REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT A RECEPTION AT THE EMBASSY OF IRELAND, LONDON
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT A RECEPTION AT THE EMBASSY OF IRELAND, LONDON MONDAY, 1ST MARCH 2010
Dia dhíbh a chairde, thank you very much for your warm welcome. Let me firstly thank Ambassador McDonagh for hosting tonight’s event which brings together so many of the people who represent the best of Ireland every day in every sphere of life and in many parts of the world far beyond Ireland’s shores, especially here among our next door neighbours.
Here, there is no “one size fits all” Irish community member. In every decade the emigrant trail to Britain brought a different mix of humanity: student nurses, construction workers, secretaries, young professionals, entrepreneurs, artists and more. Some came because they had to, others because they wanted to. Some lived lives of raw unredeemed loneliness while others prospered and watched their children and grandchildren prosper too. Many sent scarce and hard earned money home to a poor Ireland and more lived to see that Ireland become a sophisticated and well-to do nation at the heart of Europe. They coped with the strains of the Northern conflict which so often spilled over onto this country’s soil and cast shadows over attitudes, and relationships and thankfully many have lived to see the Peace Process germinate and grow helped by a tangible warming of the Dublin/Westminster axis. Though we like to fancy as we look back that everything good happened in a steady linear progression, the reality is very different. The vagaries of the Peace Process alone teach us that we often go one step forward only to be shoved two steps backwards. It also teaches us the singular importance of not giving in to the counsel of cynicism or despair. Those lessons are valuable in the economic space right now for the Irish economy is reeling from the blows of global and national recession. The surging growth of the Celtic Tiger years which so many believed would continue in perpetuity was, we now know, unsustainable and we have been unceremoniously pushed one step backwards. There has been an inevitable pervasive disappointment and despondency which while understandable is inadequate as a response on which to build a future. For that we need faith in ourselves and the momentum of fresh thinking and effort. Already strong action has been taken and Ireland is repositioning herself, focussing on new opportunities for growth and recovery. We will not allow ourselves to be defined by our current problems but by how we resolve them, using the many strengths and resources that we have available to us.
It pays to look to our global Irish family as the Global Economic Forum at Farmleigh did last September and to call in aid the indomitable spirit and courage of countless Irish men and women who faced into and faced down a litany of obstacles to create opportunities for themselves and their children. They made themselves legendary problem solvers and to their strong individual can-do ethos, they added that characteristic aspect of our shared Irish identity, the spirit of meitheal, of being community to one another. That unity and care for one another has been expressed in many different ways over time and it is a particular delight to hear of the new Global Irish Network, an initiative which arose from the Farmleigh Forum, was launched last month here in London. It is very fitting that the Network was launched in Britain, our closest neighbour, most important trading partner and a country with a thriving, diverse and influential Irish community. This new and dynamic business network has huge potential to bring an additional dimension and an added impetus to the
British-Irish relationship and to engagement with our vibrant Irish community here.
The accomplished and confident men and women who are building the network and the many other Irish business men and women here this evening who are working to develop business opportunities to the mutual benefit of our two islands, are a people who believe that anything is possible with effort and who will persevere until success is achieved. They have the drive of Olympians and I know many in this audience are focussed professionally on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lord Coe cannot be here this evening but I wish to acknowledge his encouragement of a strong Irish community contribution to London 2012. Andy Rogers, who is here tonight, is working round the clock to ensure that there will be an indelible Irish mark on the 2012 Games and I wish every success to those involved in the forthcoming visit to Dublin of the Olympic Delivery Authority to promote business opportunities. It is great to see so many Irish companies and Irish workers directly involved in the construction projects around the Olympics and in services provision in Ireland and of course meanwhile a mighty band of athletes is preparing for gold. We look forward to cheering on the likes of Katie Taylor, John Joe Nevin, Derval O'Rourke, Mary Cullen, Olive Loughnane and many more at the London Games.
In the world of the arts and culture, Ireland fields a formidable team across every discipline. I am delighted to see many leading members of that team here this evening and to be able to thank them for an extensive global ambassadorship such as few small nations enjoy. You open Ireland up to audiences of all sorts. You make friends for us and through your reach you enhance Ireland’s global reputation and its relevance, opening doors to trade, investment, tourism and jobs.
There is hardly any aspect of life or of the relations between Britain and Ireland which has not been affected and enriched by the distinguished guests here this evening. There has never been a stronger bilateral relationship at any time in our history. You have played a significant part in that contemporary story and can take pride in the things that have been accomplished because of it, not least the Good Friday, St Andrews and most recently the Hillsborough Agreements, each one a door that shut on past conflicts and a culture of paramilitarism and a door that opened to let a happier future in.
As we galvanise our meitheal of efforts towards solid prosperity and peace on the island of Ireland, we will need your inspiration, positivity and your continuing ambassadorship for Ireland. I thank you for your manifold commitment to Ireland and to healthy, happy relations between these islands.
If integration in a new society, if developing friendship with our neighbours, if showing creativity in both business and culture were Olympic sports, Ireland would be leading the medals board in 2012.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.