Role for North MPs in some Dáil debates - report

Members of the Northern Executive should take part in "periodic Dáil debates" on the North, says a report by the All-Party Oireachtas…

Members of the Northern Executive should take part in "periodic Dáil debates" on the North, says a report by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution.

"The expertise and experience upon which Northern MPs could draw could certainly enhance the quality of certain important Dáil debates," the report says.

The Seventh Progress report of the Committee, published this morning, also recommended at least four members of the Seanad should be from the North and be nominated to their positions.

The report said 48 of the 60 senators in the Seanad should be elected on the same day as a general election and that a further 12 senators should be nominated by the Taoiseach, at least four of whom should be from Northern Ireland.

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The committee also suggested the qualifying age for Dáil membership be reduced from 21 to 18.

Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams welcomed the report saying his party "has been pushing hard for some progress on this matter for some years now."

"It appears to be a good first step. I look forward to speaking in the Dáil at the earliest opportunity."

The report concluded that bringing members of the into the Dáil would be a "more problematic option" because of the larger numbers involved.