Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The failure to have a system in place that recoups these moneys from party leaders is unhealthy. It raises fundamental issues about the nature of our democracy and the Whip system. The threat of removing the kind of research, technical and press supports, supports on which all Members depend upon to fulfil our roles in this House, which are available as result of this funding is part and parcel of the three-line Whip system. It is all or nothing. It plays into that threatening and bullying culture that exists in this House, operated by some of the party Whips. It is a case of doing it their way or one will find oneself out on a limb with no supports and they will make life really difficult. That is the message given to Members who have the temerity to stand up to their party leaders and go against their parties, acting on their own conscience as to what they believe is right and elected to do. This culture undermines the democratic process in this House. It is wrong and should not be tolerated. It is a glaring omission in this legislation that needs to be addressed. If we are serious about restoring confidence in the democratic system in our Parliament, I believe we have no choice but to change that arrangement and introduce a system that treats every Member equally and fairly, equally recognising the mandate each of us has.

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