REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE TO THE DUBLIN AND THE NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE TO THE DUBLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Dia dhíbh go léir tráthnóna. Tá mé iontach sásta bheith anseo libh ar an ócáid speisialta seo.
Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for your warm welcome.
It is particularly good to join you today to mark the opening of a new chapter in the close relationship between the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Memorandum of Understanding signed a few minutes ago by the Presidents of both chambers set an agenda for a new era of partnership which I hope will be as successful as Europe’s Ryder Cup team was this week. I am indebted to the President of the Dublin Chamber, Mr Eugene McCague for the invitation which allows me to be part of this special day and I offer a big céad míle fáilte to the President of the Northern Ireland Chamber, Dr Mark Sweeney, and all his colleagues here today. Many years ago, as the Queen’s University representative on “Business in the Community” – I was fortunate to have worked with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce to develop the Plato Programme - an experience which gave me a strong interest and appreciation for your work. In the years between I have made many state visits abroad which have been accompanied by large and very successful trade delegations, the backbone of which have been Ireland’s thriving Chambers of Commerce. The work you undertake voluntarily to promote, develop and sustain the commercial traffic which is the bedrock of our widespread prosperity, is work which so often goes un-rewarded and un-rewarded in terms of public thanks, so today I am grateful for this chance to say thank‑you and to encourage this latest evidence of the restless dynamic that is driving the work of the Chambers North and South.
History conferred on us the regrettable fact that the European land frontier with the least commerce across it was right here on the island of Ireland. So much potential wasted, so much latent strength dissipated, so much opportunity simply overlooked. But not any more. The barriers both real and psychological which hindered North/South trade – and which made people reticent about developing north south initiatives which could trade globally in partnership – they are falling one by one as an educated entrepreneurial generation on both sides of the border give fresh new leadership.
South of the border it is now almost a cliché to speak of the economic miracle which has transformed life for the better for the majority of our citizens. The evidence of prosperity is clear to see and it is underpinned by the imaginative and dedicated work of our commercial, industrial, educational and political sectors. Driven by a shared vision to better our country and reveal its true potential they attracted high levels of very successful foreign investment and grew an indigenous business sector which is as confident doing business in Beijing or Berlin as it is in Dublin or Belfast.
There is a very reassuring discipline and commitment across all sectors of people prepared to work hard, to take risks and to keep updating in response to the constantly shifting sands of the global marketplace. To sustain and grow today’s success it is not enough to keep on doing what we are doing today, the way we are doing it today. That is the road to complacency and it is a cul de sac.
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry between them have a wealth of business knowledge and experience. Your members have ideas and ambitions. They can see possibilities for new markets and promoting new initiatives. They see ways of extending existing markets. What if each chamber could rely on the strength of the other? The evidence of serious potential is in, from the work of the Network and Getwork programme promoted by the Dublin Chamber and the Northern Ireland Chamber to encourage and assist small and medium enterprises to explore cross-border business opportunities with some of the largest procurement organisations North and South. Turning our faces out to the world together also holds huge potential.
Dr. Martin Naughton, the Chairman of InterTradeIreland, has perceptively remarked that businesses on the island of Ireland share common challenges to maintain competitiveness in a market that is growing more global by the day, and that by combining our resources across the island we can create real competitive advantage for both Ireland and Northern Ireland. The evidence is mounting that he is right.
The Taoiseach led a trade mission to India last January. It was the first trade mission to include businesses from Northern Ireland and Lord Rana, former President of the Northern Ireland Chamber played a very prominent role. Such were the achievements of that trade mission that it has now been decided to open all trade missions – whether organised by Enterprise Ireland or Invest Northern Ireland – to participation by companies from North and South and plans are already well advanced for joint participation in a trade mission to Canada later in the autumn. If you are involved in that I wish you every success.
Recent announcements in the political arena such as those from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D., and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Peter Hain, M.P., have endorsed this all-island economic approach. The British‑Irish Intergovernmental Conference in February of this year called for a comprehensive study to be undertaken to identify areas where further co-operation would deliver mutual benefits and examine how such co-operation might best be taken forward. This work has already seen positive announcements and I understand that a final report is being prepared for later this year.
In signing the Memorandum of Understanding today, both Chambers acknowledge that this small peripheral island, and its two distinctive jurisdictions, are best served by a common focus on the future.
Congratulations to both Chambers for making today happen, for all that you have achieved and are set to achieve in the years ahead.
Is iontach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh. Go n-éirí go geal libh. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.