The Government has confirmed that it is to end the Dual Mandate where members of the Oireachtas serve on local authorities.
The Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, has said the Dual Mandate will end from the next local elections in 2004.
Mr Cullen also announced that the Government has decided to scrap plans for the direct elections of mayors which had been due to come into force in 2004.
The Minister denied that TDs and Senators will be compensated for giving up their council seats but he confirmed that they would be entitled to a gratuity of €7,600 under existing legislation.
Full details of the abolition of the dual mandate will be outlined in legislation to be published early next year.
