THE Fine Gael TD, Mr Paddy Harte, has invited colleagues to join him in wearing a poppy in remembrance of the war dead today in the Dail.
Mr Harte confirmed his plans yesterday in France, where he is part of a cross Border demonstration to honour victims of the first World War and condemn present day violence.
Accompanying the Co Donegal North East TD on the "Journey of Reconciliation" are Dr Garret FitzGerald and Northern Ireland loyalist politicians, David Ervine and Gary McMichael, as well as Catholic and Protestant church representatives.
Mr Harte's call for poppies to be worn is a departure from Dail tradition not to wear emblems.
The only emblem allowed in the Dail in recent years was a white ribbon in support of the Northern peace process.
The Committee on Procedures and Privileges decided in 1990 that "badges, emblems, rosettes and stickers with a party political nature should not be worn or displayed within the precinct of the house".
According to official sources, it is unlikely that this decision would cover the wearing of a poppy. But there is also a tradition in the Dail that no emblems of any kind at all can be worn.
If TDs were to appear wearing a poppy in the Dail today, it is unlikely that they would be asked to leave by the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy. It is more likely that Mr Treacy would bring it to their attention discreetly.
Mr Harte said yesterday that the contribution of tens of thousands of Irish Catholics who died in the first World War has been ignored for decades.
"Now it is time for the Irish people to show their appreciation. I will be wearing a poppy in the Dail tomorrow because people who died in the war came from Co Donegal.
"If reconciliation is really what we are talking about, there are a million people in Ireland who want to wear poppies - and we have to identify with them.
"Why should we be ashamed to remember those who died? I think it has been wrong to ignore the poppy.
"I won't be pushing my politics down anyone's throat. But I will be saying to people `this is what I stand for, and if you think I am right, come and join me'.
"It has taken 80 years for Catholics and Protestants from Ireland to come out here to France and Belgium together and apologise to each other. Is it not about time it was done?"