Free votes for rural Deputies
Deputy O'Donoghue asked whether Fine Gael gave its rural Deputies a free vote on the Impaired Farm Credit Bill. The Tánaiste replied that free votes are uncommon, party members are generally bound by party policy, and there was no special free vote for rural Deputies.
Before the vote on the Impaired Farm Credit Bill was taken last night, I emailed the Tánaiste's office, the Taoiseach's office, the office of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Whips, Deputies Chambers and Griffin, asking if a free vote could be given to their party members last night on that Bill. Did Fine Gael offer a free vote to the rural Deputies in the party or were they under the whip?
Comment on this
The answer to the Deputy's question is "No." We do not commonly do free votes in our system. The Deputy is an Independent Deputy and every vote is a free vote for him. Most Members in this House are members of a political party and are bound by the policies of that party, the programme for Government and collective responsibility. We allow free votes on a small number of issues, particularly relating to abortion or life and so on.