Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I very much welcome the Bill for opening up transparency and openness in regard to corporate and political donations and for requiring the auditing and publication of the accounts of political parties. This is very welcome. Many Members have alluded, as did Deputy Keaveney, to the fact that political systems seem to be debased and politicians seem to have lost the trust of the people. Perhaps it is the same in other countries but in this one we are becoming nearly ungovernable. There is a scattergun effect and people make their own ideals.

Deputy Donnelly asked what we can do about this. When I was in opposition, or at any other time, I never became personal. If a Deputy or Minister made a good decision I applauded it; if they did not I did not become personal. There is a Deputy in Deputy Donnelly's ranks who has taken away my good name in the past year. Every politician is entitled to his name and his character. This Deputy spoke on local and national radio stations, telling untruths, and has continued to do so in the past year. I do not mind if somebody makes a mistake but when one continues to tell something that is untrue people will sometimes believe it. When I brought this up and said, "This is untrue", the Deputy merely laughed it off. In politics we need to have some backbone, whereby we tell the truth and do not debase a person's good name and good character. Perhaps this is the game we are in and that is it, but I do not agree with it and I know that neither does Deputy Donnelly. I am glad he brought up the issue.

Regarding trust, we should look at the way in which political parties are funded. I have stated before in the House that we should look at the way Independent Deputies are funded. It is wrong that they get €42,000 tax-free into their hand, unvouched. It is also wrong that political parties should get money but at least their accounts are transparent and open. This is an area we must examine.

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