A US delegation of seven Democratic and one Republican Congressmen is visiting Ireland this week to hold talks with Irish political leaders on a number of topics. Items on the agenda include immigration reform, the political situation in the North, and the global financial crisis. The group is led by Congressman Richard Neal, chair of… Continue reading US Congressional delegation visits Ireland
Author: Noreen Bowden
Mother writes of son’s impending emigration
Patricia Leahy has written an extremely powerful article in today’s Irish Times about her son’s upcoming emigration. Leahy herself moved to Ireland 28 years ago; she is the daughter of Irish emigrants who left for New York in the 1940s. Seven decades later, after being unemployed for a year, her son is following in her… Continue reading Mother writes of son’s impending emigration
Unemployment rate at 10.2% – CSO
Ireland’s official unemployment rate is 10.2%, the highest since 1997; this is the highest since 1997. There were 158,500 fewer jobs in the year ending March, a 7.5% fall in employment, with construction industry employment falling by 28.6%. There were 1,965,600 people employed in Ireland in the first three months of 2009, with 222,900 unemployed.… Continue reading Unemployment rate at 10.2% – CSO
Crosscare Migrant Project, CIIC publish J-1 information leaflet
The Crosscare Migrant Project (formerly Emigrant Advice) has published its information leaflet for students going to the US on a J-1 visa this summer, while the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres has produced its predeparture leaflet containing information on social security numbers, accommodation, jobs and safe travelling. The CMP leaflet warns students that this year,… Continue reading Crosscare Migrant Project, CIIC publish J-1 information leaflet
Rooney begins US ambassador confirmation hearings
American businessman and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney has begun the Senate confirmation process to become the US ambassador to Ireland. The 76-year-old Republican, who supported Obama in the presidential elections, is a popular pick and reports say he could be confirmed next week. He told yesterday’s confirmation hearing that he would travel widely throughout… Continue reading Rooney begins US ambassador confirmation hearings
White House says immigration reform now “difficult”
The White House acknowledged yesterday that immigration reform looks unlikely this year. Press secretary Robert Gibbs said, “I can see the president’s desire for it to happen, but understanding at the current – currently where we sit, the math makes that more difficult than – than the discussion”. Mr Gibbs said that Mr Obama hopes… Continue reading White House says immigration reform now “difficult”