Over 50 delegates from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland are gathering today and tomorrow (June 2nd and 3rd, 2000) at the University of Aberdeen to participate in the Irish-Scottish Forum, a top-level meeting on the future of Ireland and Scotland.
For the first time, the Forum brings together Irish and Scottish political leaders, academics, civil servants and journalists to discuss the theme Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland: Future Relationships in the Devolution Age.
The Irish-Scottish Forum is organised by the Research Institute for Irish and Scottish Studies, and funded by the Irish Government.
Among the delegates arriving at the Forum today are Canon Kenyon Wright, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Magnus Linklater, John McFaul MP, David McLetchie MSP, Nichol Stephen MSP, Dr Martin Mansergh, Adviser to the Taoiseach, Irish Ambassador to the UK Edward Barrington, Irish Consul General in Scotland Daniel Mulhall, David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), and Brid Rogers, Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture (SDLP).
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace QC MSP, deputising for First Minister Donald Dewar, will deliver a public lecture this evening as part of the Forum, beginning at 7:15 pm in the King’s College Conference Centre, Old Aberdeen.
Daniel Mulhall, Consul General of Ireland in Edinburgh said: “As Consul General, I am delighted to be associated with this important venture aimed at promoting a dialogue of understanding between the people of our two countries. The funding for this Forum has been provided by the Department of the Taoiseach and this underlines the importance the Irish Government attaches to our relationship with Scotland in the new context provided by devolution and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I welcome the presence of so many people from both sides of the Irish Sea - politicians, journalists, academics and others - all united by a common desire to rediscover ancient links and forge new ones.”
Mr Mulhall said “This Forum also underlines the close links between Ireland and the University of Aberdeen epitomised by the President of Ireland's inauguration of the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies last November. I hope that this Forum will, in the words of the President on that occasion: "facilitate the building of new ties relevant to the future of our two Atlantic islands in the uncertain waters of the 21st century.””
Professor Tom Devine, Director of the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen said: “I am delighted to welcome delegates on behalf of the University of Aberdeen and the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies (RIISS) to this inaugural Irish-Scottish Forum.”
“We live in remarkable times for both Ireland and Scotland. As the President of Ireland remarked when she formally inaugurated the Institute on St Andrew's Day last year: "these are watershed times when the usual slow grind of history is suddenly accelerated”.
“The Forum will provide a unique opportunity for leading politicians, academics, civil servants and commentators to exchange ideas and discuss matters of common interest with a particular focus on future relationships between Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland in this historic era of devolution.”
The Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies was inaugurated by Irish President Mary McAleese on St Andrew’s Day, 1999. It is the first of its kind in the world for graduate study and research into the language, literature, history and culture of Ireland and Scotland.
Further information from:
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.