Sir, – Your newspaper reports that Drew Nelson was the first member of the Orange Order to address the Oireachtas (Home News, July 4th). This is incorrect.
John Copeland Cole was nominated to the Seanad by Fianna Fáil taoisigh on three occasions between 1957 and 1965. His father, John James Cole, was a Cavan TD, elected on five occasions between 1923 and 1943. Both father and son were Orange Order grand masters of Cavan.
So not only have Orange Order members addressed the Oireachtas in the past, they have been members of both Houses in the past. Short memories can make divisions seem wider than they need be. – Yours, etc,