Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Independent Group, I welcome Lord McFall, whom I met last night. I thank him for hosting that wonderful lunch at the pavilion at the Palace of Westminster for the members of the British-Irish Parliamentary Association, BIPA. There are a number of BIPA members here today. It is a very important organisation. I thank Lord McFall for visiting in this important year for us, the centenary of the Seanad. Ireland and the UK both operate a bicameral parliamentary system and, therefore, we understand the checks and balances and tensions, at times, there can be in a bicameral parliamentary system, but it is a good system.

I was conscious, both last night and when I spoke to him at the Palace of Westminster, that Lord McFall of Alcluith had an unusual entry into politics, having studied chemistry and been a teacher of maths. He left school as a young teenager, in what were difficult times for him, but he had a social conscience and a concern for welfare and equality issues that drove and motivated him. He has weaved those convictions through every aspect of his life and that is quite outstanding. He took an unusual route into politics and little could he have known at 15 years old that not only would he be elected as first speaker of the House of Lords but that he would one day address the Irish Parliament.Our Leader has touched on the significance of the Lord Speaker being Scottish. There are also Welsh people. There are a lot of commonalities across these islands. We have a shared interest in culture and history and shared experiences, which must never be forgotten. I thank him. Lord McFall of Alcluith put great emphasis on language. Friendships and relationships are important. So are words and so is language. Our Leader spoke about Queen Elizabeth and the famous speech she gave when she came to Dublin Castle in which she spoke a few words of Irish. Last Friday, the select committee addressed the constitutional debate on the island of Ireland in this Chamber. The Rev. Kyle Paisley opened by speaking and acknowledging the Cathaoirleach as Gaeilge. That was profound. They were simple words. It is really important. Language is important. It also shows an understanding and respect for that difference. We do not have to oppose each other. We have uniquenesses and differences but we also have many shared objectives, issues and experiences. I know the Lord Speaker is committed to building on that friendship and that partnership.

As I said, he hosted that reception for the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, BIPA. I acknowledge the importance of that assembly. As Lord McFall of Alcluith rightly said, it is the only assembly of parliaments across these islands that meets on a regular basis. I will make an ask of him. When he goes back to the Westminster, I ask him to use his power and influence to see how we can expand the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and continue to build on those relationships. I acknowledge and thank Lord Alf Dubs. The Lord Speaker spoke about friendship. Lord Dubs is a great colleague of his and a great friend to Ireland. I also acknowledge Deputy Feighan, the Minister of State, and Deputy Brendan Smith, the co-chair of BIPA, as champions. They have done great work in building relationships, friendships and shared experiences between the islands.

To touch on what Senator Chambers said, I acknowledge the British Embassy officials here today and their sterling work. I acknowledge the important work of the British and Irish Embassies and their staff as well as the sensitivities around diplomacy in the diplomatic missions and the work they undertake. I have no doubt that we are in good stead with their quiet work, which paves the way for negotiations and meaningful discussions between these islands. Peace, reconciliation and prosperity on the island of Ireland is important. I acknowledge and thank the Taoiseach for his shared island initiative. We do not need to keep waiting for change. We need to talk now, today, next week, next month and next year about what we can do to share respect and to continue building our relationships. I say to the people of Scotland and Wales who are also seeking their identity that they should acknowledge that. I hope we can work collectively in the short term through our work in BIPA. I ask the Lord Speaker to use his good strong influence and the respect he commands within the Palace of Westminster to explore how we can continue to develop BIPA.