Brendan Howlin
Question:9 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to amend the Electoral Act, 1997. [16428/97]
Other Questions. - Electoral Act, 1997.
I indicated to the former Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs and to this House when the Electoral Bill was being considered that provisions of the Bill would be reconsidered if my party was returned to Government.
The provisions to which I referred were those parts dealing with State funding for political parties, reimbursement of candidates' expenses and the limitation of election expenses. These provisions are currently being examined by me. On completion of this examination, I will report to Government and then to this House on any legislation which may be necessary.
As indicated to the former Select Committee during its consideration of the Bill, I have no problem with the general principles of the provisions relating to disclosure of political donations. However, I am availing of the opportunity to review the disclosure requirements to see whether practical improvements to that part of the Act can be effected.
Is the Minister aware that in his report Mr. Justice McCracken said the Electoral Act was a commendable attempt to ensure the unacceptable elements of the financial transactions of which Mr. Lowry and Mr. Haughey were part were not repeated? Does the Minister accept that statement from Mr. Justice McCracken? Does he support in principle the issue of State funding for political parties? I do not expect him to give the detail of his proposals for legislation. Will he look again at the ceiling on contributions made to political parties for disclosure?
I have not included in my review any consideration of the ceilings on contributions to political parties. I note what was said in the tribunal report, but there were no direct recommendations made by the tribunal on the question of payments. The tribunal did comment that it did not consider it practical to prohibit political contributions and for parties to rely solely on public funding. That would accord with my view. The mix of private and State funding we have at the moment, through the parliamentary allowance system, is perfectly legitimate and in accordance with the Constitution. I would have serious doubts about public funding of political parties for their day-to-day running.
Does the Minister acknowledge that the parliamentary allowance is not usable by political parties for normal political activity? Does he support in principle the funding of political parties for normal political activity? Has the Minister given consideration to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill in my name, because of its urgency vis-à-vis the timeframe involved in its implementation?
I have not yet given consideration to the Bill mentioned by the Deputy. The Constitution provides that it is quite in order for allowances to be paid to parties to enable them to participate in or to back up their parliamentary duties. I have no difficulty with that. It is a constitutional provision, and a very wise one. That parliamentary allowance should be used by the parties for parliamentary duties. The public have great difficulty with the idea of their taxes being paid out to political parties with whose principles they may not agree. I have the same difficulty.
Does the Minister have difficulty with anonymous donations?
I have a difficulty with that, yes.