Queen Elizabeth II may make a state visit to Ireland before the end of next year, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today.
Following talks with British prime minister David Cameron, Mr Cowen said there was no obstacle preventing a state visit by the queen.
Mr Cowen was meeting Mr Cameron to discuss the recent publication of the Saville report on Bloody Sunday, as well as bilateral economic and financial matters, are likely to be discussed when the pair meet at Downing Street this afternoon.
"Normal courtesies involving the exchange of state visits between heads of states is something that can and should happen and I believe should happen during the tenure of our own president, who herself has been a bridge-builder for peace," Mr Cowen said.
The Taoiseach said he raised the matter of a state visit with Mr Cameron "in the context of the transformational relationship that has taken place" between the two countries.
Mr Cowen said he believed "no obstacle" exists "for those normal courtesies of friendly neighbouring states exchanging visits through heads of states".
He said a process has now been started between his office and that of Mr Cameron where the prospect of such a visit will be examined.
Mr Cowen said a visit "would be a good development" and added that "the importance of an exchange ofsState visits says a lot about the modern bilateral relationship that we now have".
Emphasising the links between Ireland and Britain, Mr Cowen said: "We have very strong trade links. There is more trade going on between Britain and Ireland than between Britain and China and India combined. We have a strong economic and familial relationship.
"Many Irish people who have made their living and reared their families here, and those connections are replicated in Ireland as well," he said.
It was the first formal meeting between the two heads of government and follows a brief informal discussion in the margins of the European Council in Brussels last week.
They also spoke by telephone after the prime minister took office last month.