Links between Scotland and Ireland were the focus for MSPs who took part in a visit to Ireland from 13 to 19 October 2006.

Clockwise from top left: The delegation with President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Presiding Officer George Reid MSP at the Royal Irish Academy; MSPs visit Trinity College library; and George Reid with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. More pictures.

This section features links to news releases and other information on the visit.

Photo gallery I Gàidhlig

17 October: Presiding Officer addresses Royal Irish Academy in Dublin

16 October: Presiding Officer to highlight Scots-Irish connections

13 October: Ireland visit to strengthen Holyrood 'Celtic Connections'

View the full visit programme

Presiding Officer George Reid MSP was joined by MSPs Shiona Baird, Dennis Canavan, Maureen Macmillan, Jim Mather, Dave Petrie and Iain Smith on the visit, designed to examine cultural links and parliamentary ties.

The delegation with Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon TD. More pictures.

On Tuesday 17 October the Presiding Officer gave a keynote address on Scottish-Irish links and 21st century democracy at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.

The delegation met fellow parliamentarians in the Oireachtas to discuss how the two countries can benefit from closer co-operation.

The group also visited regeneration projects in County Donegal, and Dublin's Trinity College, which has a Centre for Irish-Scottish Studies.

See also:

Presiding Officer I MSPs I About the Parliament

News release: Parliamentary committee urges closer co-operation with Ireland

British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body event at Holyrood

Scottish Parliament delegation and Tartan Week