Welfare is a safety net – but not a way of life

WAITING for the results of the Fine Gael leadership election in the Mansion House, I could not help being aware of the history all around me. There were reminders everywhere I looked. This was where the first Dáil met almost a hundred years ago, on January 21, 1919, when Ireland declared its independence. The text of that document was published at the time in Irish, English and French, showing the national and international dimension of the founding generation, and re-reading the lines I was once again inspired by the declared mission to ‘constitute a national polity based upon the people’s will with equal right and equal opportunity for every citizen’.

If my election as leader has shown anything, it is that Ireland can be a republic of opportunity for all our citizens. What matters is not where we come from, but where we want to go. That is the kind of republic I believe in, one with sound public finances and a strong and competitive economy, where everyone has an equal chance to achieve their full potential through education, equal rights before the law, and employment opportunities. It is one where social welfare is a strong safety net and a second chance, but not a way of life, where work, talent and inventiveness are rewarded and personal freedom and liberty are respected.

We are all the heirs of the revolutionary generation, and it should be our mission to make their work complete. Michael Collins believed that with the right political, economic and social system in place, Ireland could ‘become a shining light to the world’. At no other time in our history has this been more important. In a world facing a rising tide of populism, the challenges of Brexit and turmoil and upheaval, we need to build on the stable foundation we have put in place over the last few years so that we can build the kind of Ireland we all want to see.

I want Fine Gael to continue to be the party of responsible government and principled politics. Having worked to give Ireland back her future over the past six years, it should now be our mission to advance and expand the recovering economy so that more people are free to achieve their ambitions and their dreams.

But we cannot do this on our own. We are fortunate to be in a Government with some hugely talented Independent TDs who have brought their own vision for the country, their own passionate determination to do what is right, and their own ideas about what is needed to help all our citizens. We are stronger because of them.

Stable government is also made possible by the confidence and supply agreement with Fianna Fáil. We may argue about policies, we may disagree about ideas – but that is a healthy thing for our democracy. We will continue to work with them for the good of the country.

My election did not make history, it reflected it. It showed how Ireland has become a country of possibility where parents can dream big dreams for their children. To all those who are growing up in this country and feel different, let my message be one of hope and encouragement.

WE are all different, but our differences do not divide us. We may disagree about policies, we may argue about ideas, but we judge a person by his actions, not his origins or his identity.

Fine Gael emerges from this contest a stronger and united party. Together we will take a unified approach to the problems we face, and we will attempt to govern as we have in the past – with responsibility, courage and a determination to do what is right for all our citizens.

One of the first challenges we face is the outcome of the UK election. The Irish Government is ready to participate in negotiations on Brexit and to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. We must ensure that the Brexit talks are handled in a smooth and coherent manner to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland, for Europe and the UK. The results of the UK election indicate to me that there is no strong mandate to proceed with a hard Brexit, which represents an opportunity for Ireland. The early restoration of the Executive in Northern Ireland is also a priority. There is now a strong opportunity for the parties in Northern Ireland to reengage in discussions to form an Executive.

The American poet Robert Frost wrote some inspiring words to celebrate the election of another leader who was born just over one hundred years ago. His advice for ‘youthful ambition’ was to have ‘a healthy independence’ and govern ‘answerable to high design’. I have always had a healthy independence. I trust people with the truth. That will never change. If elected to lead this country, I will attempt to govern with humility and be answerable to the highest design of all: the will of the people.

Michael Collins believed the greatest freedom of all was to achieve ‘the greatest possibilities for the good of all’. That is what I want my leadership to represent. During the leadership election count, someone recounted the wonderful story of how the Mansion House was raided during the war of independence and Michael Collins narrowly avoided arrest. With ingenuity, resourcefulness and a certain amount of luck he evaded capture. I know that as leader of Fine Gael – and as Taoiseach if I have the honour of being elected – I will face a series of challenges that will require ingenuity, resourcefulness and a certain amount of luck.

I am ready for those challenges. I have been elected to lead. I promise to serve.