Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government commits to a radical overhaul of the way Irish politics and government work. It sets out a wide ranging series of commitments to this end, a number of which are within my areas of responsibility. I am committed to working with my Government colleagues to implement these measures in full.

On 8 June 2011, I published the general scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. Provision is made for the restriction of corporate donations, a reduction in the amounts that can be received as political donations and a reduction in the thresholds for declaring political donations. Political parties will also now be required to submit their annual accounts to the Standards in Public Office Commission for publication. The new legislation includes a provision that political parties will face a cut of half their State political funding if they do not have at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next general election. This will then rise to 40% after 7 years. In line with the Government's commitment to reform the way legislation is debated and implemented, I have published the general scheme and invited public input on its contents.

In addition, provision is made in the Government's legislation programme in the current Dáil session for an electoral (amendment) Bill 2011 to provide for the implementation of a number of recent decisions announced by the Government. As part of the agenda to make the political system leaner and more efficient for its citizens, the terms of reference for the Constituency Commission will be changed in this Bill to provide for a reduced number of Deputies. The Bill will reduce the spending limits at presidential elections from €1.3 million to €750,000 and reduce the amount that candidates can be reimbursed for expenses from €260,000 to €200,000. As a further measure, the Bill will provide that all Dáil by-elections are called within six months of a vacancy arising.

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