Charities forced to reveal donation details

CAMPAIGN groups and charities who protest against Government policies have accused the State of intimidation after they were told they would have to reveal details of donations they receive.

More than 80 groups, including Amnesty International, the Carers’ Association, Focus Ireland, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and Residents Against Racism, have been contacted by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) and told they must register with the commission and furnish details of any donation for “political purposes” that exceeds €126.97.

Under Section 23C of the Electoral Act, which became law in 2002, the definition of ‘political purposes’ includes any campaign for “a particular outcome in relation to a policy or policies of the Government or any public authority”.

SIPO itself is uncomfortable with the definition, and in a review of the Electoral Act two years ago, expressed its concerns to the then Environment Minister Martin Cullen. Because the definition was so wide, the commission warned, it could cover anything from residents’ associations, tidy town committees, and community organisations to the Credit Union Movement and St Vincent de Paul.

“The Standards Commission doubts if it was the intention of the legislature that such bodies, in conducting their ordinary affairs, could find themselves covered by the legislation,” it told Mr Cullen.

Despite this, no moves were made to amend the act, and Environment Minister Dick Roche has no plans to do so, according to his officials.

John Gormley of the Green Party yesterday called for the legislation to be revisited and clarified.

“As it stands, it is an infringement and it undermines the democratic process,” he said.

Small ad-hoc groups set up to campaign on a particular issue could be put out of business by the requirement, he argued.

Rosanna Flynn of Residents against Racism said the law would “make it difficult for organisations like ourselves to exist”.

“We have nothing to hide. It’s ludicrous. It would tie us up with red tape and create financial difficulties.”

One source in a large non-government organisation (NGO) said complying with the regulations would be problematic to administer. Donations are given to organisations to fund its general activities and are rarely, if ever, given specifically for a particular campaign, it was pointed out.

SIPO itself has said it was “not possible” to distinguish between general, and “political purposes” donations, for such groups.

It said of the 80 groups the commission estimates it has contacted to date, 30 have registered. To comply with the legislation, they have to open a dedicated account for political purposes contributions. And each year they must furnish a bank statement specifying account transactions. No foreign donations are allowed and a limit of €6,384 is imposed for an individual donation.

SIPO says it contacts groups for clarification only when a complaint is received that the group has not registered, or when a group becomes involved in campaigning in an election or referendum.