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Remarks at an Event to Commemorate 75th Anniversary of the Presidency

Áras an Uachtaráin, 25th June 2013

A Iar-uachtaráin ‘s a chairde. Fáilte go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin tráthnóna.

Sabina and I felt it was important to mark this special 75th anniversary of the inauguration of Uachtarán na hÉireann and his arrival at Áras an Uachtaráin, which continues as the home of the President of Ireland to this day. We are delighted that former Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese were able to join us, together with their respective husbands Nick and Martin. I am also pleased that representatives of the de hÍde, O’Ceallaigh, de Valera, Childers, Ó’Dálaigh and Hillery families were able to be here, and particularly happy that Mrs Maeve Hillery is present.

We also wish to welcome all our other guests, including some of the men who acted as Secretaries General over recent decades and some of the women who occupied the role of Adviser to the President.

I am conscious that this evening’s event will be tinged with sadness for members of the Hyde family as Douglas Hyde Sealy passed away a little more than a week ago. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Please accept our condolences on your great loss.

Agus iad ag dul i gcionn oifige, dearbhaíonn gach Uachtarán ar Éirinn faoi mhionn, le linn a n-insealbhaithe, Bunreacht na hÉireann a chaomhnú agus seasamh le dlíthe na tíre, a ndualgais a chomhlíonadh go dílis agus go coinsiasach agus, mar a luaitear sa Bhunreacht, “mo lándícheall a dhéanamh ar son leasa is fónaimh mhuintir na hÉireann.”

[ On taking office, all Presidents of Ireland at their inauguration swear a declaration to maintain the Constitution of Ireland and uphold its laws, to fulfil his/her duties faithfully and conscientiously and - I quote - to “dedicate my abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Ireland”. ]

In reflecting on how the eight previous holders of the Presidency discharged that duty of service, I am very conscious that each of them brought to the office their own talents, skills, life experience and sense of idealism. They discharged their duties during different periods with specific challenges and circumstances. Those varying contexts brought with them specific constraints, as well as opportunities. The Office of Uachtarán na hÉireann is an important part of our constitutional architecture, history and heritage, and the important role played by our previous Presidents in shaping and developing it is widely recognised.

For example, when we look at the political landscape both in Ireland and abroad when Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish Constitution entered into force and Douglas Hyde took Office in 1938, our world was on the brink of another world war, we had witnessed the rise of fascism in Europe, and relations with our nearest neighbour had again become strained as a result of the Anglo-Irish trade war (1932 – 1938).

Perhaps the great achievement of the first three Presidents then was to successfully establish a new office of State and to consolidate its legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of citizens. The 35 years that spanned the Presidencies of Douglas Hyde, Sean T. O’Kelly and Eamon De Valera were skilfully used to clearly establish the dignity and independence of the office and to form an appropriate relationship with Government.

In mentioning both Douglas Hyde and Eamon De Valera, you may be interested to see displayed in the entrance hall this evening the original interview book which accounts for the various visitors to Douglas Hyde in the first year of his Presidency. It recounts the visit of Eamon De Valera as Taoiseach to the Áras four days after the inauguration, on the 29th June 1938.

This meeting was held in conformity with Article 28 of the Constitution wherein it is stated that “the Taoiseach shall keep the President generally informed on matters of domestic and international policy.” Regrettably for historians, the entry is somewhat circumscribed and there is no indication of the content of the first conversation between the new President and the Taoiseach of the day.

The three succeeding Presidents operated in a challenging environment with the conflict in Northern Ireland impacting at times on the very stability of the State. Despite these difficulties the Presidencies of Erskine Childers, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh and Patrick Hillery saw a greater outreach to local communities than had been previously experienced and a greater emphasis on the representational role of the office abroad.

A soon to be published account of the Presidencies of Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese reminds us of how these two women significantly developed and extended the office. Each came into office with a clear vision of what their Presidency represented and with exceptional abilities to articulate their themes and communicate their messages. Both were adept, as one commentator stated of “finding the spaces on which the Constitution was silent”. They used propitious opportunities to articulate more inclusive social values and to promote the cause of peace and friendship on the island of Ireland.

Therefore, the legacy of the first 75 years of our Presidency is that those who have occupied that highest of Offices in our land have conscientiously maintained the Constitution and upheld its laws without compromising their commitment to use their abilities to serve the people of Ireland. My hope is to follow the distinguished path of my eight predecessors and build on their achievements, while offering a contribution based on my own experience and mandate. I sought to outline some guiding values in my inaugural address.

I am also conscious this evening of how this House has been transformed during the past 75 years. Although more than 250 years old, I think you will agree that it is in a very splendid state of repair. It is also looking at its very best right now as the belated summer has brought the gardens to life. Great credit is due to the Office of Public Works for their careful custodianship of both the House and grounds.

What a fortunate occurrence that 1930s austerity frustrated the plan of settling the President in a different official Residence. Áras an Uachtaráin embodies the history of this island. Its story reflects the fascinating journey from a British colony to an independent State. The history and heritage of this House has made it a comfortable space for people of the nationalist and unionist traditions  on this island and long may that continue.

75 years is a bench-mark in the office of Uachtaráin na hÉireann President of Ireland that warrants being appropriately marked and celebrated. Sabina and I felt that the best way to do so was to share the occasion in the company of those – and their family representatives – who while living here in Áras an Uachtaráin, have distinguished themselves in the role of President, who have enhanced the standing and reputation of the office during their tenure and who have dedicated their abilities to the welfare and service of the people of Ireland.

Thank you for coming and we hope you will enjoy the occasion.

A Iar-Uachtaráin ‘s a chairde go léir, go raibh maith agaibh.