Mayo advocates brief Dáil and Seanad members on returning Irish citizens

Louisburgh man Ciaran Staunton of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and Karen McHugh of Safe Home Ireland, which is based in Mulranny, made a presentation at a cross-party briefing on “Issues Affecting Returning Irish Citizens” in Leinster House last Thursday.

Mayo TDs Rose Conway Walsh TD and Paul Lawless TD were among nearly 20 Oireachtas members who attended the briefing. 

The presentation addressed a comprehensive range of obstacles facing Mayo natives and other Irish citizens returning home from abroad, including the recognition of foreign qualifications, voting rights for Irish citizens abroad, the proposed US-Irish driver's license exchange, housing challenges, visa provisions for non-Irish spouses, and third-level education fees for children of Irish-born citizens.

With many Mayo families having members living abroad, particularly in the United States, the issues raised have particular relevance for the county. The advocates referenced numerous emails received in advance outlining individuals' circumstances and called for the review and implementation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-commissioned Indecon Report on "Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants."

The briefing, organised by Deputy Johnny Guirke TD (Meath West), resulted in commitments from attendees to advance several key recommendations, most notably the establishment of a Cross-Party Oireachtas Committee on Returning Irish Citizens.

Following the main briefing, the advocates met separately with Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien and Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, along with Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald and Senator Frances Black. Both ministers reaffirmed their support for the initiatives and "expressed their desire to get the first States processed as soon as possible" regarding the driver's license exchange program.

The briefing drew representatives from constituencies across Ireland, demonstrating broad political support for addressing the challenges facing returning emigrants and their families in Mayo and throughout the country.

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