Disclosed donations to political parties were at the lowest level ever last year, but funding by the State remains at a historic high.
The Standards in Public Office Commission has welcomed recommendations from the Council of Europe, which would tighten the rules on political donations and spending.
Figures released today by the Commission show €76,617.05 in donations was disclosed by the parties for last year, the lowest figures since the law requiring disclosure was introduced in 1997.
All donations over €5,078.95 must be disclosed and there is a limit of €6,348.69 on donations that can be accepted.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour disclosed no donations, while donations to Sinn Féin, the Green Party and the Socialist Party were all from their elected representatives.
The only exception was the Christian Solidarity Party, which received a bequest of €8,709.50, just over €2,000 of which had to be given to the Minister for Finance as it was over the limit.
The Progressive Democrats received just over €47,000 in State funding last year, but €37,000 of that was returned to the Department of Finance after the party was wound up.
However, other parties did well out of State funding, which amounted to a total of €13,603,264.
That was a slight decrease on last year due to the wind-down of the PDs, but still the second highest figure ever.
The money cannot be used for electoral or referendum purposes and parties must account for its expenditure in a statement to the Commission.
The Commission points out in its report that the level of funding is linked to pay increases in the civil service, but the legislation is silent on what happens when pay decreases.
Fianna Fáil received €5.25m, Fine Gael €4.5m, Labour €2.25m, the Greens €750,000 and Sinn Féin €827,719.
Each Independent TD received €41,152, and each Independent Senator €23,383.
Independents are not required to provide statements of how they spent this money.
The Commission also welcomed recent recommendations from the Council of Europe, which would lower the disclosure threshold for donations; require all parties to publish independently audited annual accounts; clarify electoral and anti-bribery laws and extend the period during which political parties have to report election spending.
