QUEEN ELIZABETH’S visit to Ireland, which was officially confirmed yesterday, will put relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom on “a new footing” after both had overcome the difficulties of the last century, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said.
The formal declaration of the visit, expected now in late May, was warmly welcomed in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain, while Sinn Féin offered a carefully measured criticism, saying that it was “premature”.
In Offaly yesterday, the Taoiseach, who extended the invitation last June to British prime minister David Cameron, said the visit would “put the relationship between Britain and Ireland on a new footing, to explore what we have in common”.
He said there was a “very strong Irish diaspora” in Britain “and it’s very important that we develop relations in the 21st century having overcome the difficulties of the past one”.
In London, a spokesman for the prime minister said he was “delighted” the Queen would be visiting Ireland. “The visit symbolises the strength of the relationship between our nations and the bond between the British and Irish people.”
Fianna Fáil leader and former minister for foreign affairs Micheál Martin said it was a “further milestone in the transformation of relationships between our countries that has been ongoing for many years and will act as another step in the journey of reconciliation”.
The fact that a visit could now take place – the first by a British sovereign to Dublin since 1911 – “is an endorsement of the peace strategy pursued by Irish and British governments over a number of decades”.
Sinn Féin’s president and Louth TD Gerry Adams said the announcement “is obviously an indication that we are living in changed and changing times. Sinn Féin is in the leadership of this process of change.
“The President has invited the English monarch and Sinn Féin respects her right to do so. However, we believe this visit is premature and we expect our views to be respected also,” he said.
“As republicans, Sinn Féin is very aware of the symbolism of a State visit by Queen Elizabeth of England and of the offence it will cause to many Irish citizens, particularly victims of British rule and those with legacy issues in this State and in the North. We are also very conscious of the attitude of our unionist neighbours.”
Warmly welcoming the news, Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the visit was “appropriate and timely”, adding that it would help to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Noting the £7 billion loan offered to Ireland by the British government, Mr Donaldson said: “We have seen in recent times that the UK has been able to respond positively to help the Irish Government in the current economic situation.”
Mr Donaldson discounted fears that dissident republicans would try to wreck the visit, although he added: “Having been once the subject of riotous attack on O’Connell Street some years ago, there is always a fear that they will try to disrupt it.”
However, he said: “I believe the security forces will be able to handle it. It isn’t a reason for cancelling it. We must never allow extremists of whatever persuasion to interfere with efforts to strengthen relations.”
SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell said: “Despite my strong republican instincts, I welcome the Queen’s visit to Ireland. I think Ireland is now a fully mature sovereign State and ancient animosities need no longer cloud relations.”
In a message to those who would oppose the Queen’s arrival, he said: “What is a visit by the Queen compared with the financial crisis that the country is now facing?”