SIPO and Europe

[evercloserunion]

I propose that we amend the SIPO guidelines on donations to make certain exceptions to the current rules in the case of European referendums; in particular, I propose that the ban on foreign donations be lifted in such cases.

I think this would better reflect the reality of European referendums. They are referendums to ratify treaties which affect not only the Irish people but all of Europe and insofaras we are voting on European union we are not merely a people in isolation but rather we are part of a larger European demos and a larger European politic. This is a hotly disputed point but I submit that the Lisbon referendum campaigns have been proof of this. Politicians and activists from many other nations have come here to argue both for and against the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. It is obvious that they are affected by, and therefore greatly interested in, our decision. People from each side of the debate tend to put on a token display of outrage when people come from abroad to argue the opposite point of view on Lisbon. But I, like many others, think that this kind of pan-European debate should be welcomed as the most logical model of discourse on a pan-European legal and political system.

In light of this, I think it is anomalous to forbid foreign donations to domestic campaigns while allowing foreigners to come over and campaign themselves. I think there are advantages to both sides of the debate in allowing foreign bodies with an interest in the result of our referendum to donate to campaigns here. It would, I think, produce a more holistic view of the issues and interests at stake.

There are certain restrictions I would place on the allowance of foreign donations however.
- The exception to the ban should only exist in respect of referendums on EU treaties and only people and organizations from other EU member states should be allowed to donate in such circumstances.
- ALL donations from foreign bodies should have to be declared, not just the donations exceeding the €634.87 limits that currently exists for domestic donations.
- Stringent maximum limits should exist for foreign donations, which may be lower than the €2,539.48 limit which currently exists for domestic donations.
- Donations from foreign governments should remain banned.

Any thoughts?

[John.Worthing]

Foreign donations should be banned irrespective of the 'Europeanness' of the referendum. Essentially, as the referendum result will likely impact on the constitution of the nation state, only those citizens of the state should be allowed to make financial contributions. The European Union does not exist as a single political entity (in my understanding) and should not be treated as such. As a strong and successful economic union, the EU is something that other regions aspire to. However, we should not get ahead of ourselves and think that the union has become something that it is not. Foreign influence over sovereign matters through financial means is something that should never be allowed.

[redpath]

As Lbertas were running a lot of their email and intern activities from Brussels will SIPO look into their arrangemnets with Shelbourne Developments?
http://www.politics.ie/lisbon-treaty...omination.html