DÁIL speaking rights for northern MPs would be a "realistic goal" in a coalition headed by Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, according to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín.
The Meath West TD, who has been re-elected as his party's sole Dáil representative, plans to relaunch a private members bill that aims to give Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster representatives speaking rights in the Republic's parliament.
Mr Tóibin, a former Sinn Féin TD who left the party after it liberalised its abortion policy, has also said he would serve in a coalition government as minister of transport.
He launched his private members bill in December but the Dáil's dissolution ahead of last Saturday's election meant it ran out of time.
Mr Tóibin last night told The Irish News he would relaunch it in the coming weeks but its ultimate aim of giving northern MPs Dáil speaking rights could just as easily become a policy of a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin-led coalition.
"With those two parties in power securing Dáil speaking rights for MPs would be a much more realistic goal, whether it comes about through my private members bill or a legislation brought by the governing parties," he said.
"Likewise, voting rights in the presidential election would be secured easier in the new-look Dáil."
The TD said his erstwhile comrades' success in the weekend election would give added momentum to the drive for Irish unity.
"There is definitely now the prospect of greater developments towards Irish unity, such as establishing an all-Ireland Citizens Assembly to look at the issue," he said.
However, Mr Tóibín said he was disappointed that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald had not made a call for a border poll a red-line issue for coalition talks.
He said he was pitching to be transport minister in a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin-led coalition because he represented a commuter belt, where people spent two-three hours a day travelling to and from work.
The Aontú leader said he would invest in public transport while lowering the cost of using buses and trains.
