Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has defended his decision to accept an invitation to attend a State Banquet to be hosted in Windsor Castle by Queen Elizabeth.
The Sinn Fein representative said he would be attending this week’s event, being held in honour of President Michael D Higgins who today begins the first ever State visit to England by an Irish head of state, as a representative of all of the people of the North.
He added his attendance was an indication of republicans’ commitment to “building reconciliation” among the people of Ireland and between the people of Ireland and the people of Britain.
Mr McGuinness added: “I am conscious that this decision is significant and involves political and symbolic challenges for Irish republicans.
“However, my presence alongside Peter Robinson brings an all-island dimension to this historic event which, it is worth noting, has taken all of 93 years to happen.
“As the record of the Peace Process demonstrates Irish republicans have always been prepared to take decisions and risks for peace and reconciliation.
“I am an Irish republican. A united Ireland has been, and continues to be, the primary objective of my political life. I want to see an end to Partition and unity of the Irish people through a genuine process of reconciliation based on equality and tolerance.
“I want an Ireland in which one can be British or Irish and live in harmony and mutual respect with their neighbours. There is now a peaceful and democratic way to achieve this.
“There have been huge and positive political changes in recent years. There is now a clear process of transition ongoing within the island of Ireland and between Ireland, including the North, and Britain.”
Mr McGuinness concluded: “I firmly believe that my attendance marks another significant step. It is not an end to the process of building a new relationship based upon equality but is important part of that journey.”
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