Michael McCarthy (Labour)

It is a good example. If the project had backfired in the election, it would probably have been classed as something else. I feel strongly about this amendment. If the dual mandate is to be abolished at one level, the policy should be applicable across the board regardless of the type of dual mandate. Obviously, it is more high profile when it occurs in politics but there are also the professions and occupations. These people have dual mandates. During the four years I was a member of the local authority I found it difficult to continue my ordinary occupation. Indeed, I had to resign the job to contest the general election.

There must be consistency across the board. The Minister of State can argue with justification that this dual mandate will finish in 2007. With regard to the instability of a previous Government, the Minister must have been referring to Fine Gael MEPs during the 1980s because the Labour Party lost its four seats in 1984. However, it caused considerable political uncertainty for some Governments. In the overall political context, the dual mandate is applicable to every role a politician can have, whether it is their ordinary profession outside the House or their membership of another body. The Minister of State made a salient point about the triple mandate in Northern Ireland. It is also a significant burden on the Exchequer but that is the will of the people.

I accept the position the Minister takes but I am unhappy that he will not accept the amendment.