| The Embassy at the Heart of Emigrant
Life in Britain By Amanda Diamond
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work at the Irish
Embassy in London? Or what it is that Embassy workers do all day long? Well,
wonder no more — Amanda Diamond spent a day with Barry McCarthy and Luke
Hanlon to find out.
“The photocopier machine is the bane of my life,” 24-year-old Luke Hanlon
complains as he sips his coffee.
“I have a particular dislike for that machine. It gives me photocopier-rage,”
he says as he sits in one of the Irish Embassy’s modest offices in central
London’s plush Mayfair.
His colleague Barry McCarthy chips in a few witty remarks (clearly the
saga of Luke’s photocopying hell is widely known) before the true nature
of the story emerges. “The paper has to be at exactly the right temperature
and minus any creases before the thing will even consider working for me,”
Luke jokes.
 Luke
and Barry are good friends and although they work in different departments
their lively banter is part of life behind the scenes at the Embassy.
But behind the laughter and the bullet-proof doors of the Grosvenor Place
building there is a hive of activity rarely seen by the public.
Anyone calling for information is likely to be put through to Luke.
The Dublin-native transferred to London in January 2003 after working
within the Department of Foreign Affairs. He says he may return to his home
city once his three-year posting is complete.
But since he got married in Britain it might turn out that he will request
another London position.
While at the Embassy Luke answers calls from people looking for information
on everything from Irish history, folklore and culture to its election process
and the cost of Irish postage stamps.
But the majority of calls are from people who need help returning to
Ireland.
On average Luke deals with nearly 150 calls per month with about 100
of those from people wanting to return home.
“Returning to Ireland seems to be the thing that most people want help
with,” he says.
“The number of calls we get is from a fraction of the people who actually
move back. “There is help and support out there and we are here to direct
people to the relevant places.
“We just want to send out the message that we have this service and that
we are trying to help people who want to return home. You don’t have to
do it alone.”
The Embassy has an information pack published by the Department of Social
and Family Affairs for people wanting to return to Ireland.
The pack contains a booklet with information on everything from housing
and health to claiming benefits and pensions:
“It’s a vital resource for anyone who interested in moving to Ireland,”
Luke says.
“From opening a bank account to bringing over your car, it’s all in there.
It’s a great help to people.”
While Luke is busy taking calls Barry concentrates on the more serious
side of things — the money.
As a trainee accountant he makes sure the books are balanced. And any
Irish voluntary organisation in receipt of government funding from Ireland
will be thankful for Barry’s department.
The 23-year-old from Naas in Co. Kildare has been at
the Embassy since last September. His first job there was in the Press
and Information Department but he now works on the Dion Fund.
It was recently the deadline for the Dion applications and earlier in
the day several last minute entries arrived at the front door. The term
‘hectic’ does little to describe Barry’s office over the past few weeks.
And as he only took this position recently he has had to hit the ground
running.
“There is a massive number of applications this year,” Barry says with
a resigned smile.
“We have to go through them all and sort them out before the first committee
meeting so it’s a really busy time for us.”
For Luke and Barry working at the Embassy is very rewarding.
Both agree that helping Britain’s Irish community —whether it is providing
information or providing cash payments — gives them something to smile about.
Luke sums it up by saying: “It’s a great feeling when you are able to
help someone as part of your job.
“Our role is to support people where we can and I hope the Irish community
knows that.”
n If you would like help moving back to Ireland or would like to request
an information pack contact Luke Hanlon on 020 7201 2513 or for general
enquiries call 0870 005 6725.
Useful contacts...
Department of Foreign Affairs:
www.dfa.ie
Public Service Information:
www.oasis.gov.ie
Safe Home Programme:
www.safe-home-ireland.com
Emigrant Advice:
www.emigrantadvice.ie
EAN, the Emigrant Network:
www.emigrantnetwork.ie
Irish Embassy:
www.ireland.embassyhomepage.com
Emigrant’s Checklist
Details of any qualifications obtained abroad.
Curriculum Vitae and references.
Medical records.
School reports and references from children’s schools.
Money — sufficient to tide you over until you get a job.
Driver’s Licence and details of No Claims Bonus.
Proof of eligibility for Irish residency or of Irish citizenship.
Typical Calls to The Embassy...
Returning to Ireland — information on pensions, housing and health.
Requests on Irish history from information on Michael Collins and 1916
Rising to Irish folklore and culture.
Requests on Irish language like how to say Happy Christmas and Happy
St Patrick’s Day in Gaelic.
Letters from prisoners who are doing degrees, requesting research material
and help with various topics.
Requests for Irish recipes.
Requests for travel information like taking pets to Ireland and whether
a passport is needed to travel there.
Queries on the Irish constitution.
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