REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A DINNER HOSTED BY SAN FRANCISCO BOARD MEMBERS
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A DINNER HOSTED BY SAN FRANCISCO BOARD MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN-IRELAND FUND
Is mór an chúis mórtais agus áthais dom bheith anseo libh tráthnóna. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas le baill an bhoird de chuid Chiste Mheiriceá d'Éirinn i San Francisco ní amháin as an ócáid seo a eagrú ach as na blianta fada atá caite acu ag obair go dian dícheallach ar son na hÉireann. Míle buíochas fosta le Bill Walsh as Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh a chur romham.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join you here this evening. I’d like to thank the American Ireland Fund Board members in San Francisco, not only for hosting this event this evening, but for all of your years of good work and dedicated service to Ireland. I also want to thank Bill Walsh for his kind words of welcome and introduction.
Now, when Ireland is finally coming into its own; when the Irish economy is a marvel of success and growth; when Irish culture is celebrated and enjoyed the world over; and when we are all willing peace and reconciliation to take root; now it is especially important that we pay tribute to the pioneers of Irish philanthropy in the United States, many of whom are present tonight.
Ireland has always drawn strength from those members of the global Irish family who have succeeded in their new lands. Ireland has been doubly blessed by the generosity and commitment of those who began and continue to donate and raise funds for the causes of peace and reconciliation, culture and charity in Ireland. (I know tonight many of your thoughts are with T. Kevin Mallen and his family). Kevin was one of the pioneers of which I speak, whose life of achievements was all the greater because he wanted to give something back and share the fruits of his success with the Irish at home. (As the saying goes in Irish “ Ní feicimid a leithéad ann arís - we will not see his like again”).
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your work in support of peace and reconciliation has been of particular importance in bringing about the greatest opportunity that we have ever known to create a just and lasting peace.
The Good Friday Agreement undoubtedly marks an historic breakthrough in the history of our country, holding out, as it does, the prospect of a future where the people of Ireland can overcome the tragic divisions of our past and dedicate ourselves to building a future together based on partnership, equality, reconciliation and tolerance. It was a remarkable achievement and, rightly, it brought with it great joy and hope.
And while considerable progress has been made in many areas, securing its full implementation was always going to be a slow and difficult task. Inevitably, perhaps, there have been difficulties and disappointments along the way. We have not yet reached a position where the political parties in Northern Ireland have sufficient trust and confidence in each other to see the institutions provided for under the Agreement come into being.
I am however, neither despairing nor despondent. I remain fully convinced that the people of Ireland want the Agreement to succeed. They have overwhelmingly endorsed all that it has to offer them and, most of all, they recognise that the compromise and accommodation it entails are necessary if we are to see the new society we all dream of come into being.
That society has to be one where the appalling wastefulness of violence and conflict and all the resources and energy they have consumed will instead be channelled into dealing effectively with the many challenges every day life poses from respite care for the handicapped and their carers, to adult literacy progress, from mainstreaming the marginalised to creating real opportunities for all our people. Ordinary life presents enough to absorb us totally. Conflict is an awesome distraction which we hope will soon be behind us, though its scars will leave many a victim hopelessly hurt for a long time to come.
As we meet, our politicians are working very hard to reach agreement on a way in which all can take the Agreement forward together. In their endeavours they are most fortunate to have the skill, wisdom and judgement of Senator George Mitchell to assist them once again. I know that you will join me in wishing them every success.
Through all of the ups and downs of the peace process we have greatly appreciated the enormous support, encouragement and love which we have received from all the friends of Ireland here in the United States. From President Bill Clinton, who could not have done more to help, to Senator Mitchell, without whom the Agreement would not have been reached, to the extended Irish family here who have helped in ways too numerous to mention - your continued commitment to the cause of peace and justice in Ireland has, and will continue to sustain us in our difficult journey. On behalf of the people of Ireland, I would like to express our deep thanks and appreciation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Although Ireland is enjoying unprecedented success and a new sense of confidence and achievement, we are only at the beginning of this new phase in our history. Much work remains to be done to ensure that every Irish child, irrespective of circumstances of birth or background has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential. We know that the American Ireland Fund will stay the course and continue its commitment to making us the best that we can be. It is also my hope that the great tradition of Irish philanthropy that you embody will be a model for the new generation of successful Irish people at home and abroad, to follow your example of sharing the fruits of success with their fellow Irishmen and Irishwomen.
Tá a fhios maith againn go seasfaidh Ciste Mheiriceá d'Éirinn an fód ar son mhuintir na hÉireann agus go dtiocfaidh siad céim ar chéim linn ar bhóthar seo na hAthbheochana Eacnamúla. Sé an dóchas mór atá agam go leanfaidh an ghlúin úr de lucht an rachmais sa bhaile eiseamláir an Chiste seo, go mbeidh sibhse i bhur lóchrann dóibh agus go leanfaidh siad an traidisiún atá sean-bhunaithe agaibhse. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
Thank you.