Buttimer attend’s king’s speech

The Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Cork Senator Jerry Buttimer, has become the first elected office holder from the Houses of the Oireachtas to attend the state opening of parliament at Westminster.

Senator Buttimer accepted an invitation from the Lord Speaker, Lord McFall, to hear King Charles III for the first time formally open the new session of the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday.

The Cathaoirleach said he was delighted to accept the invitation and that his presence at Westminster was another milestone in the important friendship between Ireland and the UK.

“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,” said Mr Buttimer.

The Cathaoirleach’s attendance at Westminster 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 Mr Buttimer.

Senator Buttimer said he was also looking forward to meeting parliamentary colleagues from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, in particular the Northern Ireland peers to discuss a shared a common goal in building peace, understanding and tolerance across the island of Ireland.

On arrival at the Palace of Westminster, Senator Buttimer held a private meeting with Lord McFall before proceeding to the House of Lords Chamber for the king’s speech, which was also attended by Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser.

Following the state opening of parliament, the Cathaoirleach attended a reception hosted by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons.

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

The Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith said: “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.”

Senator Buttimer also met 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 was accompanied on his visit by the Clerk of the Seanad, Martin Groves.