Mr Harris’ absence will represent a notable break from the tradition of the seated Taoiseach attending the event. The commemoration comes two days after he officially announced elections in Ireland.

Speaking to reporters this morning, he explained that officials had said the Taoiseach’s presence was based on the presence of members of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Mr Harris said: “It was on the official advice of the most senior officials in my department because there is not – I do not believe – a representative of the Northern Ireland Executive present, that is, when the Taoiseach of the day – whoever she is – she would usually attend too.”

Mr Harris said the government would be represented at the “senior level” by his Fine Gael colleague and minister Heather Humphreys.

This is a significant break in a tradition started by Enda Kenny. Mr Kenny became the first taoiseach to attend a Remembrance Day service in Northern Ireland when he took part in the commemorations in Enniskillen in 2012, a move seen as a symbol of greater recognition given to the Republic of ‘Ireland to the Irish who fought and died serving in the British Army during the First World War.

His presence also marked the 25th anniversary of an IRA bombing of the memorial in 1987. The tradition has been followed almost every year since Mr Kenny laid a laurel wreath at the foot of the memorial.

Eleven people who had gathered to pay their respects to the war dead were killed and dozens more were injured in the unannounced explosion on November 8, 1987, minutes before the start of the Sunday ceremony. Memory. A 12th victim of the Poppy Day attack died 13 years later without ever coming out of a coma.

Mr Harris’ decision to miss the event was criticized by the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), a victims’ group which works with many families affected by the attack. He called on him to engage with bereaved families after the elections. Asked about the request, Mr Harris said: “Certainly, I’m very keen and happy to engage with the families.”