Vol. 436 No. 4
153 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that all parties and independent Members democratically elected to the Oireachtas will be included in any forthcoming State funding scheme for political parties.
154 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, he has made in developing a fair means of State funding for political parties.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government indicates that the Government will introduce State funding for political parties and an Electoral Bill to give effect to this commitment is currently being prepared. Pending consideration of the text by the Government, and presentation of the Bill to this House it would be inappropriate for me to comment on what the Bill may contain.
