# SIPO

Last year

2022

Ethics watchdog rules out overhauling guidelines for political parties

The review came after concerns were raised about Irish political parties who work and contest elections in multiple jurisdictions.

9.4k

Aug 2nd 2022, 6:09 PM

# Cannabis Risk Alliance

Anti-cannabis group met privately with drugs minister to discuss possible RSA-style ad campaign

The Cannabis Risk Alliance met Frank Feighan in January last year.

The Cannabis Risk Alliance told Frank Feighan last year that there should be "full transparency" around lobbyists and advocates, Stephen McDermott writes.

However, a loophole in lobbying laws mean the group's communications with the Government do not themselves have to be recorded.

Activists have questioned why the group had access to Feighan when those advocating for a different approach have found access more difficult.

32.6k

Jul 19th 2022, 12:05 AM

# sipo report

Five former special advisers apply to reduce one-year 'cooling-off' period for lobbying

Under the law, public officials are subject to a one year “cooling-off” period after they leave their roles.

15.0k

Jun 30th 2022, 1:08 PM

# Sanctions

Ministers who breach 'cooling-off' period before lobbying could soon be fined €25k

There was controversy over Michael D’Arcy taking up a top job in the Association of Investment Managers.

11.3k

Feb 15th 2022, 6:00 AM

# SIPO

Ethics watchdog rules against Wexford County Council CEO over funding threat to local radio station

Tom Enright has called the watchdog’s findings ‘flawed and disproportionate’, and is exploring his legal options.

28.2k

Jan 7th 2022, 7:04 PM

# Seamus Treanor

SIPO finds against Monaghan councillor who published allegedly 'racist' election leaflet

Cllr Seamus Treanor was found to have contravened six elements of the Code of Conduct for councillors.

24.2k

Jan 5th 2022, 4:56 PM

All time

# ethics watchdog

SIPO considers whether Monaghan councillor's allegedly 'racist' leaflet breaches standards

It relates to material distributed by independent councillor Seamus Treanor ahead of the 2019 local elections.

23.5k

Nov 1st 2021, 4:08 PM

# Lobbying

Former ministers that breach 'cooling off period' rules could face fines under proposed reforms

Proposals to tighten laws on lobbying activity were approved by Cabinet today.

12.7k

Jul 13th 2021, 8:50 PM

# lobby

Highest number of former special advisers apply to reduce one-year 'cooling-off' period for lobbying - Sipo report

The Standards in Public Office Commission has released its 2020 report on the regulation of lobbying.

9.6k

Jun 28th 2021, 2:36 PM

# SIPO

Ethics watchdog 'very concerned' at failure of Renua to account for public funding spent in 2019

The party received €258,596 in public funding last year.

18.3k

Dec 3rd 2020, 9:10 AM

# ethics watchdog

SIPO 'very concerned' about failure of Aontú and Renua to submit statements of their annual accounts

Political parties registered in Ireland are required to disclose their annual accounts to SIPO.

16.1k

Nov 26th 2020, 1:49 PM

# Watchdog

Fine Gael on top as Sipo reveals political donations list for 2019

Donations disclosed by Irish political parties last year totalled €175,576.

19.3k

Nov 24th 2020, 12:23 PM

# Geraldine Feeney

Dáil approves appointment of former Senator and ex-NAGP lobbyist Geraldine Feeney to Sipo

No debate was held on the motion, despite objection to this by opposition politicians.

20.1k

Nov 19th 2020, 7:15 AM

# ethics watchdog

Taoiseach defends nomination of former Senator and ex-NAGP lobbyist Geraldine Feeney to Sipo

Opposition parties have criticised the government for not facilitating a debate on the nomination.

16.1k

Nov 17th 2020, 4:06 PM

# Dáil Debate

Nomination of ex-FF Senator and NAGP lobbyist to Sipo labelled 'outrageous' by opposition

Geraldine Feeney is listed as having lobbied on behalf of the now defunct doctor’s union.

36.3k

Nov 12th 2020, 3:50 PM

# political accountability

Ethics watchdog with teeth: Taoiseach says sanctions and penalties should be part of Sipo review

Micheál Martin said any review of Sipo rules must include foreign funding issues.

8.9k

Sep 30th 2020, 6:15 AM

# SIPO

Tánaiste says Michael D'Arcy should have contacted Sipo prior to taking new job as CEO of funds lobby group

The former junior finance minister is to resign his seat in the Seanad to take up the role.

37.1k

Updated

Sep 29th 2020, 2:30 PM

# New Renua

Renua in talks with 'more than one' Independent TD about becoming leader of the party

The party said that it may also consider changing its name and branding as part of a wider review.

38.6k

Feb 22nd 2020, 12:05 AM

# Monaghan

Councillor Hugh McElvaney breached ethics law during undercover RTÉ investigation, SIPO finds

McElvaney was subject of an RTÉ Investigates programme Standard in Public Office, aired in 2015.

