Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is nothing but a good old style Fianna Fáil political stroke. It is political reform Fianna Fáil style. It is disgraceful. We were told through the media, by a spokesperson from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, that this measure was agreed by Cabinet on 24 May. We had a Dáil select committee meeting two weeks ago. This measure could have been brought to the select committee. Before that, another stroke was attempted by nodding through an instruction to committee. We then had a 60-minute debate on some new sections that were added to the Bill and the Government is trying the same thing again. This is even more devious, because it seeks to introduce, at the eleventh hour, a new way for political parties to raise money. We know about the toxic influence of money on the political system. Our history has shown us that. By virtue of that alone, we need serious scrutiny of this measure in this House. We need a full plenary sitting of the Dáil to interrogate and ventilate the issues properly. We have 90 minutes to discuss 150 amendments.

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