Sinn Féin Reps fund party growth

national | politics / elections | press release Tuesday July 29, 2003 13:41 by Justin Moran - Sinn Féin maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com

Sinn Féin Reps fund party growth

Sinn Féin Reps fund party growth

Sinn Féin Assembly Group leader, Newry Armagh representative Conor Murphy
commenting on the publication of party finances by the Electoral Commission
has said that a significant proportion of the salaries of all elected
representatives goes towards funding party growth.

Mr Murphy said:

³Across Ireland paid Sinn Féin elected representatives donate a considerable
proportion of their salaries to fund party growth.

³Within the Assembly every Sinn Féin MLA is paid exactly the same salary,
regardless of whether or not they are a Minister or hold any other position
that attracts additional salary. Our MLA’s return at least 40% of their
salary to fund party growth. This has generated over £300,000 in the north
to deliver top quality constituency services, to fund party growth and build
the agenda for Irish reunification.

³This commitment to the development of Sinn Féin from elected
representatives is unique in Irish politics and is a demonstration of the
commitment of all our representatives.² ENDS

Note to editors

There is also some confusion around the money spent by Sinn Féin on election
campaigns. The figure of money spent centrally is considerably lower than
other political parties in the north as a result of how Sinn Féin is
organised. Local areas fund the majority of election expenses.

The maximum donation of wages in the south that can be donated back to the
party by TD¹s is 6,000 Euro.