merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny today spoke at the commemoration of the death of Michael Collins at Béal na mBláth.

The Taoiseach said:

I’m delighted to be with you here at Beal na mBlath to commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the passing of Michael Collins

He was Finance Minister for a tragically short time but, in true Collins style, it was time he did not waste but used to excellent effect, for his people and his country.  

So it’s an immense privilege for me as Head of Government to give this oration today, the first time for a serving Taoiseach to do so since the unveiling of this monument by the President of the Executive Council, W T Cosgrave in 1924.

The Taoiseach spoke about rebuilding Ireland's economy:

Today, 90 years after his death, we are again, as Collins did, having to build, to rebuild, our economy and restructure our institutions. That work is as vital and challenging and necessary now, as it was in Collins’s time. But just as Collins was undeterred by the dire financial straits in which Ireland found itself in the 1920s, the Government I lead is equally determined.

I refuse to allow our economic difficulties to become a political excuse. An excuse not to change. An excuse not to restructure. An excuse not to reform. In fact, I am absolutely resolute that the crisis we inherited is one we will never pass to another generation of the Irish people. We’re resolute in our reform agenda. Resolute in making the changes that the people know we need to make in Irish public and institutional life.

So that when better times return, as they inevitably must and will, Ireland and the Irish people will be even better placed to live a truly prosperous life, rich in satisfaction and security and opportunity.  

In keeping with Collins’s ambition, mental force and high ideals, as Taoiseach, I refuse to allow what is in reality a temporary, hand-me-down, financial straitjacket damage what will be a magnificent future, for our country, for our people, and for our children’s children. But that future for our republic can only be achieved if we have the courage, the wisdom and the will, to reform…. to restructure…… to renew.

The Taoiseach highlighted progress in relations with the British Government and spoke of the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland, and the importance of Ireland's 2013 EU Presidency:

Just last week I met with Prime Minister David Cameron in London, in 10 Downing Street – the same building where Collins signed the Treaty 90 years ago and we reflected how far we had come. The positive, mature and respectful relationship that has been developed between our countries was underlined by the successful visit to Ireland last year of Queen Elizabeth who specifically honoured those who had lost their lives for Irish freedom.

It was evident again in recent weeks when at the London Olympics British spectators cheered for Irish athletes and vice-versa.

I firmly believe that Michael Collins would be proud that reconciliation between Britain and Ireland has reached the point where such demonstrations of mutual respect – things that would been unimaginable a few short years ago – can now be witnessed.   

Together, as near neighbours, good friends, familiar in our separate ways with Famine and all its consequences last week we made a firm commitment to prioritise the alleviation of hunger and  under-nutrition. We will use the Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2013 to draw attention to the links between food security, nutrition and climate change, while our British counterparts will use their Presidency of the G8 to do the same.

The Taoiseach concluded:

Michael Collins wrote…

Give us the future… Give us back our country… to live in, to grow in, to love.

These aspirations reflect my own. We have no time to waste.

Rath Dé ort Miceal O Coileáin.Ár gceol thú.