Taoiseach says 1916 republicans would have welcomed Paisley handshake

Taoiseach says 1916 republicans would have welcomed Paisley handshake

The Taoiseach has said he believes the men of 1916 would have welcomed his historic handshake in public earlier this week with Ian Paisley of the DUP.

He was speaking after the 91st Anniversary commemoration of the Easter rising in Dublin.

The event was attended by President McAleese and a number of government ministers.

Bertie Ahern said he thinks that those who fought for Irish independence in 1916 would welcome any initiative that amounted to progress for the Island of Ireland.