“We can see from many current crises that no amount of policy will deter people from migrating," Bishop John Kirby said at the launch of 'Welcoming the Stranger' in London.

Some 81,900 people left Irish shores between April 2013 and April 2014 though it appears the number of people emigrating has begun to fall.

Irish prisoners overseas are one of the most marginalised groups of Irish emigrants: Bishop