Sinn Féin finds further errors in 2020 election returns: 26th Jan 2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120277309#Comment_120277309

I would guess that the Belfast rent control issue is the story worth looking into. A lot of properties rented out in West Belfast.

https://sluggerotoole.com/2023/02/23/des-mackins-erratic-record-in-party-and-personal-finance-has-been-the-public-domain-for-nearly-20-years/

Some further revelations about Des Mackin in this article.

"He oversaw the establishment of Research Services Ireland which over 10 years, enabled 36 different Sinn Féin MLAs to claim about £700,000 through Stormont expenses to pay Research Services Ireland, with no evidence any work was ever carried out."

I had heard some stuff about RSI but I didn't realise the bould Des was behind it and the amount of State money filtered away amounted to £700,000.

Slugger is right, this one could get even more interesting.

https://www.thejournal.ie/sinn-fein-sloppiness-financial-statements-6019629-Mar2023/

Does anyone think that she would have accepted "sloppiness" and "inaccuracies" as an acceptable explanation from Paschal Donohoe? Or from others who have resigned?

Not a chance.

Different standards applied to themselves by Sinn Fein.

In reality, among FF and FG, there have been individuals who have transgressed SIPO guidelines from time to time, with Sinn Fein, it is institutional, systemic and consistent over elections for nearly a decade.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120361364#Comment_120361364

Not sure you understand 'institutional and systemic'.

I am sure I am not alone in losing count of those in FF and FG who have transgressed.

The reality is, they all have 'different standards' when it comes to their own.

We require a regulatory body with teeth. We will never get one from FF and FG.

astrofool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120361439#Comment_120361439

^ I'm pretty sure Simpsons did it:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120363470#Comment_120363470

Did what?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120361439#Comment_120361439

Leaving aside the other party references.

In regards to the last statement, with Sinn Fein issues with book keeping and questionable associates in the past and present. Donations floating around between the North and South. A property portfolio they won't confirm or deny what they have, or more interesting where they got it.

Why would you think they will put in regulator?

Let try to stick to Sinn Fein in the answer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407719#Comment_120407719

There is a regulator.

Will they give them the appropriate powers? No idea, but they will lose support if they don't.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407719#Comment_120407719

The thread is about Sinn Fein problems with the election returns, particularly the institutional, systemic and systematic way that they have had errors in every single return. It isn't about other political parties, it isn't about the system. It isn't about an individual politicians here and there having an issue, this is about a whole party that repeatedly and consistently has got all of its election returns wrong.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120408048#Comment_120408048

that repeatedly and consistently has got all of its election returns wrong.

How many elections and which ones?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120407790#Comment_120407790

Didn't answer the question, these "errors" are an example of a number of issues with Sinn Fein, some others I outlined. So can you please explain to me why you think Sinn Fein would give a regulator powers which will mean they will have to answer some very hard questions which would result in lost voters?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120408643#Comment_120408643

I think you'll find they are 'other issues' YOU have with SF.

I don't see Revenue, SIPO or The Gardai interested in these issues so I will await for that. They are the people vested with regulating them.

I don't think anyone here would be allowed claim any other party has issues without some sort of verified back-up.

I did answer your question BTW. Here it is again:

There is a regulator.

Will they give them the appropriate powers? No idea, but they will lose support if they don't.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120408980#Comment_120408980

The thread is about Sinn Fein.

Tiresome rubbish as usual and you didn’t answer

You didn’t answer because you know Sinn Fein as a party will never give power to regulators/Gardai/Courts etc. Watch them run out of the Dail when they might of upset the criminal by been part of a special Criminal Court vote.

I wonder how popular Sinn Fein would be if they did decide to be transparent? Explain the property portfolio etc. not very I would hazard a guess

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120409490#Comment_120409490

That is an 'opinion' and you are entitled to it.

My opinion is I don't know if they will give the appropriate powers.

If they don't they will lose support as they will be just as bad as the incumbents on the issue of accountability.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41057093.html

Six separate events not declared in 2016.

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/01/26/sinn-fein-made-two-more-errors-in-2020-election-expenses-statement/

Numerous errors in 2020 election expenses, and three errors in 2019 European elections.

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/01/27/sinn-fein-faces-sipo-complaint-over-abu-database/

The questions over whether the Abu database was an election expense extend back over several elections including those already mentioned. Remember, the excuse for misusing personal data in the Abu database was because it was for electoral purposes and not for keeping tabs on people, yet it never featured in election expenses returns. Go figure!

