A noteworthy announcement from the Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams tonight which confirms that party representatives will attend a number of events during Prince Charles visit to Ireland.

Speaking about how the party made its decision and the symbolism of it Adams said;

The Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle meeting in Kilkenny yesterday discussed the upcoming visit of the Prince Charles to Ireland. At the time of the announcement of the visit I said that it should be an opportunity to promote reconciliation and build on the good work done by Martin McGuinness and the English Queen. Prince Charles is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Parachute Regiment. A regiment of the British Army that has been responsible for killing of many Irish citizens including in Derry, Ballymurphy, Springhill and other communities across the north. But he also has been bereaved by the actions of republicans.

Finally;

Thankfully the conflict is over. But there remains unresolved injustices. These must be rectified and a healing process developed. There is a responsibility on us all to promote reconciliation and seek to promote healing. It is with that in mind that the Ard Chomhairle decided that Sinn Féin representatives will attend a number of events during this visit.

I always like to see this type of engagement. I know they can be regarded with scepticism, but I think that these events in the long term do help ease tensions in some quarters and both sides deserve some credit for taking part in them.