Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures of political reform that will be introduced to demonstrate that politicians are willing to play their part in tackling the economic crisis, particularly in relation to unvouched expenses and political donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5649/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In so far as matters within the responsibility of my Department are concerned, I will shortly publish a Bill to introduce spending limits, which will be in force for the local elections that are to take place on 5 June 2009. The purpose of introducing spending limits is to create as level a playing field as possible to ensure that candidates of modest means are not put at a disadvantage in contesting an election. It will also bring local elections in line with other electoral codes where spending limits already apply. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission which will, inter alia, examine the issue of financing of the political system. I have recently published, for consultation, a scoping study on the establishment of an Electoral Commission.