Minister of State Carey's Speech at the ICCUSA Breakfast
I am delighted to be here today to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with you, members of the Ireland Chamber of Commerce, USA. I want to thank all of you for your warm welcome and to give special thanks to your Chairman, Jim O’Brien and President, Paul Dwyer for the invitation to join you this morning.
The presence and success of past Irish generations has fostered close relationships between Massachusetts and Ireland, and those endure today. The current setback in the global economy has had an impact in Ireland just as it has had here in Massachusetts.
Today, ours is a vibrant two-way relationship that, in real terms, accrues tremendous benefits to both countries. Many people know how vital US investment in Ireland has been to our prosperity and how it has created some 90,000 jobs. Less well-known, though also of great importance, is the fact that there are now over 200 Irish companies in the US employing over 80,000 US citizens across all 50 states.
While dark economic clouds may seem to be gathering across the globe, the strong partnership which our two countries enjoy - a partnership which has been strengthened during the recent years of prosperity - can now be used as a platform to assist our two nations.
For all of us, it is how we respond to these challenges that will define our potential and our success in the years ahead.
Ireland is well placed to tackle the challenges presented by the present global economic downturn, with a strong base of modern industry, a highly skilled and flexible workforce, a positive fiscal environment and a pro-business culture.
Our response to the challenges has been swift and, importantly, we have tried to keep our eyes on the medium and long term while addressing the immediate difficulties. For example
· We are investing to promote innovation and greater investment in research and development. Up to €500 million will be generated to create a new fund, known as ‘Innovation Fund – Ireland’, to support early stage R&D-intensive Small to Medium sized Enterprises.
· In December, we published a blueprint for economic development which builds on the strengths of the Irish economy and which, in implementation, will see Ireland become a smart, green economy.
· And Government incentives and support for a green economy will provide new enterprise opportunities. All the indications are that Ireland can become a world leader in this area.
So, although the global economy is facing an exceptional crisis, we are taking exceptional measures to deal with it. And, at the same time, we are continuing to plan for, and invest in, the future.
I hope that the ICCUSA Trade Mission will contribute to that effort and on behalf of the Government of Ireland, I wish all those who will be participating a pleasant and successful trip, and commend your initiative to procure and secure lasting partnerships for the economies of Massachusetts and Ireland.
We have seen incredible progress in Northern Ireland in the past year, with the further consolidation of the Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and progress towards increasingly normalised politics.
While the attacks by dissident republican paramilitaries last week were truly appalling acts, it is important to remember that those who perpetrated these atrocities are a tiny minority on the fringe of society who do not represent any community in Northern Ireland.
I want to stress that the efforts of a small few who would seek to drag Northern Ireland back to the past will not be allowed to succeed.
The two Governments will work closely together with the political parties in Northern Ireland to ensure the enormous achievements of peace and stability are sustained and embedded.
The peace process and the restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland is an Irish success story and one of which we are rightly proud. However, it could not have happened without the steadfast support that the United States has given to us.
That support continues to this day and remains vital as we move forward in consolidating the peace which was so hard won.
Thank you all for your continued friendship and goodwill towards Ireland and, in particular, for your very special welcome to me as this year’s representative of the Irish Government and people.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraimh go léir – Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all.
Thank you.