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  • Email: sipo@sipo.gov.ie

Press Releases

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2011

12.12.2011 Investigation under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 (the Ethics Acts) and Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001

A public sitting of the Standards in Public Office Commission for the purpose of its investigation of alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) by Councillor Oisín Quinn, Dublin City Council, will be held at the offices of the Standards in Public Office Commission, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, on Monday 19 December 2011 at 10:30 am.

20.10.2011 Press Release - Seanad General Election 2011

Figures released today by the Standards Commission in a report to the Ceann Comhairle show that 9 unsuccessful candidates in the Seanad general election disclosed donations (exceeding the disclosure threshold of €634.87) on their Donation Statements totalling €22,246. This compares to the €48,216 disclosed in respect of the previous Seanad general election in 2007.

18.10.2011 Press Release re Report on Dáil General Election 2011

Figures released by the Standards Commission in a report to the Ceann Comhairle show that election expenses of €9.28m were disclosed by candidates and political parties at the 2011 general election, a decrease of almost 16% on the €11.08m figure reported for the 2007 election, even though there were 100 additional candidates in 2011.

27.07.2011 Press Release - Annual Report 2010

The Standards Commission should be allowed to report under the Ethics Acts directly to the Houses of the Oireachtas, rather than to the Minister for Finance as at present, says Mr Justice M. P. Smith, Chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission, in the ninth annual report of the Standards Commission published today.

27.05.2011 Press Release - Political Parties Disclose Donations Received in 2010

Figures released today by the Standards in Public Office Commission show that political parties disclosed donations worth €67,907.55 for 2010. This is the lowest figure ever disclosed since the law requiring disclosure was commenced in 1997.

27.05.2011 Press Release - Exchequer Funding received by Qualified Political Parties & Party Leaders Allowance

Political parties received a total of €13,480,748 in state funding for 2010, according to figures released today by the Standards Commission. The money was paid to the parties under the Electoral Acts and under the Party Leaders Allowance legislation.

27.05.2011 Press Release - Disclosure of Donations received in 2010 by TDs, Senators and MEPs

TDs, Senators, MEPs disclosed donations with a total value of €99,843 for 2010 according to figures published today by the Standards Commission. The donations included money and use of property or services. Only donations valued at more than €634.87 require to be disclosed. If the same donor makes more than one donation to the same TD, Senator or MEP during a calendar year, the values of the donations must be aggregated and disclosure made if the total is greater than €634.87.

28.04.2011 Press Release - Former Senator Ivor Callely

The Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann resolved at its meeting on 13 October 2010, pursuant to section 22(5) of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 as amended, that two complaints it had received concerning claims made by former Senator Ivor Callely under the Members' Mobile Phones Direct Purchase Scheme should be investigated by the Standards in Public Office Commission.

28.04.2011 Press Release re Report on Donegal South West Bye-Election

Figures released in a report on 21 April 2011 by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Standards Commission) show that total expenditure disclosed by election agents and national agents at the Donegal South West bye-election amounted to €115,042.73. In addition, the Pro Life Campaign incurred expenses of €2,532.65.

13.04.2011 Press Release - Investigation Report

The Standards Commission has today published its investigation report about alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 by Councillor Terence Slowey, Donegal County Council. The report follows an investigation hearing held on 14 March 2011

24.03.2011 Press Release - Investigation Report

The Standards Commission has today published its investigation report about alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Mr Kieran Lynn, Senior Executive Engineer, Mayo County Council. The report follows investigation hearings held on 8 November and 13 December 2010.

08.03.2011 Investigation under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 (the Ethics Acts) and Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001

A public sitting of the Standards in Public Office Commission for the purpose of its investigation of alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Councillor Terence Slowey, Donegal County Council, will be held at the offices of the Standards in Public Office Commission, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, on Monday 14 March 2011 at 2:00 pm.

2010

09.12.2010 Investigation under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 (the Ethics Acts) and Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001

A public sitting of the Standards in Public Office Commission for the purpose of its investigation of alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Mr Kieran Lynn, Senior Executive Engineer, Mayo County Council, will reconvene at the offices of the Standards in Public Office Commission, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, on Monday 13 December 2010 at 2:00 pm.

