The Government appears certain to win Dail approval tonight for its strategy of setting up an all-party committee to consider a wide range of legislative proposals on corruption, political funding and the regulation of political lobbyists.
The Labour Party warned last night that it might not participate in this committee unless the Government tonight accepts in principle its Bill to ban corporate donations. However, the Government will not do so and will have the support of three independents for its proposal to defer consideration of the Bill pending the deliberations of the committee.
Fine Gael last night criticised the Government move as "a blatant attempt to create an all-party political umbrella to protect Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats from any potential embarrassments that might fall out from the Flood tribunal". However, the party is likely to participate in the all-party committee.
The Government last night produced no agreed proposals on the funding of politics despite indicating on Monday that it would do so. Instead it proposed using an unusual procedural mechanism to postpone consideration of the Labour Bill banning business donations to political parties until December 1st. In the meantime the all-party committee would attempt to reach consensus.
The lack of specific Government proposals comes amid differences within both Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats on the future funding of politics. The number of Fianna Fail deputies supporting Deputy Sean Fleming's call for a ban on business funding has grown in recent weeks. They are understood to include the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr Ahern, in their ranks, a number of younger deputies and senior figures including Mr David Andrews and Mr Michael O'Kennedy.
There are also differences within the PDs on the issue with Minister of State Ms Liz O'Donnell suggesting last week that a complete ban should be considered. The party leader, Ms Mary Harney, is understood to believe business funding should continue, but that limits and greater disclosure should be considered.
Three of the four independents who support the Government agreed yesterday to vote for the Government's holding position after a 90-minute meeting with Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan. The Independent Wicklow TD, Ms Mildred Fox, is expected to be a member of the new seven-person committee that will report to the main party leaders by September 30th. The Government then intends to introduce "all necessary legislative changes" not later than December 31st.
Amid heightened concern over corruption allegations, Ms Fox, Mr Tom Gildea and Mr Jackie Healy-Rae were reluctant to vote tonight against a Labour Party plan to ban business funding of politics. However, they agreed yesterday to support the Government amendment setting up the all-party committee on the basis that it defers a vote on the Labour Bill until December 1st, rather than defeating it.
The fourth independent who supports the Government, Mr Harry Blaney, was not at yesterday's meeting with Mr Brennan because of a family bereavement.
The all-party committee will consider eight legislative proposals relating to the funding of political activity and the conduct of political life including the Labour Party's Electoral (Amendment) (Donations to Parties and Candidates) Bill.