David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I support the amendments, which relate to section 7. I stated earlier I would take this opportunity to raise the issue of corporate donations, although I know the Minister was referring to cash donations. The Minister has gone a long way and the new donations thresholds have gone a long way towards meeting our demands. However, we have made the point we are in favour of a complete ban on corporate donations. The Minister explained he felt this was not practical. That is his view but we believe it is practical and the right thing to do for the political system. If we want to remove, once and for all, any relationship between business and the political system, a ban on corporate donations is the correct approach. The making of individual donations, as set out, is acceptable, but corporate donations of any description are unacceptable.

Even if we wanted the Minister to opt for a complete ban, it would be churlish of us not to accept that the reductions in the limits are important and will certainly ensure greater accountability and transparency. They go some way towards meeting our demands, although they may not go all the way.

This is my last opportunity to contribute on this Bill. I do not want to stray from it but, given that the Minister is in the House, I believe it is important to ask him to update us on the electoral area boundary changes for local elections. While the Minister had indicated he would publish the guidelines before the summer recess, I have not seen their publication.