Notable Speakers
U.S. Congressman Richard Neal
As part of the 100th anniversary of Seanad Éireann, Senator Daly welcomed Congressman Richard Neal, the first ever Member of the United States Congress to address this House in our 100-year history.
Congressman Neal and many others were involved in the search for peace long before the Good Friday Agreement. He was involved in the search for peace when it was unimaginable. Congressman Neal's involvement and contribution have not only been extraordinary, they have been vital.
In his position as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, the committee which will decide any future trade agreement between the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Congressman Neal has been consistent in telling the UK Government that there will be no trade agreement between the United States and the UK if anything the British do undermines the Good Friday Agreement or the peace process on this island.
Congressman Neal and many others were involved in the search for peace long before the Good Friday Agreement. He was involved in the search for peace when it was unimaginable. Congressman Neal's involvement and contribution have not only been extraordinary, they have been vital.
In his position as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, the committee which will decide any future trade agreement between the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Congressman Neal has been consistent in telling the UK Government that there will be no trade agreement between the United States and the UK if anything the British do undermines the Good Friday Agreement or the peace process on this island.
Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord John McFall
Senator Daly welcomed the Lord Speaker of the House Lords, The Right Honourable Lord John McFall of Alcluith to address the Seanad in its centenary year, on the occasion of the Lord Speaker’s first official visit to Ireland.
Lord McFall was serving in Northern Ireland at the time of the 1998 Real IRA massacre. He has previously said that his work as a junior Northern Ireland minister in the aftermath of the car bomb in Omagh that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, was his most significant political contribution.
Senator Daly and Lord Speaker discussed the shared revising and scrutiny role of their two Chambers and how members of both Parliaments can work together on issues of common interest.
Senator Daly said “It is a privilege to welcome the Lord Speaker to the Seanad on his first official trip to Ireland. Lord McFall has spoken in the past about why the human element of politics is so important and how the impact of the Omagh bombing was a searing experience for him. Our shared horror, helplessness and heartache at the atrocity in Omagh is a foundation stone of our positive and respectful relationship. This visit by Lord McFall presents us with a significant opportunity to reflect on the importance of our relationship.”
Lord McFall was serving in Northern Ireland at the time of the 1998 Real IRA massacre. He has previously said that his work as a junior Northern Ireland minister in the aftermath of the car bomb in Omagh that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, was his most significant political contribution.
Senator Daly and Lord Speaker discussed the shared revising and scrutiny role of their two Chambers and how members of both Parliaments can work together on issues of common interest.
Senator Daly said “It is a privilege to welcome the Lord Speaker to the Seanad on his first official trip to Ireland. Lord McFall has spoken in the past about why the human element of politics is so important and how the impact of the Omagh bombing was a searing experience for him. Our shared horror, helplessness and heartache at the atrocity in Omagh is a foundation stone of our positive and respectful relationship. This visit by Lord McFall presents us with a significant opportunity to reflect on the importance of our relationship.”
Linda Ervine MBE
Linda Ervine is the Manager of the Turas Irish Language Project at the East Belfast Mission and President of East Belfast GAA.
She has almost single-handedly untapped and awakened a little-talked-about interest among the Protestant community to learn Gaelic.
Senator Mark Daly said: “I am delighted that Linda Ervine has accepted the invitation to address Seanad Éireann as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge. I am a great advocate for how language and culture can deepen our connections throughout this island. Linda has been a stalwart in her community in east Belfast, promoting the Irish language to connect people from traditionally Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist communities with their own history."
"My aim is to connect people from Protestant communities to their own history with the Irish language. And to make them understand that learning or speaking Irish is certainly no threat to British identity... Its origins show that it was historically spoken by huge numbers of Protestants across Ulster and in Scotland," said Ervine
She has almost single-handedly untapped and awakened a little-talked-about interest among the Protestant community to learn Gaelic.
Senator Mark Daly said: “I am delighted that Linda Ervine has accepted the invitation to address Seanad Éireann as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge. I am a great advocate for how language and culture can deepen our connections throughout this island. Linda has been a stalwart in her community in east Belfast, promoting the Irish language to connect people from traditionally Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist communities with their own history."
"My aim is to connect people from Protestant communities to their own history with the Irish language. And to make them understand that learning or speaking Irish is certainly no threat to British identity... Its origins show that it was historically spoken by huge numbers of Protestants across Ulster and in Scotland," said Ervine