MICHAEL D HIGGINS TRAVELS TO SCOTLAND
MICHAEL D Higgins will address the Scottish parliament this week.
The President and his wife Sabina begin a three-day trip to the country today as the fallout from the UK Brexit referendum deepens.
Mr Higgins has been invited to speak to members of the Scottish parliament at Holyrood on Wednesday and he will also have talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Other events during the trip include receiving an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Edinburgh, meeting people from the Irish community in Glasgow and attending a cultural performance Ceangal on Monday evening.
On Wednesday evening, the President will also attend and speak at a symposium on Irish history at the University of Edinburgh before travelling to France for the World War I Battle of the Somme centenary commemorations on Thursday.
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said: ‘It is a great honour to welcome President Higgins to Scotland on behalf of all members of the Parliament.
‘Our two countries share much in common, including a long history of family, social and cultural bonds. As well as celebrating these historic ties, President Higgins’s visit will focus on the future and how we can further strengthen the links between us.
‘There is great anticipation at Holyrood around the President’s visit to Scotland and I’m very much looking forward to welcoming him to Parliament.’