Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Looking at this amendment proposed by Deputy Mathews, I would like to focus primarily on two points. The first relates to the role of the politician and his or her duty to the people, and second to the question of issues of conscience and their place in politics.

Ireland's electoral system of single transferable vote proportional representation makes ours technically one of the most open in the world. A study carried in 2012 by UCD academics found that, while more open electoral systems tend to increase the likelihood of politicians breaking party ranks, Ireland has a relatively low rate of politicians voting against the party line. Between 1981 and 2010, 54 Deputies lost the Whip due to breaking the party line. According to the study, 63% of those who lost the Whip in this period never went on to enjoy any further political career advancements afterwards. I am sorry to tell Deputy Mathews that.

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