A visit to modern day Belgium and its central position in a united Europe. Irish immigrant Geri Collins talks about her work in Brussels, her quality of life, and her general feeling of social isolation.
The programme features Irish Minister for External Affairs Patrick John Hillery and soon to be Ireland's European Commissioner (and later President of Ireland) on a visit to Belgium. Hillery views Ireland's accession to the European Union as a psychological escape valve and a release from what he calls "our gate lodge attitude towards England". The clip also features one of the founding fathers of the European community and French Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as Maurice Shummann, British Convervative politician Geoffrey Rippon.
Reporter Patrick Gallagher makes analogies between Ireland and Belgium in terms of their past and potential futures.
While Dr. Hillery is Ireland's "big fish" in Brussels, Ireland also has its representative "smaller fry". Gallagher meets Geri Collins who works as a typist in Brussels, and is well paid and independent. She is however very negative about her life in Brussels and does not have much contact with the Belgians. Collins feels somewhat ghettoised from the natives. Also feeling isolated and detached from any Irish community, Collins contemplates the opportunity to move on to Berlin. Collins talks about leaving Dublin and how life is different for her now in terms of quality of life.
An extract from the series 'Neighbours' and an episode where Irish writer Patrick Gallagher gives his personal opinions on Belgium and the Belgians.
Title: |
The Belgians |
Clip Duration: |
00:06:47 |
Material Type: |
Video |
Clip Title: |
"The Belgians That Is Another Story" |
Series Title: |
Neighbours |
Information: |
'Neighbours' was a six part series in which a selection of Irish writers presented their individual views of European countries. The writers and the countries were, Sean Ó Faoláin on Italy and England, Jack White on Norway, John Montague on France, Francis Stuart on Germany, and Patrick Gallagher on Belgium. Neighbours was first broadcast in 1972. Neighbours was remastered and broadcast again in 2005. |
Local Keywords: |
Belgium, Brussels, Patrick Gallagher, Geri Collins, Emigration, Immigration, Patrick Hillery, Veurne, Being European, European, Nationality, Citizenship, Europe |
Coverage: |
Ireland, Belgium |
Topic: |
Society and Social Issues |
Contributor(s): |
Patrick Gallagher (Reporter) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
RTÉ |
Broadcast Date: |
29/11/1972 |
Production Year: |
1972 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
P474/00072 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Archives. If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us. RTÉ Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us. |
Item Type: |
part/extract |
Colour: |
Colour |
Sound: |
Mono |
Aspect Ratio: |
4:3 |
Language: |
English (eng) |
Original Language: |
English (eng) |
