Nicola Sturgeon is to try and reassure businesses that she is fighting to keep the whole of the United Kingdom in the single market post-Brexit.
The First Minister will address 130 CEOs including representatives from Microsoft, Aer Lingus, Diageo, Accenture, Ulster Bank and EIR during an event at business organisation Ibec on Tuesday as part of a visit to Dublin.
Enda Kenny, the head of the Irish Government, has previously said the EU will not allow Britain free access to its single market without free movement of people.
He has also said the leave vote “presents the most significant economic and social challenge of the past 50 years”.
Ms Sturgeon hopes to convince the powerful operators in attendance that Scotland is moving towards being the best place in the UK to do business.
A trade mission from Scotland to Dublin will be supported by the Scottish Government later this week and the SNP leader will argue that the relationship between Scotland and Ireland is “better now than it has ever been”.
She will add: “A hard Brexit is likely to be the most damaging option for trade, jobs and our universities sector.
“We share the frustrations of the Irish business community about the lack of information we have, and the possibility of a hard Brexit.
“This is why we are we are determined to do all we can to mitigate the impact of Brexit and persuade the UK Government to retain single market membership.
President Michael D. Higgins hosted a lunch for Scotland's First Minister @NicolaSturgeon today: https://t.co/LhsS8uqeIY pic.twitter.com/qFfr52FYnV
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 28, 2016
Minister @CharlieFlanagan welcomes First Minister @NicolaSturgeon to Iveagh House pic.twitter.com/ZJJtNbX1rk
— IrishForeignMinistry (@dfatirl) November 28, 2016
“It is my firm belief that this position is in the interests, not just of Scotland, but of all the nations on these Islands.
“On virtually every issue of substance Ireland has a strong ally in Scotland and I look forward to working together to boost economic growth.”
But her charm offensive was dealt a blow as the former prime minister of Ireland, John Brutonall but ruled out Scotland being able to remain in the single market if the UK as a whole leaves.
He said: “I just don’t see how that can be done. I think it’s technically, administratively and politically nearly impossible.”
Ms Sturgeon met Irish President Michael D Higgins and foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan, visited SSE to launch a report into the economic benefits of the Galway Wind Park project on Monday.
She described the meeting with Mr Flanagan as “positive”, with discussions touching on a number of subjects including the EU referendum aftermath.
The First Minister also received an honorary patronage from the Trinity College Philosophical Society.
