Government announces another broken promise – Collins

Published on: 18 November 2011


This morning the government announced another significant broken promise with Phil Hogan’s statement that Fine Gael and Labour will be voting down the introduction of a constitutional ban on corporate donations proposed by Fianna Fáil today.

Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Niall Collins TD commented, “Both parties stood in the election promising such a ban and the programme for government explicitly talks about constitutional change being required to underpin this ban.  Every party has received legal advice that the only way a complete ban on corporate donations can be implemented is through a constitutional amendment, yet Fine Gael and Labour have decided not to proceed with it.

“This is the second time in the current Dáil where they have voted against controlling corporate donations.  Back in May they voted down legislation proposed by Fianna Fáil which would have introduced deep controls on corporate donations.  As a result both parties were able to continue to raise corporate donations for the presidential election.   The Bill we introduced today is based on the simple premise that elections should be funded solely by those entitled to vote in them.  In introducing it we proposed that the public and experts be invited to make submissions for amendments so that a better wording could emerge on an all-party basis.

“On the day when the government refused to make any statement to the Dáil about the presentation of Budget details to the Bundestag it is clear once again that this is a government whose commitment to political reform and honouring its promises has no substance whatsoever.”

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