I move amendment No. 117:
In page 20, subsection (2)(a), line 9 to delete "1992" and substitute "1990".
This is a technical amendment. Section 23 refers to the collective citation of the Companies Acts 1963 to 1992. The correct up-to-date collective citation is the Companies Acts 1963 to 1990. This amendment provides for the amendment of the reference to the collective citation in section 23.
With regard to the disclosure of donations, the principle is accepted by all parties that the section, and the discussion on it, is of a technical nature. When this provision has been put in place, it will be important that everyone is protected and that there will be no possibility of scurrilous claims being made during, or immediately after, election campaigns about the disclosure of donations.
This is a very sensitive area and, in the light of the points made by Members on all sides, careful consideration should be given, before Report Stage, to the indications that principles would be accepted and regulations introduced. It is important that full discussions take place with all interested parties in respect of the regulations. During the debate on an earlier section, the Minister indicated that he would enter such discussions with Members and those working in an administrative capacity for the various parties before the introduction of the regulations. I foresee enormous difficulties, the extent of which will depend on the size of the party involved. Even a small party such as the Green Party, for example, which has no hierarchical structures will, perhaps, encounter difficulties.
I appeal to the Minister of State to ensure that careful consideration is given to protecting those who will be asked to make declarations and become agents for parties at national level. As it stands, the section and the lack of clear regulations have the potential to cause mayhem.
I appreciate that Deputy Dempsey is supportive of this principle and is aware that the section will require changes in practice. I assure him that the Minister will be sensitive to the needs of political parties. However, political parties will be required to adjust and become more accountable. That will probably be of as much benefit to the internal workings of political parties as it will be to the public good. I assure the Deputy that the Minister will play his part. However, the provisions will put in place additional requirements which will be beneficial to the political process as a whole.
I move amendment No. 118:
In page 20, to delete lines 18 to 20.
Much water has passed under the bridge since I tabled this amendment. Its basic aim was to delete the section, which relates to expenditure by political parties. The justification for the section's inclusion in the Bill is tenuous in that donations or grants are being given to political parties or candidates at elections. A grant of £5,000 is being given so that this section can be put in place to curb expenditure by political parties. On a previous occasion, I made the point to the Minister that he seems to have a romantic view of the major levels of expenditure in which individual candidates have engaged in the past. It is true that a number of individual candidates have, at various times, expended large amounts of money. However, the Minister and I concluded that most of these people were not elected.
The committee accepted the earlier sections of the Bill and, therefore, there is not much point arguing against the expenditure limits. However, I would argue against the mechanics of this provision. It will be horrendous for everyone if they are obliged to comply with the terms of section 24 during the next election campaign. I do not foresee that it will make a major difference to the results of any particular election. On the basis that the previous sections were agreed, I will withdraw the amendment.
Amendments Nos. 119, 128, 129, 133, 161 and 209 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.
I move amendment No. 119:
In page 20, line 25, to delete "21 of the First Schedule to the Act of 1977" and substitute "49 of the Second Schedule to the Act of 1997".
The Bill as drafted contains references to various provisions of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977. That Act was recently repealed by the European Parliament Elections Act, 1997, which restates, in consolidated form, the law relating to European elections. These drafting amendments are to change the cross-references to the provisions of the 1977 Act to the corresponding provisions of the 1997 Act. I ask the committee to accept the amendments.
