McGuinness hints at Queen meeting

Published Friday, 15 June 2012
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Sinn Féin's Martin McGuiness has given his clearest indication yet that meeting the Queen is a distinct possibility, saying he will not do anything to undermine the peace process.

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The Royal visit to Northern Ireland will take place later this month, and the deputy First Minister claims he has yet to make a decision on whether to shake hands with the monarch.

Speaking in Dublin on Friday, Mr McGuinness said any "serious proposition [...] would be considered by the Sinn Féin leadership".

"But let me make it absolutely clear any decision that I am part of will be about ensuring that decision will enhance the peace process and will not in any way damage it."

Mr McGuinness was in Dublin attending the North South Ministerial Council with First Minister Peter Robinson, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and ministers from both sides of the border.

"Nothing that I will do, nothing that I will say will be done in any way to undermine the incredible progress that we have made," Mr McGuinness explained, "not just in the north but throughout this island, ensuring that we continue to work for reconciliation, and that we continue to stretch ourselves to understand the important contributions that politicians in particular can make in relation to giving leadership to our people."

Paying tribute to the Queen's visit to Dublin last year, Mr Kenny referenced the symbolic gesture made by the monarch at the Garden of Remembrance when she bowed in honour for those who died for Irish freedom.

However, he said the issue of a handshake between the Queen and Mr McGuinness was not something that another political party should interfere with.

Mr McGuinness said that any meeting with the Queen would be a huge compromise for him as an Irish Republican.

"I think that from my perspective I'm, as always, going to approach these matters in a very sensible way, recognising the allegiances of others and recognising their right to honour the person that they would regard as their Queen."

Earlier this week, Mr McGuinness said there is currently no "doable proposition" for a representative of his party to meet with the Queen.

He also said Sinn Féin was taken by surprise at the announcement that a Diamond Jubilee party would be held in the grounds of the Stormont Estate during the Queen's two day trip on 26-27 June.

But that was rebutted by Secretary of State Owen Paterson, who claimed every party in Northern Ireland was aware of plans for the Queen's visit.

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27 Comments
Rob in Belfast wrote (339 days ago):
Dear John in Armagh ...is she not the head of our country ie the UK ?
John in Armagh wrote (340 days ago):
Dear "Rob" head of the country? No harm to you but there is much more to it so away back to bed son. Hopefully when you wake up you realise just how lost you have been and just how insignificant your loyalty's are.
John in Armagh wrote (340 days ago):
Im an Irish republican and dont mind Martin McG meeting their queen one bit. He is his own person politician or not and can do as he pleases. The problem arises when it effects dim witted peoples decisions and they fall into the trap of believing in whatever the media throws at them. I just cant wait for the day when we are united and can finally live in peace.
andy in Belfast wrote (340 days ago):
You have to laugh at all this handshaking nonsense, the bigot loyalist/DUP are on about it non stop, like Robinson saying its being polite to do it,etc, yet his party refuses to shake the hands of Sinn Fein people, when the out going SF Mayor was snubbed by his Deputy when he was installed last year and this year they did the same.Sick bigots
norman.d in bangor wrote (340 days ago):
mc guinness like his friend robinson will do anything for votes running to football match to win votes now meeting the queen he will be head of the que when she comes here he has forgot his republican roots and his people just like robinson did two together selfservers
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