Shatter says TDs ‘shackled by tyranny of party whip system’

POLITICIANS should be allowed to vote with their conscience rather than having to slavishly follow the party line on important issues, Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter has said.

Mr Shatter hit out at the “party whip” system, under which members of parties are directed how to vote.

The system is common to all the big parties, Fine Gael included, and effectively puts shackles on TDs during contentious votes.