Political Parties: Funding
Lord Dodds of Duncairn Excerpts(1 week, 1 day ago)
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Lord Dodds of Duncairn (DUP)
The Minister keeps referring to the fact that foreign donations are not allowed to parties in the United Kingdom but, of course, that is not correct because donations can come from the Irish Republic. In there lies a severe problem, in that funds from the United States, for instance, can be channelled via the Irish Republic into political parties in the United Kingdom with representation in these Houses, so will the Minister and the Government look at that issue?
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)
The noble Lord raises an important point. Political parties registered in Northern Ireland can also accept donations from Irish sources, such as Irish companies that meet prescribed conditions. Allowing Irish donations to Northern Ireland parties recognises the special place of Ireland in the political life and culture of Northern Ireland. The rules are consistent with the principles set out in the Good Friday agreement. Irish donations are subject to the same scrutiny by the Electoral Commission as donations from any other permissible donor and if there are any complaints about that, they must be referred to the Electoral Commission.
Political Donations: Cap
Lord Dodds of Duncairn Excerpts(1 month, 2 weeks ago)
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Lord Dodds of Duncairn (DUP)
My Lords, will the Minister look again at the backdoor loophole whereby foreign donations to political parties find their way to Northern Ireland through the Irish Republic? In 2022, over $1 million was raised by Sinn Fein, and before the Northern Ireland Assembly elections in May 2022, money from that source found its way to Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland. Will the Minister undertake to look again at that issue—it was raised in the other House many years ago—and take action?
Lord Khan of Burnley (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for making that point. I assure him that I will contact colleagues in the Northern Ireland team, and we will revert back to him.
Prime Minister: Meeting with First Ministers
Lord Dodds of Duncairn Excerpts(3 years, 3 months ago)
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Lord Greenhalgh (Con)
My Lords, I am certainly aware of a number of meetings that have taken place— I have had numerous meetings with the Mayor of Manchester and the Mayor of the West Midlands, and many with the Mayor of London. Of course, we recognise the importance of effective engagement. It is through effective engagement with our mayors that we can support each other so that we recover from this pandemic.
Lord Dodds of Duncairn (DUP)
My Lords, one area for profitable discussion would be how we can ensure that all countries and regions of the United Kingdom can benefit from growing economic prosperity. As part of that discussion, would it not be useful to discuss how we can prevent Northern Ireland being placed at a severe competitive disadvantage compared with the other countries in the UK by the provisions relating to state aid in the Northern Ireland protocol, something that does not get much coverage but which is vital? Can we ensure that the Government’s proposals in their Command Paper in July are implemented as quickly as possible? That would help to redress this problem.
Lord Greenhalgh (Con)
My Lords, the noble Lord is obviously more expert than me on the specifics, but it is important that the state aid rules apply fairly and equally across all our four nations.