Oireachtas members and MEPs received €41,828 in donations last year, compared with €468,760 in 2002, which was a general election year, according to the latest figures from the Standards in Public Office Commission.
The 2003 total is the lowest since ethics rules were brought in six years ago.
In 1997, another general election year, politicians received €370,619.05, while in 1998 this figure dropped away to €103,500.
Each individual contribution worth more then €635 must be disclosed to the commission.
In 1999, the contributions rose to €220,362.15 - though this must be linked to the fact that many Oireachtas politicians would have contested the local elections held in that year. In 2000, the figure dropped to €111,498.77, and to €108,317.03 in 2001.
Some political figures believe smaller contributions below the disclosure threshold limit are becoming increasingly popular.
The Standards in Public Office Commission was not notified about anonymous donations over the €126.97 donation threshold, or about any foreign donations, or about any donations above the €2,539.48 statutory limit.
Among donations to Fianna Fáil representatives, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, disclosed a €12,000 donation in kind for the use of property at "St Lukes", 161 Lower Drumcondra Road, Dublin. The donor was Fianna Fáil Dublin Central, "St Lukes".Mr Conor Lenihan TD disclosed a €2,000 piece of crystal used as a prize in a golf classic. The donor was Tipperary Crystal.Mr Joe Walsh TD disclosed €2,539.48 from a golf classic. The donor was Friends of Joe Walsh c/o Con Murphy Solr., Bandon, Co. Cork.
Donations disclosed by Labour TDs included Mr Seamus Pattison TD declaring €2,900 worth of use of office space. The donor was SIPTU, Liberty Hall, Dublin.