Queen ready to visit Ireland

The Queen looks set to pay a state visit to the Irish Republic for the first time in her reign.

Plans for the historic tour came a step closer following private talks in London between the Queen and Irish President Mary McAleese.

Speaking after the 15-minute meeting, President McAleese said she would welcome a visit to Ireland by the Queen.

"The Irish and British governments are agreed that a visit should take place and the timing is for decision by them in the light of the successful development of the political process in Northern Ireland over time," she said.

Security worries mean the Irish Republic is one of the few places in the world where the Queen has never paid a state visit. A visit by the British monarch would be politically sensitive on both sides of the border and would have to be carefully timed to avoid disturbing the Northern Ireland peace process.

The possibility of a state visit by the Queen has been discussed for years.

The breakthrough came when the Queen and President McAleese met at a reception hosted by City financier Christopher Moran to mark the 25th anniversary of the peace-building charity Co-operation Ireland.

The two heads of state, joint patrons of the charity, met sponsors and supporters including the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and former Celtic football manager Martin O'Neill. The event was held at Crosby Hall, Mr Moran's ?50 million Tudor palace on Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.

In her speech President McAleese said the Queen had a "formidably strong interest and knowledge of Ireland".

"Our two neighbouring islands, once far from neighbourly, now enjoy the best of friendly relations and work harmoniously to ensure the full flowering of the Good Friday Agreement.

"We recognise that the peace process is going through a particularly difficult and challenging period, yet it is important to be reassured by the transformation that has already taken place and taken root," said the President.