Fine Gael seeks Dáil session on Sinn Féin’s financial issues

Fine Gael is to push ahead with an attempt to force a Dáil session addressing questions over Sinn Féin’s finances.

Government Chief whip Hildegarde Naughton has written to the Dáil’s business committee, which decides on weekly parliamentary schedules in the lower house, requesting that recent revelations over the party’s finances be the subject of a debate in the Dáil.

However, there are concerns in the Green Party over the move.

A copy of the Fine Gael Minister of State’s letter, seen by The Irish Times, requests “in the spirit of transparency and accountability” that “consideration is given to allowing time for Sinn Féin to make statements to Dáil Éireann in the coming period”.

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Ms Naughton suggested this could take place in Government time rather than private members time.

She made the request “in light of continued revelations regarding Sinn Féin finances and associated alleged financial irregularities, which in some cases amounts to hundreds of thousands of euros”.

The Irish Times recently reported on the contents of a complaint made to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) by a Fine Gael activist alleging discrepancies within Sinn Féin’s accounts on both sides of the Border.

[ Contradictions in Sinn Féin’s financial statements being investigated by Sipo ]

The commission is investigating complaints into a series of alleged discrepancies, contradictions and apparent mistakes in Sinn Féin’s financial statements and electoral spending returns. The discrepancies have been identified through detailed examinations of statutory filings to the commission in recent years.

Ms Naughton’s proposal will be discussed at the business committee on Thursday.

It would represent a new departure and is seen in the Oireachtas as a direct attempt to bring focus on issues Fine Gael sees as politically problematic for Sinn Féin - including its finances.

Well-placed sources earlier this week indicated that the Green Party is lukewarm on the idea.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, one Green Party source said there were “misgivings” rather than outright opposition to the idea in the party, with concerns that Dáil proceedings on such controversies are “more heat than light”. However, the party opposing such a motion at the business committee would represent a schism between the coalition partners and could lead to a full-blown row, so it may seek to avoid such a confrontation.

Sources in the Social Democrats and the Labour Party were earlier this week reserving their positions ahead of any official proposal being fielded by Fine Gael, but both parties are understood to have their concerns about the potential development which would see the opposition being questioned in a way that is more usually reserved for government parties.

Ms Naughten’s letter does not outline whether questions and answers would be part of the session, nor any other details of how proceedings may happen.