Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I propose to share time with Deputy Michael McGrath. As Deputy Micheál Martin said, the report of the Mahon tribunal is of the utmost seriousness for all who care about public life in Ireland. The report has wide implications for all political parties in the House. Anyone could be forgiven for thinking only Fianna Fáil was involved in this culture in the 1980s and early 1990s. The report states that "corruption in Irish political life was both endemic and systemic...its existence was widely known and widely tolerated". There is no doubt members of Fianna Fáil were involved but so too were members of Fine Gael and the Labour Party. People in glasshouses should not throw stones during this important and wide-ranging debate.

Notwithstanding the past, it is important to let the public know that what happened over 20 years ago cannot and should not be allowed to happen again. Over 12 items of legislation have been introduced over the past two decades, all by Fianna Fáil-led Governments. These Governments also introduced the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, in 2001, which supervises the disclosure of interests and tax compliance. In addition, Fianna Fáil introduced the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2001, which includes strong and clear punishments for those involved in corruption.

Political donations have been successfully regulated by SIPO. Fianna Fáil published two Bills last year to eliminate all political donations but both were voted down by Fine Gael and the Labour Party in government. Ireland has one of the toughest regimes. We need only look at the Conservative Party in the UK, where one MP is in trouble for asking for £250,000 for access to the prime Minister. That aside, political donations in the UK are at the much higher limit of £50,000 compared to the upper limit of €6,348 in Ireland. This sum will fall to €2,500 after the new Bill is signed into law.

The Mahon report examines planning matters prior to 1992, which is 20 years ago. At that time there was no legislation covering political donations. The culture of politics was totally different. I am not in any way tolerating this behaviour but the behaviour should be put in context so we can have an honest debate. In the past 21 years, the number of Fianna Fáil councillors has been dramatically reduced through democracy. I condemn the corrupt actions listed in the findings of the Mahon report. There is no doubt members of Fianna Fáil, including a former leader, betrayed the privilege and responsibility of holding office. All members of Fianna Fáil are angry and disappointed with the findings. These people are active in their communities and respect politics for the right reasons. I am also angry and disappointed at the findings in the report about Fianna Fáil members.

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