CUMANN NA CROISE DEIRGE IN ÉIRINN AITHEASC AN UACHTARÁIN - 26 MEITHEAMH, 1994
CUMANN NA CROISE DEIRGE IN ÉIRINN AITHEASC AN UACHTARÁIN - 26 MEITHEAMH, 1994
Cúis áthais dom é agus do m'fhear chéile, Nick, fáiltiú romhaibh ar an ócáid specialta seo. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh taithneamh as an lá seo in Áras an Uachtaráin agus iarraim anois ar Cathaoirleach na Croise Deirge in Éirinn cúntas a thabhairt ar imeachtaí na bliana atá caite.
[Nuair a críochnaíonn an Cathaoirleach]
A Cathaoirligh,
I thank you for your detailed account of the activities of the Red Cross - an account which once again brings home forcefully to us the extent of the human misery and suffering that exists in the world and the contribution that agencies like the Red Cross are making to alleviate that suffering. Most recently, for example, we have seen graphic images of unspeakable atrocities visited upon the people of Rwanda and we see the heroic efforts of the aid agencies who are engaged in bringing essential supplies to the vast number of refugees who have fled the conflict. And while it is certainly the starkest in terms of loss of life it is not the only source of conflict and suffering in the world today.
What we have witnessed also is the overwhelming humanitarian concern that such suffering has aroused among people throughout the world and a passionate desire that every possible effort be made to resolve the conflict and to bring food and shelter and medical care to the victims. Your members will have experienced this groundswell of reaction reflected in the generosity of support to you in your efforts to deal with this and other crises. In paying tribute to you I commend also all the aid agencies who are working so hard to help those in distress.
I would like to take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt congratulations to you, as Chair of the Irish Red Cross Society, and to all the Council Members on your appointments and to wish you well. The challenges that face you at this time are indeed formidable but under your guidance I am confident that the Society in Ireland will continue to flourish.
The strength of any organisation lies in the commitment of its individual members and organisations such as yours depend largely upon a voluntary personal commitment for their continuing success. During my term of office as President I have come to appreciate more than ever the power and extent of the vast voluntary movement which exists throughout Ireland. Many thousands of individuals are engaged, without fanfare or fuss, in projects to develop their communities, to improve the environment, to help those who are disadvantaged, to provide aid and comfort to those who are in need.
The Irish Red Cross stands proudly in such distinguished company. The value of the work on which it is engaged is clear from the wide ranging report that I have received today. What is also clear is that the many thousand members who make up the organisation share my belief in the importance of that work and have acted on the basis of their belief by participating in the organisation's activities and providing their services voluntarily in such a worthy cause.
I speak today about the unsung heroes who provide the skill and strength and expertise that enables an organisation to fulfil its aims. There are many of you in the Irish Red Cross and I know that you will fully appreciate the sentiments that were so eloquently expressed to me in a letter earlier this year, following the death of the much loved Area Commandant, Mary Gilroy, in Kildare. I would like to quote part of that letter
"Prior to your good self taking office Mary met with six Presidents of Ireland, and Mary often said how great it was to meet a lady President. After our last visit to your home in the Park, Mary had to be taken away by one of the Red Cross ambulances.... All she could say on this day is how sorry she was in the way she spoiled everyone's day. This was the sort of person Mary was, thought of everyone before herself.
In March of last year Mary travelled to London to receive her award from Prince Michael of Kent, for her great service to the Royal Life Saving Society, and she also received this award for her writing of a book for children based on water safety.
For fourteen years Mary brought more than eighty children from Kildare Town swimming to Naas swimming pool every Wednesday. As the many refugees arrived in Ireland last year from Bosnia, Mary was on hand to receive these people and looked after them until they were housed. During her stay in Cherry Orchard with them, Mary saved a baby from death. Mary with great success resuscitated a baby and restored her breathing....
In summing up the life of Mary we could say that Mary was a very modest person who would sit in the background after she had done all the work. Mary had great time for everyone, it made no difference to Mary who they were."
The letter sums up, in a manner that no words of mine could equal, the ethos, the dedication, the courage and commitment that are such an integral part of the Irish Red Cross. It shows how the activities which have been reported on today are made possible.
And now, in presenting the Trophy and Awards, I would like to think that we are honouring not only the winning teams but Mary and the others like her who have been such a wonderful example to us all.