Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Priomh Mhinistear na hAlban.It is wonderful that those words are spoken in the first languages of both our countries. As an Independent Member, it gives me pleasure, on behalf of the Independent Members, and, I think, everybody here, to thank Ms Sturgeon for the thoughtful, challenging and understanding words she has spoken to us. When the Cathaoirleach was speaking about the channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland being 18 miles wide, I was thinking that it was, at one stage, the highway between the peoples on either side rather than a dividing geographical feature. My father and mother's names come from Argyll and Barra, which shows how connected that part of the world was in those days.

On my behalf and that of most Members here, if not on behalf of everyone, I wholly and unambiguously support Scotland's movement for national independence represented by Ms Sturgeon's party. I salute her, as First Minister, her predecessor, Mr. Alex Salmond MP and her party on their great achievement in bringing the issue centre and front in the affairs of these islands. Nationalism and the idea of an independent nation state are sometimes regarded as ideologically suspect or wrong by some people. Dealing with the point Ms Sturgeon made about fairness in the face of global finance and the inexorable workings of capitalism, the nation state is often the bulwark to which ordinary women and men can turn in order to defend their interests and articulate their need for protection from what would, otherwise, be overwhelming forces. The words Ms Sturgeon spoke about the partnership of independent states in the EU echo the feelings of most Irish people towards the EU. It is not a super state but a partnership of individual states. I hope the day comes when Scotland plays it part as a full member state of the EU, however challenging the prospect might seem at this stage.

As Ms Sturgeon said, Scotland and Ireland have so much at stake in the outworking of the Brexit process. We did not need the eagle-eyed telephoto lens of a journalist outside Downing Street yesterday to underline the fact that so much is unknown. The decision by a majority of the people of the UK to leave the EU is not merely a leap into the unknown, but a leap into the unknowable, given that the parameters of the negotiations are so unclear. The words Ms Sturgeon has spoken about the priority of maintaining the Single Market and the common customs area are priorities. Although it may not be obvious to many people who feel Brexit means Brexit, whatever that means, in Scotland and all parts of Ireland we believe it is an imperative that whatever happens between the UK and the EU, the relationship should be as close as possible. It is not in the interests of the peoples of any part of Europe or these islands that there should be a distant relationship.

The achievements of the Scottish National Party are huge. The fact that, during the last general election, the party was regarded by some people as a threat to be avoided and a galvanising argument for some people by way of reaction speaks strongly to the power and strength of the party's arguments and movement. In the years ahead, when there are so many uncertainties, I hope this historic occasion marks the beginning of a real, demonstrated cordiality between the Irish and Scottish people. They share many values.They do take pride in their independence and nationhood.

In the past, many people have queried the value of independence. For this country, independence has been a remarkably transforming phenomenon. I have no doubt but that the genius of the Scottish people, once released through full independence, will achieve the same for Scotland. From that point of view, it is a great honour for me to be allowed to express these views, through the Chair, to the First Minister. I welcome her warmly and hope she will return here and that we will engage with her more and more.