Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is a very significant reduction, in so far as I could do so without putting the entire FEMPI legislation at risk, which I could not do because it is so important in regard to economic affairs.

On the Bill before us, there is an issue that has been raised again and again, particularly by the Deputies present, so I am glad to have the opportunity to respond to it. This is the fact parties continue to receive their allocation of funding even if individual members choose to leave the party or were expelled from the party.

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