Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Lá stairiúil ba ea an lá inniu. Lá iontach é atá lán d'ionadh. Ar mo shon féin agus ar son gach duine atá bailithe le chéile anseo i Seanad Éireann, gabhaim mo bhuíochas le Céad-Aire na hAlban as ucht an turas a dhéanamh go dtí an Seanad agus go mórmhór as ucht a hóráide cumhachtaí agus soiléire. Tá súil agam go ndéanfaimid machnamh ar an óráid sin.

Today is an historic day for all of us in Seanad Éireann and for the institutions of the Oireachtas, not just because it is the Head of Government that is visiting but because it is the first address to us by a Head of Government. The First Minister, Ms Sturgeon, did not disappoint. The words of Seamus Heaney come to mind, "If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way". That way is about joining together to ensure that Scotland and Ireland, collectively, play a powerful role within the European Union in a post-Brexit era, but also that we play a role together in working to attain and achieve human rights across the world.

In her address the First Minister underscored the importance of us working together, le chéile, to forge an alliance not just in a post-Brexit Europe, but in a world that is changing so that we can protect our shared interests. We have a shared history, a common streak of independence and a need and a desire to be heard and to be felt around the world. In a world that is changing the words of Yeats are appropriate, "All changed, changed utterly, a terrible beauty is born". Whether we are talking about the election of Trump in America, the rise of nationalism in parts of the world and in Europe or because of Brexit, what is required is an understanding and a willingness to engage and, as the First Minister said in her address, to listen. We very much support her views and are appreciate of her support for Ireland post-Brexit.

We are an island, North and South, of many different strands. That needs to be heard as well across the world. The First Minister referred to the open Border on our island, the Single Market in free trade, the pursuit of social justice, working together on climate change, and the humanitarian desire to see people, whether in Syria or many other parts of the world, accepted and looked after. That is why today in her address the First Minister did not just touch on Ireland, Scotland and Brexit but about our respective place in the world.

We are learning from Scotland about climate change and the marriage equality referendum. The First Minister has shown courage in her leadership and that is something to which we all, as political people, must aspire to achieve. Over the centuries leadership has involved making tough decisions. It involves listening and engaging. Today, the First Minister has done that with us. The political and social landscape of the world is changing. The body politic must listen to the people. The institutions of Europe must reflect upon the votes cast in the United Kingdom but also in the individual independent countries in elections. That is why today we must work to achieve the best for our people. We are the people's representatives. We are the voices of the people, those who vote for us and those who vote against us; those who voted for Brexit and those who voted against it.

As an island nation we can be proud of the leadership the First Minister has shown, and her willingness to change and to challenge, whether it is in the Parliament in Holyrood, in terms of her representation in Cabinet, her support for marriage equality or her support for greater communication between both parts of this island.The First Minister spoke about the importance of Colmcille and what he brought to Iona in 563 and referenced Scotland's great Gaelic poet MacLean, who spoke about our bond of humanity. Both our countries share that great sense of humanity, of doing right by our people. We have both suffered the scourge of emigration and are beginning to emerge from that period in our economic history. Ireland and Scotland together must play a strong and strident role in Europe. That requires us as parliamentarians to forge links with our neighbours in England, Wales and also Scotland. That is the reason I was very proud as a Member of the previous Oireachtas to visit the Scottish Parliament and see the tremendous work of that Parliament. It is important that we build on that. The friendship we speak about is reflected in the relationship of the First Minister with the Taoiseach, whom Ms Sturgeon met last week. The challenge now is not to look inward but to look outward. We as small nations can be seen as two island nations with a huge heart across the world.

I thank the First Minister for being here today. Ms Sturgeon has brought a message of hope and inspiration. Our people will look to us for leadership in the very difficult time that 2016 is, but if we reflect on our history, the 1916 Rising taught us one thing, there is strength in standing together. Míle buíochas.