Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, responsibility, exactly. They were elected to be responsible for themselves and their own vote. They are answerable first to themselves, their own heart and soul, their own brain and intelligence and then, of course, their electorate. It was wrong of the Taoiseach to impose the party Whip system. It is extremely disrespectful, particularly because of the enormity of the issue we are discussing.

I want to go back to 1967, the year I was born. In England at the time politicians, who I honestly believe thought in their own hearts and souls that they were doing the right thing, voted for the changes which allowed the system in place today.

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