Alliance congratulates new Irish President

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st Oct 2004

ALLIANCE Deputy Leader Eileen Bell (North Down) has congratulated Irish President Mary McAleese on her return to office for a second term.

Congratulating the President designate, Mrs Bell stated:

"When Mary McAleese became President she said one of her aims was to bring people together.

"I think she has done that comprehensively.

"You can see that from the number of community groups she has met in my constituency and right across Northern Ireland or received at her official residence from what is called `the other side`.

"A number of months ago she had an historic visit to the Kilcooley estate in Bangor - one of the most predominantly loyalist areas - and people there are still talking about it.

"She was such a hit with local residents they were still talking to me about it last week.

"Now she has secured her second term, I would like to see her continue the process of supplementing the peace process by reaching out at a community level."