Bell challenges bill which ends dual role

FINE GAEL Mayo TD Michael Ring confirmed last night he would initiate legal proceedings to challenge the constitutionality of the Local Government Bill after President Mary McAleese signed it into law yesterday.

The act, which debars politicians from serving on local authorities while members of the Oireachtas, had been strongly opposed by the Fine Gael deputy. “I’m talking with my team now and you can take it that the case is on,” he said yesterday.

On Sunday, Mr Ring said he had a legal team in place and would go to the High Court to challenge it if the President did not refer it to the Supreme Court. Sources close to the Mayo TD, who is also a member of Mayo County Council, indicated he would make a statement today.

A spokesperson for Environment Minister Martin Cullen said the minister would not comment on something that had not yet happened.

Deputy Ring has claimed that other TDs will support him. However, the Local Government Act won support among most political parties and Oireachtas members. Some political parties have begun selecting replacement candidates at council level, but Fine Gael has deferred the process pending a possible challenge.

Measures introduced by Mr Cullen will compensate deputies financially for the loss of their council positions. TDs and senators standing down from council seats will get €12,800 as well as the statutory retirement payment of €7,800. The number of TDs who also hold local authority positions increased by 29 after last year’s general election.

All told, 101 of the 166 members of the Dáil hold local council seats.

Labour and Fianna Fáil have begun holding conventions to replace council members in order to give replacements time to build a base before local authority elections next summer.