Cathaoirleach to attend State Opening of Parliament in Westminster at invitation of Lord McFall, Speaker of the House of Lords

The Cathaoirleach has accepted an invitation from the Lord Speaker, Lord McFall, to hear King Charles III formally open the new session of the Houses of Parliament.

The Cathaoirleach said: “I am delighted to accept this invitation from my friend the Lord Speaker to represent the Houses of the Oireachtas at the State Opening of Parliament by His Majesty, King Charles.

“My presence at Westminster today as the first elected office-holder from the Oireachtas to attend the King’s Speech is another milestone in the important friendship between our two countries and the strong relationship between our parliaments.

“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.

“It follows recent visits to Ireland and the Oireachtas by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the Commons, and Lord McFall for meetings with the Ceann Comhairle and myself.

“I also look forward to meeting parliamentary colleagues from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, in particular the Northern Ireland peers as we all share a common goal in building peace, understanding and tolerance across our island.”

The Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith said: “I am delighted that Senator Buttimer is attending the State Opening. He will have the opportunity to watch His Majesty King Charles III deliver his first King’s Speech in the chamber of the House of Lords, and later to see peers open their debate on its content.

“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.”

On arrival at the Palace of Westminster, Senator Buttimer will hold a private meeting with Lord McFall before proceeding to the House of Lords Chamber for the King’s Speech, which will also be attended by Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser.

Following the State Opening of Parliament, the Cathaoirleach will attend a reception hosted by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons.

Lord McFall will then host a lunch for the Cathaoirleach which will be attended by peers from Northern Ireland, including Baroness O’Loan, Baroness Ritchie, Lord Bew, Lord Empey and Lord Hay, Northern Ireland Office Minister Lord Caine and former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Lord Murphy.

The Cathaoirleach will be present for the Lord Speaker’s procession and observe the work of the House of Lords, and will then be given a tour of the Palace of Westminster.

Senator Buttimer will also meet with UK members of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) and House of Lords members with an interest in LGBTQI+ issues, including Lord Cashman.

The Cathaoirleach will be accompanied on his visit by the Clerk of the Seanad, Martin Groves.