By Bryan Kay

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond flies to Belfast today for talks with the recently installed Northern Irish government—using the new direct service from Dundee Airport.

Mr Salmond said it was “fitting” he was taking advantage of the flyWhoosh service as he presses home the importance of strong relations with the province.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting with both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland,” he said.

“We are at a time where there is great potential for Scotland and Northern Ireland to work together constructively on issues of shared interest.

“With restored devolution in Northern Ireland and a forward looking government in Scotland, it’s time we capitalised on the opportunities and potential we share.”

He will suggest to Northern Irish leaders that relations could be put on a “proper business-like basis” by resurrecting joint ministerial committees.

It is hoped that a united front could help put pressure on the UK Government to meet shared demands, such as lowering corporation tax to a 12.5% rate.

“It is not a question of ganging up, it is a question of formulating ideas in a constructive way,” Mr Salmond said.

“And on many of these issues it will also be, in my opinion, in the interests of the Westminster Government.

“But even if there are areas of disagreement, it is far better to have a vehicle through joint ministerial meetings, or other vehicles which might be arrived at, where they can be discussed properly.”

The plenary joint ministerial committee was set up in 1999 to smooth the path of devolution.

Chaired by the Prime Minister, committee members included the Deputy Prime Minister, the First Ministers of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and relevant ministers from the devolved administrations.

However, it has not met since 2002, and of the four subject sub-committees, only the European committee still sits.

During his visit to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Salmond will hold meetings with the Rev Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness.

The SNP leader will also give a speech to assembly members at Stormont’s Senate Room, followed by a question and answer session, before attending an official dinner in the evening.

The Dundee to Belfast City service, along with another to Birmingham, was launched at the end of last month.

It is the first time in almost five years that Dundee has had more than one scheduled air service, with ScotAirways already flying to London City.

FlyWhoosh received support from the Route Development Fund, which is thought to have brought around £100 million of economic benefit to the Scottish economy in less than five years.

“It is entirely fitting with the nature of my visit that I’m taking this new flight which links the two great cities of Dundee and Belfast,” continued Mr Salmond.

“I’m glad that the Scottish government was able to support this air route through the Route Development Fund and I look forward to the economic and social benefits it will bring to Dundee.”

It is understood flyWhoosh is considering establishing further routes from the city, with the possibility of becoming its UK hub.