The Government has appointed Carlow-Kilkenny TD Ann Phelan, to the prestigious British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
Set up in 1990 as a link between the UK and Ireland’s parliaments, the Assembly is one of the most important arms of the Government’s business and diplomatic relations with our largest market and nearest neighbour. The significance of these contacts at a time of stark economic woes for our country was never so important.
Coming after the recent visit of the British monarch and the British prime minister, David Cameron’s, official visits to Ireland, the Assembly is also anxious to build on the close political relationships established between the two islands in recent years.
Speaking after the Assembly’s recent meeting in Cork addressed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Deputy Phelan said that she was honoured to receive the confidence of the Government in her new role and she is looking forward to developing on the positive national understanding between the two nations.
Politically, this appointment is seen as a thank you to the Carlow/Kilkenny TD from Tánaiste and Labour Party Leader, Eamon Gilmore, for her remarkable ‘first past the post’ victory in the recent General Election.
