Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

A Whip on conscience? I have to determine if child benefit is a conscience issue or only a sectionally-related issue of conscience. We are in a very difficult area if we are going to say to people that they should determine what is a matter of conscience, and that takes it outside the norms of politics. We all have consciences. I did not get the opportunity to speak in the debate but I find it jarring when people say they are going to vote with their conscience, as if not everybody in this House has a conscience or reflects and makes determinations in light of their experiences, beliefs and ultimately their consciences.

Deputy Donnelly talked about the Executive's control over the Oireachtas. The most vigorous debate happens within parliamentary parties and that determines what happens here. The rows, clamour and strenuous debate that happen within the Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil parties determines that discourse. I understand that a lot of this is alien to Independents who can determine their views-----

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