|
Mná na Mara - Inaugural Conference |
|
|
January 10th and 11th January
saw the Inaugural National Conference of Mná na Mara, held at the
Riverside Hotel in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, assisted by Bord Iascaigh
Mhara. Women from all ports were notified of this conference and
the response was terrific, especially at this time of year.
Unfortunately, due to illnesses and other commitments, some people had
to withdraw at the last minute. Minister of State at the
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Brown
accepted the invitation to formerly open the conference. Following
his introduction from Margaret Downey-Harrington, Castletownbere, one of
the main organisers of this conference, Minister Browne welcomed all the
delegates, from the 17 different ports, to the sunny south-east - also a
marine county. He explained how he had come from a background of
direct involvement with the fishing industry and he knew that the women
behind the fishermen were very involved in the business and had a mojor
role to play in the day to day lives.
Minister Browne went on to state that the fishing industry was amid difficult times and how the industry had changed dramatically during the previous 25-30 years. He acknowledged the importance of the industry - especially in rural Ireland and he vowed to do his best to secure the best possible deal in any negotiations that would be taking place. He also acknowledged the major role that B.I.M. had as advisors to the industry. He thanked Mná na Mara for the invitation to open the conference and wished everyone a very productive conference. He added that he hoped to meet with them again as he would be visiting the coastal communities over the coming months. Margaret Downey-Harrington went on to explain that Mná na Mara had existed since the 1960's as a support structure for women involved in the fishing and marine sector. Most ports throughout Ireland have their own group, but now it was felt that it was time to widen the horizon with a view to ensuring that the traditions that have sustained our coastal communities for generations are protected and passed on to the next generation as their heritage. Margaret went on to say that by nature, women are multi-functional and have for years been hidden partners in family businesses which have now become in some cases sophisticated million euro enterprises with all the attendant complexity that this involves. B.I.M. were welcomed and thanked for their assistance in organising the conference and to also agreeing to organise a series of interesting presentations to Mná na Mara on a wide variety of subjects of importance to the members. |
|
Margaret also welcomed the delegates, many of whom had travelled long distances and who would help refine the policies for the future of our role in support of their communities and their industry. One role of the conference is to have a role at national and international as well as regional level across all sectors of the fishing and acquaculture industry for the benefit of coastal communities. The following day, Breda Raggett, the National President of the I.C.A. would join the conference and it is intended that Mná na Mara network very closely with the I.C.A. in the future. Margaret explained that she and Peggy O'Neill, Castletownbere would be attending a conference on the Role of Women in the Fisheries Sector, to be held in Brussels on 23/24th January. This was being organised by the EU Commission and it was hoped that it would further expand their networking structure. Richard McCormick,
B.I.M. thanked Mná na Mara and
said that he was delighted to be assisting them in their inaugural
conference. He outlined his role in B.I.M. and also the whole
organisational structure of the company. 47% of the staff
were female, all professional, competant and confident individuals in
their line of work. He advised that each and every one of them
were only a phone call away to assist anyone with any query and
encouraged this to be done by the delagates. He then went on
to show how B.I.M. have a regional presence and showed where their
centres were based. A lot of their employees are operating in
theses and other ports in Ireland. Training was a major role of
B.I.M. and he outlined the various courses on offer. All these
could be got from their website: www.bim.ie
Another website which may be of interest was www.careersworld.com
He then went on to introduce the personnel who would be doing a
presentation on their role in B.I.M to the delegates. They
were: During the afternoon, Avril Doyle, Leinster M.E.P. attended the conference, equally attentive with the delegates with the various presentations. However, due to pressure of work and futher meetings she had to leave before they were finished. She spoke briefly to the conference, stating that the meeting she was about to go to was indeed about the fishing industry and that she would work diligently on its behalf. My interpretation of what she stated about an internal memo that was circulated to all members of the EU Parliament was that the 'Irish Box' situation was lost to the Irish in that we could not limit the access to 40 boats. However, the good news was that the scientific studies have proven that conservation measures must be taken in this area to protect the future stock and that all boats would have to comply with this regulation. Also during the afternoon, Tom McSweeney of R.T.E. arrived to interview Margaret Downey-Harrington and Rosemary O'Driscoll on the various aspects of the conference As the conference wound up for the evening, all delegates mingled together over a meal and later on over a drink (or 2) - some into the early hours of the morning. It was a chance for everyone to get to know one another and it worked splendidly. Carmel Keating, Kilmore Quay, kept everyone entertained with her guitar playing - while everyone else joined in the sing-song to round off the day. Next morning, Margaret Downey-Harrington again welcomed everyone back and outlined the morning schedule. She again thanked Richard McCormick and B.I.M for all their assistance in setting up this conference. Even though everyone could not be here on the days, there was tremendous support on the ground and this was very encouraging. She introduce the delegates to Rosemary O'Driscoll, Chairperson, and Mary O'Connor, Secretary, Mna na Mara, Castletownbere who would take it from there. Rosemary welcomed everyone and outlined that Mna na Mara was open to everyone involved in anyway in the Marine Sector - be it Fishing, Aquaculture, Chandlery, Shipping etc. etc. and encouraged everyone there to get more and more people involved in their areas. The main aspect of this inaugural conference was to set up a National Executive - representing all the ports and area of Ireland. The people selected on the day were Margaret Downey-Harrington, Castletownbere; Sheila White, New Ross; Veronica (Vonnie) Flannery, Dingle; Nora Deasy, Union Hall; Bríd Duff-Duncan, Loughshinny, Co. Dublin; and Mary O'Neill, Arklow. These are to link up with areas who could not be present on the day - such as Donegal and Galway - and they would form their own officers in due course. This was a monumental step forward for the Mná na Mara organisations dotted around the coastline. The speakers for the conference were Ned Dillon, Coxwain of Arklow R.N.L.I. Lifeboat; who spoke on the workings of the voluntary organisation and the safety aspect of going to sea. Brian Williams, Manager, Bank of Ireland, who spoke on what to do in a situation when money is tight due to weather, markets etc. and also on pensions. Bríd Raggert, President of the I.C.A., who outlined what her organisation was all about. They had 18,000 members and over 1,000 guilds all over the country - whom many people there were also involved in. She stated that in many ways Mná na Mara would be similar in that it was involving women in Rural Ireland. She stressed that An Grianán - the adult education centre was there for everone. They had a counselling service available for everyone - 1850 652-652 and she looked forward to working closely with the group(s) in the future. The final speaker of the conference, Carmel Currid, a widow and founder of the organisation of L.O.S.T. (Loved Ones of Sea Tragedies) spoke on her situation and how when her husband life was tragically lost off Howth in 1995. There was nobody/organisation to take her through the mountains of paper work she had to go through, Social Welfare, Insurance, Banks etc., never mind the emotional and psychological side of what she was experiencing. The organisation she set up - L.O.S.T. got tremendous private and public support and anyone wishing to avail of the service can contact them at: (051) 561 811 - 24 hrs. or by emailing lost@eircom.net The end of the inaugural Mná na Mara Conference was now over and goodbyes were said and everyone was looking forward to the next one. Well done to all who organised the event - which was a tremendous success. Click here to view some Photos taken during the Conference (and after) - |
|
