Shortall changes tune on party funding

The funding is being claimed on behalf of former co-leader Stephen Donnelly

Róisín Shortall and Stephen Donnelly canvass together in 2016. Pic: Rolling News

The Social Democrats are continuing to claim €65,000 in state funding despite its leader Róisín Shortall previously calling on other parties to return such money to the exchequer.

The funding is being claimed on behalf of former co-leader Stephen Donnelly who resigned from the party in September 2016 and later joined Fianna Fáil. The SocDems are entitled to €193,104 a year or €16,092 per month under the parliamentary activities allowance (PAA), which is ...