Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to take a few moments to address the Chamber. It is an honour and privilege to have been elected to serve in the 25th Seanad. I extend my thanks to the Taoiseach for his invitation to allow my name to go forward as a candidate for this seat and for that vision. I express my gratitude to all the Deputies and Senators across all the parties who backed me and my campaign, to Queen's University for giving me its unconditional support in this venture, and to my wife and family without whose support none of this could have happened.

I also thank the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association for its nomination. I will endeavour to represent its interests and ambitions in Seanad debates and discussions. I will work tirelessly and use my knowledge and expertise to ensure that the agrifood industry is represented and its opinions articulated within this building.

I have been overwhelmed with the support, and the trust and faith Members have placed in me. I will not let them down. I am humbled to be considered worthy enough to sit in this seat, to take this responsibility and to serve in this House as an Independent Senator.

It would be remiss of me not to pay thanks to all those who helped me secure this seat in Leinster House and those in the wider community across Ireland - North and South - and to those individuals in Brussels without whom this would not have been possible.It is a truly historic day, both for this House and for myself. As the first Northern unionist elected to the Seanad to represent the views and opinions of the people of Northern Ireland and to give their perspective, this position carries with it significant responsibility and many challenges, but presents countless opportunities for all concerned. The time is right and public opinion supports this across Northern Ireland and across the Republic of Ireland.

Born in 1865, William Butler Yeats was one of the most famous pillars of Irish and British literature and one of the first Senators in this House in the first Seanad in 1922, serving two terms until 1928. Yeats was acutely aware of the importance of taking action when the time was right when he made the following statement: "Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking." I firmly believe that the time to strike the iron is now. I will strive to add to discussion and debate and to offer a different perspective. Most importantly, I will listen and I will learn, I will offer my opinion and I will respectfully challenge the discussion. My biggest strength is my passion for my work and the industry and the country I represent, and my biggest weakness is my passion for my work and the industry and the country I represent.

Northern Ireland and its relationship with Ireland has changed and is evolving, evidenced notably more than 20 years ago with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. This momentous event in history was celebrated at Queen's University a couple of weeks ago and many of those involved were present at the university, including the Tánaiste, who told the assembled that the Good Friday Agreement is as relevant now as it was then, something which I firmly believe. Thanks to strong leadership in 1998, vision and an appetite to deliver, my children and all the children across Northern Ireland are growing up in a peaceful, progressive, shared society, cognisant of cultures working together for tomorrow.

Many wise words were spoken at Queen's by the assembled dignitaries that day. Bertie Ahern spoke, as did Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and George Mitchell, to name a few. However, the most touching sentiment actually came from an Armagh man who has lived in a village three miles from myself for as long as I can remember. Seamus Mallon was one of the key negotiators of the Good Friday Agreement and was highly respected in political circles. His words that day were so profound that I felt I should visit him after the 20th anniversary event to ask permission to share his words with the Chamber today. He talked of identity in Northern Ireland, whether British or Irish, and the continual struggle of those laying claim to the title or label placed upon the Six Counties. Making reference to competing cultural claims on the land, he said: “I don’t care what they call it, as long as it has one name: home.” It was a truly Heaney-esque quotation and he was correct, because for all of us, irrespective of our culture, it is home. To quote another Member of these Houses, whether one considers oneself Irish or British, both or neither, one should feel comfortable in Northern Ireland.

I had not planned to speak on Brexit as my thoughts are well documented, except to say that, very often in life, you do not know what you have got until it is gone. Europe is not perfect and it has flaws, but to quote one of the panel members in Belfast two weeks ago, leaving is a profound mistake.