63 Comments

• Searlit | Jun 27, 2012, 07:49 PM EDT

  That is too funny, jacersagain!

• IrelandNorth | Jun 26, 2012, 08:34 AM EDT

  In times of fiscal retrenchment regional subventions threaten domestic stability. The Iron Lady once refused to pass on EU funding to UK regions telling NI politicians that we (the English) need them. Harold Wilson once called Ulster Unionist "spongers". The current 'techno glitch' (?) within Ulster Bank is reputed to be liquidity issue. Rumour has it that Ulster Bank will be nationalised by the Irish Government, (and its parent company National Westminister (NatWest) by the British Government). Given that economics predicates politics, Ireland being Britains major trading partner, (and the 26 counties that of the 6), any one wanna guess which way the yarrow sticks will fall.

• sirpeter | Jun 25, 2012, 07:11 PM EDT

  Unrealist.Ireland and the Irish people have always been rich in pearls.For 800 years our pearls have been stolen by force by swine.Since 1973 we have indeed cast our "Pearls before swine" or so it would seem.It's just a matter of interrupting who is the swine.

• seanomelb | Jun 25, 2012, 06:48 PM EDT

  Still reading fairytales I see.

• Realist | Jun 25, 2012, 03:38 AM EDT

  seanomelb: Not "perplexed" anymore then? The term PIG seems to have gone over your head my friend. "Pearls before swine" (that's from the Bible, by the way)....lol.

• sirpeter | Jun 24, 2012, 09:41 PM EDT

  Unrealist.Let's get something straight first.There is no "friends" in business or between Countries.That kind of terminology is used because the taxpayer can relate to it.Countries do business out of self interest and band together with other Countries who have similar goals.I never said there would be a British banking crash.But it is quite possible that A bank could be LET fail like Lehman Brothers in the US.But it is unlikely to happen in the EU.My point is that it is silly to think any nation/ordinary people in the EU should be grateful for any loan that it is given.The crisis was not caused by the people or a government overspending on services.It was elite private investors and bankers and lack of regulation was the cause.The problem is private debt losses placed on the shoulders of the taxpayer.That's what foreign debt is.This is how you know.At the moment each person in the UK owe €117,580.If you had a family of five and after paying all your taxes plus vat on everything you buy ect for services to run the country.You and your family have over spent by €587,900??? The same scenario of 5 people when it comes to Ireland comes to €1,954,845.Are you trying to tell me that the Irish government provided such a good service for the country that along with my taxes,vat ect.My family cost them an extra €2 million??lol.The PIGS are the 2% of the population of Europe who have all the money AND STILL HAVE ALL THE MONEY because they hold Governments over a barrel when the last bet they placed goes pear-shaped.The bondholders want their money back or else.Of course I believe this crisis was manufactured by the financial elite to force governments into closer fiscal union.But that's another story.I would be very surprised if the Euro was let fail.

• seanomelb | Jun 24, 2012, 07:55 PM EDT

  I love my bacon!! Realist cannot make a point without making an insult the sign of a beaten man OINK! OINK!

• ciaradexy | Jun 24, 2012, 04:56 PM EDT

  Just looking at some of the comments. Yet again most arent about the article.

• Realist | Jun 24, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT

  As for “the shock downgrade” as you put it, to quote the BBC business site…."The downgrades from Moody's have been expected for some time, and therefore had already been factored in". “So what will be the effect of the downgrades? Well, they might push up the cost of borrowing for the banks fractionally. But it would be odd if the impact was terribly significant - largely because they have all been downgraded, and those who control vast pots of cash have to put their money somewhere.” Also, “it is worth remembering that the Bank of England and HM Treasury have announced two new schemes to provide copious amounts of cheap loans to British banks, which can be seen as insurance against the downgrades leading to any kind of renewed credit crunch”. Well, I would not expect anything else....a British banking crash is just your little wet dream that simply won't come true. Actually, it is more likely that the Republic of Ireland re-adopt the Pound. How about that....an all-Ireland currency at last but not quite how you planned it porky. Now that would really fry your bacon, wouldn’t it? Lol….oink, oink.

