Government may take part in Somme ceremonies

IN an all-Ireland reconciliation move, the Government has signalled it could take part in Belfast’s official ceremonies to mark the battle of the Somme and Remembrance Sunday.

A spokesman said it would look positively to any invitation from Belfast City Council to have a representative attend its solemn armistice ceremonies in the North’s capital.

“If any invitation were to be received from Belfast City Council for the Irish Government to be represented at the Somme and Remembrance Sunday commemorations in Northern Ireland, the Government would look positively at being represented,” the spokesman said.