Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaks at The IIEA's 20th Anniversary Dinner 2011 скачать в хорошем качестве

Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaks at The IIEA's 20th Anniversary Dinner 2011

About the Event: The IIEA celebrated the occasion of its 20th anniversary with a foundation members' dinner which was addressed by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. In a speech that ranged from personal anecdote to political analysis, An Taoiseach complimented the Institute and its members on the positive role they have played in Irish society through the IIEA research and events programme, and in particular on the crucial role they have played in successive European negotiations and Irish referenda through their analysis of treaties "from Maastricht to Amsterdam to Nice and Lisbon." The IIEA's ultimate success over the last twenty years, he argued, has been to "contribute to the informed opinion of a great number of Irish people." Describing the IIEA's contribution to public discourse as "very important", he emphasised that he agreed "with the Tánaiste that what we should do is keep the issue of European affairs very much alive on the table of Government." An Taoiseach concluded by saying that debate about Europe is central to Ireland's identity: "It is about our people and our country ... and the Ministers who serve in Government feel the same way. Our job, our remit, our mandate, our responsibility, is to make decisions that are for the benefit of the people and for the country." In that respect, he said, the IIEA has been a credit to the country in the way it has provided information and assistance to all governments over the last 20 years.