President's trip thwarted

THE state visit to Canada by the President, Mrs Robinson, has been cancelled. She was to embark on the 10-day trip on Friday, April 4th, but will now be staying at home. This means she will be available if the Taoiseach John Bruton wants to dissolve the Dail and go to the country during that period. Indeed, word of the cancellation is mentioned in the same breath as election considerations - not ours, though. It appears our embassy in Ottawa was informed that the visit had to be postponed because they too may be facing into an election. State visits are not considered appropriate in Canada during a campaign.