The Labour Party has decided to support the Government's attempts to ban Oireachtas members from holding local authority seats, a move bitterly opposed by the four Independent TDs, who traditionally support the Coalition in Dail divisions, writes Mark Brennock.
The Labour stance, together with the Green Party's decision to support the change, would allow the Government to push the measure through in spite of the opposition of the Independents. However, the Government is unlikely to take this option, as some of the Independents have threatened to bring it down on the issue.
Labour's spokesman on the environment, Mr Eamon Gilmore, said that the Government could now pass the Bill if it had the "courage to do so".