File 5 - Addresses as President of Ireland 1992 Part 5

299pp

Material relating to President Mary Robinson (MR)'s historic address to the Houses of the Oireachtas on 8th July 1992 "on a matter of national importance: Irish Identity in Europe", including correspondence, background material, drafts and final text. Apart from former President Éamon de Valera's address to the Joint Houses in the Mansion House in 1969, this was the first time President of Ireland had addressed a working parliament, whereby the three constituent parts of the Oireachtas (The Dáil, The Seanad and The President) were all present and in the Traditional Seat of Parliament, Leinster House.

Material includes typed memo to MR from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, with photocopies of correspondence attached, in relation to Fine Gael party seeking to table a motion for consideration at next meeting of Committee of Procedure and Privileges, that MR be invited to speak before the Houses of the Oireachtas 13/12/1991-15/01/1992; memo from PR to MR in relation to "Address Pursuant to article 13.7.1 of the Constitution", and of organising meeting with Taoiseach Charles Haughey, 04/06/1992; background documentation including photocopy of press statement from The National Platform on the Maastricht referendum result in Ireland, and various legal opinions on Ireland's neutrality, sent to MR by Anthony Coughlan, Department of Social Studies, University of Dublin (Trinity College), 19-29/06/1992; handwritten letter of congratulations to MR from Margaret [Ivers?], Pax Christi (Ireland) on her decision to speak to Houses of Oireachtas following Maastricht Treaty, with booklet attached, 21/06/1992; letter from Peadar Ó Flatharta, Director, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, requesting MR refer to importance of the Irish language in Europe and of the place of Irish in Ireland's role there, during her upcoming address, 26/06/1992; minutes of meeting of Council of State, at which she invited views from Council following her outlining considerations behind her initiating the process of addressing the Houses of Oireachtas, the timing of the address following the referendum, the timing within the Dáil session, 29/06/1992; memo from PR to MR re seating arrangements for guests of the President at the address, 29/06/1992; correspondence from Frank Murray, [Assistant Secretary to the Government], to PR in relation to discussion Murray had with the Taoiseach regarding draft text of MR's speech, which had been submitted and returned with comments and edits (including possibly from MR and others following its return), 06/07/1992; photocopy of letter from Dermot Nally, Secretary to the Government, to PR informing him that Government had approved draft text of address which MR proposed to give, 07/07/1992; photocopies of informational material including on protocol of MR's visit to Leinster House, list of President's guests and press notice of MR's address, 29/06-07/07/1992; text of Ceann Comhairle [chairperson (or speaker) of Dáil Éireann]'s welcome introduction, sent to MR ahead of time, 07/07/1992; several drafts with notation, and copies of final address; correspondence congratulating MR on her address including from Barry [?], Bord na Gaeilge, from TE Crosbie, Chief Executive Cork Examiner (who ran the address verbatim), to Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, and from Mr Justice Thomas A Finlay, Chief Justice, 09/07/1992; Irish language article on MR's address, by Liam Ó Muirthile, and partial translation of same, [07/1992].

Ref: P143/4/11/3/5

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