The need to rebalance power between Parliament and the Executive has been recognised by politicians and academics for decades, but no government has been willing to trust its elected members. There is a rigidity in Irish life that stifles intellectual freedom and this unwillingness to allow for personal conscience reaches into the heart of government. At Leinster House, it is expressed by a party whip system that demands total obedience and punishes any transgression by expulsion. The system is common to all Dáil parties. But its exercise by a government with a large majority appears as a form of tyranny.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South East Eoghan Murphy has accused the Government of abusing the Dáil by circumventing its Constitutional duty to hold ministers to account through the use of the whip system. It is an old complaint but it comes from a new TD who is under pressure in his constituency. Mr Murphy cited inadequate Dáil scrutiny of Irish Water and the recent budget as consequences of this excessive control. Whatever about that, he was right to reject a vague undertaking to examine the system after the general election. The matter requires immediate attention and an Oireachtas committee would be an appropriate forum for such discussions.

A more important issue involves the establishment of a four-person Economic Management Council that takes budgetary decisions before the Cabinet is asked to ratify them. This structure helped to facilitate agreement between Fine Gael and the Labour Party in an emergency economic situation, but it has concentrated power too much. It should give way to normal, collegiate Cabinet decision-taking.

Democracy is a messy business. Its greatest weaknesses are excessive secrecy, a lack of accountability and undue control. Loosening that control, however, can unlock potential and encourage greater citizen participation. If this Government is serious about reform and the empowerment of elected members, changing the whip system would be a good start.