Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to discuss the funding of politics. I welcome the legislation before the House. I commend the holding of this debate on a Friday morning. Many speakers have addressed wider political issues, such as the involvement of ordinary people as members of elected bodies throughout the country, not just in the Dáil or the Seanad. It is time to move beyond corporate donations. Fianna Fáil has had issues in this regard. In 2008, we moved to get rid of the Galway tent and dispel the myths surrounding it for once and for all. Figures that are available to us suggest it was not very lucrative. It gave us a bad impression. I compliment the former leader of my party for moving us beyond it.

Many Deputies have spoken this morning about the damage corporate donations have done to politics. In recent years, a great disservice has been done to the image of politics as a profession. We should acknowledge that many of those who have graced the floors of this House, the Seanad and the county and city councils since the foundation of the State have done so in a spirit of dedicated public service, without accruing any great benefit - financially or otherwise - to themselves or their families. In many cases, it cost people money to be members of elected bodies and to give sterling service to the nation on a vast range of issues. We have to acknowledge that. We have to accept that is the case.

The most important thing for us to do is to make sure our profession is respected. The politicians who are elected to various bodies should reflect what society wants. A number of Deputies spoke about the need to facilitate the election to Dáil Éireann of other bodies of people from different brackets of society and socioeconomic backgrounds. That is true. I spoke to one of the lads in the office this morning about the effects of the crisis on the lower classes, including people in social housing. Their income levels have decreased as a consequence of the bad policy decisions that have been made since the 1960s and 1970s. I refer to putting people in ghettos, for example.

This major step forward should be welcomed by everybody. The Government has said it will produce its own Bill. It is important that we acknowledge that this needs to be done with immediate effect. The Bill before the House is a very good document. Almost six or seven months have passed since it was last discussed here. Nothing has been done in that time. We cannot allow so much time to disappear without action being taken. We have to do it for ourselves, as practising politicians, as well. The last thing any profession wants to do is denigrate its own name. The vast majority of people have contributed enormously to society. Some of the decisions that have been made are wrong. We can have partisan debate across the floor of the House, but that does not serve anybody. It does not serve the real interests of ordinary people. It is important that we pass this legislation immediately and move forward form there.

Various decisions have been taken over the years. I refer to what happens during election counts, for example. Those who think they can influence politicians are in the background at this stage, by and large. The ordinary punter has moved forward. People at the lower end need the services of the vast majority of politicians, regardless of the body to which they are elected. The wealthy will always be able to get their own people. The less well-off need the services of good county councillors and good Deputies to ensure they can access their entitlements without incurring the costs associated with legal services etc. It is important that we ensure such people are better served. Their voices, rather than those of businesses etc., should be heard. I commend the Bill. It is vitally important for all of us, every other politician and every aspiring politician to ensure this legislation is passed and that the good name of politics is restored.

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