Labour Party Deputy Leader Joan Burton has welcomed the announcement that Queen Elizabeth is to make a State visit to Ireland this year having accepted an invitation from President Mary McAleese.
The dates and the programme for the visit will be announced jointly by Áras an Uachtaráin and Buckingham Palace.
Ms Burton said the visit was both overdue and to be welcomed.
Tourisms chiefs have also backed the visit and are hoping it will increase the numbers of British visitors to Ireland.
The Queen's grandfather, George V, was the last British monarch to visit Dublin in 1911.
