James Bannon (Fine Gael)

As far as Senator Kitt is concerned, I have no intention of sending around a hat this evening.

Limits on electoral spending were first put in place to counter any perceived notion that elections could, in any way, be bought. The input into politics of huge donations from business to political parties in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s became a cause of concern. The original Electoral Act was introduced in 1997 by the rainbow coalition in an attempt to create a more even system and to prevent candidates from buying their way into the Dáil. Whether by promises or with the assistance of excessive financial backing, it is undoubtedly possible to buy votes.