Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar na Cluichí Oilimpeacha Speisialta ag tarlú, mar tugann sí seans dúinn ár meas a léiriú agus ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl do dhaoine a spreag sinn, a thug dóchas dúinn agus a thug bród dúinn as ár gcine. Ní beag an rud sin.

This debate is an opportunity for acknowledgement, appreciation and celebration and a chance to salute people who are special in many ways. Never was the word "special" more properly used than in reference to the hosting of the Special Olympics in Ireland ten years ago. It was, of course, a wonderful sports event and we all entered into the competitive atmosphere which goes with all such events. It was also, however, much more than this. All of us, in our own communities, had an opportunity of observing, at first hand, exactly what was happening. In Ireland at the time, what was happening was something absolutely unique. There were many messages to take on board. The sporting message was one of them, but there was also the message of challenge, among others. We all observed the various interacting messages that came into play.

I often observe, whether wrongly or rightly, that we have a tendency to be a nation of moaners. We tend to ignore all the good things about this country, the assets we have, the inspiration, the resources and so on. It would have been very difficult, however, for anyone to moan during the Special Olympics. There we saw a spirit and character we would all like to attain. We saw people who had made a huge effort to be prepared in a sporting sense for what was happening in Ireland. We also saw a huge response organisationally. I was in Shanghai some years ago where I had a person-to-person meeting with the leader of that city. The Special Olympics were due to be held in China at the time, with the leader of the city due to lead most of the proceedings. Members will imagine the pride I felt when he made it clear that he was looking to Ireland as an example. Our population of 5 or 6 million people is dwarfed by China's 1.3 billion, yet this person was looking to us for leadership on how his country should organise its hosting of the Special Olympics.

While we are all happy to take credit for that achievement, we sometimes forget its source. My experience, in my area, was that people came together in an incredible way. There was a cohesion among the community, the main element of which, as it struck me at the time, was positivity. Everybody was excited about what was happening and wanted to be part of it, not merely as observers but by playing an active part in what was happening. It provided an important model for how people could work together to achieve their goals. I have often thought that if we legislators could craft a plan that was as multifaceted in terms of its impact on communities and the country as a whole, with all of the positive elements within it, we would have few difficulties that could not be overcome.

Our hosting of the Special Olympics was a journey into unknown territory. We were not quite sure what its shape would be. I had no direct involvement whatsoever, being merely one member of the community who was anxious to help. We were being led along a road towards a goal, but we were not exactly sure what that goal would look like.

Think of the people who thought it out and planned it. It was one thing to plan it with the draftsman, but imagine how it was then transplanted not just to one but to several communities. The bigger spectacle was part of that. This all happened and we were all drawn into it. There was no sense of apathy, cynicism or scepticism about it and we accepted the leadership given. Therefore, this evening is an evening of acknowledgement, appreciation and celebration.

I would like to tell the representatives here and all those others involved with them that this nation owes them a huge debt of gratitude, because during that period many other areas flourished and many a community project grew out of that event. This evening, we should concentrate on that positive aspect of what we are debating and celebrating and hope that we have earned and learned something from it. I compliment those who put forward this motion. I do not think the nitty gritty of the motion is what is the most important aspect of this debate. What is most important is that the motion submitted to the Seanad has given us, as legislators, the opportunity to formally and generously and with sincerity say "Thank you" to everybody who was involved. They did us proud as a people.