Dual mandate ban may spark blacklash

CONCERNS remain within the Fianna Fáil party over the ban on TDs and Senators from serving as councillors.

The Government’s determination to ban the double-jobbing could face opposition from backbench TDs nervous about losing their Dáil seats in the next general election.

Officially, Environment Minister Martin Cullen has an open mind on abolishing the dual mandate, which allows members of the Oireachtas to also sit on local authorities.