Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan today defended plans by Stormont and the Dáil to work for each other's benefit in the European Union.
Mr Durkan was responding to claims by the Democratic Unionist leader, the Rev Ian Paisley that the proposal was part of an attempt by the Republic to drive forward a "united Ireland agenda" through the North-South Ministerial Council.
Mr Paisley argued the plan "weakens completely the separation of Northern Ireland as a separate entity outside the Irish Republic from making its own case in association with the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe".
However, Mr Durkan insisted the proposal would give Northern Ireland a stronger voice in the EU.
"In terms of the EU matters, let us be very clear," the SDLP leader replied. "No-one is talking about us as a region not having our own case on EU issues. Clearly we do.
"Clearly our case as a region on EU matters is often quite different from the sort of priorities and the sort of case that would be represented by the UK government. It is also, at times, going to be very distinct from the priorities and interests of the Irish Government as well.
"But what we have to do - and we know this on EU matters - is use all the channels available to us to advocate and promote our needs," he added.
PA