Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the first question, a visit from the Queen of England to this country has been a matter of some debate for some time. Obviously, until the institutions were back up and running in Northern Ireland it was not a matter that had moved on any further than an aspiration that it would happen. It was hoped that, with the devolution of policing, the remaining issues outstanding from both the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement would be complete and it was the Government's view that at that stage we could discuss the matter more seriously.

I know from over the past decade that she would dearly love to come to this country during her reign and that there has been some discussion around that, but she also understands the practicalities and difficulties of it. 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. We are due to come back on it at that time and we would have an obligation to do so.

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