Varadkar one of only four politicians to declare donations over €600

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was one of only four TDs, Senators and MEPs who received donations from single sources above the declarable value of €600 during 2022.

Mr Varadkar received a donation of €1,033 from Dr Ray Power, a general practitioner and co-founder of the medical practice network, Centric Health.

As the donation was above the allowable limit of €1,000 from a single individual, a sum of €33 was returned by Mr Varadkar.

The information was contained in the Standards in Public Office Commission report on donations made to TDs, Senators and MEPs in 2022. It was published on Monday.

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In all just over €6,000 was declared by two TDs and two Senators. The People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy disclosed €3,000, comprising donations of €1,000 from three individuals. They were Diana O’Dwyer, Cian Prendiville and Nicole McCarthy. All three are officials with the left-wing party.

The other two declarations were by Senators, Shane Cassells (Fianna Fáil) from Co Meath, who disclosed a donation of €1,000, and Senator John McGahon (Fine Gael) who also received a donation of €1,000.

For the 2022 reporting period, a total of 233 public representatives – 160 TDs, 60 Senators, 13 Members of the European Parliament – were required to make donation statements by January 31st, 2023.

Under the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, public representatives may not accept donations in any year of more than €200 in cash, and not more than €1,000 in total value from a single source.

They must disclose any donations valued at or totalling €600 or more from an individual source. Donations

The donations declared were twice the amount reported in 2021. During that year four parliamentarians declared. Labour leader Ivana Bacik declared €1,000 as did Mr Cassells.

The Clare TD Cathal Crowe received €1,000 in cash but as the highest allowable cash donation is €200, he returned €800, leaving him with a net disclosure of €200. The Dublin Senator Loraine Clifford-Lee also declared €800.

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