Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tomorrow we have a truly historic event taking place in the sporting and cultural history of this country. For the first time in 137 years of the GAA, an overseas candidate will become president with the elevation of Larry McCarthy from New York. It will be a unique day in many respects. First, like everything in this country, the GAA congress, which convened this morning, is taking place remotely. The conference room in the Hogan Stand will not have the usual hustle and bustle of delegates from all over Ireland, London and New York. It will be an extra special day for president-elect Larry McCarthy and all the membership of the GAA because his election shows how the diaspora of Ireland is being represented in the highest office in the premier sporting organisation of this country. He will give voice to many millions of Irish living not just in America but across the globe and many people will take great joy and solace from this tomorrow.

I have spoken about the GAA on many occasions in this Chamber because it represents far more than just a sporting organisation. It has a rich cultural programme that promotes Irish culture through its Scór programme. The museum at Croke Park has a team that works closely on the history of this country, as evidenced by their new exhibition detailing and remembering Bloody Sunday and the events of November 1920.

In Larry McCarthy, the association has a president who will speak for Irish people not just here but across the globe where GAA is played, from Navan to Dubai. His personal experience as an emigrant will give new voice to those abroad. Accordingly, I propose that this House extend an invitation to the new president to address the Chamber as the first overseas president of the GAA so those experiences and, most important, the plans for how he intends linking our extensive diaspora will be expressed by the new president. I do so in accordance with section 57 of the Standing Orders and will seek a recommendation of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight and the leave of this House that a person from public and civic life may be heard in the Seanad. Larry McCarthy sold programmes as a boy at county championship matches in the old Athletic Grounds, or Páirc Uí Chaoimh as we know it now, and now stands set to become president of the largest sporting organisation in Ireland. As a proud member of the GAA, I wish him well.