Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

This is a problem which I do not believe is easily soluble but I welcome the fact it has reached the House so early in the session. If we are honest money buys votes. All the surveys on this suggest that money does buy votes. The question that arises is whether money buys politicians as well. The Irish experience in recent times indicates that money also buys politicians. How to avoid that is difficult. I speak as one who is not conflicted by this having received approximately €9,000 or €10,000 in subscriptions in the last election. I can put my hand on my heart and say those who gave me €9,000 or €10,000 do not have an undue influence on me or a greater influence than those who did not give me money. They have access. If someone gives one €1,000 or €2,000, it is difficult not to take their telephone calls or listen to what they say. It is difficult not to take the telephone calls of everyone in this business.

Money gains people access to far more important politicians than myself. Therefore, it is a realistic problem. This is especially so in the case of big business if businesses are in a position to give large corporate donations that will give them lobbying power that is disproportionate to that of the ordinary person.

The logical conclusion of money being so powerful within the political system is that the State should fund everyone on some sort of level playing pitch, as Deputy Healy said. I am not sure that would work either. What would happen in the allocation by the State of that money? The political party in power would distribute it in a way that is favourable to itself. The system of distribution would favour the party that was in power when the system was introduced. What would happen to individual or independent politicians who would be at a disadvantage? What would happen to those outside the political system who want to begin a new political party or indulge in something that is utterly new? Would they be completely unfunded and where would their cash come from?

This is not a problem that is easy to resolve. We should establish, however, that there should be a level playing field and that large sums of money should be barred from the political system because they give disproportionate influence to the donors.

See this speech in context