First Minister Robinson accused of St Patrick’s day ‘snub’

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson has been accused of planning to snub St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Brazil.

The Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro will go green for the first time to mark the holiday, but the DUP leader is expected to leave his deputy Martin McGuinness to attend the official ceremony alone, according to the SDLP.

The Ministers are holding a series of business-related meetings in the South American economic powerhouse.

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said: “He has chosen not to support our tourism sector at a time when it needs support and positive promotion to recover the consequences of the image the lunatic flag protesters and their supporters sent around the world.”

For the past three years Tourism Ireland has arranged for major landmarks and iconic sites around the world to “go green” on St Patrick’s Day, shining coloured lights upon the London Eye, the Burj al-Arab Hotel in Dubai, Table Mountain in South Africa and Niagara Falls on the US/Canadian border.

This year’s Brazilian carnival is part of the Gathering marketing strategy spearheaded by the Government. Mr McGlone said: “Tourism is highlighted as a key growth industry and a priority sector by the Executive. Yet what does our First Minister do – flees and snubs this unique and iconic event.” – PA