It’s ‘our time’ but
who still has time for the Irish?
by Stephen McVey
In the month of St.Patrick’s day, an Australian ad on
Gumtree specifically asked for non-Irish applicants. The job advertisement read,
“Bricklayer needed, start ASAP $250 per day, no part time workers and NO
IRISH”.
The reported argument, of the man who posted the ad, was
that too many unskilled Irish people were applying under false pretences: “I’ve had to fire a number of people. I’ve had
lots of Irish people say they have experience bricklaying but come over and
have no clue how to lay bricks. I’m very busy and don’t have time to be
watching over them.”
It seems the love for the Irish is beginning to wear thin.
Emigration is continuing to grow, with over 21,000 Irish
people heading to Australia alone last year on working holiday visas. Looking
elsewhere for work is the chosen solution to the economic downturn. There are
arguments that the Department of Employment and Learning is failing our young
people. Stephen Farry, the minister for the department in Northern Ireland, is
banking on the benefits of the skills our youth will come back with after
working abroad.
Should the attention not be on finding ways to develop and
contribute their skills in our own economy? Is it not important to promote the
resources we have and to encourage people to stay and fight? Recent Oscar© winner Oorlagh George has
said that Northern Ireland is an exciting place to be as ‘a new Ireland’ is still
trying to find itself. The buzz that has been created by progress in the
creative industries is an inspiration to work to our strengths and improve the
economic situation.
The desire to be affiliated with Ireland is still strong,
despite signs of ‘no room at the inn’ being posted to the Irish. A census in
January 2012 revealed that 34.7 million U.S residents claimed Irish ancestry in
2010. On St.Patrick’s day people around the world celebrate their perspective
on all things Irish, with New York and Sydney having the two largest parades
respectively. Leprechauns, Shamrocks and Saint Patrick himself are the usual
sights on parade floats.
Traditionally, the positive world view of Ireland ignores
the North and its troubles. Now Northern Ireland is beginning to get some of
the spotlight on St.Patrick’s day. DeLoreans are appearing at parades around
the world. The iconic 80s cars have been seen at early celebrations in Brisbane,
New Jersey and Toronto with confused parade goers being informed that the
original DeLorean was manufactured in Dunmurry, Belfast.
The reputation of Ireland is central to success, whether it
is to attract foreign investment or tourism to our island. Making the most of
the 2012 opportunities in Northern Ireland will go a long way in securing long
term growth.
