Menu
13/02/2002
Sinn Féin must register 'interests' say Commons
Sinn Féin's MPs should be required to list their interests after taking up Westminster facilities, an influential House of Commons committee has ruled.
In a report published on Wednesday February 13, the Commons standards and privileges committee said that the rules on registration should apply to all MPs, including those who do not take their seats.
Last month, Sinn Féin's four MPs - Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew - were allowed to take up office facilities and parliamentary allowances, following a government-backed Commons vote which was opposed by unionist and Conservative MPs.
The party’s four MPs have so far refused to take their seats in the Commons and will not make the oath of allegiance to the Queen required to sit in the Commons.
In Wednesday's report, the committee agreed with Clerk of the House William Mackay that the MPs' Code of Conduct and the rules on registration and declaration of interests "apply to all members whether they have taken their seat or not".
Ulster Unionist Chief Whip Roy Beggs has welcomed the House of Commons recommendation that the four Sinn Féin MPs should be compelled to place an entry in the Register of Members Interests.
Commenting from Westminster on Wednesday, the East Antrim MP said: “I am very pleased at the Committee’s ruling and would now urge the Government to table a Motion on this matter as a matter of urgency.
"This change, when it happens, will bring Sinn Féin’s MPs one step closer to being treated in the same way as normal Members of Parliament. We believe they should now go that final step by taking their seats in the Chamber itself.
"They have already decided to take the money. It is time that they also decided to accept the responsibility that comes with it.”
(AMcE)
In a report published on Wednesday February 13, the Commons standards and privileges committee said that the rules on registration should apply to all MPs, including those who do not take their seats.
Last month, Sinn Féin's four MPs - Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew - were allowed to take up office facilities and parliamentary allowances, following a government-backed Commons vote which was opposed by unionist and Conservative MPs.
The party’s four MPs have so far refused to take their seats in the Commons and will not make the oath of allegiance to the Queen required to sit in the Commons.
In Wednesday's report, the committee agreed with Clerk of the House William Mackay that the MPs' Code of Conduct and the rules on registration and declaration of interests "apply to all members whether they have taken their seat or not".
Ulster Unionist Chief Whip Roy Beggs has welcomed the House of Commons recommendation that the four Sinn Féin MPs should be compelled to place an entry in the Register of Members Interests.
Commenting from Westminster on Wednesday, the East Antrim MP said: “I am very pleased at the Committee’s ruling and would now urge the Government to table a Motion on this matter as a matter of urgency.
"This change, when it happens, will bring Sinn Féin’s MPs one step closer to being treated in the same way as normal Members of Parliament. We believe they should now go that final step by taking their seats in the Chamber itself.
"They have already decided to take the money. It is time that they also decided to accept the responsibility that comes with it.”
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 January 2024
Sinn Féin Welcomes Power-Sharing Return
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed progress on the return to power-sharing.
Sinn Féin Welcomes Power-Sharing Return
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed progress on the return to power-sharing.
21 January 2002
Sinn Féin take up offices in House of Commons
Sinn Féin's four Members of Parliament have taken up their offices at the House of Commons for the first time, following the lifting of the ban on their use of parliamentary facilities. The party’s four MPs have so far refused to take their seats in the Commons and will not make the oath of allegiance to the Queen required to sit in the Commons.
Sinn Féin take up offices in House of Commons
Sinn Féin's four Members of Parliament have taken up their offices at the House of Commons for the first time, following the lifting of the ban on their use of parliamentary facilities. The party’s four MPs have so far refused to take their seats in the Commons and will not make the oath of allegiance to the Queen required to sit in the Commons.
14 December 2001
Plans underway to house Sinn Féin in Commons
Plans for Sinn Fein's MPs to be allowed to use facilities at Westminster, in spite of their refusal to sit in the Commons, are to go before Parliament. Sinn Féin are currently denied access to offices and other privileges because of their refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
Plans underway to house Sinn Féin in Commons
Plans for Sinn Fein's MPs to be allowed to use facilities at Westminster, in spite of their refusal to sit in the Commons, are to go before Parliament. Sinn Féin are currently denied access to offices and other privileges because of their refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
19 December 2001
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
The House of Commons has voted to allow the four Sinn Fein members office space and access to allowances enjoyed by other MPs. Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the decision saying that it would create a two-tier system of MPs.
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
The House of Commons has voted to allow the four Sinn Fein members office space and access to allowances enjoyed by other MPs. Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the decision saying that it would create a two-tier system of MPs.
18 December 2001
Decommissioning deadline extended in Commons
A bill that extends the existing timeframe for decommissioning was passed in the House of Commons despite opposition from Tory and unionist MPs. The Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning (Amendment) Bill passed on Friday December 18, will now extend the existing amnesty on decommissioning, which expires on midnight February 26th 2002, for one year.
Decommissioning deadline extended in Commons
A bill that extends the existing timeframe for decommissioning was passed in the House of Commons despite opposition from Tory and unionist MPs. The Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning (Amendment) Bill passed on Friday December 18, will now extend the existing amnesty on decommissioning, which expires on midnight February 26th 2002, for one year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
