Dana is right – our parliamentary democracy is at death’s door

I AGREE with Dana Rosemary Scallon (Letters, July 12) about the death of parliamentary democracy here.

I was shocked when it was announced there was no need for a vote on the Civil Partnership Bill – no trivial piece of legislation.

The stag-hunting and dog-breeding bills resulted in a similar debacle. When certain TDs tried to represent their constituents’ views they were told in no uncertain terms that constituents don’t count when it comes to what “the party” wants. Is that the way ‘democracy’ is to operate in future?