Taoiseach's Speeches Archive 2007
It is always a pleasure to attend the Texaco Sportstars Awards but this year holds a special significance as you mark your 50th Anniversary. The fact that these Awards are in their 50th year speaks for itself, demonstrating their popularity and the high regard in which they are held. I know that, for sportspeople everywhere, the Texaco Sportstar is among the most sought after awards.
I am delighted to be here this evening to launch 1916 in 1966: Commemorating the Easter Rising. At the outset, I want to congratulate the Editors, Mary Daly and Margaret O’Callaghan, for this fine book which sheds new understanding on the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the 1916 Rising.
I am very glad to join you here to officially open Treasury Holdings’ very impressive new Headquarters here in Connaught House. Treasury Holdings investment here testifies to its commitment to, and confidence in, both its own future and that of our economy generally.
A lot has happened since we met in a similar format last year. 2007 has been an eventful one and a good one for the Union. Next year will be even more interesting. But I will return to that later.
I would like to thank the Lord Mayor and Ronan Collins for their words of welcome to us all today on this very special occasion.
I commend the two Presidencies – Portugal and Ghana - for the excellent work they have put into organising this most important Summit. It is indeed timely that we revisit and revitalise the relationship between Europe and Africa.
The confidence of the Irish people in the capacity of this Government to manage our way through difficult conditions has been been fully vindicated by the terms of the Budget introduced by Brian Cowen, T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. The role of the Budget in a modern economy is only in part about the specific measures announced on Budget Day. Its more important role is to signal the strategic direction which policy is taking and thereby to send a clear signal to citizens and to stakeholders about how current challenges will be met.
Climate Change is the greatest challenge of our time. The debate is no longer about whether it is happening or why it is happening. The scientific evidence points clearly to man-made emissions of greenhouse gases as being the main cause. We also have a much clearer picture of the grave implications if we do not change our ways. This year’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change leaves little room for doubt as to the course of action we must take. To put it simply, if we hope to avoid the more devastating impacts of climate change, we must significantly reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases.
I was delighted to accept the invitation from the National Centre for Partnership and Performance to address this National Workplace Strategy Masterclass – the third in the series – on the theme "Ireland’s Workplaces: Innovative Futures".