a very cool kid wrote: » 380 people working for Sinn Féin?!?
FrancieBrady wrote: » Are you sure you are familiar with the story? The same money was paid to another 380 approx accounts that hasn't been repaid.
a very cool kid wrote: » That doesn't explain how three of them didn't send it back simultaneously. Was there a case where a payment was made to Sinn Féin and then repaid before the BBC questions? This would make it significantly more believable as an administrative issue
maccored wrote: » no idea - im sure we'll hear what the story was. hardly makes sense for SF to try and swipe 30 grand. they'd be better just joining in with FF anf FG and look for bigger payrises
smurgen wrote: » True dat. "Fine Gael is by far the richest political party with all 50 TDs having a combined wealth of €80m". Whiff of Ansbacher off of it.https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.independent.ie/irish-news/revealed-half-of-irelands-tds-are-millionaires-and-heres-how-much-theyre-worth-36901002.html
blanch152 wrote: » Three defunct accounts? Not credible, my friend.
a very cool kid wrote: » 380 accounts related to political parties?
Nobotty wrote: » It is you know,how many statements would there be on an account that looks after rates? How often would you be looking at it to check whats in it? How often would it occur to you to check if something unexpected went in to it? Not often
JohnnyFlash wrote: » At least 50 properties and 200 employees.....
Bishop of hope wrote: » Why have SF not named the other officials who have resigned, why is there always secrecy in SF?https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/covid-grants-calls-for-sinn-fein-to-shed-light-on-party-officials-who-resigned-39688611.html
JohnnyFlash wrote: » https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2020/1031/1175141-sinn-fein/ A SF MLA resigned today. More high jinks involving grant money.
Fann Linn wrote: » Far bigger problems for your own party John. Will Leo resign?
a very cool kid wrote: » I really hope Leo getting his comeuppance (hopefully!) doesn't derail this thread. Sinn Fein have questions to answer here still I think
smurgen wrote: » Go on outline them? Remember we have much bigger fatter fish to fry in the leo story.
a very cool kid wrote: » 1. There were three separate payments to three separate accounts, none were repaid or even queried until it was raised in the media. It seems very unusual that if the default was to repay the money that none of them would have noticed or queried it. This gives rise to speculation SF thought they were entitled to it. 2. In the case of McCallion, the money was paid to her and her husband's joint personal account. I struggle to believe neither of them noticed. If neither heeded the amount involved warranted investigation, it begs the question of how much money is going through their personal account and is it fitting for an elected official? Furthermore, if the property involved was a Sinn Féin registered property why was the council tax paid from a personal account (other parties have candidates take leases in their own names and pay rent themselves to the landlord in question - sometimes a chunk of that rent will be reimbursed by the party) 3. Resigning a seat in the houses of the Oireachtas is a massive deal. If this was an administrative issue, the punishment far outweighs the issue. Two questions here: Was EMcC told to resign because she herself stole the money? If so, will SF completely kick her out? Was she told to resign to prevent questions in the Seanad? Given the party are already being investigated by SIPO are they trying to prevent further scrutiny of their financial affairs?
“There is nothing illegal about a party that is, for organisational purposes, a single entity, having statutory obligations in more than one jurisdiction.
FrancieBrady wrote: » Link to claim that 'SIPO are already investigating Sinn Fein'? SIPO wrote to SF last year seeking clarification and got it, and as far as I am aware have no issues. From their annual report:
Bishop of hope wrote: » Just a question on this so, is SF Republic allowed to get any of that money at all or does that mean that SF NI is not allowed to donate any of it to SF Republic? Basically of SF Republic used any of that money wouldn't that then be illegal?
FrancieBrady wrote: » No idea. Ask SIPO maybe?
Bishop of hope wrote: » Maybe! If they did or do I'm sure it would raise questions. Like if FG and FF for instance registered in NI surely they could accept donations there and funnel them south too. Maybe that should be looked at?
FrancieBrady wrote: » Why would there be an issue? We accept that the people of the north are Irish, why can't Irish people donate to a political party? You could feasibly have a situation where we decide by referendum that those Irish people can vote in Irish presidential elections but cannot donate to a political party of their choice. Seems weird and exclusionary to me.
Bishop of hope wrote: » I'm OK with that, I'm just wondering on the legality then of donations, like SF got being used by the political party here afterwards is all. I mean if its, that simple to get around the, rules here wouldn't you think all party's would be at it?