Whether the pack encourages emigration
Stagg argued the pack amounted to encouragement to emigrate and urged public works and investment to create jobs at home. Ahern said it offered practical information to people already intending to leave, rather than encouraging emigration.
Will the Minister agree that the production of this pack amounts to an unannounced Government policy to encourage young people to do what the Minister for Foreign Affairs suggested some time ago, to emigrate? As Minister for Labour he should consider an alternative, the preparation of a programme of public works and investment in the public sector to create employment at home.
Comment on this
The only part of that question relevant to my Department concerns the publication of the document. I should like to tell the Deputy that it has been widely welcomed.
Comment on this
The Deputy should note that many people leave this country without the benefit of advice. The pack, "Working Abroad", gives very valuable information and those involved have welcomed it. It does not encourage people to emigrate but accepts that many people are going abroad who are ill-informed. There is some valuable information contained in it.