Ciarán Cannon (Progressive Democrats)

Is mór an phribhléid dom í labhairt anseo inniu agus deis a bheith agam rian a fhágáil ar cheann de na hócáidí is tábhachtaí i stair na tíre seo. Déanaim é mar cheannaire an bPáirtí Daonlathach, a party that has made a distinct contribution to Ireland's democracy, prosperity and standards in public life, but will soon enter the annals of Irish political history. I hope I can recognise the tenacious and precious durability of democracy, while acknowledging the vulnerability to which ideas and organisations are subjected by the passage of time. We are here to mark the importance of a pivotal event in Irish history. It gives us a chance to examine the values, certainties and realities that have endured over time in a way that transcends the twists and turns of history. We are here to mark the fact that 90 years ago, in a bold and radical development, the First Dáil was convened in a move aimed at securing Ireland's freedom from Britain — a country then described as a foreign enemy. The Members of the First Dáil were determined that Irish people would have the power to decide their own futures. Ninety years later, with freedom, respect and prosperity having been achieved, our small country, in common with countries all over the world, recognises that our fate is inextricably linked to and dependent on global events and governance. Decisions made by others, sometimes at a great distance, have the power to alter our future prospects considerably for good or for ill.

Ninety years ago, in the wake of what the First Dáil described as 700 years of "foreign usurpation", the Irish people sought to break free from the chains of foreign domination and to emerge into a new dawn and a world of possibility dictated by ourselves. We have had an extraordinary journey in the intervening nine decades. We have seen the best of times; we have seen the worst of times. We have seen civil war and terrorism, but we now see lasting peace. We have seen mass emigration and mass immigration. We have seen poverty and stagnation as well as extreme wealth. We have at times felt isolated, sometimes by our own choice. We have recently had the feeling of being a cosmopolitan magnet for people from countries all around the world. Where once we felt the cold Atlantic to our back and Britain blocking our view of Europe to the front, we now belong to a family of nations in a European Union that is striving to improve the way we all live. We had little in 1919, and little remained our lot for a long time. When President Kennedy visited Ireland and addressed the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas 44 years later, in 1963, he said that Ireland "is not rich and its progress is not yet complete, but it is, according to statistics, one of the best fed countries in the world". In the last years of the 20th century significant economic prosperity arrived and took our breath away. Our small country, which was praised in 1963 because it was well fed, became one of the richest countries in the world, and not by accident.

On 21 January 1919, the First Dáil declared in its message to the free nations of the world that Ireland was "the gateway of the Atlantic" and "the point upon which the great trade routes between East and West converge". That foresight came to its greatest fruition in recent times, when inward investment made Ireland rich. This resulted from the commitment, confidence, education and skill of our people and our position as the gateway to the Continent of Europe. It was crucial that Ireland was a fully participating and active member of the European Union, at the heart of the Union. By forging highly developed political and economic ties with our European partners, we positioned ourselves to harness a rising tide. Perhaps more important than money was the fresh sense of pride the Irish people felt about this country's ability to succeed at the highest international level. Our confidence was boosted. We felt we could hold our own on any stage. We felt like winners and it felt good. In 2009, at the start of a new millennium, in many ways we are as uncertain — perhaps even more concerned — about what the future holds for Ireland and the world as we were 90 years ago.

The First Dáil knew it wanted complete political independence. It declared that the elected representatives of the Irish people alone had the power to make laws binding on the people of Ireland and that the Irish Parliament was the only parliament to which the Irish people would give its allegiance. After 700 years of foreign domination, we were determined to become a sovereign state. Ninety years later, much has changed. Where once we had the desire to break free of shackles to become our own masters, in many ways we now have an overwhelming sense of interdependence, as never before. We realise our best future lies not in splendid isolation on the periphery of Europe, but as part of a family of nations free to surf the tides of international economic opportunity. They say that no man is an island. In the modern world, it is clear that no island can stand alone. Not only do we recognise that a decision made last Friday in Philadelphia can bring joy to the Philippines and great sadness to Loughrea, but we also recognise, for example, that decisions made in Frankfurt are a central part of our best defence against the buffeting tides of an international financial crisis. As commentators have said, in a sea of uncertainty our membership of the euro currency gives us a strength and stability that are crucial for a country that survives by exporting goods.

Our sense of interdependence is heightened further by the understanding that the planet itself is in danger unless we consider the effects of our actions, particularly with regard to the use of energy. Nearly 40 years ago, in 1970, in an article from Time magazine entitled "Fighting to Save the Earth From Man", the point was made that "Technological man is so aware of his strength that he is unaware of his weakness." The article concluded that man's weakness was "the fact that his pressure upon nature may provoke revenge".

Ireland and the world now know that nature's revenge has been provoked. We must now work together to renew the balance that has been lost. We must do so not just for our own good but also for the international good. In the modern world real freedom means the attainment of a position of influence and the dignity to work together with others to produce a better future for all.

The men and that one woman of the First Dáil showed courage and vision. They showed passion, confidence and a determination to break free and chart our own course. The men and women of this Dáil and Seanad have no less a challenge in forging and strengthening the international bonds of co-operation that will lead to a better and sustainable future for us all. We now have the urgent job of reassuring the people that our recent success was no accident, that our pride was not misplaced and that future triumphs lie ahead.

The men and women of 90 years ago paved the way for international recognition of Ireland's sovereignty. The task before us as politicians in the modern world is to work together with other sovereign countries, pooling that sovereignty, where there is a real common advantage, in the search for balanced, prosperous and just progress for all.

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