The British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body, that hardy bi-annual gathering of backbenchers from the upper and lower houses of the Oireachtas and Westminster meets tomorrow in Killarney. Recent FG upheavals mean some members are no longer backbenchers, but they may turn up since new people are not in place yet. FF's Mary Coughlan, a long-standing member, definitely won't be there; she became a Minister of State this week.
Observers from the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, the Isle of Man and the Northern Ireland Assembly are expected to be inducted into the expanding body at its first session on Monday morning. The unionist parties, however, are still maintaining a boycott and their chairs remain empty. Minister John O'Donoghue addresses the gathering on Monday afternoon and takes questions afterwards. One of them is from Scottish members who want our help and advice on drugs courts.