FM meets Irish Premier

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has met Taoiseach Enda Kenny ahead of her visit to Dublin next week.

The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the relationship between Scotland and Ireland in areas including business innovation and the development of deeper trade and investment links.

The bi-lateral meeting took place in Cardiff following British Irish Council summit talks on the EU Referendum and the UK’s impending exit from the European Union.

The First Minister will begin her two-day visit to Dublin on Monday and will meet various business leaders, the Irish Head of State, President Michael D Higgins, and prominent politicians including Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald TD, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD.

Ms Sturgeon will also address the Seanad, the upper house of the Irish parliament.

Speaking following the meeting, the First Minister said:

“Today’s meeting was a very welcome and constructive opportunity to further strengthen the strong connections Scotland and Ireland have long enjoyed.

“The Taoiseach and I used the opportunity to discuss mutual Irish-Scottish interests, both cultural and economic.

“The British Irish Council was an important opportunity to call on the UK Government to work harder to protect our interests in Europe in the face of an impending Brexit.

“In the post-Referendum landscape, it has become even more important that Scotland and Ireland work together to further strengthen our shared economic, cultural and social ties.”