President calls for social inclusion

President Mary McAleese has said Irish society had an obligation under both the 1916 Proclamation and the Constitution to bring…

President Mary McAleese has said Irish society had an obligation under both the 1916 Proclamation and the Constitution to bring about social inclusiveness in this country so that everybody could enjoy the country's current economic success.

She said both documents had set a comprehensive social agenda that will not be achieved until there was "no-one on the margins merely spectating at others' enjoyment of life".

Speaking at a conference on social investment in Dublin yesterday, Mrs McAleese said there was admiration and curiosity around the world about Ireland's "economic miracle that has brought widespread prosperity, opportunity and confidence".

"But just as these successful times did not appear overnight or without considerable hardship on the way, neither are they a comfort blanket which covers everyone." There were many individuals and communities who were not benefiting or prospering "as they would wish and we would wish for them", she said.

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She made her comments at the opening of a conference by Clann Credo, the voluntary social investment fund that provides start-up and seed funding to more than 130 groups countrywide and currently has reserves of €11 million, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary.