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Paisley in Scots Government talks Governments strike working deal
(about 23 hours later)
Northern Ireland's First Minister Ian Paisley and his deputy Martin McGuinness are in Edinburgh for talks with the Scottish Government. The Northern Irish and Scottish first ministers have signed an agreement which may lead to the revival of the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry.
The agenda includes possible co-operation on issues such as renewable energy and transport links. Ian Paisley and Alex Salmond will also work together on plans to lay a power cable in the Irish Sea to take renewable energy to England and beyond.
The Northern Ireland delegation includes the first minister's son, Ian Paisley Jr, who has announced that he is to quit as a minister. Dr Paisley and his deputy, Martin McGuinness, came to Edinburgh for talks with the Scottish Government.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond paid a visit to Belfast last year. However, Dr Paisley would not comment on his son's resignation as a minister.
Mr Paisley, the Democratic Unionist Party leader, and Mr McGuinness of Sinn Fein, will meet Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson at the Scottish Parliament before touring the building. During a media conference at Edinburgh Castle, he said he was in Scotland to do business.
'Lot in common' I am delighted we have made a tangible progress on two areas Alex SalmondScottish first minister
They will then hold talks with Mr Salmond and Scottish Government officials at Edinburgh Castle, with collaboration on issues such as terrorism and renewables likely to be on the agenda. Mr Salmond said significant progress had been made towards appointing a consultant to take forward an economic assessment to consider "all options" for the ferry service, which would run between Argyll and Antrim.
Student support issues are likely to be discussed, as well as the future of a ferry link between Campbeltown and Ballycastle. He added: "We agreed that both administrations will give the appraisal urgent consideration as soon as it becomes available and we are also agreed that we would publish today a joint paper setting out our proposed way forward."
Mr Paisley said: "Northern Ireland can learn much from Scotland's experiences of devolution, we have a lot in common, both economically and socially. The two administrations also discussed the possibility of electricity inter-connectors to handle the "vast" potential of marine renewable energy.
"It is important that we make the most of our historic ties and raise our understanding of each other's history and culture." This may involve a joint application for European funding to look at the potential.
Since the restoration of our political institutions we have made great progress by working in partnership Martin McGuinness 'Internal matters'
Mr McGuinness said: "Since the restoration of our political institutions we have made great progress by working in partnership. Mr Salmond, who addressed Stormont last year following the SNP's election win, said: "I am delighted we have made tangible progress on these two areas.
"We have also found ourselves working on developing relationships within these islands and there is no doubt that here too, a spirit of cooperation can ensure that we can achieve much which will be to the betterment of all our peoples." "That is exactly what the bilateral meeting was about."
Their visit follows a meeting with Mr Salmond and Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan on the fringes of the British-Irish Council summit in Dublin, last Thursday. The Northern Irish delegation included Mr Paisley's son Ian Jnr, who stepped down as a junior minister on Monday, the first resignation since devolution was re-established.
Mr Salmond paid a visit to Stormont last year following his election success and addressed Assembly members from all parties in Northern Ireland. He has faced persistent claims of links with business developers, but insisted they were unfounded as he decided to quit to prevent further damage to his party.
The Northern Irish delegation includes Mr Paisley's son Ian Jnr, who stepped down as a junior minister on Monday, the first resignation since devolution was re-established. When asked about the affair, Dr Paisley responded: "I won't make any comments whatsoever to the press about internal matters in Northern Ireland."
He has faced persistent claims of links with business developers. Mr Paisley, the Democratic Unionist Party leader, and Mr McGuinness of Sinn Fein, earlier met Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alex Fergusson for a tour of the Holyrood building.
He insists they are unfounded but is stepping down to prevent further damage to his party.