Jackie Healy Rae was in gung-ho form as he chaired the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government this week. Asked by Eamon Gilmore when the dual mandate which allows membership of both the Oireachtas and country councils would be scrapped, as promised, the bould Jackie replied that sure no one was telling him that daft legislation was going to be passed. Then when Alan Dukes complained of the cramped conditions for the lengthy Committee sessions, Jackie told him that if he didn't take as long to say what he had to say he wouldn't have to spend as long with his long legs under the table.