FIRST MINISTER NICOLA Sturgeon will visit Dublin later this month with the aim of “strengthening Scotland’s relationship with Ireland”.

Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party, will address the Seanad on the 29 November as part of her visit – becoming the first serving head of Government ever to do so.

“I am proud and humbled to have been invited to address the Seanad and recognise what an honour this is,” Sturgeon said.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak to Senators about my hopes for continued work between our two nations and my plans to protect Scotland’s interests in the EU.”

Sturgeon will also meet some of Ireland’s business representatives, as well as host meetings with Irish President Michael D Higgins and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan.

“Scotland and Ireland have a shared history and a long tradition of co-operation on a range of issues,” she said.

In the post-Brexit landscape, it has become even more important that we work together to protect our shared interests.

“Last year we established a trade and investment hub in Dublin to strengthen our relationship with Ireland and promote inward investment.”

The Scottish Nationalists want Scotland to become independent from the UK, and Sturgeon has called for a second referendum on Scottish sovereignty in the wake of the referendum result that called for the UK to leave the European Union.

Although the final vote in the EU referendum was 52% in favour of Brexit, the majority of Scotland voted to remain, sparking calls for a review of Scotland’s place within the United Kingdom.

Read: Nicola Sturgeon raises prospect of second Scottish independence vote

Read: Scotland is planning another vote on independence before Brexit