Foster reveals why no substitute was sent to see Pope
THE leader of the Democratic Unionists has said it was her decision not to send a party representative to see the Pope in her absence.
Arlene Foster denied vetoing the attendance of a colleague, when she declined due to a family commitment, but said no-one else from the DUP went to hear the Pope speak at Dublin Castle because the invitation was addressed to her “personally”.
Other Northern Ireland party leaders did not attend Saturday’s engagement – such as Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’neill, Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann and Alliance leader Naomi Long – but they sent colleagues in their place.
Pressed on the DUP no-show at her first public appearance since the papal visit, Mrs Foster said decisions of other leaders were a “matter for other parties”.
The leaders of the main Protestant churches in Northern Ireland also attended the papal address in Dublin.
Critics have accused Mrs Foster and the DUP of missing an opportunity to make a significant gesture of reconciliation. The date of the papal visit was announced in March and it is understood official invitations for the speech at Dublin Castle were sent out on behalf of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the start of this month.
The DUP leader had announced ahead of the Pontiff’s visit she would not be taking up the invitation due to a long-planned family holiday.
Mrs Foster said: “I received an invitation personally to attend, I think it was the function to be held by the Republic of Ireland’s Government. I was out of the jurisdiction on a long pre-planned holiday with my family because I know how busy September and October are going to be.
“I think it is very ironic actually that while the Pope was marking a celebration of the family others can’t understand that I was with my family at the weekend. That’s the reality.”
Challenged on the DUP’S stance compared to the parties who sent representatives in place of their leaders, she said: “That’s a matter for other parties. I think very clearly I acknowledged the significance of the event when I made the statement saying I wouldn’t be going.
“I know it’s a hugely significant event, particularly for Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, and that is something I hope they enjoyed when the Pope was here.”
Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy, who attended the event, branded the DUP decision not to go a “mistake”.