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THE IRISH AND Scottish governments are looking at the links that exist between the two countries for the first time in order to develop and enhance them.
Although some consultations have already taken place with major Irish-Scottish groups, the Scottish and Irish governments want to look at any and all informal or local links that also may exist between the countries in order to sustain them into the future.
The aim of the questionnaire, which can be found here, is also to update the two countries’ views of the links as they are now: a Department spokesperson said “we want the questionnaire to bring in as many diverse voices and ideas as possible, to help us shape our engagement with Scotland”.
Contributions are welcome from those living in Ireland or Scotland, as well as those with an interest in the relationship between the two countries.
Among the questions being asked in the survey are:
The review focuses on areas where the Scottish government has devolved
competency, and is split into five main parts: business and economy; community and
diaspora; academic and research links; culture; and rural, coastal, and island
communities.
Scotland has a well developed island community, which the Irish government is looking to learn from, while the academic research links are believed to be quite developed. The Irish-Scottish Health Forum is seen as a good example of cooperation between the two countries.
The publication of the questionnaire today comes after a visit by the Tániaste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney to Edinburgh to visit the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.
In a joint-opinion piece with Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, Coveney wrote: “Scotland and Ireland have long been neighbours and friends, from our historic Celtic roots to contemporary links in business, education, culture and beyond”.
We are closely linked by Sruth na Maoile, the short Straits of Moyle which connect these islands.
“It is easy to take relationships for granted. This review will begin the assessment of how things stand – what we do together as governments, as trading nations, as research bodies, as cultural institutions, as communities.”
The questionnaire is the result of a close relationship between Irish and Scottish authorities built on the British-Irish Council, and through structures of the Good Friday Agreement 1998.
Speaking about the questionnaire, a Department spokesperson said: “Coming twenty-one years after devolution, now is a time for both governments to work together to revitalise and intensify the bilateral relationship.
“This review will provide a blueprint for this engagement over the next five years. Our hope is that it can capture and deliver on the ambitions of our people for the Ireland-Scotland relationship.”
To make a submission, you can complete the questionnaire found here before 20 March 2020; any questions can be sent to enquiries@scotlandirelandreview.org.
Amnesty and others should be ashamed of themselves coming out with this kind of gift wrapped propaganda for Russia, theres only one side commiting war crimes and it aint Ukraine
@Buí agus Gorm: The rules of international humanitarian law are there to protect everyone. If you deny one side’s responsibilities you open up the Pandoras box. And a breach of international humanitarian law is not necessarily a war crime. War crimes are reserved for serious breaches. And you are right: the only war crimes that I have seen have come from the Russian side. But Amnesty should not be ashamed for standing up for international law.
@Nicholas McMurry: every rule is being broken by Russia who cares about the Russian pow’s getting a bit of a video taken of them they are getting off lightly.
@Nicholas McMurry: agreed. To put it simply, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Hang on a minute, they are not POW’s as Herr Putin has said it is not a “war”
I wonder if “organised” groups like paid Syrian mercenaries or Chechen terrorists are to be treated as POW’s? Given their track records of brutality and human rights abuses, they should be shot out of hand.
@Paul Shepherd: mercenaries are not entitled to combatant nor prisoners of war status afforded under the Geneva Convention. As for ‘terrorists’ if they are members of a local opposition, clearly identifiable and openly carrying weapons they are entitled to such status.
@D. Memery: I’m sure their victims will be relieved that their human rights will be respected.
@Paul Shepherd: perhaps you should direct your critism at the authors of the convention and the International Red Cross so! If you read the link you will note that although mercenaries are not entitled the combatant status they are permitted to be detained and tried for any crimes committed under civilian law.
If some dude came to my country and attacked my family n friends and then I captured him. I wouldn’t be caring if some yolk from the UN thought filming him was degrading. To be honest i probably wouldnt be keeping him alive in the first place.
@Rob Gale: What is the point in defending our values if we don’t have any?
I’m sorry but did Russia worry about all the innocents they have killed in cold blood? Women, children, the old and the sick. And those soldiers looked like middle Eastern blokes that joined up.
@Roy Dowling: oh b1. te me you @$$ wipe. I’m not gender biased I’m on the side of those unable to defend themselves. Why are there such €€jits here making such immature uneducated comments in the middle of a conflict.
@Anna Carr: hopefully I’ll never get close enough to you to b1.te you. People like you are why are to the problems of this world. You expect all men capable to defend themselves but no women are capable to defend themselves. Makes it more gender bias on your side.
I think Ukraine needs to take the high ground and not engage in tactics Putin would use.
Civilians didn’t sign up to the Geneva convention to protect Russian invaders. When this goes full guerilla warfare those sad phone calls will be public executions.
The general perception is that Putin started a war. I would suggest cautiously that Putin started an invasion. By way of Ukraine’s defence, a war began. Compare this war to the US troops exiting Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda (although already largely present with the country) carried out an invasion. Not a war. While I admire Zelenskyy’s bravery and hope the best for him, I can’t help but think he’s not being realistic in meeting Putin halfway. That Ireland voted to fast-track Ukraine into the EU will only stoke the fire. But then Ireland is just an EU provincial government. France / Netherlands who both vetoed the move is a tad more realistic.
have your say