The President has signed into law the Local Government Bill, which abolishes the dual mandate under which TDs and Senators could be members of local authorities, while also serving in the Oireachtas.
Under the Act, a majority of TDs in the current Dáil and Seanad will have to give up their local authority seats under the Act, but they will receive severance payments.
Mayo Fine Gael TD Michael Ring has threatened to challenge the constitutionality of the new Act in the courts and he has claimed that he will be supported by TDs from other parties.