• Realist | Jun 24, 2012, 12:42 PM EDT

  sirpiglet: Firstly, I have to laugh at your use of the term “trotter”….but then what else should I expect from a PIG….lol. The £7 billion loan was not part of the IMF/EU bailout package (to which the U.K. also contributed I might add). To quote the British Chancellor, George Osbourne, "….Ireland is a friend in need and this is for Ireland only….we are doing this because it is overwhelmingly in Britain's national interest that we have a stable Irish economy and banking system. The current Irish situation has become unsustainable. Their sovereign debt markets had effectively closed and had little prospect of reopening." Enda Kenny (who seems to know on which side his bread is buttered a little better than you) also said: "….the British government loan to Ireland was very gratefully received." No mention of, “they won’t get a cent back” by the way. The Chancellor also said, “Around 40% of exports from Northern Ireland go south of the border (Northern Ireland important enough to mention here - so much for, “the English have nothing but contempt for ye”….lol) and, according to U.K. Government figures, every person in the Republic spends an average of £3,607 per year on British goods.”

• sirpeter | Jun 24, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT

  Unrealist Lol.Three posts on the "trotter" Looks like I have you well rattled.My comments on this article must have hit a nerve.lol.Back to this loan you keep going on about.That £7 billion of British taxpayers money was used to prop up the Euro,Irish Banks and German bondholders through Ireland.English banks exposed to Irish Banks.If Irish banks fail British banks fail.The EU is a web of debt all exposed to each others banking system.British banks are now in trouble.(Sunday, Jun 24 2012)Santander UK.~Millions of British bank customers felt the effects of the eurozone turmoil today as Santander became the latest giant to be hit by the debt crisis.The shock downgrade compounds fears of contagion spreading from Greece and it is the first time that the crisis now engulfing the ailing eurozone has been felt directly on British shores ~ British savers should be reassured by the savings compensation scheme, which would reimburse customers for up to £85,000 in the event of a banking collapse.(Well that's a lie)I mean what's a Tommy to do? lol The Emmanuel's in Spain want their money back fast.Tommy is going to have to pay with cutbacks and there will be no hand-outs left for Billy in NI...lol.Hey Billy!! You might think you're not European.But it sure as hell going to feel like it..lol...lol

• Realist | Jun 24, 2012, 08:02 AM EDT

  Anne Enright: “Ireland is a series of stories it tells itself. None of them are true.”

• Realist | Jun 24, 2012, 06:01 AM EDT

  George Bernard Shaw: "I learned long ago, never wrestle with a PIG. You get dirty, and besides, the PIG likes it." Lol....and Sinn Fein proposes marriage to the PIG. Ah, now all that's left is the ever declining 'aspiration' to a 'united Ireland' - I feel genuinely sorry for those obliged to sell this 'notion once again'....I think Oscar Wilde put it best, "Ambition is the last refuge of the failure". I can only imagine the tears of frustration at the opinion polls on the subject. Well....time to write another sad song I guess....lol.

• Realist | Jun 24, 2012, 05:32 AM EDT

  sirpeter: Lol....I'm only asking you some questions, which, as usual, you declined to answer. Therefore, as seems always necessary with you, I will ask again....Did the Republic of Ireland or did they not accept a loan from the U.K. of over £7 billion? Why then would they accept a loan from a country that owes them money? Please feel free to "educate" us. "If Ireland is to become a new Ireland she must first become European". Lol....well they have taken Joyce at his word and now they are fully owned by the Germans (among others). "And so what if we spent all the Krauts money"? Is that Sinn Fein's 'big idea'? Take their money and spit in their faces? As a PIG, for that is what you are, (not my term I might add, can't take credit for that) you should remember that the Germans' favourite food is wurst - guess what that's made from porky? Dear oh dear, the year of the Celtic paper tiger enters the millennium of the PIG....lol.

• seanomelb | Jun 23, 2012, 09:29 PM EDT

  Old Deano is at it again with his stupid theories.The IRA were created in 1918.

• jacersagain | Jun 23, 2012, 07:33 PM EDT

  (…more) The student continued… 1) If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose. 2) If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over. >> So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my freshman year that, "it will be a cold night in Hell before I sleep with you, and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number 2 must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. >> The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls, leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a Divine Being, which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God!"

