The Standards in Public Office Commission says more than €13.5m in state funding was handed over to Ireland's political parties last year.

THE Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) referred 13 files to gardaí for alleged contraventions of the electoral acts, including files relating to former Clare TD and senator, Madeleine Taylor Quinn.

THE Standards in Public Office Commission has confirmed it received two complaints about Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s acceptance of money from businessmen, but decided not to launch a formal investigation.

THE State’s public office watchdog has disagreed with the views of Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen that spending limits for political parties and candidates during election campaigns should be increased.

The Standards in Public Office Commission says it only found out about Deputy Michael Collins' tax liability when he was named in a list of defaulters by Revenue on Friday last.

The Standards in Public Office Commission has revealed that Irish politicians spent €9.24m on their campaigns ahead of last year's General Election.