Menu
21/03/2002
Dáil report hints at Northern Ireland MP participation
Northern Ireland MPs should be able to take part in debates in Ireland's national parliament a report has suggested.
An influential parliamentary committee said the MPs should be able to join deputies in the Irish lower house, the Dáil, to discuss issues around Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.
However it rejected calls for people of Northern Ireland to be given the chance to vote in elections in the Republic.
The move would be seen as a success for Sinn Féin which has lobbied intensively for such representation in the Republic.
The suggestion, which welcomes MPs from all Northern Ireland political parties, came in the Seventh Progress report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, published on Thursday March 21.
It suggests that a formal system be set up whereby Northern Ireland political representatives sit in the upper house of the Senate.
Sean Farren, Stormont Minister for Finance said: “A voice for northern perspectives in the South’s parliament would help cement relationships by developing a greater understanding amongst southern politicians of northern perspectives.”
His ministerial colleague Bríd Rodgers added: “This development should be seen as a threat to no one. It is essential that there is genuine dialogue between all the people on this island.”
The report said: “The Dáil could consider taking the necessary procedural steps to allow MPs elected for Northern Ireland constituencies to speak in periodic debates on Northern Ireland matters and on the operation of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The expertise and experience upon which Northern MPs could draw could certainly enhance the quality of certain important Dáil debates.
“Such an initiative would be strongly welcomed by certain Northern representatives and their supporters, and would address the continuing desire of many nationalists for further concrete expression of their Irish identity,” it added.
But to bring members of the Northern Ireland Assembly into the Dublin chamber would be a “more problematic option” because of the larger numbers involved, the report concluded.
(AMcE)
An influential parliamentary committee said the MPs should be able to join deputies in the Irish lower house, the Dáil, to discuss issues around Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.
However it rejected calls for people of Northern Ireland to be given the chance to vote in elections in the Republic.
The move would be seen as a success for Sinn Féin which has lobbied intensively for such representation in the Republic.
The suggestion, which welcomes MPs from all Northern Ireland political parties, came in the Seventh Progress report of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, published on Thursday March 21.
It suggests that a formal system be set up whereby Northern Ireland political representatives sit in the upper house of the Senate.
Sean Farren, Stormont Minister for Finance said: “A voice for northern perspectives in the South’s parliament would help cement relationships by developing a greater understanding amongst southern politicians of northern perspectives.”
His ministerial colleague Bríd Rodgers added: “This development should be seen as a threat to no one. It is essential that there is genuine dialogue between all the people on this island.”
The report said: “The Dáil could consider taking the necessary procedural steps to allow MPs elected for Northern Ireland constituencies to speak in periodic debates on Northern Ireland matters and on the operation of the Good Friday Agreement.
“The expertise and experience upon which Northern MPs could draw could certainly enhance the quality of certain important Dáil debates.
“Such an initiative would be strongly welcomed by certain Northern representatives and their supporters, and would address the continuing desire of many nationalists for further concrete expression of their Irish identity,” it added.
But to bring members of the Northern Ireland Assembly into the Dublin chamber would be a “more problematic option” because of the larger numbers involved, the report concluded.
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
13 August 2001
Report shows Northern Ireland teens top drug abuse table
A new health report published this week shows shocking statistics that more children in Northern Ireland abuse solvents than anywhere else in the UK.
Report shows Northern Ireland teens top drug abuse table
A new health report published this week shows shocking statistics that more children in Northern Ireland abuse solvents than anywhere else in the UK.
13 June 2005
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
The 2005 Birthday Honours List for Northern Ireland
The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
18 July 2022
Lidl Invests Over £1.6m Across NI Business
NI's fastest-growing supermarket retailer, Lidl Northern Ireland, has contributed more than £1.6 million into its staff, local charities and community groups across last year, according to the retailers 2021 Impact Report.
Lidl Invests Over £1.6m Across NI Business
NI's fastest-growing supermarket retailer, Lidl Northern Ireland, has contributed more than £1.6 million into its staff, local charities and community groups across last year, according to the retailers 2021 Impact Report.
24 May 2024
Lidl Added £360m To NI Economy In 2023
Lidl Northern Ireland has added a record £360 million into the local economy in 2023 – doubling its annual economic contribution over the past five years – and supported almost 7,000 jobs right across the region, a new report has revealed.
Lidl Added £360m To NI Economy In 2023
Lidl Northern Ireland has added a record £360 million into the local economy in 2023 – doubling its annual economic contribution over the past five years – and supported almost 7,000 jobs right across the region, a new report has revealed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
