Cameron hails Queen’s Ireland visit

The Queen’s historic visit to the Republic of Ireland was a “game-changer” that heralded a new era in Anglo-Irish relations, David Cameron has said.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Dec 2011, 06:00 BST

In a documentary, The Queen’s Speech, to be shown tonight on Irish state broadcaster RTE, the Prime Minister said the “strong relationship” between London and Dublin brought about as a result of the peace process had been bolstered further by the tour.

The Queen became the first British monarch to travel to the Republic in 100 years in May.

The two-day visit sparked an unprecedented security operation that cost £26.2 million. It was marred by only minor protests.

Mr Cameron told RTE: “What was already a strong relationship, and what was already becoming warmer and more positive because of the settling down of the Northern Irish issue, I think her visit has just put that into a massive new perspective.

“She just warmed the hearts of people, and so this true relationship – that I think had been going on between British people and Irish people for years – has really now been able to flower.”