Heather Humphreys has said she would be “very proud” to represent the Irish Government at a church service commemorating partition and the foundation of Northern Ireland.

The Social Protection Minister was speaking after President Michael D Higgins declined an invitation to attend a commemoration at a church in County Armagh.

The President said the title of the event was “politicised” and noted that it would be inappropriate for the head of State to attend an event that commemorates partition.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Minister Heather Humphries said she would have no issue with attending.

“Just to say, first of all, the Government has not received an invitation but the Taoiseach was very clear yesterday, he said that if we get an invitation we will certainly consider it,” she said.

“Can I just say that if the Government decided to send a representative and they did ask me to represent them, I would be very proud to represent the Government as I have done in the past at many different events.

“So, as I said no invitation as yet and if there is one Government will decide.”

She said she has never turned down the chance to represent the Government.

“On every occasion, I have been more than proud to represent the Irish Government at whatever event I was asked to attend,” she said.

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