Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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15. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that all necessary statutory instruments and orders will be signed by the end of this month in order that the provisions of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act of 2012 will apply to all future elections. [51931/13]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This question relates to the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act and the regulations that must be signed by the end of this year to give effect to the legislation for the next local and general elections in terms of implementing the new rules.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act (Commencement) Order 2012, signed on 27 September 2012, commenced sections 1, 2, 27 and 40 to 44, inclusive, of the Act with effect from that date. Sections 1 and 2 contain technical provisions. Sections 27, 40 and 41 introduced requirements on registered political parties to furnish an annual statement of accounts to the Standards in Public Office Commission, based on guidelines to be prepared by the commission.

The Act provides that before publication, the commission, following a consultation process, must submit the draft guidelines to the Minister for his or her consent to publication, with or without modification. Draft guidelines were submitted to me by the commission with a letter, on 14 November 2013, seeking my consent to publication. In performance of the statutory role assigned to me as Minister under the Act, I am currently giving consideration to these draft guidelines.

Sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Act provide that a registered political party will face a cut of half of its State funding under Part 3 of the Electoral Act 1997 if it does not have at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next general election. Seven years from the general election where this provision first applies, this figure will rise to 40%.

The Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2012, signed on 6 November 2012, commenced all remaining sections of the Act on different dates in 2013. Each of these sections is now in force. The sections commenced in 2013 provide for additional requirements and restrictions on the acceptance of political donations and apply to Members of, and candidates seeking election to, the Dáil, Seanad, European Parliament and local authorities, and to political parties, third parties and candidates at a presidential election. The thresholds for the receipt and declaration of political donations have been reduced; restrictions were put in place on corporate donations; cash donations over €200 have been banned and additional transparency requirements affecting the reporting of donations have been introduced. These provisions will apply at all future elections.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the fact that everything is in order in terms of implementing these regulations. They are wonderful and important initiatives in respect of banning corporate donations and introducing gender quotas. Obviously, we do not want this country to take the route of the United States, with big business being able to run politics. I welcome the Minister's statement that everything is in order with these regulations.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputies who tabled Questions Nos. 16 to 24, inclusive, are not present.