Speech of Minister Noel Dempsey
on the occasion Of The 25th Anniversary Clebration Of Anthony Reddy Associates

Thursday 13 September 2007, National Gallery, Dublin

I am genuinely delighted to be here to pay tribute to Anthony Reddy Associates and to Tony Reddy in particular.  I intend to keep this speech short because I have no desire to get between you and a good party!

Tonight’s event is not just a celebration of  25 years of successful operations. It’s a celebration of courage and vision. The courage of a young man, at a time of deep recession, to take the plunge and to start his own business. Tony set out to make his mark.

In 1982 when this company was founded Ireland was a very different place. For those in their mid to late twenties today its hard for them to imagine how things used to be. Unemployment and emigration were rife and the economy languished in the doldrums. We were very much the poor relation in Europe.  It took a very brave entrepreneur to take the plunge back then.

That courage was well rewarded and the business has flourished - with over 200 staff and offices across the country offering a wide range of client based services. Tony, you have established a growing reputation for the quality of your design work and your management of complex building projects. 

The very big turn out here this evening to help you mark this important occasion is a reflection of the standing of Anthony Reddy Associates amongst its peers.

I said at the outset that I am genuinely delighted to be here. That’s because of the role that Tony has played in shaping the architecture of modern Ireland. While we were contemporaries at UCD it wasn’t until I became Minister for the Environment and Local Government in 1997 that out paths properly crossed. At that time a housing crisis loomed  - demand exceeded supply and zoned serviced land was very scarce. Those issues had to be addressed by Government. 

Part of the solution had to be increased residential densities in urban areas. Tony was one of the key influencers of my thinking in relation to planning and development, urban design and architecture at that time.

His mantra that increased densities did not have to compromise quality and good architecture convinced me to move in that direction.

The display here this evening of examples of your work over the past 25 years in operation is fascinating. It demonstrates how architecture has evolved in Ireland over the years and it’s a strong pictorial record of the company’s achievements to date and the truth of that mantra.

Finally I want to pay tribute to Tony Reddy himself. Not just for starting such as successful business but also for the time and energy he has devoted to public service through his work as President of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, President of the Architectural Institute of Ireland, Director of the Academy of Urbansim, founder and active member of the Urban Forum and as a member and former joint chairman of the sustainable housing communities committee - to name but a few.

I know from experience that Tony has a real passion for good urban design, for sustainable communities and for ensuring that architecture plays its role in enhancing the quality of life for all of us.

Tony, I wish you and your talented team every success in the future and a sincere congratulations on your past.

Thank you (and enjoy the party!)

Click here to download this speech in .PDF Format

 

top of page ^