Following Saturday’s historic meeting of Dáil Éireann outside of Leinster House, Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, has written to congratulate Micheál Martin on his election as Taoiseach. In his letter, Dr Bruce talked of the ‘unprecedented fight against Covid-19 and its devastating impact in so many different areas of life.’ He continued by saying, ‘We Presbyterians see this island as our home and are part of this fight. In that, you can be assured of our support and our prayers.’

Talking about the formation of the coalition government, the Moderator said, ‘For all elected representatives, to know when to compromise is a quality that speaks of humility. Many on this island will not fail to note the significance of the putting aside of past enmities to form this new government, especially as we approach significant anniversaries in the history of the State and the life of the island of Ireland.’

Full text of the Moderator’s letter to An Taoiseach

As someone who also came to office this month, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, I would like to offer my congratulations on your election as Taoiseach.

Since January’s General Election, the road to the formation of Ireland’s new government hasn’t been easy, and has been constrained by the most exceptional of circumstances. What there has been, however, is a willingness from all parties to compromise for the common good and move forward.

For all elected representatives, to know when to compromise is a quality that speaks of humility. Many on this island will not fail to note the significance of the putting aside of past enmities to form this new government, especially as we approach significant anniversaries in the history of the State and the life of the island of Ireland. As we move towards the centenary of partition next May, for example, I sincerely hope that we will be able to speak of this in ways that are nourishing, both to those who welcome partition, and those who lament it.

While it is important that we acknowledge the past and learn from it, your government, and its partners, face the unprecedented fight against Covid-19 and its devastating impact in so many different areas of life. We Presbyterians see this island as our home and are part of this fight. In that, you can be assured of our support and our prayers.

As we move into the second half of 2020, Brexit will also again become headline news. This will require leadership across these islands, leadership that meets people’s hopes and fears as relationships are redefined. While island-wide, the potential effects of Brexit may come into sharper focus on those living and working in the border counties. Looking ahead, we also look forward to engaging with the new Government on areas of mutual interest and in support of the most vulnerable and marginalised in society.

Finally, as you begin your first full week as Taoiseach, I am reminded that the call to leadership, especially in the political sphere, is a great honour and a great challenge. For those of us who follow the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to pray for those in authority and you – and the coalition government that you lead - can be assured of my prayers and many in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.