• jacersagain | Jun 23, 2012, 07:31 PM EDT

  @CaoimhínWPB – a student in Washington, writing an answer to an exam question, proved that Hell has frozen over, so Martin McGuinness’’s forthcoming handshake with the Queen is not going to change anything on that. Here’s the exam Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)? >>> The student wrote: “First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. >> As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their faith, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can reliably project that all souls go to Hell. >>> With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. >> This gives two possibilities: (More…)

• sirpeter | Jun 23, 2012, 07:06 PM EDT

  Unrealist.You're not too well up on economics I see.I'm only stating a fact.I have no intention of educating you on the workings of Eurozone debt.As for Brendan Behan I never had any interest in his writings.I'm more of a Joyce man myself.Don't tell me!! You "fancy" a bit of Oscar Wilde."The Importance of Being Billy" lol.Anyway look what staying WITH Britain got ye lot.Ye acting like a bunch of savages for 30 years in front of the whole world.And hanging on to the coat-tails of the English who have nothing but contempt for ye.And so what if we spent all the Krauts money.As the old saying goes "Borrow so much that they have to invite you to dinner" I mean what's a Kraut to do.More austerity is more Sinn Fein.More Sinn Fein and they won't get a cent back.lol

• Realist | Jun 23, 2012, 04:15 PM EDT

  sirpeter: Oh dear, is poor Brendan just a "writer" now? No longer an Irish Republican and member of the IRA? Just because he said something you didn't much like? Oh dear, maybe he's a 'west brit' or even a 'billy boy' now? Unity through partition, how does that work? Lol....shaking hands with HM Queen and then having to lie to the sheep again....that must sting more than the 'united Ireland' opinion polls and powering the irish language life support machine combined.

• Realist | Jun 23, 2012, 04:04 PM EDT

  sirpeter: Lol, some lie....did the Republic of Ireland not accept a loan from the U.K. of over £7 billion? Why would they accept a loan from a country that owes them money? Of course the U.K.'s foreign debt is larger than that of the Republic of Ireland - it's population is 15 times bigger than Ireland's yet it's debt per person is nearly 4 times that of the U.K. That, of course, is why the Republic of Ireland is one of the PIGS....and you know it....oink, oink.

• sirpeter | Jun 23, 2012, 01:46 PM EDT

  Unrealist.Let me make it very clear on these loans.Ireland owes the UK 104.5bn.But the UK owes Ireland 113.5bn.(BBC Business news)The UK is more in hoc to Ireland.The UK foreign debt is over a trillion.The best you can do is quote a lie where Irish-uk debt is concerned and a flippant quote from a writer.It's like listening to an endangered specie counting numbers frantically and knowing he is doomed.In a hundred years time there won't be a Billy Boy on the banks of the Lagan.And you know it.

• seamus60 | Jun 23, 2012, 01:29 PM EDT

  Anyone know where to buy cheap hats. Theres a lot of shinner sheep looking them to eat. As promised should this ever happen.

• CaoimhinWPB | Jun 23, 2012, 01:17 PM EDT

  Well well well, maybe hell is frozen over?

• warrenpoint00 | Jun 23, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT

  Ok enough of this story already let Martin shake her hand wash his hands and move on .After all she is only the remnants of a failed british empire. The island of Ireland was there before her colonial regime came here and it will still be there long after they are gone.Ireland = Irish

• Realist | Jun 23, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT

  I think it was the writer and Irish Republican, Brendan Behan, who once stated back in the 1950s that such was the sorry state of the Irish Republic at that time that, “We should hand ourselves back to Great Britain and to apologise for our condition”. With being in hoc to the U.K. (among others) by nearly €10 billion and talk of re-joining the Commonwealth....I wonder, has this "hand back" now begun with a handshake?

• hermitTalker | Jun 23, 2012, 09:44 AM EDT

  I read every comment. To deal with the future we need to know the past and how it affects today. Reconciliation requires repentance for the past sins and failures, unconditional on both sides, then the process can move forward. A parallel with the Church saga is that even when the bishops and pope came up with strong protections, apologies, but the Taoseach and Tanaiste and even Mr McGuinness demanded the cardinal's resgination and earlier blasted the pope with false data. That kind of hypocritical talk feeds the dissenting republicans and the protestants who are still holding on to the past.

• johnshiel | Jun 23, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT

  yiz won't believe this but I just saw a pig fly over the treetops in my backyard...

