Policing deal 'will enable' queen's visit

A VISIT to the Republic by Queen Elizabeth will be possible when the policing issue is dealt with in the North, the Taoiseach told the Dáil.

Bertie Ahern said the visit would not take place this year but he knew from over the past decade that the queen would dearly love to come to the Republic during her reign and it had been discussed, but she understood the practicalities and difficulties involved.

"If the issue of policing is completed - it is scheduled to be completed and I hope that is the case in the very short term - then we could put our mind to that matter in a serious way," he added. "We are due to come back on it at that time and we would have an obligation to do so."

The Taoiseach was replying to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who noted that former Fine Gael taoiseach Liam Cosgrave had ended the boycott on royal occasions which had been in place since the foundation of the State.

Mr Ahern said that the invitation, when issued, would come from Áras an Uachtaráin with the Government's agreement. He said such a visit would take some considerable time to organise.