Political Funding

There has been some comment in relation to this matter and again more recently in the media.  I asked for clarification in relation to the Party’s situation.  (I as a Public Representative have and am more than willing to comply with the leglislation in relation to my own position and as you know we (all councillors) have to complete an Ethics declaration and Declaration of donations (if any) each year.)   Fine Gael meets and continues to meet all its legal obligations and is happy to do so.
The Party fully backs Minister Hogan’s proposals for reform in this area. (This is the critical part)
Fine Gael did not receive political donations above the limit set down for declaration.
In a typical year, corporate donations make up less than five per-cent of self-generated funding. This may increase in an election year.The Party’s primary sources of self-generated income are its annual draw, and member contributions. Combined, these account for in the region of 90 per-cent of self generated income.
All expenditure from State funding (Leaders’ Allowance & Party Fund/Oireachtas Grant) is vouched and fully audited.