Salmond to speak at Stormont Assembly

Scotland's First Minister will address the Northern Ireland Assembly and meet his Stormont government counterparts on his first…

Scotland's First Minister will address the Northern Ireland Assembly and meet his Stormont government counterparts on his first official engagement outside of Scotland in his post.

Alex Salmond will meet the North's First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to discuss the possibility of forming a united Celtic front with Rhodri Morgan's administration in Wales.

He is also expected to discuss the economy, fisheries and ferry links between Scotland and the North.

The SNP First Minister will suggest to the joint heads of the Northern Irish Executive that relations could be put on a "proper business-like basis" by resurrecting joint ministerial committees.

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It is hoped a united front from the administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast could help put pressure on the British government to meet shared demands, such as the lowering corporation tax to a 12.5 per cent rate.

"It is not a question of ganging up, it is a question of formulating ideas in a constructive way," Mr Salmond said ahead of the visit.

Not long after Mr Salmond's election, Dr Paisley spoke warmly of the SNP leader and appeared to agree with the idea of the Celtic nations working closely together.

"There are things Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have in common that if we go to the British government in harness, we will get more out of them," the DUP leader said last month.