EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

More Irish people head to Europe, than to UK or USA

Cork Ireland, January 23rd 2008

A recent report by the CSO indicates that between the years 2006 and 2007, at least 25% of all Irish Emigrants settled in Continental Europe (CSO Population/ Migration Report December 07).
This is greater than those travelling to the UK 23.9%, and more than 3 times greater than the percentage travelling to the USA, both the traditional destinations for Irish emigrants.
It is estimated that approximately 300,000 Irish people have made their homes across Europe, and with 3.5 million trips by Irish residents to the Continent in 2006, Ireland’s relationship with her European neighbours has deepened considerably.
The Irish emigrants have settled in their new countries, raised families, and have sown the roots of future generations. As in the past, they have brought with them the wealth of culture that is unique to the Irish, a tradition long since enjoyed in both England and the States. A testament to this is the increasing number of Irish Clubs and Societies that have grown up across Europe, catering for both the Irish and native Europeans all of whom have a shared love of Irish Culture, Sport and Music.
For those interested in the Irish Scene across Europe, there is one unique central point – EuropeanIrish.com.
The brainchild of well travelled Irishman, Siasy Collins, this website is the focal point for all the information one needs to enjoy the Irish scene across Europe.
For the past 5 years the site has been managed on a part-time basis. Since May 2007, however, the emphasis has been on upgrading the existing site, to provide Irish in Europe with the opportunity to connect with other Irish in Europe, and with similar interests.
Siasy Collins, Editor & Publisher, EuropeanIrish, having been based in Europe himself, and involved in the local Irish scene there, explained that Irish people in Europe - want to find where to watch the All-Ireland or Heineken Cup, and where to find Irish Dancing Schools, Bands, Festivals, Irish Sports & Social Clubs, The Irish Embassy, and a choice of more than 2200 Irish Pubs across the Continent, when any local Irish Entertainment or Sport Events are on, and European Irish News.
“The new look Europeanirish.com has a lot of new benefits for visitors. The website is easy to use & navigate. You can build your profile and meet others through M I N E, which is My Irish Network in Europe. You can also chat with others, create a personal story and add events, items or news”, Siasy added.
Irish in Europe can always feel close to home, with the short and lower cost flights, and now through this website one can tune-in live online to over 50 Irish Radio stations, and download free music, supplied by Irish bands based at home and in Europe.

With thousands visiting the website daily, EuropeanIrish.com has something added for everybody, whether you’re an Irish person living in Europe or planning travel to Europe, or whether you’re from Continental Europe, enjoying Irish music, culture, sports or pubs.
Do you know any Irish person in Europe? Let them know today.
Are you planning a trip there for a vacation, on business, to study or to live?
The Next step is simple – just click on www.EuropeanIrish.com, browse the site, stay a while and enjoy it.
– Ends –

The first ever survey about Irish people in Europe is being conducted.

If You are Irish and are based in or moving to Continental Europe -

This short survey is for you!

Please forward this email to every Irish person you know living in Europe. 
It is really important for the Irish in Europe.
Please answer just a few short questions in 90 seconds or less Click the Link and answer the questions, thanks.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=c_2bbUKK6N36zUdjY5Fx1FKA_3d_3d

What are the best and hardest things about living in Europe ?
Why might you stay, why might you return?

This survey is specifically about you - Irish people living in Continental Europe.

If you know of any Irish person living anywhere in Continental Europe , please send this survey to him or her today.
If you know many Irish People living in Europe, please send this to them all. This very important survey about you and for you,  and is finishing this week. If you are Irish in Europe - now you can get your say. Click Here to take survey - Have You taken the survey yet? 

Thanks in Advance
Siasy Collins

http://www.europeanirish.com/Living/mep.htm

EP News Plenary Session ( Strasbourg ) 12-15 November 2007
continued…

Soil Protection

Two reports on soil protection will be discussed in a joint debate in the European Parliament on Monday evening. Spanish MEP Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines will present a report on the first EU directive on soil protection and Italian MEP Vittorio Prodi will emphasise the need for a strategy on soil protection to combat floods, landslides, desertification and climate change in the EU.

At the moment, provisions relating to the EU’s policy on soil are divided between laws on waste, pesticides and nature protection.  The new law would combine all provisions relating to soil.  It would include the requirement to establish national inventories of contaminated sites, which would have to be updated at least every five years.  MEPs point to the additional potential benefit of regional inventories.  The law will also require that Member States put together strategies to improve the condition of such sites and identify key priorities for work in this area.  MEPs in the Parliament’s Environment Committee point to the need to ensure synergy between existing EU laws on ground water, nitrates, sewage sludge, waste and other areas.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Mairéad McGuinness (FG - East); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Avril Doyle (FG - East)

Stocktaking on Social Reality in the EU

On Thursday morning, British MEP Elizabeth Lynne will present a report on behalf of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee which calls on EU Member States and on the European Commission to pursue “an ambitious objective of reducing poverty, especially among working people.”  In this report, MEPs point out that EU Member States should increase their efforts to reduce poverty and social exclusion. The report highlights the issues of disabled workers and those on the minimum wage, it calls for the prevention of exploitation of illegal workers, child poverty and points to the importance of education in tackling poverty and of the rehabilitation of prisoners.  MEPs also state that EU Member States should end asylum seekers’ dependence on benefits by allowing them to work.

16% of the EU’s workforce is disabled; 78 million EU citizens live in poverty and 8% of EU citizens are suffering from in-work poverty.  In general terms, the gap between rich and poor in the EU is increasing.

Irish MEPs on this issue: Proinsias De Rossa (Labour - Dublin ); Mary Lou McDonald (SF - Dublin ); Kathy Sinnott (Ind. - South); Marian Harkin ( Ind - North West );