This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Northern Ireland FM visits Scotland
20/06/2002
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, David Trimble and Mark Durkan, met their Scottish counterparts Jack McConnell and Jim Wallace at Bute House in Edinburgh today.
The purpose of the visit, which began on Wednesday night with a dinner at Edinburgh Castle, was to discuss the practical experience of devolution in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The issues under discussion included relationships with local authorities and arrangements for working with the UK government.
Afterwards a statement said: "It was agreed by the Ministers at the meeting that it would be a good idea if the three devolved administrations met once or twice a year to discuss matters of common interest. This was a very good meeting where the issues of Europe, the health service, youth crime and the financing of major capital projects was discussed."
Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan later met the Scottish Minister for Finance and Public Service Andy Kerr and the Minister for Parliamentary Business Patricia Ferguson before attending a session of the Scottish Parliament where they were greeted by Presiding Officer Sir David Steel.