Vol. 485 No. 4
150 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether Oireachtas Members should continue to be eligible to hold seats on local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/97]
The Local Government Act, 1991 provides that Ministers and Ministers of State are disqualified from being members of a local authority. The Local Government Act, 1994 provides that after the next local elections this statutory disqualification will apply to other senior office holders at central level, the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, chairpersons of certain Oireachtas committees and MEPs, and also that Oireachtas Members will be disqualified for election as cathaoirleach or leas-chathaoirleach of a local authority.
I will be bringing forward comprehensive local government legislation next year. The question of any further changes will be addressed in that context.
