Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is said that when we had one-party Government in this country, decisions on what was good for that party were made at a lovely round table beside that room before the Cabinet decided what was good for the country. That is not an example of true democracy, as far as I am concerned. I had huge respect for Jack Lynch and Seán Lemass when they served as Taoiseach. The culture of jobs for the boys, patronage at party level and favours that existed in the past has gone out with this Government. When people approach me to ask me to sort things out in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for example, I have to tell them that everything is now dealt with in a fair way through the system. Thankfully, Ministers do not have a say in such matters anymore. They take the file and sign it off. That is very welcome.

It is also very welcome to see Opposition Deputies crossing the floor to speak to the Taoiseach and the Ministers. I think there is a more open approach. I accept that the division one associates with Opposition still exists. That is fine. Things are a lot more open now. In the nine years I spent in opposition, I did not dare to talk to a Minister. If I did, he or she would certainly not listen to me because of the distinction between "us" and "them" that existed during that era. I welcome the more open and transparent manner in which things are being done now. I agree that the voting age should be reduced. I think we have grown up since the days of Civil War politics involving Fine Gael, the Labour Party and others. I am pleased that people are able to express their views and make decisions for themselves, rather than on the basis of who their mothers and fathers voted for. I came from a mixed family - my father supported Fianna Fáil and my mother supported Fine Gael. I should say I am glad I listened to my mother.

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