REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT IRISH COMMUNITY RECEPTION AARHUS UNIVERSITY, AARHUS, DENMARK
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT IRISH COMMUNITY RECEPTION AARHUS UNIVERSITY, AARHUS, DENMARK, TUESDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2010
Mine danmer og herrer, jeg er meget glad for at være her i Århus i dag.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad to be here in Århus today.
What a pleasure to be here in Denmark’s second city. Of course the city’s name is familiar to fans of Seamus Heaney and I’m delighted to have “some day gone to Aarhus”. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to meet so many of you today, and I understand that some of you have travelled a considerable distance to be here. Thank you for making the journey.
This is my first official visit to Denmark and a great opportunity to celebrate the warm Danish-Irish friendship and to explore the potential for strengthening our trade, economic and cultural relations further. Earlier today, I was in Samsø , where I visited a biomass district heating plant and visited the Energy Academy where the focus was on an EU project being led by Irish researchers into the community development and sustainable energy opportunities in biomass. Our focus on this visit is to encourage collaboration in renewable energy research, science and innovation, to further our business ties and to strengthen what is already a good, sound partnership between Ireland and Denmark.
The message I bring with me to Danish political and business leaders is that Ireland is open for business. The economy is getting back on track. The Government has made hard and painful decisions and the forthcoming December Budget will continue with the strategy for correction. A glance at Irish history shows that we know plenty about adversity and that we have an in-built resilience and determination to tackle our challenges head-on. Already our economy is regaining competitiveness and our exports have held up extremely well in this tough global economic environment. Our membership of the European Union is a key asset in our recovery and since we acceded to the Union on the same day as Denmark in 1973, both our countries have known great success in unlocking the potential of the Single Market. Europe and its member States have been good to us and Ireland has also contributed to the European success story.
I have seen quite a bit of this beautiful country so far – and was very tempted to add another unscheduled visit to another part of the Kingdom this afternoon, the Færoe Islands. Northern Ireland are playing them in a European qualifying match this evening and with Brian Kerr now coaching the local side, Northern Ireland could do with a bit of extra support! Tomorrow I get the chance to get to know some more of Denmark and am really looking forward to seeing more tomorrow when I go to Roskilde – there are no prizes for guessing what’s on my itinerary there! No doubt many of you have seen the Sea Stallion of Glendalough, or as you may know her better, Havhingsten fra Glendalough sail out of Roskilde as she began her epic voyage to Ireland, or on her arrival back home, a mere 1,000 years after it was constructed from Irish timber. If that doesn’t send a strong message about the excellent quality of Irish raw materials and production, I don’t know what does! This extraordinary project has been one of the most exciting Danish-Irish collaborations of recent times and I am very much looking forward to meeting some of those involved and to seeing the great ship again.
The story of this ship reminds us that for centuries there have been exchanges between our two peoples. One of Ireland’s most remarkable strengths is our global Irish family, the great legacy of generations of emigration. You represent an important part of that remarkable network of kinship and care that binds all those with Irish heritage. Our global community has helped greatly in the economic and cultural development of our Island. Today your contribution and support is more important than ever and it is great to see so many from all walks of life here. Each day, you are working to reinforce the warm and friendly relationship that exists between Ireland and Denmark. These bonds of friendship are what make it easier for us to learn about each other, do business with each other and work so well together. Thank you for your contribution to the success of Ireland in Denmark and for making me feel so at home in this beautiful city. My thanks to Ambassador Scannell and his team for creating this opportunity to meet Ireland’s family and friends in Denmark – those unofficial ambassadors who are such important human bridges between Ireland and Denmark. Enjoy each others company.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Mange tak.
Many thanks.