Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

If we determined that there was a different Government, we could not give the parliamentary support for the Opposition to the Government, and the parliamentary support for the Government to the Opposition when that had changed. It seems reasonable and logical that this would be the outcome of that very unusual - I believe unprecedented - change within a Parliament.

The Deputy made a compelling case on committees and one with which I have absolute sympathy. My view is that every Member of this House should be entitled to every document that is generated for every committee. That is a matter that should be taken up with the CPP. I have no difficult with that, but it is not germane to this legislation, good, bad or indifferent. However, the Deputy made a very valid point. He should be equipped on an open data basis to participate in any committee he chooses, as should I and any other elected representative. However, on the voting, the majority, as determined in the House, has to be reflected in the committees for obvious reasons.

Deputy Creighton came back on a number of points. She made charges against her own party that I will not get into, including that they are being punished at the whim of Government and all the rest. I understand the angst that underscores that and the genuine feeling, but it has nothing to do with the Bill. It is not for the discussion here and it is to be taken up elsewhere.

Let me now respond to Deputy Donnelly. How does one determine the contribution per vote? In my judgment, a vote is not owned, but we can disagree on that. Deputy Donnelly as an Independent Member can claim that those who voted for him gave him their votes. When people vote for those with political party allegiance, the funding accrues to the party and the elected Member cannot take it wherever he or she wants to go without asking the people again. Personally, I do not think that is fair.

I reject what Deputy Flanagan said about my proposal.