Vol. 471 No. 5
114 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment whether he intends to implement the recommendation from the Second Commission on the Status of Women that the dual mandate in politics be ended; and, if so, when he will implement this recommendation. [20653/96]
Ministers and Ministers of State are disqualified from being members of a local authority under the Local Government Act, 1991. Additionally, after the next local elections, certain other Oireachtas office holders (Ceann Comhairle; Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; chairpersons of certain Oireachtas committees) and members of the European Parliament will be disqualified. Oireachtas members will also then be disqualified from holding the position of local authority cathaoirleach or leas-chathaoirleach. Further action can be considered in the light of experience following the next local elections.
Certain principles governing the election of representatives to the European Parliament are set out in a Council Decision of 20 September 1976 to which was annexed an "Act concerning the election of the representatives of the Assembly by direct universal suffrage". One of the main provisions of that Act, which has direct application, is that membership of the Assembly (now Parliament) is not incompatible with membership of a national parliament.
