6 October 2017
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was in Dublin for two days to further strengthen links between Scotland and Ireland.
Her first stop was the Government Buildings to meet the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Taoiseach @campaignforleo welcomes @NicolaSturgeon to Government Buildings. pic.twitter.com/10CbOQWkh3
— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) October 5, 2017
The two leaders discussed shared interests including the economy, education, and the importance of continued links between Scotland and Ireland as the Brexit process takes place.
Following the meeting she said:
Scotland and Ireland have longstanding links and today’s meeting with the Taoiseach was an opportunity to discuss the key issues faced by both our countries and to identify areas of shared interest.
“We agreed on the importance that the UK remaining in the Single Market and the Customs Union has to both Scotland and Ireland, and I made clear the Scottish Government will continue to make that case at every opportunity.
“We will continue to build on the strong friendship between our two countries and I look forward to welcoming the Taoiseach to Scotland next year.”
She then went on to the Dublin Chambers of Commerce Annual Dinner to deliver the keynote speech to 1,500 Chamber members.
In her speech she focussed on the effects of Brexit on both Scotland and Ireland:
On virtually every issue of substance relating to Brexit, the Irish Government – and the Irish business community as a whole – has an ally in Scotland.”
FM @NicolaSturgeon addressed @DubCham annual dinner. Read the full speech here: https://t.co/g9XvlmjatJ #chamberAD17 pic.twitter.com/jXAghAZgAk
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 5, 2017
The First Minister started her second day in Ireland with a business breakfast at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce office where she met Irish business leaders and investors.
Two influential business women standing here this morning. First Minister of Scotland @NicolaSturgeon and CEO of @DubCham @Mary_Rose_Burke pic.twitter.com/WuQ89YZtJa
— Dublin Chamber (@DubCham) October 6, 2017
The last stop on the trip was a visit to The Ark – Ireland’s only dedicated cultural centre for children – where she met performers from Barrowland Ballet, which received funding through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals EXPO fund. The company are performing POGGLE as part of the Theatre for Children season of the 60th Anniversary Dublin Theatre Festival.
FM @NicolaSturgeon visited Ireland's only dedicated cultural centre for children @TheArkDublin and met @Barrowlballet performers. pic.twitter.com/gi0anGQ6Ii
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) October 6, 2017
