ALLIANCE'S newest MP has said he will approach the prospect of speaking in the Dáil with an "open mind", while SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has indicated that he would relish the long-awaited opportunity.
But the DUP has predictably poured scorn on the idea, with a spokesman dismissing the chance of its MPs chance addressing the Republic's parliament as "tokenistic gesture politics".
The parties were responding to speculation that a Sinn Féin-led coalition could push through legislation that would give Northern Ireland's 18 MPs speaking rights in the Dáil.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín plans to relaunch a private members' bill that would enable the north's Westminster representatives to address their counterparts in the Oireachtas.
The Meath West TD, who launched his bill in December only to see it thwarted by the Dáil's dissolution ahead of last Saturday's election, said the bill's ultimate aim could just as easily become a policy of a Sinn Féin-led coalition.
Sinn Féin last night declined to say if MPs' speaking rights in the Dáil, or the extension of voting rights in the presidential election, would be priorities if the party was part of the next Dublin government.
North Down MP Stephen Farry said he would wait and see the details of any proposal before making a commitment to address TDs.
"Alliance would approach this with an open mind, but similar to other suggestions, we would need to be assured anything emerging would be consistent with the current constitutional position," he told The Irish News
The SDLP leader, who became Foyle MP in December, said his party "absolutely supports" extending Dáil speaking rights to MPs.
"We’ve been calling for this for years and I would absolutely take up the opportunity," Mr Eastwood said.
A DUP spokesman said the party wanted to see "good relations between Northern Ireland and our nearest neighbour".
"The focus for all parties here should be on making Northern Ireland work rather than tokenistic gesture politics," he said.
"It would be useful if MPs from Northern Ireland took their seats in the parliament to which they are elected and could have voting rights."
