Invite 'had nothing to do with election'
Related Articles
DOWNING Street was at pains last night to deny that the timing of the Taoiseach's address to the Westminster Houses of Parliament had anything to do with the general election.
Stung by earlier accusations by the Labour party that British Prime Minister Tony Blair had made a "serious error of judgment" in handing Mr Ahern a major publicity opportunity, a Downing Street spokesman said the timing was decided before the general election date was known, and was influenced by the restoration of devolved government in the North.
"The timing was to recognise two things: first, the genuinely historic achievement of getting devolution restored and on a much firmer footing than ever before.
"Secondly, Mr Ahern's unique contribution to the successful outcome of the peace process.
"But it was also to recognise his unique contribution to transforming the relations between Britain and Ireland in the last 10 years," the spokesman said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was among the attendants at Westminster, although other party leaders from the Republic who were invited did not attend.
Mr Kenny said both the Taoiseach and Mr Blair deserved due credit for their part in the peace process and he was happy to acknowledge that.
