Two characteristics define our friends in the development community. Firstly, they are obsessive democrats, incapable of passing a politician without throwing the elected one a cheque or two. The motive for this largesse ranges from altruistic to an honour-bound sense of duty.

The compulsion to give is beyond all reason when it comes to Fianna F�il, presumably because developers are suckers for the party's name, Soldiers of Destiny, and enjoy thoughts of hopping aboard for the ride, as developer and soldier hold hands, en route to a confluence of destinies.

Our friends' other characteristic is crippling shyness.

Developers do not want to be thanked for furthering the noble aims of democracy. In fact, they run from any publicity, believing it distasteful to advertise or even acknowledge one's charitable instincts.

These characteristics were highlighted once again last week when it emerged Fianna F�il, Fine Gael and the PDs reported no declarable donations last year. All donations to parties in excess of Euro5,078 must be declared.

For those holidaying on Mars, 2006 was a time when these parties stacked up binliners of cash to be dispensed in the run-up to the general election. Estimates for the election spend of the main parties range up to Euro10m. The public funding which the parties receive cannot be used for electoral purposes. Where did they get the moolah?

Surely there isn't a conspiracy between political parties and their donors to give under Euro5,000 in an organised fashion in order to accommodate donors' crippling shyness?

Surely politicians wouldn't conspire to undermine a law brought in to cut out the corruption engendered by political funding? At this stage, we must assume so. After all, the two main parties have form in breaking the law - with their pick-me-up VAT refund scam - when it comes to political funding. Undermining the law is small beer by comparison.

And there is also evidence from the party formerly known as the Progressive Democrats that something is afoot. Last February, the PDs sent out letters to 400 wealthy people - mainly shy developers - bearing instructions on how to undermine the law.

The begging letter explained that a requested Euro5,000 is "below the declarable limit" and helpfully pointed out that a person could, for example, donate that amount for himself, his wife and two grown up children each, making a nice total of Euro20,000. Only a fool would believe the PDs were pioneering something here. Fianna F�il are the top operators when it comes to this stuff.

All of which brings us back to our noble, shy developers.

Isn't it time they were relieved from having to tiptoe around the law in order to do their honour-bound duty? Surely these tribunes of modern Ireland should be allowed to give whatever they want in a discreet manner? These people are nation builders, walking hand-in-hand with our elected representatives. We, the little people, need not know the details of what passes between them. They are only looking out for our good.

Scrap the Electoral Act that compels parties to declare donations. Last week's news shows that the law is a joke.

Politicians and developers are perfectly capable of doing business in private without compromising the law, the national interest, or the interests of the little people. Aren't they?

Scrap the legislation that only accounts for election spending from the day the election is called. Another silly joke, abused by spending huge amounts prior to Bertie's dash to the �ras. The law was only designed to wave around in the faces of the little people but it is redundant as a proper restraint on snaffling and spending large wads in an attempt to get elected.

We must learn to trust.

Politicians are not like you and me: they have moral backbones of highgrade steel and could never be compromised by receiving political donations, in public or private. As for the donors, particularly our shy developers? Their motives are pure. Their aim is true. Give them a break. They only want to help.