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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Robinson and McGuinness welcome Derry fleadh decision | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The first and deputy first ministers have welcomed the Ulster Council of Comhaltas' decision to back Derry's bid to host the 2013 All-Ireland Fleadh. | |
| The Ulster Council reversed its decision not to endorse the bid following a meeting of senior officers on Tuesday night. | |
| First Minister Peter Robinson said the event would "be of both cultural and economic benefit to Londonderry". | |
| Martin McGuinness said the council's move was "a very positive development." | |
| "There has been a tremendous groundswell of support for the bid from not just Ireland but all over the globe since the weekend and I commend the Ulster Council of Comhaltas for now deciding to nominate the city to host the All-Ireland Fleadh next year. | |
| "I've no doubt that a strong case will be put forward and I sincerely hope that we will have further cause for celebration this weekend," he added | |
| The Derry branch of Comhaltas had appealed against the decision of the organisation's Ulster Council not to put the city forward as host. | The Derry branch of Comhaltas had appealed against the decision of the organisation's Ulster Council not to put the city forward as host. |
| A decision on whether the city will host 2013's event will now take place this weekend. | A decision on whether the city will host 2013's event will now take place this weekend. |
| At a meeting of Derry Comhaltas last Wednesday, members voted 13-1 in favour of the bid. | At a meeting of Derry Comhaltas last Wednesday, members voted 13-1 in favour of the bid. |
| However, after two dissident republican bombs exploded in the city last week, the Ulster council turned down the bid. | However, after two dissident republican bombs exploded in the city last week, the Ulster council turned down the bid. |
| On Wednesday, Mr Robinson said: "I am pleased that whatever concerns may have existed surrounding the hosting of this event have now been addressed and that common sense has prevailed". | |
| 'Dissident danger' | |
| Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture around the world. | Comhaltas promotes traditional Irish music and culture around the world. |
| On Sunday, the organisation's Ulster council said it was impossible to support the city's bid to host the popular music and dance festival because of the danger from dissident violence. | On Sunday, the organisation's Ulster council said it was impossible to support the city's bid to host the popular music and dance festival because of the danger from dissident violence. |
| It said that with "deep regret and long consideration", it was turning down the bid because safety was paramount. | It said that with "deep regret and long consideration", it was turning down the bid because safety was paramount. |
| The UK City of Culture organisers had been hoping to bring the fleadh to Northern Ireland for the first time ever in 2013. | |
| But the UK link to the traditional Irish event had already proved a stumbling block with some members. | But the UK link to the traditional Irish event had already proved a stumbling block with some members. |
| Director general of Comhaltas in Ireland, Labhras O Murchu said: "There was a meeting again with the same body who met last Saturday. | |
| "They reconsidered the decision which was made and we're expecting an application to arrive on Wednesday. | "They reconsidered the decision which was made and we're expecting an application to arrive on Wednesday. |
| "It's impossible at this stage to call what way the vote may go. | "It's impossible at this stage to call what way the vote may go. |
| "Because this issue has been so well debated there isn't a member on the council who hasn't a greater understanding of the issues involved in the Derry bid." | "Because this issue has been so well debated there isn't a member on the council who hasn't a greater understanding of the issues involved in the Derry bid." |
| Bid ratified | Bid ratified |
| Eibhlin Ni Dochairtaigh, chair of the the Derry City branch of Comhaltas, welcomed the move. | Eibhlin Ni Dochairtaigh, chair of the the Derry City branch of Comhaltas, welcomed the move. |
| "I think that whatever issues and concerns were expressed have been addressed to their satisfaction. | "I think that whatever issues and concerns were expressed have been addressed to their satisfaction. |
| "I very much appreciate and welcome their continued support. The reversed decision has ratified the bid." | "I very much appreciate and welcome their continued support. The reversed decision has ratified the bid." |
| The central council of Comhaltas will meet on Saturday for a final decision on the venue. Sligo and Ennis are also bidding to host the fleadh | The central council of Comhaltas will meet on Saturday for a final decision on the venue. Sligo and Ennis are also bidding to host the fleadh |