Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom ár gcomhionannas agus ionadaíocht a ardú ar an Ord Gnó inniu. Technically this Chamber is the Seanad but I appreciate and recognise the important symbolic significance of us being here. In particular, I am very conscious of the significance, personally and politically, for myself as a Belfast man and Senator Elisha McCallion as a proud Derry woman to be taking our seats in this Chamber. On every occasion we have convened as the Twenty-sixth Seanad I have raised the shared Ireland aspect of the programme for Government and I imagine I will raise it many times more in future. On the way to this Chamber, I thought about calling for a debate on and intervention from Ministers on this issue. One of the ways we could embolden and enable the shared island aspect of the programme for Government would be to have a shared Oireachtas, through fulfilling the long-standing promise to give MPs from the North speaking rights in the Dáil. In the context of the crises we all know are facing all of Ireland, whether Covid-19 or Brexit, it would give citizens and non-citizens from the Six Counties a platform for their views, concerns and issues in the Oireachtas. The good practice and very positive experiences of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which has MPs as part of its membership, has shown the way. If we are serious about a shared Ireland and ensuring no one is left behind, a very positive first step would be to have an inclusive Oireachtas to give voice to the political reality. In calling for speaking rights for MPs I do not just call for one particular political demographic. I would like to see all views expressed in this Chamber. This is important, given the controversy that has faced the Government on the failure to appoint a Unionist Member. What better symbol and way to address this snub than to give speaking rights in the Dáil to MPs from the North to ensure in this climate their many constituents are given a voice at such a crucial time for all of us.