Dermot Scott, an Irish Protestant, has pioneered the opening of a European Parliament Office in Edinburgh so successfully that the political leaders in the Strasbourg-based assembly have decided to make it permanent. The dapper and erudite Scott, a Presbyterian from Ramelton, County Donegal, is now the strong favourite to become the office's first full-time director. He brings to the position two decades of experience as deputy head of the European Parliament's office in Dublin. "Europe is more favourably seen in Scotland than in England," he says. "Scotland feels that Europe matters for it."

His three priorities are building up further interest in Europe in the Scottish media, supplying educational materials on Europe to schools and the general public, and forging relations with members of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive.

Naturally, Scott's main purpose is to develop the role of MEPs. "It seems to me that their role will be enhanced because we now have a Scottish political focus in the Scottish Parliament which will form the point of contact." Scott points out that Scotland now has foothold in Brussels following the establishment of Scotland House to fulfil the aim of direct representation of Scottish interests.

Scott also aims to create interest in setting up a European Institute in Scotland modelled on Dublin's Institute of European Affairs.