Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am doing so, very tightly. Trying to depict the Whip as a big bad ogre is not correct. Whips generally try to do the best they can. A pet hate of mine is hearing commentators state it suits politicians to have a Whip because it protects them from big business and protects them in their constituencies. A politician who needs the protection of the Whip should not be in politics. If one cannot stand on one's own two feet, and make one's own decision and live and die by it, one should not be in politics.

When I lost the Whip, aside from the ins and outs and rights and wrongs of the legislation what I found most debilitating and depressing was going to a parliamentary party meeting and listening to 20 or 30 individuals advocate a certain policy line very vehemently and strongly - I was not one of them - and when the leadership changed its position the majority of these people came in the following week and advocated a different line. Someone who stands for everything stands for nothing and I found this very depressing.

We can start political reform in the House with a secret ballot for the Ceann Comhairle in the next Dáil. There has been recent speculation about the Ceann Comhairle stepping down. Perhaps he is being undermined by some in the Opposition, which I believe is wrong, or perhaps by some in the Government in respect of who should replace him. It would be damaging to the office, very damaging to the Government and even more damaging to the Houses of the Oireachtas if the Ceann Comhairle were to change before the next election. He is doing an excellent job in difficult circumstances. I hope he stays in the position and that those whispering to the media stop the speculation because it does not benefit anybody. I cannot overemphasise the importance of the Ceann Comhairle staying in position.

Due to the advent of social media, quick fixes and a misinterpretation of what people say, Deputies are often afraid to come here to articulate views or tease out issues, because the soundbite seems to be king at present. Substance is being neglected because of the emphasis on the soundbite and the misrepresentation fed by an uncontrolled social media.

I am in favour of the Whip system. I do not believe in not having a Whip system in the House as I do not believe it would work. The Bill would add to our democratic institutions.

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