Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that there is an independent process for resolving this. The points made by Deputy McAuliffe are very fair. This is an area that requires careful consideration. Any activity that impacts on the political system must be subject to boundaries and limits. We need to bear in mind that a lot of corporate money and resources, which are not necessarily subject to restrictions, go into influencing the political process. Having some counterbalance to that from civil society and NGOs can be healthy in a democracy. We should be aware that large sums and resources are employed by corporate interests all the time to influence political decisions. We need to be mindful of that. Where is the ability for others, who do not have those sorts of resources behind them, to put forward their case? I am happy to accept that there will be a process for that going forward.