Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I do not accept the Deputy's argument. Obviously we come from very different traditions. I joined a political party to drive the agenda to which I subscribe. We debate democratically within the party and attend national conferences which provide a space for input from our membership. I do not come to this House as a sole trader. I come with a political agenda and I believe Deputies Fleming and McDonald are involved in politics on the same basis. The essence of our democratic system is not that we ask an array of individuals to represent us but that Governments set out manifestos that will be implemented, sometimes after negotiations on a programme for Government. The Deputy's proposal would fracture the basis of our political system and I, for one, am not keen to pursue it.

See this speech in context