40 Comments

• ciaradexy | Mar 07, 2012, 02:39 PM EST

  Cycleguy55, Ive already had a job offer for there as I attended a jobs fare about a year ago. I was also offered wirk with Fraser Health in Vancouver, Cedar Sinai in LA and St Vincents Hospital in Sydney. My qualification is very highly thought of around the world luckily enough but my family is here and I have a job so Im not planning on moving away. I have friends working in all those countries as medical scientists. The US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia are crying out for lab staff as there arent enough people from these countries studying for these jobs. I couldnt live in Saskatchewan anyway because Id need to be near the sea wherever I was living!

• Gaelphoncán | Mar 07, 2012, 11:34 AM EST

  It's possible the only Europhiles left in Ireland are in coalition government (and in FF), IrelandNorth. The part of Inis Fhodla where my permanent address is one the island's worst unemployment black spots, George. George, what do you do for a living in the U.S.? I know you're an Irish citizen and you seem very concerned with the welfare of Ireland. Are you a financially independent entrepreneur? Why don't you go to Ireland and start a business? You could start up a business in the Irish language sector and benefit the plain (Irish-speaking) people of Ireland.

• IrelandNorth | Mar 07, 2012, 07:43 AM EST

  Would be interesting to know what the correlation is between immigration and emigration to/from Ireland. A bit like the birth to death ratio for population statistics. If births excceed deaths - over population! If immigration exceeds emigration - unemployment! Basic maths surely? But whatever happened the great European Union experiment. And where are all the Europhiles now when the bubble has burst.

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 06, 2012, 02:37 PM EST

  Gaelphoncan: "there are very, very few foreigners working in shops, restaurants, hotels, etc." Where is that? It's certainly very atypical, because I travel all over Ireland and wherever I go there are huge numbers of migrant workers. That's why it's so hard to take the Irish unemployment "crisis" seriously. There are obviously lots of jobs, I still don't know why the Irish are not demanding they be given them in their own country. There is no doubt that Mass Immigration has been a complete disaster for Ireland, and it was the Irish ruling class, surely the worst in Europe, who brought it about.

• jmccarten | Mar 06, 2012, 02:06 PM EST

  Hypocracy at it's worst. "Irish Need Not Apply" Here is a real story about this issue. A English friend of mine who had a job in America had to leave because his work VISA expired. But President Obama whom you Irish love for some reason, has adopted the following immigration policy.He instructed the Justice Department that they will only deport Hispanics if they had committed a felony and went to prison or jail; otherwise they cannot be deported. So, millions of mostly uneducated illegal Hispanic immigrants were given "backdoor" amnesty and are allowed to reamin in America. However, an educated Irishman with a college degree is denied entry into the United States. Unfair, you bet, but he desperately needs the Hispanic vote to get reelected. So the Irish suffer.

• mumbleyou | Mar 06, 2012, 02:03 PM EST

  I have to agree with MichaelMcGrath about the "sloppy" appreance of the people pictured. I also didn't notice many of the assembled with CV/Resumes in their hands. Anytime I ever went to a jobfair I dressed appropriately and came prepared. This shows a little respect to the potential employer.

• Gaelphoncán | Mar 06, 2012, 06:45 AM EST

  I've applied for a job in North America, and please God, if I get offered that job, I won't hesitate to accept it. (By the way, I've a good friend who drives buses in Dublin and he loves it (or at least he did the last time I spoke to him, maybe he's fed up with it by now)). GeorgeDillon, in the part of Ireland where I live (i.e. where my house and permanent address are), there are very, very few foreigners working in shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. It's overwhelmingly local Irish people (not Eastern Europeans or Africans). I've got African friends who are (well-educated and) unemployed and they're frustrated they can't find any kind of work in Ireland either (some of them have gone back to Africa). For some (some, not all) of the younger Irish, emigration is a choice and an adventure. For those who (like me) are not so young (and who have bills and a mortgage to pay), leaving Ireland can be a grim necessity. My heart goes out to them. I thank God for Skype but you always feel lonely and homesick when the conversation ends.

• Gaelphoncán | Mar 06, 2012, 06:40 AM EST

  I left Ireland last summer but only after a long, extended period of unemployment (the longest I've ever been unemployed. I was living in Ireland in the late 80s and it was bad but it didn't seem as bad as things are now) and because the bills and debts were piling up. I was very much a reluctant emigrant. I graduated from an Irish university with a first and did a PhD but it doesn't mean much if you don't know the right people (and anyone who lives in Ireland knows what I'm talking about). I applied for literally hundreds of jobs (I spent a small fortune travelling to Dublin for interviews), ones related to my qualifications and skills but also (locally) for jobs in Tescos, Dunnes, Argos, etc. anywhere I thought I had a chance of earning a few bob. I even went to the local Centras and told them I would work any day, any shift (including the all-night shift). Because I had worked outside of Ireland a few years, I wasn't entitled to the broo (it's a long, complicated story) so I had no income (apart from very occasional freelance work, not enough to live on). I was short-listed to the final two (the job was between me and someone else) three times in jobs in my field and lost out each time. I eventually got an offer of gainful employment in a country far, far from Ireland and I accepted it (reluctantly).

