DUP absence from Connolly inauguration not a snub – Robinson

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The absence of the DUP from the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as president is “not a snub”, leader Gavin Robinson has insisted.

DUP deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly confirmed last week she could not attend the event in Dublin on Tuesday because of a clash with Remembrance Day events.

The unionist party has since confirmed it will not be sending any representative to Dublin Castle when Ms Connolly is sworn is as Ireland’s 10th president.

We don’t need to make more out of this than there is, there is a clash and that clash has been accepted by the majority of people

Mr Robinson faced questioning about why the party was not able to send someone else to the ceremony.

He told reporters: “It is not a snub. I was personally invited by the Taoiseach.

“I received the invitation on Thursday last week, I personally responded to him on Friday to indicate that whilst I recognised the significance of this event for his nation, I trust that he in turn recognises the significance of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

“That is just how it is and I think he has accepted that.

“I think the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland have accepted that, but just as the deputy First Minister was gracious enough to say that she looks forward to welcoming the newly elected President of the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland, as will be right in due course, that will extend to my colleagues as well.”

Mr Robinson added: “We don’t need to make more out of this than there is, there is a clash and that clash has been accepted by the majority of people.”

“I don’t think anything will be gained by people trying to add some grist to the mill or make this an issue that it is not.”

The issue was raised during ministerial question time at Stormont later on Monday by SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O’Toole.

Addressing Ms Little-Pengelly, he said: “Many people feel that your party, which is the lead party in unionism, is now embarked on a journey, perhaps not by design, of fear, grievance and anger.”

The SDLP MLA asked the deputy First Minister to confirm that the DUP would “move back towards some vague progress towards reconciliation”.

Ms Little-Pengelly said: “I can advise the member that in everything I do, I strive to do that to represent everyone across Northern Ireland.

“I do believe the Irish Government, the Taoiseach and others understand completely the importance of the 11th of November.

I am not going to get involved in such a serious matter in what is an attempt at political point scoring

“I recognise it is a huge personal day for the incoming president, I have sought to have a personal call with her in recognition of that very significant personal achievement.”

Sinn Féin MLA Orlaithi Flynn said: “Regrettably what a lot of people will hear from right across our communities is going to be a sense that your refusal to attend is not fulfilling your duties, your cross-community duties.”

Ms Flynn said it was in “stark contrast to the leadership” shown by Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill when she attended a remembrance event in Belfast on Sunday.

Ms Little-Pengelly said: “I think that is a very unfair characterisation of this.

“I am not going to get involved in such a serious matter in what is an attempt at political point scoring.”