Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to visit Ireland next month, as part of her first trip abroad in 24 years.
The one-day visit to Dublin will take place in June, between trips to Norway and Britain.
Ms Suu Kyi, who recently took her seat in parliament after years of house arrest, is coming at the invitation of a group of NGOs.
As yet there are no plans for an official welcome by the Government, although this may change.
Ms Suu Kyi was awarded the freedom of Dublin in 2000.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore has welcomed the development.
In a statement, Mr Gilmore: "I am delighted to have been asked to lend the Government's support to the plans being made to bring Aung San Suu Kyi to Ireland.
“Ms Suu Kyi is enormously admired in this country and I wish to pay tribute to those Irish human rights organisations and individuals who campaigned on her behalf and who helped highlight her struggle over so many years.”
