Fox to oppose dual mandate abolition
Independent TD Mildred Fox has vowed to oppose Government plans to abolish the "dual mandate" which allows TDs and Senators to also sit on local councils.
Under the proposed new Local Government Bill, TDs and Senators will no longer be allowed to hold council seats.
The 128 Oireachtas members who currently have seats at both national and local level will be offered a payment of €12,800 in return for the move.
Ms Fox said she believes the abolition of the "dual mandate" is designed to reduce the number of independent TDs being elected to the Dail and she claimed the move would take TDs and Senators a step away from local issues.