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 06, 2012, 06:03 AM EST

  Yes, PLEASE, curdexter, "talk to Saskatchewan Health". And Manitoba. And Ontario. And, best of all, the Yukon Territory. The further away from Ireland the better in your case--your kind of racist bigotry has nothing to offer Ireland.

• staker42 | Mar 05, 2012, 09:06 PM EST

  Ciaradixy. You clearly have not had the experiences that I or many others that I know have had.

• cycleguy55 | Mar 05, 2012, 06:50 PM EST

  Worth noting the second day in Cork will NOT happen - participants were told that Monday morning. As such, the Expo in Cork will be a one day event - Wednesday, March 7.

• cycleguy55 | Mar 05, 2012, 06:32 PM EST

  @ciaradexy: Sounds like you're a possible candidate for Saskatchewan Health, providing you have relevant work experience. Did you go to the job fair on the weekend? Talk to Saskatchewan Health?

• sirpeter | Mar 05, 2012, 06:27 PM EST

  Irish Bus drivers are the 6th best paid drivers in the world, earning an average of €33,000 per annum and earn about 30% more than their counterparts in London.That's kinda crap money.Still I'd hate to be a bus driver in London.London isn't a cheap place to live.

• Curitiba | Mar 05, 2012, 05:38 PM EST

  They used to pay good money to drive buses one time, Ciara, but not any more, that's why nobody wants to do it. I don't think anybody wants to drive one for rubbish money, but give me €1000 a week and I'd be happy to do a few shifts!

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 04:47 PM EST

  Major in histopatholgy, minor in haematology/blood transfusion. Look them up. Should I work waiting tables or migrate to find work in my chosen career if I need to?

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 05, 2012, 04:38 PM EST

  Curdexter: " I have an honours degree". What did you major in? Lunacy? With a minor in Bigotry?

• marsman | Mar 05, 2012, 04:10 PM EST

  Btw: one of the major reasons why Canada is doing so well and has avoided all those problems with failing banks was the prudent policy of Bank of Canada, the central bank. To read a bit about it search with: "Canada's merchant banker", an article in Walrus magazine tells that really interesting story.

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 03:43 PM EST

  Its the skilled irish who go abroad George Dildo. Thats how they get migration visas you idiot. When will you start using your grey matter and I dont just mean the colour of your hair. I have an honours degree, why would I drive a bus or waitress now? Ive done waitressing while I was a student. I have no intention of doing it now like most irish professional people. Why dont you move to ireland and wait tables? You seem happy for the rest of us to do it.

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 05, 2012, 03:24 PM EST

  It's hard to feel sympathy for fools like curdexter who say "Ive never met an irish person who wanted to be a bus driver or a waitress". Those jobs not good enough for you, you creep? I bet the Irish will be happy to drive a bus or wait tables in Auckland or Alberta. Those jobs are good enough for American and Canadian workers, and they're too damn good for Irish like curdexter.

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 02:49 PM EST

  Vancouver is an amazing city Antoman. You should definitely visit at least!

• antoman | Mar 05, 2012, 02:39 PM EST

  I like Canada and the people there. Never been there or even met a Canadian I think. Guess I just have a soft spot for that country. Were I to leave that would be my destination.

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 02:12 PM EST

  Staker-''When the Cdeltic Tiger was going strong the Irish thumbed their nose at the Yank'' What are you talking about? No we didnt! During the boom, many Irish were off in the US shopping, holidaying and visiting family. Plenty worked for American multinationals such as Dell who packed up and moved to where it was cheaper to do business. When did Irish 'thumb their noses'?

• staker42 | Mar 05, 2012, 01:58 PM EST

  It is sad to see so many leave again. I see that the Irish pols are in America looking for Americans to invest in Ireland. When the Cdeltic Tiger was going strong the Irish thumbed their nose at the Yank now that they are trouble they come running to the States again for help. Bill Clinton and the American business leaders he has pulled together should worry about jobs and investment in our homeland the USA first

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 01:42 PM EST

  Stuckhere, Im sorry to hear about your situation. Have you looked on nixers .ie? Theres always jobs on there. What do you and your husband work at? What sort of job are you looking for?

• Curitiba | Mar 05, 2012, 01:37 PM EST

  The Far East is where I would go. China is an up an coming country, and Korea and Japan are great places also for the Westerner.

