Deputy First Minister won't attend Irish Presidential inauguration - as Unionist parties split over event
The deputy First Minister won’t attend the inauguration of Irish President-elect Catherine Connolly in Dublin on Remembrance Day – amid disagreement among unionists over the event.
Emma Little-Pengelly said she was unable to accept an invitation “due to a number of other commitments in Belfast and Windsor”. The DUP politician had faced calls from nationalists to attend, while Jim Allister had urged her not to go given the President-elect’s stance on a range of issues, including Northern Ireland’s constitutional position.
Steve Aiken will attend on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party – and said he would be “strongly representing the unionist perspective” and “wearing [his] poppy with pride”.
However, the TUV leader has said unionists must not “legitimise” the left-wing politician’s presidency – and had called on Mrs Little-Pengelly not bow to nationalist pressure to attend.
In a statement issued on Friday afternoon, the deputy first minister said she is scheduled to attend an Act of Remembrance in Parliament Buildings before travelling to Windsor Castle for a special reception to commemorate VJ Day 80th Anniversary.
“It is therefore not possible to also attend the inauguration. I wish Catherine Connolly well as she takes up office, recognising that this is undoubtedly a significant personal honour for her, and I hope to speak with her personally in the next number of days."
UUP MLA Mr Aiken told the News Letter he will be in attendance – saying that it is appropriate given the Republic is “our closest neighbour”.
“Our party believes in good and respectful relations, and as I have in the past, be strongly representing the unionist perspective.
“The Irish president is that nation’s head of state, we will pay the appropriate marks to her and to her office, as we would do to POTUS (president of the United States), president of Ukraine or any other democratic head of state. I will also, as a veteran, be wearing my poppy with pride and will take the opportunity to meet other veterans whilst I’m there,” the South Antrim MLA said.
Jim Allister said the incoming Irish head of state “has no respect whatsoever” for NI’s constitutional status.