A visit to the Republic of Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II is inevitable, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said.
Speaking on RTE radio yesterday, Mr Ahern said: "I think she will come in the next few years, I'm not sure it will be 2008. I think that it is inevitable that she will come."
Mr Ahern said next year would see outstanding security issues in Northern Ireland resolved and that an invitation would "probably be issued after that".
As he had said in an interview with The Irish Times, Mr Ahern reiterated that he has no plans to step down and would be staying on as Taoiseach for a "good few years".
The last visit to Ireland by a reigning British monarch was when George V, The Queen's grandfather, came to Dublin in 1911.
Other British royals have visited Ireland, including Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip and Prince Charles, the heir to the throne have visited recently.
President Mary McAleese has strongly supported the prospect of a visit by Queen Elizabeth.