Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the basis of decent politics and mature politics, the Minister must give serious consideration to bringing about this necessary, desirable, fair, accountable and transparent change. Any other decision makes a mockery of our pretence to espouse reform, fairness and accountability.

It is possible for a political party, under this legislation, to legally spend moneys allocated by the taxpayer on behalf of Members who are no longer within the parliamentary party. It makes a joke of the legislation and politics. We have had enough of that over the past 20 or 25 years. The Minister has a difficult job - it is probably more difficult than that of anybody else in the Government - in trying to balance the books and bring about savings. The sort of politics which has brought us to this state of ultimate despair and a broken economy will continue if we do not change this legislation.