The State was better served in relation to political ethics legislation than most other European countries, the Public Offices Commission said yesterday.
The head of the commission secretariat, Mr Brian Allen, said the public could be forgiven recently for thinking there was little regulation in place governing standards in politics.
"A number of the proposals put forward by the various parties in the last number of weeks are in fact already covered by legislation," Mr Allen told The Irish Times yesterday.
He added that proposed changes, such as a ban on corporate donations to political parties or full disclosure of donations, could be introduced by way of a simple amendment to existing legislation.
"We should not forget that in relation to legislation and regulation, Ireland is as well if not better covered that many other European countries. In fact, the Irish model is being closely looked at by emerging democracies in eastern Europe," he said.
There was already a requirement under the 1997 Electoral Acts for TDs, senators and MEPs to disclose political donations valued at more than £500. Political parties had to disclose donations of more than £4,000.
"Perhaps we could go even further and look at the possibility where all donations after £50 could be disclosed, similar to the system in Canada, " he added.
The Electoral Acts also require that the name and address of donors be published.
Mr Allen stressed that under the Acts there was no distinction between donations received within the State and those received outside the State.
"All donations exceeding the statutory thresholds must be disclosed by the recipient regardless of who the donor is or where he or she is located."
As well as dealing with disclosure of political donations the electoral legislation also imposes strict limits on how much can be spent by political parties and candidates at Dail and European Parliament elections.
This legislation has been in effect since January 1998 and to date has covered four Dail byelections and the June 1999 European elections.
For the next ail general election, the spending limit per candidate in a three-seat constituency will be £14,453, £17,550 in a fourseat and £20,648 in a five-seat constituency.
Mr Allen pointed out that since 1996 TDs, senators and ministers every year had to disclose details of their registrable interests under the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995.