Divisive guests are the last thing we need now

IN the context of the powersharing process in the North and the ongoing British military presence there, I believe the last thing we need is either a papal visit or a visit by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at this time.

It would be most unwise for the President or Taoiseach to contemplate a visit by the British monarch. Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness and their colleagues in the Executive need ongoing practical help to stabilise support for the developing cooperation between Belfast and Dublin and a visit by either the Pope or the Queen would not help that process.

John J Hassett