The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, faces a Government backbench revolt over his plans to abolish the controversial dual mandate which allows TDs and senators to hold local council seats.
A number of TDs yesterday expressed their opposition to the proposal, with Carlow-Kilkenny Deputy Mr John McGuinness saying he would raise the matter at the weekly Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting tomorrow.
Among those against the move are outspoken TDs who were awarded prestigious Dáil Committee jobs last week including Mr McGuinness, Cork North-Central TD Mr Noel O'Flynn, and Laois-Offaly TD Mr Sean Flemming.
The former minister for the environment, Mr Dempsey, failed in his attempt to put an end to the dual mandate last year following vigorous opposition to the move from the Independent TDs who supported the last coalition government.
Mr McGuinness, who was appointed vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee by the Taoiseach, told The Irish Times last night that that he would be "deeply unhappy" if the Government ended the dual mandate.
"Being members of local councils is the only way that Oireachtas members are connected with our constituents and gives us the opportunity to deal with problems," he said.
Mr McGuinness said Mr Cullen "would be better off directing his energies into making local government more meaningful".
For example, under local government reform, a new layer of senior management was created which was costing the State a "fortune", he said.
Asked if TDs should concentrate on legislating, Mr McGuinness said to be a good legislator one has to first get elected. "Look at Nora Owen, Alan Dukes and Alan Shatter - fine legislators but they did not get elected at the last election." Mr McGuinness said there was a unique connection between the Irish electorate and those elected. "I should have the full democratic right to put my name forward at an election."
He called on Mr Cullen to use the forum of the Parliamentary Party to explain what is happening at the earliest possible opportunity.
This would be the perfect opportunity for the Taoiseach to fulfil a promise made to the parliamentary party last month that ministers would be more accountable to backbenchers, he commented.
The newly elected chairman of the Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Committee, Mr Noel O'Flynn, confirmed he would also be strongly resisting the abolition of the dual mandate.
"Fianna Fáil will be needing its poll getters and poll toppers to win council seats in 2004," he said. "Having a council seat is an important foundation by which TDs can get things done locally. There is no need for the Minister to pursue this line. It is a matter for each Oireachtas member whether they want to stand for local office or not. I will let my views be known."
Mr Sean Flemming, newly appointed chairman of the Committee on Finance and Public Services, said he would prefer not to see the dual mandate abolished. But he pointed out that he was one of a few TDs who first got elected to the Dáil and subsequently won a council seat.
"It requires furthur discussion. If this is to happen there needs to be a formula worked out where TDs can have the same access to local authority officials as elected councillors."
Newly elected Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary South, Ms Maura Hoctor, said she would not have been successful in her Dáil bid if she was not a local council member.
Dublin South-Central TD Mr Sean Ardagh said last night that he was in favour of the banning of the dual mandate.
"I think the local authority system is being held back by having two-way people," he said.