Cowen: Emigrants have future here

YOUNG people thinking of leaving Ireland to find work “have a future in this country”, according to Taoiseach Brian Cowen, despite emigration reaching its highest level in 20 years.

Mr Cowen attempted to send out a message of hope after a meeting in which he “challenged” the heads of 11 state agencies involved in job creation to set more ambitious targets to get people back to work.

Fine Gael dismissed the meeting as a publicity stunt which came two years too late. “To quote Elvis Presley, a little less conversation a little more action please,” said enterprise spokesman Richard Bruton.