Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

Deputy Martin stated in his speech last night that political donations had created a perception that big business can buy influence by financially supporting the election funds of parties or candidates and that it was having a damaging impression, which is putting it mildly. He might perhaps have said that private capital tends to be concentrated in few hands, the enormous power of which cannot be effectively checked even by a democratically organised political society. The members of the legislative bodies are selected by political parties, largely financed or otherwise influenced by private capitalists who for all practical purposes separate the electorate from the Legislature. It is probably a no-brainer that we should put an end to all political donations. The practise is certainly unlikely ever to serve the people well.

If we allow big business to influence elections, thus deciding who gets into power the chances of those elected members acting in the best interests of ordinary people at all times is probably pretty slim. It is not unfair to say that for the past 20 years Government has ruled more in the interests of big business than in the interests of ordinary people. There is probably not much point in referring to the massive irony of Fianna Fáil proposing this legislation. Perhaps, however, we should give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they are a little like Paul on the road to Damascus. Perhaps they will be different now.

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