Minister of State Carey's Speech at the Irish-American Partnership Breakfast
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank President and CEO of the Irish-American Partnership, Joe Leary for inviting me here today.
I would also thank the children, who under the guidance of Mary Swanton, entertained us here this morning.
[I would also like to acknowledge Cardinal O’Malley]
I would firstly like to pay tribute to Joe and the Irish American Partnership for the initiatives which they have supported and implemented in Ireland for more than 20 years. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the educational initiatives they have supported.
The contribution of the Partnership under your leadership goes beyond the practical and tangible support you have delivered over the years to very many worthwhile projects in Ireland, North & South. Your engagement with your membership and supporters and the many functions you have organised have served to educate and keep briefed a large and important group of business people who have a positive disposition towards Ireland and an interest in reflecting that commitment through financial support to projects in Ireland.
In thanking the Partnership for your support and commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, for the financial contributions the Partnership and its supporters have made and continue to make, I would also like to convey the appreciation of the Government of Ireland for the largely unseen work you do in bringing to our friends in the US a balanced, objective and informed view of the political and economic realities of Ireland today.
You have been with us throughout the peace process and the restoration of power sharing in Northern Ireland. This is an Irish success story and one of which we are rightly proud. However, in order to secure the enormous potential which exists, it is important that we do not lose sight of the work that is yet to be done. While much has been achieved at political level, society in Northern Ireland remains unacceptably divided and barriers – sometimes physical, more often psychological - which have been built between communities over decades do not come tumbling down quickly or easily.
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.
This is not to say that things have been easy – politics never is. There have been challenges and difficulties which resulted in a failure of the Executive to meet for several months.
However, in a demonstration of the ability of Northern politicians to persevere and work though issues, a resolution was reached and in November meetings of the Executive resumed once again. Also in November came an announcement by the First and deputy First Ministers that they had agreed on a way forward to facilitate the transfer of devolution of policing and justice powers to the Executive. The successful devolution of policing and justice powers on an agreed basis would be yet another important sign of normality and stability in Northern Ireland.
The US has strongly supported the peace process in Northern Ireland.
That support continues to this day and remains vital as we move forward in consolidating the peace which was so hard won.
The Government attaches great importance to supporting projects and policies which seek to build true reconciliation and understanding between the two main communities in Northern Ireland. This is the work of not just one but several generations, but we know that our friends overseas who provided such vital support for the peace process will continue to assist in this important work.
Aside from the political challenges, Northern Ireland, like the rest of the world, has experienced the difficulties associated with the economic downturn. However, because of the restoration of power sharing, locally elected and accountable politicians can and are working to address the specific needs of the people of Northern Ireland.
The effective operation of the North South Ministerial Council and the promotion of the all-island agenda continue to be priorities for the Government. In these times of economic uncertainty, the impetus for cooperation in order to attract investment, improve infrastructure and increase synergies by taking an all-island approach is greater than ever.
We are aware of the role and contribution which America has made to the development of the modern Irish economy. The trade and investment links we enjoy with Massachusetts and across this country have been integral to that history of growth and progress.
As a small, trading nation, Ireland is particularly vulnerable to the current global turmoil, which is causing economic contraction on an almost unprecedented scale.
The problems we face are not unique to Ireland. All countries are currently facing economic challenge arising from the global downturn. In Ireland we have taken steps to address this including measures to address fiscal pressures, the development of a framework for economic renewal and measures to stabilise our banking system.
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.
While we face problems with the public finances at present, we are starting from an excellent position: Ireland’s debt to GDP ratio at the end of 2008 was below the EU average.
Firm action is necessary in the short term and it is being taken. However, in addressing the current crisis we are determined not lose sight of the future. Many of strengths that drove our recent economic boom, and brought unprecedented levels of prosperity, remain in place and will position Ireland to take advantage of the global economic recovery when it comes.
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.
Our smart economy will have a thriving enterprise culture, high quality, rewarding employment and secure energy supplies.
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 SMEs.
Ireland remains an attractive location for foreign directive investment. In recent years our success in attracting such investment has been complemented by the growing strength of our indigenous enterprises. One statistic highlights that strength: while there are nearly 500 US companies in Ireland employing some 95,000 people, there are nearly 200 indigenous Irish companies in the US employing some 80,000 people.
Our business regulation recognises the need for control and certainty without overburdening enterprise, and policy making is responsive to business needs. Maintaining jobs and creating the environment where sustainable jobs will be created in new sectors underpins Government policy.
In conclusion, I would emphasise again the importance which the Irish Government attaches to our relations with the US which are deep, longstanding and mutually beneficial. We look to our friends, including the members and supporters of the Irish American Partnership, to assist us in building on that special relationship into the future.