There was no discussion whatsoever about the possibility of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II when the Duke of Edinburgh paid a courtesy call on the Taoiseach during his visit to Dublin last week, Mr Ahern told the Dail.

He rejected suggestions by the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, that Prince Philip's visit was a "so-called dry run" for a visit by the queen.

When Mr Quinn asked if the Government was indifferent to the possibility of such a visit, the Taoiseach said he could not put the visit in any particular context. He knew why the Duke of Edinburgh was in Dublin, for the launch of the Millennium Gold Encounter Awards with the President, Mrs McAleese.

The Taoiseach added that such a visit would be received in the light of the Good Friday agreement.