01.11.2010 Investigation under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 (the Ethics Acts) and Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001

A public sitting of the Standards in Public Office Commission for the purpose of its investigation of alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Mr Kieran Lynn, Senior Executive Engineer, Mayo County Council, will be held at the offices of the Standards in Public Office Commission, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, on Monday 8 November 2010 at 10:30 am.

20.07.2010 Standards in Public Office Commission Annual Report 2009

In its 8th annual report, the Standards Commission recommends that liabilities should be declared by public representatives and public servants in their annual statements of interests.

18.05.2010 Press Release re expenditure of Exchequer funding received in 2009

Political parties received a total of €13,603,264 in state funding for 2009, according to figures released today by the Standards Commission. The money was paid to the parties under the Electoral Acts and under the Party Leaders Allowance legislation.

18.05.2010 Press Release re disclosure by political parties of donations received in 2009

Figures released today by the Standards in Public Office Commission show that political parties disclosed donations worth €76,617.05 for 2009. This is the lowest figure ever disclosed since the law requiring disclosure was commenced in 1997.

25.03.2010 Press Release re donations disclosed by TDs, Senators and MEPs for 2009

"TDs, Senators, MEPs and former MEPs disclosed donations with a total value of €182,438 for 2009 according to figures published today by the Standards Commission. The donations included money and use of property or services. Only donations valued at more than €634.87 require to be disclosed. If the same donor makes more than one donation to the same TD, Senator or MEP during a calendar year, the values of the donations must be aggregated and disclosure made if the total is greater than €634.87".

2009

23.12.2009 Press Release - Report on European Parliament elections and Dublin Bye-Elections

"Two reports published today by the Standards Commission, show that candidates at the European elections disclosed total election spending of almost €4M (€3,991,629) and candidates in the two Dáil bye-elections disclosed spending of €259,760. Unsuccessful candidates at the European elections disclosed donations of €86,432 and unsuccessful Dáil bye- election candidates disclosed donations of €16,571. The successful candidates at the elections are required to furnish donation statements to the Standards Commission by 31 January 2010".

10.07.2009 Press Release Re Annual Report 2008

"Ireland's existing anti-corruption mechanisms are recognised as being strong by international standards, but a continuing effort is required to ensure that this remains the case. The trust of citizens in our public institutions is essential for a healthy democracy "

23.06.2009 Press Release re expenditure of Exchequer funding received in 2008

Political parties received a total of €13,742,203 in state funding for 2008, according to figures released today by the Standards Commission. The money was paid to the parties under the Electoral Acts and under the Party Leaders Allowance legislation.

09.06.2009 Press Release regarding disclosure by political parties of donations received in 2008

Figures released today by the Standards in Public Office Commission show that political parties disclosed donations worth €96,523 for 2008. This is the lowest figure disclosed since 1997 when the law requiring disclosure was commenced.

29.04.2009 Press release regarding Donation Statements received in respect of 2008 by TDs, Senators and MEPs

TDs, Senators and MEPs disclosed donations with a total value of €163,394 for 2008 according to figures published today by the Standards Commission in a report to the Ceann Comhairle. The amount disclosed represents a decrease of €692,601 or 81% on the figure of €855,995 disclosed for 2007 and reflects the fact that 2007 was an election year.

02.04.2009 Press Release re Improper use of Public Resources

TDs and Senators should not provide pre-paid Oireachtas envelopes (or other Oireachtas facilities) to candidates at the forthcoming local and European elections, according to the Standards in Public Office Commission.

26.03.2009 Press Release re report to Ceann Comhairle concerning a Donation Statement furnished by, Mr Patrick O'Meara, an individual donor

The Standards in Public Office Commission has today furnished a report to the Ceann Comhairle concerning donations disclosed by Mr Patrick O'Meara, an individual donor. Mr O'Meara was required to complete a Donation Statement in respect of donations made by him during 2007. Most of the donations disclosed by Mr O'Meara were made to branches of Fianna Fáil and to individual members of Fianna Fáil.

