Sir, – I applaud and support Minister of State for Public Reform Brian Hayes’s suggestion that there should be a free vote on abortion legislation when it is introduced in the Dáil (Home News, August 29th).
As part of his argument he states, “I don’t believe there is a definitive Fine Gael or Labour position. This is an issue for individual Deputies to make up their mind on.”
However, it seems to me that the Minister has forgotten why he is in the Dáil. He is the elected representative of a constituency of people who have asked him to represent them and their views in the Government.
In fact, his feelings are completely irrelevant and there should be no discussion until the people who cast their votes for him have been fully consulted.
If, as may happen in some cases, the voters have a different opinion to his own personal beliefs – well, so be it. The majority rules and he is bound to reflect honestly their mandate. Of course, it goes without saying that the same applies to every member of the Dáil. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – David Geoghegan (August 31st) suggests that TDs pander to their constituents in the decisions they make.
Surely it is the essence of a representative democracy that representatives take the decision that their constituents would wish them to make? – Yours, etc,