SDLP Tribute Dinner to Seán Farren a great success 

Ballymena SDLP councillor Declan O’Loan has said that the SDLP Tribute Dinner to Sean Farren at the Adair Arms last week was a great success.

He said, “In every way this event showed the strength and character of the SDLP at its best. We had distinguished guests, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., John Hume, and Mark Durkan MP, the Party Leader. There was a huge gathering of over 190 people from all parts of Ireland – family, friends, and party supporters.

Dermot Ahern paid particular attention to the influence of the SDLP “North South Makes Sense” campaign in which Sean Farren played a major part. He said this had now been built into the National Development Plan which will produce massive levels of spending on social and physical infrastructure. It will contain substantial whole-island elements. I want to thank Dermot Ahern for his strong support for the SDLP by his attendance at this event along with a large group of senior officials.

John Hume spoke of the fundamental change made by the SDLP in the approach to Irish nationalism. This approach, based on partnership and power-sharing, led rapidly to the Sunningdale Agreement of 1973. Now after St Andrews we are at Sunningdale Mark 3. The problem remains the same, and so the solution remains the same. Over these many years of negotiations, Sean Farren was a key player for the SDLP.

As I said at the event, the strength of the occasion showed belief in the values of the SDLP. The outpouring of support gives me great encouragement as we approach an Assembly election.

 I want to thank the McLarnons at the Adair Arms as well for pulling out the stops to lay on a splendid occasion.”