Kenny disappointed Foster will not attend any centenary events
Posted By: January 11, 2016
John Manley.Irish News (Belfast). Tuesday, January 12, 2016
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny spoke of his disappointment yesterday over Arlene Foster’s plans to snub 1916 Easter Rising commemorations as the new DUP leader took the reins of power at Stormont.
Moments after Mrs Foster was appointed the new first minister, Mr Kenny also suggested it was her duty
to represent nationalists as well as unionists in the power-sharing executive.
Last week, the DUP leader said she would not attend any of the commemorations of the 100-year-old rebellion against British rule because it was “a violent attack on the state”.
During a briefing at Government Buildings in Dublin around the time Mrs Foster was being installed, Mr Kenny said he wished her well in her new role but added he was disappointed with her remarks.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed that she has said that she would not attend any of the centenary commemorations. These have been put together in a very sensitive, comprehensive, inclusive way – both north and south.”
The Fine Gael leader pointed out that nationalist leaders in the north had attended commemorations and events in recent years, traditionally the preserve of the unionist community, as part of peace-building efforts.
“There are people of the nationalist persuasion in Northern Ireland who have attended at many sensitive issues,” he said.
“I’ve been up at Enniskillen myself for the last number of years, on the occasion of the wreath laying, where I have met Arlene over the past four years.”
However, Mr Kenny added that he has known Mrs Foster for years and wished her the best in her new role, taking over from Peter Robinson.
At 45, Mrs Foster is the youngest politician to take the reins of power in Belfast. In her maiden speech she said: “I will do all I can to change the political culture of this place but I can’t change that alone. We can only do it by working together.”
Britain’s prime minister David Cameron tweeted his congratulations to Mrs Foster, adding: “I look forward to working with her on a positive future for [Northern Ireland].”
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Congratulations to Arlene on her appointment and I wish her well in the role. It’s heartening to see another female first minister and I look forward to working with her and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on issues where we have a common goal and purpose.”
Her appointment came as Peter Robinson announced his intention to retire from frontline politics last November.
In his last speech from the front bench, Mr Robinson offered his support to his successor and said he was leaving confident that “devolution had been secured for generations
to come”.
“I am absolutely certain that, in Arlene, I have a worthy successor,” he said.
“I can assure her that I will not interfere in her work but that if she ever needs a word of encouragement or advice I will always be there to offer it.”
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he believed he would have a positive working relationship with his new partner in government.
“I pledge a positive spirit, a constructive spirit and a good heart in working with Arlene. I am an Irish republican and Arlene Forster is a unionist. Neither my republicanism nor Arlene Forster’s unionism will be in any way diminished by our working together,” he said.
“Unionism is not the enemy; the enemy is poverty, disadvantage and unemployment,” he said.
Mr McGuinness also said the election of a female first minister was “another step forward and a good day for politics”.
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny spoke of his disappointment yesterday over Arlene Foster’s plans to snub 1916 Easter Rising commemorations as the new DUP leader took the reins of power at Stormont.
Moments after Mrs Foster was appointed the new first minister, Mr Kenny also suggested it was her duty
to represent nationalists as well as unionists in the power-sharing executive.
Last week, the DUP leader said she would not attend any of the commemorations of the 100-year-old rebellion against British rule because it was “a violent attack on the state”.
During a briefing at Government Buildings in Dublin around the time Mrs Foster was being installed, Mr Kenny said he wished her well in her new role but added he was disappointed with her remarks.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed that she has said that she would not attend any of the centenary commemorations. These have been put together in a very sensitive, comprehensive, inclusive way – both north and south.”
The Fine Gael leader pointed out that nationalist leaders in the north had attended commemorations and events in recent years, traditionally the preserve of the unionist community, as part of peace-building efforts.
“There are people of the nationalist persuasion in Northern Ireland who have attended at many sensitive issues,” he said.
“I’ve been up at Enniskillen myself for the last number of years, on the occasion of the wreath laying, where I have met Arlene over the past four years.”
However, Mr Kenny added that he has known Mrs Foster for years and wished her the best in her new role, taking over from Peter Robinson.
At 45, Mrs Foster is the youngest politician to take the reins of power in Belfast. In her maiden speech she said: “I will do all I can to change the political culture of this place but I can’t change that alone. We can only do it by working together.”
Britain’s prime minister David Cameron tweeted his congratulations to Mrs Foster, adding: “I look forward to working with her on a positive future for [Northern Ireland].”
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Congratulations to Arlene on her appointment and I wish her well in the role. It’s heartening to see another female first minister and I look forward to working with her and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on issues where we have a common goal and purpose.”
Her appointment came as Peter Robinson announced his intention to retire from frontline politics last November.
In his last speech from the front bench, Mr Robinson offered his support to his successor and said he was leaving confident that “devolution had been secured for generations
to come”.
“I am absolutely certain that, in Arlene, I have a worthy successor,” he said.
“I can assure her that I will not interfere in her work but that if she ever needs a word of encouragement or advice I will always be there to offer it.”
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he believed he would have a positive working relationship with his new partner in government.
“I pledge a positive spirit, a constructive spirit and a good heart in working with Arlene. I am an Irish republican and Arlene Forster is a unionist. Neither my republicanism nor Arlene Forster’s unionism will be in any way diminished by our working together,” he said.
“Unionism is not the enemy; the enemy is poverty, disadvantage and unemployment,” he said.
Mr McGuinness also said the election of a female first minister was “another step forward and a good day for politics”.
