On the face of it, Conor Murphy’s ambition to pursue his political career in Seanad Éireann fits Sinn Féin’s island-view of politics. There is no question that the north needs a voice in the Oireachtas.

The Irish government is a player in the north’s politics, and it needs to be called to account for how it discharges its role.

The Republic’s wider political class also needs to be kept on its toes. For too long many Irish politicians have reinforced the border rather than pursue the cause of reunification.

Those, like me, who have southern relatives who were granted their right to self-determination a century ago, will know how easily a partitionist mindset prevailed south of the border.

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That is not surprising.........

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