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Saturday 1 April 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# SIPO

All time
# disclosure
Less than half of political parties accounting units have made their donation returns
The Commission plans to name and shame the political party accounting units that fail to submit their return on time.
# Gerrymandering
Hogan demands Martin apologise and withdraw "gerrymandering" allegations
He said he was appalled at accusations he was involved in “gerrymandering” over the boundaries for the local elections.
# Money Money Money
One person received 70 per cent of all big political donations last year
Meanwhile, fourteen elected representatives didn’t declare their donation statements and may now face prosecution.
# SIPO
Ex-Fine Gael minister and former judge to be appointed to political standards watchdog
Under legislation giving effect to SIPO, the two appointments are required to be a former judge and a former politician and will need the approval of both the Dáil and Seanad.
# Political Reform
Political standards watchdog cannot fulfill duties because of appointments delay
SIPO is also in the middle of a disagreement with Minister Hogan about proposed accounting reforms for political parties.
# In Numbers
Lowry, emigration and Arthur's Day: The week in numbers
Plus: How many €50 notes were discovered in developer Tom McFeely’s former home on Ailesbury Road?
# Wigan
Ethics watchdog drops investigation into Michael Lowry
Almost 400 complaints had been received about the TD’s business dealings in Wigan.
# SIPO
Ethics watchdog received nearly 400 complaints over Michael Lowry last year
The complaints concerned alleged contraventions of the Ethics Acts by Lowry with regards to his ownership of lands in Wigan in the northwest of England.
# Meath East
By-election candidate referred to gardaí over election expenses
Ben Gilroy failed to file documentation related to his donations and expenses during the Meath East by-election but will qualify for reimbursement of expenses once he does.
# Watchdog
SIPO investigation into FF senator’s council expenses postponed
SIPO has postponed indefinitely an investigation into allegations over Brian Ó Domhnaill’s expenses while on Donegal County Council.
# ethics
Ethics watchdog to hold public hearing into FF senator's council expenses
SIPO has been investigating allegations over Brian Ó Domhnaill’s expenses while on Donegal County Council since last year.
# Not the News
Enda Kenny visits Greece and J Edgar Shatter fights dirty: The week's news skewed
Breaking via The Mire wire: Dáil beauty pageant causes tensions, Taoiseach and Greek PM hold shortest discussions ever, and laughter at SIPO
Voices
Column: Lobbying has become 'a dirty word'. We want to change that
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, explains the reasoning behind the government’s new plans to regulate lobbying and restore public faith in a vital activity.
# Transparency
Former politicians will face temporary ban on lobbying under new rules
Proposals approved by ministers will enforce a legal “cooling-off” period for former office holders going into lobbying.
# Donations
11 Irish political parties disclose donations of only €33,606 for 2012
Parties are only required to disclose donations worth over €5,078.95 – but only three parties disclosed any donations at all.
# Donations
239 politicians disclose total of €3,800 donations in 2012
TDs, Senators and MEPs are only legally required to disclose donations if a single donor gives more than €634.87.
# Political Donations
Noonan rejects Moriarty recommendation on tax relief for political donations
The finance minister says lower limits on the amount individuals can donate will limit the impact that high earners can have.
# Severance
14 TDs could face sanction for not declaring council pay-offs
The Dáil’s committee on members interests says TDs failed to honour their obligations by leaving their former council jobs out of their annual Register of Members’ Interests.
# ethics
Dáil committee to discuss whether TDs are in breach of ethics laws
The public ethics watchdog believes TDs should declare council positions if they receive a severance pay-off – but of 22 TDs and Senators, only four did so.
# standards
86 per cent of Irish people believe corruption is a major problem
Some 36 per cent of respondents said they believed they were personally affected by corruption in their daily lives, according to the latest report by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Voices
Column: Remember how SIPO went after politicians for fiddling their expenses? Me neither
There were two elections and two referendums last year – and yet, political parties received just €31k in donations. What’s going on, asks Aaron McKenna.
# Political currency
Parties got €12.6m from State and €31k in donations in 2011
The Standards in Public Office Commission has released new data this evening on how much the State gave political parties and how much parties received in disclosed donations.
# Daily Fix
The Daily Fix: Friday
Your essential evening round-up of the day’s biggest news, plus the bits and pieces you may have missed.
# SIPO
No proof of tax clearance provided by Fine Gael senator
Fine Gael has said it is treating Senator Pat O’Neill’s failure to provide tax clearance “with the utmost seriousness”.
# Donations
Ireland's politicians disclose €378,920 in donations for 2011
TDs, Senators and MEPs who served in roles in 2011 are required to disclose donations above €634.87 from one person.
# Investigation
Dublin councillor committed 'minor' breach of ethics guidelines - SIPO
However a report by the Standards Commission said that the contraventions by Oisin Quinn were inadvertent.
# Race for the Áras
Guess which #Áras11 candidate spent the most on their campaign?
Hint: It wasn’t the winner…
# Ivor Callely
Callely arrested in probe over mobile phone receipts
Former junior minister Ivor Callely has been arrested as part of an investigation into the use of fraudulent receipts.
# Lobbying
Fianna Fáil publishes bill to regulate lobbyist industry
The party says a lobbyists’ register must be brought into effect before the State considers selling off its major assets.
# Expenses
Ireland’s ‘best-kept secret’: 12 senators receiving €23k annual 'leaders' allowance'
12 independent members of the Seanad are entitled to a little-known allowance of around €23,000 per year, TDs are told.
# Election Expenses
Almost €10 million spent by general election 2011 candidates
Fine Gael came out on top of the election expenses list, reporting that its candidates spent over €3.1m on their campaigns.
# Fianna Fáil
FF councillor seeks information on ownership of St Luke's
A review of Fianna Fáil’s Dublin Central operations will ascertain whether the St Luke’s office is “available” to the party.
# political funding
Government unveils details of plans for political funding reform
The new measures include details of gender quotas as well as new lower limits on the donations that parties can accept.
# Bye-Election
Donegal candidate reported to Gardaí over failure to disclose expenses
The Standards in Public Office commission says candidates in the Donegal South-West by-election will receive €38,795 in refunds.
# Charities
Action needed to secure charity independence, suggests report
A report published by an umbrella body of Irish charities says legal changes are needed to allow charities to flourish.
# Lobbying
Your Country Your Call denies breaking political lobbying laws
The competition says it does not need to register as a lobby group, and confirms a government contribution of €300,000.