Is Queen Next For Republic As Paisley Crosses The Boyne?

As yet another historic event takes place today in the Irish republic - with Northern Ireland's outgoing First Minister Ian Paisley, meeting with outgoing Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern - to open a visitors' centre, a much anticipated possible royal visit to The Republic is again in the spotlight.

As Dr Paisley helps to launch the new centre, near Drogheda, just in time for the 1690 Battle of the Boyne commemorations on the Twelfth of July, there's further hints of an historic visit by the Queen to the Republic of Ireland.

However, this could depend on the IRA disbanding its Army Council, Ian Paisley has said.

However, the outgoing first minister said he hoped there would be a visit by the monarch to the Republic soon.

"I would suspect you will not get the Queen coming until we have confirmation that the IRA Army Council is finished, done away with," he said.

"After all, they were the people who murdered her uncle (Lord Mountbatten)."

There has been speculation over the past five years that the Republic could host its first visit by a British monarch since the partition of Ireland in 1921.

With the bedding down of power sharing at Stormont last year and the warmer relationship between unionists and the Irish Government, that speculation has intensified.

However there was controversy in March when after a meeting with the Queen in Belfast, Irish President Mary McAleese appeared to link a visit to the NI Assembly assuming responsibility for policing and the courts.

Unionists, who insist the political climate is not yet right for the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont, criticised Mrs McAleese.

Mr Paisley said her comments were unfortunate.

"I do not know why the president made those comments," he said.

Also, over the weekend, there was another 'Irish' royal visitor.

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, was the guest at a special party for children of Northern Ireland servicemen away on duty in some of the world's trouble spots.

About 75 children and their families attended the event at Hillsborough Castle on Sunday, while their fathers are in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

Prince Andrew is colonel in chief of the Royal Irish Regiment and the visit was his 50th to Northern Ireland.

The party was hosted by Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, who said: "We own a great debt of gratitude to all our soldiers especially those currently serving away from home. Their courage and dedication to duty is outstanding," Mr Woodward said.

"This very special occasion allows me to show my support for them, their children and family members who wait for their safe return."

He said the duke's presence had helped make it an even more special occasion.

"His presence has added greatly to the occasion and proved a special treat for everyone."

(BMcC/NS)