Statement from The Speaker on the Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly said:

“It is with sadness that I have learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. 

Queen Elizabeth came to be recognised internationally for her personal dignity and her commitment to her public duty, qualities which served her well through her long reign when so much has changed in the world.  Indeed, since her official visit to Parliament Buildings in 1953, our own society is radically different, politically, economically and socially. 

This is of course a particularly sorrowful time for those with a British and unionist identity, especially coming so soon after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.  However, Queen Elizabeth was also respected and held in high regard by many in our wider society, particularly given the significant leadership she contributed to making political progress here.  Her passing will therefore be mourned by many across the whole community in the days to come.

Amidst all of the formalities of this occasion, I am mindful today that a family is in mourning.  On behalf of the Assembly I express our sympathies to the entire Royal family who have lost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

I will be liaising with the Party Whips and the Assembly Commission in relation to practical arrangements within Parliament Buildings in the coming days to ensure that the Assembly can pay its condolences.”

ENDS

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