Fine Gael will consider tomorrow a Labour proposal to end co-operation with the Government on Dail reform in protest at plans to increase dramatically election spending limits.
Labour has contacted the other opposition parties proposing a withdrawal from co-operation with the Government on its Dail reform package. The Government is seeking all-party support for its reform plans, announced late last year and described by the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, as the "most radical reappraisal of the workings of the Dail parliamentary system since the foundation of the State".
However, the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said last night the Government's proposals to increase spending limits at election time, contained in the recently published Electoral Bill, showed there was no point in discussing Dail reform. "If the Government is determined to corrupt the election process by changing the rules governing election to the House, I don't believe there is any point in discussing Dail reform, or what happens after elections, with them."
The plan to increase the amount that parties can spend per candidate is being put forward by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, who has said for some years that he believes the limits are too low. However, the Opposition claims Fianna Fail will be the main beneficiary of any change, as it is the only party capable of raising the extra money.
Mr Dempsey's proposals would allow the party to spend roughly £3 million rather than £2 million in the next general election campaign.
A Fine Gael spokesman said last night his party's front bench, which will meet tomorrow, will consider the Labour proposal. He said his party had already told Fianna Fail it would have no further discussions with it on electoral reform because of the plans, and would now consider the Labour proposal to withdraw from Dail reform discussions as well.
This would involve an end to talks taking place between Mr Brennan, the Fine Gael whip, Mr Charles Flanagan, and the Labour whip, Mr Emmet Stagg.
Mr Quinn said it was "astounding that in spite of the revelations of recent years, that the Government wants to increase the financial link between business and politics even further. Instead of bringing in new controls, they wish to undermine the existing law. It is a measure solely designed to allow Fianna Fail spend an additional £1 million at election time."
He said that since the Electoral Bill was published, his party had sought to rally opposition to the measures "amongst all those with an interest in a proper and transparent political process."