Friday, September 17, 2010

NI leaders play down papal controversy

Northern Ireland’s political leaders tonight played down controversy over their failure to meet the pope.

First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were invited to be guests at the Pontiff’s arrival in Scotland, but did not attend.

Both men said they had to be present at the opening of a major business venture by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Belfast.

But there were claims, in addition to this, that Mr McGuinness did not want to be part of a British state visit, while it was reported Mr Robinson may have been reluctant to attend a Papal visit which his former leader Ian Paisley was protesting against.

But Mr Robinson insisted there was no controversy.

He said: “There will be people in the media who will try and create controversy, but this is a day for us to be celebrating success (in Northern Ireland).”

Mr McGuinness, meanwhile, said he would be honoured to meet the Pope, if and when the Church leader visited Ireland.

The Sinn Féin representative also poked fun at the plans by Mr Paisley to continue his infamous opposition to Catholicism by protesting in Scotland.

Mr McGuinness recalled how the former Democratic Unionist Party leader had helped cement relations with the NYSE during his time as Northern Ireland First Minister.

The top republican recalled the close working relationship he had developed with Mr Paisley, and told the crowd attending the New York Stock Exchange event: “The other half of the ‘Chuckle Brothers’ has decided to go to Scotland to be as close to the Pope as possible.”

SIC: IT/IE