The Government has not received an invitation to attend the 50th anniversary commemoration in London on VE Day. I understand that the invitations are being confined to the Heads of State and Government of those countries which played a significant part in the war in Europe. However, our Ambassador in London will be invited to a number of ceremonies on 7 May, including a Thanksgiving Service. While Ireland maintained a neutral and non-aligned status throughout the Second World War, many people, North and South, would regard it as appropriate that we should be associated with the commemoration in this way.