to the conference, said a new media campaign would change the ''distorted'' perceptions Americans have about Mexican workers and build consciousness of the ``many contributions they make for the society in which they work and live.'' Maybe this is the enlightened approach we need to make. Maybe we need not work the corridors of power in the US but engage in a campaign to educate people about the reality of our undocumented Irish in the United States. The latest squall stimulated by Trina Vargo shows the need to have further mature discussion on this matter. Time can be spent arguing or time can be used more productively educating those that are in of education and enlightened programs that dispel myths. You cannot change political process and outcomes if you ignore that mindset of those who actually vote.

FUTURE REALITES FOR EMIGRANT WORKERS
This uncertainty and insecurity is more a mark of our future than we realise. As we study the plight of the Irish in the United States we realise it is only a mirror of a growing reality. While we ask how we support the emigrants; countries are asking how do we get workers. This has culminated in the growing acceptance of academics like Philippe Legrain who highlights the benefits of migration for the emigrant, the receiving country and the homeland. His views are admired among the business sector; however he proposes the development of tempory worker programs. Again the focus here is on the labour market and not the migrant. Surely as a country and an organisation that has a long history of dealing with emigration we need to highlight the inadequacy of such theories. Our work with emigrant in need reveals that when ‘temporary’ is put alongside ‘migrant worker’ there are catastrophic consequences. Indeed any talk of integration in countries where these conditions are present is shallow talk. The objective set out by EAN is to make emigration a positive experience; it can be precisely this when there is certainty, security and engagement with basic human rights. Whereas our focus is on the emigrant is it worth noting that we are developing systems in Ireland whereby those coming to our country are finding themselves in circumstances that are far from secure. The establishment of contract labour allows the employer claims that are at a distance from the low wages and unequal conditions of those who are brought in from other countries by these agencies. All this serves as evidence that Globalisation whereas it is a good concept in itself but may have the undesirable outcome of creating a continuing crop of people such as the undocumented in the US that serve well but are themselves badly served. 

UNIT FOR THE IRISH ABROAD
All involved in emigrant services have benefited greatly over the last number of years since the establishment of the Irish Abroad Unit and the subsequent increase in Government funding. This has mEANt increased (though not total security) for those that are served and increased security for those who provide the services. However I am disappointed that the emigrant community has become a series of fiefdoms with a unenthusiastic regard for the larger debate regarding the definition and limits of Diaspora policy I admired the initiative undertaken by the Department last May and was disappointed with the lack of imaginative response by participants.

FORUM FOR DISCUSSION
I have often heard emigrant communities referring to themselves as the 33rd county of Ireland. This reminds me of a time in our history when we had what was termed the fifth province of Ireland; Tara being the location that we are most familiar with. However before the High Kings lived in Tara they lived in Uaigneas, located in the heart of Westmeath believed to be the geographical centre of Ireland and was a place that articulated a vision for Ireland as it was then. It was more than a geographical location; it was a concept. It was the place to freely explore without worry of referencing sources or claiming ownership of ideas. It was place of unrestricted thought and deep respect for intellectual exchange. The debate on Diaspora needs impetus of Uaigneas proportions. I can see attempts to fill this aching gap by many organisations that have well oiled machinery that focus on funding opportunities or have a large already existing infrastructure that can link to Irish people abroad. Thus the title of this paper ‘There’s god in tham thar hills’, bringing attention to the fear that the Unit for the Irish Abroad might be reduced to a mere a bank teller with a purely monetary role dolling out money for anything ‘Oirish’ that coincides with visits of dignitaries or supporting some nice ideas that may a business interest lurking in the background. Brian Harvey’s welcome attention to the report may help us make the appropriate enlightened response to Goodbody report. This report indicates that we need to focus on value for money. However it must never forget the emigrants that are in difficult circumstances. Finding people in need is an ongoing challenge. Those that are most isolated and vulnerable in order to provide culturally sensitive support and care are proving a difficult challenge yet it is the desire of the Irish taxpayer that we use every effort to find these and support them. When we look at the wonderful commitment to overseas aid the ‘why’ of achieving 0.7% of GDP by 2012 is an obvious ‘why’ that gives impetus to our nations response to overseas aid. In this vein what is the ‘why’ of a relationship with our Diaspora. This answer must come from real consultation those who are now part of the many projects that are part of the efforts to engage the Diaspora and beyond. However this cannot be executed without a strategic process that has such a mandate. We need opportunities to expand our ideas and not be limited to our individual need and area of service but we must wear the all-embracing hat of nationhood without frontiers. This opportunity was given to us afoot of the constitutional amendment in 1998 that stated that ‘Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage’. (Art 2.) which redefined nationhood yet has not really stimulated the debate that is deserved. 

EANS CONTRIBUTION
As I listen to those involved with EAN since its foundation I admire their commitment to a cause that had little support and attention. In earlier years it was lonely work scraping together monies to bringing attention to the plight of those leaving our shores. However we never realised the contribution that EAN was to make to services other than the Irish Emigrant. EAN supports for rights and benefits for emigrants have served as sensitive foundation for those who come to our country. Issues that have been ignored are now faced by those who arrive here; for instance the lack of clarity around the recognition of overseas qualifications still torments many who wish to return. Other countries have developed mechanisms to support the recognition of qualifications. In short if the will is there it can happen. Other issues like the need to put in place a path to citizenship for people who devote a large part of their life to the economic well being of a nation is essential for social cohesion. The importance of ethnic radio and television cannot be underestimated for people that are trying to find their feet in a new land. The work of EAN in assisting centres abroad as they set up good local networking agencies has been an important focus and aids greater communications between groups here in Ireland and abroad. The support and establishment of reliable and dependable groups that represent their people abroad where they settle is another important factor that aids integration. As I said earlier considering the head start we had on emigration we should have more mature policies for emigrants. I note that we have much to learn from many of the nations people that come to our land. Many of their societies are more advanced on issues like political representation and policies on returning. Many other countries have a finally tuned system that records the inward and outward flow of people, which in turn contributes to sound responsive and well articulated policy.

CONCLUSION
I end where I begun by stating that we are a learning organisation. Thus we know not the challenges ahead only know that we have the openness and courage to face them. I leave with a quote from a famous man; a man who never emigrated and never will. He lives in an ordinary town in Springfield some where in the USA and his name is Homer Simpson In one episode he outlines three sentences that will get you through life. Number 1. Cover for me, Number 2.Oh Good idea Boss! Number 3. It was like this when I got here. I thank Noreen and the Board for not sitting back and for getting on with the task of allowing EAN to mature to the point where it is making a profound impact on Irish life and is giving great service to Irish emigrants.