Address to the 1999 World-Wide Conference of The Ireland Funds
by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in St. Catherine's Church, Dublin, on Tuesday 22 June, 1999

Senator Maurice Hayes, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, President, The American Ireland Fund; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great honour to be asked to address you this morning on the occasion of the 1999 Worldwide Conference of The Ireland Funds, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone here today, especially to those of you who have travelled so far to attend the Conference.

When I spoke to you last year, the people of Ireland, North and South, had just voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement, by addressing the key relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South and between the islands of Ireland and Britain, has given us an historic opportunity to face the future together in a spirit of reconciliation and mutual respect.

During the past year, we have been working hard to give effect to the Agreement in all its aspects. But, of course, we need political agreement now to bring the institutions into being.

A deadline for the devolution of powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly of 1 July has been set, in line with similar arrangements for Scotland and Wales and the difficult task facing us now is to ensure that agreement is reached between the parties by 30 June. Over the coming days we will be concentrating all our efforts in getting that agreement.

The people are fully behind the Agreement. They know the benefits of peace, they know what it means for the future. The onus now is on the parties to do what needs to be done. To deliver the future that the people want.

Progress has been made in recent year. Increasing numbers of foreign investors are looking favourably at developing business opportunities. Local groups and organisations are being energised and are developing new opportunities, with the assistance of your Fund and funds such as the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the International Fund for Ireland.

However, there is much work still to be done. The process of reconciliation will be an ongoing one. In this regard, your support and the impetus that the Ireland Funds provide is crucial in underpinning the kind of change and progress that we are trying to achieve.

I continue to be impressed by your remarkable generosity and support in assisting over 250 projects across Ireland, North and South, every year. Through The Ireland Funds you are supporting, in a very tangible way, the ideas, talents and efforts of a wide range of people who are committed to initiatives that are worthwhile and beneficial to society.

Studies have shown that the Funds, through your contributions, have had a significant impact in Ireland over the last 23 years and I am pleased to see that the Fund is continuing to go from strength to strength: with over £10 million in grants distributed last year alone, you can rightly be proud of your success.

I would also like to take the opportunity, on behalf of those being assisted, to thank all of the donors, some of whom are here today. Over 3,000 donors contributed to the Fund last year. Through your contributions, you have managed to convert the evident affection for Ireland that exists world-wide into practical benefits.

Ireland also owes a debt of gratitude to Sir[Dr.] Anthony O'Reilly and Dan Rooney who founded The Ireland Fund in Pittsburgh in 1976. Their vision has brought profound benefits to our country and has helped make Ireland -North and South a better place.

But to all those involved in The Ireland Funds today, I salute your commitment, your generosity and your enthusiasm which has supported such fantastic work on the ground across Ireland.

Looking to the future, I am confident that The Ireland Funds will continue to play an important role in fostering reconciliation, progress and development in the most needy areas across the island of Ireland.

I am sure that you will find this Conference, and its related activities, an enjoyable and productive experience and I would again like to thank all of you for your continued generosity and support for this worthy endeavour and to wish all of you and The Ireland Funds every success in the future.
- Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern T.D.

This article first appeared in Connections Winter 2000 issue