24.3k

Jan 28th 2020, 6:24 PM

# War of Words

Fianna Fáil not happy with Varadkar's 'political attack' during State event with Apple's Tim Cook

Fianna Fáil want Sipo to carry out an investigation.

26.9k

Jan 20th 2020, 2:53 PM

# Expenses

Minister says 'alternative way' to deal with Dara Murphy complaints will be found as Dáil clerk has 'no jurisdiction'

The Dáil Committee on Members’ Interests is to meet on Thursday but questions remain as to whether they have the power to investigate.

18.7k

Updated

Dec 11th 2019, 5:48 PM

# Investigation

Standards watchdog Sipo says it can't deal with Dara Murphy complaints as he 'has ceased to be a TD'

Leo Varadkar told the Dáil today that Sipo could investigate former members.

19.0k

Dec 4th 2019, 4:04 PM

# noteworthy

Minister Shane Ross asked for "advance all-clear" on expenses paid to him in €37,000 annual allowance

Minister Sean Canney was also asked to provide more information on €3,258 in “policy formulation” expenses that were spent in a string of restaurants around the country.

47.6k

Oct 15th 2019, 8:30 PM

# SIPO

Councillor faces significant legal bill following failed attempt to stop ethics inquiry

Councillor McElvaney was one of the subjects of an RTÉ Investigates programme in 2015.

19.5k

Sep 10th 2019, 2:21 PM

# hugh mcelvaney

Councillor secretly filmed by RTÉ loses court bid to block SIPO inquiry

Justice Garrett Simons said he was satisfied “to dismiss the application in its entirety.”

28.7k

Sep 4th 2019, 12:12 PM

# SIPO

Political parties received €5.9m in State funding last year

Eight political parties qualified for Exchequer funding in 2018.

11.2k

Aug 7th 2019, 2:46 PM

# SIPO

Here's who spent the most in the 2018 presidential campaign

SIPO today released details of the expenses and donations during the 2018 presidential election campaign.

23.0k

Jul 24th 2019, 11:23 AM

# irish freedom party

Irexit party accepting donations despite not being registered with Standards in Public Office Commission

Two members of the party are running as independents in the upcoming elections.

42.7k

124

Apr 29th 2019, 12:05 AM

# too expensive

Ceann Comhairle likely unable to keep Rolex given to him by UAE official

The watch, believed to be worth close to €8,000, may be sold and the money used for charitable purposes.

58.2k

Apr 8th 2019, 6:30 AM

# SIPO

Sipo finds against two councillors over contraventions of the Ethics in Public Office Act

Sipo today published two separate reports following investigation hearings.

12.3k

Mar 26th 2019, 12:30 PM

# SIPO

Consultants at Cork and Galway hospitals failed to provide evidence of tax compliance

Sipo investigated the doctors after they missed a deadline by which they had to reply.

24.9k

Mar 22nd 2019, 2:24 PM

# Transparency

New code of conduct for lobbyists comes into effect today

The goal is for lobbying to be carried out in an ethical and transparent manner.

7.2k

Jan 1st 2019, 7:00 AM

# A long time coming

Future Irish elections and referendums will be overseen by a new Electoral Commission

A public consultation on what structure and responsibilities the Commission will have has been launched today.

6.8k

Dec 27th 2018, 7:30 AM

# Mayo

Land zoning: Watchdog makes findings against two Mayo councillors over conduct

Sipo found that both Frank Durcan and Cyril Burke contravened the code of conduct for elected representatives.

15.8k

Dec 13th 2018, 3:11 PM

# Money Money Money

SIPO renews call for rethink on political party funding rules

The Standards in Public Office Commission is tasked with ensuring all parties are in compliance with funding rules.

6.2k

Oct 30th 2018, 3:08 PM

# Aras18

'I want to succeed Michael D, not replace him': Sean Gallagher formally launches presidential campaign

Gallagher has committed to introduce 20 ‘special initiatives’ in his first 20 weeks in office if he is elected.

15.4k

Oct 12th 2018, 1:02 PM

# hugh mcelvaney

Investigation into councillor who asked for 'loads of money' won't hear from undercover RTÉ reporter

An SIPO hearing into Hugh McElvaney’s alleged breach of the ethics of public office heard the reporter was “no doubt attractive”.

38.6k

Sep 17th 2018, 6:21 PM

# Funding

Sipo's order that Amnesty should return €137,000 grant is quashed after High Court appeal

The donation was for Amnesty’s ‘My Body, My Rights’ campaign which sought a referendum on the Eighth Amendment.

20.6k

Jul 31st 2018, 12:47 PM

# Garda College

Watchdog still in talks with gardaí over members' compliance with ethics laws

SIPO is to develop ‘standards of best practice’ for public bodies to ensure they communicate to employees about disclosing their interests.

9.4k

Jul 28th 2018, 8:30 AM

# Complaints

Gap in law means watchdog can't probe complaints after a TD has left office

SIPO wants the law changed so it has the power to investigate complaints which come to light after a politician has left office.

11.4k

Jul 27th 2018, 6:20 AM