Recently I went to Dublin to make a film for Scottish Television's political programme'Platform'. Like every visitor to Ireland I am always struck by the energy and vigour of thewhole country. There is a 'go-ahead' youthful confidence about the place. It is well placedconfidence. Ireland was traditionally viewed from Britain as a humour-filled but rather poorand backward country, famed more for its literature and religion than its economy. Thereality has of course always been somewhat different from Britain's more than condescendingview. Ireland is one of the most popular countries in the world and over the last decadeIreland has also become what the Financial Times has called - "Europe's Tiger Economy".

Ireland's economy is the fastest growing in Europe. This new wealth creation is bringingwith it a growth in jobs, which is in many ways more important than the money growth for acountry which has had a serious unemployment problem. Remarkably, in 1996 Ireland willexperience a net in-migration of around 6,000. This is a sharp reversal of the historictrend where Ireland's youngest and best were forced abroad to seek their fortunes - anexperience we know all about in Scotland. What a testimony to Ireland's success.

Just as remarkable is research from the House of Commons Library which forecasts that wealthper head in Ireland will overtake the UK in the year 2000. Ireland is already richer thanNorthern Ireland and Wales and is set to overtake the rest of the UK. Ireland - richer thanScotland, richer than England. What a fitting way for this dynamic young country to mark thenew millennium.

The point of my film and of my interest in Ireland is more than just a keen interest in ourfriends over the Irish Sea and a penchant for dark stout. The real lesson for us all inScotland is just what is being achieved by a small country with far less resources thanScotland. Ireland is using its Independence to focus its economy on playing to itsstrengths. It is taking advantage of its well educated population - something we enjoy inScotland - and is a magnet for the whole range of international businesses.

Moreover, Ireland is playing a full role in the development of Europe - it is leading Europewith the Presidency at the moment . Scotland by contrast has no focus or control of what isbest for Scotland and best for the Scottish economy. Scotland is represented in Europe by aTory Government riven by internal divisions and dominated by a backward looking LittleEngland mentality.

Scotland is better placed than Ireland in terms of size and resources. Without Independencehowever, we will never be able to achieve our potential in the way Ireland has. Ireland isdoing so much with so little, while we are doing so little with so much.

Alex Salmond MP
Leader
Scottish National Party

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Alex Salmond is the Member ofParliament for Banff & Buchan and is leader of the SNP. An economist aged 42 , he is widely regarded as one of the most effective Scottish politicans of his generation.

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If you would like to know more about the SNP and HELP SCOTLAND contact snp.hq@snp.org.uk or visit the official the Scottish National Party web site.

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