THE former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, has strongly defended his attendance at the opening of a community office in West Belfast.
He had been criticised for appearing next to the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, who is contesting the West Belfast seat held by the SDLP MP, Dr Joe Hendron, in the May 1st general election.
The Labour Party yesterday claimed Mr Reynolds had gone "one step too far." Dr Hendron said that, as a sitting MP, he deserved the respect of a former Taoiseach and was concerned that Mr Reynolds had not informed him of his intention to visit his constituency.
However, responding to these criticisms Mr Reynolds said he had been invited to the opening of the centre for Feile an Phobail long before any announcement of a British general election.
"I knew Dr Hendron and Roy Garland from the unionist community had been personally invited together with many other well known names. Both Roy Garland and myself attended and I had hoped to meet Dr Hendron there" Mr Reynolds said.
The President, Mrs Robinson, and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Ian Adamson, were among many who sent messages of support and encouragement to the opening, he added.
Asked if he had attended a joint press conference with Mr Adams after the opening, he said there was no organised press conference but he had spoken to journalists in an impromptu question and answer session.
"All of us were supporting a cultural and not a political event. I hope peace and reconciliation are the winners in the election," Mr Reynolds said.
Mr Reynolds's visit to the Falls Road was described as "an error of judgment" by the Labour TD for Dublin North Central, Mr Derek McDowell.
"Deputy Reynolds is, of course, entitled to go where he wants. But, as a former Taoiseach, it is reasonable to expect that when he does travel he pays due regard to" the political sensitivities involved," he said.
It was "wrong" for a former" Taoiseach to appear with one of the candidates while not informing the other, the sitting MP, that he was in the constituency, Mr McDowell said.
"I know that SDLP members" were dismayed by Mr Reynolds's insensitivity. Bertie Ahern has suggested that he might give Albert Reynolds special responsibility for Northern Ireland if a PD/FF government is elected.
"We are entitled to expect better judgment from someone who aspires to such a position," he said.