Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Equally, when the German Parliament is given more information about the budget than the Dáil, the Government's claims that it wants to increase the powers of the Oireachtas are exposed as empty.

Let us all make a start on actually delivering on the promise of reform made in February by passing this Second Stage debate on this Bill and allowing the public and experts to contribute to shaping its final form. The broken promises are piling up every day for this Government. Even the clearest commitments made in front of the nation are being abandoned while fiscal circumstances today are exactly as they were when the promises were made.

The Government cannot pretend the IMF is stopping it from agreeing to quickly ban corporate political donations and it cannot claim that the budget is forcing it to abandon its promise to fast action. It achieved its objective of being able to fund the presidential election under the old rules by voting down the ban proposed in May. There is no excuse left.

Today, let us agree that all parties will combine to start delivering on a promise of reform we all freely made to the people when asking for their vote.

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