TD apologises in row over political donations

Labour rebel Colm Keaveney has formally apologised to the Standards in Public Office (Sipo) Commission following a row about political donations.

When Sipo last week named the Labour chairman as the only TD to fail to furnish disclosure documents for 2012, Mr Keaveney insisted he had posted the required statements and described the watchdog body as “grossly unprofessional”.

Sipo chairman Mr Justice Matthew P Smith wrote to Mr Keaveney on Tuesday demanding he withdraw the remarks and apologise.

“The Standards Commission was disturbed to learn of statements attributed to you in the Irish Independent and Irish Examiner of February 16th about lack of professionalism on the part of the staff of the commission,” the letter stated.

Donation statement

The commission received Mr Keaveney’s donation statement and certificate of monetary donations on Tuesday morning on the original forms sent to him on January 4th, 2013, according to the letter.

The commission said it had received his statement of registerable interests and had reminded him about the outstanding documentation.

“As you are aware, it is a criminal offence under section 25 of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, to fail to submit the required statutory documentation by January 31st,” the letter continued.

“The commission will consider, at its next meeting on March 11th, 2013, the question of referral of this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

Mr Keaveney wrote back to Mr Justice Smith on Wednesday insisting that he had sent the information required “on white paper, not the original forms”.

He said he accepted the assurances of the commission that the documents were not received and undertook to deliver them to the commission’s office by hand in future.

“I am happy to acknowledge the courtesy, helpfulness and the professional attitude of the commission staff in helping to remedy the situation,” Mr Keaveney wrote.

He said he took into account the assurance of the staff, “whose probity I have no grounds to question”, that the commission did not receive the documents.

“I hereby withdraw my remarks questioning the professionalism of the commission and unreservedly apologise for same and for any offence caused to the commission or its staff.”

Mr Keaveney has defied calls from the party leadership to relinquish his position as chairman since he voted against the Government over contentious budget measures and lost the party whip in December.

Declared donations

Three members of the Oireachtas declared donations for 2012. Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald disclosed €1,000; Independent TD Stephen Donnelly €2,500 and Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames €300.

Only donations valued at more than €634.87 are required to be disclosed and no donation disclosed exceeded the maximum prescribed limit. The disclosed donations included money and the use of property or services. TDs, Senators and MEPs are prohibited from accepting foreign donations or taking anonymous donations exceeding a value of €126.97.

They are also prohibited from accepting donations with a total value exceeding €2,539.48 from the same person in the same year.