Co-operation Ireland’s Chairman Dr. Christopher Moran Highlights Need for Grassroots Community Transformation
04 November, 2011
‘Unparalleled good relations between London and Dublin need to be converted into real progress in grassroots community relations within Northern Ireland’ – was the central message from the Chairman of Co-operation Ireland, the peace-building charity, at their annual Gala fundraiser in London last night (November 3rd).
During his Chairman’s address, Christopher Moran outlined the significance of Her Majesty the Queen’s visit to Dublin:
“Since their first dialogue at Crosby Hall in 2005 they have understood the impact of their relationship and how it sets the tone for the discourse between these islands. As Queen Elizabeth and President McAleese are joint patrons of Co-operation Ireland we have been integral to that delicate choreography, and in our view the visit has lain to rest the outstanding ghosts of history and broken new ground in Anglo-Irish relations.”
He said whilst at Government level relations were unparalleled, it was clear the biggest challenge would be breaking down barriers of division amongst Northern Ireland communities:
“Apart from the inherent instability such division brings, it also comes with a price tag estimated in the region of £1.5bn annually, providing a duplication of services and additional security measures – quite a price for a region with the same population as Hampshire.
“The Prime Minister put it succinctly when he said people in Northern Ireland ‘needed a shared future – not a shared-out future’. In these difficult financial times, taxpayers in Northern Ireland would tend to agree with him and conclude that enough is enough.”
The event was attended a wide range of people with an interest in Irish affairs from sectors as diverse as business, politics, international relations and the arts.
Attendees were addressed by the Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom Mr. Bobby McDonagh and the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Rt. Hon Owen Paterson MP.
Thanking supporters for their generosity Mr. Moran explained Co-operation Ireland’s programmes and projects allowed people to break down barriers in their own communities, remove the stigma of difference from others, and believe that they don’t have to be prisoners of the past.
In a special note of thanks Mr. Moran said “It is appropriate at this juncture I put on record my admiration and appreciation for the efforts of the outgoing President McAleese. She has quite simply been outstanding and I look forward to the new President Elect Michael D. Higgins continuing her good work as our patron.”
