REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE FAS NATIONAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AWARDS TOWN HALL THEATRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE FAS NATIONAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AWARDS TOWN HALL THEATRE, GALWAY WEDNESDAY, 25TH AUGUST
Tá gliondar orm bheith anseo libh inniu ag an ócáid speisialta seo. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht bhur bhfáilte chaoin.
It is a great privilege and pleasure for me to join you here today for the presentation of these awards which celebrate the extraordinary level of individual and community achievement throughout this country.
That sense of community spirit which these Awards recognise, is far from being a new phenomenon in Ireland. We come from a tradition – not so far back – when most people had little, and the ethos of neighbour helping neighbour was as much of a necessity as it was a choice. There is always a danger of painting an overly rosy picture of the past. But it is important in these days of prosperity, that we don’t lose sight of the values and community ties which enabled us to survive when times were tough. In times of affluence, it’s easier to cut loose from the bonds of community and from the responsibilities which those bonds brought with them. It makes it easier for us to close our eyes to the disadvantage and despair that can and does exist just a few streets away. It carries with it the danger of a growing gap between the centre and the margins, those who seem to be centre stage and those who feel they are always spectators, looking on from the sidelines at the opportunities which others enjoy and which seem destined to be forever denied to them.
The disparity between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ is not simply unjust, it is damaging to our society as a whole. Economically and socially, we need the talents and energy of all our people at work. We need them to have the education, skills and above all, the self-confidence to make the most of the talents they undoubtedly possess.
That is not an easy thing to achieve. But Awards of this kind show that it is both possible and exceptionally worthwhile. These Awards act as a catalyst for communities to take control over their own destiny, to harness their own initiative and genius, and to give back to individuals the self-esteem and independence to forge a decent life for themselves and their families.
That spirit of independence and empowerment which is now evident in communities throughout the country, owes much to the tremendous support and assistance which FAS has provided down through the years. FAS truly has been one of the lynchpins of that success – providing the training, developing the skills and fostering the self-belief that have enabled communities to turn their vision into a reality. I would like to pay a warm tribute to the Chairman, Patrick Lynch, the Director General, John Lynch and all of the staff of FAS – not just for today’s Awards, but for their hard work and commitment at grass-roots level – the level that really counts. Your work really has made a difference.
I also want to warmly commend Alice Prendergast and the members of the Adjudication Panel. I am sure that your task in selecting the winners of the various categories, and especially the overall winner, has not been an easy one.
Finally, and most importantly, I would like to congratulate all of the communities and organisations that have participated in these Awards. You are the ones who refuse to just stand on the sidelines discussing what someone else should do. You are the ‘doers’ who make things happen, and we owe you our heartfelt thanks for your dedication and community spirit.
Is iontach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh. Guím gach Rath oraibh sa todhchaí.