• Realist | Jun 23, 2012, 08:53 AM EDT

  Seanomelb: Lol....what a story, right back to the Iron Age. Reassured by that then? "So what we have on these islands is the progression of the predominately Celtic Culture"? Putting aside the fact that in every Stormont sanctioned opinion poll since 1998 the percentage in favour of Northern Ireland remaining within the U.K. has increased to the point where preference for a 'united Ireland' option within the Roman Catholic community is less than 50%, and that the Republic of Ireland is one of the PIGS (lol) gladly accepting loans from, among others, 'perfidious Albion' (to the tune of £7 billion), the very language is all but extinct - replaced by none other than English. Am sure sirpeter can 'explain' all this to you and his journey from assassination attempt advocate to handshake apologist....lol.

• sirpeter | Jun 23, 2012, 08:18 AM EDT

  Seano.If you notice the smiley face at the end you'll see it was a leading question about what is British.So now I get to explain.And these are the facts.The Britons (sometimes Brythons or British) were the Celtic people culturally dominating Britain from the Iron Age.They spoke the Insular Celtic language known as British or Brythonic.The fact is the Norman invasion of Ireland and Britain their numbers were so small that genetically and culturally they were absorbed into the Celtic gene pool by intermarrying.An invasion force of 500 was all it took to conquer huge tracks of land.The same could be said of the Romans,Anglo-Saxons and Normans in Britain.No culture remains stagnant they absorb outside influences.So what we have on these islands is the progression of the predominately Celtic Culture.The Roman,Anglo-Saxon,Viking and Norman cultures are absorbed.There numbers were too small and the same is happening to the Billy Boy invasion up North.In a hundred years time there won't be a Billy Boy on the banks of the Lagan.So Seano you have no need to be perplexed.Unrealist on the other hand has everything to be perplexed about.Billy Boy apartheid is crashing down around his ears.Closer ties and peace in NI is the end of them in the long term.

• jacersagain | Jun 23, 2012, 07:16 AM EDT

  Would I shake hands with this “Queen”? Yes, I would ... if she gets down on her knees before me and extends her hand.

• maireadinmelb | Jun 23, 2012, 07:09 AM EDT

  DanO - Don't think Q or her parliament ever gave two hoots about the Irish constitution!

• citizen69 | Jun 23, 2012, 05:59 AM EDT

  I think the Queen visiting the Republic was a much bigger story. I don't think people are that bothered about her meeting this one individual, a SF mayor has already greeted the Queen. The media will make a big deal of it though and it won't do SF's profile in the Republic any harm. It's something he should have done last year anyhow. Seamus60 talks about the families of the Ballymurphy victims possibly being unhappy about this... Fair enough but there are hundreds of families of IRA victims who are not over the moon about it either.

• Realist | Jun 23, 2012, 05:19 AM EDT

  seanomelb: "I'm not sure sirpeter if it a great move your last sentence perplexes me,I'm not sure what you mean"....yes, indeed....I can imagine that from your point of view his 'explanation' is not very convincing. However, if you haven't realised already, sirpeter here is only parroting what he's been told to think. What he has written is laughable. Be assured, he's as perplexed as you, however, he has the distinct advantage of being a liar....lol.

• DanOLoingsigh | Jun 23, 2012, 03:37 AM EDT

  Searlit - the Q of E has no say in this...check out the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann)......The revised Article 3 sets out that citizens of each jurisdiction simply need to say yes …so all will get a vote, but each part must achieve a simple majority…but don't hold your breath...not a high priority for most people on the island.

• Searlit | Jun 22, 2012, 10:15 PM EDT

  Maybe Queen Elizabeth will let go of NI? Does anyone know? I would like to think that it's possible. Don't spoil the dream. If only peace is possible, for now, can everyone accept that? Reconciliation became the agenda, after the weapons were collected and most of the British troops were withdrawn. This is the next step in Northern Ireland's rise as a Nation that has triumphed over the many invasions and deprivations it has suffered, the battles and occupations that have seemed like an eternity for some. Peace is the first right that people need in order to make the rest of their lives better.

• seanomelb | Jun 22, 2012, 09:26 PM EDT

  seamus60 I agree that parts of the north have gained very little from the GFA.Gerry and McGuinness are the best we have at the moment and the people in Ballymurphy and Divis street keep on reelecting them to office so they deserve the government they elect, so to speak.I'm not sure sirpeter if it a great move your last sentence perplexes me,I'm not sure what you mean.

