The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, The Right Honorable Lord John McFall of Alcluith, to address Seanad Éireann

On Wednesday 5th October, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Mark Daly, welcomes the Lord Speaker of the House Lords, The Right Honourable Lord John McFall of Alcluith to address the Seanad in its centenary year, on the occasion of the Lord Speaker’s first official visit to Ireland. The visit will see the Cathaoirleach and Lord Speaker discuss the shared revising and scrutiny role of their two Chambers and how members of both Parliaments can work together on issues of common interest.  

Lord McFall was serving in Northern Ireland at the time of the 1998 Real IRA massacre. He has previously said that his work as a junior Northern Ireland minister in the aftermath of the car bomb in Omagh that killed 29 people was his most significant political contribution.

The Cathaoirleach, Senator Daly said “It is a privilege to welcome the Lord Speaker to the Seanad on his first official trip to Ireland. Lord McFall has spoken in the past about why the human element of politics is so important and how the impact of the Omagh bombing was a searing experience for him. Our shared horror, helplessness and heartache at the atrocity in Omagh is a foundation stone of our positive and respectful relationship. This visit by Lord McFall presents us with a significant opportunity to reflect on the importance of our relationship.”

The Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith said: “The Oireachtas is such an important partner to the UK Parliament, and it is an honour to be addressing the Seanad during my first official visit. My aim is to deepen the friendship and partnership between our two parliaments going forward.”

On his visit Lord McFall of Alcluith will also meet with the Taoiseach, members from the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, members from the Parliamentary Friendship Group, Senators and Government Ministers to discuss a range of issues of common interest.  

The address to Seanad Éireann will be broadcast live at 12.45pm on Oireachtas TV