Courts / Ireland / Report

Order to return Soros foundation's grant "procedurally flawed", SIPO accepts

Summary

The High Court has resolved a judicial review brought by Amnesty International Irish Section against the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO). The applicant challenged SIPO's November 2017 order requiring the return of a €137,000 donation from the Open Society Foundations, which SIPO had deemed prohibited under Section 23 A2 of the 1997 Electoral Act for political purposes. Amnesty denied the funds were used for political purposes, arguing the decision was procedurally flawed. In a settlement agreement read to Mr Justice Seamus Noonan, SIPO accepted that the process leading to its decision was procedurally flawed. SIPO consented to an order quashing its decision and confirmed it will close its investigation file regarding the grant. The Commission also acknowledged that Amnesty cooperated fully with inquiries and stated that the Open Society Foundations did not advise SIPO the donation was for political purposes. SIPO agreed to pay a contribution towards Amnesty's legal costs. The matter was resolved following discussions between the parties, with the court hearing that the decision was quashed as part of the settlement.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Order to return Soros foundation's grant "procedurally flawed", SIPO accepts. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• August 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2017 Other
• December 2013 Other
• 2018-07-31 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report