Renua Bill seeks total transparency about donations to politicians

A Bill that seeks to implement the remaining recommendations of the Moriarty tribunal is to be introduced in the Dáil today by Renua party leader Lucinda Creighton.

The proposed new law, the Electoral (Amendment) (Moriarty Tribunal) Bill 2015, seeks to create an electoral regime of total transparency regarding donations to parties and individuals

According to the Bill’s explanatory memorandum, “while many of the recommendations of the final report of the Moriarty tribunal have been acted upon and implemented, a number of recommendations remain outstanding. This Bill will ensure that all recommendations of the final report are reflected in Irish law.”

Public trust

Last night Ms Creighton said public trust in the political system had been eroded hugely “and while there have been tribunals, very little has come of them” by way of changes.

She said if the Bill became law it would impose a greater level of transparency and probity in relation to financial donations to politicians and political parties, in line with recommendations made in the final report of the tribunal, published in March 2011.

Limit

The Bill, which embraces national and local politicians, seeks to impose an overall limit of €10,000 on the total amount which any individual or company may give to politicians, aspiring candidates and political parties over any 12-month period.

Reporting of donations would have to be done every three months and donors must reveal any financial, commercial or other interests which may be material to the context of their donation.

The person to whom the money is given must also reveal whether any public contracts were awarded to the donor in the 12 months prior to the donation being made and whether there is any procurement process in train at the time of the donation that involves the donor.