TANAISTE Joan Burton has claimed Sinn Fein appointed party cronies, including a former IRA prisoner, to the boards of cross-border agencies established under the peace process.

The appointments included Sinn Fein's justice spokesman Padraig Mac Lochlainn and former IRA member Seanna Walsh, who spent more than 20 years in jail for terrorist offences.

Sinn Fein councillors and party activists are paid fees in excess of €7,000 to sit on the boards set up under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

However, Sinn Fein hit back at Ms Burton, insisting she signed off on the appointments when she was member of the North-South Ministerial Council which oversees the agencies.

During a heated debate with Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, Ms Burton said she had a list of Sinn Fein members appointed to the boards of North-South bodies.

The list included Mr Mac Lochlainn, aDonegal North-East TD who sat on the board of Intertrade Ireland between 2007 and 2011.

Board members, who are appointed by both the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, earn €7,695 in fees.

Former Sinn Fein candidate in Dublin Mid-West Joanne Spain has served on the board since 2011.

Sinn Fein adviser Bridget Meehan, also currently sits on the trade board.

Mr Walsh, a convicted bomb maker, was a member of the Irish language board Foras na Gaeilge, where members also earn €7,695 in fees.

Former Sinn Fein general secretary Lucilita Breathnach, served on the same board from 2005 to 2011.

Sinn Fein councillor Therese Ruane from Mayo sits on the board of the Irish-language body. Sinn Fein councillor from Louth, Thomas Sharkey, previously sat on the board but did not receive fees.

It was previously revealed Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan is the chairperson of Safe Food Ireland.

Sinn Fein said Ms Burton's "ignorance of the process is staggering".

"As the Tánaiste should by this point know, all appointments to the North-South bodies are agreed by the North-South Ministerial Council of which Joan Burton is a member," a spokesman said.

"She approved all the nominees she refers to at the North South Ministerial meeting which took place in 2011."

Irish Independent