Ruairí Quinn
Question:17 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his official visit to Scotland on 20 June 2001. [18635/01]
Vol. 540 No. 2
17 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his official visit to Scotland on 20 June 2001. [18635/01]
18 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting in Scotland on 20 June 2001 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr. John Reid. [18636/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
I travelled to Scotland on 20 June for a one day official visit, which included engagements in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. During the visit, I met with the First Minister, Henry McLeish, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Helen Liddel, as well as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, John Reid.
I had the honour of being among the first non-Scots to address the Scottish Parliament. My address to a session with a very full attendance of Members and of the public, focused on the rich history of cultural and social links between Ireland and Scotland and the opportunities now emerging significantly to enhance our relationship in the context of devolution and the institutional arrangements of the Good Friday Agreement.
In Glasgow, I gave a keynote address at the economic seminar "Ireland and Scotland: Business Partners in the 21st Century" which highlighted the trade links between the two countries and showcased a number of successful businesses working in both markets. This seminar, which was attended by about 400 business people was also addressed by the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland. In my address, I stressed that while we greatly value the historical links between the two countries, our primary focus is on building the relationship between today's Ireland and today's Scotland.