Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Normally it does not happen until one goes to one's eternal reward. I thank the Senators for their comments.

When introducing the list of amendments we dealt with I stated it was fitting the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 should conclude in the Seanad where it commenced last February. I thank all members of the Seanad and the Dáil for their thoughtful and detailed input on all Stages of the Bill. I particularly acknowledge the generous reception given to the Bill by this House. At times it felt as if we were dealing with two separate Bills, as Senator O'Keeffe stated, one with a focus on political funding and reform another dealing with the participation of women in politics. However, there is only one Bill.

Often the political process is criticised because reports come out and gather dust because none of the recommendations are implemented. I am glad to tell the Seanad I have given the Mahon tribunal report, which was published last March, high priority on behalf of the Government. A total of 25 recommendations are being implemented at present and 18 more will be implemented and I hope all of these measures and recommendations will be implemented within the next year. Only three of its recommendations will not be implemented, including that the Government and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport should not be involved in the appointment of members of the National Transport Authority, which is not earth-shattering. We will continue to give a role in this to the Minister.

We cannot expect to have a political system that commands the highest levels of respect among the people of Ireland unless we are more transparent about how the system is funded and unless we have a gender balance in elected politics which is more reflective of our population. On both counts the current system is not fully working and needs to be changed, and the Bill will do so. The Bill will reform how politics are conducted in Ireland. We will draw a clear line between corporate funding and political activity. All corporate donations of more than €200 will be banned unless the donor meets the most exacting conditions which I outlined earlier. The amount that can be accepted as a political donation by a political party is being more than halved. The threshold for public declaration of donations to parties is being reduced by more than 70%. The books of the same political parties will all be audited and published on the Internet. The income and expenditure of parties will be opened up for all to see. These are massive reforms in the context of political transparency and accountability.

Throughout the debates in the Houses various statistics were quoted on female participation in elected politics. Generally all of them say the same thing, namely, women are under-represented and have been since the foundation of the State and the situation will not change unless action is taken. This is what we have done. The Bill has charted a complex path in balancing our legal and constitutional responsibilities against a clear need and desire to bring about significant change. I hope all involved in politics and public life will embrace the spirit of what we have done.

On a number of occasions Senator Mooney mentioned his concern about the role of the media in these matters with regard to democratic politics. In my view a noteworthy change has occurred since I became a Member of the House in 1987, from journalists reporting what happens to now giving a personal view. We are engaged in the politics of perception rather than the politics of truth. We have the politics of guilt by association and the style of reporting is rather depressing and is corrosive to democracy and it must change.

I thank the Senators, particularly those who spoke during the many sessions and debates on the Bill. Senators on all sides of the House have shown very serious intent with regard to what we are trying to do. The record of the House will show the Bill has been given a very thorough and testing examination. The Government has responded by introducing a radical and far reaching piece of legislation and I look forward to it becoming law. I wish everybody a couple of weeks of well-earned respite after this very thorough and testing examination of the legislation.