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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE SOUTH DUBLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCH ON THURSDAY 4 JUNE

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE SOUTH DUBLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCH ON THURSDAY 4 JUNE, 1998

I would like to thank you for your warm words of welcome – and I’d like to thank Councillor Charlie O’Connor for the invitation to be with you today – to meet with members of the Chamber – and to hear about your work in the Tallaght area in particular. For me this is also an opportunity to give recognition to the contribution of the Chamber of Commerce - not just to the business community – but through your support for enterprise and trade – to the wider community of Tallaght – a community that provides much of the workforce for the many large and small industries located in this area.

Since the early 1970s, Tallaght has been literally transformed from a small - almost rural village - into a large centre of population – having to contend with all of the problems of services and employment that such a rapid transformation means. Addressing the many hurdles and needs of a community this size, requires a considerable amount of imagination and lateral thinking – and a lot of hard work. People like the Tallaght Partnership and other more locally based groups whom they support – and who have a narrower and more locally focussed area of activity – have been at the centre of the drive to make Tallaght a better and nicer place to live – where people can have a sense of community in their locality - yet can feel that they are part of a larger and more thriving town – with a healthy business sector in which they can participate fully. Building a collection of houses and random collection of people into a community takes real effort - that is what is happening in Tallaght - linking people to each other, to local issues, local industry, local services, giving the people hope for the future.

The Chamber of Commerce is central to providing that link and – through your support for the Plato Small Business Development Programme – you have worked with the Tallaght Partnership to build a new dimension to community participation in Tallaght – strengthening and reinforcing the links between large and small businesses – and promoting a culture of enterprise throughout the community. I would like to take this opportunity to pay a particular tribute to the Tallaght Partnership and the Chamber of Commerce for your work on the Plato Programme – and for making it the major success that it has become – so successful that it has been emulated in other areas.

I was particularly heartened to hear of your plans to link up with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and “Business in the Community” to develop the Plato Programme in Northern Ireland – and to use the “Business in the Community” concept here. Indeed, as the Queens University representative on “Business in the Community” – I was fortunate to have worked with them – an experience which gave me a very good understanding of what they do. In the context of recent developments in the political arena – these links are timely – and will be very tangible examples of the benefits of working together to share ideas and experiences – and develop larger networks and partnerships – through which the culture of business working with and in the community can be brought to new levels.

I know that there are already quite a number of companies working with the communities in which they are located – and I want to pay tribute to the many people in those enterprises who have had the vision and foresight to recognise the tremendous benefits that can come from a higher level of community involvement. As the pace of economic progress has quickened – and the level of prosperity has increased – there are many who feel that they are in danger of being isolated or marginalised through economic or social circumstances. The Business in the Community concept - which you are taking on board - will go a considerable distance in addressing this problem – and will add a further and exciting dimension to the business and community links that have been so successful - particularly in recent years.

As we face into a new millennium, the business landscape throughout the world has changed – and continues to change at a rapid pace. The economic ‘miracle’ that came about in recent years in Ireland was in no small part due to the imaginative and dedicated work of our commercial, industrial, educational and political sectors - working in partnership to bring a high level of very welcome foreign investment to Ireland - projects which give us pride in our talents, and visible evidence of the success we are capable of.

Another dimension to this phenomenal performance is our people - the combination of abilities, talents, skill, enthusiasm, confidence, boldness that you find in those who are using the resources that are being made available – to harness the great potential that’s there – and to build an economy that can give people a good quality of life and the confidence to play their part in the modern world of commerce, industry and the professions. Our success could not have been accomplished without the commitment of many - in management, in leadership, in the workplace, in the community – in our unique partnership of unions, employers, farmers and Government - in all sectors of the economy. These are the people who transformed Ireland into a ‘can do’ culture – who gave it energy and vision, and whose judgement was rewarded with success. That success has built up our self-confidence – our national self-esteem – we are a people not afraid to adapt to change.

Commerce is about meeting the challenge of change, generating competition and achieving high standards of customer care – of meeting customer requirements and demands – of maintaining high levels of quality and service. The Chamber of Commerce has played a major part in the developing Irish economy, in fostering strategic links and in developing business and trade, based on those high standards of customer care.

Without the calibre of leadership that we are very lucky to have today, we would not be able to sustain the strong position that we are in. There is a professional discipline and commitment across all of the social sectors – people prepared to work long hours, to take risks, to hold their nerve, to work towards a vision. And in an ever changing global economy, where the sands are constantly shifting, the ability to respond to change - to turn the ship about if that’s what it takes - that is the key to survival and to success.

In Tallaght, the Chamber of Commerce are meeting the challenge of change – and in working with your new ‘partners’ in Northern Ireland – are continuing to give the type of leadership and commitment that has been your hallmark. I commend you in your important mission in the promotion of enterprise and commerce in the fast moving world that we live in.