A chara, – As the pernicious role of the whip system comes under closer scrutiny, Jason Fitzharris (January 25) calls for all TDs to be allowed to vote by secret ballot, as this "allows weak politicians the courage of privacy".
I have enormous sympathy for politicians who come under pressure – be it political, financial, or emotional – from “vested interests”. However, if a TD cannot have courage in his or her convictions, stand up to these vested interests and publicly vote tá or níl on a matter of national importance, then I don’t think they belong in Dáil Éireann in the first place.
Exceptions could be made for internal parliamentary matters – votes of no confidence, or the election of the Ceann Comhairle, for example. But in other matters, for our elected representatives, the only honest vote is an open vote. How else will we assess their performance come the next election? – Is mise,
Dr HUGH ADLER,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.