Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Agus mé ag éirí don Ord Gnó inniu, ar dtús báire ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a sheoladh le huachtarán nuathofa an Chumainn Lúthchleas Gael, Iarlaith Ó Broin, as Contae Ard Mhacha. Guím gach rath ar a théarma oifige. Táim ag súil go mór leis an téarma sin agus a bheith ag obair leis, go háirithe maidir le cúrsaí na nGael sna Sé Chontae, ábhar dár ndóigh a bhfuil sárthuiscint aige fá dtaobh de. I congratulate Silverbridge Gaelic Football Club and County Armagh's Jarlath Burns on his election as the president of the GAA. I look forward to what I believe will be a very positive term in office for him and wish him every success.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the launch of this year's programme for Féile an Earraigh in Belfast. The festival is Féile an Phobail’s younger sibling festival. Féile an Phobail will celebrate its 35th anniversary in August and Féile an Earraigh, although younger, is no less impressive. This year, Féile an Earraigh will have over 300 events which will take place from 1 to 19 March. Centred in Féile an Earraigh is a celebration of the return of spring and of St. Patrick's Day. The festival is a celebration of Irish traditional music, dance, culture and language. The launch was a really positive experience. The festival was launched by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, who is Councillor Tina Black, and Mr. Liam Hannaway, who is chairperson of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Mr. Hannaway outlined a positive vision. I am old enough to remember when there was nothing in Belfast on St. Patrick's Day. It is a positive step forward now to have over 300 cultural events taking place that stretch across all corners of the city, including all communities. In celebrating all of our diversity and difference, the festival is centred on our shared heritage, language, culture and music.

I was encouraged to learn that Féile an Earraigh will showcase Ireland's biggest traditional music trail and thus the vibrancy of the traditional music scene in the city. I believe it is fair to say that the traditional music scene in Belfast is the envy of many cities and towns across Ireland, as is the effort by cultural, arts and music groups in Belfast to bring Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to the city. Given that none of us as Senators have constituencies and none of us are a bit parochial, I am sure that as the bid develops and grows Senators will back it. I am sure the Seanad will get enthusiastically behind the bid by Féile an Phobail, Belfast City Council and all the partner organisations to attract the fleadh cheoil. These organisations will make sure it is a real boost for Ireland's second city. I commend the director of Féile an Phobail, Mr. Kevin Gamble, and his team of volunteers who deliver this programme each and every year. It is a great event. I hope Senators will visit Belfast city between 1 and 19 March.