Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is mór an onóir dom a bheith in ann ar son gach comhalta de Sheanad Éireann céad míle fáilte go dtí an Seomra seo a chur roimh Chéad-Aire na hAlban, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, MSP. Ócáid stairiúil atá ann a dhéanfaidh níos láidre agus níos doimhne an ceangal atá ann idir ár dtíortha.

It is a great honour for me, on behalf of the Members of Seanad Éireann, to offer the traditional hundred thousand welcomes to the First Minister of Scotland, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, MSP. This is an historic occasion that will strengthen and deepen the links between our two countries. The roots of the relationship that Ireland and Scotland have grown together already run deep. The 20 miles of water that separate, or perhaps connect, us have facilitated strong interaction between us in many spheres - political, religious, economic, cultural and linguistic - throughout our recorded history. From the early Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata to the influence of Colmcille at Iona in the sixth century and Edward Bruce in Ireland in the latter Middle Ages, through the contribution of the Scottish Enlightenment to political thought in 18th century Ireland and migration in both directions over the centuries, our countries have together established strong bonds that will always endure.

Relations between Ireland and Scotland at the political level remain as close as ever, with a regular exchange of high-level bilateral visits in recent years. The visits to Scotland by our President, Taoiseach and Ministers and the visits to Ireland by the First Minister and other Scottish Ministers serve to remind us of the extent of political and official co-operation in many areas of mutual interest. These interests are many and varied and include energy, education, urban housing, planning reform and international development. Co-operation also takes place on a multilateral basis within the framework of the British-Irish Council and, at parliamentary level, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.

The First Minister's visit to Ireland comes at a challenging time in the history of both countries. The result of the referendum in the UK on membership of the EU has placed before all of us in Britain and Ireland the need to examine in a fundamental way how we relate to one another and the EU in the years ahead. We in Ireland know that a majority of the people of Scotland voted to remain in the EU and we understand the position of the Government of Scotland regarding exploring options for a continued Scottish relationship with the EU following the withdrawal of the UK. We also know that Scotland's Government and the other devolved administrations are engaging constructively within the framework of the Joint Ministerial Committee and we hope that a negotiating position that reflects the interests of all constituent parts of the UK can emerge from that process. We wish the First Minister well in her efforts to secure the optimum outcome for the people of Scotland.

Ireland, as an EU member state, will be open to engaging constructively with the British Government once the negotiation process begins so that a withdrawal agreement that acknowledges the diverse range of interests within the UK can be achieved in a manner consistent with our national interests and the interests of the EU as a whole. Much of our focus is, naturally, on Northern Ireland, which gives rise to a unique set of challenges arising from the Border and the entitlement of the people born there to Irish and EU citizenship.

Before I conclude, I will extend a warm welcome to the ambassador of the UK, H.E. Mr. Robin Barnett, CMG, who is present in the Visitors Gallery.

I speak on behalf of all Senators when I pay tribute to the First Minister for the way in which she embodies so well the spirit of the modern, confident and outward-looking nation that she has the privilege to lead. I wish her, her Government and all of the people of Scotland every success in their endeavours as they look towards a challenging, but exciting, future.Be assured that you may always rely on the Irish people and the Members of Seanad Éireann to remain firm and supportive neighbours. It is my pleasure to invite the First Minister to address Seanad Éireann.