Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach agus cuirim mo dhea-mhéin chuige as ucht a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach an Tí seo. This is an historic occasion for him and for this House. I do not believe I am breaking any confidences in revealing that he has sought support widely among Members in his determination to become its Cathaoirleach. It is important to remember that he told many Members that he was in the business of reforming the House. He has given that commitment and I hope he does not mind me saying that we will hold him to it over his term of office, however long that might be.

My family, like the Cathaoirleach's, has Civil War scars. In these years of celebrating centenaries, it is important that we, as a political community, approach the commemoration and remembrance of all those who gave their lives for what they believed in, on all sides, with tolerance and mutual understanding. I know that the Cathaoirleach is committed to exercising that value.

I will say one thing, if I may, which I hope will not be too controversial. With his Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, the Cathaoirleach has attempted to help every Irish school understand the national flag, the Tricolour, which is mentioned in the Constitution. I wholly endorse his efforts in that regard. It is very important that we understand where our flag comes from and what it represents. As a republican who believes in a united Ireland, I believe we should take a look at the Tricolour that stands beside the Cathaoirleach and remember that there are three panels on it, one of which is the orange colour. That means something. I mention that for a reason. In the run-up to this Government's formation - and I wish the Members of this Government well in everything they do - the Irish people were led to believe that a place among the Taoiseach's 11 nominees would be reserved for a representative from the Northern Irish community. It was widely understood that this person would be a representative of the unionist tradition in Northern Ireland. Without being negative or unfair to anybody here, and while congratulating the 11 nominees of the Taoiseach on their appointment to the House, it is a matter of grave regret to me that the commitment which was given to the public was effectively torn up.

The former Senator, Ian Marshall, served in this House for two years at the joint invitation of the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil parties. He was a representative and a voice for unionism in Seanad Éireann. I deeply regret that his voice is no longer to be heard in this Chamber. It could have been different. I myself appealed to the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael not to make the decisions they have apparently made. The Taoiseach and the leader of the Fine Gael party have spoken about leaving no one behind in their nominations to this House, but there are 900,000 people on this island with whom we seek reconciliation. I will not put it more strongly than saying that it was a slap in the face to the former Senator not to be reappointed to the House. It was a slap in the face for moderate unionism that he was not reappointed. It was God's gift to immoderate and extreme unionists for a person to be abused in the way he was. He was invited to come South and showed the courage to participate in our affairs only to find himself expendable in the most shameful of circumstances. I hope the Cathaoirleach does not mind me saying these things but I feel very passionately about them. I met the former Senator today and I felt that I had to say what I have said.

The former Senator, Billy Lawless, will also be disappointed that he was not nominated again to serve the diaspora. I pay tribute to his efforts and those of the former Senator, Ian Marshall, to progress Ireland's interests as an island from their different perspectives. I know the Cathaoirleach is also personally committed to serving the diaspora, as Billy Lawless did so effectively.

To conclude, I welcome the Cathaoirleach to the Chair and congratulate him on his energy, enthusiasm and relentless pursuit of the things that interest him in Irish politics. As an Independent Member of this House - and I believe I speak for most of my Independent colleagues - I wish him every success as Cathaoirleach. I join in the great pride he and his family must feel on his achieving this great constitutional office.