Fianna Fáil has defended a proposed new fundraising campaign, which will allow people to gain access to Ministers and TDs by joining a networking club in return for an annual donation to the party.
The Forum for Opportunity, which is still at the planning stage, will provide seminars and functions for members and "networking opportunities" which Ministers and TDs will also attend.
Draft literature for the forum has suggested an annual donation of €1,500 per year for three years, although yesterday party officials said members would be able to give "as little or as much as they like".
Donations of more than €5,079 are published under electoral legislation.
The scheme, which has yet to be finalised, envisages upwards of 600 members, with a potential revenue of over €2 million, which would contribute towards relieving the current party debt of over €1.5 million, as well as a war chest for the general election, which is expected in two years' time.
Yesterday, Fianna Fáil came under fire from the Labour Party, which accused it of selling influence.
Labour's spokesman on environment Eamon Gilmore claimed Fianna Fáil was using "doubtful means to build up its war chest for the next general election campaign. Like any other party, Fianna Fáil is entitled to raise funds in accordance with the law, but it is not entitled to sell influence to business people or offer access to Ministers in return for substantial donations to the party's coffers," he said.
"There appears to be little doubt that this is what is afoot here with its 'membership' structure and offers of 'networking opportunities' with Government Ministers."
Mr Gilmore also compared the programme with Fianna Fáil's infamous Taca fundraising scheme of the late 1960s, which caused controversy over links between the party and big business donors at the time.
Yesterday, a spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil said there was "nothing hidden" about the fundraising scheme, which would be transparent and complying with all ethics legislation on fundraising.
Fundraising was a legitimate activity that all parties carried out, she said, and pointed to similar fundraising activities organised by Fine Gael, including a recent golf classic in London and business breakfasts hosted by the party.
If fundraising was not carried out, the entire costs of running a political party would have to be met through central government funding.
"The choice is between fundraising and the taxpayer footing the bill," she said.