Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senators Brian Hayes and Dardis that the matter will have to be examined in the future. According to the report of the Standards in Public Office Commission, the immediate response of Fianna Fáil to the judgment was to have the Minister say that the limits would be raised and that the party was not worried about receiving finance from developers, builders or other business interests. The party may say that its measures protect democracy, but others are not so gullible as to believe it.

The provisions on election spending limits should apply two years before an election is called, if that can be predicted. In the 12 to six months prior to the last general election, glossy brochures were published by Ministers outlining their so-called achievements. I wonder at whose expense that happened.