The Taoiseach should use the Government's presidency of the European Union to promote social justice and policies which tackle poverty, he was urged today.
After a presentation on the presidency by former Fine Gael leader Mr Alan Dukes at Queen's University in Belfast, Sinn Féin's Ms Bairbre de Brún urged the Government to make the most of its opportunity.
The former Stormont health minister, who will bid for one of Northern Ireland's three European Parliament seats in June's election, said the Irish presidency could make a major impact on a range of issues.
She said: "It can choose to set in place measures to promote social justice and the eradication of poverty, not just in Europe but around the globe.
"It is vital that the EU presidency is used to push a positive social justice agenda and to promote initiatives in the socio-economic, political and human rights fields."
Ms de Brún said Dublin also needed to focus on the full implementation of Common Agricultural Policy reforms agreed in Luxembourg last June. She also urged Dublin to focus more on gender and disability directives as well as the harmonisation of workers' rights and trade union recognition.
Ms de Brún added: "The recognition of the Irish language as an official working language of the European Union also needs to be addressed."
PA