Media:The Belfast-based nationalist Irish News newspaper has questioned the decision of Bertie Ahern to address the British houses of parliament and to invite first minister-designate the Rev Ian Paisley to the Battle of Boyne site during the election campaign.
With the headline "Events border on canvassing", yesterday's editorial in the Irish News suggested that it would be inappropriate for Mr Ahern to participate in the two events this month.
"The outgoing Taoiseach is certainly entitled to be a guest of honour when devolved powers formally return to the Northern Ireland Assembly on May 8th, but there is a legitimate degree of concern about the timing of his other forthcoming engagements," according to the leader writer.
"Neither Tony Blair nor Mr Paisley should want to leave themselves open to the charge that they were effectively endorsing Mr Ahern's candidacy," the Irish News said of Mr Ahern's scheduled address at Westminster on May 15th and his Battle of the Boyne site engagement with Dr Paisley three days later.
"While the DUP leader might profess to be amused by the very suggestion, there seems no compelling reason for a much-publicised and worthy act of reconciliation to be staged just days before a finely balanced general election. The Boyne encounter has a wider symbolic significance and it would be appropriate if it could be staged on a politically-neutral date."
