Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his response. It is exactly the same response we received on 7 October 2008 when the Minister briefed the committee. A number of questions must be asked. Has the Minister brought this matter to Cabinet? In correspondence from the Taoiseach to the leader of my party in December there was discussion of complexities. There are no complexities in this. Local candidates must furnish financial information on their campaigns. What they need is a limit to be placed upon it. If this creates difficulties in terms of administration it also creates many benefits and a level playing field. It is an important factor in safeguarding against corruption. The Minister is on record, and I have stated in this Chamber and in committee, that there is a direct correlation between election spending and election outcome.

The Minister has not delivered on this issue. He has given us the same response he gave to the committee on 7 October. There are 16 weeks to go to the next local elections, which is just over 100 days. When will the Minister bring forward this legislation? The Minister mentioned two approaches. There are several approaches. Which one will the Minister choose?

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