Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am alarmed by Deputy Ross saying he would weigh up whether a person had donated to his campaign fund before taking the person's telephone call. It is the job of politicians to treat all their constituents equally and to be fair and balanced to all. While money does influence voters, I do not believe for a second that it buys them.

I welcome the Fianna Fáil metanoia on political reform. It is imperative that they join the rest of us and become fellow travellers on the road to political reform. It is lamentable that there is no Member of Fianna Fáil in the House for this important Bill. If it is to be the centre-piece of Deputy Martin's renewal of the party, he should be present in the House.

There should be a ban on political donations and State funding of political parties. Politics should be open and transparent. We should end cronyism and the old pals' act and move forward collectively with a new sense of what it means to be a politician and an active citizen.

I regret that Deputy Ross is no longer in the Chamber to hear me say that the role of the media, in their coverage of politics, should also be looked at. Some media institutions' attempts to portray politics leave much to be desired. The coverage of yesterday's jobs initiative by certain publications left a sour taste in my mouth. We need to look at the issue of balance in media reporting.

I am pleased to speak on the Bill. It is important we have an honest debate on it. The influence of money must end in Irish politics and the culture of cronyism must cease. The circumstances that are the genesis of this Bill, which were examined by the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments, must never be seen again.

Deputy Mick Wallace remarked that not all of us in politics were influenced by business and money. Many of us who served on local authorities looked to developers when we believed development proposals were wrong or ill conceived. I agree the Bill is necessary. However, as Deputy Michael McNamara said, while its broad thrust is necessary, in a narrative and prescriptive sense, it is narrow and needs to be expanded upon. There are business people who can have a positive influence on politics and the development and evolution of policy. We should not throw out everything relating to those involved in business. I heard Deputy Mick Wallace's fine contribution on the jobs initiative earlier when he spoke as a business person. We must allow people involved in business to have a participative role in politics while not having undue influence. A ban on political donations is the correct way to proceed. It is a pity this was not recognised earlier by politicians on all sides of the House.

I very much welcome the commitment given by the Taoiseach today that the Government would bring forward a comprehensive Bill. It is important that we rebuild trust and the relationship between practising politicians and the general public. During the last general election, there was a great deal of cynicism and disillusionment, mainly to do with events in the Galway tent and the associated friends of Fianna Fáil which have left a very bad legacy. No Member should be here to promote himself or herself. He or she should be here to work for and serve the people who sent us. All people are equal, whether millionaires or struggling to pay their mortgages while unemployed, and should have equal access. Influence should be on the basis of what is best for the community and in the interests of creating a sustainable community encompassing our homes, townlands and cities.

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