A dhaoine uaisle.
Tá áthas orm a bheith i Litir Ceannáin inniu agus an cuireadh a ghlacadh a bheith in bhur dteannta ag an Domhsa Carthanachta seo. Gabhaim buíochas le Gabrielle McGonagle a d'eagraigh an ócáid seo don triú uair.
Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. So goes one of my favourite Irish idioms. I have always believed that what sets this great country of ours apart is a strong sense of social solidarity. By reaching out to each other, by helping one another, we improve lives. We build communities. We build our nation.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As Taoiseach, this Gala Ball is among my last official engagements, but it is one I have been very much looking forward to because it showcases the Irish voluntary spirit and Irish generosity at their very best. It is a great pleasure to celebrate this special highlight in the social calendar of Donegal people.
Above all, it is a privilege to honour one of the county’s best ambassadors, a young man of extraordinary courage – Alan Doherty.
I follow in the distinguished footsteps of Donegal’s very own Daniel
O’Donnell – your guest of honour last year. Variety is the spice of life though. And this time, I hope the lilting tones of a Dub, though by no means as musical as Daniel’s, will strike a chord with this distinguished gathering.
The Gala Ball has already improved the lives of many people in the community. Today I am glad to see you all build on what has been achieved for yet another very deserving cause.
I am particularly delighted that Alan Doherty is this year’s beneficiary. And it is great to see him here tonight for this special occasion. Alan, I first heard of your story on the news. Your positive outlook on life, boundless fighting spirit and enormous courage are an inspiration to us all and especially those facing huge challenges in their lives. There are few who could imagine what you have endured and yet you are always good humoured, optimistic and enthusiastic. We look forward to the day when your surgery is complete and you can get on with living life to the full.
Of course, it would not be possible for Alan to have the pioneering surgery for his rare condition, without the groundswell of support which has been the hallmark of his life recently.
Alan’s friends and supporters span the whole country – North and South- thanks in large measure to Alan’s family, the media and the special Fund Raising Committee set up on his behalf.
I would like to pay tribute, on behalf of everyone here this evening, to Paul McBride, Chairman of the Friends of Alan Doherty Committee, to the Committee members and to Alan’s mother Bernie, father Danny, sister Celine and brother Daniel for their crusading zeal in an excellent cause.
This has been an extraordinary journey to a brighter future for Alan. But it was shared by the wonderful medical team at Mount Sinai Hospital and friends of Alan everywhere.
All of you here tonight are playing your part in a story of a lifetime. It is a unique story of outstanding bravery and tenacity. The people of the community have played their part in that story. The people of Ireland have played their part in that story, be it through donations or publicity. And the media have ensured that Alan’s story would ripple out far and wide and would draw many willing helpers along the way.
UTV’s Ivan Little, already well known for his excellent coverage of the Troubles and other major news stories, has gone beyond the call of duty in his support for Alan and we are all very grateful to him for giving him the publicity he deserves.
Tonight also reflects the synergy that exists between The Donegal Democrat, the Donegal People’s Press, the Donegal on Sunday and the people they serve. Above all, it demonstrates that they are in tune with the needs of the community.
I salute social diarist, Gabrielle MacGonigle, for reaching out to the community in this special way. The popularity of her social column reflects the enthusiasm and interest people are taking in their locality. It shows where their hearts are and where their priorities lie. Through her initiation of the Gala Ball, Gabrielle epitomised the “can do” spirit and tonight her efforts have paid off perhaps like never before.
The Donegal Democrat Group has served the community extremely well. They have helped to build cohesiveness and a sense of identity in this region, keeping people abreast of the issues that most affect them. They have also encouraged debate and fostered active participation in every realm of Donegal life. This is what democracy is all about and I commend Editor in Chief, Michael Daly and each of the teams involved for engendering such a strong sense of community here in Donegal. This is very well reflected in tonight's Gala Ball.
There is no doubt too that your readers echo our nation’s steadfast passion for news, whether it is on our doorstep or further a field. This is one such good news story – and one of the best ever in the county. But I can safely say that other developments in Donegal have given local newspapers much to report on in recent years too.
Donegal’s economic prospects are greatly enhanced by the increasing level of cross-border co-operation. Letterkenny and Derry are linked as a Gateway under the National Spatial Strategy and will act as a driver of development in the North West under the North West Gateway Initiative. This cross-border approach focuses on areas such as spatial planning, education and skills and infrastructure.
Donegal remains a key target location for the IDA with the focus on the sectors of Medical Technologies, International and Financial Services and High End Engineering. Over 1,200 new jobs have been added in the county by overseas firms over the last five years and further jobs will no doubt flow from the strong links we are developing between education and research institutions on both sides of the border.
I am also pleased to see that Donegal has benefited from North-South Co-operation on Health through pilot projects on out-of-hours GP services, as well as the provision of radiotherapy for Donegal cancer patients in Belfast.
With continued investment under the National Development Plan and good co-operation and planning on all sides, I believe that this region can realise its untapped economic and social potential in the years ahead.
Before I leave you this evening, I would like to say a few words about the EU Reform Treaty.
Ireland ’s membership of the EU has had a hugely positive effect on this country generally and particularly in supporting our efforts to maintain a lasting peace.
The Reform Treaty will not only enhance and improve the functioning of the Union but will support economic growth, job creation, international trade and environmental sustainability, speed up decision making and give us a Union more responsive to all of us. It also gives effect to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and expressly identifies the values which underpin the Union. This referendum is important not only for the people of Ireland but for all of Europe. I encourage you to become involved in this most important debate in the lead up to June 12th.
I know that Gabrielle McGonagle has been working very hard over the last few months to make tonight – to use her own words – a night to remember. I hope above all that its impact will be momentous and will ensure that Alan continues to get the best care and treatments available for his condition.
In closing, I would also like to thank our hosts Terry and Loreto McEniff and all their team here at the Mount Errigal for their continued support and all the effort they have put in to making this a truly great night. You have done your county proud. There is a brilliant night of entertainment in store and I hope you all have a very enjoyable evening.
Thank you very much for your attention.
ENDS.