Press release

Who pulls the strings in Northern Ireland?

28 June 2012

Today (28 June), Friends of the Earth launched a new campaign calling for an end to the secrecy around who gives money to political parties in Northern Ireland.

Who Pulls the Strings aims to create a more open Government and to ensure that major decisions on development and investment are taken in the public interest.

There is widespread support for donations to political parties to be made public [1] and Friends of the Earth is calling on the Secretary of State to lift the veil on the secrecy of who funds our political parties by Spring 2013. [2]

The Director of Friends of the Earth, James Orr, stated:

"It is the interest of all of us to know where the priorities of Government really lie. The health of our economy, environment and society require us to have a truly open democracy. Political parties must not only be transparent but be seen to be transparent. Our democracy should not have strings attached and if the parties have nothing to hide they should reveal to us their big donors."

"We also want to remove the shadows surrounding some of the decisions made by this Government, and in particular decisions by the planning authority. We want to ensure Northern Ireland is not for sale"

He added:

"We are the only part of Britain and Ireland where we are kept in the dark about who gives money to parties - we need to know if that money buys influence or power. Until the secrecy is removed, Friends of the Earth will continue to ask : Who pulls the strings of our political parties?"

Members of the public can get involved in the campaign by following us on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/foewpts, or by filling in a postcard available from the Friends of the Earth office in Belfast - telephone number 028 9023 3488.

Notes

[1] The Electoral Commission for Northern Ireland reported on a recent survey of the public - 62% want full transparency, 10% want confidentiality to remain and the rest were undecided.

[2] By March 2013 the Secretary of State needs to decide whether to renew temporary legislation or extend anonymity. Since 2007, Northern Ireland parties are required to declare donations over £7,500 and register them with the Electoral Commission. The register was to be temporarily hidden from public view. The veil over the register was due to run out in 2011 but Owen Paterson used his power as Secretary of State to review the temporary clauses preventing public access to the information for another two years.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Limited