POLITICAL REACTION:QUEEN ELIZABETH's visit marked a new level of respect between the two states, according to Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore.
He said the visit represented a moment “where our relationship as two states, I think, crystallised as one of two independent, sovereign, different states”.
The Labour Party leader said the visit had offered an opportunity not only to reflect on the past, as was done so successfully in the speeches delivered by both the Queen and President Mary McAleese, but also to look forward “to the kind of relationship that we can have in the future”, he told RTÉ Radio yesterday.
Mr Gilmore said the visit had also provided a valuable opportunity for him to talk to his British counterpart, foreign secretary William Hague, about trade areas that could be built on or developed further.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said while it was regrettable that a small number of people “disgraced themselves again through thuggery and their blind unwillingness to accept the will of the Irish people”, their aims had been thwarted and the great majority welcomed the visit.
Mr Shatter praised An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel for their professionalism in the security operation surrounding the visit, adding that it was a pity the nature of the operation “unavoidably deprived” many people of close access to the Queen.
“But, despite that, I am sure that the Queen is leaving Ireland in no doubt about the warmth, goodwill and affection of the Irish people towards her,” he said.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin praised the Queen’s speech at the State dinner as “a generous and appropriate recognition of the historical and present relations” between Ireland and Britain.
“Taken in conjunction with her paying respects at the Garden of Remembrance, it was an important and historic speech,” Mr Martin said.
Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Dara Calleary also paid tribute to the Garda and the Defence Forces for the major role they played in ensuring the success of the visit. “The fact that the past four days of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland have gone so smoothly is largely down to excellent management and security provided by An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces,” he said.
Immense work had gone on behind the scenes to make this historic occasion a safe and positive experience for all, he noted.
“The events over the past number of days have required a massive co-ordinated security operation and large-scale traffic management plans that were carried out with the utmost efficiency and professionalism.
“Great credit is also due to those members of the Defence Forces who played a ceremonial role in a number of events throughout the visit,” he said.
“Every member of the Garda and the Defence Forces involved in events over the past number of days should be proud of their part in what was certainly a top-class co-ordinated operation.
“I know we can look forward to similar professionalism from our security forces throughout the US president Barack Obama’s visit next week.”
