Excluding Northern politicians from the Dáil while welcoming an EU commissioner represented "gross hypocrisy", Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF, Dublin South Central) claimed.
He said it was deeply ironic that an unelected political appointee, Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, had taken part in a debate with the support of Fine Gael, Labour and the PDs.
"Today's exercise, while marginally useful in terms of the EU and agriculture, really highlighted in a dramatic way the gross hypocrisy of Enda Kenny, Pat Rabbitte and Mary Harney, and their respective parties, who have been venomous in their opposition to affording the same right to democratically-elected representatives of Irish people living in the northeastern six counties of this country," he added. Mr Ó Snodaigh was speaking during a debate on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill, providing for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU as soon as Ireland ratified the treaty.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Noel Treacy said the forthcoming accession would mark the completion of the EU's largest, most ambitious and most important enlargement.
"Ireland has been positively associated with this process from its inception to its completion." Finian McGrath (Ind, Dublin North Central) said that a new vision was needed for Ireland and Europe. "This new vision should be built on equality, respect and diversity without sticking one's nose in the State's internal affairs."
