Portrait of Former Assembly Speaker, Mitchel McLaughlin Unveiled in Parliament Buildings

The portrait of a former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mitchel McLaughlin, was unveiled in Parliament Buildings today (Tuesday 14 May).

Painted in oil on canvas by local artist, Catherine Creaney, the portrait of Mr McLaughlin will join those of his predecessors, Eileen Bell, Lord Alderdice and Lord Hay which are on public display in the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings.

In January 2015, Mitchel McLaughlin was the first Nationalist / Republican Member to be elected Speaker of the Assembly, a position he held until May 2016.

During his time as Speaker, he promoted a ‘respect agenda’ which covered three priority areas: respect for the Assembly and in political discourse; respect for all parts of the community; and respect for history and remembrance.

Today’s unveiling ceremony was performed by the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots MLA. Following the event, the Assembly Speaker said: “Having served as a Member when Speaker McLaughlin was in the Chair,  I have a very high regard for how he carried out his role, he had great authority and was utterly fair to Members across the House.  His time as a negotiator on behalf of his party meant he was well placed to work with Members of all parties and navigate the politics of the time.

“Underpinning his time as Speaker was his commitment to the value of ‘respect’ and his willingness to use opportunities to ensure different groups across society were acknowledged and respected by the Assembly.”

The Speaker continued: “Assembly reform was also important for Speaker McLaughlin and he gave great support as Speaker to increasing the number of women represented in the Assembly and since his time, the Speaker’s Office has continued to hold an annual event to mark International Women’s Day.”

The Speaker concluded: “The artwork on display in the Great Hall and elsewhere in Parliament Buildings records the parliamentary history of the building across all traditions.  We know that visitors to Parliament Buildings really enjoy this part of the overall experience and I am pleased that this stunning piece by Catherine Creaney will go on public display from today.”

Ends

Notes to Editor:

• Mitchel McLaughlin was elected to the NI Assembly when it was established in 1998, representing the Foyle Constituency. He was subsequently returned to the Assembly as a Member for the South Antrim Constituency in 2007 and again in 2011.
• Mitchel McLaughlin was elected as Principal Deputy Speaker by Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2013, replacing Deputy Speaker Francie Molloy who resigned his Assembly seat after being elected as MP for Mid Ulster.
• Mitchel McLaughlin’s portrait is painted in oil on canvas by local artist, Catherine Creaney.
• The Assembly Commission has had a long-standing policy of commissioning portraits of all those people who have held the senior offices of First Minister, deputy First Minister and Speaker since the Assembly was established in 1998.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Felicity Templeton

Deputy Communications & Digital Content Officer, Northern Ireland Assembly

Mobile: 07977 635930

Email: felicity.templeton@niassembly.gov.uk