Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the success of the incorporation of the Orange Order march in Donegal last Saturday into The Gathering and the success of the event. The Grand Master of the Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, told the crowd it was "extremely pleasing" the authorities in the Republic had incorporated the Rossnowlagh event into The Gathering. I gather it is the first time it has happened and the occasion was extremely successful. Mr. Stevenson went on to say: "We trust those in the corridors of power in Dublin will continue to recognise and value the contribution of the minority Protestant community to the wider society in the Republic of Ireland." This is an opportunity to commend the Leader who brought those leaders to this House and created the atmosphere that has been so improved upon by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan. This is something we should continue.

I have just received a copy of Dr. Pauline Holland's history of east Donegal. She says it is the only part of Ireland where three national languages are spoken, Irish, Ulster-Scots and English. The purpose of the book and its associated art project is to advance the peace process by bringing these languages and their associated cultures in contact with each other. The EU is involved through the PEACE programme and so is Donegal County Council. Members of the Assembly in Belfast, on both the Unionist side last week and the Nationalist side today, have again asked that we not persist with the abolition of this House, because it is a way in which people in Northern Ireland participate in the Oireachtas. Even at this late stage I ask the Leader to communicate that to the Taoiseach. Is it an unwitting or unintended consequence that at a time the Leader of the House and the people in Donegal are so successfully promoting better relations, we are cutting asunder people whose help and support we need to make this a better island?