Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I propose to address the issues raised by the Acting Chairman, Deputy Twomey, in his earlier contribution. Every time the Deputy speaks in this debate, he refers to the North. I wholeheartedly welcome his repeated references to the North as Sinn Féin struggled for years to have the issue discussed in the House. It is fantastic, therefore, that he mentioned the North so many times.

Deputy Durkan has been in Fine Gael - the united Ireland party - for a long time. Given its newfound interest in the North, the next logical step would be for the party to run candidates in elections in na Sé Contae.

See this speech in context