So adding up that in total, questions over expenses returns at national level for the 2019 European election, 2016 and 2020 general elections, as well as for all elections that the Abu database was in place. Pretty much the definition of institutional, systemic and consistent.

Them's the facts, have an opinion about the facts, but don't deny the facts.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120409881#Comment_120409881

That's 3 Elections.

There are no outstanding questions (except from yourself) about Abu, from the regulators.

Here's your original claim. It's as usual, exaggerated and sensationalist. Go figure.

that repeatedly and consistently has got all of its election returns wrong.

Do you still stand over the bolded bit?

P.S. In that final article, there seems to be contradictions, The headline says 'SF faces an investigation', then the journalist says that 'SIPO are investigating a complaint' while at the same time reporting SIPO as saying 'Sipo told The Irish Times that it could not comment on an individual case'.

Do we know if SIPO are actively investigating Sinn Fein? They claim there is no investigation:

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/02/24/sinn-fein-denies-investigation-by-watchdog-over-alleged-discrepancies-in-financial-returns/

In the same way we know they are investigating others, eg: A senior member of FG has recused himself because a SIPO investigation into him is underway.

Mr xxxxxxx said he had received confirmation of this complaint on Friday, though he had been made aware a complaint was likely weeks previously.

Since his ministry involves overseeing the electoral ethics watchdog Sipo, Mr xxxxxx said he was recusing himself from making certain decisions in relation to Sipo until it makes a decision.

I am nopt trying to deflect to the subject of the SIPO complaint above, I'm just asking you can you point to any evidence that there is a SIPO investigation ongoing into the things you have issue with?

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/watchdog-investigates-sinn-fein-election-spending-returns-which-fail-to-mention-voter-database/1841306941.html

The denial of reality continues.

"However, Sinn Féin confirmed it had received correspondence from the body and “looks forward to engaging” on the issue."

The investigation is ongoing on the Abu database. It is another example of Sinn Fein trying to box clever and getting caught out. In order to sneak under the DPC investigation, it had to claim that the database was for electoral purposes, but because the expenses were not in its returns to SIPO, it either lied to the DPC or it submitted more false returns to SIPO.

This is further evidence that the SF approach is systemic and systematic. These are national returns. Every important national election over the last decade is covered by this.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410269#Comment_120410269

Your article is dated 27th of Jan. 2023

Mary Lou claimed there was no SIPO investigation in Feb 2023.

Can you point to an ongoing investigation into the Abu database? I'm not aware of one.

Your opinion is your own, but isn't the back-up I am looking for here.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410269#Comment_120410269

Wasting valuable time to be honest.

Mary Lou could drive down the road, go up onto the footpath, run over a group of children, live TV coverage of it happening and I am sure some posters on here would say it was the children's fault for not getting out of the way. Tiresome rubbish is posted as I already said.

The laughable thing is trying to suggest that Sinn Fein would introduce regulations and give a regulator power to shut down Sinn Fein itself.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410573#Comment_120410573

I agree completely. The Gospel of Mary-Lou is the one creed.

Even look at the article referenced. Complaint is made, SIPO write to SF, SF responds. At that particular point in time, there is no formal investigation per se. Mary-Lou can make the statement she made, and the credulous can swallow her words.

In reality, the matter is still under investigation until such time as SIPO make a decision there is no case to answer or launch a formal investigation.

A really clear example of politician speak at work.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120410607#Comment_120410607

Richest party in Ireland and they won't even pay their bills to small companies, putting peoples companies and jobs at risk. Shows exactly what the party is like.

Any answers to the questions asked lads?

Can you point to an ongoing investigation relating to the Abu database?

Can you contradict Mary Lou's statement that there is 'no SIPO investigation into SF currently'?

@redlough the regulator does not have the power to 'shut down' any party and nobody in the Irish political sphere is proposing that they should, including SF.

The proposal is that the regulator be given powers to investigate and sanction appropriately.

markodaly

Surprise surprise Francie, who never voted for SF until the last election is dancing on the head of a pin in trying to 'whatabout' his way onto other topics.

TLDR

If SF wants to be taken seriously as a mainstream political force that is ready for power and not populism, they need to do much much better in complying with the rules of the game when it comes to political donations, compliance and regulations.

No ifs, no buts, no 'whatabout ff/fg'.

The.end