Northern Ireland to reveal political gifts
Belfast City councillors have voted in support of a call to reveal the names of those who make large donations to Northern Ireland politicians.
The Alliance Party motion was passed by 38 votes in favour to 13 against.
Unlike in the rest of the UK, Stormont parties are not required to reveal where their funding comes from, due to concerns about the security of donors.
Alliance wants Northern Ireland to be brought in line with Great Britain where names of those who donate over £7,500 are published. The motion was proposed by Alliance councillor Kate Nicholl at meeting of the council on 3 January.
It was supported by councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party, the Progressive Unionist Party and the Traditional Unionist Voice. Meanwhile, the move was opposed by members of Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party.
In her time as a Westminster MP, Alliance leader Naomi Long secured legislative change that paved the way for the possible future identification of donors who have contributed more than £7,500 since January 2014.
However, the names can only be published if secretary of state for Northern Ireland agrees to lift an exemption.
Long said there was no problem with political parties accepting donations, but that the Northern Ireland public should be given the same transparency as those in the rest of the UK.
She said it was time for parties to “open their books to the public”.