The Minister for the Environment has called for the ending of the dual mandate. This is the practice allowing TDs to have membership of local authorities.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Noel Dempsey, said that the ending of the dual mandate is necessary to enhance the role of councillors and to separate local and national government systems.
Minister Dempsey said that the role of councillors has already benefited from moves such as training, financial support and directly elected mayors. He called on local representatives to recognise the added responsibility that comes with their new roles.
He also spoke out against election fraud. He said that Fianna Fáil must be alert to the possibility of irregular voting practices, particularly personation on election day.
Earlier, Dublin Central delegate Maurice Ahern called for the use of RSI numbers or even swipe cards to prevent people who hold Irish passports, but are not registered voters, from casting a vote.
In a separate development, the Minister for Justice has strongly attacked the opposition parties, who he claimed preferred "carping criticism" to constructive opposition.
John O'Donoghue said that the Labour Party was "stranded at a crossroads between confusion and despair". He criticised Ruairí Quinn's record as Minister for Finance, claiming he had cut off funding for the prison building programme, thus becoming the Head Porter at the revolving prison door.
Minister O'Donoghue said that Michael Noonan and Jim Mitchell were "Fine Gael's answer to Laurel and Hardy" and had led Fine Gael into even greater depths of obscurity.
Meanwhile, he defended the Government's record on the treatment of asylum seekers. He said that the Government had a duty to put in place fair procedures, which quickly distinguish between the illegal immigrant and the genuine asylum seeker.
