Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his Department’s engagement with and observation of the recent referendum on independence in Scotland; and his position on the current talks to increase devolved powers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [37611/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 18 September, the people of Scotland voted in a referendum to remain a part of the United Kingdom. The Government took the view that the referendum question was one for the people of Scotland to decide and that public speculation or comment in advance of the vote would be neither appropriate nor helpful. Notwithstanding this approach, the Government and our diplomatic missions in London and Edinburgh followed the referendum campaign very closely.

Now that the referendum has taken place and the result is known, the Government will be in close contact with London, Edinburgh and other devolved administrations as discussions proceed on enhanced devolution for Scotland and on the political changes across the UK outlined by Prime Minister Cameron on 18 September.

While a timetable and some broad principles have been outlined, the precise details of the changes are still to be clarified. I will discuss these matters in my ongoing contact with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and with the British Foreign Secretary who I expect to meet in the period ahead. I also look forward to visiting Scotland in the near future and to discussing these issues with the Scottish Government.

The further devolution of powers to Scotland and the political changes outlined by Prime Minster Cameron do of course have political and policy implications for Ireland, North and South. It will take time to tease out these political and policy implications with all stakeholders, on these islands and within the European Union.

In this context, I would recall that the Good Friday Agreement sets as a key objective the promotion of the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands. The Agreement also makes a commitment to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South and between these islands.