Madam, - Your Editorial of June 23rd could hardly be more timely. One cause of concern to emerge from the Lisbon Treaty referendum was the disconnection between the citizens and the main political parties. The constant refrain one hears is: "They're all the same - all at it".
This is nonsense, but understandable considering what is emerging from the tribunals. There is no effective limit to what a party or candidate can accept in donations. If we want a transparent political system in which people can have faith, I believe there's only one way to go. It should be made a criminal offence for any holder of or candidate for public office to accept a donation of any kind. It should also be a criminal offence for the donor.
Political parties should only receive donations from party members and this should be restricted to the annual membership fee. The State - ie taxpayers - should bear all election costs, which should be severely restricted. For instance, there should be a total ban on media advertising and posters in public places.
An analysis should be done, and the result published, of the cost to the taxpayers of the present system of subsidising candidates and political parties.
If we want a transparent political system in which we can all have faith we should be prepared to pay a reasonable price. - Yours, etc,
JAMES MORAN,
Knockanure, Bunclody,
Co Wexford.