Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I signalled this amendment on Second Stage and it provides for the amendment of section 4 of the Electoral Act 1997. The Act provides for the disclosure of donations by Members of the Oireachtas, MEPs, political parties and accounting units, election candidates and third parties. It also provides for the regulation of expenditure at Dáil, European and presidential elections by candidates, political parties and other persons who incur election expenses.

The provisions in the Act are implemented by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Section 4(4) of the Electoral Act 1997 provides that the Standards in Public Office Commission may make such inquiries as it considers appropriate and it may require any person to furnish any information, document or thing in the possession or procurement of the person that the commission may require for the purposes of its duties under this Act.

In reporting on the implementation of these provisions in the Electoral Act 1997, for which they have responsibility, the Standards in Public Office Commission has recommended that failure to co-operate with inquiries made by the commission under section 4(4) of the Act should constitute an offence. The commission is of the view that this will strengthen its hand in implementing the provisions of 1997.