Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., at the Presentation of Certificates and Awards to Graduates of the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture on Monday, 19 November 2007
It is a pleasure to return to one of my favourite haunts of the northside. Coming to the National Botanic Gardens is always a treat. And I enjoy it even more on graduation day for students of the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture.
Today, I am delighted to congratulate all of you who have received your degrees and certificates. I am also delighted to present the medallion to Student of the Year, Maire Hurley. Maire did exceptionally well and went on to achieve the Student of the Year Award in all courses at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown - a unique feat by any standards.
Indeed, this is a very special day for you all. It is about celebrating your achievements. It is about marking the end of a chapter in your lives and the beginning of a new one. It is about looking to the future.
And you have every reason to look with optimism to the future. The amenity horticulture industry has expanded enormously in the last 30 years. Between 2003 and 2005 alone, the sector grew by 31%. There are many reasons for this growth. For one, increased prosperity means people are investing more in their gardens. The surge in building developments over the last decade has also ensured a corresponding increase in the need for landscaping and design. Accordingly, the sector has made an increasingly significant contribution to the Irish economy.
Contributing as it does to the physical and mental health of our population, we have also seen another dimension to its purpose in the form of Horticultural Therapy. As a result, fulfilling career options in this area are also opening up to graduates.
A significant factor in the growth of the industry has been the contribution of past students of the Botanic Gardens. They have brought many, many new projects to fruition with great imagination and flair. The recreational, cultural and ecological value of our national parks – Glenveigh, the Phoenix Park and the John F. Kennedy Park among them - can be largely attributed to these men and women.
Later today, there will be a separate presentation made to the 47 graduates of the Greenkeeping Course. In recent years, we have seen increased interest in career opportunities relating to golf course management. Greenkeepers have an essential part to play in golf tourism and facilities. Our excellent golfing facilities have enhanced Ireland’s perception as a fine golfing destination. Last year, the Ryder Cup brought Ireland’s facilities and in particular the K Club under the world spotlight. We are indebted to our greenkeepers for helping to ensure that the event proceeded as planned, despite the worst of Irish weather.
The fact alone that there is insufficient space to accommodate the graduates of the Greenkeeping Course this morning is a measure of its success. Great credit goes to Pat Suttle for developing the course over the years.
Year on year, the staff of both Teagasc College and Blanchardstown IT, the Botanic Gardens, the Parks Department, FÁS and Dublin Zoo have been a great example of partnership in action. This has facilitated the provision of the range of excellent courses in the areas you have been studying. Those involved have utilised their resources to the best advantage. They have equipped students with an ideal combination of skills, knowledge and experience, enabling students to reach the high standards associated with their courses.
With so many new job opportunities, there has been a corresponding increase in interest in courses. This autumn, enrolment has been the biggest ever. This augurs well for future growth in the horticultural industry.
The buoyancy of the industry means that some of you have already found employment, some even with past students. More of you are considering academic progression to the next level. This would not be possible were it not for the foresight of Blanchardstown IT, Teagasc College, Warrenstown Horticultural College and FÁS, who have opened up further opportunities for students to build on their qualifications to degree level.
Today, we also acknowledge the contribution of the course co-ordinators not only to the success of students but to the thriving industry we see today. These include Eileen Murphy, Pat Leonard and Christopher Heavey, along with recently retired Joe Mahon, who deserves a long and happy retirement after committing so much energy and enthusiasm to his work. We also remember the late Jim Bannon who died earlier this year. He will be fondly remembered for his dedication to students. Indeed, with any task Jim undertook, he gave 100%. This was also true in his work as a steward at Croke Park over the years. That voluntary spirit carried through into his job here. May he rest in peace!
Professor Gerry Boyle, the new Director of the College, can count on having a very dedicated team in place to rise to the challenges that lie ahead in course and degree preparation as the industry evolves.
Today, my final words are for the students themselves. Your qualifications are a testament to your knowledge and suitability to work either in horticulture or floristry. Now it is your turn to apply those skills to the industry and make your own unique mark in that process. You deserve every success as you embark on this next phase of your life. Well deserved and well done to you all!
Thank you.
ENDS