WRDTF logo description

The flower of the Marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus, Mórán réisc) is presented as a symbol of life, health, hope, protection, continuity, regeneration and the West of Ireland.

This rare and vulnerable perennial plant is now threatened throughout its international range. Also found in the Caucasus and the Himalayas, it is declining throughout much of Europe. It is protected by Irish law under the Flora Protection Order 1999, and is listed under Annex II of the European Habitats Directive, which identifies species whose preservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation. In the Republic of Ireland it is confined in its distribution to the blanket bogs of north-west County Mayo, and so is unique to the area served by the Western Region Drugs Task Force (WRDTF). It thus 'belongs' to the West, as well as being of wider national and international concern.

While the flower itself has been adopted as the WRDTF's emblem, its stylised depiction in our logo represents our innovative approach to tackling the issues that need addressing in our region. The integration of abstract figures into the design is intended to represent the communities and individuals that the Task Force engages with (representatives and staff of statutory & voluntary organisations, community groups, service users, the social partners and the general public) and also to illustrate the principles of partnership, cooperation and integration that are at the core of the WRDTF's policies and programmes.

Saxifraga hirculus has also been used in Tibetan and Mongolian traditional medicine and is therefore a reminder that plants, their derivatives and other substances may have helpful or harmful properties, depending on how they are used or misused. The colour symbolism/psychology of the logo also reflects this duality or contradiction. The positive characteristics associated with yellow include optimism, confidence, self-esteem, extraversion, emotional strength, friendliness and creativity. Its negative connotations include irrationality, fear, emotional fragility, depression and anxiety.

The adoption by the WRDTF of the Marsh Saxifrage as its symbol illustrates the agency's commitment to the region and highlights its contribution to the common good and to the protection and promotion of wellbeing in its broadest sense.