While Jean-Claude Juncker reminded us of our own history of emigration, he overlooked two outstanding differences between the Irish emigrants and the current influx of migrants to Europe in that the Irish emigrants were not handed money and a house on their arrival but had to earn their way.

While Jean-Claude Juncker reminded us of our own history of emigration, he overlooked two outstanding differences between the Irish emigrants and the current influx of migrants to Europe in that the Irish emigrants were not handed money and a house on their arrival but had to earn their way.