Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Surely an individual's conscience is a matter for that individual. Should we risk putting into our Constitution a provision that could force the courts into a position where they must decide what is, and what is not, a matter of conscience for an individual once they are elected to the Oireachtas? Are we going to ask the Judiciary, through the Constitution, to define in case law what is and what is not a matter of conscience for an Oireachtas Member and thereby set the parameters within which the elected representatives of the Irish people can act as law makers?

Are we going to open the doors of our courts to special interests who believe their conscience has been violated by the decisions of elected representatives in fulfilling their parliamentary duties or special interests who litigate about parliamentary actions of elected representatives?

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