Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT in the United Kingdom are being sworn in at the House of Commons today, a practice which requires them to swear an allegiance to King Charles III.
While Sinn Féin MPs have practiced abstentionism since the party’s establishment, as a cause of this arrangement, the largely Republican SDLP party in Northern Ireland have sworn their allegiance “under protest” in London today.
As well as stating that he was swearing his allegiance under protest, party leader Colum Eastwood added his “true allegiance” is to the people of Derry and the people of Ireland.
The Foyle MP, from Co Derry, has been a member of the House of Commons since the last election in 2019 and the leader of his party since 2015.
Eastwood had a majority of over 17,000 votes in 2019 but his lead was slashed last week to just over 4,000.
Before beginning his affirmation, a non-religious alternative to an ‘Oath’ for MPs which still requires them to swear an allegiance to the King, he insisted that he was only doing so to serve his constituents.
Fellow SLDP MP Claire Hanna made similar remarks before beginning her affirmation, as Gaelige and in English.
“I gcarideas agus le dóchas le hÉire nua rétithe, dearbhaim mo dhílseacht go mhuintir Béal Féirste Theas agus an Dún Lár. In friendship and in hope of a reconciled new Ireland, my allegiance is to the people of Belfast South and Mid Down and I say these words in order to serve them.”
SDLPs Claire Hanna MP begins her affirmation in Irish and states she takes it "in hope of a reconciled new Ireland" pic.twitter.com/GA30p0pPXA
— James McCarthy (@JamesMcCarthy97) July 9, 2024
Both politicians retained their seats while Sinn Féin became, officially, the largest party in Northern Ireland after it completed the hattrick in becoming at Westminster, Stormont, and local government last week.
Today, Keir Starmer made his first speech in the House of Commons as the new Prime Minister of the UK today as his fellow Government Labour MPs were unable to take their actual seats in the Parliament because there were not enough chairs in chamber for the massive majority it won last week.
Starmer paid tribute to colleagues past and present during his speech and reiterated the commitment he made during the campaign to “replace the politics of performance with the politics of service”
Starmer, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have all said they hope the new Labour government can work to strengthen the relationship between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic over the next number of years.
There had been several tense moments between leaders in Ireland and the UK in recent years over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland, controversial Troubles legacy legislation, and most recently over migration flows.
It is hoped, by all leaders, that attitudes will change with a new party in power.
In Westminster today, Labour MP Diane Abbott celebrated the growing number of women MPs as she took up her new role as Mother of the House, following the turmoil which gripped the Labour party over her reselection.
Speaking for the first time as Mother of the House, she congratulated new Members of Parliament, telling them: “It is a great job and you will never regret coming here.
“I would also like to congratulate the officers of the House who have organised such a meticulous and careful induction. I remember when I was a new MP, they just gave you a bunch of keys and told you to get on with it.”
Includes reporting from Press Association
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Don’t see why it can’t be used as a step down unit. Plenty of patients in dublin hospitals who are at a stage of recovery that means they’re neither well enough to go home or sick enough for an acute bed. A short stay step down unit would free up acute beds and take the pressure off a&e departments.
Would make a decent Wetherspoons
Isn’t paying a UK estate agent to sell the building not enough (like there are no domestic estate agents); you want to turn it into a British pub too? Sure why don’t we just give up altogether and repatriate our whole economy over there?
or mad idea. the hse developes the site. they get their primary care facility and turn the rest into apartments. the rent of which will generate income for the primary care unit and free up some hse cash for other uses. why cant this be done.
The HSE is not in the business nor has any resources/experience in property development… It’s not as simple as just ‘knocking up some apartments on the site’
Some kind of public/private partnership would be required.
Once you start down that road you split the focus of the organization and its aims.
Properly managed it is quite straight forward, but I wouldn’t trust the HSE to have such foresight.
Properly managed requires them to hire good people to manage it and property developer salaries are in the millions.
The HSE doesn’t have the cash to pay enough nurses and Drs as it is, could you imagine it firing 50 nurses or cutting back on drugs and telling hospitals to do without to bring in someone to to manage its on the side property business…
Perhaps NAMA could be brought in to run that side of it in partnership with the HSE. They already have the expertise and either way the money generated ends up in the public purse.
Yes indeed let Nama sell it to their friends at a discount good thinking China man.
NAMA is a good suggestion… no need to fire anyone if NAMA provides the finance. Property developers per se don’t really need to be involved (as in a Johnny Rohan or the like )… a reputable contractor along with a small team of professionals should be well able to manage a development of its size.
property developers are just guys with money, you only need an architect and some builders to develop this building not Johnny Ronan.
Exactly what I said…
This would make an excellent respite facility if refurbished and staffed with competent caring individuals. Baggot is has loads of pubs and eateries it doesn’t need any more.
it make a great Hotel, the money from the sale could make a good purpose built unit which would have much lower running costs.
Brian you can spit and find accomodation near Baggot. I think our health service is in more need than our tourist industry!
The HSE didn’t exist in 1986. It would have been entrusted to the Eastern Health Board or some such entity.
Denis will buy it.
As some other posters have observed, it would make an excellent step down facility for those requiring convales cence; it could supply much needed accommodation for the homeless; it could supply much needed Student accommodation. (I won’t even dare mention refugees!). I am sure that many posters could posit more good uses. However, it is apparently much better to sell the building, at a knock down price no doubt, to a foreign multi-billionaire, or a hedge fund stuffed with the same people. After all, must keep up the agreed sale of assets, which had slowed down a bit, but no doubt will get right back on course.
memories
Same here Eleanor . I commenced my training there in 1969 and then after qualifying worked in the ICU , Coronary Care and Thoracic Units . It was a really good place to work and a great hospital
That used to be a district court also
No, you’re thinking of the Richmond Hospital.
No it never was !
Your right yea sorry spot on
I didn’t recognise it!!!
No matter what everyone thinks, it does need refurbishment and would probably make a great hotel .
Turn it into Student accommodation. It’s between UCD and Trinity.
Why can I not post comments on the more political articles on here today?
Behind the beautiful facade, the building is falling down. Needs knocking. It’s a safety issue. Too costly for any health care facility. Hotel best option
Will be turned into luxury apartments costing €500,000 for a one bed flat!
Become a weatherspoons or Greggs
have your say