Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 11: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is still of the view that the limits on corporate political donations are too inflexible; if he will rule out making changes to the limits for donations before the next general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36634/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The present law relating to election expenditure and donations in Ireland was established in the Electoral Act 1997 and has since been amended on five occasions by means of the Electoral (Amendment) Acts 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. Under current provisions, political parties are allowed to accept a maximum aggregated donation of €6,348 from a single source in any given calendar year, while the limit for an individual public representative is €2,539. I am conscious that the current donation limits were set in 2001 and that over time inflation has eroded their value. There is, incidentally, scope to increase these limits by way of ministerial order having regard to changes in the consumer price index over the relevant period.

Having said that, I am of the view that expensive electoral campaigns do not necessarily add to the electoral or democratic process.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Hear, hear.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy. Constituency contact in the period between elections and door-to-door canvassing at election time — the tried and tested way — are and should remain the essence of engagement with the electorate in our political system. They constitute the part of the political system that the people enjoy.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That must be what the focus groups are for. They tell the Minister which doors to knock on.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should be careful when he refers to focus groups.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I must bring the Minister to Galway sometime. It is near where I come from. I will show him where the tent is.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister stated that donation limits were too inflexible.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While all aspects of electoral law are under ongoing review, I have no proposals at this stage for changes to the donations limits.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister has withdrawn his proposal. He was quoted in The Sunday Business Post on 15 May as stating that the present limits were:

. . . 'too inflexible'. The minister indicated that he favoured a system strong on transparency, rather than one which concentrated on limiting the amounts given.

Is he now limiting the amounts to the increase in inflation and the cost of living?

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy can take it that I meant precisely what I said. I have no intention at this time of changing the limits.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister has changed his mind.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have not changed my mind.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He has.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister was against service development charges in Wicklow but supports them in the Dáil.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is like the Irish Ferries dispute. The Minister has changed his mind.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have not changed my mind.