Vol. 410 No. 6
17 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the serious public concern regarding recent suggestions that policy decisions of Government may have been influenced by contributions made by commercial concerns to political parties, he will consider introducing a measure which would require the public disclosure of all such donations above a certain minimum level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I see it, the question of political contributions by commercial concerns is part of the broader issue of the funding of political parties generally, and if it needs to be looked at with a view to public disclosure of such contributions, that is the context in which it should be examined. This does not seem to me to be an issue which should be addressed in any code of law for which I am responsible.
Will the Minister accept that there are very important political issues of integrity — leaving aside matters of codes of law — surrounding this matter and so long as the Minister seeks to tie it in with the overall question of the funding of political parties little progress will be made? Is the Minister aware that proposals have been before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for more than one year from the various political parties, including his own, on self-regulation as a rule of the House? As the person directly responsible, will the Minister give a lead in this regard by signalling his view that it would be desirable that we have public accountability on the funding of all political parties?
This question is addressed to me in my capacity as Minister for Industry and Commerce and my answerability to the House in this context is as such a Minister. As I pointed out in my reply, this is a much broader issue and Deputy McCartan in his supplementary question broadened it in the way I had indicated. He should pursue those broader and no doubt very important issues in a different forum to this.
If I may focus the question on the Minister's responsibility, has he a statutory responsibility to citizens who happen to be shareholders of public quoted companies operating under the Companies Act in this jurisdiction? Shareholders, including the prospective shareholders of the soon to be privatised Irish Life and Greencore — the former Irish Sugar Company — are entitled to know if that company, or any public quoted company, have made contributions to one or all political parties, and if so, how much.
If they wish to know no doubt they would ask a question at the annual general meeting of the company.
The Minister will no doubt be aware that executives at annual general meetings of companies are more evasive than Ministers in this House in avoiding questions and they do not have the Ceann Comhairle to ensure that the answers are regulated. Does the Minister not think it is incumbent on him in the exercise of his narrow duties — to use his phrase — that such citizens have the right to get that information and that it should be published in the accounts of such companies?
It does not necessarily follow. If shareholders have a particular interest in that matter, they should pursue it with the chief executive of the company concerned or with the chairman at the annual general meeting.
Having regard to the stated policy of the Minister's party may I ask the Minister if this issue is likely to feature in the renegotiation of the pact for Government between the two parties in Government?
That is a matter for the two parties in Government.
Does the Minister have a view of the subject as the Leader of one of the parties?
I am answering the question in my capacity as Minister for Industry and Commerce.
And not as Leader of the Progressive Democrats.
Will the Minister agree that his reply to Deputy Quinn was inadequate and did not cover the position of a prospective purchaser of shares in one of these companies? Will he agree that the Government, that is the taxpayer, still remain a substantial shareholder, that all shareholders do not attend annual general meetings and that it is standard practice in other countries that details of political contributions are given in the accounts and that that is the proper place for it?
What will happen if Irish Life receive a request for funds from the Progressive Democrats after privatisation, that is the net question?
The question could equally be asked what would happen if they were to get a request from the Labour Party?
Tell us.
Irish Life were very anxious to be privatised and, perhaps, we were the first to say so. The Labour Party opposed their privatisation for a long time until they gave up the unequal task.
Do we take it that the Progressive Democrats should be rewarded for that?
I suggest to the Deputy that he and I should try them out and see what will happen.
That disposes of questions for today.
