Press Releases

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

Date Released: 29.04.2009

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.

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.

237 Donation Statements were received for 2008. This total comprised 164 Donation Statements from TDs, 60 from Senators and 13 from MEPs. 144 TDs and 54 Senators furnished a "nil" Donation Statement. All 13 MEPs furnished a "nil" Donation Statement.

TDs, Senators and MEPs are prohibited from accepting foreign donations or from accepting anonymous donations exceeding a value of €126.97. They are also prohibited from accepting donations with a total value exceeding €2,539.48 from the same person in the same year. An excess donation of €2,500 was returned to a donor by Sentor Alan Kelly. Senator Kelly also returned a donation of €2,500 to another donor.

The Standards Commission's report is available on its website. A breakdown of the donations disclosed to the Standards Commission follows:

TDs disclosed donations valued at €109,135
Senators disclosed donations valued at €54,259 (of which €5,000 was returned to donors)
Members of Fianna Fáil disclosed the highest proportion of donations with a total value of €94,115
Members of the Labour Party disclosed €40,130 (of which €5,000 was returned to donors)
Members of Fine Gael disclosed €24,450
One member of the Green Party disclosed €1,200
Non-Party members disclosed donations of €3,499

The persons disclosing the highest donations were as follows:

Senator Alan Kelly (Lab) - €35,310 (of which €5,000 was returned to donors)
Deputies Bertie Ahern and Cyprian Brady (FF) - €19,000 each in respect of use of property (St. Lukes)
James Reilly TD (FG) - €15,950
Darragh O'Brien TD (FF) - €12,780

Details of Donations disclosed by TDs

Details of Donations disclosed by Senators

Further Information: Aidan Moore 01-639 5712 or 087 9175186

Fax: 01-6395684
E-mail: sipo@sipo.gov.ie

Website: http://www.sipo.gov.ie

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