Cork RTAI Summer Meeting, 16 th June 2023
Billy became our General Secretary in late 2015 and when he finally leaves us in a few
weeks’ time, he will leave behind a legacy that will stand the test of time, with some notable
landmarks along the way of our combined journey in the intervening years.
RTAI, as you well know, has both a local and national dimension. It is fair to say, however,
that we are basically a social organisation. At local level our collegiate spirit is best
evidenced in the plethora of activities undertaken at Branch level and appropriately
supported by Billy, the NEC and HO. In that regard, our own Cork Branch can indeed be
proud of the great range of diverse activities it provides for its members. At national level,
pension and related issues that impact on our lives are always to the forefront, and again
Billy has cultivated excellent supportive relationships with kindred organisations, very
particularly the INTO. Delivering on Benchmarking and enshrining the principle of Parity in
Building Momentum is proof of your success in that sphere of influence.
Comhnasc is the constant ongoing link for all our members, and especially for those
members who because of age, ill health or other factors have had to, or may have to in the
future, curtail their activities. Particularly during the Covid period, Comhnasc was
undoubtedly that essential and enduring link. As editor, you have transformed Comhnasc
into an interesting, informative and well-produced magazine covering a wide range and
variety of topics and issues. It is now a must read document for all our members as there is
“something in it for everybody in the audience”.
A considerable amount of Billy’s work is unheralded and done behind the scenes, especially
when it comes to dealing with members’ queries, which are varied, sometimes quite
complex and often occur when members are in difficult or distressing situations. Billy has
dealt with them all in a discreet and thoroughly professional manner, displaying great skill
and consummate expertise, and with understanding, compassion and empathy.
RTAI’s flagship event is our annual National Convention. Business there has been
conducted in a calm environment and in a dignified and productive manner. This however
doesn’t happen by chance, but as a result of Billy’s painstaking work in laying the
groundwork. His foresight, his attention to detail, his clear thinking, his meticulous
preparation and planning has enabled him to deliver these effective Conventions.
His main interaction with our general membership – and indeed with you, the members of
Cork Branch – has been at either the Summer or Annual General meetings. Indeed it is fair
to say that he is usually the star attraction. His delivery of information and bringing
members up to date with unfolding events was the highlight of many a meeting. During the
early years of his term of office, the message that he brought might not have been that
encouraging due to the financial crash of well over a decade ago and its consequent negative
impact. Thankfully in the recent past he has been in a position to deliver some more positive
and uplifting news. Billy, I think that you have attended all our Summer meetings since your
appointment. And it is indeed significant, and indeed appropriate on the occasion of your
last official visit to Cork, that today’s attendance is our highest ever at almost 130.
During his stewardship, membership has steadily but surely increased, with the magical
10,000 mark being passed in 2018, and we have recently passed a new benchmark figure of
10,500. His grasp and control of the Organisation’s finances has been exemplary. And all the
more so noteworthy, when we take into account his constant advice and compelling
exhortation to Branches and Officers “to spend our money on the members” while at the
same time maintaining a healthy surplus for the “rainy day”.
It was no surprise that shortly after taking office he set about putting RTAI on a sound
legislative basis. His efforts in this regard were brought to a successful conclusion when
RTAI was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Members can now be assured
that the highest standard of corporate governance and due diligence is guaranteed, and
members undertaking various activities do so, confident in the knowledge and certainty that
any ensuing liability that might arise is fully covered.
Billy’s initiative in organising a Branch Secretaries’ Conference – now an annual and
unmissable event in the RTAI calendar – was innovative, visionary and transformative. This
was not an attempt to impose a rigid uniformity on all 32 Branches of the RTAI – we all
appreciate how each Branch values its own uniqueness and individuality, and none more so
than here in Cork! Rather was it a genuine undertaking to highlight and portray some good
practices already taking place in Branches throughout the country. And not only that but it
was an acknowledgement of and a re-affirmation for Branch Secretaries, of the pivotal role
they play in our organisation. Marian O’Callaghan, when Secretary, was one of the keynote
speakers at one of those Conferences – a testament to the high regard in which the Cork
Branch is held nationally and a welcome acknowledgement for our Branch Committee of its
work ethic and organisational expertise. Indeed Billy, the Branch Secretaries’ Conference is
probably your greatest achievement, an enduring legacy of which you can justifiably feel
very proud.
On a personal level, it was a privilege to serve as District 4 representative (for Cork and
Iarchorcaí) on the NEC since 2016 and it was a special honour to be national President last
year. That role afforded me the unique opportunity to see you at your best and I want to
thank you for your friendship, support and co-operation. Your courtesy, your
approachability and your genuine concern for the well-being of all our members are the
hallmarks of your tenure.
I know that it is often said, but it was never more true – You will be a hard act to follow
Billy, is duine den scoth thú. Léirigh tú féith na hoibre agus féith na maitheasa i ngach a
rinne tú. Ba léir go raibh fuinneamh, críochnúlact agus críonnacht i ngach gné ded’ shaothar
agus chuaigh sin i bhfeidhm orainn go léir go raibh sé de phribhléid againn bualadh leat agus
obair leat. Tá cineáltacht, cneastacht, ionrachas agus uaisleacht go smior ionat.
Bhi an t-ádh dearg linn san RTAI gur tháinig tú in ár dtreo. Brathfaimid uainn thú ach bí
cinnte go bhfuil do oidhreacht slán agus buan. Sin uilig ráite, táimid buíoch go bhfuil an
chéim seo id’ shaol shroichte agat, go bhfuil an sprioc a bhí id’aigne slánaithe agat agus tú
fós i mbárr na sláinte agus i mbláth na h-óige. ’Sé ár nguí go mbeidh an dea-shláinte, neart
agus díograis agat chun pé tionscanamh atá ar intinn agat amach anseo a chómhlíonadh agus
a thabhairt chun críche. Beidh an sos tuilte agat.
Ar mo shon féin, thar ceann ár gCoisde Craoibhe, ar son gach ball den RTAI scaipithe ar fud
an Chontae, agus go h-áirithe ar bhúr son – na daoine atá i láthair anseo inniu – míle mile
buíochas as gach atá deanta agat dúinn.
Fad saoil chugat agus go maire tú an céad.
Pádraig Ó Conaill
Thanks to Seán Radley for the photographs
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