CUMANN NA CROISE DEIRGE IN ÉIRINN AITHEASC AN UACHTARÅIN
26 MEITHEAMH, 1993
Tá áthas an domhain orm agus ar m'fhear chéile, Nick, fáilte ar leith a chur romhaimh go léir chuig Åras an Uachtaráin inniu. Tá súil againn go mbainfidh sibh an taithneamh as an ócáid agus iarraim anois ar Leas-Chathaoirleach Chumann na Croise Deirge in Éirinn tuairisc ar imeachtaí an Chumainn i rith na bliana atá imithe a thabhairt dúinn anois.
(I ndiaidh tuairisce an Leas-Chathaoirligh)
Mr. Vice Chairman,
I thank you most sincerely for the very detailed and informative report on the activities of the Irish Red Cross which you have given so succinctly today.
Your report reminds us yet again of the very high esteem in which the Red Cross is held, both here in Ireland and internationally. The Red Cross rightly has an unrivalled reputation as a premier humanitarian organisation and its contribution to the alleviation of human suffering and misery in so many parts of the globe is eloquent testimony to the caring concern of the members.
The Irish Red Cross has always been closely associated with the activities of the Red Cross Movement worldwide. I commend you, the members, whose dedication and generosity is the mainstay of the Irish Red Cross.
You spoke, Mr Vice Chairman, of the many regions in the world in which the Red Cross is involved. The list is indeed a long one and shows how energetically the organisation is involved world-wide, wherever aid and support is needed to counter the affects of war or other disasters.
During my visit to Somalia last year I had the opportunity to witness at first hand the tremendous impact that organisations such as the Red Cross and, indeed, the other Irish aid agencies were having in providing basic needs for an impoverished populace in the aftermath of the devastating war there. I cannot praise too highly all those voluntary workers whose commitment made such a difference to the Somali people. The tragic deaths of Valerie Place and Sean Devereaux show just how generous and wholehearted that commitment was.
The Irish Red Cross is, of course, involved in many areas of endeavour. It is active in the provision of community services, in youth programmes, in working with senior citizens and in assisting people who are ill or disabled.
I was very pleased to learn about the Carers training programme, the course on social health and the community aspects of ageing, and the Hand Care, Clown and Drama and School Safety programmes. All are wonderful initiatives of the members and attest to an organisation that is committed to playing its full part in all aspects of community life and in particular on behalf of those who are disadvantaged.
The care of refugees in Cherry Orchard is also a major concern of the Irish Red Cross and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Movement in looking after the humanitarian needs of those who are affected by war or strife.
Recently I had the privilege of officially opening the new Red Cross Centre in Kinsale. What particularly impressed me on that occasion was the absolute commitment of the branch members who had conceived, planned and worked so strenuously to complete the Centre. With enthusiasm and vitality of this calibre in the local branches there can be no doubt but that the organisation will continue to be an outstanding force in the community and will continue to enjoy the wholehearted support of the Irish people.
The volunteers who worked so hard in Kinsale are typical of a vast voluntary movement that exists throughout this island. All of those voluntary organisations, who are contributing in different ways to improving the quality of life in their communities, have certain characteristics in common, characteristics that are also shared by the members of the Irish Red Cross, namely a spirit of generosity that is open and inclusive and a deep commitment on the part of the members who are so willing to donate their time and energies on behalf of their communities.
In concluding, Mr Vice Chairman, I would like also to pay a special tribute to the Irish people who have so generously responded to the many appeals for assistance that have been made to them. As your organisation has itself witnessed, there are no bounds to the generosity of the Irish people in worthy causes and we are all very proud of them.
It is now my very great pleasure to present the Trophy and Awards and in so doing to congratulate the winning teams on their achievements.