Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley is to address an international conference on dispute resolution in the Ireland, it emerged today.
The Democratic Unionist Party leader was invited to speak at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) annual talks next month.
Tickets for the event, including dinner, can cost up to €730 for each delegate wanting to attend the lunch-time address by guest speaker Mr Paisley, in one of his rare ventures south of the border.
Professional arbitrators include lawyers, doctors, architects and engineers and are increasingly called upon to settle rows and forge agreements in industry.
Mr Paisley will address the CIArb conference at The Royal College of Physicians, just a few doors down from the Oireachtas on Dublin’s Kildare Street on Saturday, November 3.
Workshops will be held at the event in mediation and conciliation while there will be an open forum debate on resolving disputes.
Separately, Minister for Enterprise Michéal Martin today launched a new cross-border scientific research initiative.
The North-South Research Partnership Supplement will see Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) researchers in the Ireland collaborate with their counterparts in the North.
“The study seeks to further co-operation across sections of the economy north and south, including in the fields of Science and Technology,” said Minister Martin.
“The area of science and technology is recognised in both jurisdictions as being of vital importance to future economic development.
“The North-South Research Partnership Supplement puts in place mechanisms which will facilitate scientific co-operation across the Island of Ireland.
“This is an essential part of developing an environment in which research excellence can flourish and the societal benefits flow to the people on an all-island basis.”