David Ford MLA said: “Following the success of the Queen’s visit to Ireland in 2011, I am sure the first official state visit by an Irish President to the UK will be an equally momentous occasion. It will further build bridges between the people of these islands.
“It is great to see the positive response to President Higgins’ visit.
“While the Queen and President Higgins should be rightly praised for the work that has led to this visit, I would also like to pay tribute to the work that was carried out by Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese during their periods in office, which laid the foundations for the events that we are seeing this week.”
ENDS