Member's statement: William Irwin MLA

Member's statement by Miss Michelle McIlveen on 9 December 2025.

MLA

Miss Michelle McIlveen

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

9 December 2025

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

William Irwin MLA

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5295511

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I rise this morning to recognise the contribution of my friend and DUP colleague William Irwin MLA from the Newry and Armagh constituency. As you will be aware, William has indicated his intention to step down from the Assembly at the end of the year, and it is fitting to mark that occasion. William was first elected to Armagh City and District Council in 2005, prior to his election to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2007. As a member of the class of 2007, William and the rest of us newbies learned our craft from the old hands. In what seems like a blink of an eye, we are the old hands. As a farmer, William has agriculture in his blood. He earned the right to serve, from day one, on the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development and, later, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. A true stalwart, William is the authentic voice of the rural community: the natural farmer's friend. Coming from an agricultural background, he has always been fiercely proud of those roots, and becoming Chair of the Committee was one of the highlights of his political career. He has also served with distinction as Deputy Chair of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Deputy Chair of the Infrastructure Committee. He has been a stalwart for unionism in Newry and Armagh; a mantle that he has carried with unwavering principle, and, with that, he has earned the respect and affection of his constituents. His are big shoes to fill. Yesterday, as a tribute, a colleague summed up William Irwin in two words: faithful and true. However, there are other words that can define William: tireless, loyal, generous, compassionate, quiet, diligent, effective, husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend. It has always been a privilege to serve with and a pleasure to work with William. In the bitter world of local politics, where harsh words and insults are bandied about easily without any consideration of the consequences, one thing that stands out about William is that, in all the years that I have known him, he has never spoken ill of someone or fallen out with anyone. On a personal note, I will miss William's friendship, loyalty, wit, advice and guidance in this place. He has been a fantastic help and support to me through my time in the Assembly, particularly on all matters rural. He is also one of those sensible heads that we all need when passions are high. It is deeply sad that this day has come. After William's serving 20 years as a public representative in the council and the Northern Ireland Assembly and in recognition of his long service to his country and his party, I take the opportunity to mark that service properly and purposefully in the Chamber and to place on the public record my party's and my personal appreciation for William. "Retirement" is not a word in William's vocabulary; perhaps, more fittingly, it is simply about refocusing on his other priorities. Our loss is his wife, Olive's, gain. I wish William, Olive and his family every blessing in the future.

524 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:07 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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