Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Niall Collins of Fianna Fáil, Deputies Stanley and McLellan of Sinn Féin, Deputies Catherine Murphy and Donnelly of the Technical Group, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, chair of the environment committee, and the officials for their co-operative work on this political funding Bill. The legislation's provisions were part of the programme for Government. I am delighted we were able to amend it today to take account of recommendations made by the Mahon tribunal so as to make political funding much more transparent and accountable, reduce the dependence on corporate donations and introduce a system in which people of both genders can participate in politics in a more open way.

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