International offices: guide

Ireland

The relationship with Ireland is a priority for Scotland. Both countries share a rich history that has been shaped by our proximity, close communities, shared culture, and common experiences. 

Located within the British Embassy in Dublin, the Scottish Government Ireland Office was established in 2016 and works to build on this already strong relationship. The Office is led by a Head of Office, Deputy Head of Office, and Culture, Business, and Events Manager. They work closely and co-locate with two senior specialists from Scottish Development International, who provide invaluable support to Scottish companies seeking to expand and sell their products or services in Ireland. 

The work of the Ireland Office is primarily guided by the Ireland Scotland Joint Bilateral Review, which was coproduced by both Scottish and Irish governments. The Review recognises how vital partnership working is across government-to-government engagement, business and the economy, diaspora, culture, research and education, and rural and island communities. 

Strategic objectives

Priorities for 2024 to 2025

Trade/export growth 

• Scottish Development International will support Scottish companies to build awareness, establish connections and identify commercial opportunities to drive exports to Ireland - including in renewables, construction, agriculture, healthcare and transport
• the office will also provide targeted support to Causeway Business Exchange to help it expand its presence in Ireland for the purpose of assisting Scottish businesses looking to grow in or enter the Irish market

Inward investment 

• Scottish Development International will also engage with targeted companies based in Ireland, aiming to secure inward investment into Scotland    
• wider Stakeholder Engagement on Business and Economy    
• we will continue to engage with the work of other business-to-business networks that build connections between Scotland and Ireland    
• both Scottish and Irish Governments will fund the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Royal Irish Academy to deliver collaborative cross-border research projects. Over 2024 to 2025, this will focus on business and economic relationships with a particular interest in climate    
• our St Andrews 2024 and Burns 2025 events will provide Scottish and Irish businesses valuable opportunities to network

Climate change, biodiversity and renewable energy

Offshore wind 

• we will promote the opportunity to share resources and learn from one another for joint efforts in scaling renewable energy solutions, particularly offshore wind and hydrogen. This is considering our proximity and similarities - including policy positions, geographies, Exclusive Economic Area Zones, extensive wind resource, and established industry and academic connections on energy
• key to this will be delivering on a commitment from Ireland’s Industrial Offshore Wind Strategy to “establish an annual joint event with Scotland aimed at promoting inter-Governmental dialogue and engagement with industry in the area of renewable energy”. This will be an opportunity for senior-level engagement across government and industry on supply chains, regulation and planning, and skills and training

Hydrogen 

• it will also be important for Scotland and Ireland, in close partnership with the UK, to explore the viability of building on Scotland’s existing gas interconnectivity with Ireland, to support the development of potential hydrogen pipeline routes

Biodiversity  

• continue cooperation underway between Scotland and Ireland on peatland restoration

Reputation, influence and relationships

Government to government engagement

• support exchange between Scottish and Irish government officials to share learning on policy development, particularly in areas that are policy priorities     
• support Scottish ministers to engage with their Irish counterparts, ensuring that high-level contact is maintained

Culture and sport

• we will further hold events to celebrate St Andrews Day (November 2024) and Burns Night (January 2025) to showcase and promote modern Scottish culture, performance and produce to an influential and cross-sectoral Irish audience    

• we further hope to back several valuable cultural partnerships, including an arts exchange programme showcasing the lived experience of young people, arts projects highlighting the connections between Scots Gaelic and Irish, the next meeting of the Shinty Hurling International and a dance residency and exchange

Scottish connections

• we will further continue to engage with Scottish diaspora based in Ireland, and support learnings on diaspora policy between officials

Academia and research 

• along with the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh, we will engage with higher education institutions across Scotland and Ireland to explore key areas for supporting strategic collaboration
• we will also showcase Scotland as an attractive place to study to prospective students in Ireland 
• as above, both Scottish and Irish Governments will fund the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Royal Irish Academy to deliver collaborative cross-border research projects

See previous strategic objectives in our website archive.

Contact

Head of Ireland office: Katy McNeil 

Email: dublinhub@gov.scot

Twitter/X: @ScotGovIreland

Telephone (reception): +353 (0) 1205 3794

Post:

Scottish Government Dublin Office
British Embassy
29 Merrion Road
Dublin
D04 P272