Fine Gael will not sanction Ring over dual mandate

FINE GAEL will not impose any sanction on Mayo TD Michael Ring despite his legal challenge to the Local Government Act being completely at odds with the party line.

Mr Ring, yesterday launched a High Court challenge against the constitutionality of the Act which abolishes the dual mandate allowing sitting TDs to also be a member of local authority.

The Local Government Act was signed into law by President Mary McAleese on June 2. TDs holding local authority seats will have to give them up before next summer’s local elections.