Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)

I will be brief. There is no doubt but that the interface between business and politics in this country has been toxic. That link must be broken. It has created a situation whereby politics and politicians have been brought into disrepute. Politics is now one of the least, if not the least, trusted professions. We have had a string of planning irregularities and tribunals arising from the relationship between business and politics in this country. There is no doubt that link needs to be broken. We need to clean up politics and to have a level playing pitch in the political arena, in particular in respect of elections and the funding of politicians and political parties in elections.

We should not permit any political donations, corporate or otherwise and the State should fund political parties. This is the only way we can be sure there is a level playing field and that donations of whatever nature or amount are, irrespective of whatever law might be in place, not made available to political parties or politicians. State funding is absolutely necessary if we are to clean up politics and ensure trust in the future. Also, there should be reduced spending limits for elections and expenditure and expenses should be examined, assessed and audited not alone on the basis of the 15 or 20 days of an election campaign but for at least 12 months prior to an election. There is no doubt but that period of time is now being used by politicians and political parties to spend significant amounts of money in the run up to elections. Money buys elections. State funding of politicians and political parties is absolutely essential if we are to have a level playing field and an honest and trustworthy political and electoral system.

See this speech in context