Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has told RTÉ radio that he has no plans to step down in the immediate future.
Mr Ahern said he plans to remain as Taoiseach for "a good few years".
The Taoiseach told Joe Duffy in a live interview, "I'm not 60 for a another 3 or 4 years so I'll be around 'til then".
Mr Ahern said a visit by Queen Elizabeth of Britain to Ireland is inevitable and would be possible in the next few years.
"As soon as we can end the policing issue in the North which hopefully will be in 2008 that will be the remaining bit and I think the invitation will probably be issued after that," the Taoiseach said.
Mr Ahern also plans to visit Tanzania and South Africa next year.
