Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The normal parliamentary functions of any democracy are not stunts or cynical. They are entirely appropriate and it is entirely within the right of the Opposition to move a motion of no confidence, not least when Government parties lose their majority.

On Saturday morning I had a fantastic visit to Davitts Gaelic Athletic Club, just off the Falls Road, to mark the celebrations for Eid. It was the first large-scale outdoor celebration of Eid in the North. It came off the back of the unfortunate arson attack carried out against the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association's centre in April of this year. I was joined on that visit by the First Minister designate, Michelle O'Neill, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tina Black and the MP for the area, Paul Maskey. It was great to see an event that was so welcoming, diverse, warm and positive coming from an incident of such intolerance and hatred. I commend the organisers from the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association and Davitts Gaelic Athletic Club. Whether at a venue like Davitts where hundreds of people could gather or in other iconic venues and locations like Croke Park, it is fantastic to see the GAA open up its facilities for celebrations of our diversity and all the richness and benefits that brings. Long may it continue and more power to their elbow going forward.

We all know of the strength and leadership many of our Gaels show in communities across the country and in an ever-growing number of clubs around the world. I welcome the Gaels le Chéile initiative. Since May 2021, more than 12,000 Gaels have signed a letter calling on An Taoiseach to prepare for constitutional change. That momentum is building and growing all the time. I commend the Gaels involved with that initiative. For any Gaels in this House who want to add their voice and their signature to that letter, they can do so by visiting gaelslettertotaoiseach.ie. I encourage everyone and anyone to be part of that positive initiative and encourage An Taoiseach to lead the charge and fulfil his constitutional and, indeed, party poltiical obligations to ensure we have a positive conversation, plan and engagement on constitutional change.