Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Martin defends decision over centenary service
Taoiseach hits back at SF criticism
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin yesterday defended a decision by the Irish government to attend a church service marking the centenary of Northern Ireland.
Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O’neill criticised the decision to send representatives to the event in Armagh, which the Republic’s President Michael D Higgins declined an invitation to.
The Taoiseach hit back, saying he was surprised by Sinn Fein’s stance, adding they sent a senior representative to a similar event organised by the Presbyterian Church.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, as well as government chief whip Jack Chambers are to attend.
Last month, Mr Higgins caused controversy when he said he would not attend the service in Armagh because he believed it was not politically neutral and had concerns about the title of the event.
The prayer service, which the Queen is expected to attend, has been organised by the four main churches in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to reporters in Belfast on Friday, Mr Martin said his government’s stance “doesn’t in any way undermine the position of the President”.
He explained Mr Higgins, as the head of state, “comes at these issues from a different perspective”.
He added: “There is a difference there between the head of state and the Government.
“In our statement last night we said the President’s decision was properly taken and consistent with views he had articulated earlier in that process
leading up to the invitation.
We fully support the President in that regard.
“The Government has then subsequently been invited to the event. We took on board the spirit in which that invitation was sent to us and we have decided to be represented at it, and we will just take it from there.”
The Taoiseach also urged that people “should not seek to exploit this situation for political gain”.
He added: “We need to move on in terms of working collectively together on this island in the spirit of reconciliation and joint endeavour into the future.” Earlier, Ms O’neill criticised Mr Martin’s decision to attend the service. She said: “It’s a matter for the Irish government to make its own decisions but I think that it is wrong for the Irish government to attend the event. When it comes to the issue of partition, it’s a catastrophe. It’s failing people.” Meanwhile, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson welcomed the decision. He said: “I still very much regret that President Higgins will not be attending that service, but I appreciate that the Irish government have stepped up and will be sending representatives to the service.”
I think it is wrong for the Irish government to attend MICHELLE O’NEILL YESTERDAY