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IN A HISTORIC first the grand secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge will address the Seanad today, saying this morning that he hopes it is the start of an “increased normalisation of relationships” between people on the whole island of Ireland.
Drew Nelson will address the Seanad at around midday today in what will be the first time that a member of the Orange Order has addressed either the upper or lower house in the Oireachtas.
The invitation was extended to the Unionist leader earlier this month ahead of 1916 rising centenary commemorations in the coming years and will come on foot the historic handshake between Martin McGuinness and Queen Elizabeth in Belfast last week.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning Nelson said that he hoped the address to the Seanad today would “be the start of an increased normalisation of relationships between the two communities and between the different communities on these islands”.
“In particular what I am thankful for is that there is coming into play in mainstream civic society in the Republic a recognition of a value of the minority protestant community,” he added.
Nelson admitted recently that such an invite would have been “unthinkable” up until a few years ago.
This latest development comes on foot of the government’s hope to mark the 100th anniversary of one of the most significant event in its history in a respectful and inclusive way.
Nelson will address the Seanad at around midday today and there will be an opportunity for the five Seanad groups and a Sinn Féin senator to respond.
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Another massive failing of Enda’s reign… The people voted to keep the Seanad so Enda threw all the toys out of the pram and did nothing to reform it.
The people voted to keep the Seanad to spite Enda.
Yeah… That’s why he’s been such a baby about it,
that is reverse psychology at its best !!!
Enda never promised reform – the people who wanted to retain it did. Was it 1979 the referendum was passed to expand it to a greater electorate?
I know I did.
I voted for reform, Enda had absolutely nothing to do with my decision.
I believe we need two Houses as a “check and balance” but I want to see voting opened to more people and reduce then number of party appointments.
And I suspect if you asked most who voted to retain they’d have the same reasons.
How does the Seanad provide a “check and balance”? The Seanad has no powers to veto legislation and, based on Taoiseach’s nominees, will always have a government majority?
It doesn’t as it stands now.. That’s why it needs reform. Just getting rid of it would give whatever government was sitting in the Dail too much power.
The Seanad needs to be strengthened and democratised, not abolished, in my opinion.
No, it was actually Chuck Norris. He got them over a decade before Twitter was invented
Yera I got a billion re twitters the other day.
Norris is a total slieveen
The Seanad. Jobs for the boys. All around back scratching, brown nosing, secret handshakes. Get rid of it.
We didn’t want to get rid of it. We had a vote, remember?
Would love to see the seanad voluntarily filled..with travel expenses limited to 10k per annum…separate those who want to serve..from those who want to take..how many former TDs would be lining up?
See, I have a problem with making politics only possible for those that are independently wealthy.
I don’t want only rich people in politics.
There is a balance to be found where a position in politics is possible irrespective of your financial ability.
In a perfect world, all (qualified) citizens should be “drafted” to do, say 2 years in politics. Force us all to participate in the running of our society.
Sick of the gobshutes on this caraval of its mee it’s mee
It’s me.
How,did we make such a big mistake? Totally un democratic.
Really, you actually fact-checked Sabina Brennan’s qualifications?
David Norris told personally before that he’s almost completely IT illiterate and doesnt wrote his own Tweets
“joint Oireachtas committee members also get bonuses of between €792 and €5,989. ” http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/tdssenators/salariesallowances/salaries/
Committee Chair person do not committee members
have your say