FF backlash over dual mandate axing

ANGRY Fianna Fáil backbench TDs yesterday claimed they had been misled over details of legislation which will force them to give up their council seats.

At a meeting of the parliamentary party yesterday, TDs and senators raised a number of issues arising from the planned axing of the dual mandate, such as the lack of a guarantee that they will have a right of representation in councils.

"There was murder over the skimpy nature of the legislation," said one deputy. "This isn't the same bill that we were promised."