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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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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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18 May 2011
Queen And PM Visit Government Buildings
As part of her four day visit to Ireland, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has visited Government Buildings this morning where she met with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and members of the Irish Government. Queen Elizabeth will then continue to the Irish War Memorial Garden in Islandbridge where she will lay a wreath.
Queen And PM Visit Government Buildings
As part of her four day visit to Ireland, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has visited Government Buildings this morning where she met with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and members of the Irish Government. Queen Elizabeth will then continue to the Irish War Memorial Garden in Islandbridge where she will lay a wreath.
05 March 2008
Queen Set For Irish Visit?
Queen Elizabeth is very keen to pay a Royal visit to Ireland, the Taoiseach has said. Responding to a question in the Dáil, Bertie Ahern said the Queen would "dearly love" to come to the Emerald Isle.
Queen Set For Irish Visit?
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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”.
07 March 2011
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.
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.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A mainly dry although with a fair amount of cloud with only a few sunny intervals. Overnight fog patches lifting this morning. A few showers possible across Fermanagh. Light winds. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Chance of one or two showers across the south at first this evening. Otherwise it will be a dry night with a few fog patches. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
