The North Down MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, is to address a Fianna Fβil meeting in Dublin next week. The Ulster Unionist has accepted an invitation, made two weeks ago, to speak at the meeting on Monday in the South Dublin constituency. It is the first meet meeting of its kind between the two parties.
The Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan and Minister of State, Mr Tim Kitt, are also expected to attend.
Lady Sylvia has told The Irish Times she intends to speak on the subject "Why pro-agreement unionists are an endangered species". She said a primary objective was to "reach out to one another in friendship as equals with different aspirations".
She views the meeting as an indication of the normalisation of relationships within Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.
She said she intends to build on the benefits from the Belfast Agreement. Lady Sylvia also said the agreement changed the concept of nationality, "from one of territory to one of personal choice left the issue of a political union on the island to the freely expressed consent of the people".
She also views the meeting as an opportunity "for elected politicians and party members from different traditions to exchange views and opinions in a relaxed environment".
She hoped the meeting would be the first of many rather than a one-off event, adding that she expected Fianna Fβil to recognise and acknowledge the legitimacy of the unionist aspiration and identity. She added that the meeting would help build positive relations and establish a better and informed understanding between the two parties.
Monday's event will begin as a normal Fianna Fβil constituency meeting, but after a short business session, standing orders will be suspended and the UUP MP will be invited to address the members. It is expected that an informal question and answer session will follow her address.
She is a noted critic of anti-agreement members of her party. Assembly member Mr Peter Weir, was a member of her constituency association in North Down before he was expelled for not supporting Mr David Trimble in the vote for First Minister.
In last June's Westminster election, she defeated UK Unionist Mr Bob McCartney, another opponent of the Belfast Agreement. Last week the North Down unionists hosted the Deputy First Minister and SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, at a private meeting in the constituency. It was the first such meeting between the parties at leadership level.
Lady Sylvia was strongly condemned for issuing the invitation and, more importantly, holding out the prospect of a similar invitation being sent to Sinn FΘin's Mr Martin McGuinness. She was roundly condemned by speakers at last weekend's DUP conference, including the Rev Ian Paisley who said it amounted to an act of betrayal and an insult to the widows of murdered RUC officers.