Taoiseach caved-in on all-Ireland forum plans - Sinn Féin
The Taoiseach has caved in to Opposition pressure and abandoned plans for an All-Ireland Oireachtas forum involving Northern Ireland MPs, it was claimed today.
Sinn Féin had called for the North’s 18 Westminster representatives to be allowed to participate in all-party debates on specific issues relevant to their constituencies.
But the party’s Dáil leader Caoimhghin O Caolain today claimed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had capitulated on the issue due to pressure from Fine Gael and Labour to shelve the proposals.
“This is a capitulation of the highest order and it undermines Mr Ahern’s ability to adequately stand up for the rights of all citizens on the island of Ireland,” he said.
Mr O Caolain said Mr Ahern now wanted to water down his proposals to allow MPs to appear at Oireachtas committees which limited them to the same billing as dozens of lobby groups.
Mr Ahern earlier told the Dáil that several political parties had difficulties with the original proposals, which had been recommended by the All-Party Committee on the Constitution in 2003.
But he denied that he was abandoning plans to allow Northern Ireland MPs to have a role in Oireachtas debates.
He said: “I’ve listened to what everybody has said and I’ve taken account of the views of all the parties.
“I accept that several parties have reservations about the proposal so I’m currently considering those responses and have an opportunity to come back with a different proposal.
“It’s obvious that the House will not agree to anything other than Northern parties coming to the committee to make normal presentations and discuss issues in committee. That seems to be what the end point is so I will come back with that suggestion.”
Mr O Caolain told the Dáil the revelation by Mr Ahern alarmed him.
“I am disquieted, to say the least, that you are now considering something which is much less than the thrust of the committee’s recommendation, namely an accommodation involving existing committees outside the Dáil chamber which amounts to the same access that any lobby or interest group can avail of,” he said.
Mr O Caolain said several communities – not just nationalists and republicans - in Northern Ireland had been given the false hope that the proposal would become a reality.
“It is absolutely reprehensible that the Taoiseach now appears to have caved in to the partitionist demands of Fine Gael and Labour.
“This is an appalling capitulation by the Taoiseach and raises serious questions about his integrity on this very important issue.”
But Mr Ahern said he hoped his amended proposals would be in line with the All-Party Committee report and consistent with the Good Friday Agreement.
“I’m trying to frame a proposal that sticks with those principals,” he told the Dáil.
“I’m not abandoning it and I don’t intend to. I have to take into account the views of the parties. I don’t intend to abandon it.”
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte had earlier queried the status of the proposals for Northern Ireland representation in the Oireachtas "and whether the actual proposals have now been sidelined or shelved?"
Speaking at a small protest outside the Dáil after the Taoiseach’s remarks, Mr O’Caolain said the matter will be raised at the Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis in Dublin this weekend.
