Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have a fundamental problem in our democracy in that we have an Executive that is far too strong and that is not held to account by Parliament. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, and myself have travelled to different parts of the world and we have experience of new democracies developing in sub-Saharan African. We are the very ones who encourage parliamentarians to question government. Here, we have a situation where, when someone does question government, they end up, as the Minister puts it, being censured.

I found it interesting that the Minister eloquently made the argument that the money is not allotted to an individual and he then subsequently undermined that argument by saying that the amendment actually provides for the money to be returned to the Exchequer. It is either one or the other. Our amendment states that it is wrong for political parties to receive money for Members who are no longer in those parties.

I asked the Minister about former Deputy Nulty. The Minister might come back to me as to whether he is receiving those moneys.

See this speech in context