Looking to future this St. Patrick's Day
Ossian Smyth, T.D.
We realize that, in Ireland, we are fortunate to have a national day that almost everyone knows. St. Patrick's Day is an opportunity to celebrate Ireland with the more than 70 million people globally who claim Irish ancestry and the many more who show their fondness for Ireland in any number of ways.
And yet even the notion of "celebrating" in our world today provokes doubt and hesitation for many people, and for good reason. We have witnessed more than two years of unprovoked Russian brutality in Ukraine. The appalling Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year was stark in its depravity. The killing of tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza in the period since has also been viewed with horror around the world.
Ireland has a clear and principled position on these conflicts. We have demanded accountability internationally for Russia's illegal invasion, and we are one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine's path to European Union membership. We condemned outright Hamas's terrorist attack of Oct. 7, and we have called at every juncture for all hostages in Gaza to be released unconditionally. We have also strongly argued, since the early weeks of the conflict, for an upholding of international humanitarian law, a humanitarian cease-fire and for sustained humanitarian assistance to be provided for the over 2 million desperate civilians in Gaza. Protecting civilians in conflict — all civilians, everywhere — is our highest priority.
Ireland's own history includes experiences of famine, poverty and forced migration. Even the relative growth and prosperity we have enjoyed since joining the European Union in 1973 co-existed, at least until the 1990s, with conflict very close to home in Northern Ireland. These experiences have, to an obvious degree, shaped how we view the world around us today. And yet whatever resilience or empathy these experiences can engender within us — even that sense of eventually making our way through the most difficult of times — can be tested for all of us when we read or scroll through the news of our world in 2024.
And so it should be no surprise that we look to young people. Young people have been to the fore in opening our eyes to the climate emergency and to the innovative solutions that can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and deliver a clean energy future. Young people globally have demanded respect for international law, multilateral institutions and key actors like the U.N. Security Council to speak and act coherently in support of a rules-based order, sustainable development and human rights. Indeed, it was these priorities that Ireland sought to emphasize in our own most recent term on the Council over 2021–22.
As we prepare for Korea's hosting of the Summit for Democracy, we are acutely aware of the important role that young people play in safeguarding the institutions and the rule of law that protect our freedoms and prosperity. In Korea, young people have been at the forefront of the K-culture revolution, as well as some of the country's flagship innovations, driving ambition and a reputation for can-do attitude.
Young people in Ireland are at the heart of what makes our country a great place to invest, trade, visit and study. Ireland is home to all five of the world's top software companies and 14 of the top 15 medical technology companies globally. Those companies — and very many others — have put down roots in Ireland because of our economic track record, stability, ease of doing business and access to a European Union market of 450 million people. But they are also in Ireland because of our talent pool, with brilliant globally-connected young people from across the European Union a key part of our dynamic workforce. Ireland is a country where entrepreneurism is valued and young entrepreneurs are supported to bring their products and ideas to international markets. And many of those ideas have blossomed in a world-class Irish university system that attracts thousands of students from around the world because of the safe, welcoming and culturally rich environment on offer in Ireland for young people.
Ireland, like every country, faces plenty of domestic and international challenges on an ongoing basis. But we also recognize how fortunate we are to feature in the top 10 countries in the U.N.'s Human Development Index in recent years and the obligation this places on us as global citizens to be a voice for progress, for peace, for human dignity and for equality for all.
Ireland stands in solidarity with our friends in Korea, as you occupy the seat on the U.N. Security Council, and as you convene the world's champions of Democracy this week. The world needs these processes and institutions to succeed, and together Ireland and Korea can help ensure that success.
There is an old Irish saying: "Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireannn na Daoine" – "We live in each other's shadow." This will remain true for our young people in the world of the years to come. Protecting and supporting each other and building enduring partnerships have never been more vital. It is our focus, too, this St. Patrick's Day.
Ossian Smyth, T.D is Ireland’s Minister of State for Cybersecurity, Circular Economy and Government Information. He will be in Korea to attend the Summit for Democracy and to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.