Cameron: Relationship will get ‘even stronger’
Taoiseach Enda Kenny added: “The reaction to the royal visit has been exceptionally positive.”
On his first official visit to Ireland Mr Cameron said the future bond between both countries would be based on both “opportunity and co-operation”.
But he failed to give assurances that British intelligence files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 would be released, despite being asked to do so by the Taoiseach for the second time in four weeks.
Mr Cameron said the sites visited by the queen had “shown enormous sensitivities to the issues and problems of the past, but also the opportunities and excitements of the future”.
He said the people of Britain were “very struck by the pictures and the scenes and the warm welcome that she’s had.”
Ahead of the state banquet last night, Mr Cameron held a short meeting with the Taoiseach in Government Buildings just as a debate was getting underway in the Dáil on the release of the secret files to inquiries into the bombings.
The families of the victims believe such a move is essential in their quest for justice.
Despite cross-party support for the Dáil motion, Mr Cameron failed to give any assurances when the issue was raised by the Taoiseach.
Both men also discussed trade and tourism co-operation and an increased security threat from dissidents.
“We’re concerned about the necessity to have vigilance in terms of security and we want to discuss some elements of that,” the Taoiseach said ahead of the meeting.
Mr Kenny also said he was “very personally grateful to the prime minister” for the financial support being provided to Ireland through a bilateral loan and its share to the EU bailout.
He also welcomed the announcement by the British Olympic Council that the Olympic torch may pass from Belfast to Dublin before going to London for the 2012 games.
“The torch run will begin this day next year.This will be outside the normal conventional regulations, it will be exceptionally well received in Ireland and has our full support if the international olympic council agree to it,” Mr Kenny said.
Mr Cameron said the relationship between Ireland and Britain was not just about security and trade. “Above all I see it as a relationship about opportunity. of two very close neighbours and close friends who share a great amount together,” he said.
“Of course we’ll talk about security issues and the issues in Northern Ireland. But it’s so good that the relationship is so much stronger and so much broader that there are other things that we can discuss together.”
He added: “It’s great to be here.”
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