REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE IRISH COMMUNITY BREAKFAST TORONTO – 7 OCTOBER 1998
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE IRISH COMMUNITY BREAKFAST TORONTO – 7 OCTOBER 1998
I am very pleased to be able to address you here this morning on the first full State Visit to Canada by an Irish President. It is entirely fitting that my first stop after Ottawa on this visit should be here in Toronto, which is home to the largest Irish community in Canada and the commercial heart of the country. I am especially pleased to note that this morning’s event is being co-hosted by the Spirit of Ireland and the Ireland Funds of Canada, and I would like to thank James Reddy and Bill Neill and their colleagues for all the work they have put in to organising it.
The Spirit of Ireland represents the whole range of ways and organisations through which the long established Irish community here celebrates and keeps alive the culture which is our common heritage. Through the Ireland Funds, members of that community are giving something back in a very direct way to help those who remained behind.
The breadth and diversity of Irish organisations in Toronto, who come together in the Spirit of Ireland, and indeed the number of people here this morning, are a testament to the vibrant and dynamic Irish community here in this city. Many of you were born here, children or descendants of earlier Irish emigrants.
All of you - all of us - are united by a sense of fellowship and shared history with Ireland and with Irish people at home and across the world. From Irish language, music, dance and drama to gaelic sports and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, from Celtic Studies to charity and philanthropy here in Toronto, in Ireland and in the developing world, the presence and impact of the Irish in Toronto is everywhere and unmistakable.
The economic conditions which led generations of Irish people to seek new lives overseas have been completely transformed in recent years – and sustained economic growth throughout the 1990's has been reflected in our economic relations with Canada. Indeed, trade between Ireland and Canada has almost trebled in ten years. Ireland ranks only after the US and Britain as a destination for Canadian investment - and Canadian banking and financial concerns base much of their European activity in Ireland. Also in recent years, Irish investment in Canada has increased, taking advantage of Canada’s position as a gateway to the whole NAFTA area.
The Irish economy is now in the first rank of developed modern industrial economies. Successive Irish governments have managed public finances in a careful and restrained manner; a series of national agreements based on social partnership have led to moderation in wage increases; and EU structural funds have been wisely used for long term capital investment in infrastructure – all of which has lead to sustained and sustainable growth. Ireland is now the world’s second biggest exporter of software, and is seen as an economically stable, environmentally friendly, high tech gateway to the EU single market, the largest in the world. Ireland has also seen a cultural renaissance in parallel to that in the economic sphere.
The Irish were the first new group to settle in Canada in substantial numbers after the First Nations and the French and British peoples who founded modern Canada. Later, Canada gave succour to those fleeing the Famine. While some found only a last resting place, many more survived to make new lives, becoming part of the story and heritage of Canada.
Early Irish settlers met, as new immigrants often do, with suspicion and a degree of hostility. This perhaps strengthened their native tendency to organise and get involved in politics - and soon the Irish were an integral part of Canadian society. The success or the Irish in Canada is a tremendous source of pride for the people at home. With so many leaving our shores over the centuries, our small island nation has been transformed into the worldwide Irish community. One reason, perhaps, for the less than enthusiastic welcome for Irish people was that they carried with them the conflicts that had beset them at home. The Irish community in Canada has always been strongly representative of both traditions of Irish life – and for much of the middle of the nineteenth century, Orange and Green enthusiastically recreated their historic antagonism throughout Canada. Thankfully that is now a distant memory. Canada offered them the chance to start again in a society based on freedom and mutual respect. Thus former rebels like United Irishman Thomas D’Arcy McGee could find themselves, in a few short years, contributing enthusiastically to a new nation.
The experiences of the Irish abroad today have a tremendous impact on Ireland. Modern communications enable us to keep in touch, and it has become common to work abroad for a short period and to return home. The entrepreneurial spirit which many bring home has contributed significantly to our economic success. In the past, poor communications meant that some emigrants had little further contact with Ireland - but those that could, sent money home.
Those emigrant remittances are perhaps reflected today in the generous and far-sighted engagement of the Ireland Funds, helping to improve the lives and hopes of people throughout Ireland. The Ireland Funds have an unrivaled record in raising money for the promotion of peace, culture, charity and education in both parts of Ireland – and the Canadian chapter has distributed almost two million dollars in grants for these causes.
The long quiet work of the Funds is now increasingly bearing fruit. The efforts of community groups in building peace from the grassroots has been vital to the success of the current peace process. The reconciliation and community work created the climate for political leaders to take bold steps.
The leader of the Irish Government team, Minister David Andrews, will remember the long days and nights where compromises were made and political leaders held their nerve in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement. In reaching this comprehensive political agreement, all sides can be winners. A great deal of work lies ahead, and the continued support and encouragement of our friends overseas is and has been vital. We know that our friends across the world have willed us to succeed.
For over ten years, Canadian Government support has helped the International Fund for Ireland in its work of fostering reconciliation and economic regeneration. Canada’s reputation as an advocate of peace and dialogue made a Canadian, General John de Chastelain, an obvious choice as one of the Co-Chairmen of the negotiations. For his tremendous work in that process, he has been handed the difficult job of Chairman of the Commission on the removal of illegal weapons. On behalf of the people of Ireland I wish to express our deep gratitude to him - to the other Canadian public servants who have assisted in the process - and to Canada.