Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald said she shares in the disappointment of the people of Belfast at President Michael D Higgins decision to pull out of an Easter Rising centenary dinner in Belfast City Hall.
When asked her thoughts on the President's decision in Belfast today, here is what she had to say:
Speaking at St. Mary's University College on the Falls Road she said: "I feel it's very important that Uachtarán na hÉireann visits all parts of Ireland particularly in this commemorative year. Belfast, after all it is the second city of Ireland."
"The purpose of the event is to commemorate and celebrate in the most inclusive way, I wonder who advised or gave that direction and I hope that decision might be reconsidered."
