Sir, – Is the withdrawal of medical cards from vulnerable people to maintain pay levels for medical professionals not a conscience issue? What about increasing taxation on market-variable contributory private pensions to fund guaranteed public pensions?
People vote for parties rather than individuals because they believe a collective working together consistently is more effective. Questions are debated and policy agreed within the party. Opinions within the group may vary, but that is beside the point. With “free voting”, there is no collective, and thus no point in voting for a party.The hypocrisy of taking advantage of a party’s supporters when it comes to getting elected, only to take an opposing position when difficult decisions need to be made is glaring. The members who canvassed in all weathers, put up posters, distributed leaflets, helped write speeches, organised public appearances, maintained websites, prepared press releases and social media updates, and who ferried voters from their homes to the polling booth on election day are cast aside in favour of the sudden appearance of a “conscience” once the candidate is safely in office.
The last notable point is the total silence of Sinn Féin in the debate. As it stands, the party line is held so tight that its members do not appear to be permitted even the free expression of their individual views. That they would have a free vote in accordance with their individual consciences is obviously out of the question. – Yours, etc,
JOHN THOMPSON,
Phibsboro, Dublin 7.