Independent Ireland pulls ad for general election by its EU funded ...
Video endorsing party in Ireland was “paid for” and circulated by European political party
Independent Ireland has pulled a paid ad for its general election campaign amid question marks over whether it was paid for out of EU money.
Political advertisement by EU groupings in a domestic election is strictly prohibited.
The social media video for Independent Ireland says it was “Paid for by PDE-EDP Patri Démocratic européen” - a European political party in receipt of EU funds.
The sponsored videos are running on the European Democrats social media accounts.
The videos featured MEP Ciaran Mullooly, a former RTÉ journalist.
“If you want real change in Ireland, remember, vote Independent Ireland: this is the special message from our MEP Ciaran Mullooly,” the ad says.
In the sponsored video, paid for out of EU funds, Mr Mullooly specifically names Independent Ireland candidates
“If you vote for Independent Ireland candidates, you’ll get common sense decision making. I can assure you of that. What that means is you get people in the Dáil who are not afraid to stand up for their own rural community, who won’t be controlled by a party whip or told what to do.
“They’ll make decisions on a case-by-case basis. Yes, we will agree on a budget when the time comes, but it will reflect our priorities, your priorities, and be part of a government programme that serves you.
“My message to you from the European Parliament this week is very simple. Sometimes it’s important in life to stand up and be counted. I did it for Independent Ireland and I’m doing it here in Europe. This Friday I’m asking you to stand up and be counted too.”
“Support Michael Fitzmaurice, Michael Collins, Richard O’Donoghue and their team of over 30 candidates all over the country please. Give them your number one in the general election on Friday. If you want real change, remember, vote Independent Ireland,” he says.
The video closes with the Independent Ireland logo and says “Vote No 1”.
The video is still online but is no longer sponsored so it not being pushed to a targeted audience.
Independent Ireland says the video is no longer a paid-for ad.
“I have received confirmation from the EDP that the video on their page was produced by Ciaran himself and did not cost anything,” a spokesperson said.
“There was a spend of €14,07 by the EDP on ad, which they say that can do as ‘we are not a parliamentary group, but a European political party and we are free to do things like this.’
“To be safe, I have requested that the ad spend be stopped and the ad is now turned off.”
Rules on EU funding for political parties are clear as the money cannot be spent on campaign costs elections or funding of national parties election candidates.
