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Queen, Irish president in meeting Justice move key to royal visit
(about 1 hour later)
The Queen has had a private meeting with Irish President Mary McAleese at Queen's University in Belfast. Irish President Mary McAleese has said a royal visit to the Republic of Ireland will only happen once policing and justice powers are devolved.
The two have met seven times in the past, but it is thought these discussions could be a forerunner for a royal visit to the Republic. Mrs McAleese was speaking after meeting the Queen at Queen's University in Belfast on Wednesday.
The Queen also talked with Nobel Laureate poet Seamus Heaney at the university. "I think the day is significantly closer," she said.
Earlier, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she visited the East Belfast Mission on the Newtownards Road. "We know that it is dependent on the completion of devolution, which hopefully will not be too far away. We had hoped that would be May."
Mrs McAleese said: "We are not entirely sure what the timescale is. We hope it will keep closely to the timetable.
"When that is done, when devolution is completed, I think then anything ispossible."
The Queen had a private meeting with Mrs McAleese at the elder of Northern Ireland's two universities. She also talked with Nobel Laureate poet Seamus Heaney.
Earlier, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen visited the East Belfast Mission on the Newtownards Road.
On the street outside, hundreds of people, many waving union flags, cheered on the royal visitors.On the street outside, hundreds of people, many waving union flags, cheered on the royal visitors.
It is the 20th time the Queen has been in Northern Ireland.It is the 20th time the Queen has been in Northern Ireland.
MissionMission
On the way into the mission the royal visitors were greeted by Lady Carswell, the Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, before meeting First Minister Ian Paisley and Rev Garry Mason.On the way into the mission the royal visitors were greeted by Lady Carswell, the Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, before meeting First Minister Ian Paisley and Rev Garry Mason.
Inside, the Queen met mothers and children from the mission's parent and toddlers group and heard about plans for a £20m regeneration programme for the mission.Inside, the Queen met mothers and children from the mission's parent and toddlers group and heard about plans for a £20m regeneration programme for the mission.
The Queen met Ian Paisley in east BelfastThe Queen met Ian Paisley in east Belfast
She unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit before accepting a posie of flowers from six-year-old Erin Dawson.She unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit before accepting a posie of flowers from six-year-old Erin Dawson.
At the university, the Queen heard a poem written by Mr Heaney commemorating the 100th anniversary of learning at the institution.At the university, the Queen heard a poem written by Mr Heaney commemorating the 100th anniversary of learning at the institution.
She was also shown exhibitions about the university's achievements.She was also shown exhibitions about the university's achievements.
The meeting with President McAleese is one of a number of royal engagements on Wednesday, the second day of a three-day visit to Northern Ireland.The meeting with President McAleese is one of a number of royal engagements on Wednesday, the second day of a three-day visit to Northern Ireland.
QUB Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson described the university as "one of the best in the UK for knowledge transfer".QUB Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson described the university as "one of the best in the UK for knowledge transfer".
"I have no doubt that the coming years will see a growth in the number of spin-out companies and high-quality jobs associated with them," he said."I have no doubt that the coming years will see a growth in the number of spin-out companies and high-quality jobs associated with them," he said.
On Thursday, the Queen will attend the Maundy Service in Armagh Cathedral.On Thursday, the Queen will attend the Maundy Service in Armagh Cathedral.
She attended a reception at Hillsborough Castle on the first day of her visit.She attended a reception at Hillsborough Castle on the first day of her visit.
In her first engagement at Hillsborough Castle, the Queen met more than 300 members and workers from the Territorial Army.In her first engagement at Hillsborough Castle, the Queen met more than 300 members and workers from the Territorial Army.
The event was to mark the organisation's centenary.The event was to mark the organisation's centenary.