At the invitation of the Lord Speaker, Lord McFall, Senator Jerry Buttimer becomes the first elected office-holder from the Houses of the Oireachtas to attend the ceremonial event that formally marks the beginning of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
The Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, stated:
Ireland is one of the United Kingdom’s best friends and allies, and Senator Buttimer’s visit is a fitting symbol of that close relationship and of the co-operation between our parliaments. I was given a very gracious reception when I visited Dublin to address the Seanad in October 2022, and I am sure that Senator Buttimer will receive an equally warm welcome in Westminster.
In visiting Leinster House and addressing the Seanad, the Lord Speaker spoke to issues including the centenary of the first sitting of Seanad Éireann, the hope of continued and enhanced co-operation between the Seanad and the House of Lords and the question of the Northern Ireland protocol.. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was also recently in Ireland to attend the Speakers of the Isles, hosted by the Ceann Comhairle in County Kildare in summer 2023.
The Cathaoirleach and the Lord Speaker, Lord McFall.
© House of Lords, House of Commons.
In advance of the visit, Senator Buttimer said “As we celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, my visit today builds on the foundations laid by taoisigh, prime ministers, President Robinson, President McAleese, President Higgins, the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles to grow the bonds between Ireland and Britain”.
The Cathaoirleach's visit also saw him meet UK members of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and House of Lords members with an interest in LGBTQI+ issues.
All images © House of Commons, House of Lords