Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Sean Fleming for tabling the amendment. I am disappointed with the response of the Minister considering all of the points made in seeking change in this area. The legislation is ethically unsound.

Any member of the public who has had this issue explained to him or her has sympathy for Members who find themselves expelled from their political party while these moneys still go to the former party and are used against them. This is extremely anti-democratic. What legal advice has the Minister received that states the Constitution is not being breached in this regard? Has he properly explored it? Can he constitutionally stand over not accepting the amendment? It is disappointing that he is not open to examining this issue.