20/03/2008

Irish President's Spin

Despite controversy over her later comments on the devolution of justice and policing in Northern Ireland, and its possible impact on an anticipated visit to the Irish Republic by the Queen, President Mary McAleese's sixth meeting with the sovereign has been described in glowing terms.

The Aras an Uachtarain official website relates today that the President met "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" at Hillsborough Castle and held a private 20-minute meeting as part of a "very special day for Anglo-Irish relationships".

The web news site also said that Dr Martin McAleese and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh were also in attendance at the meeting.

No mention is made of the 'veto' comments from the President, who said a royal invitation was unlikely until the justice and policing matters were resolved - an issue that has been on the Sinn Fein agenda for many weeks and is being resisted by the DUP - on account of the continuing existence of an IRA 'Army Council'.

(BMcC)




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