President Addresses The Possibility of A Historic Royal Visit
Written by Joanne Leyland
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
The
President of the Republic of Ireland appears to have ruled out a visit to the
region by the Queen in the near future.
Speaking after she met the Queen at Queen’s University in Belfast, President
Mary McAleese said that such an historic visit – the first by a British monarch
since Ireland was partitioned in 1921 – would only take place once policing and
justice powers in the republic are devolved.
Addressing the possibility of the first visit to the Republic of Ireland by the
Queen, the President appeared optimistic that it will happen, saying: "I think
the day is significantly closer. We know it is dependent on the completion of devolution".
The Queen and Prince Philip are currently in Northern Ireland ahead of tomorrow’s
Maundy Thursday ceremony at St Patrick’s
Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh.
Comment: I think the day of the Queen's visit must be getting closer and it is a breakthrough for a visit to be considered. I can understand that devolution must be complete before it happens. In fact an official visit might coincide with that?
I, for one, really appreciate the ongoing hardwork that is going into its success.
Name: M-M
Comment: Anyone with a smattering of the tragic Irish history would not be at all surprized that the British Queen is not invited to the Republic
