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Eisiúintí Nuachta

Launch of 'On the Importance of Ethics - A Report on the President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative'

Dáta: Lua 1st Fea, 2016 | 10:20

Speaking at the launch of the report on the second major theme of his Presidency, ‘The President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative’, President Michael D. Higgins said:

“Today we launch ‘On the Importance of Ethics’, the report of the President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative.

This report documents what has been an exciting and enlivening process, with the purpose of stimulating a national discussion about the type of Ireland that we might wish to create.

The President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative involved over 60 events engaging third level educational institutions, civil society groups – including ICTU, the National Women’s Council, the Society of St Vincent De Paul, The Wheel and Dóchas – as well as community organisations in all parts of the country.

In the course of these many different consultations I have been struck by the enthusiastic response to this Initiative, and by the wealth of ideas on how we can address some of the most pressing and urgent questions facing Ireland at this time.

The report demonstrates the great creativity of the Irish people and their capacity to imagine how a vibrant and more inclusive republic might be brought into being. It also shows the great appetite among Irish people to take up the question of how such a transformation can be realised.

All of the proposals that have emerged in the President of Ireland's Ethics Initiative are capable of achievement.

The launch of this report today ‘On the Importance of Ethics’ will, I hope, strengthen our resolve as a people to think of ourselves as agents of change; to seek to take action, and take responsibility, to shape our country, reflecting the ideals of a true Republic – a place of inclusion and equality, where we can all be participatory and proud citizens.

'On the Importance of Ethics' invites us to build a country of people not afraid to take a stand for values and for what is right, not only that which is compliant or convenient; a country where we encourage each other to lead by example."