Fianna Fáil fundraising scheme under fire

FIANNA FÁIL’S controversial new fundraising scheme shows the party has “learnt nothing from past abuses” and is again preparing to use “doubtful means” to build up its war chest for the next general election, Labour said last night.

Under the proposed club-like scheme, which Fianna Fail insists is “standard fundraising,” the party would offer business people “networking opportunities” with ministers in return for membership of the “Forum for Opportunity.”

TDs and senators were told in recent meetings that the membership fee would be €4,500 over three years - or €1,500 a year.

The party aims to recruit at least 600 people and could boost its coffers by at least €2.7 million in time for the next general election, if held in 2007, as widely predicted.

Fianna Fáil insisted there would be no favours granted in return for membership fees. “There is no question of special privileges here,” a party spokeswoman said, adding that the party was being totally upfront about the scheme.

She stressed the scheme was still at the discussion stages and the membership fee had not yet been set, adding: “it could be as little as €10 ... we haven’t launched it or even formalised it yet.”

But there was widespread criticism of the scheme, with many likening it to Taca, Fianna Fáil’s controversial fundraising operation of the 1960s.

“Like any other party, Fianna Fáil is entitled to raise funds in accordance with the law, but it is not entitled to sell influence to business people or offer access to ministers in return for substantial donations to the party’s coffers,” said Labour TD Eamon Gilmore.

“There appears to be little doubt that this is what is afoot here with its membership structure and offers of networking opportunities with government ministers.”

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) said the scheme would further marginalise and disempower poor people.

It flew in the face “of the so-called Inchydoney Agenda,” the effort made by the senior Government party to show a more caring face in the wake of setbacks in last year’s local elections.

“Whatever is said about it, it further marginalises and disempowers those who can’t afford to pay or be part of such a club,” the NWCI’s Rachel Doyle told RTÉ radio.

The Standards in Public Office Commission, the independent body which polices the political system, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

However, the proposed levy of €1,500 a year means the party would not have to declare the names of those who join the scheme. Under the current system, parties have to declare only those donations that exceed €5,078.95 in a given year.

“I don’t think it’s sleazy,” said Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan.

The scheme was not a new one, the minister said, but “a re-run” of Forum 2000, set up by the party in 1995. Under that scheme, business people were invited to pay £1,000 to attend two day-long conferences each year. It aimed to secure 1,000 subscribers a year.