THE IMPORT of Queen Elizabeth’s remarks at Dublin Castle last night will be judged by the actions of her government in the time ahead, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said last night.
In a statement following the Queen’s address at the State dinner in her honour, Mr Adams said: “I believe that her expression of sincere sympathy for those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past is genuine.
“Many victims of the conflict will expect her government to act on that as quickly as possible, and to deal with legacy issues in a forthright manner.”
Mr Adams said this was also the case in regard to the Queen’s assertion that Britain and Ireland were equal partners, and in regard to her praise for the peace process, the peace-makers and the Belfast Agreement.
“Sinn Féin is committed to this process and to working with our unionist partners to implement in full the Good Friday Agreement,” he said. “This agreement provides the basis for building a new relationship between Ireland and Britain based on partnership, equality and mutual respect.
“The British government must play a full role in developing this and in encouraging an end to division in Ireland and the unity of our people and our country.”
The Sinn Féin leader said the Queen’s acknowledgement that the relationship between Britain and Ireland had not been entirely benign was “a gross understatement”. “This will be forgiven if the future policy of her government is about building an entirely new future based on genuine equality and mutual respect,” he added.
Sinn Féin has expressed opposition to the Queen’s visit to Ireland. Speaking last weekend, Mr Adams said the visit was “premature and insensitive”.