Seanad debates

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

11:30 am

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have had an interesting two days in Westminster and I attended the vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons last night. Senator McDowell was right in saying that what is now needed is bit of space, time and reflection. I attended an event called Champ, of which I am a patron, in Westminster yesterday. It has brought politicians together for the past 29 to 30 years in a space in Westminster. Whatever happens, we must work as hard as possible to ensure there are lines of co-operation, communications and friendships between the UK and the EU and between Ireland and the UK. Now more than ever that is what is needed.

Members will be aware that I am an advocate of Ireland having closer associations with the Commonwealth. I was a guest at the Commonwealth service in Westminster Abbey on Monday, and I reiterate that 32 of the 53 member countries are republics. It is a voluntary association of 53 independent sovereign states. It is the Commonwealth of Nations, not the British Commonwealth. Now more than ever we should get over our hang-ups and look at more associations. India, Pakistan and Cyprus are independent states and we can also look to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Seventy percent of the people born on the island of Ireland residing overseas reside in Commonwealth countries. From legal, educational, sporting, cultural and political perspectives, we have major associations with them but we have a hang-up because we think of the Commonwealth as the British Commonwealth. While "God Save the Queen" was being sung, I looked at the people seated across from me, many of whom were from those nations I mentioned, and they were not singing "God Save the Queen" because the Queen is not their monarch. I wanted to outline that. We need to have a serious robust debate about that.

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