• sirpeter | Jun 22, 2012, 09:04 PM EDT

  Another great move by Sinn Fein.At the end of the day it is a PR exercise.It's also a genuine public reconciliation between the British and Sinn Fein,the future leaders of the first all Ireland party that will be in government soon enough.Everything that is happening in Europe and England is leading to a United Ireland.If the Germans have their way and the Euro gets through this crisis.England will need all the friends it can get.And what harm.Aren't the British as Irish as the rest of us?? :))

• seamus60 | Jun 22, 2012, 07:33 PM EDT

  Seanomelb. I`m sure the nationalist population of Ballymurpohy will care. In the same week when they have discovered the soldiers who killed their relatives and friends had never any worry of conviction as they were exempt from prosecution. Now they will have to like it or lump it that Martin and his party now endorse the officer in command of those same murdering troops.

• brianmack | Jun 22, 2012, 07:14 PM EDT

  Great news and congrats to SinnFein for making this historic decision. I'm truly proud to be Irish with forgiveness and progressive thinking that's permeating from the greatest land in the world!

• JBRAFTREE | Jun 22, 2012, 05:56 PM EDT

  Bythebay, either of your deductions to my comment were correct.

• Bythebay | Jun 22, 2012, 05:55 PM EDT

  seamus60, of couree none of leadership of Sinn Fein will resign over this. They're VERY well paid by their Queen and get excellent benefits and perks. These are far from being people of principle.

• Bythebay | Jun 22, 2012, 05:53 PM EDT

  MichaelMcgrath, Sinn Fein holds no regard from the people of Ireland.

• seanomelb | Jun 22, 2012, 05:39 PM EDT

  Who cares whom he shakes hands with it's almost an irrelevancy.

• seamus60 | Jun 22, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT

  I would like to see a photo of the event, other wise for all we know he was licking her ass. Arise sir Martin. Not a single resignation from any of the staunchies in the SF leadership either. hmm

• MichaelMcGrath | Jun 22, 2012, 05:03 PM EDT

  Bythebay, what a Holy Innocent you are, God bless you:-)

• Bythebay | Jun 22, 2012, 04:51 PM EDT

  MichaelMcGrath, an 18%^ support for Sinn Fein in Ireland doeesn't mean they will be in Government with anyone. Fianna Fail has vociferously said they will never share power with Sinn Fein.

• Nelsonbarry | Jun 22, 2012, 04:34 PM EDT

  I wish some of you eggheads would give peace a chance.

• MichaelMcGrath | Jun 22, 2012, 04:30 PM EDT

  Though gaining some percentages in the South and planning to go into government with Fianna Fail next time round, Sinn Fein has not only turned it's back on it's nationalist past, it has done a u-turn as the party most in favour of continuing mass immigration into Ireland. As such there is nothing in the whole wide Earthly world preventing McGuinness from being palsy walsy with the Queen and planting a big kiss on her cheek rather than a bomb on her public thoroughfare. There is no difference between Sinn Fein and New Labour in the UK now - except that New Labour British MP's would indeed genuinly have more time for Ireland than the Sinn Fein leadership, in fact the British Tory Party now has more genuine concern for Ireland than Sinn Fein! Therefore the newest breed of Irish Gombeen men are flocking to join Sinn Fein as the party with the best electoral proespects in the South as well, where Sinn Fein will be the next party to sell Ireland out to the Troika just as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael/Labour have done. Ireland has to go right through this process of each and every Irish political party selling her out until there is no party left that didn't sell her out, it's only then, perhaps in 7 or 8 years time,that new forces will then emerge genuinely dedicated to saving the country.

• Bythebay | Jun 22, 2012, 04:25 PM EDT

  JBRAFFERTEE, the Queen certainly isn't an enemy of Northern Ireland UK, she's their Queen. She's not Ireland's enemy either. You must mean for her to keep McGuinness close.

• seamus60 | Jun 22, 2012, 03:50 PM EDT

  6county. A trap ? Does some one not have to trick you into that. Martin and Gerry are merely following orders from their british boss`s. Such a blow for freedom should be televised around the world, yet there is so much pride for Martin he`ll do it like a thief in the night lol. In a week that has unveiled more sordid details of what the brits gave the go ahead for in area`s like Ballymurphy he announces a hand shake to their commander in chief rather than demanding a public inquirey. Its as well he gave up his seat.

• Bythebay | Jun 22, 2012, 03:45 PM EDT

  RedBranch, it broke in ireland before Irish Central got it.

