Sinn Féin's newest MP today called on the Government to give him and the 17 other House of Commons members in the North speaking rights in the Dáil.
As the Rev Ian Paisley's nine-strong Westminster team prepared to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen in the House of Commons fresh from their electoral successes, Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy defended his party's decision to stay out of the chamber, arguing instead for speaking rights in the Dáil.
The Newry and Armagh MP, who was collecting passes in London to access House of Commons facilities, said: "I don't believe the people of Newry and Armagh or the four other seats that Sinn Féin has are disenfranchised because we do not sit in a half empty chamber or swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen of England.
"The SDLP has been describing itself in recent weeks as republican but swearing oaths to the Queen of England and loyalty to the British institutions seems at odds with that idea.
"Certainly we are arguing that MPs should be given speaking rights in the Dáil. That very much depends on the will of the Irish Government.
"But I have to saw it is hugely frustrating as an Irish citizen living on one end of the border that the Irish Government is denying us the right to contribute to debates which effect our everyday lives."
Mr Murphy, who has replaced former SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon as Newry and Armagh MP, said he was honoured to represent the constituency but also hoped to see the return of the devolved Assembly.