Assisting our immigration firms can open up the world

An article in the Irish Independent from Thursday, 30^th August, discusses the changing demographic profile in Ireland. Numerous economic and political debates have included the discussion about the “new multi-racial Ireland,” including the potential for “non-Irish nationals to bolster business activity.”

Currently, foreign nationals constitute eleven percent of the nation’s population, and much of this sector is comprised of young, bright college graduates that are eager to begin their own job. The article reports that they have, “on average, progressed to higher levels of education than the Irish population as a whole . . . statistically they are more likely to start their own business. We therefore have within our population a very large group of people who are young, well educated, highly entrepreneurial, and with established networks in foreign countries, but still we do not recognise them as an asset and a wonderful opportunity to expand our international trade.”

Immigrants are valuable trading partners in business because they bring a fresh perspective on the work, as well as new and innovative methodologies and ideas. However, the article admits that issues with language, religion, age, and gender have caused conflicts and difficulties for immigrants attempting to integrate into Irish society and begin working. Not only that, but the very nature of their non-Irish status also presents its own obstacles, which include “a lack of business contracts,  greater difficulty in accessing finance from institutional sources, and an information deficit when it comes to negotiating business regulatory and legal environments.”

The article concludes with recommendations. “What is required in Ireland is targeted intervention promoted through the social networks and media channels favoured by immigrants.” This way, the challenges that are faced by immigrant entrepreneurs can be met and properly faced, so that they may have an easier time establishing their own business and integrating into Irish life. “At a time when Ireland is seeking to build its international trade across the globe, it appears that we have a wonderful resource on our doorstep that is not being proactively utilised.”

Brophy Solicitors

31.08.12

http://www.independent.ie/business/small-business/assisting-our-immigrant-firms-can-open-up-the-world-3214901.html

New Laws to Tackle rise in Marriages of Convenience

An article in the Irish Independent on Monday, 27^th August discusses the new laws that are designed to crack down on sham marriages. Immigration officials have seen a rise in sham marriages, where a non-EU national marries an EU national for the sole purpose of gaining residency. The article reports, “Sums of at least €2,000 are being paid to Eastern European women to take part and in some cases gardai have found payments of up to €10,000.” After the non-EU national has gained a permanent form of residency, the marriage is dissolved. An analysis of the immigration figures have revealed that a disproportionate number of sham marriages occur between Pakistanis and partners from Baltic states, specifically Latvia. “One-third of the 1,617 applicants last year were to marry a Latvian or Lithuanian national.” The gardai have found no evidence that these women were the victims of trafficking.

The issue has been raised by UK Home Secretary Theresa May, and Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, as well as discussed at EU Justice and Home Affairs meetings. The gardai blocked 150 marriages that they believed to be fraudulent, but the High Court in Dublin ruled that they had no authorization for such an arrest. Legislation is currently being drafted to tighten the restrictions and prevent this abuse of residency rights. 

Brophy Solicitors

27.08.12

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-laws-to-tackle-rise-in-marriages-of-convenience-3210488.html