Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

"That Seanad Éireann: notes:

- the decision of Sinn Féin to accept a donation in excess of €4 million from the estate of William Hampton;

- that the maximum donation allowable under Irish electoral law is €2,500 and that this donation to Sinn Féin is more than 1,600 times the maximum allowable donation;

- that the will of Mr. Hampton specifically states that the donation is for ‘the political party in the Republic of Ireland known at this time as Sinn Féin’;

- that the acceptance of this donation by Sinn Féin is deeply problematic and at best is at variance with the spirit of Irish electoral law;

- that there appears to be no meaningful manner in which to ensure that research, social media and political staff funded in Northern Ireland by this donation are not employed in this jurisdiction;

calls on Sinn Féin:

- to immediately return the amount of the donation in excess of the limit of €2,500 to the estate of William Hampton;

- to lay a statement before the Seanad no later than 31st December, 2020 outlining how it will ensure that no resources funded by its operations in Northern Ireland are utilised in this jurisdiction;

calls on the Government:

- to update the electoral laws to ensure that if a political party is registered in this State and in another jurisdiction, that registration in this State requires that it accepts no donation greater than those allowable under the Standards in Public Office Commission guidelines;

- to expand the Standards in Public Office Commission remit to cover such matters;

requests:

- the Standards in Public Office Commission to furnish a report to the Seanad by 31st December, 2020 outlining how it will ensure that no resources funded by Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland are utilised in any way in this jurisdiction."

I propose to share my time with Senators Currie and McGahon.