In October of 1987, the same week when Simon Harris was born, the notorious statement was made by Brian Lenihan, the then minister for foreign affairs, in an interview with Newsweek magazine, “After all, we can’t all reside on a small isle.” It is curious that during the time the current Taoiseach was making his first moves, a staggering 2% of Ireland’s total population left the country in just one year, 1988. The biggest fraction, 69 percent, were young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.
While criticised for his statement, historian Joe Lee illuminated that Lenihan might have been echoing a fairly common yet largely unspoken assumption amongst the Irish public. Lee predicted this mindset to endure, stating that emigration would keep proceeding unless the long-standing predicament of job creation was resolved.
Now presiding over Ireland, Harris is witnessing immigration replace emigration as the heated subject. The Central Statistics Office foresees between 105,000 and 120,000 immigrants entering the country annually until 2027 as Ireland has indeed “found a way of creating jobs”. Like any other nation with job openings, Ireland draws people aspiring for an improved life.
In a time span this narrow, the rate of demographic transition has been extensive, making a 37 year old Harris appear to be on the older side. It’s not just the figures that underwent changes, but the mindset as well. Ireland has transformed from just an emigrating society to a society that both welcomes and bids farewell to its inhabitants.
The significant influx of immigrants has led to a reshaping of Ireland’s identity, transitioning from a nation of emigration to a destination for newcomers. The pattern of migratory movement has shifted evidently; instead of revolving around our own departure, it now emphasises on their arrival.
Lee’s assumption, which may have appeared overcautious at the time, claimed that Ireland would likely see a continual surge in emigration throughout the 21st Century. This was not an ill-judged guess; habitual emigration was, oddly enough, a pivotal hallmark in the country’s recent history and an emblem of our national identity.
The era when Harris was just a youngster was characterised by a growing consensus that Irish culture was synonymous with diaspora. This concept was evident in distinct markers, such as Jack Charlton’s national football team – which comprised mainly players born in England and Scotland, Mary Robinson symbolically placing a candle in Áras an Uachtaráin’s window, and the iconic Riverdance. All these facets represented a conscious acceptance of emigration as an integral part of the Irish sentiment and traditions.
However, this perception has evolved. The vast wave of incoming migration has generated a new outlook for Ireland. It’s shifted from being a location oriented towards departures to become an arrivals lounge. The narrative of population movement now focuses on them, not us.
Nonetheless, the fact remains: Irish emigration is still a reality, with significant numbers leaving annually. Reflect on the latter part of the 1980s when the Taoiseach was a child, notably remembered as the era of mass departure from Ireland. The emigration figures were immense, with an approximate annual average of 53,000 individuals leaving the country during those challenging years.
So where does the current situation stand? It’s rather alike. Projections by the CSO anticipate continued high emigration levels, with an estimated 51,000 to 63,000 annually between 2022 and 2027. The average of its three potential scenarios suggests that around 60,000 people will emigrate from Ireland each year. In absolute terms, this number is actually greater than the significant emigration numbers we observed in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
It’s not uncommon to discuss the transformation of Ireland from a society known for its emigration, to one primarily associated with immigration. However, the reality is that we’ve transitioned from being solely an emigrant society, to one that both sends and receives migrants. This dual role is rarely acknowledged and often overshadowed by the focus on immigration.
Interestingly, our perspective towards our own emigrants has evolved over time. The notion of emigration no longer symbolizes national misfortune or failure, both economically and politically. Even though it is apparent that some leave in pursuit of more prosperous opportunities afar, such as buying property in countries like Australia or Canada which they may not afford to do at home.
It’s pertinent to remember, when considering the global migration context, that Ireland’s situation isn’t unidirectional. Migration for us isn’t so much a one-way street, but rather, a series of intricate movements in and out of the country. We too are part of the greater world; approximately 1.5 million Irish citizens currently reside off the island.
In this modern era, it’s rather ironic to observe the resurgence of a comment made by Lenihan – “We can’t all live on a small island”, but now with a twist. Once, the nation’s ‘smallness’ was a justification for mass emigration. Today, the same concept is invoked to fuel anti-immigrant sentiments. Back in 1987, the contention was that Ireland couldn’t accommodate its young people, giving them the moral right to seek opportunities elsewhere. Nowadays, the argument suggests Ireland is at capacity, disputing further arrival of those who desire residency.
Neglecting to comprehend the full spectrum of Irish migration allows distorted perceptions of our situation to persist. We mustn’t forget that we are able to accommodate more than we think on our not-so-small island. And that migration, for those in search of a better life, is an entirely normal expectation.