# SIPO
Last month
May 2023
# SIPO
Sipo clears Paschal Donohoe of complaint over undisclosed donations from businessman
The minister received a donation of services in which six individuals being paid by businessman Michael Stone put up election posters for Donohoe during the 2016 campaign.
# the ditch
The Ditch calls Sipo complaint example of 'illiberal attacks' by the Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil
Senator Malcolm Byrne has written to Sipo regarding the roughly €1 million euro in funding it receives from Paddy Cosgrave’s Web Summit.
This year
2023
# Niall Collins
Paul Murphy makes complaint to Sipo over Niall Collins land sale controversy
Controversy has surrounded Collins over allegations surrounding the sale of land in Patrickswell in 2008, when he was a member of the Dáil.
# party returns
Mary Lou McDonald admits there was 'sloppiness' and 'inaccuracies' in party's financial returns
Questions have been raised in the Dáil recently regarding Sinn Féín’s finances.
# Sinn Féin
Govt chief whip seeks Dáil time for McDonald and Doherty to answer questions about SF's financing
In the ‘spirit of transparency and accountability’ SF should make Dáil statements, says Naughton.
# council of europe
Irish government needs to tighten up employment of special advisors, European body says
The Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body has released a new report calling for reforms in how top-level roles are filled.
# Courts
Paul Murphy takes Sipo to High Court over decision not to investigate Varadkar over contract leak
Murphy’s initial application for judicial review was filed yesterday.
Voices
Larry Donnelly: How will Irish politicians cope with an increasingly angry electorate?
Our columnist says the Donohoe affair and protests of recent weeks show that the political mood here has darkened.
# timeline
Explained: What you need to know about failed election declarations from Paschal Donohoe and SF
Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have consistently sniped one another over their failure to properly declare donations and expenses.
# Expenses
Ó Broin insists his party doesn't 'owe Donohoe apology' in wake of SF expenses revelations
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ó Broin said there is a “world of a difference” between Sinn Féin’s situation and Donohoe’s.
# SIPO
Sinn Féin to amend 2016 election spending returns after 'oversight' on declaring outstanding bill
A party spokesperson told RTÉ that the party was within the spending limits laid down for the 2016 general election.
# michael stone
Businessman Michael Stone confirms he assisted Paschal Donohoe during 2020 election campaign
Stone paid six workers €972 to hang posters in Donohoe’s Dublin Central constituency.
# SIPO
Tánaiste says that Paschal Donohoe should not resign over election donations controversy
Donhoe’s situation was likened to ministers who had resigned in the past, however Martin said that the government remains focused.
# SIPO
Heather Humphreys accuses Sinn Féin of setting up 'kangaroo court' against Paschal Donohoe
The minister said that Sinn Féin wasn’t affording Donohoe due process and seeking to act as ‘judge, jury and executioner’ against him.
# donohoe to blame
Explainer: Why is Paschal Donohoe still in hot water over political donation declarations?
The Minister is now due to make a further statement to the Dáil on Tuesday.
# SIPO
Tánaiste questioned over Donohoe controversy: 'I’m going to wait to see what Paschal has to say'
The minister said he would address matters that were put to him yesterday by opposition members.
# Paschal Donohoe
Paschal Donohoe apologises for 'clear mistake' but opposition parties query figures
Minister Paschal Donohoe said he understood work on hanging election posters to have been done on a ‘voluntary basis’.
# expense declaration
Sinn Féin failed to declare cost of opinion poll for 2020 election to Sipo until last year
The party amended their declarations in January 2022.
# ethics
'He's fully corrected the record': Coveney defends Donohoe over undeclared donation
Coveney said he believes that Donohoe has given a “very detailed explanation as to what happened”.
# Paschal Donohoe
Businessman who paid for Paschal Donohoe postering work is Land Development Agency board member
Michael Stone was appointed to the position by then Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.
