Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)

Unfortunately, he has passed away. The barriers to participation are there and one of them is the system of donations. If we wish to open up this House, we must examine how politics is funded. Deputy Mick Wallace mentioned €50 or €100 - those are huge sums for people living in Pearse Street and Ringsend who are dependent on social welfare. The reality is that access to this House is exclusive. The ideas that come from this House are exclusive.

My community suffered badly from the watering down of the Part V provisions regarding the allocation of 20% of all units in new developments to social and affordable housing. When I first ran for election candidates were knocking on doors in my area and reassuring people that every phase of the gasworks redevelopment, which is just down the road from me, would include a 20% allocation of social housing. However, what happened was that the get-out clauses were brought into service. When it comes to the deprived and people working for the minimum wage, there always seems to be get-out clauses. The legislation which allowed that situation to develop came from this House. When the State was founded, a broad spectrum of society was represented in this Parliament, and rightly so. The reality today, and for a long time past, is that people on social welfare, people working for the minimum wage and people working on building sites - if there are any left - have no opportunity of access. We must level the playing field. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue in the House. It is extremely important we have these debates. While today we are discussing corporate donations we need to review all donations in terms of funding of the political system in this country. We need to ensure the doors of the Oireachtas are open to people from all financial backgrounds. The biggest barrier to election is money. We must address this if people of low means are to have an opportunity of election to this House so that their views and needs are represented. Election to the Houses is constantly blocked by money and privileged parties which can fund candidates. Let us be honest: a call from a person who has donated €1,000 towards one's election will be answered. It is our responsibility to bring about change in this area. For as long as I am a Member of this House I will fight for that change. Following the next general election, I want to see more people from my background elected to this House. I apologise if I appear angry but this is an issue about which I am passionate.

I thank Fianna Fáil for bringing forth this legislation, which gives me an opportunity to express my views. The golden circle is wide. Who will give one money to stand for election is often dependant on where one went to school, what level of education one obtained, who one's friends are and whether one attended a good secondary school or a private one. For far too long my community has been excluded from election to this House. We need to change that and to change it soon. I am angry on this point and at the level of unemployment in my constituency which affects my friends, people with whom I grew up. We need change and that change needs to come fast.

The Minister stated earlier that the Government proposes to introduce legislation in this area. I intend to have an input into that legislation. I will work to ensure the doors to membership of this House are open to everyone.

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