Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There were such perceptions in all areas and I am not excusing any of them. I brought forward the electoral Act when I was Minister for the Environment to cap expenditure at national elections and have transparency in the making of donations. The quid pro quo was that one needed political systems to operate; therefore, there needed to be a State-funded political system within limits. However, it is now being argued that we should do away with State funding. Where would that leave us? Would it mean external funding only for those who could afford it?