Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will extend an invitation to Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, to visit Killarney, County Kerry during her forthcoming visit to Ireland, to mark the 150th anniversary of the visit of Queen Victoria to Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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A State Visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II will take place from 17-20 May 2011. The programme will include a ceremonial welcome by President McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin; a ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance; a courtesy call on the Taoiseach at Government Buildings; and a State dinner in Dublin Castle, at which both the Queen and the President will deliver speeches.

The programme will also include events at Trinity College Dublin, at the National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, at the Guinness Storehouse and at Croke Park. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will also visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare as well as Cashel and Cork.

We continue to work closely with the British side on developing this programme which we believe reflects the strength and vibrancy of our bilateral relationship. We are very conscious of the many historical resonances associated with other locations, such as Killarney, and we would hope to be in a position to consider them for inclusion in programmes for any visits from high level dignitaries which may arise in the future.