O'Brien biggest political contributor during 2000

Denis O'Brien was the largest contributor to Irish political parties last year, according to figures released by the Public Offices Commission today.

The former Esat chairman gave £50,000 each to Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Progressive Democrats.

However, a similar cheque to the Labour Party was returned immediately.

Fianna Fail was also the party which benefitted most from donations, receiving a total of £152,000 during 2000.

The PDs were next at £65,000, followed by Sinn Fein, who were given over $44,000 by Friends of Sinn Fein in the US.

The Public Offices Commission is the body charged with overseeing ethics in public life and releases details of all donations over £4,000.