Reform demanded as parties declare lower donations

THE ethics watchdog has demanded reform after political parties disclosed their lowest level of donations since 1997.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) published its 2008 report on party political donations yesterday, revealing the origins of €96,523 in funding.

However, this is only a fraction of the amount spent, and SIPO said the parties should be more open and furnish accounts to an independent authority. “These accounts, which would be published, would specify all donations received by the party and disclose details of donations over a certain value.”