The Green Party has called for a complete ban on corporate and institutional donations to political parties which it said was distorting the electoral process.
Party leader Trevor Sargent said: "Despite overwhelming evidence that money distorts the electoral and democratic processes, parties continue to peddle the myth that current funding practices are acceptable".
"They are not, and it will be a top priority for the Greens in government to introduce major reforms of the ways in which parties and campaigns are financed," he said.
Outlining his party's political reform agenda in Dublin today, Mr Sargent there had been gross over-expenditure by the main parties in this election campaign.
"The Green Party, which has run this election campaign without lavish corporate donations, will ban corporate and institutional donations and ensure adequate state funding of political parties."
He pledged the Greens in power would seek to bring in strict limits on spending during both the election campaign proper and the 12 month period preceding it.
Cork TD Dan Boyle said: "It has perhaps been in the Government's interest to leave public appointment procedures open to the possibility of Ministerial patronage.
Mr Boyle said: "This has led to some questionable decision making when it comes to the thousands of appointments made in the past. The Green Party seeks to put an end to the practice of putting political or wealthy friends in high places."
Wicklow Cllr Deidre De Burca said: "Far too often office holders and people in positions of political responsibility move straight into new roles in realms where they can exploit their contacts or 'insider knowledge.'