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Remarks at the Cathaoirleach Awards

Co. Westmeath, 22nd June 2013

Tá fíor áthas orm a bheith anseo tráthnóna i gcomhair an imeachta thábhachtaigh seo, searmanas bronnta Ghradaim Chathaoirleach Chomhairle Chontae na hIarmhí. Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, an Comhairleoir Johnnie Penrose, agus agaibhse, baill agus lucht bainistíochta Chomhairle Chontae na hIarmhí, as bhur gcuireadh fial.

[I am delighted to be here this evening for this important event, the Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach Awards ceremony.  Thank you to An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Johnnie Penrose, and all the members and management of Westmeath County Council for your kind invitation.]

This evening we recognise and commend the many different ways in which citizens can contribute to their communities and make those communities better places in which to live and grow. The number and the diverse nature of the awards to be presented here this evening are an impressive indication of the strength of community participation that exists in the Westmeath area; a spirit that I know, is replicated in towns and villages across the country.

Earlier I had the pleasure of visiting the current holder of the Tidy Town title, Abbeyshrule and was reminded, as I so often am when I visit communities around the country, of the power of those communities in effecting transformation and of how a strong sense of community can be a launch pad for change that is not only positive, but also truly sustainable. It was an uplifting experience and it is equally uplifting to be here and witness again the real willingness of so many citizens in this country to fully engage with their community and work to craft a space and indeed a future that will benefit all members of those communities.

As we are all now aware, we have recently closed a chapter on our national narrative during which we had risked losing that essential sense of community which so defines us as a nation and allowing instead the growth of an individualistic culture in Irish society; a culture which valued a person in terms of their  personal wealth, their ability to accumulate material goods,   and a culture which allowed the needs of the  individual to supercede the needs of the collective – or of society as a whole.

For some it was a time to sustain the needs of the economy at the expense of other considerations.  It was also, of course, a version of ourselves which seemed to include little time for community, because time that could have been spent actively participating in our communities was instead being invested in long commutes and increasing hours spent in the workplace in order to serve the needs of the economic boom.

Today we are  looking to the building of a new type of citizenship; one that is base  on a social model of the economy and has, at its heart, a democratic, inclusive and sustainable ethos, recognising that   concern for the greater good and respect for the community must be embedded in our economic structures.  Many of us are realising the value of turning to an older wisdom that, while respecting material comfort and security as a basic right of all, also recognises that many of the most valuable things in life cannot be measured.

The purpose and focus of the Cathaoirleach Awards  is testimony to this. It is uplifting to see formal recognition being accorded to the importance of active citizenship and to the achievements and hard work of the Community and Voluntary sector who contribute so much to community life in this country.

Today we mark the many different ways in which groups and individuals can play their part in shaping and crafting their communities. I know that many people have applied for these awards; awards that are not sought for individual gain, but to allow the progression of so much good work that is being done in Westmeath to foster a sense of community responsibility and awareness.

The scope of these awards truly underlines the fact that a community is not simply a group of people linked by geographical factors, but that a real community is built on participation, interaction and good relationships. A functioning and healthy society is one that ensures inclusion, support, and opportunities for all of its members to participate in a meaningful way. It is one that encourages communication across generations and cultural divides and discourages the gathering of people into exclusive groups to which others do not belong. It is also one that recognises and tries to remove barriers to participation, and works to preserve the heritage and unique characteristics of the area while instilling a sense of pride and belonging in all its members.

As a country we have changed much in recent decades and community life can, unfortunately, no longer be taken for granted. Today, it is something that must be worked for and something which requires a conscious decision and effort from individual citizens. We have seen considerable and increased development of urban areas in low to medium density development. In many cases this has lead to a decrease in the number of people who know their neighbours and who feel a sense of responsibility for, and ownership of, the area in which they live. When people remain detached from their neighbourhood and from those who live around them, many problems can ensue: lack of consideration for the rights and needs of others leading to increased hostility between neighbours; isolation of vulnerable residents who need support and assistance in order to engage with society; neglect of areas as no one feels a sense of responsibility for their surroundings and assumes ‘someone else’ will take care of it.

It is increasingly important, therefore, that everyone works together to ensure that their neighbourhoods do not simply become a group of families and individuals leading self contained lives, unaware of those around them and deprived of that important sense of identifying with a place that they can truly call ‘home’.

Tá go leor fianaise ann sa lá atá inniu ann, go deimhin, go bhfuil sé seo ar siúl ar fud na tíre agus go cinnte i gceantar na hIarmhí. Tá a fhios agam gurb é seo seachtú bliain an tsearmanais bhronnta seo, searmanas a mbreathnaíonn Comhairle Chontae na hIarmhí air, go ceart, mar dheis lena meas a léiriú ar na daoine agus na grúpaí go léir a bhíonn rannpháirteach go gnaíúil ina bpobail, a thugann a gcuid ama agus a ndua go fial agus iad páirteach go gníomhach i saol agus i bhforbairt a mbailte, a sráidbhailte agus a gcomharsanachtaí.

[There is much evidence today that this is, indeed, going on around the country and certainly in the Westmeath area. I know this is the seventh year of this awards ceremony, a ceremony which the Westmeath County Council rightly views as an opportunity for it to demonstrate its appreciation of the many people and groups who so selflessly involve themselves with their communities, giving freely of their time and effort as they actively participate in the life and development of their towns, villages and neighbourhoods. ]

I would like to conclude by thanking you, once again, for so warmly welcoming me here this evening. I congratulate all of those who have put themselves forward for these awards and for the many activities you initiate and facilitate to support the communities of Westmeath.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.