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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD SYMPOSIUM

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD SYMPOSIUM AT KINSALE CO. CORK ON FRID

Firstly, I’d like to thank Philip Lunch and Michael Duffy – our hosts from Bord Bia - for giving me this opportunity to join with you this morning in this jewel of a town – Kinsale – a town that has been associated with quality food for quite some time now – and which is known to us as the premier ‘gastronomic’ centre in Ireland.

I would like to welcome all of the delegates to the symposium – those who have come to talk about their own products – to see and learn about what we in Ireland have to offer you – and those who are interested in the management of the retailing and distribution of food products in the international marketplace. I would particularly like to give a very warm welcome to the many overseas delegates who have come to join us for the symposium – some of whom are probably only visiting us for the first time. I hope that for all of our visitors – your stay in Kinsale will be as rewarding as it will be enjoyable – and that your brief ‘taste’ of Ireland and Kinsale - will mature and develop to a long and fruitful relationship with Ireland for many years to come.

You should know, of course, that Kinsale’s association with the food and beverage industry goes way back in history – to a time when it was a designated ‘Wine Port’ – supplying ships for the ‘Vintage Fleet’ as far back as 1412. Indeed, in that year the entire Fleet comprised 160 ships – some of them from Kinsale - plying from Bordeaux in France. Since then, of course, there have been many visitors from France and other countries – and the European influence of old is still to be seen in some of the streets and people of Kinsale.

 

As one of the great sailing centres of Ireland, Kinsale is an important port of call for many a mariner from overseas – particularly our European neighbours – and it continues to be influenced by visitors to the town – many of whom choose to settle here in the restaurant trade.

While the town’s links with the great nations of Europe stretch back over many centuries – Ireland is today a full participant in the European Union – and is proud of its reputation as a supplier of fine quality food produce to the European markets. With the best natural sprinkler system in the world – where you’re always sure that rain is never too far away! – and the moderate western European climate – we have the ideal conditions to produce foods of the highest standard and quality.

In business there is a saying that ‘the customer is always right’. That being the case – we are always anxious to listen to our customers – to see what their requirements are – and to meet those requirements as the pace of change in food fashion and taste makes constant demands for new products. For us, this symposium is an opportunity to meet our customers – to listen to what they have to say about what they want – and to see how we can meet that demand. As a small economy depending on international trade – our trading partners are vital to our continued success. This event in Kinsale is our opportunity to show you that we care and value our customers – and that we want to continue to meet your needs and requirements.

I know that the programme for the symposium is very full – and that there are many interesting sessions planned for the remainder of today and for tomorrow. But I urge you all – if you can manage it - to tear yourselves away from the bustle and business – and to take the opportunity to savour some of the atmosphere and ambiance of Kinsale. It will be an experience you won’t forget.