Fine Gael press for Sinn Féin to explain how it has accounted for spending of State funding

Main concern raised by activist was over how Sinn Féin allocated unspent exchequer funding

Senator Garret Ahearn called for the main opposition party to clarify its position on their 2022 annual financial accounts.

Fine Gael politicians have pressed for Sinn Féin to explain how it has accounted for its spending of State funding, after complaints sent to the watchdog by a party activist.

A Fine Gael party activist has submitted complaints to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) over its 2022 audited accounts.

It was reported that the main concern raised by the unnamed activist was over how Sinn Féin allocated unspent exchequer funding.

The accounts detail that at the end of 2022, Sinn Féin had €4,225,341 in restricted state funding left unspent – which is solely to be spent on the day-to-day running of the party.

However, the complainant raised with Sipo that the party’s cash in bank and exchequer debt should be higher than set out in its unspent restricted funding.

The party had a total of €3,644,988 on hand as its cash in bank, alongside €441,551 worth of exchequer debt. This debt is funds owed to Sinn Féin from the exchequer.

When added together, this leaves Sinn Féin with a shortfall of €118,802.

The complainant has alleged that Sinn Féin is not accurately accounting for its state funding within the 2022 accounts, according to a report in the Irish Independent.

Senator Garret Ahearn called for the main opposition party to clarify its position on their 2022 annual financial accounts.

“It’s a very serious matter, it’s money given to political parties from the State to be spent properly. I believe it needs clarification from the leader of Sinn Féin,” Mr Ahearn said.

“We see this every year in the budget where they get their figures wrong. They can’t seem to properly balance a budget. It would be a concern to see such a party as the head of a Government and with control of the public purse-strings.”

A spokesperson for Sipo declined to comment, only saying: “Due to the nature of Sipo’s role as an impartial oversight body, and in order to be fair to all parties involved, we would not be able to provide any comment regarding individual, or party, cases of compliance.”

A spokesperson for Sinn Féin has dismissed the complaint as “frivolous”, citing that the same individual regularly raises matters with Sipo in relation to the party. The spokesperson added that no correspondence has been received from Sipo on the matter.

“Sinn Féin meets all of its legal requirements and we will be happy to provide Sipo with any clarification they require; should they contact us.”

A Fine Gael spokesperson declined to comment.