Madam, - James Moran's suggestion (July 1st) that political donations should be outlawed in favour of a system whereby taxpayers fund election candidates seems sensible on the face of it, but is in fact highly undesirable.
I find it difficult to accept that a taxpayer who strongly disagrees with the political philosophy of a party or individual could be forced to fund their electoral ambitions. I would be loath to imagine any of the tax I pay being spent on politicians whom I consider extreme in their views, whether they be far-left or far-right, and there are certainly parties represented in Dáil Éireann that I could never contemplate funding. Extreme views can only be allowed a stronger voice if such a law were to come into force.
All citizens should have a right to donate to the political party or group of their choice given that a sensible limit is set for any donation. What is required is the proper enforcement of this limit. It should be mandatory for all political parties and political groups to produce a list of all contributors and the size of every donation. This scrutiny should be extended to all interest and lobby groups operating in this State. - Yours, etc,
UMAR AHMED,
Woodstown Dale,
Dublin 16.
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Madam, - James Moran laments the disconnection between Irish citizens and political parties and suggests, in remedy, a total ban on political donations and that election advertising be restricted to what the taxpayer will fund directly.
He might as well have been describing the Cuban electoral system, which arrived at similar conclusions some time ago and for very similar reasons. It clearly works there: more than 90 per cent of Cubans come out to vote in parliamentary elections even though voting is not compulsory. - Yours, etc,
SIMON McGUINNESS,
Cuba Support Group Ireland,
Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.