Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I thank our Independent colleagues for tabling the amendments. As this is a Seanad Bill, we must complete our consideration of it today and it will then be sent to Dáil Éireann for its consideration. It is often the case that Bills are thoroughly debated in the Seanad and that some of the proposals made in respect of them are not accepted here. It then transpires that further proposals may be accepted when such Bills are dealt with in the Dáil. I look forward to hearing the Minister's reply but our colleagues on the Independent benches should realise that the Bill has a long way to travel yet. In that context, it could be amended in the Dáil and then sent back to the Seanad in a few months' time.

I welcome what Senators Mac Conghail and van Turnhout said. The leader's allowance - or whatever we wish to call it - has been the subject of much political debate in recent months. There is also a debate taking place in respect of government in general - be it national or local - and of political reform. That debate seems to centre on whether government should be bigger or smaller. I am of the view that it should focus on better government. We should not concentrate on what should be the number of councillors, Senators or Deputies, rather we should focus on the quality of the work being done. Part of the necessary change in this regard requires that there be maximum transparency and accountability. I accept that the latter two terms have become clichés but what is proposed here would make for better politics and would lead to fewer questions being asked in respect of where the money goes. It would also place greater demands on every Member of this House and the Lower House in the context of accounting for his or her use of taxpayers' money.

We should not be asking how much it costs to run politics. Our focus should be on how the money involved is spent. Democracy does not come free of charge. We could engage in an endless debate on the funding of politics. Regardless of how it is funded, however, our prime responsibility politically must be to ensure that the money is properly spent and accounted for.

As already stated, I look forward to the Minister's reply and it should be remembered that the Dáil may return the Bill to this House with amendments. I ask him to reflect on the contents of amendment No. 3, particularly as what is envisaged could be of assistance in allowing members of the public to see what is happening to their money. That could only be good for politics. It is difficult to argue against transparency or to oppose accountability. I accept that there can be small legal loopholes and that problems can arise. In that context, the Minister requires the maximum of time and space. If this cannot be afforded to him today, there will be further opportunities for it to be afforded to him on Second, Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil. We will see what the Minister has to say.