State ethics watchdog does not back gifts bill

THE Government’s claim that it was necessary to triple the amount of money politicians could receive without having to declare it is not borne out by correspondence received by the State’s ethical watchdog.

The Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill published this week increased the threshold of gifts or donations that do not have to be declared from €635 to €2,000.

The Department of Finance, which sponsored the bill, justified the three-fold increase on the basis that the existing limit had remained unchanged in 10 years and the new figure was more realistic.

But yesterday, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) said the volume of correspondence it had received relating to gifts valued over €635 had numbered “less than one per year” since ethics legislation was introduced in 1995.

This means that only 11 or fewer gifts received by all TDs and senators in the past 12 years were valued at €635 or more.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell this week justified the increase on the basis that minor gifts were now exceeding the threshold.

He said a minister might not be able to receive a case of wine as a gift.

He said the figure was now so low that even a minor gift — like tickets to the Ryder Cup and a dinner — would have to be declared to SIPO.

Under the new law any gift valued over €2,000 will be deemed a gift to the State.

The Labour Party yesterday said no TD or senator had ever raised concerns that the threshold for gifts and donations had been too low.

“Our strong opinion is that there was no demand for this legislation from either SIPO or from deputies or senators generally,” said the party spokesperson.