FF members disclose bulk of political donations

Fianna Fáil TDs occupy eight of the top ten spots in terms of political donations received last year, according to figures released by the Standards of Public Office Commission (Sipo) today.

According to Sipo, TDs, Senators, MEPs and unsuccessful election candidates disclosed donations with a total value of €855,995.05 for last year. These donations included money, property, goods and services and were primarily received for help in the candidates’ general election campaigns.

TDs, Senators and MEPs must disclose individual donations of over €634.87. They or not allowed to accept foreign or anonymous donations exceeding a value of €126.97 or any combination of donations worth a total of over €2,539.48 from the same person in the same year.

Seven TDs and one Senator reported receiving donations over these limits and the excess was returned to the donor. Of the total, Fianna Fáil members disclosed the highest proportion of donations with a total value of €517,871.16.

Fine Gael members disclosed €130,791.92, while Labour Party candidates disclosed €54,810.A total of €24,942.50 was disclosed by Green Party members, while Sinn Féin politicians disclosed €17,650. Unsuccessful Progressive Democrats Senate candidate Tom Morrisseydisclosed two donations totalling €7,800, including €6,000 from party coffers. Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party disclosed two donations from his party totalling €5,000.

Independent or non-party candidates disclosed donations of €97,129.47.

Sipo said 80 TDs, 40 Senators, 12 MEPs and 47 former office-holders reported receiving no donations over the disclosure limit of €634.87.

The person disclosing the highest donations was Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow Joe Behan, who received €37,600. Minister of State for Trade and Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness was second with €32,500.

Independent Senator Rónán Mullen, whose donations were the third -highest reported at €32,030, was the only non-Fianna Fáil member in the top ten.

Independent Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry South Jackie Healy-Rae, who received €24,900, was in sixth place, while Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment Micheál Martin was in eighth, disclosing donations worth €22,135. Fianna Fáil's Áine Brady got a total of €22,000 in ninth place, while FF TD Mattie McGrath received a total of €20,500 and was number 10 on the list.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s sole disclosure was for the use of his St Luke’s constituency office in Drumcondra, valued at €19,000, while Cyprian Brady, also of Fianna Fáil, claimed the same amount for the use of St Luke's. Tánaiste and Taoiseach-elect Brian Cowen got €2,458.68 from three individuals.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny reported receiving no donations over the €634.87 threshold.