Galway East Deputy Paul Connaughton has vowed to work tirelessly to help Irish sons and daughters abroad, the undocumented thousands in the US, the elderly in the UK, and the educated youth who have left in search of work elsewhere.
This week, Fine Gael party Leader Enda Kenny, announced that Deputy Connaughton has been appointed Spokesperson for all Irish emigrants abroad. Speaking following his appointment, Deputy Connaughton, who held the position a few years ago, said: “I have always had a keen interest in the Irish abroad irrespective of whether it is the undocumented in the USA, the down and out elderly Irish in the United Kingdom, or now the countless thousands of young people who are forced to emigrate all over the world.
“The needs of the elderly in the United Kingdom were entirely different to the needs of the new, young, and highly educated people who are now seeking work in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, and the UK. Irrespective of where Irish people are abroad, the Irish State has a certain duty of care for each and every one of them,” he said.
Deputy Connaughton added that he will use this important role to encourage “the Irish Diaspora” who have prospered in their adopted countries to invest in Ireland in order to create jobs and assist the nation in getting out of this recession.
“I have visited New York and Washington on several occasions in the past in an effort to help the undocumented Irish and I hope to reactivate the contacts made then in an effort to help so many Irish sons and daughters who have not been able to come home for family weddings, funerals, or for holidays for years,” he said.
