REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE RECEPTION FOR CARERS ARAS AN UACHTARAIN TUESDAY
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE RECEPTION FOR CARERS ARAS AN UACHTARAIN TUESDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER 1999
Is cúis mhór áthais dom fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin.
Firstly let me say how delighted I am to welcome each and every one of you to the Áras. We have carers representing groups from all over this island, North and South, with us here today and I hope that this get-together will give you all a chance to meet and mingle, swap stories and experiences and, hopefully, build a few new friendships.
All of us, in our daily lives, need the occasional break from routine, a chance to recharge our batteries, to regain the energy to face the days ahead. I hope this day will, in a small way, provide one such break, for I can think of no group of people that need this more than carers. Your responsibilities are not 9 to 5, with paid holidays. They are 24 hours a day, every day. There must be times when you feel lonely and forgotten, when your responsibilities must seem overwhelming. But I know that what keeps you going is your love for the person you care for. Even on those days when you feel that all of your energy and patience has been exhausted – and it would be inhuman if there were no such days - it is that love which enables you to face a new morning.
It is rare enough that you receive the recognition and thanks that you deserve for that selfless caring and compassion. This day is intended to do just that. It is your dedication which ensures that the people you care for are able to live lives of dignity, in the familiar surroundings of their own home. And it is not only they who benefit. For your efforts help to make this world a less uncaring place. It answers those who wonder out loud if we are becoming more selfish as a society. The facts speak for themselves – it has been estimated that there are more than 100,000 carers in Ireland, each one of whom is proof that incredible generosity of spirit still exists in our community. And all of you here in this room are living examples of that ethos.
I would like to mention in particular all those who have participated in the Carers of the Year Award. We are privileged to have Nora Corcoran, this year’s overall winner, and Trasa Smyth, the Dublin winner, with us today. They are truly outstanding people, whose caring, commitment and love is an inspiration to us all.
I would also like to warmly commend Care Alliance Ireland and The Carers Association for the wonderful work they have been doing on behalf of carers. Through their efforts, carers now have a voice in decision-making in relation to facilities and services – and after all, you are the ones who know best what you need. It is important, also, to have people to turn to, to talk to, people who understand how tiring and difficult the role of carer can be. None of us plans to be a carer, so it is vital to have a source of advice and information, the possibility of training, if required. Perhaps most importantly of all, your work means that many more carers now have the opportunity to take some time for themselves each week, while knowing that their loved one is being well looked after. You have educated all of us about the need for respite care and how crucial it is to have credible caring respite services and healthy carers. Those precious few hours help carers to do simple but vital things that the rest of us take for granted – spend time with the rest of the family, chat to a neighbour, get their hair done, care for themselves. That is important, because we need carers to be strong, to constantly regain the strength to carry on. So a very big thank you to Care Alliance and the Carers’ Association – and all of the wonderful volunteers who give so generously of their time and energy – to make life just that bit easier for carers.
There comes a time for many carers when their loved one needs full-time medical attention and therefore can no longer be cared for at home. That must be truly heartbreaking, especially if that person is terminally ill. But we are fortunate to have so many wonderful staff in hospitals and hospices throughout the country. Their compassion and dedication, warmth and humanity have made such a difference to the lives of patients and their families. Those qualities mean that people can maintain human dignity and respect, even to the last breath. I know you will join me in expressing heartfelt thanks to those wonderful medical staff everywhere. I would like to particularly mention the staff of the Liver Unit in St. Vincent’s Hospital, many of whom are with us here today, who have provided such exceptional care and support to so many people, including the late Paul Carroll, husband of Bernie, the real boss here in the Aras.
I am truly delighted that so many of you could join me here today, because I know how difficult it can be for carers to make that time. I hope that you all have a wonderful day, and that you will take home with you warm memories of this afternoon at Áras an Uachtaráin and of all the people you have met here today.
I would like to warmly thank the Cloughmore Male Voice Choir for providing us with such wonderful entertainment. The Choir celebrate their Silver Jubilee this year and it is a great pleasure to welcome them to the Aras. The choir members come from both sides of the border and all denominations so it is greatly to their credit that they have kept going and from strength to strength through difficult years. Of course, it is entirely co-incidental that they have a connection with Rostrevor! My sincere thanks to Caradoc Williams for helping organise the Choir’s visit. My thanks also to Ruth and Ciara Ó Duinnín, our harpist and violinist, who have been playing for you in this room. The entertainment shows the wealth of talent between young, middle-aged and slightly older we are privileged to have on this island.
Enjoy each other’s company, make a new friend before the evening is out- the simplest bridge to build is the bridge between the hands of two strangers.
Tá súil agam go mbainfaidh sibh go léir taitneamh as an lá. Go raibh maith agaibh.