Sargent claims Fianna Fáil?s latest fundraising initiative is ?undermining proper standards for political conduct?
Issued: 29 March 2005
29th March 2005
Green Party Leader, Trevor Sargent TD today hit out at Bertie Ahern?s endorsement of a new Fianna Fáil fundraising scheme which targets businessmen to pay membership into an elite club offering network opportunities with Government Ministers describing the scheme as ?undermining proper standards for political conduct?.
?This latest Fianna Fáil fundraising scheme undermines the democratic process. It is the ?Lillies Bordello club? approach to lobbying. You think you have joined the democratic club only to find there is an inner circle club which will cost more to join. This whole process undermines proper standards of political conduct. It is in every business person?s interest to lobby politicians on behalf of their enterprise but it is quite another proposition to insist on payment to access and influence Government Ministers. Under Fianna Fáil?s rules if you have the money you will gain exclusive access. Fianna Fáil are now offering the chance to buy influence. This exposes the lie that all are equal under the democratic process. With cynical fundraising schemes such as this, is it any wonder that the public are turned off by this arrogant FF/PD Government and the political process.?
?Bertie Ahern has very publicly declared his desire to root out corruption in Irish political life. If this is the case then he would be wise to abandon this extremely cynical fundraising proposal.?