THE Co Down-born president of one of Ireland's oldest professional bodies has said we owe it to current and future generations to ensure that political stability and mutual understanding is the norm on this island.
And he urged politicians on both sides of the Irish Sea to "build on the great progress of recent decades" in developing friendly and positive relationships, insisting that "whatever happens, we can't forget what's been achieved".
Feargal McCormack, founder of PKF-FPM in Newry, was addressing a 700-strong audience at the Chartered Accountants Ireland annual dinner, held for the first time in its 130-year historic in Croke Park, which he described as "a very special place, close to my heart, with many great personal memories".
The overarching theme for his presidential year is to be caring and people focused - which in reality means joined-up thinking and caring for members, staff, trainee students and the community.
Parallel to this, he said the CAI's desire was to focus on three priority areas consistent with our 2020 Strategy, namely attracting the brightest and best to be Irish chartered accountants, engaging with members at home and abroad, and being the authoritative public voice of the profession in such areas as Brexit, taxation policy, ethics and governance, and the auditing profession.
"I believe that chartered accountants have an obligation to use their knowledge to help others and to speak out on key issues on behalf of the community.
"One of the greatest strengths of Chartered Accountants Ireland is the breath and diversity of our membership in terms of age and gender, working across industry, the public sector, the not-for-profit sector and practice.
"Today CAI represents 27,000 chartered accountants throughout the island of Ireland and in 93 countries around the globe. Indeed over 4,500 of our members now work and live beyond the island of Ireland."
Indeed recently commissioned Oxford Economics research revealed that the wider accountancy profession contributed €12.9 billion to Ireland’s economy last year and employed 61,200 people.
In a wide-ranging speech to an audience which included GAA president John Horan and former European Parliament president Pat Cox, Mr McCormack said: "Regarding the island of Ireland, it seems we are forever destined to meet in interesting times.
"EU Membership not only transformed the relationship between Britain and Ireland, but created diversity, solidarity and understanding within and between its member states.
"We recently acknowledged the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, which attempted to draw a line under the past, and set a vision for the future, based on partnership, equality and mutual respect.
"For 130 years, Chartered Accountants Ireland members north and south have worked harmoniously together and have established a long-standing reputation for integrity and professionalism. CAI has tried to help its members and the broader community to adapt intelligently and imaginatively to the forces of history and their economic impact
"We have respected the strength of the diversity of culture, between all traditions on this island, and it is appropriate that we continue to do this this evening, highlighting in music the breath and diversity of the pipes and drums of Ireland.
"It's vital we listen and respect different points of view. Compromise for the greater good, must be encouraged, accepted and celebrated in a mature society. We must ensure political stability, and mutual understanding, is the norm, on the island of Ireland."
Mr McCormack - who paid tribute to "my rock and wife of 30-plus years Anne" - said he hoped the uncertainty of Brexit can be resolved shortly.
"But whatever happens, politicians on both sides of the Irish Sea must build on the great progress of recent decades in developing friendly and positive relationships between these closest of neighbours.
"And in so far as Chartered Accountants Ireland can contribute to solving problems in the all-island economy and developing closer mutual respect relationships between the UK, Ireland and Europe, we will do it."
