James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim mo leithscéal leis na Seanadóirí eile.I was not aware of that and I apologise. At least it means that my delivery will not be as rushed as it might otherwise have been. I welcome the First Minister on this historic occasion. It is not her first visit to this country as First Minister but it is certainly a very historic one, which we all welcome. As the First Minister has pointed to in her own speech, Scotland and Ireland share many common values and a long, long history. Reference was made to rugby and many of us follow the Celtic soccer club in a very committed way. We have a long history of immigration back and across from Scotland into Ireland and from Ireland into Scotland. As the First Minister has pointed out herself, we have been strengthening ties though our consulate and following very closely the Scottish position vis-à-visthe UK exit from the EU.

We very much share a common cause in ensuring that the UK stays as close to the EU as it possibly can, and in particular in respect of the Single Market. I note the First Minister's comments on the various outcomes that could possibly arise and how she reserves Scotland's position in that regard. It is very important to Ireland, and we are very much heartened by the fact, that Scotland voted to stay in the EU. We would be very supportive of ensuring that Scotland's voice is heard during the UK negotiations, as well as the voices of our fellow Celts north of the Border, who also voted to stay within the EU. We know, however, that in remaining in the Single Market, the UK will be faced with a serious challenge if it refuses to allow the free movement of people. In her delivery today Ms Sturgeon alluded to that issue, to our own shared history of emigration across the world, and to the generosity shown to our people when we were in need hundreds of years ago and in more recent years as people sought a better life outside our respective countries.It does behove us, as Ms Sturgeon pointed out, to be supportive of that movement of people and to do our fair share in regard to the current immigration crisis in Europe and north Africa.

I want to thank her in particular for her comments around the support for the Border and that as little as possible should change in that respect. Only harm can come from a hard Border for us in the Republic of Ireland and the North of Ireland.

The ongoing uncertainty and volatility of sterling has already had a major economic impact on this country and the people of Britain as well. However, Scotland has a particular role to play in this area, as Ms Sturgeon said, and I would also like to finish on a positive note. We are all Celts and have been very successful in the past, and good at turning adversity into advantage and at turning challenges into opportunities. I believe, in particular following the comments of Ms Sturgeon today, that we can and will do so again, notwithstanding the serious challenges ahead.

On behalf of Fine Gael, I again thank Ms Sturgeon for her historic visit, for taking the time to come here and for her very supportive comments on the UK staying as close as possible to the EU, in particular given the Border situation.