Following on from the introduction of Transparency and targeting of political advertising regulations that I detailed in my previous blog post, its interesting how its exposing an element of how politicians use their funds. Bureaucracy gone mad’ – fears new EU rules could affect political advertising in local newsletters and charity calendars
Strict transparency requirements could stop councillors taking out ads or sponsoring community sporting events
AILG executive director Tommy Moylan said the rules could stop politicians advertising in local community group programmes or charity calendars, taking out billboards wishing hurling teams well, or even sponsoring a tee box in a golf classic. This could have an effect on community fundraising efforts. “That is the worry,” Mr Moylan said. “Fair enough for political ads in print media, I can understand that. But with all due respect, if you’re wishing your constituents ‘Happy Christmas’ in an ad a week out from Christmas, is that not transparent enough for local democracy?”
Independent Ireland councillor for Wexford Michael Sheehan said the regulation as it now stood would have “a dramatic effect on our communities, our sports clubs, our charities, and ultimately, our politics”. “I think when politicians realise that giving €50 to the local sports club for their cabaret is going to require a label, a QR code, a copy of the document, who ordered the ad, who produced the ad, the cost of the ad, the duration of the ad and the function of the ad, I think they’re going to look at this saying: ‘This is bureaucracy gone mad’.The increased transparency (outside of election periods) is great and I think this spending should be known in an ordered way. (I haven't found any Independent politicians doing this yet as the parties have been doing).
I happened to notice these 4 in a row Transparency Notices from Cian O'Callaghan Social Democrats (my local TD, who I've voted for) declaring ad purchases/donations to various local schools and sporting organisations events.
I find the practice of paying over-inflated prices to place a token political ad in the match programme or at an event to be odd, some may say it is common but it's still odd.
Surely politicians' role is to advocate or enable charitable organisations not to donate to them.
The only time I've seen it discussed in the Dail is in 2012 by Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) during a debate on the Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011
In the future should we consider limiting what politicians can spend, by way of so-called donations or in advertising? This is basically a vote-seeking effort. I do not suggest that we should be prohibited absolutely from buying tickets, or whatever, but it is the other side of the equation. We are being obliged by law to accept only modest donations while people who are privately wealthy can use their money to buy sponsorship or advertising. It becomes a way of buying votes. This is probably something we should consider. The public might decide that all politicians, who are believed to be so wealthy, have become so mean they will not even buy a ticket at the local GAA draw but we must find that balance. The Minister might have a view on this for the future.David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
Independent Deputies receive the leader's allowance of €45,000, and some of them are giving the money to charity. One independent TD in my constituency gives the money to charity. That is not right. That is a way of buying votes, to be frank about it.
