Organised and Antidemocratic Corruption Sponsored by Bertie

national | crime and justice | other press Tuesday March 29, 2005 14:32 by tax - compliant

New secret mafia opportunity for bizniss folks

A culture of Omerta already operates here around the nexus of FF/planning / building / landlordism. This really is going to improve matters.

"FIANNA Fail wants to recruit business people into an elite club in a multi-million euro campaign to raise finance for the next general election, the Irish Independent has learned.

Membership of the corporate club, which has been personally endorsed by the Taoiseach, costs €4,500.

In return, business people are guaranteed "networking opportunities" with ministers and TDs and the chance to lobby on the formulation of policy affecting business. The scheme, reminiscent of the infamous Taca fundraising group of the 1960s, would guarantee the party a steady revenue stream over the next three years.

Business people will join Fianna Fail's 'Forum for Opportunity' by paying a "membership donation fee" of €1,500 per annum over a term of three years. The party is aiming to recruit upwards of 600 business people, thereby projecting an income of €2.7m in the run-up to the next general election, if it takes place in 2007. Fianna Fail plans to put the money towards building up an election war chest and clearing its debts, estimated to be €1.5m. Business people who donate the €1,500 membership fee will not be named publicly as parties are not required to disclose donations under €5,080. "