Who could blame voters for being cynical? In recent years, tribunals of inquiry at Dublin Castle have confirmed their worst fears concerning corrupt business practices in planning and development; the behaviour of crooked politicians and the purchase of influence at local and national levels.
But the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats Government now proposes to remove the existing cap on political donations from the business sector. It is a dangerous development.
When the McCracken inquiry found Mr Charles Haughey to be a kept man of Irish business, the 1997 Electoral Act placed limits on spending by candidates and parties at election time and established disclosure limits for political donations. The legislation was drafted by the Fianna Fáil/Labour Party Coalition and eventually passed by the Fine Gael/Labour Party government. In compensation for the donations foregone from the business sector, the various political parties were given €1.27 million in State funding.
It obviously wasn't enough. Two years ago, as the general election approached, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats decided to eviscerate the Electoral Act. They raised the disclosure limit for corporate donations and capped it at €6,348. Individual politicians were allowed to receive €2,538. Spending limits in constituencies were raised by up to 45 per cent. And State funding for political parties more than doubled. Now they are back for more, with the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, proposing to remove existing limits on corporate donations.
Competition between political parties is to be welcomed. That is what democracy is all about. But there is a thin line between healthy competition and buying votes. The Constitution is very clear on the matter. A succession of Supreme Court judgments ruled in favour of a level playing pitch between Oireachtas candidates. Ministers were found to have breached their spending limits in the last election when they failed to include the benefits of their Department facilities.
A convincing case for increasing the size of business donations has not been made, although some elements of the Electoral Act may require amendment. The Government parties have already breached the spirit of the 1997 Act - and rejected the advice of the Standards in Public Office Commission - by discounting all pre-election spending that takes place before the formal dissolution of the Dáil. That was a bad decision. Its attendant costs will add to public cynicism and encourage the corporate sector in a belief that political influence and favours can be bought. Those tendencies must be resisted. Any hint of cheque book politics must be stamped out.