Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's proposal to offer Northern MPs the right to speak in the Dáil twice yearly would dilute the rights of existing TDs and offer Sinn Féin an unjustifiable electoral platform, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has declared.
In a strongly written letter last night, Mr Kenny, who is spending this week in the United States, accused the Taoiseach of having made the concession to Sinn Féin in secret talks earlier this year.
"I do not feel bound to endorse any side deals entered into by yourself and the leadership of Sinn Féin," Mr Kenny declared in a two-page letter, seen last night by The Irish Times.
He went on: "I must say that I am surprised that your letter does not make it clear whether you are making this proposal in your capacity as Taoiseach, or as leader of Fianna Fáil."
The Taoiseach last week proposed that Sinn Féin and other Northern MPs should be able to address all TDs meeting as a committee of Dáil Éireann every six months in a move immediately welcomed by SF and the SDLP.
However, it was learnt later that Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, of the Progressive Democrats, had made it clear from the outset to the Sinn Féin TD, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, that his party would oppose such a change.
In his letter, Mr Ahern proposed "that Northern Ireland MPs be invited to make periodic presentations regarding Northern Ireland and the Good Friday agreement in a committee of the whole House".
Drawing a distinction between full Dáil meetings and committees, Mr Ahern said the MPs would not have to get "speaking rights or privileges in the Dáil" to be able to address a committee - even one representing all members of the House.
However, the Opposition parties and the Progressive Democrats quickly complained that SF would gain considerable election advantage by having Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness speaking in the Dáil chamber.
In his letter last night, Mr Kenny said: "I strongly believe that we should all focus our energies at achieving the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement.
"I do not agree that your proposal would be helpful in that regard.
" It may even damage the prospects for political progress as it is seen to have been a demand of one political party."
In 2002, the all-party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution recommended a role for Northern MPs during Dáil debates on Northern Ireland and on the Belfast Agreement.
In his letter to the Taoiseach, Mr Kenny said: "It should also be pointed out that the suggestion of the all-party committee was predicated on the cross-community participation which clearly is not feasible at this time.
"My party will not accept any arrangement that might be seen to dilute the mandates of duly elected members of the Dáil.
"Your proposal that the input of representatives of Northern Ireland be done by means of a committee of the whole House, presumably sitting in the Dáil chamber, is open to such interpretation as it would afford the Sinn Féin party a platform beyond that which it achieved in the general election," Mr Kenny said.
