Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2014
159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the British Foreign Secretary or with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State the implications of the Scottish referendum; if he has put forward particular proposals in respect of the further devolution of responsibilities to the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36142/14]
View answerThe people of Scotland voted on 18 September to remain part of the United Kingdom. Attention is now turning to changes that will take place following the referendum and the plans outlined by Prime Minister Cameron on wider UK constitutional issues. While a timetable and some broad principles have been outlined, the precise details of the changes are still to be clarified. I am in ongoing contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, while I expect to meet with the British Foreign Secretary shortly and discuss with him a range of issues. We will be in close contact with all administrations in these islands as detailed discussions proceed on enhanced devolution for Scotland and on the proposed changes across the UK. The strong bonds and historic links between all the people of these islands run deep and are well-known. Across political, economic, cultural and many other spheres, Ireland enjoys excellent and ever-improving relations with the administrations across these islands and we look forward to strengthening and deepening these links in the period ahead.
The further devolution of powers to Scotland and the political changes outlined by Prime Minster Cameron do of course have political and policy implications for Ireland, North and South. It will take time to tease out these political and policy implications with all stakeholders, on these islands and within the European Union.
Devolution of further powers in Northern Ireland will be for discussion between the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.
In this context, the Good Friday Agreement sets as a key objective the promotion of harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands. The Agreement also makes a commitment to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South and between these islands.
