Seanad debates
Wednesday, 19 November 2003
Stem Cell Research: Statements.
I resent all the political parties in this country suggesting that every member of a political party can have the same view on matters of conscience, which they do in effect. We have no tradition of free votes and no tradition whereby, independently, one can make up one's own mind on the floor of the House on matters like this. These are not matters of party political policy but matters of deep conviction for all of the colleagues who have spoken. We have got to grow up as a society and political class. We should allow free votes on issues such as this. I know it happens in other parliaments and we should learn from that. The idea that a political party can take up this particular issue is just nonsensical as many members of a party could disagree with a party view.
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