Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to join you here today, at what is really an historic event. The first time such a ceremony took place was over 120 years ago, back in 1890, and indeed it appears that medals were last presented to members of An Garda Síochána as long as over 70 years ago.
This centre really is a state-of-the art facility – it has certainly come a long way in the 172 years since it was established on Dublin’s Grand Canal Quay. What has been achieved here is remarkable – between the housing and treatment of so many breeds of animals, to the education programmes you run, to the veterinary clinic and boarding kennels. Of course the DSPCA is best known for its record on rescuing animals which have been abandoned, are unwanted, or have been subjected to cruelty. The numbers involved are really astounding – over 4,400 animals rescued last year.
I would like to congratulate your outgoing
CEO,Jimmy Cahill, for the wonderful work he has achieved during his tenure here, with the establishment of so many new programmes and initiatives. The "social entrepreneurship" model which Jimmy has developed with the DSPCA is truly innovative. I hope that other non-profit organisations can learn from what you have achieved. The theory around building a lifelong relationship with adopters makes good business sense, and this will serve to guarantee your existence and success into the future. I have no doubt that he has been overseeing a smooth handing of the baton over to Brian Gillen, who will bring with him a wealth of experience in his own right.
A key part of the work of the DSPCA involves liaising with and, in many cases, working alongside Gardaí. This relationship is vital in successfully prosecuting those involved in cases of animal cruelty. It is this collaboration that has brought about positive outcomes from what have been really dreadful cases of neglect, and it is this that brings us here today.
It is not the first role that comes to mind when one considers the work of An Garda Síochána, yet our force are very much involved in the cracking down on cruelty against animals. The Garda members and ex-member here before us have all been involved in bringing to justice those involved in what can only be described as truly horrific instances of disregard for animal welfare. These medals honour their work which has really taken them above and beyond the call of duty.
I would just like to sincerely congratulate all the individual recipients them on the perseverance, bravery and commitment they have all shown, and thank them on behalf of us all for what they have achieved. The perpetrators of these crimes need to be shown how seriously we take these acts of cruelty and that the rule of law will be brought to bear on them. I can only hope that we do not have to see a repeat of such appalling cases again. I wish you all well in your continued successful partnership.
I would like to thank everyone here for your dedication and commitment to the DSPCA. In particular I would like to wish Jimmy Cahill a long and healthy retirement. I understand that he got served an ace last Thursday evening at his retirement function and is now sitting comfortably in Wimbledon enjoying one of the other passions in his life. I wish him, and you all, the very best in the future.