• 6countybrit | Jun 22, 2012, 03:39 PM EDT

  Wee Marty is looking a bit old now, perhaps he'll soon be returning to his Derry council estate where his offspring are all killing each other under the guise of RAAD? Dangerous place to be these days is Derry and there's not even a British Soldier in sight. Where did it all go wrong, what exactly are these new breed Republicans terrorists fighting for? Answers on postcard to "Who gives a flying?"

• 6countybrit | Jun 22, 2012, 03:31 PM EDT

  Oh dear, what have you done wee Marty? Sinn Fein have walked into a massive PR trap yet again! They were found wanting and completely wrong footed in Dublin last year, particularily when the Queen spoke the beautiful Irish Language, probably better than half the so called Irish Republicans who attempt to mutter a few "Staunch" words when stumbling out of the bar on a Friday night, chucky ar la, or words to that effect. Is this handshake not also recognising the Monarchy before they recognise Westminster? Every day more and more people class themselves as Northern Irish/British which concretes the 6 counties within the Union. This meeting is Sinn Fein/IRA formal acceptance of that. Sorry Sinn Fein/IRA, hate to break it to you but you lost the war! 30 Years of voilence got you nowhere, absolutely nowhere, do you hear that nowhere, your United Ireland has never been further. Never mind, almost time to celebrate, it's nearly the Twelfth Day of July, welcome to join us for a drink. We even celebrate on St Paddies day now, love the fact I'm British and Irish! Best of both worlds.

• RedBranch | Jun 22, 2012, 02:57 PM EDT

  I love the way IC broke this story before SF. Perhaps Niall O'Dowd is on the Ard Comhairle or whatever it is. No surprises here then, except that it looks like the meeting will take place out of the public view (in a closet perhaps). Bets are Mr.McGuinness addresses HM in Irish, to which she may well reply in Irish and it could go anywhere from there...Also Seamus right on!

• Murph46 | Jun 22, 2012, 02:47 PM EDT

  Never hurts to hear and see what your enemy does!They both have expectations -but what are they?

• seamus60 | Jun 22, 2012, 02:10 PM EDT

  BeeDee. Waken up and smell the coffee. We had Internment then, we have Internment now, we had Gerry mander then ,we have Gerry mander now. Only differance being SF aid those responsable for such practices now in real time, in the real world.

• seamus60 | Jun 22, 2012, 01:58 PM EDT

  Looks like Martins been doing that for decades. Lets not forget his private and secret meetings with Micheal Oatley MI5/6 as far back as 76.

• JBRAFTREE | Jun 22, 2012, 01:11 PM EDT

  It makes sense and it's good to keep one's enemies close.

• seamus60 | Jun 22, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT

  Its all a big charade with as much window dressing as the media can take. Meeting in Dublin to decide. LOL The brits are doing what they do best, pulling all the strings with those dangling happy to comply. Next phase of the never ending process, Marty or Gerry meet queen in order to allay any fears still held by unionists that SF are`nt serious about snugging up in bed with them for the long haul. Meanwhile SF are complaining about a flag flying outside City Hall that represents those under her command. Brings back the sad memory of Gerry and Marty having tea and looking to set up a trade delegation with the Isreali Ambassador, whilst their own Ogra SF were outside the gates protesting at the Ambassadors visit. Ruling by fooling.

• kcceltic | Jun 22, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT

  If there is going to be lasting in Northern Ireland there has to be a dialog between the North and Buckingham Palace. The British people will see this exchange as a positive move towards peace. I am all for it.

• Beedee | Jun 22, 2012, 12:04 PM EDT

  To awoken32. Your way of thinking is what has kept the running sore of hatred alive & well in N Ireland. Bleeding about past injustices is not the way to go. Try to thank God there is peace for the long suffering people of N.I. (even if uneasy as your comment would suggest)Children were born into a cesspool of hatred and violence during those bad times, some have died without understanding, lots have lived and are now enjoying the peace. Have you no respect for those men who worked so hard to stop the violence, the women who formed the Peace movement those that sacrificed their own lives to protect others? At some stage there has to be a feeling of "enough is enough" we can't change the past, that was long ago, this is now!

• fermanaghman | Jun 22, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT

  Would you dig deeper and find out what "proposition is on the table" causing Sinn Fein to make special accommodations within its rules of membership? You are giving us a headline - not a story.

• awoken32 | Jun 22, 2012, 10:50 AM EDT

  youll be blanked by the majority of the irish for shaken the hand of the devil,her an her bloodline are the enimies of humanity