Legislative ‘flaw’ gives major financial advantage to the Yes campaign

AS a result of enquiries, the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC) has made clear that companies or individuals can spend as much as they like promoting their views on the Lisbon Treaty while campaign groups must adhere to strict limits on donations.

This shows up a serious flaw in the SIPOC legislation.

It enables vested interests from Ireland and abroad to spend millions attempting to influence how people vote on October 2. Last week the US multinational Intel took out large adverts in the national newspapers to promote a Yes vote. Intel’s move is designed to curry favour with the European Commission as it is currently facing a fine of more than €1 billion under EU anti-trust legislation.

However, SIPOC says it has been unable to do anything to prevent such interference in the referendum process.

For the past five years it has requested that the Department of the Environment remedy the situation, to no avail.

Environment Minister John Gormley should act immediately to restore balance and fairness in the referendum campaign.

There are a number of different mechanisms he could use, including statutory instruments, emergency legislation, the Companies Act or the Revenue Act.

Seamas Rattigan

Our Lady’s Road

Cork Street

Dublin 8