Sinn Féin MPs should go into the House of Commons chamber instead of just using offices at Westminster, says Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid.
Just four days after the House of Commons voted to allow Sinn Féin's four MPs to have access to facilities in Westminster, even though they will not swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen and take their seats, Dr Reid insists the move would bring republicans further into the political process.
However he argued: "I wish they would come into the chamber. I will be quite truthful with you. I want to see Sinn Féin MPs in the chamber of the House of Commons and involved in trying to resolve difficulties by dialogue, by debate, by democracy.
"That is what the whole peace process is about - moving people away from trying to resolve things through violence or terrorism."
Dr Reid noted Sinn Féin, which has four MPs - Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew - was keen to play a greater role in political life at Westminster.
It was, therefore right, he told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politicsprogramme that they should be given House of Commons facilities and be able to represent their constituents.
"Now, our belief is that because of dialogue and bringing people further into the process, it is a good thing to do," he said.
"Also (it is right) because there have been advances in the past few years - not only the acceptance of the Belfast Agreement but also the entry into the Northern Ireland Assembly as well as ministers in the government and decommissioning.
"Thirdly, because of the fact that we want to see all of the constituents in areas which elected Sinn Féin MPs, and remember some of them didn't vote, many of them didn't vote for Sinn Féin, get the representation they are entitled of MPs as constituency MPs."
PA