This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18552221#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness to meet Queen Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness to meet Queen
(40 minutes later)
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to meet the Queen during her visit to Northern Ireland next week.Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to meet the Queen during her visit to Northern Ireland next week.
Mr McGuinness and First Minister Peter Robinson have been invited to attend a Co-operation Ireland reception along with the Queen and the Irish President Michael D Higgins.Mr McGuinness and First Minister Peter Robinson have been invited to attend a Co-operation Ireland reception along with the Queen and the Irish President Michael D Higgins.
In the past, Sinn Fein leaders have boycotted Royal visits to Ireland.In the past, Sinn Fein leaders have boycotted Royal visits to Ireland.
However, a decision to meet the Queen was made at a special Sinn Fein leadership meeting on Friday.However, a decision to meet the Queen was made at a special Sinn Fein leadership meeting on Friday.
Speaking after the his party's meeting, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the decision as a "significant initiative" which presented major symbolic challenges for Irish republicans.
However, he said it reflected Sinn Fein's "genuine desire to embrace our unionist neighbours".
The Queen, who is due to visit Northern Ireland on Tuesday and Wednesday, is joint patron of Co-operation Ireland with the Irish President.The Queen, who is due to visit Northern Ireland on Tuesday and Wednesday, is joint patron of Co-operation Ireland with the Irish President.
The peace-building charity was established in 1979 and works to promote good relations between Catholics and Protestants on both sides of the Irish border.The peace-building charity was established in 1979 and works to promote good relations between Catholics and Protestants on both sides of the Irish border.
The Co-operation Ireland reception will coincide with the Queen's visit to Northern Ireland, but is not part of her scheduled programme of Jubilee celebrations.The Co-operation Ireland reception will coincide with the Queen's visit to Northern Ireland, but is not part of her scheduled programme of Jubilee celebrations.
The cross-border event is to focus on a celebration of local arts.The cross-border event is to focus on a celebration of local arts.
Earlier, Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy told the BBC: "We always were prepared to consider a genuine proposition and we have one on the table now."Earlier, Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy told the BBC: "We always were prepared to consider a genuine proposition and we have one on the table now."
The Newry and Armagh MP said there were significant challenges for Irish republicans with the Queen's status as head of the armed forces but the meeting was about recognising the contribution the Queen made during her visit to the Republic of Ireland last year.The Newry and Armagh MP said there were significant challenges for Irish republicans with the Queen's status as head of the armed forces but the meeting was about recognising the contribution the Queen made during her visit to the Republic of Ireland last year.
Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt said a meeting between a Sinn Fein leader and the Queen had become inevitable since her Irish state visit.Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt said a meeting between a Sinn Fein leader and the Queen had become inevitable since her Irish state visit.
"It won't quite be that the Queen will be on roller blades rushing through, but I don't think it will be a long meeting," he said."It won't quite be that the Queen will be on roller blades rushing through, but I don't think it will be a long meeting," he said.
"I think it will be reasonably short and I also suspect that the actual handshake may well be in private.""I think it will be reasonably short and I also suspect that the actual handshake may well be in private."
UDA leader Jackie McDonald said the Queen had "broken the mould" by her visit to the Republic of Ireland last May.UDA leader Jackie McDonald said the Queen had "broken the mould" by her visit to the Republic of Ireland last May.
He said he would welcome any meeting between the Queen and Mr McGuinness as a "step forward".He said he would welcome any meeting between the Queen and Mr McGuinness as a "step forward".