Queen meets Paisley during NI visit

Updated 13.53 Wed Mar 19 2008

Keywords: Mary McAleese, Queen, Rev Ian Paisley

The Queen has met the Reverend Ian Paisley during a three-day visit to Northern Ireland.

The Democratic Unionist leader greeted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the East Belfast Mission church with one of his characteristic quips about the weather, which produced smiles and a laugh.

"The Queen has visited Northern Ireland many times before, but not, I believe, at a more promising time for the province" - Reverend Ian Paisley

The First Minister said the visit, which comes ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, was one of his most cherished tasks ahead of his retirement in May.

"The Queen has visited Northern Ireland many times before, but not, I believe, at a more promising time for the province," he said.

"It seems at last that the days of violence are over and that people are prepared to abide by shared democratic standards."

Speculation has been mounting that, at some time in the future but not during this visit, the Queen may travel to the Irish Republic in a hugely significant move.

At the East Belfast Mission, the Queen heard details about Skainos, a £20 million regeneration programme for the site.

Church minister, the Reverend Gary Mason, said it represented hope for the future.

"For many folk within this local community, British identity is important, but there were many shades of opinion represented today.

"Both denominations were represented. This is part of the rebuilding process for both communities.

"A few short years ago, this place was a staunchly loyalist area where people from the other tradition would have been cautious about coming to and my tradition would have been the same."

The Queen's visit culminates in Thursday's Maundy service at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh.