Government row over proposed Sinn Féin forum

28/10/2005 - 14:09:55
It has appeared that there is a major split in the Government over the proposed Dáil committee for Sinn Féin representatives.

The coalition parties are clashing over plans to allow Northern MPs to address the committee, the body will not sit in Leinster House and comments are to be restricted to Northern issues only.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is proposing the move, but it is being blasted as unacceptable by the Minister for Justice.

Michael McDowell says it goes against the Good Friday Agreement.

He said: “The Progressive Democrats reject the idea that a parallel North-South forum should be established within the Oireachtas that would sweep away what was envisaged in the agreement and tends to reward Sinn Féin abstentionism. It is simply not acceptable under any circumstances.”