Queen Elizabeth's Dublin Castle speech will be judged by her government's actions

GERRY ADAMS says he believes the expression of sincere sympathy in Queen Elizabeth’s speech at Dublin Castle last night for "those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past" is genuine but added:

The import of the Queen of England’s remarks tonight will be judged by the actions of her government in the time ahead.

The Sinn Féin leader 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.

So too with her assertion that our countries are equal partners and her praise for the peace process, the peace makers and the Good Friday Agreement.

He continued:

Sinn Féin is committed to this process and to working with our unionist partners to implement in full the Good Friday Agreement.

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.

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.

Queen Elizabeth’s acknowledgement that the relationship between Britain and Ireland has not been entirely benign is a gross understatement.