James Reilly rectifies receipt row after referral

Fine Gael deputy leader James Reilly last night said he has provided fresh documentation on donations to his failed Dáil election campaign after being referred to gardaí by Ireland’s political finances watchdog.

The senator and former health minister confirmed the situation after he and 65 other candidates in last year’s general election — including a ministerial adviser and a number of government TDs — were caught up in an embarrassing campaign funding rules controversy.

Details published in the Standards in Public Office (Sipo) Commission’s election report for 2016 show Dr Reilly failed to provide proof he returned an excess donation to an individual which breached strict financial transparency rules.