IDENTITIES, ESPECIALLY national ones, are social and historical constructions. They are subject to continuous renegotiation, woven from new stories about the sense of ourselves. St Patrick's Day is an occasion for reflecting on the meaning and purpose of Irish identity as it has embraced a more open, inclusive, diverse and prosperous society, compared to previous periods of more inward-looking and homogenised portraits of being Irish. Secular, ethical and religious themes are fused in the new narrative.
Reflections this year must include reference to the consolidation of peace on this island with the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement on its 10th anniversary as well as significant changes in Ireland's economic and social circumstances. St Patrick is a wonderful symbol of reconciliation between North and South, Ireland and Britain, because his life story draws on all these territories and peoples. While he cannot, without a process of distortion, be forced into the mould of contemporary Catholicism or Protestantism, nationalism or unionism, he can be an inspiration for all of them as they each claim a more inclusive sense of Irish allegiance and belonging.
St Patrick has a relevance for an Ireland that is host now to hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers, representing one-tenth of the Republic's population, after a long history of emigration. They have been attracted above all by employment opportunities and potential refugee status. Over the last decade we have had to expand our sense of ourselves to include the prospect that many immigrants from foreign countries will make a home here permanently. Those here for shorter periods are entitled to equal and fair conditions, recognising the great contribution they make to Irish society. We are still learning these lessons, and much progress has been made, despite recurrent prejudice and exploitation. That said, their employment status looks more precarious this year because of the economic downturn.
The same applies to all who work in the Irish economy. Its very openness to global trends has expanded our understanding of the Irish diaspora. Cultivating the diaspora - and seeking to derive maximum benefit from them - has become an essential feature of contemporary political leadership in a smaller and more connected world. That is the justification for despatching Ministers throughout the world this weekend in a representative capacity. We are fortunate to have such an appreciative audience and would be foolish to overlook their cultural and economic potential. If they are neglected they will wither or die.
At the same time, a generation of young people is coming to maturity in this State who have known only the prosperity of recent years. They are heading into harder times, the likes of which they have never experienced before. They may be challenged in their Irishness. They are our future and on St Patrick's Day, our national day, we only hope that they confirm their commitment, in bad and good times, to this State.