Donations of €163,394 disclosed

Politicians have reported receiving donations worth €163,394 last year, the Standards in Public Office Commission said today.

In total, TDs disclosed donations valued at €109,135, while Senators disclosed donations valued at €54,259, of which €5,000 was returned.

Fianna Fáil members disclosed a total of €94,115, while Labour representatives reported receiving €40,130.

Some €24,450 was disclosed by Fine Gael members, while the sole Green Party member disclosing a donation was Trevor Sargent, who received €1,200 from a single individual. Non-party members disclosed donations of €3,499.

The most received by one person was €35,310 by Labour Senator Alan Kelly. He returned €5,000 of this as two of the donations he received exceeded the limit allowed from a single person in the one year.  Fianna Fáil Senator Ivor Callely reported donations totalling €8,350.

Fianna Fáil TDs Bertie Ahern and Cyprian Brady disclosed €19,000 each, which was in respect of use of St Luke's constituency office in Drumcondra.

Fine Gael's James Reilly disclosed donations of €15,950, while Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O'Brien received €12,780.

Under legislation, elected TDs, Senators and MEPs are required to disclose all donations - including money and the use of property or services - to a value of over €634.87.

Politicians are also prohibited from accepting foreign donations or from accepting anonymous donations exceeding a value of €126.97. They are also barred from accepting donations with a total value exceeding €2,539.48 from the same person in the same year.

Donation statements were received from 164 TDs, 60 Senators and 13 MEPs. Of those, 144 TDs, 54 Senators and all 13 MEPs reporting receiving no donations the exceeded the permitted limits.

The amount disclosed for 2008 is a decrease of €692,601 - or 81 per cent - on the figure for the previous year, when the last general election was held.

Breakdown of total value of disclosed donations to TDs and senators in 2008, broken down by political party:

TDs

Fianna Fáil - €83,665
Fine Gael - €19,450
Labour Party - €4,820
Green Party - €1,200
Total value of donations in 2008 disclosed by TDs - €109,135

Senators

Labour Party - €35,310.41 (of which €5,000 was returned)
Fianna Fáil - €10,450
Fine Gael - €5,000
Non-party senators - €3,499
Total value of donations in 2008 disclosed by Senators - €54,259.41 (which €2,500 was returned)