Ms Eilidh Dickson:

I will not touch on the current status of the Scottish constitutional discussions but will say that, whatever happens, there is already a considerable number of similarities and differences between the devolved areas and between the UK and Ireland. The important thing is to have as many forums as possible where we can have these conversations in the most appropriate setting. They should be accessible for small organisations. Engender is a national organisation. We facilitated some of the grassroots organisations in Scotland to become involved in the charter.

The process, to which Dr. Soares and Ms Farrell can speak a little more, pointed to the influence of the different contexts, narratives and ways in which we use language in our political systems. One can see this in the draft versions of the charter, even though the content was quite similar in each. It took some additional work to make it relevant and usable for all the areas.

The common problem Ms Coyle mentioned, in terms of gender inequality, care, access to resources, the use of services and the potential impact when services are cut, does not stop at the Border. The issues have, quite rightly, different connotations and frameworks associated with them.