A vigilant opposition is a political requirement

Though I am in no way party political, the electorate were quite right to give Fianna Fáil a right good kicking in the last election.

That said it is important to realise that it is in our interest to have a vigilant opposition to keep the government in check and private members bills have quite a part to play in this, indeed I think they should be tabled more often.

A case in point was Michael McGrath’s bill to put an end to the veto, and therefore final control, which banks have in cases of mortgage arrears. True, the government was able to vote it down but let them be put on record as having done so.