A former Sinn Féin and now Independent member of the Northern Ireland Assembly has confirmed that he has joined Fianna Fáil.
Gerry McHugh, from Co Fermanagh, attended a meeting for party supporters in Enniskillen at the weekend.
In a statement, the Fianna Fáil party said he had joined as an individual.
The Enniskillen gathering on Sunday was the third such forum intended to build a support base for Fianna Fáil in Northern Ireland.
So far there are no provisions for the party to contest future elections in Northern Ireland, but there is no legal barrier if they decide to do so.
They have been recruiting members including university students since 2007. Mr McHugh confirmed he joined earlier this year.
However, he says he remains an independent MLA who has always been a committed republican.
It is exactly two years since he left Sinn Féin after 30 years' membership, saying he was disillusioned with the direction the party had taken.
He attended a meeting of Ogra Fianna Fáil in Bundoran last month.
