He became chair of the Northern Irelandselect committee, a subject in which he has long had a strong interest, favouring a united Ireland gained by consent.
From Belfast by Laurence McKeown a former Republican prisoner and Maze hunger striker and here in the studio again by the Conservative MP Andrew Hunter who is a member of the Northern IrelandSelect Committee.
"Senior Fifa sources have confirmed to us that the status quo remains and the FAI may continue to select players born in Northern Ireland, " said the FAI.