Thanks to all who replied. To address a few of the good points made.

That is a position that I may well find myself in in a few years time hence why I am investigating this now so I'll be better informed when the time comes.

Thank you for saying it !!!!. We have become so obsessed with showing how successful we are that people tend to forget that the Celtic Tiger is built largely on debt and credit cards. The country looks great its true but if you scratch below the surface theres something nasty waiting to bite. If you want a sensible viewpoint read the Central Bank reports on the state of the economy. If those guys are worried then so should the rest of us.

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you for saying what is so true. People here in Ireland just don't believe that. Expensive ??. Dublin is worse then London. As for public transport I could fly to London and get into Oxford street quicker then it takes the No 39 bus to get to Blanchardstown where I live. The M50 is a glorified car park. And as for the housing boom, that has been based on the buy to let malarkey which everyone got into because, well the neighbours were doing it !!. The jobs situation is'nt half as bad as it was when you were here but the wages are not what they could be as its an employers market.

Perhaps but they are a large influence on people and their decision to move ultimately. For me its a question of looking at the long term and what I want from life and where best I could achieve that. Personally I've always been pretty independent and adaptable which I think is a help if I do decide to go. For now though I am going to research this furthur (expect PLENTY more questions ) as well as get more qualifications before I wander in the direction of the embassy.