13.03.2009 Press Release re Report on Third Parties and the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty

The Standards Commission has published a report on its supervision of the "third party" provisions of the electoral legislation at the Referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon in 2008. Prepared by the Commission at the request of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the report points to deficiencies in the law and suggests areas for improvement.

2008

19.12.2008 Press Release re expenditure by qualified political parties of Exchequer funding received by them in 2007

Political parties received a total of €12,974,613 in state funding for 2007, according to figures released today by the Standards Commission. The money was paid to the parties under the Electoral Acts and under the Party Leaders Allowance legislation.

29.07.2008 Press Release re Standards Commission's Annual Report for 2007

"In a general election year, it should be possible for each citizen to have a clear picture of election spending by each candidate and party and also a clear indication of the sources for such funding" according to Mr Justice Matthew P. Smith, Chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission, in the sixth annual report of the Standards Commission published today.

19.06.2008 Press Release regarding the disclosure of donations received in 2007 by political parties

Figures released today by the Standards in Public Office Commission reveal that political parties disclosed donations worth €266,485 for 2007 .

22.04.2008 Press Release regarding the disclosure of donations received in 2007 by TDs, Senators, MEPs and former Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas

TDs, Senators, MEPs and former Members disclosed donations with a total value of €855,995.05 for 2007 according to figures published today by the Standards Commission.

07.02.2008 Press Release regarding disclosure of donations by unsuccessful candidates at the Seanad general election of 23 and 24 July 2007

The Standards Commission today published details of donations disclosed by unsuccessful candidates at the Seanad general election. The details are contained in a report on the Seanad general election which was furnished to the Ceann Comhairle.

2007

13.12.2007 Press Release regarding disclosure of donations and election expenditure at the Dáil general election of 24 May 2007

Figures released today by the Standards Commission in a report to the Ceann Comhairle show that election expenses of €11.08m were incurred on behalf of candidates and political parties at the 2007 general election, an increase of almost 20% on the figure reported for the 2002 election.

19.09.2007 Press release regarding gifts/loans to An Taoiseach in 1993/1994

The Standards in Public Office Commission (Standards Commission) has completed its consideration of complaints from two members of the public about the acceptance by An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern of loans/gifts from groups of businessmen in 1993/1994.

28.06.2007 Press release - Annual Report 2006

"There is a strong case to be made for a new approach to the general funding of political parties and sound arguments to be made for increased transparency in such funding and for greater scrutiny of political party expenditure" according to Mr Justice Matthew P. Smith, Chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission, in the fifth annual report of the Standards Commission published today.

26.06.2007 Press release regarding Donation Statements furnished by political parties for 2006

Figures released by the Standards Commission today reveal that donations to political parties disclosed for 2006 amounted to €140,753.35.

21.06.2007 Press release regarding political parties returns 2006

Figures released today by the Standards Commission show that qualified political parties received €12,727,987 in direct funding from the Exchequer during 2006.

10.05.2007 Press Statement - Investigation Report concerning Killarney Town Councillors

The Standards Commission has today published its investigation report about alleged contraventions of the Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Councillor Patrick O'Donoghue and Councillor Sheila Casey, Killarney Town Council.

05.04.2007 Press Statement - gifts/loans to An Taoiseach in 1993/1994

The Standards in Public Office Commission wishes to confirm that it received two complaints from members of the public following reports in late 2006 about the acceptance by An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern of loans/gifts from groups of businessmen in 1993/1994.

04.04.2007 Disclosure of Donations received in 2006 by TDs, Senators and MEPs

TDs, Senators and MEPs disclosed donations with a total value of €131,923.67 for 2006 according to figures published today by the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission).

09.02.2007 Investigation Hearing by the Standards in Public Office Commission

The Standards Commission has decided to initiate a formal investigation under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 into alleged contraventions of The Ethical Framework for the Local Government Service (Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001) and the Ethics Acts by Councillor Patrick O'Donoghue and Councillor Sheila Casey, Killarney Town Council.

2006

 

19.10.2006 Press Statement from Chairman of Standards in Public Office Commission

The Chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission wishes to correct a misleading and inaccurate piece which appeared in today’s issue of the Irish Times.



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