No substance to FF's ambitions in North, says SF

Fianna Fáil's declaration that it will consider organising in Northern Ireland is "all about soundbites" and the party will not contest elections there, Sinn Féin has said.

"I see no substance in it at this stage," said Sinn Féin Cavan Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, following a two-day meeting of Sinn Féin's Dáil, Seanad and Northern Assembly members in Howth, Co Dublin.

"I would be very, very surprised if they would go beyond admitting membership to people resident North of the Border," he told The Irish Times.

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced a year-long debate within Fianna Fáil on the issue, although party grassroots have long called for the change.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, who has already said he would not favour running Fianna Fáil candidates for Westminster elections, is in charge of the debate.

"It will be an interesting step for Fianna Fáil when they embark on an actual electoral challenge and we would look forward with some interest to that challenge," Mr Ó Caoláin said yesterday.

Forecasting that Fianna Fáil would win little support, he said: "There is no question about that, because the electorate there are keenly aware of Fianna Fáil's record here.

"I don't think that they want to see introduced the policies that that party has pursued over the past 11 years to the detriment of the interests of so many in our society," he said.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin will win some limited speaking rights in the Dáil following an arrangement with Labour that flows from the Seanad electoral pact agreed before the summer.

Sinn Féin, said Mr Ó Caoláin, who leads the party's four-strong Dáil delegation, had "a particular affinity" with the Labour Party on social and economic issues.

Under current Oireachtas rules, parties must have seven members or more before they qualify for full Dáil privileges, including the right to question the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions.

Labour and, to a lesser extent, Fine Gael, are now prepared to concede Dáil time to Sinn Féin TDs, to allow them to speak during debates on legislation, but not during Leaders' Questions.

Although no talks have yet been held, there is also speculation that Sinn Féin and Labour might agree an alliance in the Seanad that would give each a greater profile in the chamber.

Currently Labour has six Senators in the upper chamber - the same number as Independents - but a deal with Sinn Féin would give it a premier place in the speaking lists.

Sinn Féin, Mr Ó Caoláin said, will shortly embark on a recruitment drive.