Sinn Féin must comply with laws on political donations – Ward

SIPO report finds that Sinn Féin has not fulfilled obligations under ethics laws

Fine Gael Senator in Dún Laoghaire, Barry Ward, has said Sinn Féin must comply with the laws on political funding and donations following a report from the Standards in Public Office (SIPO) watchdog arising from Sinn Féin’s acceptance of a political donation of over €4 million.

Senator Ward said “The SIPO report on the bequest to Sinn Féin makes it clear that Sinn Féin has not fulfilled its obligations under the Ethics Acts: any donation to a party in excess of €2,500 is not in compliance with the legislation.

“Part 4 of the report says that where a person wishes to give funds to a party in the Republic, it constitutes a donation and is subject to the normal limits and disclosure obligations. This includes the movement of funds from a party registered in the North to [one] in the Republic – even in circumstances where it is structurally the same party.

“Moreover, it’s clear that Sinn Féin has little regard for the Houses of the Oireachtas and has ignored a motion passed in the Seanad – and supported by all parties but Sinn Féin – in November which called on Sinn Féin to produce a report for the Oireachtas by 31st December, 2020 on how it would ensure that no resources funded by its operations in Northern Ireland are utilised in this jurisdiction.

“While SIPO recognises that political donations and other such activities in Northern Ireland are subject to different rules, it’s also clear on the unique situation which sees parties working in both jurisdictions. SIPO also confirms that funding funnelled through Northern Ireland but used in the Republic for purposes such as employing staff or contracting for media services are potentially donations which would fall under the laws of the Republic.

“Sinn Féin must now comply with the law. SIPO has indicated that it will ‘modify its guidelines to clarify [the] expectation’ that parties will comply and will seek greater consequences for parties that ignore their legal and ethical responsibilities,” added Senator Ward.