Speech at a St Patrick’s Day Reception
Áras an Uachtaráin, 17th March 2015
Tá an-áthas orm féin agus ar Sabina fáilte a chur romhaibh anseo inniu chuig Áras an Uachtaráin agus muid ag ceiliúradh Lá Fhéile ár n-éarlaimh Pádraig.
[Sabina and I are delighted to welcome you all here today to Áras an Úachtaráin as we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, Patrick.]
St Patrick’s life was one defined by many valuable characteristics, amongst them courage, forgiveness, generosity, founded on a great concern for his fellow citizen. They are attributes which lie at the heart of any truly functioning society, and ones which I hope continue to characterise an essential Irishness which is today being marked by parades and celebrations in communities across the world.
That worldwide and enthusiastic marking of our national day reminds us of the great sense of solidarity that exists between Irish people, and those of Irish descent, wherever they may now live. It also recalls to us the importance of such solidarity in creating a real sense of belonging, of participating and of being part of a shared culture and community. It is appropriate too to acknowledge those who have welcomed, supported, and continue to support our Irish abroad and at home.
The emphasis tis year is on acknowledging those who have, are, and will be responding to homelessness. All of you have been invited here today because you embody that great spirit of solidarity, reaching out a hand of friendship and support to those who have been denied a sense of place, of home, of neighbourhood, and of commonality and responsibility, which is critical to our living together.
There can be no doubt that every homeless person in this state is a person who does not have the opportunity, indeed not even the basic right as a citizen, to participate in society.
It is estimated that up to 5,000 citizens are homeless at any given time in Ireland, including those in inappropriate temporary accommodation, those in emergency accommodation and those who are surviving with minimal or no shelter. Behind that stark statistic are the human consequences of homelessness in all its forms: the fear and stress of seeking a place to stay, the terrible burden of not being able to provide stability for your family, the exclusion from basic social services and amenities which follows from the lack of an address.
Perhaps most of all, the hopelessness and despair that comes from being reduced to a mere survival rather than a fulfilling life. Behind the statistics of homelessness, too, lie of course personal stories which may include the experience of poverty, misfortune, unemployment, and sometimes abuse, neglect, addiction or illness.
As we mark our national day, a day for all Irish people which we rightly celebrate, we have a responsibility to acknowledge and face the challenge of recognising and responding to the fact that some of our fellow citizens are reduced to sleeping in laneways, in doorways, and on park benches; or to looking after young families in single rooms with no cooking facilities or outside space; or to making the difficult choice each night between sleeping out on the street, or in a hostel where they do not feel safe.
Of course we need good policies if we are to deal with this issue. It is important that we respond to the immediate facts of homelessness with humanitarian action, as all of you here today are doing on a continuing basis, and I congratulate and thank you for that; we must also recognise that homelessness exists in a context of a failure of social and economic policy. The situation of homelessness is not something that can be compartmentalised, or separated from broader issues of inequality or housing policy. Our response to homelessness must be humanitarian in the first instance, yes, but it must also be part of a progressive and sustained combination of measures and policies which will address the causes of homelessness and the factors that leave people exposed to the risk of homelessness, and which will ultimately support individuals and families to access secure homes.
The work of the community and voluntary sector in raising awareness of homelessness is having success and has directly led to concerted action by Government and local public bodies over recent months aimed at addressing the current crisis of homelessness in our cities. At the same time, we must recognise that there are deep-rooted challenges remaining in relation to the many families facing the seemingly hope sapping prospect of having a family home. These are issues that cannot be allocated for resolution to market forces.
We have, as a nation, always referred to a spirit of community as a fundamental element of our Irishness. Such sense of community, however, must include all our citizens, whatever their circumstances or whatever challenges they may meet on their life’s journey, if it is to be meaningful. It must surely be one of the critical responsibilities of any democracy that values participation to address the issue of homelessness and it is urgent that we seek sustainable and innovative solutions, solutions which will ensure that no citizen is denied that most fundamental need; a place they can call home.
As President of Ireland I have met with many organisations and volunteers in the homeless sector and have been consistently impressed by the commitment and dedication of all those who are concerned to help individuals and families to have a roof over their heads, a place within a community and a viable future. I am delighted to be able to welcome so many of you to Áras an Uachtaráin today, and to be able to tell you directly how much I value your contribution and your spirit of active participation and human solidarity which provide such a light in the darkness of many difficult lives.
Today is a day when we mark and celebrate the life of St. Patrick, remembering his generosity, his determination in the face of adversity, and his great commitment to the people of Ireland. This afternoon I am delighted to celebrate this special day with citizens who share those great qualities, and who constantly strive to make Ireland a better and more equal society.
Is rud thar a bheith luachmhar é an téad sábhála dóchais, cairdis agus cúraim a chuireann sibh ar fáil do shaoránaigh leochaileacha a bhfuil an ceart bunúsach a bheith páirteach le dínit sa phobal ceilte orthu, agus is dothomhaiste an difear a dhéanann sibh do shaol na saoránach sin agus dár sochaí.
[The lifeline of hope, friendship and care that you offer to vulnerable citizens, deprived of the basic right to participate with dignity in society, is invaluable and the difference you make to the lives of such citizens and to our society as a whole is immeasurable.]
As President of Ireland, I express my gratitude to all of you for your vital and compassionate work. I wish you well for the future and thank you for making the journey here today to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick at Áras an Úachtaráin.
Finally, as to our St Patrick’s Day celebration 2015 here at the Áras, I would like to thank all those who have helped with this event, especially Seán Keane, Carmel Dempsey, Amie Dyer, David Leddy, Emmett Gill, Gay McKeon, Joseph Byrne, Jane Walls and Amy Campbell for enabling us to have such a celebratory occasion; in a special way our MC Little John Nee; the first-aiders and the staff here at the Áras who have all worked so hard to make today a success.
Go n-éirí go geal libh ‘s go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.