A proposal to end business donations to political parties and election candidates, to be discussed by the Fianna Fail parliamentary party tomorrow, has received mixed political support.
The Progressive Democrats have rejected the terms of the motion recommending legislation to ban all political donations from business, with the State fully funding the political system.
A PD spokesman said business donations were not a problem so long as there was openness and transparency. He said all political parties had to adhere to the requirements of the Electoral Act 1997, which requires disclosure by political parties of donations in excess of £4,000.
This view was shared by Fine Gael. A spokeswoman said State funding would not cover the cost of running a political party.
However, the Labour Party and the Greens backed an outright ban. The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, called on the Taoiseach to support the motion tabled by Laois-Offaly FF TD Mr Sean Fleming. Last May Mr Quinn said ending corporate business donations was the only way to break the perceived link between big business and politics.