Now is not the time for a royal visit

THE much-anticipated and hyped state visit to the Republic of Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II, due to take place before the end of President McAleese’s term of office in 2011, drew a curious comment from the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micháel Martin recently.

Mr Martin said that it seemed odd to him that “the head of state of our nearest neighbour hasn’t been here yet”. I find it odd that this state would issue an invitation to the commander-in-chief of the British armed forces whose record in Ireland needs no re-telling. The symbolism of such a visit would be used to undermine Irish political sovereignty.

Although this will not be the first time Queen Elizabeth II has visited Ireland (she has frequently visited her colonial possession in British-occupied Ireland), this will be the first official state visit to southern Ireland by a reigning British monarch since independence in 1922. The proposed royal visit is being portrayed as part of a normalisation process between two friendly states and benefiting the peace process. It is my view that a royal visit at this time has the potential to be a polarising and divisive event.