SF seeks Dail role for MPs in North

Sinn Fein is seeking consultative and speaking rights in the Dail for all 12 Northern Ireland MPs, along with a right for Northern…

Sinn Fein is seeking consultative and speaking rights in the Dail for all 12 Northern Ireland MPs, along with a right for Northern voters to participate in referendums and presidential elections.

A submission made to the Oireachtas Committee on Constitutional Reform argues that this would be in accord with the spirit of the Belfast Agreement which places a special responsibility on the Government to ensure that the rights of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland are recognised.

The Oireachtas Committee, chaired by Mr Brian Lenihan, is due to report in November, but its main focus is expected to be reform of the electoral system in this State.

The chairman of Sinn Fein, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said yesterday the party had met Mr Lenihan on a number of occasions to discuss its proposals and it hoped for a positive response.

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Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain TD maintained that Oireachtas representation for Westminster MPs would be fully in accord with the Belfast Agreement.