REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR THE IRISH COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR THE IRISH COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE, THE HAGUE TUESDAY, 3RD MAY, 2011
Dia dhíbh a chairde inniu. An bhfuil sibh go maith?
Ik ben verheugd hier te zijn.
Martin and I thank you for your warm welcome, typical of the welcome we have received since we arrived on our visit two days ago. I am sure we have you to thank for all of it for the Irish Community are clearly held in the highest esteem by their Dutch families, friends and colleagues; we are benefitting hugely from the paths you have made and the bridges you have built. I’d like to thank Ambassador Mary Whelan for hosting this lovely reception tonight and can I also thank the Irish Embassy team who have invested so much planning and hard work into ensuring this visit would be successful and enjoyable. It has certainly been both and more.
The strength of our bilateral relations was celebrated earlier today, when I had the honour of being welcomed by HM Queen Beatrix at the beautiful Noordeinde Palace. I have also had the opportunity to meet with Irish and Dutch business people who are doing a great job in forging close economic ties and just before coming here today, I visited the European Space Agency in Nordwijk, where I learned more about the Irish involvement in the International Space Station.
My visit has also brought home to me the degree to which Ireland and the Netherlands share a common charism of care to make the world a fairer, more just and peaceful place. Visiting the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in The Hague, this City of Peace and Justice, I was proud to be able to tell that respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of international disputes is a fundamental principle of Irish foreign policy.
Events at the battle of the Boyne notwithstanding, the Irish and the Dutch get on remarkably well together, sharing affinities and values, partnership in the European Union, trade and education links, tourism links and our shared communities of Dutch in Ireland and Irish here in Holland. You are the people who really open Ireland and the Netherlands up to one another through your lives and relationships and we are very grateful for these quiet unofficial but very powerful ambassadorships. I have heard about the great work carried out by the Irish Club of the Netherlands under the leadership of its Chairperson, Máire Ni Shlátara, the considerable efforts of the Dutch-based GAA teams and the organisers who helped paint a small part of The Hague green when they organised this year’s successful St. Patrick’s Day festival.
Thanks to each one of you for all you and others do to bring Ireland to the heart of life in Holland. During these tough times, the invaluable role played by Irish communities throughout the world in promoting Irish culture, Irish business and a positive image of Ireland has become ever-more apparent and needed so many thanks to those who fly the flag in the Netherlands.
The work of the Irish-Netherlands Business Association in promoting business connections is hugely important and I congratulate and thank Dr. Gordon Campbell, its Chair. I hope he takes righteous pride in the fact that the economic recovery underway in Ireland is being led by very encouraging broad-based export growth globally and the story in the Netherlands is particularly reassuring with very healthy trade between Ireland and the Netherlands in both merchandise trade and traded services. That represents a lot of hard work by business people in both countries and a lot of hope generated by their efforts as we try to get through this period of economic difficulty and maintain the momentum of recovery.
Through all Ireland’s long history of difficulties our rich culture sustained us and still does. When other assets diminished, our cultural assets increased multiplied and filled the earth so it is a joy to see that our Dutch friends share an interest in and passion for our writers and music. Many are present tonight and you are heartily welcome. Heel hartelijk welkom.
I have heard about your many activities, including the Bloomsday event organised annually with the assistance of the redoubtable Ruud Hisgens, a man who went to Trinity College and brought a part of Dublin back with him. The efforts of musicians - both Dutch and Irish alike - in promoting Irish music are also greatly appreciated and the many music festivals organised in different parts of the country are testament to the great interest in and appetite for Irish music.
It is clear that Irish business, language and culture are all well served by those present here this evening. No-one forces you to do the things you do to promote the best of Ireland and it cannot be easy to find time to do these things in your busy lives but by doing them you open Ireland’s character up to Dutch neighbours, colleagues and friends, you enrich our culture and you make those of us at home very very proud.. Thank you to all of those who take the time to plan events, to encourage, cajole and keep everyone on board. Go raibh míle máith agaibh go léir.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to two outstanding Dutch and Irish citizens who are with us here this evening – my dear old friends and great friends of Ireland, Tiede and Elisabeth Herrema. Your forgiveness, strength and resilience have been inspirational to those who have worked to bring peace and reconciliation to the island of Ireland. May God continue to bless you both and all our Irish family and their friends here in Holland.
Thank you all for coming here this evening. Martin and I very much enjoy being in your company.
Hartelijk dank.