Current Standing Orders severely restrict smaller parties, argues Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who also calls for the formation of a strong left alliance
It has been truly said of the general election that the people did not change the Government - instead they changed the Opposition, which has been transformed.
Part of that transformation was the election of five Sinn Féin TDs - myself, Seán Crowe (Dublin South West), Martin Ferris (Kerry North), Arthur Morgan (Louth) and Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central).
When we met recently for the first time as a team we were joined by three of our four MPs from the six counties - Gerry Adams, Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew. It was a reminder that across Ireland as a whole, around 300,000 people vote Sinn Féin and that we are the only all-Ireland party.
Advancing the peace process and the cause of Irish unity and sovereignty will be a priority for us in the new Dáil. But it should be the priority of other parties also.
We look forward to working with others of all parties to create a new political dynamic on this island.
Four years ago the Good Friday agreement was endorsed in referenda. The agreement involved difficult compromises for all concerned but it provided the basis for political progress. It has yet to be fully implemented and TDs in the new Dáil should focus on this need. The agreement provides for the reunification of Ireland given "the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed, in both jurisdictions in the island".
Common efforts are necessary to achieve this consent and to prepare for the future unity of our people and our country. That task should begin now and a Green Paper on Irish unity would be just one element of such a programme.
The new Government should not carry on regardless with the policies of the past five years. While the voters saw no alternative government on offer, they did make clear their dissent from those aspects of government policy which have created gross inequality within our society.
This dissent was expressed in the election of such a large number of TDs from smaller parties and of Independents. There is an onus on both the incoming government and the opposition to act on their mandate from the electorate.
We in Sinn Féin will be advancing our equality agenda in the new Dáil. We will be campaigning inside and outside the Dáil chamber for a renewed health service and an end to the two-tier system, for decent housing, accessible childcare, rural regeneration and the implementation of the people's decision on the Nice Treaty. We are willing to work with others of all parties to advance this agenda.
At the same time, we will vigorously oppose any Government programme of cuts to public services, privatisation or the clawing back of the advances made by working people in the past decade.
Dáil standing orders must be changed if the mandate of the electorate is to be respected in the new Dáil.
Current Standing Orders severely restrict the smaller parties in their ability to fully represent their voters in terms of speaking time, Private Members' business, introducing legislation and questioning ministers. This is totally undemocratic and must not be allowed to continue.
Fianna Fáil, as the largest party, should take the lead in having standing orders amended. In the event that Standing Orders are not changed it will be necessary for Sinn Féin, the Greens and independents to co- operate in the formation of a technical group.
There needs to be an effective and constructive Opposition in the Dáil. There should also be co-operation among all parties in advancing progressive legislation. The Government should be open to accepting legislation brought forward by Opposition parties.
What shape will the new Opposition take? The deputies of the Labour Party, the Green Party and Sinn Féin now outnumber the deputies of Fine Gael (32 to 31).
The incoming Government will be conservative and right-wing in character, especially given the increased representation of the PDs. A real alternative of the left is therefore both necessary and possible. Fine Gael cannot provide such an alternative, offering only a choice between shades of conservatism.
A new challenge is for Labour, the Greens, Sinn Féin and principled and progressive independents to provide the left alternative to an incoming FF/ PD Coalition.
We share common ground on a range of issues and these can be developed.
Such an alignment would be better placed to appeal to the many ordinary, decent people who support Fianna Fáil than any Fine Gael-led Opposition.
Of course, each party must take its own counsel and pursue its own agenda.
As an independent political party, Sinn Féin is committed to both the social and the national principles of James Connolly; we are for political freedom as well as social and economic equality.
The most immediate task of those who value Irish democracy will be to ensure that the decision of the electorate in rejecting the Nice Treaty is respected and to oppose any replay of the referendum.
Last year the electorate rejected the advice of the Fianna Fáil/PD/Fine Gael/Labour alliance for a Yes vote. All these parties should abide by the outcome of the referendum.
They should not be part of any effort to dragoon the Irish people into "getting it right" the second time around.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin is Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan and the party's leader in the Dáil