David Norris President of Ireland

Senator David Norris: During the course of my campaign and if I am to be elected as the 9th President of Ireland, I will concentrate on 3 pillars which I believe are central to the betterment of Irish Society.


Mental Health

For too long Irish society has allowed the issue of mental health to hide behind a curtain of shame. As a small community based nation one of the few remaining areas in Irish Society ruled by silence and to remain hidden is that of mental health and mental wellbeing. As we struggle to rebuild our nation under times of great stress, now more than ever as a society we need to address how each of us can support those who live with depression on a daily basis. Now is the time to embrace the fact that there is no shame in addressing this issue. Each day we are told that more and more members of our society see no future and choose suicide. There has to be a better alternative where shame has no place and the chain of silence is broken.



There is no greater challenge for Ireland than creating a culture where people are open and honest about what’s going on in their lives. There is no shame in reaching out for help. No shame in telling someone that you are stressed, depressed or suffering with mental health issues.



As President, I will look to support groups who encourage us to be proud of who we are. We must create a network of support centres, help lines and community based projects. I have fought in the highest courts in Europe so that Irish men and women can live with dignity. We must now embrace the difference in all of us that makes us unique. By highlighting the fact that there need not be shame in talking about mental health, I hope to open doors for those of you that have lived in darkness for so long.



By supporting groups whose mandate is to promote positive mental health I will shine a light into an area of Irish life that has been largely ignored.

A healthy mind, dignity and pride in who you are, coupled with a sense of self, are essential to each and every one of us in our lives. I don’t want you to be alone in your darkest hour anymore. We need to understand that mental health is on the table, up for discussion, out in the open and that now we will deal with it head on.


Culture

Worldwide we are renowned for our culture and heritage. A culture based on stories handed from one generation to the next; Ireland has a proud tradition and culture that is one of the greatest natural resources we possess. This tradition and culture is a living, breathing resource. Despite this, we remain blind to the important role that culture can play in restoring the Irish economy. We export musical talent all over the world. Influential people like Bono, Van Morrison, Glen Hansard and Enya mix with the world of theatre, sport and dance and help to sell Ireland as a nation of arts, heritage and culture.



All over the world we are linked in with a network of people who identify themselves as Irish. There is no greater resource. Through song, dance, story, sport, imagination, creativity and tradition we can build this network. I can use the Presidency to strengthen Irish networks abroad, thereby helping us to attract tourism, industry and enterprise into Ireland. I can use the Presidency to influence and promote Irish culture at home, right here in Ireland. It is only when we remember who we are that we can move forward with confidence. I can use the office of President to harness the influential people that have helped sell the “brand Ireland” all over the world.



We must cherish who we are, our history and our culture. It is what defines us and what will sustain us well into the future. In these times of debt and economic crisis, we must push our culture to the fore of our lives and rekindle what it means to be an Irish man and woman. The past will always provide us with a guide to the future.



Just as our physical infrastructure needs investment, so too does our cultural infrastructure. There is little point in building roads if we ignore the metaphorical road we travelled to arrive at this point in time.


Enterprise

As president I will ensure that enterprise and innovation projects will play a key role in my itinerary. Ireland is a country full of intelligent, enterprising people who simply need a chance. They ask for little else. I believe in showing the kind of leadership that will harness the ingenuity and creativity of a nation that is hungry to get back on its feet. A nation that believes in what this country can be.



As president I will focus on meeting and influencing international and domestic investors that may have something to contribute to the Irish economy. The world is full of those who claim Irish descent, let us harness some of those connections to bring business, tourism and inward investment into Ireland and create more jobs. Presidential visits will be used to highlight the innovative spirit of the Irish people.



As President I cannot give you a job. What I can give you is a voice on an international stage. I will represent the enterprising spirit of the Irish people. I will provide a voice and a focus on Irish entrepreneurs, Irish small and medium enterprise and foreign direct investment.

Ireland is an ever evolving country with many allies around the world. She bears traditions of a proud past. A past that has continued to harness a tradition of trade and enterprise and will do so well into the future.