Michael Kelly
Galway Tourism chiefs were all over the airwaves this week as it was announced that the ‘Lonely Planet’ travel company had selected Galway as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2020.
It was a rather convenient fit with the fact that the Government has pumped tens of millions in to an advertising campaign focusing on Galway as European City of Culture for next year. But, cynicism aside – Galway is a fantastic city to visit.
In Ireland we’ve long prided ourselves on an unshakable belief that we are amongst the friendliest and most welcoming countries in the world. The much-vaunted ‘céad míle fáilte’ is now legendary around the world. And indeed, despite grumblings about the price of everything, the vast majority of tourists surveyed say they have a great time here and the tourism industry brings in a lot of money.
Congregations
But, there are other visitors that the Government seems less keen on. An investigation by this newspaper this week has shown that many people in religious congregations and missionary societies believe that the State is placing undue restrictions on priests and religious who want to come here from overseas.
Whether to work, study or simply for a rest there has traditionally been a relaxed approach to missionaries spending time in Ireland. This has been because civil authorities know that the religious body responsible for their invitation will also look after them when they are in Ireland. Missionaries who come here are cared for by their order and are absolutely no burden whatsoever on the State since they do not take up paid employment that an Irish citizen could have nor do they qualify for welfare benefits.
However, recent changes in the Department of Justice have led many people to ask why rules are now being enforced in such a stringent fashion (see pages 14 and 15). Far from experiencing Irish hospitality, many who apply and are rejected are left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
The Government needs to show a more relaxed attitude and restore a system that has worked well for a long time”
This may not be bad for business, but it is bad for Ireland’s international reputation – particularly in developing countries where Irish missionaries worked so hard and did so much to enhance the name of Ireland throughout the world.
The Government needs to show a more relaxed attitude and restore a system that has worked well for a long time.
This is not about special treatment for missionaries and other evangelical workers coming to Ireland, but it is about understanding that not every situation fits a narrow box on an immigration form.