DUP blame UUP for NI MPs Dáil speaking rights

The DUP this afternoon blamed their rivals in the Ulster Unionist Party for allegedly conceding that Northern MPs and MEPs would have speaking rights in the Dáil.

The party's deputy leader Peter Robinson said he had evidence that the UUP were aware of the concession during negotiations.

Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, said he had firm commitments from the Taoiseach that Northern politicians would be able to speak in the Dáil.

Mr Adams said: “I will have the same right to speak on the Rossport Five in Co Mayo, or homelessness in Dublin, or drug problems in Limerick as Michael McDowell or Dermot Ahern have to speak on issues in Belfast or Derry,” he said.

“We want to see this done with all speed and we have very firm commitments that it will be done.”