The opportunities for strengthening East-West energy co-operation have been discussed in a tri-partite summit in Scotland.

Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan met with his Northern Ireland and Scottish counterparts to explore the issue.

Meeting in Edinburgh yesterday, Mr Ryan, Stormont Minister Arlene Foster, and Jim Mather of the Scottish Parliament addressed delegates at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) Joint Business Council Energy Summit.


The event brought together for the first time, business and political representatives from Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland to address economic challenges and opportunities for increased energy co-operation.

Minister Foster said Northern Ireland was working to secure a sustainable and competitive energy and electricity sector.

"Today's summit provides us with an opportunity to explore how we can strengthen East-West linkages, enabling us to work more effectively and harness the significant renewable energy resources on our door step, as cheaply and efficiently as possible," she said.

The Minister said such event are a valuable contribution to advance "regional collaboration" between companies and governments.

(PR/BMcC)