# sipo's teeth
Long overdue ethics laws to keep politicians in check can't be delayed, say opposition
Minister Michael McGrath says very many of Sipo’s asks will be included in legislation reforms.
# SIPO
Explainer: Why is Paschal Donohoe in hot water over his expense declarations?
Sinn Féin have said that the Public Expenditure Minister’s explanation was “simply not credible”.
# Your Say
Poll: Should Sipo receive additional powers to deal with politicians who break rules?
Have your say!
# Sipo complaint
Donohoe apologises for failing to declare election donation in 2016 following Sipo complaint
A complaint has been made over the use of an engineering firm to erect and remove election posters.
# Paschal Donohoe
Donohoe to review his records from 2016 election after complaint to SIPO
A complaint alleges that services for Donohoe’s campaign should have been declared as a corporate donation.
# Damien English
Property questions take out another minister but this resignation is different to the Troy saga
English’s resignation is solely due to a 2008 planning application.
Fine Gael TD Damien English resigned his position as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment today.
The Meath West TD resigned solely due to a 2008 planning application in which he failed to declare he owned a house.
Public scrutiny of politicians’ ownership of housing has ramped up in recent months following the controversy surrounding TD Robert Troy and his properties.
Last year
2022
# gp contract
'That's where it stands': Taoiseach says Sipo has made final decision not to investigate Varadkar
The Irish Times reports today that there were dissenting opinions within the ethics watchdog over whether to press ahead with an inquiry.
# Investigation
Leo Varadkar says Sipo has decided not to investigate him over GP contract leak
The DPP confirmed it would not be prosecuting the Tánaiste over the controversy in July.
# Political Donations
Sinn Féin receive highest amount in disclosed political donations last year
Donations made by TDs, Senators, MEPs across six political parties amounted to €193,511.
# SIPO
Thirteen political parties in breach of legal requirements to submit accounts
A new report from Ireland’s ethics watchdog was published today.
THE MORNING LEAD
SIPO refuses to name ex-government officials who asked to waive 'cooling off' period for lobbying
13 people have asked for the exemption in two years.
13 former special advisers have asked for the exemption in two years.
Lobbying regulator SIPO has refused a Freedom of Information request to reveal identities of those who applied, Stephen McDermott writes.
# gone
A fortnight of apologies and clarifications that led to Robert Troy's resignation
Things move quickly in politics – even during the summer break.
# SIPO
Political parties and independents received €13.4 million in State funding last year
The funding is non-electoral and is an administrative allowance.
# disclosure
Omissions and errors: How Robert Troy's property dealings stoked a major political controversy
Opposition TDs have been calling for the resignation of the Fianna Fáil junior minister.
# Donations
Four TDs and senators were given €3,000 in political donations last year
Public reps must disclose any donations valued at (or totalling) €600 or more from an individual source.
# I declare
Will we see more political controversies before Sipo gets some teeth?
Tánaiste says there are ‘stringent’ regulations already, but signals changes may be on the way.
# SIPO
FF junior minister Robert Troy amends his register of interests after undeclared property sale
In declarations for 2018 and 2020 respectively, he has added the sale of two properties.
# SIPO
Ethics watchdog rules out overhauling guidelines for political parties
The review came after concerns were raised about Irish political parties who work and contest elections in multiple jurisdictions.
# Cannabis Risk Alliance
Anti-cannabis group met privately with drugs minister to discuss possible RSA-style ad campaign
The Cannabis Risk Alliance met Frank Feighan in January last year.
The Cannabis Risk Alliance told Frank Feighan last year that there should be "full transparency" around lobbyists and advocates, Stephen McDermott writes.
However, a loophole in lobbying laws mean the group's communications with the Government do not themselves have to be recorded.
Activists have questioned why the group had access to Feighan when those advocating for a different approach have found access more difficult.
# sipo report
Five former special advisers apply to reduce one-year 'cooling-off' period for lobbying
Under the law, public officials are subject to a one year “cooling-off” period after they leave their roles.
