Right to nominate TDs to health boards ‘must go’

A LEGAL loophole will allow Health Minister Micheál Martin to still nominate TDs to health boards even though they will be banned from sitting on them once they lose their dual mandate later this year.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen is bringing in legislation to abolish the dual mandate which allows TDs who are councillors to also sit on health boards and local authorities.

However, Fine Gael revealed yesterday that Mr Martin would still retain the right to nominate TDs to health boards.