€500k for PDs despite wind down
The funding was part of €14 million paid by tax payers to fund the activities of six political parties, which is separate from the money they get from private donors.
Fine Gael spent more than €250,000 on private polling in 2008 according to details released under a report by the Standards in Public Office (SIPO) Commission. None of the other parties had any spending on polling because it was not an election year.
Fine Gael also spent significantly more on outside public relations and other consultants in 2008 with a total bill of €73,968 for this work compared with €59,434 by Fianna Fáil, €17,158 by Labour, €4,490 by the PDs, €8,293 by Sinn Féin. The Green Party did not declare any spending in this area. Under SIPO rules, parties are entitled to money under both the Electoral Act and under the Party Leaders Allowance, and must submit declarations of how this money is spent.
Fine Gael spent almost €150,000 on research and training – three times that of Fianna Fáil who spent just under €50,000.
Just two parties declared any spending on entertainment including Fianna Fáil who spent €4,304 and Labour who spent €399.
Independent TDs and Senators, including Beverly Flynn who rejoined Fianna Fáil, got €41,000 each in a leaders’ allowance and are not required to vouch for how this money is spent.
Although the PDs have not yet written to the clerk of the Dáil to ask that the party be formally dissolved, they have written to say that they do not want any more taxpayers’ money for their limited operations.
The funding made available to individual parties includes:
* Fianna Fáil: €5,152,367.
* Fine Gael: €4,391,267.
* Labour: €2,188,761.
* Green Party: €742,485.
* Sinn Féin: €813,510.
Fianna Fáil spent €150,000 under the category of personal expenses, while Fine Gael spent €55,000.
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