• stuckhere | Mar 05, 2012, 01:25 PM EST

  What about the middle -aged like my husband and I .we still have 7 year left on our house to pay he has been out of work for 3 year,s done CE work, no joy ,It,s getting harder to get up every day, they talk about Hope but hope does not pay bill,s work does!!!!!

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 01:11 PM EST

  AH Georgie, here we go again!-''The fact is that these folks are taking up jobs in a wide range of sectors--security guard, hotel & hospitality, truck & bus drivers, retail clerks, even--get this--tour guides etc .'' Maybe irish people go to third level college and so dont want these jobs? Ive never met an irish person who wanted to be a bus driver or a waitress. Who should do these jobs if the Irish dont want them? I bet you wont bother answering this question AGAIN!

• CitizenWhy | Mar 05, 2012, 12:54 PM EST

  Eternal Ireland. Very sad.

• canadianirish | Mar 05, 2012, 12:47 PM EST

  The Irish are MOST welcome here in Canada. They are regarded as pleasant, efficient, hard-working people who employers here are eager to snap up. While it saddens me that they have to leave Ireland, I'm delighted that Canada is their destination of choice. WELCOME TO CANADA! We're fortunate to have you!

• ciaradexy | Mar 05, 2012, 12:42 PM EST

  3 of my college friends attended this expo as did my cousin who is an engineer. They all have jobs here but they fancy moving to Australia. Not everyone leaving has no other choice.

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 05, 2012, 12:40 PM EST

  Bailey2000: You're wrong to say that there thousands coming into Ireland to take up " thousands of jobs being advertised in the tech sector". The fact is that these folks are taking up jobs in a wide range of sectors--security guard, hotel & hospitality, truck & bus drivers, retail clerks, even--get this--tour guides etc . etc. There are lots of jobs in Ireland. The fact that they are being taken by foreigners (for example there is vast immigration from India) means either that the Irish boss class prefers docile foreign labor OR that Irish workers are too picky. I incline to the former belief, but unfortunately no one who the resources to study this (lazy university faculty, corrupt Sinn Fein politicians,unions etc.) has done the work needed to give us an answer.

• antoman | Mar 05, 2012, 11:38 AM EST

  Why not just build a platform with a few steps up to it? The Irish man or woman can be asked to step on to the platform and do a few twirls and a step hither and tither. To judge their fitness. Those in front can climb the steps and look the produce in the eye, and check their teeth. Be handy if an airport were nearby. Bought, boxed and shipped in the one day like.

• LoyalCitizen | Mar 05, 2012, 11:14 AM EST

  Its getting to the stage of being totally embarrassed about being Irish........Irish Politicians could not run a piss up in a brewery..........In the other article on the front page concerning going abroad to work 355,000 have left Ireland in the last 6 years........Irish Companies clearly do not need customers if hundreds of thousands of customers are leaving Ireland.

• MichaelMcGrath | Mar 05, 2012, 10:52 AM EST

  To Bear : Yes, I think it's high time all the phoney asylum seekers were returned to point of origin, which in most cases is England :-)

• nedwardatlarge | Mar 05, 2012, 10:43 AM EST

  FOR WHAT DIED THE SONS OF ROISÍN ??? This is byond depressing and our own (read governments) fault

• MichaelMcGrath | Mar 05, 2012, 10:42 AM EST

  Sloppy! Most all of the queue in jeans :-)

• bunkerhill | Mar 05, 2012, 10:10 AM EST

  My wife was in Killarney in October and spoke to a young builder and electrician who was going to Canada temporarily, but planning on returning home. He has built himself a house, was still single, and looked on it as a money making adventure. I hope most of the others feel the same way.

• Bailey2000 | Mar 05, 2012, 09:46 AM EST

  Hey relax there are thousands of really qualified people coming INTO Ireland to take up the thousands of jobs being advertised in the tech sector. This is globalisation. As for the "what is there here for us" comment well people cannot cope with thinking about what might have been so they must close the door on their past. All emigrants do this. Objectively though there are a lot of opportunities to use Ireland as a base for exporting. Low tax, great transport links, English speaking etc. If you are an unemployed plasterer all of that is irrelevant but lets not lose perspective. As for the 150 trained doctors who have no place here, doesn't that show that we should have a system of student loans. Why give anyone 150 thousand dollars worth of training without a mechanism to get a return?

• joycean | Mar 05, 2012, 09:06 AM EST

  The Morrisseys make a valid point: Canada is in the midst of a genuine economic boom, unlike the Celtic Tiger.In the 1840s, when the Famine Irish came to the United States, they arrived as this country industrialized and expanded. Those Irish were successful and passed that good fortune on to their children. These will do the same, although Ireland needs to think of ways to expand at home.

• Niall O'Dowd | Mar 05, 2012, 07:28 AM EST

  amazing and truly sad -- imagine how many billions were spent educating these talented Irish folks so another country could benefit