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Updated 2.40pm
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has said that he would like to see Queen Elizabeth visit Ireland in 2016 as part of the events surrounding the commemoration of the 1916 Rising.
Speaking to the media after a business breakfast in London this morning, Kenny said that the government had made it clear “some time ago” that it intended to invite members of the Royal family to some events in two years time.
He said he was pleased to hear the Queen herself speak about the possibility during last night’s historic State banquet at Windsor Castle.
“I was actually pleased to hear the Queen herself speak last night that members of her family and her government would stand side-by-side with representatives from Ireland at appropriate commemoration ceremonies,” he said.
Asked if he would like to see the Queen return to Ireland in 2016, he responded: “Yes, I would like to see it, but obviously there is a protocol attached to this.
He said that Irish people have become “very much enthused and interested” in pageantry and ceremonies attached to State visits such as the one taking place this week.
Kenny said that working out the participation of Royals in any events would have to take into account the different perspectives people have on the past.
Asked about the criticism in some sections of the British media of Martin McGuinness’s attendance at the banquet last night, Kenny said that the Sinn Féin MLA should have attended the State banquet in Dublin Castle in 2011.
He also pressed home that it was up to leaders in the North to sort out their differences in the interests of the peace process.
“What I tried to say here, which I think was endorsed by the Queen and President last evening, was that you cannot have a block of politics anchored to the past which does not allow for the next generation to move ahead,” he said.
He added that the past “should not strangle the opportunity for the future”.
Speaking at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London this afternoon, the Tánaiste said that an invitation to the Queen and other members of the Royal family was something that has been discussed for a long time and would be considered by the government.
“I was very pleased to hear what Her Majesty had to say last night. The idea of perhaps members of the Royal family participating in the 1916 events is something that we have talked about before,” he said
For his part, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said that it was important to commemorate the events together.
He said commemorating “all the events from that period” including the Rising needs to be considered by both governments.
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When they changed to reduced sugar it was the end….. Lilt has never been the same.
@Shane McGrath: Exactly. I’ve been cutting down on soft drinks because I’m allergic to aspartame. It used to be my only reason for ordering regular instead of diet drinks.
And the other artificial sweeteners aren’t doing any favours to the taste either.
If they had reduced the sugar, and left it at that, I wouldn’t mind, but trying to compensate by using artificial sweeteners is wrong on so many levels.
@Shane McGrath: Blame the sugar tax for ruining lifes small pleasures.
If you don’t have Lilt and Cidona as your Christmas softdrinks are you even Irish????
@Fi Wyse: or Tanora if you’re from Cork
@Sara McS: Tanora and a chicken fillet roll. Gift nyom
Rockshandy rules this isle!… Victory!
@thesaltyurchin: The Mas with the flat 7up might not agree with you…..
@Fi Wyse: or the boiled red lemonade. A legendary cure-all! :)
@Fi Wyse:
Who on earth drinks this rubbish?
Artificial sweeteners are the no. 1 causse of cancer.
Can’t say you weren’t warned.
With the cost of living these days lilt might be the closest we get to the tropics.
More than the product itself, I liked the original advertising campaign. Everytime I drank it, or even now when I just think of it, I think of the West Indies and that ‘totally tropical taste’.
I’m sure Fanta will reconsider their decision on the results of this poll, so get voting everyone!
After a sweaty hot day in the bog bringing home trailers of turf, there’s nothing like going to the fridge and opening and downing a can of lilt……..
Who
The
*
Cares
Don’t drink it, but I’m outraged anyway. Is there a protest arranged or maybe an online petition? Anyone know the number for Joe Duffy?
The Aldi version is very nice!
@Gareth Miskelly: no it’s not it’s mank
Fanta was created by Coca Cola for sale in the Nazi market during WWII. That was the company’s way of getting around federal legislation banning trade with Germany. Germany was the only production base for Fanta until the parent company started global sales. It’s a small world, really..
Yes, it’s totally tropical
Just YUCK
Listing the ingredients for fun :)
Carbonated Water, Fruit Juices from Concentrate 5% (Pineapple, Grapefruit), Sugar, Citric Acid, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Aspartame, Sodium Saccharin), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Flavourings, Stabilisers (Acacia Gum, Guar Gum, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosins), Colour (Carotenes). Contains a Source of Phenylalanine.
Total Carbohydrates 4.6g
Total Sugars 4.6g
Fair enough, I’ll be trying the Fanta version.
Never liked the stuff but I have a mate that’s addicted to it. He’ll be freaking out
Always dreamed of being “ The Lilt Man “ – not the same on courtown beach though :-(
Shrugs shoulders and walks away…
have your say