History was made today when a unionist politician made a first ever address to the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Edwin Poots, the Democratic Unionist Party Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, attended the annual conference of the GAA's Ulster Council at a Belfast hotel.
His attendance came just days after he sparked a row by ruling out the introduction of an Irish Language Act in Northern Ireland - something Sinn Fein and the SDLP had been pressing for - largely on the grounds of cost.
He said because of that decision his presence could be seen as controversial. But he promised : "I know the Irish language is very important to the Gaelic Athletic Association - can I say this - I will be doing nothing that would inhibit you from enjoying your Irish culture and language."
But he said it was a different matter when it came to spending significant amounts of money on passing legislation.