The Fine Gael spokesman on the environment has said there is no question of the party returning a £50,000 donation made by multimillionaire Mr Denis O'Brien, as the money has already been spent.
The donation was made last autumn, Mr Ivan Yates said last night, and was bona fide. After the party officers had assessed whether the money would in any way compromise the organisation, it had been accepted. There were no strings attached. Money had been given to the four parties equally.
Had Fine Gael rejected the money, it would have placed itself at a disadvantage in relation to Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats. "We are in a competitive political situation and we need to raise several hundred thousand pounds for the coming election," he said.
Mr O'Brien, formerly of Esat Digifone, is engaged in a number of projects involving the generation and sale of electricity here and he holds a large number of investments in high-tech companies here and abroad.
Last September/October, Mr O'Brien sent political donations of £50,000 to the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, and the Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Harney.
On December 28th, he sent similar amounts to the Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fail, Mr Ahern, and to the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn.
The donations are to be publicly recorded next April when the parties make their returns under the Electoral Act 1997.
The Labour Party returned its donation in early January when the leadership decided the money could not be accepted. Lab our has advocated a maximum payment of £2,000 to parties and £1,000 to individuals in a Bill before the Dail.
There is no ceiling on political payments from companies or from individuals, although disclosure must take place where payments of more than £4,000 are made to political parties and £500 to an individual. Before Christmas, Mr Ahern suggested a ceiling of £20,000 on corporate donations to a party, with £5,000 set for an individual.
The donation's size caused surprise within Fianna Fail, particularly as "the climate for ma king donations was not good", sources said. The party does not anticipate returning the money.
A PD spokesman said there was no proposal to give back the money as it fell within the regulations laid down by law.