The Ulster Unionist Party may opt to accept invitations to attend the Government's commemoration in July to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
However, UUP Stormont Assembly members are "unlikely" to accept invitations to attend the commemoration to mark the anniversary of the Easter Rising.
The issue is likely to be discussed today by the UUP Assembly group during their usual weekly meeting in Stormont, a party spokesman told The Irish Times last night.
Speaking yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the invitations to both events would be issued in a spirit of friendship and he hoped that they would be recognised for the mutual respect with which they were extended.
The main commemoration of the 1916 Rising will be on Easter Sunday, April 16th, with a ceremony at the GPO on O'Connell Street, followed by a military parade to reflect the Defence Forces' role, particularly in UN peacekeeping duties.
The main commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, during which thousands of Protestant and Catholic Irish were killed, will be held during the first weekend in July, with a ceremony at the Islandbridge War Memorial. Details will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin mayor of Kerry Toiréasa Ferris condemned the rioters who attacked gardaí during last Saturday week's parade by Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR).
Speaking on TV3's The Political Party, Ms Ferris, daughter of Sinn Féin Kerry North TD Martin Ferris said: "I was very disappointed with it [the Dublin riots], I was actually a little bit disgusted. I thought it was an opportunity to show that the Irish people are willing to embrace unionism . . ."
Asked if she would condemn the rioters, she said: "Yeah, I would. I would be very harsh in my criticism of it. It was unnecessary."
Questioned about her willingness to condemn the rioters, but not the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, she replied: "Well, I have a difficulty using the word condemn with any IRA action over the last 30 years and I think I've explained my position on that, my party has explained their position on that."
