18/05/2009
Report Claims Dublin Government Wrongly Accepted Donations
An investigation by an Irish Newspaper has allegedly revealed Fianna Fail failed to disclose rule-breaking donations around the time of the last election.
The story in Monday's Irish Examiner said the party took donations above the declaration threshold, which should have been notified to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) – but were not.
Two of the alleged donations - said to be from a Dublin building firm – exceeded the legal limit that a party can accept from a single company in one year.
Under information gleaned using the Freedom of Information Act by the paper, the company was said to have donated €7,426 to Fianna Fáil in 2006 and another €15,658 in 2007. Neither sum was disclosed and both were above the legal limit of €5,078.95.
The news comes as the UK's political parties and politicians stand accused of expenses fraud, with a police investigation pending.
The leading party in the North, the DUP, is proposing the current system of MPs' expenses should be abolished.
Their proposal follows revelations last week in the Daily Telegraph that First Minister Peter Robinson and his wife Iris had claimed £30,000 in food allowances in the last three years, as well as £160,000 of taxpayers' money for mortgage interest payments between 2004 and 2008.
See: Robinson Couple's £30k Food Expenses Claim In Focus
(DW/BMcC)
The story in Monday's Irish Examiner said the party took donations above the declaration threshold, which should have been notified to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) – but were not.
Two of the alleged donations - said to be from a Dublin building firm – exceeded the legal limit that a party can accept from a single company in one year.
Under information gleaned using the Freedom of Information Act by the paper, the company was said to have donated €7,426 to Fianna Fáil in 2006 and another €15,658 in 2007. Neither sum was disclosed and both were above the legal limit of €5,078.95.
The news comes as the UK's political parties and politicians stand accused of expenses fraud, with a police investigation pending.
The leading party in the North, the DUP, is proposing the current system of MPs' expenses should be abolished.
Their proposal follows revelations last week in the Daily Telegraph that First Minister Peter Robinson and his wife Iris had claimed £30,000 in food allowances in the last three years, as well as £160,000 of taxpayers' money for mortgage interest payments between 2004 and 2008.
See: Robinson Couple's £30k Food Expenses Claim In Focus
(DW/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 March 2012
Mahon Tribunal Recommends New Financial Restrictions
The Mahon tribunal has recommended that courts should be allowed to ban members of the Oireachtas who are convicted of bribery from holding public office and to remove their pension rights.
Mahon Tribunal Recommends New Financial Restrictions
The Mahon tribunal has recommended that courts should be allowed to ban members of the Oireachtas who are convicted of bribery from holding public office and to remove their pension rights.
18 January 2011
Political Donors' Identities Remain Protected
The individuals and companies behind party political donations in the North are to remain 'secret'. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said on Monday that the deteriorating security situation meant donors still needed to be protected.
Political Donors' Identities Remain Protected
The individuals and companies behind party political donations in the North are to remain 'secret'. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said on Monday that the deteriorating security situation meant donors still needed to be protected.
27 March 2012
Dail To Debate Mahon Fallout
The Dail is set to begin a three debate on the findings of the Mahon Tribunal. The will debate the fallout of the 15-year inquiry following high profile resignations of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former EU Commissioner Pádraig Flynn from Fianna Fáil.
Dail To Debate Mahon Fallout
The Dail is set to begin a three debate on the findings of the Mahon Tribunal. The will debate the fallout of the 15-year inquiry following high profile resignations of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former EU Commissioner Pádraig Flynn from Fianna Fáil.
09 December 2010
Coalition Push Election Date To March
An apparent row between members of the coalition has resulted in the likely date for the next election being pushed back until 2010.
Coalition Push Election Date To March
An apparent row between members of the coalition has resulted in the likely date for the next election being pushed back until 2010.
15 July 2013
Bruton Announces Party's Parliamentary Party Team
Minister Richard Bruton, Fine Gael's Director of Elections for the Seanad Abolition Referendum, has announced the Party's parliamentary party team for the Referendum campaign. Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has been appointed as Fine Gael’s Deputy Director of Elections.
Bruton Announces Party's Parliamentary Party Team
Minister Richard Bruton, Fine Gael's Director of Elections for the Seanad Abolition Referendum, has announced the Party's parliamentary party team for the Referendum campaign. Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has been appointed as Fine Gael’s Deputy Director of Elections.