Micheál Martin
Ceist:87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the First Minister of Scotland on 27 May 2019; the issues that were discussed; and the responses he gave. [24826/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 June 2019
Ceisteanna (87, 88)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:88. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the First Minister of Scotland regarding Rockall recently; and if he or his officials have spoken to or written to the Scottish or British Governments regarding same. [24827/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
I met with First Minister Sturgeon over a working lunch in Farmleigh on Monday 27 May when we considered how best to maintain and further develop the strong bilateral relations between Ireland and Scotland.
We also discussed recent latest political developments in the wake of the recent European Parliament and local elections as well as latest Brexit developments.
We acknowledged the strength and importance of bilateral relations and had a productive discussion on how we might further develop these links. We also discussed issues on which there is scope for greater co-operation.
First Minister Sturgeon and I looked forward to working closely together in the coming months. We are both committed to the work of the British Irish Council (BIC), a key institution of the Good Friday Agreement, and looked forward to meeting again at the next Summit of the Council, due to take place at the end of June.
Scottish First Minister Sturgeon did not raise Rockall at my recent meeting with her. It was subsequent to this meeting, that the Scottish Government indicated their intention to deploy fishery protection vessels to the area.
Discussions are ongoing at official level aimed at resolving this issue.