Higgins offers seat to emigrants' groups

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern expressed reluctance to get involved in controversy over an offer from a Fine Gael MEP to give up his Seanad seat to a representative of Irish emigrants' groups.

The offer has been made by Jim Higgins, who was elected to the European Parliament in the last election while already a member of the Seanad.

Replying to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach said he had not given any further thought to the emigrant issue.

"With regard to the position of Deputy Kenny's colleague, the issue may be sorted out by the concerned groups in the Seanad in the short term. I would be slow to get involved in it."

Mr Ahern said it had long been the wish of the Federation of Irish Societies, "as democratic an organisation as one will get in the Irish communities diaspora", for it to have a nominee in the Seanad.

He had stated that this could be considered in the context of Seanad reform, but there were difficulties involved.

Mr Kenny said the problem facing Mr Higgins was that the Government would take his Seanad seat if he resigned it on the basis that a nominee of the federation would take it.

Mr Ahern said he accepted that, adding that it should be worked out among the group leaders in the Seanad. "I do not expect Senator Higgins to resign. I am not raising the issue."

Mr Kenny said that if the Taoiseach stated the Government would not take the seat, and the groups decided who the nominee was, Mr Higgins would proceed.