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19/03/2008
Royal Visit 'Off' Until Policing Resolved: McAleese
There's unlikely to be an official royal visit to the Irish Republic in the coming months.
President Mary McAleese has said she believes Queen Elizabeth will only visit the Republic after local policing and justice powers have been devolved to the power-sharing executive at Stormont - something that is being hotly debated by MLAs, but is looking increasingly unlikely by the original 'deadline' of May - despite continued pressure by Sinn Fein.
Mrs McAleese was speaking after holding talks with the Queen Elizabeth II in Belfast this afternoon.
The two heads of state met at an event - appropriately enough - to mark the centenary of Queen's University in Belfast.
The Queen's meeting with the Irish head of state is only the second such encounter on the island of Ireland to take place.
The two have met seven times in the past, but it was thought these discussions could be a forerunner for a royal visit to the Republic.
Despite the President's comments, it will be widely seen as one of the last parts of a jigsaw puzzle for which the final set piece is a Royal visit to the Republic - presaged by Princess Anne's welcome at Dublin's Crooke Park earlier in the year.
This week marks the 20th time the Queen has been in Northern Ireland and comes despite tabloid newspaper reports of a 'dissident' republican plot to kill the sovereign during the three-day visit.
The meeting with President McAleese was just one of the royal couple's engagements in Belfast and at Hillsborough Castle over the next few days.
The Queen's first engagement was at Hillsborough Castle last night when she met more than 300 members and workers from the Territorial Army - which has just sent a large contingent to Afghanistan - and was organised to mark the organisation's centenary.
(BMcC)
President Mary McAleese has said she believes Queen Elizabeth will only visit the Republic after local policing and justice powers have been devolved to the power-sharing executive at Stormont - something that is being hotly debated by MLAs, but is looking increasingly unlikely by the original 'deadline' of May - despite continued pressure by Sinn Fein.
Mrs McAleese was speaking after holding talks with the Queen Elizabeth II in Belfast this afternoon.
The two heads of state met at an event - appropriately enough - to mark the centenary of Queen's University in Belfast.
The Queen's meeting with the Irish head of state is only the second such encounter on the island of Ireland to take place.
The two have met seven times in the past, but it was thought these discussions could be a forerunner for a royal visit to the Republic.
Despite the President's comments, it will be widely seen as one of the last parts of a jigsaw puzzle for which the final set piece is a Royal visit to the Republic - presaged by Princess Anne's welcome at Dublin's Crooke Park earlier in the year.
This week marks the 20th time the Queen has been in Northern Ireland and comes despite tabloid newspaper reports of a 'dissident' republican plot to kill the sovereign during the three-day visit.
The meeting with President McAleese was just one of the royal couple's engagements in Belfast and at Hillsborough Castle over the next few days.
The Queen's first engagement was at Hillsborough Castle last night when she met more than 300 members and workers from the Territorial Army - which has just sent a large contingent to Afghanistan - and was organised to mark the organisation's centenary.
(BMcC)
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07 March 2011
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DUP Leader and the North's First Minister Peter Robinson, has welcomed the announcement that Her Majesty The Queen is to visit the Republic of Ireland. "The news of a visit by Her Majesty to the Irish Republic will be welcomed by all right-thinking people throughout the United Kingdom and that country as a positive development.
Queen's Republic Visit Welcomed
DUP Leader and the North's First Minister Peter Robinson, has welcomed the announcement that Her Majesty The Queen is to visit the Republic of Ireland. "The news of a visit by Her Majesty to the Irish Republic will be welcomed by all right-thinking people throughout the United Kingdom and that country as a positive development.
09 February 2011
Queen's Visit To Be 'Sprung On Ireland'
This spring could see the first ever visit by The Queen to the Republic of Ireland. Discussions to set a date for the first visit by a British monarch are underway, with the Irish Times saying that a three-day trip by Queen Elizabeth II was anticipated in May this year.
Queen's Visit To Be 'Sprung On Ireland'
This spring could see the first ever visit by The Queen to the Republic of Ireland. Discussions to set a date for the first visit by a British monarch are underway, with the Irish Times saying that a three-day trip by Queen Elizabeth II was anticipated in May this year.
18 May 2011
Cameron Says State Visit 'Remarkable'
Joining Her Majesty the Queen on the State Visit to the Republic of Ireland today, the UK's Prime Minister said the visit was “remarkable” and demonstrated the fact the relationship between Britain and the Republic of Ireland had “never been stronger”.
Cameron Says State Visit 'Remarkable'
Joining Her Majesty the Queen on the State Visit to the Republic of Ireland today, the UK's Prime Minister said the visit was “remarkable” and demonstrated the fact the relationship between Britain and the Republic of Ireland had “never been stronger”.
24 June 2010
Queen Elizabeth May Come To Republic
It has emerged the Queen of the United Kingdom may visit the Republic of Ireland for the first time since the beginning of her reign. After a meeting between the Prime Minister David Cameron in London and Taoiseach Brian Cowen, plans have surfaced that the Queen's first state visit to Ireland may come before the end of next year.
Queen Elizabeth May Come To Republic
It has emerged the Queen of the United Kingdom may visit the Republic of Ireland for the first time since the beginning of her reign. After a meeting between the Prime Minister David Cameron in London and Taoiseach Brian Cowen, plans have surfaced that the Queen's first state visit to Ireland may come before the end of next year.
15 March 2012
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness May Meet The Queen During Next Visit
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has given his strongest indication to date that he may be prepared to meet Britain's Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the North as part of jubilee celebrations.
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness May Meet The Queen During Next Visit
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has given his strongest indication to date that he may be prepared to meet Britain's Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the North as part of jubilee celebrations.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
