The Government is not interested in an offer of support from the Green Party on legislation to ban TDs and senators from holding local authority seats, according to the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan.
The Independent TDs who have an arrangement to vote with the Government warned they would withdraw their support if the offer from the Green Party was taken up.
Mr Brennan said yesterday the four Independent deputies, Ms Mildred Fox, Mr Harry Blaney, Mr Thomas Gildea and Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, had been very loyal over the past four years.
"My own view is the Government has had the support of the Independents for the past four years. It's been a good partnership. I don't see the Government doing anything to damage that pact. The Greens won't be there next week and the week after and the Government has a lot to do," said Mr Brennan.
However, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, told The Irish Times yesterday he remained determined to press ahead with the measure. "The Bill has been published; it's been passed by the Government. This is one of the features of it. It's an important feature, as far as I am concerned. I want it to remain a part of the Bill."
He said he believed the four Independent TDs were "mistaken in their opposition".
Meanwhile, Green Party deputy Mr John Gormley said that following a conversation with Mr Brennan yesterday it had been clear to him that the Government was prepared to "water down" provisions in relation to the dual mandate in order to get the Independents on side.
Mr Brennan said it was ultimately up to the Minister for the Environment Mr Dempsey to accept or reject the support from the Green Party.