Madam, - Fintan O'Toole (Opinion, May 8th) writes that our parliament is one of the weakest in the developed world. This is evident in health, education, legal reform and in other areas. Our parliament will continue to be ineffective until the rigid whip system which prevails is abolished in relation to most legislative matters.
We elect deputies to represent us in the Dáil but most are emasculated by the iron hand of the cabinet and party leaders. It seems that the backbencher is irrelevant to the legislative process. - Yours, etc,
RISTEÁRD MULCAHY, Roebuck Road, Dublin 14.