Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Julien Behal/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Higgins to use State visit to foster “reconciliation, understanding and friendship”

The President said that initiatives in the North should bring communities together.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has spoken of his desire to further the reconciliation between Ireland and Great Britain on his State Visit in April.

Speaking today at the St Columbanus Day Lunch in Belfast today, Higgins said that the ongoing process of healing divisions in the North requires “leadership”.

“Undoing the knots of memories so as to unlock the power to heal rather than divide is a challenging, often painful, but ultimately rewarding, and even cathartic task. Undoing these knots requires acts of leadership, such as that demonstrated by Lord Bannside when he led his party into a power-sharing government with his erstwhile political enemies.”

He added that however the Panel of Parties led by US diplomat Richard Haass decided to move forward on individual issues, victims must be at the heart of the solution.

“Whatever mechanisms are ultimately agreed upon for this task, the overall needs of a flourishing and shared society must be at their heart and the memory of victims must appropriately be reflected, and cherished, in thoughtful memorials and initiatives that bring communities together, so that we all learn from the terrible failures of the past.”

Higgins closed by saying that he hoped the visit to Britain in April would foster friendship.

“I hope to further strengthen this thread of understanding, reconciliation and friendship and to also avail of the visit to highlight particular themes which merit recognition and commendation, such as the very positive role of the Irish community in Britain.”

Read: Broad welcome for President Higgins’s planned trip to Britain

Read: President Higgins accepts invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to visit the UK

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
23 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds