The Minister for Foreign Affairs is urging all the political parties in Ireland to consider signing up to a protocol banning sectarianism in Irish politics.
In a speech to be delivered today in Dundalk, Dermot Ahern was expected to say that such a declaration would send out a powerful signal from all political leaders in Ireland.
Already most political parties both North and South have signed up to an anti-racism protocol. The idea was to send a clear message that racism had no place in Irish politics.
Minister Ahern is suggesting that a similar pledge be put forward to eliminate sectarianism.
It is hoped the pledge will deter all parties from resorting to sectarianism such as promoting Catholic versus Protestant or unionist versus nationalist messages for political gain.
