Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share time with Deputies John Browne and Barry Cowen. I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate but I will not respond to the last quotation from Deputy McCarthy. It is important to consider the strengths of Irish political life since the foundation of the State and the contribution that many fine parliamentarians and members of local authorities and town councils have made not only to the betterment of their own area and the individuals who sent them to these various elected bodies, but to the country as a whole.

Certain Members opposite have pointed the finger at figures in our party. We could continue point scoring and holding that their party did this and our party did that. However, a vast number of people, almost 1,100 in total, have gone through the Houses of the Oireachtas. These people have made significant contributions at a significant personal cost not only to their financial situation, but in terms of their families. The commitment they have given to be in public life and to serve their country has been remarkable.

That said, the Bill is before the House and, rightly or wrongly, we must clear up the image of politics. Politics has been downgraded and a source of scandal within the Irish mindset in recent years. The Bill was brought forward and promised during the general election campaign. I commend the Fianna Fáil Party for bringing forward this legislation so early. It is important to set the tone in this regard. We acknowledge that mistakes were made in the past when there was a close association between very sizable donations and political parties and Governments.

A great many people elected to the House have never received a donation good, bad or indifferent. Such people have always worked from their own resources and have a sense of pride that they have funded campaigns from their own resources. There are parts of constituencies throughout the country the socioeconomic make-up of which means that they do not have the capacity to make political donations even at a small level.

There is an argument about democracy and how it should be funded. The argument on the other side considers the payment of elected representatives. In recent years, the debate has been about whether Members of the Dáil, Seanad and local authorities were overpaid. We have been working constantly on the question of whether if one pays a person a decent wage to come to the Dáil, should such a person be able to fund some of his or her election campaigns. There is also the question of funding parties through the leaders' allowances.

I welcome the initiatives contained in the Bill and it is important to bring them forward. We are disappointed at the response to the Bill, which has been given careful consideration on our side of the House. We received expert legal advice on various aspects of it. Some Members have cited some flaws in it but there is an amendment process on Committee Stage and these issues can be debated and people can bring forward effective amendments if there are issues or sections within the Bill which need to be strengthened.

It is important to move away from old ideas and the old system in which sizeable corporate donations funded the political system. Points were made with regard to the United States of America, where the first question is how much money a particular candidate can raise when he or she is embarking on an election campaign and then the money follows the candidate. This should never be the case in the Irish Republic. We must aim to ensure there is proper representation here of all sectors and socioeconomic groups. Regardless of who a person is, if one is of an age sufficient to vote, if one has a case to make or a point to put across, if one has campaigned well and one is genuinely serious about being elected, then it should be possible to become elected to the Houses of the Oireachtas or to local bodies. This is what a true republic needs and wants.

We have seen people from across the spectrum elected to this Dáil and it is an important acknowledgement of democracy in any republic that we have had this opportunity. Democracy cannot be and should never be only for the elite, the wealthy or any specific section of society that benefits from funding. The Bill provides the legislation to move away from the ability of the wealthy or well-heeled people or members of society to influence an election or several elections.

There are several points to note in the Bill. There have been several references to companies, societies, trade union movements and so forth and the donations these groups have made. I would have gone further than the proposed limit of €100. I would prefer if it were completely abandoned because it has no future in our society, especially in the coming years as we get out of the recession and given the difficulties experienced by many families throughout the country. There should be no such thing as donations. Parties should have members and a structure like any organisation be it sporting, community and so on. If a person wishes to have an effect in an organisation he or she joins that organisation and moves through it.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which is solid. The Members opposite have used the word "hypocrisy". However, this is a serious and genuine effort by Fianna Fáil. If the Members opposite are so concerned about our hypocrisy they should support the Bill tonight when it comes to a vote and if they wish to tease out any issues on Committee Stage, then that is what the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Dáil Chamber and committees are for. I commend the Bill to the House.

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