North and south ministers to meet on joint issues

Northern Ireland MPs will be invited to sit on a special committee in the Dáil dealing with issues affecting them, Sinn Féin said today.

Sinn Féin’s leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghin O Caolain, said he and other party leaders in the Republic had received a letter from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirming plans to form a special committee focussing on issues affecting Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement which would involve the North’s 18 Westminster MPs from early next year.

The move would enable Sinn Féin’s five MPs including Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness to sit on the committee.

Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley and his eight Westminster colleagues would also be invited.

However, it is believed the DUP will turn the seats down.

Nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan and his two fellow MPs would also be entitled to seats on the committee as would the Ulster Unionists’ sole MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon.

Mr O’Caolain, Sinn Féin’s TD for Cavan and Monaghan, said: “The Taoiseach has informed me, together with other party leaders, by letter this morning that he is to invite MPs from the Six Counties to participate in the Dáil through ‘a Committee of the whole House’ which will discuss matters relating to the Good Friday Agreement and the North of Ireland.

“It would meet at least every six months.”

Mr O Caolain said it was now for the political parties in the Dáil to decide the format of the committee.

“This is a very important development and represents welcome progress. Throughout the peace process Sinn Féin has been campaigning for Dáil representation for people in the Six Counties.

“While this proposal does not involve full representation, it is clearly a step forward. Full representation and full participation remains Sinn Féin’s goal.

“It is now for the parties in the Oireachtas to agree the format of this special committee of the whole Dáil and I urge them to do so as soon as possible so that the first meeting can go ahead on the resumption of the Dáil after the Christmas recess.

“I look forward to welcoming representatives from the Six Counties to Leinster House in 2006.”

In negotiations to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland last December, Sinn Féin had pressed for Northern Ireland MPs and MEPs to be given speaking rights in Dáil debates.