John Dallat
John Dallat (1955 – 12 October 2023) was a Northern Irish politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for East Londonderry from 1998 to 2011. A prominent member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), he also held the position of Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.Early Life and Career
Born in 1955, John Dallat was educated at St. Malachy's College, Belfast. Before entering full-time politics, he pursued a career as a teacher, a profession he engaged in for many years.Political Career
Dallat's political career began at the local government level. He was elected as a councillor for the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) on Coleraine Borough Council, where he served for an extended period, establishing a strong local political presence.With the establishment of the new Northern Ireland Assembly following the Good Friday Agreement, Dallat was successfully elected as an MLA for the constituency of East Londonderry in 1998. He continued to represent this constituency through several subsequent elections until he stepped down in 2011.
During his time as an MLA, Dallat was known for his advocacy on a diverse range of issues, particularly those impacting his East Londonderry constituents. He participated actively in various Assembly committees and was a vocal contributor to parliamentary debates. A significant role he held was that of Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, where he was responsible for presiding over plenary sessions and ensuring the orderly conduct of the Assembly's proceedings.
He was a long-standing and respected figure within the SDLP, frequently speaking on themes of social justice, education, and peace-building initiatives in Northern Ireland.