Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 15:

In page 13, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following:

"(a) in paragraph (a) of subsection (1)—

(i) by substituting the following subparagraphs for subparagraphs (i) and (ii):

"(i) the value of the donation,

(ii) the name, description and postal address of the person by or on whose behalf the donation was made,"

and

(ii) by inserting the following subparagraphs after subparagraph (ii):

"(iii) the date on which the donation was received,

(iv) whether the donation was requested from the donor, and if so, the name and postal address of the person who requested the donation, and

(v) whether a receipt issued to the donor in respect of the donation, and if so, the date on which the receipt issued and the name of the person who issued the receipt.".".

These four amendments will require that additional information be included in the statement of donations submitted to the Standards in Public Office Commission by candidates at all elections, political parties, third parties and elected representatives. The Mahon tribunal recommended that "donation recipients should be required to provide more detailed information regarding the source and nature of donations which they have received". While the new requirements for the registration of corporate donors contained in the Bill will mean that detailed information will be available on such donors, I propose to apply additional requirements to all donations, corporate and non-corporate. The tribunal has recommended that in distinguishing between contributions which are true political donations and those which it describes as bribes, additional details should be included in a donation declaration form to identify, first, whether the donation was solicited, second, the name of the person soliciting the donation and whether a receipt was given and, third, the date the donation was given and received. Amendments Nos. 15 and 16 will apply these provisions to Dáil, Seanad and European Parliament elections and election candidates, political parties and third parties. Amendments Nos. 23 and 38 will apply the new requirements respectively at presidential elections and to local authority members.

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