Royal visit should be put on long finger

IN the context of the great changes that have occurred recently in the development of peace in Ireland, it would be churlish not to acknowledge the role played by President Mary McAleese and her husband, Martin, in helping to turn what once seemed a forlorn hope into a robust reality that should augur well for the future.

In particular, they have worked hard with rank-and- file loyalists to encourage them to appreciate that the people of Ireland have no wish to build a new society that would be a ‘cold house’ for anyone, least of all the loyalist community.

Nevertheless, pursuit of such achievement should not be at the expense of alienating republicans. A visit from Queen Elizabeth could run the risk of undermining the goodwill so recently achieved.