Sharon Keogan warns of Ireland's worsening brain drain
Sharon Keogan addressed Ireland's growing brain drain, arguing it has reached critical levels and now involves senior executives and ministers. She said the trend is no longer limited to young graduates and blamed obstructionism, indecision and inertia in government for driving talent abroad.
Main warning
Brain drain has been steadily rising, Keogan said, moving beyond students and unemployed graduates to include leading experts, boardroom members and CEOs. She warned the problem has been ongoing since the 08 crash and is now reaching critical levels for the country.
Examples and recent departures
Keogan highlighted that foreign institutions and firms are actively poaching top talent. She noted the phenomenon has even affected the finance minister, who has recently taken up a role abroad, and wished the minister and their family well in their new life.
Causes identified
Keogan argued the political and administrative environment has constrained achievement in office, describing the system as one of obstructionism, indecision and inertia. She said competent public servants and ministers have had their accomplishments limited by that environment.
Historical reference and conclusion
Quoting a reported remark by Flann O'Brien about the civil service, Keogan contrasted the old jest with the present reality: she described it as a dire situation when government cannot retain its best and brightest. Her speech framed brain drain as a long-term national crisis requiring attention.
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Today I would like to speak about one of the major crises that is affecting Ireland and that crisis is brain drain. This problem has arguably been with our nation for centuries the latest wave ongoing since the 08 crash but lately I believe it's now reaching critical levels. In many ways we can all come up with explanations or stories to help us cope with or dismiss the issue of brain drain. We say things like oh it's just a few students going abroad sure we've probably got too many graduates anyway and they'll come back after a few years when they've made their money and they'll settle back in. But such explanations won't cut it anymore because brain drain is longer restriction to unemployed graduates. Brain drain has been steadily creeping higher and higher in our society and our economy as foreign institutions and firms poach leading experts, boardroom members and even CEOs. And most recently and shocking they've now poached our finance minister. I would like to wish Pascal Donoghue all the best in his new role and him and his family all the best in their new life. He would be a great credit to himself because regardless of political differences there is no question that he is a man of great intelligence, deep knowledge and good character. And I don't think anyone who looks at Ireland can begrudge or question his decision to go because while Pascal was a hard-working and competent minister his achievements were sadly limited by the system and the political environment we have created in this country. An environment of obstructionism, indecision and inertia. On leaving the civil service Flann O'Brien reportedly said, tis a pity such a fine institution couldn't carry a few more floaters. I say tis a dire situation when the institution of government can't keep its best and its brightest.
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