Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Curim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Sargent. I compliment my Fine Gael Party colleague, Senator Coffey, on his fine speech on this motion. To enlighten Senator Boyle, the reason there is no amendment is that it is Fine Gael Party policy to support the electoral commission. If we are serious about reform of the political system let us not have a fudge, as we had from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley.

Given that the local elections take place in 2009, why wait until after 2009 to introduce reform that we all agree is necessary? At present there is no spending limit on local elections. Let us have real reform. There will be no opposition from this side of the House. I suggest the reform be introduced now and used in the local elections of 2009 as the experiment of the electoral commission to be fine-tuned and tweaked for subsequent elections.

At present we have cheque book politics in Irish society. We have tokenism in regard to spending at elections. It is a farce. Members opposite are participating in a sham. Spending limits come into force once the Taoiseach dissolves the Dáil and for the three week period of an election campaign there is accountability. Like Senator Boyle I was amused at some of the returns in our constituency.