asked the Minister for External Affairs whether it is his intention to set up a section in his Department to deal with emigrant problems, which would have liaison with emigrant welfare officials in Irish embassies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigrant Problems.
2.
The Consular Section of my Department deals with the provision of normal consular protection and services for our emigrants abroad. This Section is in regular communication with officials in Irish embassies handling this work.
If the Deputy has in mind the provision by us of a full social welfare service for our citizens in foreign countries, I would refer him to the statements which I made in the Debates on the Estimates for the Department of External Affairs on 24th February, 1965 and 9th February, 1967.
Is the Minister aware that the Italian Foreign Office set up recently a special section to deal with cases of Italian emigrant workers in other European countries and is it not regrettable that the Department of External Affairs continue to ignore the plight of Irish emigrants in Britain?
Speaking on his Estimate, the Minister for External Affairs made it perfectly clear that the Consular Section in the headquarters office of the Department are responsible for the supervision of the work done by the consuls abroad in connection with our people working in the different countries. He gave information about the Emigrant Welfare Officer in the Embassy in London who keeps in touch with Irish societies in England and with the centres there where Irish people work. In the case of destitute people or people who are unable to find employment or are in difficulties in Britain, there is provision for repatriation. The Minister for External Affairs dealt with the matter fully and explained the work involved in having a complete social welfare service made available in Britain for our emigrants.
Is the Minister aware that voluntary organisations have to do the work our State Department should do? I suggest that what the Italian Government have done is far more ambitious than anything we have attempted to do. They have attempted to get jobs for emigrant Italian workers and surely it is time the Department of External Affairs did the same for our one million Irish-born people in Britain.
I should add that, in addition, the Minister for External Affairs stated that having regard to the work done by the Consular Section in London, he regarded the voluntary work being done by Irish people and others for our people there as being of very great value and said they could do further effective work in that way.
Is the Minister aware that voluntary organisations have called for assistance and have been refused?
We cannot have a debate on this. Question No. 3.