ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE AT THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE AT THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL TO MARK THE LAUNCH OF THE IRISH INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGY & NEUROS
At the outset, let me say that I’ve got absolutely no intention of talking to you about neurology or neurosurgery – I’m afraid that I haven’t quite managed to take up studying neuroscience – yet! But I am delighted to have been invited to the launch of this new all-Ireland body, and I’d particularly like to thank Dr. Victor Patterson for giving me the opportunity to be part of this great occasion – an occasion which marks a major new development in setting up links between professions and practitioners with common professional interests.
Earlier this week, I opened a conference organised by the Conference of Religious of Ireland, which brought together practitioners in the field of social and economic administration to debate matters of common concern. It struck me that conferences like that provided a great opportunity for professionals in overlapping disciplines to step out of their compartmentalised daily routine and to explore the interconnectedness of their missions. That same concept strikes me very forcibly with this initiative – where you will provide a forum and a mechanism for the sharing of ideas, research findings, techniques and technologies producing a synergistic effect to the great benefit of your respective professions and, of course, to the whole field of neurological health.
It also strikes me that with the rapid pace of research and development in the medical field – with great strides being made in surgical techniques, genetic research and engineering, and the trend towards the holistic approach to medical treatment – it makes perfect sense for the related professions to set up a partnership where the combination of the individual sectors becomes far more potent that the sum of the individuals. The new Institute is a ‘partnership’ of professions and professionals with a common focus, each of whom has something to contribute.
In practically every sphere of Irish life now there is a great ‘partnership’ movement under way. In the social and economic field we have a national partnership between the social partners which has been the foundation of the great economic success that we are enjoying. In local communities, there are partnerships being established with voluntary and official bodies to address areas of common concern – to reconstitute communities that had suffered the ravages of unemployment and the ugly downstream consequences for individuals and communities. These partnerships are proving to be very successful and are bringing great benefits to the people and communities concerned. Clearly ‘Partnership’ is the buzzword of the nineties.
But that concept is the way forward – it makes perfect sense to establish links and networks with those who have a common purpose – because it makes it possible to achieve sustainable progress and to meet the challenges that new research throws up – research that helps each of the professions to overcome problems - to see them in a different light and from a different perspective. I want to commend you on your wisdom in making this great move – on rising to meet a new challenge and opportunity.
I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many practitioners in the medical field for their great work both in Ireland and overseas – for the great strides that have been made in improving the quality of life for so many people – for the great advances that have been made in the field of neuroscience. Almost weekly, we hear of new developments - new research findings - that bring new hope and comfort to many sufferers. The great advances being made in medical research – in genetics – are opening up new possibilities for the treatment of disease. Through the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, you will be able to share and build on those developments and discoveries for the betterment of your professions. Speaking of discoveries reminds me of the words of Pam Ayres,
“Medicinal discovery,
It moves in mighty leaps,
It leapt straight past the common cold
And gave it us for keeps”
With that chastening observation, I commend you in your work – in your missions and vocations – and I wish the new institute every success in the exciting years ahead for medical research and treatment.