Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with the Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond, regarding the upcoming Scottish independence referendum; the implications this referendum may have in relations between Britain and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27568/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Across a range of issues, relations between Britain and Ireland are of central importance. Both the UK government and the Scottish government are important and valued partners for Ireland. In each case the relationship is based on close geographic, cultural and commercial ties, as well as friendly political relationships.

We maintain regular contacts with the Scottish Government. In particular, both our Ambassador to Britain and our Consul General to Scotland meet regularly with First Minister Salmond and with other Scottish politicians. They brief me regularly on these contacts, as well as on issues arising in the referendum debate. Although First Minister Salmond and I have not spoken in the recent past, there are frequent exchanges of Ministerial visits. Most recently, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, visited Ireland in late May for a series of meetings. Senior Scottish Ministers also meet the Taoiseach at British Irish Council Summits.

This issue of Scottish independence is a matter for decision by the people of Scotland. The Government has adopted a strictly neutral approach to the debate in Scotland and has avoided being drawn into speculation on various potential outcomes. To engage in such speculation might be construed as the Government involving itself in the internal Scottish debate, which would not be helpful. Our impartiality should not be mistaken for indifference or lack of interest. We fully recognise the importance of developments in Scotland and are monitoring developments and their implications in light of our interests and policy objectives. The Government accords high priority to the maintenance and development of strong relations with all our neighbours in these islands and will continue to do so regardless of the referendum outcome.