Minister of State Carey's Speech at the Massachusettes State House Reception
I am delighted to be with here with you this evening as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I am very honoured to be representing the Irish Government in this great City of Boston. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated world wide but nowhere has a greater claim to its Irish heritage than Boston.
I am particularly pleased therefore to be here to mark the occasion with the members and friends of the Irish community in this historic setting, at the heart of the political life of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I would like to recognise at the outset the President of the Senate, Therese Murray, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Robert DeLeo and the many State Representatives and Senators who are with us this evening.
I want to thank all here who have helped to make this Irish day of culture at the State House a reality and in particular Representative Michael Rush and his colleague Matt Fitzgerald, who have worked very closely with the Irish Cultural Center in organising today’s event. I would also like to pay tribute to the President of the Irish Cultural Center, Michael O’Connor and to the staff at the Center, Sean Grant, Vanessa Leith and Louise O’Shea.
Irish citizens and their descendants have been prominent in the political life of Boston and Massachusetts down through the years. I understand that quite a few State Representatives and Senators in this House can trace their roots back to Ireland. While immigrants from many countries have contributed to the cultural and ethnic diversity of the population of Boston and Massachusetts we are unique in that more than 20% of the population can trace their roots to Ireland making them one of the most significant ethnic groups in the State.
As will have been seen with the exhibits on display here today many Irish Americans cherish their links to Ireland and their Irish identity. In Ireland too we recognise that Irish identity is not confined to birthplace but extends to families and their descendants. The revision we made to Article 2 of our Constitution ten years ago redefined what it was to be Irish.
‘It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish Nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage.’
I am particularly pleased therefore that an event such as today’s gives recognition to the contribution that the Irish – generation after generation – are making to this State and to the democratic institutions that underpin it.
On occasions such as this it is quite natural to reflect on our historical links with this city and region, on the many Irish emigrants over the years who arrived here and who established themselves in this community and in the process helped to shape and develop this City and State.
America has played a central role in Ireland’s economic development and in its support for the peace process in Northern Ireland, which has brought peace and prosperity to the island of Ireland.
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. While much has indeed been accomplished on the political front it is important that we do not lose sight of the work that is yet to be done.
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.
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.
In more recent times we have seen significant changes take place in our economic relationship, with Massachusetts with a greater reciprocity now evident in the deepening economic links between us. The presence of many American multinational companies in Ireland has contributed significantly to our economic progress. In tandem with the success of multinational companies in Ireland, many strong indigenous companies have emerged and developed to such an extent that they are increasingly investing abroad, including in Massachusetts.
The Ireland-US economic relationship is one of two-way benefit and is stronger now than at anytime in our history. US foreign direct investment accounts for 95,000 jobs in Ireland. Ireland is among the top ten investors in the US.
The pace of change in the global economy continues to increase. Firms in Ireland are facing the same competitive challenges that American firms face. The challenge is to grow the high-paid jobs and knowledge-intensive investment needed to sustain our prosperity into the future. The immense challenges which the global financial crisis have posed for the people of both Ireland and America do serve as a reminder of our interdependence and why the special and enduring relationship we have with the United States must continue to be developed and cherished.