A Fine Gael TD for Kerry is urging the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to extend a formal invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to visit Ireland.

Brendan Griffin told Eamon Gilmore that believes a visit by the Royal couple could help boost the number of tourists visiting Ireland from the UK.

He says he reckons a trip would build on the strong relations that exist between this island and Britain.

"William and Kate are a hugely popular couple across the world, and I have no doubt that they would receive a very warm welcome if they came to Irish shores" Mr. Griffin said.

'Positive response' from the Tánaiste

"The United Kingdom is our closest international neighbour and remains our most important tourism market; people from the UK made more than 2.7 million visits to Ireland last year".

"A visit from William and Kate could help to encourage more British visitors to come here and experience all that Ireland has to offer".

"The Gathering provides the perfect opportunity to issue a formal State invitation to the couple, and I hope it could be issued sooner rather than later" he added.

He says he was also encouraged by the positive response he received from the Tánaiste, who said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would be very welcome to visit Ireland in the context of the close ties that exist between Britain and Ireland.

The Duchess has recently been dogged by new photos taken on holiday.