Loophole allows unlimited donations for abortion vote

The rules relating to fundraising for political campaigns were supposed to be changed after the private Libertas group set up by businessman Declan Ganley played a key role in the defeat of the Lisbon Treaty referendum almost a decade ago

Due to the failure by successive governments to take action, 11 pro-choice and pro-life groups have been able to avoid registering as ‘third parties’ with the Standards in Public Office Commission

Pro-choice and pro-life groups are availing of a legislative loophole which allows them to get unlimited foreign and domestic donations ahead of the abortion referendum.

The rules relating to fundraising for political campaigns were supposed to be changed after the private Libertas group set up by businessman Declan Ganley played a key role in the defeat of the Lisbon Treaty referendum almost a decade ago. However, due to the failure by successive governments ...