Two Ulster Unionist political representatives have described as sensible the decision by President Mary McAleese not to visit the Shankill Road during her trip to Belfast this week.
Fred Cobain and Chris McGimpsey had previously pleaded with the President not to go ahead with the planned visit following her remarks about protestants during an interview about the Holocaust last month.
Mr Cobain said he was glad to see that common sense had prevailed. Mr McGimpsey added he was sure that the people of Shankill would be happy to receive Mrs McAleese when it is more appropriate to do so.
President McAleese had been due to visit a school in the Shankill Road during a series of official engagements in her native Belfast next Thursday.
A spokesperson for the President said last night that an engagement at the school had been deferred, but discussions about a visit in the future were under way.
Her itinerary on Thursday will include a visit to a section of Belfast City Hospital, meetings with community groups in the Hannahstown area of the city and a function at St Malachy's College.
Belfast community worker Baroness May Blood has said she is 'disappointed' that the President will not be visiting the Shankill Road this week but cancellation of her visit was 'inevitable'.
Baroness Blood said the comments made by the President on Holocaust Memorial Day caused great anger among a section of the local protestant community and left the majority of people confused.
She said the President should 'let the dog lie for a while' and continue her work of building bridges by meeting others in Northern Ireland and continuing to invite protestants to Áras an Uactaráin.
