North/South

A preserve of the two nationalist parties, the idea of a united Ireland is their bed-rock. Northern Ireland representation in the Oireachtas is important for both Sinn Feí n and the SDLP.

Sinn Feín wants the British Government to become “persuaders for Irish unity.” A referendum on Irish unity would be held simultaneously in the North and South and the party would ‘engage’ with unionists about the type of united Ireland they would want to live in.

While Sinn Feín already has TDs and a senator, they call for “six county representation in the Oireachtas.”

An expansion of the all-Ireland Ministerial Council and the establishment of an all- Ireland parliamentary and consultative forum (also backed by the SDLP) would be carried out and additional all-Ireland bodies created.

The SDLP sees an “incontrovertible” case for direct Northern Ireland involvement in the Oireachtas so that decisions which affect the entire island can be scrutinised by representatives in both jurisdictions e.g. on NAMA, and the administration of Quinn Insurance and the sale of First Trust Bank.

A forum for Irish unity should also be set up to make sure that unity is seen as a “coming-together rather than a takeover”.

The Stormont Executive will remain under unity and unionists would be offered “the same rights and protections” that nationalists insisted upon in Northern Ireland.

Further proposals include: speaking rights for party leaders in the Daíl on Northern Ireland and cross-border issues, and for Assembly committee chairs on their respective committees in the Daí l.

A panel of 11 Irish senators would be chosen by northern party leaders.