Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 June 2003

There is also the issue of hospitality, buying a round of drinks in the pub. If a person is canvassing and goes to the local pub, shakes hands, looks for votes and his supporters buy a round of drink for the house – it is not bought by the candidate or the campaign committee – there is no record of it, nor can there be. One cannot keep the mice out in this one. There are ways through every part of it. I would prefer an approach where there was a common objective to present a sense of clarity. For that reason I ask the Minister to consider it. An easy way would be to hand it back to the Houses and set up a joint committee to look at it, on condition that its recommendations would be decided on the basis of a qualified majority. That means it is not Government, Opposition or Independents but a considered, thoughtful process. If we cannot agree to that, which could happen, the Government would have to take over. At least it is an opportunity to approach the matter in a positive and creative way. In both Houses, whereas Members are in Government for a period and in Opposition for a period, there must be a common objective.

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