THE Minister for the Environment, Mr Martin Cullen, has emerged as the biggest recipient of donations in Irish politics in the year 2002, according to newly-released figures.
The Waterford TD, who was once a member of the PDs, received almost €35,000 from his supporters last year. Figures published yesterday by the Standards in Public Office Commission show that the capacity of Fianna Fáil members to raise money far outstripped their rivals.
The party collected €296,493 - bigger than the €61,568 raised by Labour politicians and the €43,899 raised by Fine Gael members. It received money from building, property, pub and legal businesses, as well as from individuals.
Donors to Fianna Fáil include the businessman Mr Ken Rohan; Cosgrave Development; Blarney Woollen Mills; Noel Smyth & Partners; the Aer Rianta chairman, Mr Noel Hanlon; and the businessman Mr Johnny Ronan of Treasury Holdings. Mr Ronan gave €2,000 to the former Fine Gael senator, Mr Liam Cosgrave, whose affairs are being investigated by the Flood tribunal. The property developer Mr Noel O'Callaghan also gave €1,000 to Mr Cosgrave. The figures were disclosed as the commission revealed that it had asked the Garda to investigate the failure of the former Fine Gael senator, Ms Madeleine Taylor Quinn, to make a declaration.
While the commission said it wrote a number of letters to Ms Taylor Quinn, she said last night that she had never accepted any donations. "That's an oversight on my part if that form has not gone. I'll get on to them right away." Fine Gael said it would contact Ms Taylor Quinn about the matter immediately.
Mr Cullen's spokesman had no comment to make on the donations he received, during what was an election year. Donors included Suir Engineering, McInerney Construction, Noel Frisby Construction and Passage East Car Ferry. While 10 Fianna Fáil TDs received more than €10,000, the sums collected by Mr Cullen's Cabinet colleagues were of a lesser order.
Use by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, of his base at St Luke's in Drumcondra, Dublin, was worth €13,000 last year. This was the only "donation" Mr Ahern received. The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, received €7,520 and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, received €5,750.
FF politicians got €296,00: page 9