Meeting 'also hard for Queen' - Robinson

Published Wednesday, 13 June 2012
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First Minister Peter Robinson says a handshake between the Queen and Martin McGuinness would be difficult for both of them, but hopes it can happen.

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The monarch will be in Northern Ireland for a two-day visit later this month as part of celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

Sinn Féin has said it currently does not have a "doable proposition" for one of its members to meet the Queen, adding it would be a "huge ask for any Irish republican".

Mr Robinson weighed in on the matter on Wednesday.

He said such a move would also be difficult for the Queen, whose cousin Lord Mounbatten was killed in an IRA explosion off the Co Sligo coast in 1979.

But the DUP leader added that there should be a recognition of the two traditions of NI, pointing out that he went to a Catholic church and GAA matches in a bid to reach out.

Behind the scenes negotiations will continue. My sources say agreement on the historic meeting is still not over the line but there remains optimism it can take place.

UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid

"There are obviously difficulties for republicans in meeting the Queen, but it allows them to show respect to the other tradition in Northern Ireland," Mr Robinson told UTV.

"I don't think we should under-estimate the real difficulties Her Majesty will have, given the family murder. But I really do hope we can move forward as a society."

Sinn Féin refused to meet the Queen during her trip to the Republic of Ireland last year, which they said was premature.

However the Mayor of Cashel, Co Tipperary - Michael Browne - raised eyebrows when he became the first party member to shake her hand.

During the landmark four-day visit last year, the Queen spoke of her sadness at the "heartache, turbulence and loss" shared by Britain and Ireland in a speech at Dublin Castle.

She said: "These events have touched us all, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy."

There has been speculation that a historic handshake could take place during the upcoming visit, with SF president Gerry Adams refusing to rule it out.

However when a Jubilee celebration on the grounds of Stormont was announced last week, the party said it was surprised and claimed it had not been consulted.

Mr Robinson was not prepared to comment on whether there had been a breakdown in communications over the event, which is planned for 27 June.

"I really don't want to go into the internal communications within Sinn Féin," he said.

"I was aware of an event. I think, like many others, I would not have been aware of the full detail, or of when statements are going to be made."

© UTV News
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26 Comments
henry in north belfast wrote (338 days ago):
i agree with jackie, were wer you in the 50s60s70s80s and 90sthe mcmahon family, mcgurks bar, shankill butchers,loughin bar or anyone who was just a catholic, we could go on all nite with post like that, couldnt we jackie.ps without the laughing bit
henry in north belfast wrote (338 days ago):
republicans dont just see a little old lady, queen, horse lover, race goer, states woman, kind hearted nice person, she is also commander cheif of the british armed forces, forces which have been in ireland for over 800years not something republicans find easy to erase from their heads, Oh they will shake and i think they should but martins got to think about these republicans before he takes that step and as in any debate between two old foes each others views must be layedout and republicans will want the lady to know movement towards north and south working towards running our affairs without the british realm breatheing down their necks is still the aim but by peacefull means, republicans dont expect the lady to openly reply or even to mutter a word they dont even care if its said behind closed doors and even held from the press but martin as the dep/first minister(sf) is expected as irelands biggest republican party to express it
john in London wrote (339 days ago):
@ better off without him in belfast, The Queen needs an interpreter on every visit. It is a HARD accent. Im lost when i hear it.
davey in lisburn wrote (340 days ago):
Has anyone ever noticed that nationalists and republicans are always talking about moving forward. However they all suffer from the TWISTED NECK SYNDROME. They are always looking BACKWARDS. So there is never any chance of moving FORWARD.
Vee in Belfast wrote (340 days ago):
For the first time ever I think - I agree with Peter Robinson. A handshake with McGuinness would be much harder for the Queen - in the light of the murder of Lord Mountbatten. But she has alread made the gesture in Dublin - isn't it time Sinn Fein grew up and responded - if they really want a vote for peace!
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