Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which he will publish the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24097/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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On 8 June 2011, I published the General Scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. Provision is made for the restriction of corporate donations, a reduction in the amounts that can be received as political donations and a reduction in the thresholds for declaring political donations. Political parties will also now be required to submit their annual accounts to the Standards in Public Office Commission for publication. The new legislation includes a provision that political parties will face a cut of half their State political funding if they do not have at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next general election. This will then rise to 40% after 7 years. In line with the Government's commitment to reform the way legislation is debated and implemented, I have published the General Scheme and invited public input on its contents. The Bill is currently being drafted and is to be published during the current Dáil term.