Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Given that it failed to spend anything near that amount in support of Gay Mitchell MEP, it might use this debate as an opportunity to explain what has happened to the rest of the money. The only credible speech during the previous debate was made by the then Minister of State, Deputy Penrose. In spite of prompting from the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to be more partisan, he had the good grace to say that an enormous amount of regulation on political donations has already been introduced. He read a long list of measures that were enacted by the last Government. He supported the thrust of Fianna Fáil's Bill, but cited a series of technicalities in opposing it. Other than that, the Government speakers concentrated, as they do in most debates, on trying to cover their embarrassment by attacking their predecessors. New and seasoned Government Deputies spoke about people having the cheek to introduce the Bill and I expect we will hear more of this today.

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