Press Releases

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

Date Released: 19.12.2008

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.

Six parties (Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin, Progressive Democrats and the Green Party) received funding of €5,433,327 for 2007 under the Electoral Acts. The same six parties together with the Socialist Party qualified for funding under the Party Leaders Allowance legislation during 2007 and received payments of €7,541,286. The attached table shows the amounts received by qualified political parties for 2007.

The funding is not subject to income tax and may not be used for electoral or referendum purposes. Qualified political parties must furnish Statements of Expenditure of the funding received to the Standards Commission.

Non-party members of Dáil and Seanad Éireann also receive funding under the Party Leaders Allowance legislation. The total amount paid to them during 2007 was €429,619. Non-party members are not required, however, to provide a Statement of Expenditure of the allowance to the Standards Commission.

Details of the funding and how it was spent are contained in two reports published today by the Standards Commission. These reports are available on www.sipo.gov.ie.

1. Report to the Minister for Finance concerning Statements of Expenditure and Public Auditors' Reports, in respect of 2007, furnished under the Party Leaders Allowance Act.
2. Report to the Ceann Comhairle concerning Statements of Expenditure and Public Auditors' Reports, in respect of 2007, furnished under the Electoral Acts.

The Statements of Expenditure and Auditors' Reports furnished to the Standards Commission may be inspected and copied by members of the public at its offices at 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. The information is also available in summary form on www.sipo.gov.ie.

Telephone: 01-6395707 (David Waddell) or 01-6395712 (Aidan Moore)

Fax: 01-6395684
email: sipo@sipo.gov.ie
Website: http://www.sipo.gov.ie

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