David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Political parties are given a huge advantage in economic terms, particularly in presidential elections. They receive three times the amount in allowances in terms of donations made. The cost of goods and services is written-off which allows them to print election material and their posters can be put up all over the place. Therefore, the ordinary citizen is disadvantaged in the most extraordinary way and a Senator is expected to work for nothing. I heard one person in the other House say he wanted to have the names of 12 people put forward, by random selection, to decide on what we should be paid. That is ridiculous. I have never heard anything like it. He also asked us to be patient.