Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is providing for this in this legislation - not for the first time obviously - but the section deals with amending the current system of funding of the parties, renaming the allowance and copper-fastening the arrangements which discriminate against Members who become Independent Members of this House. It is absolutely legitimate for us to make these arguments and seek to amend and improve the arrangements.

The Minister said the larger parties receive less. Yes, they do because there are economies of scale where there is one press office and a research unit that basically does the same regardless of whether one has six or 26 Members. That is obvious. The other point the Minister made related to Opposition parties receiving more. Again, that is obvious and that is what should happen because Government parties have access to the very considerable support and research provided by the Civil Service.

I again put it very strongly to the Minister that there is no basis for parties retaining funding for Members who are no longer members of those parties. It is receiving funding under false pretences. It is taxpayers' money and parties should not be allowed to continue claiming it. There is no defence to that situation being allowed to continue. I ask the Minister sincerely to agree this amendment.

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