Ireland vs Scotland

[Twilkes]

Lots of good news for Ireland economically at the moment - is that something Scotland could emulate, either now or in a mythical independent world? Similar population size, and probably a similar urban/rural spread.

I know very little about the country, so what has Ireland got going for it - it has seemed to attract high profile international and technology companies in the past, is that because of cheap facilities, highly skilled workforce, low taxes or what?

How much unemployment/poverty is there?

[Twilkes]

JuniorD said:

IMO Scotland has way more potential economically than Ireland.

What economic potential does Scotland have that it currently isn't taking advantage of? And what's stopping it?