Labour well prepared for the next general election
Issued : Friday 16 April, 2010
A chomhrádaithe, fáiltím romhaibh go léir go dtí an 64ú Chomhdhail Náisiunta de Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre anseo in Ollscoil Éireann, Gaillimh.
Comrades, I welcome you and on your behalf I welcome the fraternal delegates, members of the Diplomatic Corps and member of the Press to this 64th National Delegate Conference of the Labour Party.
It is entirely appropriate that we are assembled here in the Galway West constituency so ably represented for many years for the Labour Party by the Party Life President and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Michael D. Higgins T.D.
Michael was nominated to the Seanad in 1973. In 1974 he was elected to Galway County Council and retained that seat until 1985 when he was elected to Galway City Council. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1981.
He has been Mayor of Galway, Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and Chairperson of the Labour Party. He is a distinguished poet as well as being a writer and presenter of T.V. documentaries.
Michael D. Higgins has, also, served as a lecturer at this prestigious institution.
Apart from his enormous contribution to Public Life nationally, Michael D. Higgins has been the Labour Party Standard Bearer in the West of Ireland in very, very difficult circumstances and has achieved an extraordinary level of success.
Michael D. Higgins career has been distinguished by his moral courage, his extraordinary intellect, his compassion, his oratorical skills and his global vision.
His work ethic is quite remarkable.
He presents a formidable role model for all aspiring Councillors, T.D.s and indeed, Ministers.
It becomes increasingly more probable that this could very well be our last National Conference before the next General Election.
Eamon Gilmore in opinion poll after opinion poll in the past year has been the most popular Party Leader by a long way.
On a truly remarkable day in the history of the Labour Party, June 5th 2009, three MEPS, 132 City and County Councillors and 84 Town Councillors were elected under the Party banner.
In 2009 the Labour Party gained 1,700 members bringing the total Party Membership up to 12,000.
It is great to see the number of young delegates at Conference this year.
The Party is well down the road of preparing for the next General Election. We in the Labour Party have the policy base and the commitment to effectively address the problems facing the people of this Republic. The Party's poll ratings, which range from 17% to 24% provide a launch pad for bringing a Labour Party led Government into office.
Job creation remains the basis to economic recovery.
Since our Special Delegate Conference in Mullingar last March the recession which has engulfed the country continues to worsen.
At the end of March 2009 the live register stood at 369,203 while at the end of March 2010 it stood at 435,121. This is an increase of 65,518 in the year between our National Conferences.
This gives us a real measure of the damage done to the people of this country
by thirteen years of Fianna Fáil Government.
The present Fianna Fáil/Green Coalition must be driven from office as soon as that can be achieved.
As Eamon Gilmore said in Mullingar last year "The Resilient Irish will not be defeated by the mistakes of the Past".
The Labour Party Leader has won the confidence of the people in his ability to lead the recovery.
He has demonstrated that the Labour Way forward is the way.
Eamon Gilmore set the theme in his November 2008 speech in Kilkenny "A New Deal for Ireland".
The Deputy Leader and Finance Spokesperson, Joan Burton has played a very considerable role in communicating the Labour Party message.
Joan continues to impress with her understanding of her brief and her ability to identify what really matters in a complex and rapidly changing financial and economic crisis.
The Parliamentary Party, the Councillors, the Executive Board, the new General Council, the Party Sections and the membership generally have all contributed to the movement forward and to the very significantly improved standing of The Labour Party.
We are seeking to change how the country conducts its affairs in a fair and equitable manner which will bring us out of recession and restore opportunity, employment and bring about prosperity for all to share.
The Labour Party does not underestimate the difficulty and pain that must be shared fairly and equitably to bring about a better day but a Labour led Government can and will deliver this.
We have a considerably larger Agenda this year than we had at our last National Conference.
I am seeking the co-operation of everyone and in particular the speakers in having a fair, efficient and effective Conference.
I am asking speakers not to exceed the speaking time allocated to them.
If we all play our part we will ensure the maximum number of speakers will be catered for.
Let us seize this moment to demonstrate that The Labour Party is ready and able for Government.
