MARY ROBINSON AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE ICEM/CIE EUROPEAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
15 FEBRUARY, 1993.
- It is a great pleasure, once again this year, to announce the winner of the Irish Council of the European Movement/CIE European of the Year Award. The ICEM seeks to create a greater understanding of European Affairs and its work encompasses a field in which I have had a keen interest for many years and which deserves our wholehearted support. Sponsoring this award, in association with CIE, does much to highlight the special contribution which Irish men and women can - and do - make on a daily basis in their various fields of endeavour in the European arena.
- Those adjudicating this award had the unenviable task of choosing a candidate from the extensive range of talent which exists in fields as diverse as politics, sport, the arts and the business world, to name just a few. The criteria laid down for the presentation of the award is that nominees be Irish nationals who, in the last twelve months, have undertaken some project of note or have distinguished themselves in Europe in some significant way. The key issue in deciding who is awarded the honour is the European significance of the nominee's achievements. In this context there can be little doubt that the recipient of this year's award, Ray MacSharry, fully merits this honour.
- Mr. MacSharry has had an outstanding career in public life at home and abroad. He served with distinction in Dáil Eireann for nearly 20 years and has held some of the most senior offices of State including those of Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and Minister for Agriculture. He made a considerable impact during his period as a member of the European Parliament and later, as EC Commissioner for Agriculture - to which position he was appointed in 1989 - he was to continue to display the qualities of independence and tenacity that characterised his performance in the many positions of responsibility that he occupied.
- His period as Commissioner from 1989 to 1993 is distinguished by the masterly manner in which he discharged the responsibilities of his office. He continually displayed a command of his brief that was inspiring and showed himself to be more than capable of grappling with the many complex issues that required his attention during his term of office.
- His role in the Uruguay Round of the GATT talks firmly established his reputation on the international stage as a tough, resolute but competent negotiator and his success in office is something in which all Irish people feel that they can share. It showed that, despite its small size and geographical position on the periphery of Europe, Ireland has a rich and varied contribution to offer in the formulation of policy at the very heart of the European Community.
Mr. MacSharry's successful and productive Commissionership was ample evidence of this.
- At this stage in the growth of the Community it is of particular importance that there be a greater understanding of Irish circumstances and that we avail of every opportunity to influence the development of Community policies to take account of those circumstances. The presence of Irish people within the Community institutions can help considerably in promoting a greater awareness of Ireland in those institutions and Mr. McSharry's successful term as Commissioner will, I have no doubt, serve as a source of encouragement to others who may be interested in joining any of those institutions.
- Ray MacSharry, as an Irishman serving in Europe, has shown to those outside Ireland, but also to those within Ireland, that we have the ability, courage and energy to make a unique contribution in the progress towards European Union
- He now brings to the world of commerce and industry his considerable expertise and abilities. Given the critical importance of Community policies and activities for Irish industry and the emphasis placed on enhancing access to foreign markets for Irish goods and services, I confidently anticipate that his participation in the private sector will be of enormous benefit. I congratulate you, Ray MacSharry, our European of the Year for 1993, and wish you every success in this further phase of your distinguished career.