Published: Wednesday, 4th August, 2010 5:00pm

Ambassador's accessibility impresses all

by Tom Carron

United States Ambassador to Ireland Daniel Rooney and his wife Mrs. Patricia Rooney with local elected and business representatives in the council chamber during their visit to Cavan last Thursday. Code: 050810 ambassador (Photo: Adrian Donohoe)
Pic by==: 97

A unique engagement between representatives of development agencies and community groups from County Cavan with American Ambassador, Dan Rooney, took place in Cavan Town Hall on Thursday afternoon.

There was a full turnout of community representatives for the occasion in which the Ambassador listened to calls for continued U.S. support for the work of the International Fund for Ireland, described as an important player in the regeneration of Border towns which suffered economically due to the long years of the troubles.

Mr. Rooney was also urged to use his good offices to persuade American inward investment in County Cavan, the successful track record of firms such as Abbott Laboratories and Wellman International pointed to as good reasons why U.S. firms should seriously contemplate locating here.

Several of the speakers referred to the opening of the new M3 to the county boundary as ending for good Cavan's image of pheripherality.

Indeed the Ambassador himself noted this point when he arrived for the civic reception in the courthouse when he remarked how short the journey to Cavan had been for him.

The plight of the undocumented Irish, many of whom are from County Cavan, was also referred to by Councillor Paddy O'Reilly with the Ambassador acknowledging his full awareness of the problems created for individuals and families. However, the United States couldn't create an immigration policy just for Ireland and whatever laws it enacted in this regard had to cover all countries.

Overall the open forum hosted by the Ambassador was a unique event - more from the fact of its taking place - with a senior diplomat of the world's remaining superpower listening to the views and aspirations of people drawn from a wide spectrum of life in County Cavan.

Proprietor of the famed Pittsburgh Steelers (who have won the U.S. Superbowl more times than other side) Mr. Rooney presented a low key but business like figure as he arrived at both the civic reception hosted in Cavan Courthouse by Cavan County Council Chairman, Des Boylan and later at the open forum when he and his wife, Patricia and aides mixed quietly with all present. Notwithstanding his 78 years he is a man of tremendous energy and showed himself to be remarkably abreast of the needs of this region. While not making any dramatic promises he did listen intently and responded fully to each point made by the various speakers. One of his aides afterwards said that a note was taken of all of the contributions made and a summarised report would be prepared by the Ambassador who would forward it back to his superiors in Washington.

The U.S. Ambassador to Ireland is appointed by the American President - in the case of Mr. Rooney he was appointed by President Obama. This is in contrast with many U.S. senior Ambassadorial roles throughout the world when it is career diplomats who are given these quite demanding and responsible positions.

However, Ireland is one of a small group of countries with strong connections with the United States whereby the President makes the appointment.

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