The Minister for the Environment has decided to drop his proposal to ban members of the Dáil from holding seats on county councils. His decision follows strong opposition to the proposal from the four independent deputies who support the coalition. They had warned that if Mr Dempsey proceeded with his plan to end the dual mandate, their support for the Government would be called into question.
The stand-off between Noel Dempsey and the four Independents over the so-called dual mandate, had held up the passage of the Local Government Bill into law. Mr Dempsey had been adamant that the ban on TDs sitting on councils was necessary to his plans to reform local government and give councillors an enhanced status.
However, the four independents were equally vocal in their opposition to the proposal. Mildred Fox, Jackie Healy-Rea, Harry Blaney and Tom Gildea argued their survival in national politics depended on the maintenance of their positions on their county councils. Negotiations over many months failed to forge a compromise and with the summer Dáil recess approaching, Noel Dempsey bowed to the inevitable and withdraw his proposal.
A Government spokesman said that the Independents had been loyal supporters of the coalition. He said that it was the first time in four years they had taken a strong view on a Government proposal and the Government was bowing to their wishes. However, the Opposition parties described Mr Dempsey's position as untenable and they called on him to resign.
