Sinn Féin's demands for MPs elected in Northern Ireland to have speaking rights in the Dáil were today ruled out by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
Newly elected Sinn Féin MP for Newry Armagh Conor Murphy last night called for the 18 MPs in Northern Ireland to be allowed speak in the Dáil and Seanad.
The issue was a key element of the North's power-sharing agreement, which foundered last December. But today Mr McDowell, Sinn Féin's harshest critic in the Government, said the concession was "simply not on the cards".
He said Sinn Féin representatives had sought election to Westminster and should take part in its parliament. "Primarily, Dáil Éireann is a place for people who are elected by the people of this State," he said.
The Minister said the newly elected five Sinn Féin MPs had plenty of opportunities to air their views at public debates in the Republic. "I went North and spoke at an SDLP event but it doesn't allow me to walk into the Assembly in Northern Ireland or into Westminster and start speaking there," he said.
He said Sinn Féin MPs could get their views across through their five elected TDs in the Dáil or through the cross-party Oireachtas committees.
Mr Murphy yesterday defended his party's decision to stay out of the Westminster chamber and argued instead for speaking rights in the Dáil.
Speaking in London, as he collected passes to access parliamentary facilities, he said: "I have to say it is hugely frustrating as an Irish citizen living on one end of the Border that the Irish Government is denying us the right to contribute to debates which affect our everyday lives."