Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I am happy to second this motion on an issue of fundamental importance to our democracy, namely, how we organise ourselves, our political parties and our elections, which are the very cornerstone of our system. It is clear that the relationship between business and politics is, if anything, being strengthened by the attitude and actions of Fianna Fáil, in particular, in the current Administration. Fianna Fáil's response to the report of the Standards in Public Offices Commission last week and to the Des Kelly court action shows that it has not only learned nothing from what has happened in the past ten to 15 years in public discourse, but that it intends to remain as arrogant as ever and ensure that its relationship with business remains and, if anything, becomes stronger.