Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome my colleague Anthony Lawlor into the Seanad today. He follows in the footsteps of his mother, Senator Patsy Lawlor. I also want to welcome Senator Ian Marshall. On 14 February this year, I spoke in the Seanad Chamber to call for one of the vacant Seanad seats to be filled by a unionist voice from Northern Ireland. I am delighted that my fellow county man is here. The Feighans all come from Cullyhanna in Armagh, only 13 miles from Markethill. We come from different traditions, but we are united in one thing - peace and friendship on the island of Ireland, and indeed between our two islands.

Last night I gave an answer to Lord Kilclooney, who is a colleague of mine in the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. He is formidable and robust. I asked him to withdraw the racist remarks. I believe this is a pattern, but it does not reflect the honourable members of the House of Lords, many of whom come from an Irish tradition, and many of whom have a keen understanding of Brexit, but also huge compassion and generosity towards the island of Ireland.