The Democratic Unionists will reject any attempt to get their nine MPs involved in a special committee in the Irish Parliament, the Rev Ian Paisley warned tonight.
The North Antrim MP was commenting following concerns among Opposition parties in Dublin about Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's plan for a special Dail committee involving the 18 MPs to consider issues affecting the North.
The DUP leader warned Mr Ahern: "Let me make it very clear, we will have nothing whatsoever to do with this committee.
"Whilst we are prepared to work with the Irish Government on matters of mutual benefit to the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic we will not be involved in any discussions with them relating to the internal affairs of this part of the United Kingdom.
"There is no place for Dublin interference on these matters." Sinn Fein has campaigned since 1998 for its MPs, who do not take their seats in the House of Commons, to be given speaking rights in the Republic's Parliament.
Mr Ahern's proposal - the full details of which have not yet been disclosed - is believed to fall well short of that. It is believed to modify his proposal for Northern Ireland's 18 MPs taking part in a committee of the whole house.
The original proposal was withdrawn by the Taoiseach in 2005 in the face of opposition from his coalition partner, the Progressive Democrats and the Opposition Fine Gael and Labour parties.
It is understood the Government may propose the committee's proceedings will take place in committee rooms as opposed to the original plan to hold them in the Dail chamber.