Gilmore urges SF to accept Queen invitation

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is urging Sinn Féin to accept an invitation to meet with Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the North next week.

The Co-operation Ireland charity has invited the North's Deputy First Minister to a reception to coincide with the British monarch's visit to Belfast.

The party's Ard Comhairle is meeting in Dublin to decide if Martin McGuinness should attend the event - which would involve a shaking of hands.

Mr Gilmore said Sinn Féin should follow the lead of the people and meet the Queen, in the interest of British-Irish relations.

“Queen Elizabeth got a very warm welcome when she visited Ireland last year. That’s the kind of relationship we need to have," the Tánaiste said.

“I think we’ve gone past the stage where we see these events as momentous and symbolic occasions.

"Meeting and greeting people should be an everyday part of the mature relationship Ireland has with Britain.”

Meanwhile Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl has said that Irish people will be "bemused" by the speculation.

“Sinn Féin got it wrong when they entirely misjudged last year’s state visit by Queen Elizabeth and snubbed then President Mary McAleese," Deputy Ó Fearghaí said.

“Nothing has changed in the meantime and now Sinn Féin seeks to portray its decision to follow the lead of all other Irish political parties as a momentous landmark in Irish history.

“However, most Irish people will have been bemused that this represents major breaking news more than a year after they welcomed Queen Elizabeth to our country in good faith.”