President to focus on ‘responsible communities’

MOVING from building bridges to building communities, Mary McAleese set out her stall for the next seven years at her inauguration yesterday.

Subtle as ever and not taking any risks, the President also put in her pitch for the country to maintain its neutrality in a changing global environment.

Identifying the need for strong and resilient communities as the theme of her second term in office, President McAleese focused on the flip-side of the Celtic Tiger era and the need to choose “responsible citizenship over irresponsible individualism.”

Although again emphasising the great changes in the country, describing it as a “rags to riches, conflict to peace story that inspires many in a troubled world”, she said economic success cannot be a destination in itself but a route to bring prosperity and security to every citizen in the nation.

“The cushion of consumerism is no substitute for the comfort of community,” she said.

“And if our country is to be strong and resilient in the face of its problems and its ambitions in this time of transformation, it needs strong resilient communities.”

Championing the cause of Irish neutrality, the President said the great divide between rich and poor nations, already worsened by Aids and poverty, is now more complex as divisions sharpen alarmingly and dangerous tensions fester.

“Neutral Ireland is uniquely qualified for the crucial, painstaking work of establishing understanding and trust across those cultural chasms. We are widely respected. We have a talent for friendship, a history of transition from a third-world to a first-world country and a wholehearted commitment to international institutions and international law,” she said.

Returning to her original theme of building bridges between north and south, the President appealed for the last step to be taken in the peace process.

“I use this occasion to ask the hesitant to muster the courage to complete the journey across and let the bright new landscape of hope reveal itself,” she said.

“For my part, I pledge to do my best to make us comfortable in each other’s company and unafraid of a shared future,” she added.

Returning to office uncontested, the President appears to see her mandate as continuing to work in the same vein as before.

In that regard, she committed herself to maintaining her strong links with businesses exporting their goods into new markets as well as being an ambassador abroad.

“I will continue to make it my responsibility to assist in the development of our trade in new markets, to get to know new peoples and their cultures and so help to secure both our nation’s well-being and global solidarity,” she said.

Seven more years of the same are in store.