The Government has only weeks to reach a deal with the four Independent TDs over legislation banning TDs from local authority seats, following a decision to get the Local Government Bill passed by the summer recess.
Despite lengthy negotiations with the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, the four Independent TDs oppose the 241-section Bill, which promises a radical overhaul of local administration. The early July target set by the Cabinet during its meeting in Muckross House, outside Killarney, means the first key vote on the Bill will have to take place in little more than a fortnight.
Yesterday, one of the four, the Wicklow TD, Ms Mildred Fox, warned that the legislation's dual mandate ban threatened the relationship that has existed with the Government since 1997. "If they feel that they can discard us on this, then they had better think about whether they can do without us afterwards. It would be the first time that they will have said that they don't need us. Do they need us, or do they not?" she asked.
However, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, issued soothing words: "It is still going to be a long phase through the Dail, through committee stage and report stage. We have been in discussions with the Independents.
"Both the Tanaiste and I greatly welcome the support that we get from the Independents. They have been greatly loyal to the Government and very supportive of us. This is an issue that we have to deal with, and we will," he said.
One Cabinet source hinted yesterday that Mr Dempsey will face pressure to capitulate. So far, however, he has resisted all calls to do so, including some from within Fianna Fail ranks.
Originally, he had hoped to stop TDs sitting on local councils from 2004, though he has since offered a number of compromise formulas, including one that would allow all sitting TDs to remain on until 2014.
However, the offers have so far been rejected by the Independents who, besides Ms Fox, include Kerry South TD Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, Donegal North-East TD Mr Harry Blaney and Mr Tom Gildea from Donegal South-West.
They suggest that sitting TDs should be able to stay on if they forgo all expenses and the £10,000 salary for councillors which is also included in the legislation. They do not oppose the decision to speed up the legislation's passage: "We have actually asked that they do this. We don't want to be seen as the scapegoats for holding it up," said Ms Fox.
"Personally speaking, I have received letters from councillors who seem to think that we are the ones responsible for the delay. The Bill has a number of important elements."
However, Fine Gael ridiculed the timetable, even though it favours ending the dual mandate: "There is zero chance of this happening. There are 241 sections. And there will be millions of amendments," said Ms Olivia Mitchell TD.
