Speech by President McAleese To the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations
Speech by President McAleese To the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations On Saturday, 5 December, 1998
I am delighted to have this opportunity to be a guest of the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations in a year of momentous political development on this island.
The difficult and arduous negotiations between the two main political traditions in Ireland were rewarded on Good Friday last April with a substantive Agreement that many thought would be impossible to achieve, given the historical legacy of distrust and suspicion on both sides. The Agreement is a tribute to the tenacity, foresightedness and hard work of the participants in the multi-party negotiations who were prepared to take the political risks necessary for the benefit of all the people of this island. The Agreement can act as a model, not just for a political solution in Ireland, but for conflict resolution elsewhere in the world.
Europe is a rich and diverse continent, but its history during the first half of this century has been particularly destructive. Co-operation between the member States of the European Union has brought peace and stability to culturally diverse peoples. The end of the Cold War has enabled the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe to revive their national identity, together with their culture and individuality. Such resuscitation of identity, however, brings with it a duty to work with others of different persuasions and beliefs if future conflicts are to be avoided.
In our part of Europe this year, we have given substance also to the belief that the way forward is through dialogue and understanding. The crafting of the Good Friday Agreement was the result of a realisation by all concerned that the two traditions on this island must each recognise the legitimacy of the other.
For too long, the political divide has kept the people of our small island apart. While one can readily appreciate the historical basis for such a situation, the vast majority of citizens now appreciate that both traditions can benefit from working with each other without losing their respective identities. Today’s world requires that we work together. The lesson of Europe since 1945 is an important one. A European Union built on partnership and sharing has brought peace and prosperity to a continent previously devastated by dissension and war.
Despite the significant achievements of the European Union in building a secure and stable Europe, it never rests on its success. Conscious of the aspirations of countries outside the Union, it is committed to enlargement, improved decision-making structures, raising its competitiveness and continuing to play a major role in the fast-changing world. Likewise in Britain and Ireland, there is a keen appreciation that the Good Friday Agreement must be made to work if it is to survive and contribute to the stability we cherish and need.
At the present time, there is a strong desire on the part of the vast majority of people on this island to make the Agreement a success. For too long, we have highlighted what divides us instead of working towards what we can do together for the betterment of all. Few would disagree that political stability is a very important ingredient for economic development, leading, we hope, to the economic regeneration of the whole island. Economic growth in the South has led to a much improved standard of living, a sense of pride and hope for the future. Success breeds success, as evidenced by the rapid development of new businesses.
Political stability can give Northern Ireland the opportunity to increase investment, develop the economy and build on the formidable talents of its people, particularly the young. The need to build up the economic base is exemplified by the recent promotion in North America of Northern Ireland as a place in which to invest and to do business. There is also the opportunity for increased trade between both parts of the island.
For too long the agenda in Northern Ireland has been dominated by divisive political issues. Now there is the chance to focus more on the economic issues which are common to us all. The Assembly will provide an arena for discussion of economic problems and, hopefully, there will be more time devoted to such questions. I hope that the preoccupation with problems of identity and culture can now give way to a more active interest in the economic development of the island as a whole and participation in a world economy that offers so many opportunities to people North and South.
While the emphasis on the differences in Northern Ireland has been at some cost to economic development, it could also be argued that there may have been a certain detachment among some of the population in the South from Northern affairs, including in the economic area. This would not of course apply to many organisations, including IBEC and the CBI, who have worked very hard to promote North-South contacts in business, trade and development. While obtaining new markets outside Ireland is vitally important for our open economy, a development of trade between North and South can also benefit all the island.
Increased business and trade will inevitably bring greater understanding. Regeneration of cultural life in Ireland can also be a welcome result of stability. The arts communities in both parts of Ireland have long accepted the reality of diversity. They can be an important means, in my view, of encouraging the population at large to develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of each other. Improving mutual cultural awareness is vitally important and can be rightly considered as a kind of confidence-building measure.
I would like to conclude by saying that the Good Friday Agreement has given us hope for the future, has provided us with an opportunity for us to get to know each other better and the chance to turn this small island into an example of what is possible in our troubled world. As it is implemented we must all of us grasp the opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the economic, social and cultural life of our island.