Amnesty funding and abortion influence
Senator Mulherin criticised Amnesty International's refusal to refund a foreign donation ruled illegal by SIPO, arguing that outside money should not be used to influence Irish law and policy, particularly on abortion. Senator Norris interjected that SIPO had originally found the payment legal.
I wish to voice my concern at the resistance by Amnesty International to follow an instruction from the Standards in Public Office Commission and refund an illegal payment of €137,000 made to it by a foreign donor-----
Comment on this
-----in an effort to influence policy and the law in this country. It is not good for our democracy that anyone from outside this jurisdiction who is not a citizen and does not have a connection to this country but who has deep pockets should be able to invest substantial sums in order to effect political, policy or legal change. It is pretty sinister and should not be happening, no matter what side of the argument one is on. It is particularly regrettable that this has happened in the context of the abortion issue. This should be an issue of concern regardless of whether one is pro-life or pro-choice. The people of Ireland are well able to debate this issue. There are enough people here with views on the matter and there is no need for any side to be funded by external organisations.
I am calling for a wider debate in this House on the limit on political donations, which is €2,500. There may be a need for that to be increased. That said, I strongly believe that people from outside this country using their money to try to change things here is not right. I sincerely hope Amnesty International will abide by the law. The cornerstone of any democracy is the rule of law and Amnesty International is not above the law.