SF meeting Queen a giant leap forward

Co-operation Ireland, a charitable organisation involved in reconciliation activities on both sides of the border, has among its patrons both President Michael D Higgins and Queen Elizabeth II.

It is hosting an event next Wednesday for the Queen and the President to celebrate the arts and culture across the island during the Queen’s visit to Northern Ireland. First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have also been invited.

Asked recently in a radio interview during the Sinn Féin ard fheis about whether he would be willing to meet the Queen during her forthcoming visit to Northern Ireland, Mr McGuinness was non-committal. He said that he had to wait on the decision of the party’s new Árd Comhairle, but he left little doubt that he would personally like to do so.