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SEPTEMBER 2002
Irish Passports to be Processed in North
BELFAST - The British and Irish governments have agreed to the terms of a three-month trial that will allow the processing of Irish passport applications through UK Post Office branches. Final planning will now take place between the Post Office and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs before the scheme is introduced later this year. It will offer customers a simple over-the-counter application and forwarding service, similar to that available at post offices in the Republic of Ireland.
Protest Against Microchip Passports
DUBLIN - Irish civil liberties groups and political parties are anxiously monitoring the progress of new U.S. legislation that could require biometric data such as iris scans or fingerprints to be featured on passports.
New legislation, prompted by the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, could see Irish citizens losing the right to enter the U.S. without a visa if passports issued after October 2004 do not contain a microchip with stored information verifying their identity. Biometric technology works on the basis that certain biological characteristics - including fingerprints and iris patterns. - are unique to each individual.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson has confirmed that proposals for a new automated passport system for the state are already under review and include "the whole area of biometrics."
But, he insisted, that the government had no concrete plans to begin micro chipping travel documents, adding that the operation would be an enormous one which would have to include the participation of the EU partner states.
Liam Herrick of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties said that, while he did not see new biometric technology being introduced in the Republic "in the foreseeable future," he would be concerned about the long term implications for civil liberties.
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Emigrant Task Force Publishes Report
DUBLIN - The Government launched a Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants last September. Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowan expressed hope that a new report would "mark the start of a new approach to relations between Irish people at home and abroad."
Cowan agreed with the Task Force's conclusion that "we owe a great debt to our emigrants and that we must acknowledge the enormous contribution made by our emigrants to the development of this coun-
The task force was established to develop suggested strategic policies lor emigrants and sets out four policy objectives in their report: to ensure that emigration was a voluntary, informed choice, undertaken by people who were prepared to live in a different society; to protect and support the Irish abroad, particularly the marginalized ana those who had emigrated involuntarily; to facilitate return migration particularly for the vulnerable and elderly; and to support a sense ol Irish identity among the Irish abroad.
The report suggested that there should be a new structure, called the Agency for the Irish Abroad, to coordinate the provision of services to support emigrants. Some 20,000 people continue to emigrate every year, and there are 1.2 million Irish-born people living outside of Ireland. Particular concern was expressed for the elderly in Britain wno emigrated in the Fifties and Sixitles, many of them live alone and need enhanced community support.
The Craic Has Been Very Good: My Life with the Irish
New British Ambassador to Ireland
Stewart Eldon was named as the next British Ambassador in Ireland. He will take over from Sir Ivor Roberts next spring. Eldon's most recent posting was to the United Nations in New York.
Irish Navy to Monitor Nuclear Shipment
DUBLIN-The Irish navy and air force will be deployed to monitor a shipment of radioactive fuel as it makes its way through the Irish Sea to the British Nuclear Reprocessing Plant at Sellafield in late September.
Patrol ships and reconnaissance aircraft will watch over the five tonne cargo of plutonium and uranium mixed oxide (MOX) which is being shipped to the Cumbrian plant from Takahama in Japan. The decision follows a meeting of the Irish government's emergency task force after a public outcry about the shipment in the Republic.
By BROOKE WINGROVE The look said it all. Cringing his face like he'd eaten something sour, I asked Tadhg what's wrong? "It's not Jamesons" in a gravely voice.
These are the words that came out of my friend's mouth after I'd handed out a round of hot whiskies at the St. Boniface Club at Christmas time.
Not specifying the brand of whiskey you want when you're not in your own local turned out to be quite embarrassing. It didn't go to waste but I did learn a lesson. Jamesons or nothing.
What started out as a short stay in London with some Irish friends I had met the previous year in Australia has turned into living in a house with eight Irish for over three years and counting as I return to London September 2.
Arriving at the house for the first time in June 1998 my first reaction was, "My God how do eight people live in there." I thought impossible, but I found out quite quickly that the Irish like to build. If there's free space, it's not left like that for long, a new bedroom is fitted and a new friend arrives.
In the spring of 2000 I decided to start documenting the life of my Irish friends in our house in south London with my camera.
For over a year, my camera was around my neck anytime I was in the house. They eventually took no notice of me and allowed me to photograph freely. I would occasionally get, "the Yank's got his camera out again." Being Canadian they knew how to give me a hard time.
Having spent so much time with the Irish, from attending weddings in County Waterford to a week-long pub session at Christmas time in County Cork, I've learned a lot about the Irish way of life.
If I could sum up my Irish friends, I would say: hard-working, extremely easygoing, very generous and love to party, with Sunday night being the most favourable night to go out.
A very important aspect of their life is sport. Rugby Gaelic football, hurling, and soccer are all played and watched in our house on a constant basis throughout the year. So, when Canada played Ireland at rugby and the game came out a draw, I heard about it for a week.
I've attended hurling finals in north London where the clubhouse reminded me of scenes out of The Commitments movie: old men in suits and ties, young children running around your feet, a band playing in the corner and lots of Guinness going down.
Soccer is played a few times a year against a group of English friends
SOME of the Irish housemates and friends who share accommodation in a house in south London.
gregates into the kitchen. The TV gets flicked around the five channels and either gets settled on The Simpsons, the news or some awful British soap.
Tadhg lights a cigarette. Billy makes the tea and a large pot of potatoes are put on the stove to boil.
The conversation revolves around the latest news, sports, girls, the London traffic, who is going to the local pub for a pint, whose wedding Billy's going to this week and why Aiden goes on so many holidays. Different conversation, different days always make dinnertime interesting.
Now that my two month summer break back home here in Vancouver is over, I look forward to seeing my Irish friends and hearing the stories of the summer past. I'm sure I'll get whisked away to the local pub for a few pints and hear all the craic.
I don't know what my life would have been like if I hadn't known my Irish friends but I'm sure it wouldn't have been as exciting as it has been and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it.for the world. •
Brooke Wingrove was born in Vancouver in 1971 and works in the graphic arts and printing trade. He has travelled in Australia, New Zealand and extensively throughout Europe. He continues to live with the Irish in London.
TADHG with the preverbial cigarette in his mouth .
who usually make for a challenging game. I've not tried the Irish game of hurling yet and from seeing the state of the lads when they've come back from training, I don't know if I want to.
A mix between lacrosse and grass hockey, it tends to be very rough. I might have to introduce them to a good game of street hockey.
Some of the most enjoyable times in the house I would have to say are at dinnertime. Arriving home first to get my dinner started: slowly everyone files in and con-