Former SDLP leader Mr John Hume today urged Sinn Féin to work with his party in lobbying the British government to adopt the euro.
He made the appeal following the decision last weekend by Sinn Féin members at their annual conference to abandon the party's policy of opposition to the single currency.
Welcoming the move, the Foyle MP said since 1973 the SDLP had campaigned for a single European currency to be adopted for the entire island of Ireland and throughout Europe.
"We always believed that the euro would help to make all of the people of Europe more prosperous by increasing trade between our various peoples," Mr Hume said.
"The SDLP has long campaigned for the adoption of the euro in Northern Ireland, especially given the disadvantages we now face as a sterling zone with a euro zone border," he said.
"I welcome the move by Sinn Féin towards supporting the euro - albeit a belated one. I hope that Sinn Féin will join with the SDLP in vigorously campaigning for the adoption of the euro - particularly in any referendum that may be held".