A message from
the ambassador of ireland Is tréimhse an-chorraithe i stair an domhain, tréimhse seo ráig an COVID-19. Is dushlán ollmhór é do gach pobal ar fud na cruinne, muintir na hÉireann ina measc, teacht tríd agus gnáthshaol a bhaint amach arís in am trátha. Cuirimis ár neart le chéile is sáróimís an dushlán seo. My wife and I visited Western Australia in December where we followed a very memorable and enjoyable programme of official and Irish community engagements. We have not been able to return to WA due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. COVID-19 has changed the way we all live our lives. Sadly it has had very negative consequences in Ireland in terms of those affected and deaths, Australia also suffered heavily from the pandemic. However, we have a long history of overcoming the most challenging and tragic circumstances to come stronger on the other side. As President Higgins said in his message on COVID-19: ‘It is important that we do not lose sight of the opportunity we have today to draw on those great Irish instincts of solidarity, empathy and kindness to allow us to help each other through this ordeal. As we continue on this journey, lets us walk in unity, supporting each other, carefully and fully following the advice that we have been given, thus keeping each other safe’. In order to help address the needs of our citizens affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Irish Government introduced a number of support measures. These measures are aimed at the most vulnerable members of our community, the elderly and those most affected by the pandemic. The Embassy, the Consulate General Sydney and the Honorary Consulate Perth are working in close cooperation with the four Emigrant Support Programme funded support agencies to address the needs of our community. I want to thank the Claddagh Association Perth, the Irish Australian Resource and Support Bureau Melbourne, the Irish Australian Support Association of
Queensland and the Irish Support Agency Sydney for the vital role they are playing in providing advice and assistance to our citizens in these very challenging times. I’d also like to acknowledge and commend the generous support provided by other groups in our community who have risen to Ireland’s call in a spirit of generosity and solidarity, a true manifestation of ‘comhar na gcomharsan’. Minister for the Diaspora Ciarán Cannon has emphasised the importance of reaching out to isolated members of our community at this time as well as his hope to see us again when this is all past: ‘We should all make the effort to reach out to family at this time when so many in our global Irish community are facing unprecedented and difficult isolation. I encourage you to pick up the phone and check on family members or other members of your community… We should remain aware that this crisis will pass and that the bonds between us, which we can strengthen through our actions and solidarity during this time, will be all the stronger in the future. You should know that we are keeping the lights on for you here in Ireland during this dark time and are looking forward to meeting you again when this is all behind us’. A chairde guím gach rath agus séan oraibh, tugaigí aire dá chéile is go gcastar ar a chéile arís muid in Perth nó cibé áit, go dté sibh lán.
BREANDÁN Ó CAOLLAÍ Ambasadóir na hÉireann
THE IRISH SCENE | 19
