Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness says he hopes the North will benefit if Scotland gets more autonomy following a vote against independence in next week’s referendum.

Speaking on the fringes of the Sinn Féin party think-in in Termonfeckin, Co Louth, Mr McGuinness said Westminster politicians had indicated they were prepared to offer maximum devolution to the Scottish people.

“If Scotland gets, in the context of there being a No vote, power over social welfare and the ability to decide their own social welfare payment rates then that has big implications for us and I think that I would hope that we can benefit from the outcome of that.”

Sinn Féin spokespeople have to date declined to comment on the Scottish referendum. Today Mr McGuinness said the Scottish people should be allowed to make their own decision free from outside interference.

“Naturally like everybody else I’m interested in the outcome of it,” he said.

“Whatever way it goes I think it will have a profound impact on the situation in Ireland, and specifically in the North of Ireland, particularly in relation to the battle that we’re having with the British Government at this time over the swingeing cuts that they have brought in.”

Mr McGuinness said it was a “huge moment in history” for the Scottish people. He said Westminster politicians had “nailed their colours to the mast” in terms of what they were prepared to offer to Scotland.

“Given the challenges that we face at the moment, the outcome of the discussions around the devolution of social welfare powers - not just in relation to the management of it but the setting of the rate of it - has huge implications for us.”

Speaking this morning, party leader Gerry Adams refused to be drawn on the referendum, saying it was “essentially a matter for the people of Scotland”.

Regardless of the outcome, Mr Adams said the vote would have a “profound” impact on the union.

“I think whatever happens now in this referendum - given the scramble by the London establishment, making new promises of increased devolution - whatever happens, whether they vote for independence or they don’t, they are going to have profound effects on the union.”