Finian McGrath
Ceist:142 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will be proposing legislation that will provide direct representation for Northern Ireland citizens in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [15537/02]
Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Questions Nos. 1 and 2 on 24 April 2002 and my answer to Questions Nos. 21 to 25 on 25 June 2002.
On 11 April 1998, the day after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, I wrote to the chairman of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution asking that the committee examine how people in Northern Ireland might play a more active part in national political life, to the extent that they so desire and in a spirit consistent with the principles underlying the peace settlement. The all-party committee considered the matter in its seventh progress report published last March. The Government Chief Whip is discussing with the parties how the recommendations of the committee relating to this matter can be taken forward on the basis of consensus.