Ireland – Facebook ‘took matters into own hands’ over pro-life ads

Facebook ‘took matters into own hands’ over pro-life ads
Social media site opted to ban foreign influences in referendum on eighth amendment after Irish officials failed to offer legal guidance, claims chief Mark Zuckerberg

Brian Mahon
July 14 2019
The Sunday Times

Mark Zuckerberg, the chairman and chief executive of Facebook, has revealed his company consulted Irish officials about whether to allow pro-life ads from America on the social media platform during last year’s abortion referendum.

Speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado in June, Zuckerberg said that in response to his request for guidance, his company was told to take whatever decision it saw fit.

Continued: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/facebook-took-matters-into-own-hands-over-pro-life-ads-jbct26vnk

14.07.2019

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Ireland – Call for inquiry into bishops’ spending on abortion campaign

Call for inquiry into bishops’ spending on abortion campaign
Atheists claim Catholic website and newsletter overtly campaign for specific outcome

Tue, Mar 13, 2018
Patsy McGarry

The Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) has been urged to examine the funding of the Catholic bishops’ referendum campaign in support of retaining the Eighth Amendment.

Atheist Ireland said it was “seeking clarification on whether certain distinct and autonomous legal entities, that are associated with the Catholic Church in Ireland, should have to register with Sipo, in light of their specific funding structures and their campaigning on political issues.”

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/call-for-inquiry-into-bishops-spending-on-abortion-campaign-1.3426116

IRELAND: US group denies Sipo claims that funding for abortion campaign was political

US group denies Sipo claims that funding for abortion campaign was political

Friday, December 22, 2017
By Joe Leogue

The US foundation which awarded funding to Amnesty Ireland for its campaign against Ireland’s abortion laws has taken issue with the State ethics watchdog’s claims that it had said the money was for “political purposes”.

Open Society Foundations (OSF) said it has written to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) calling on it to correct the record on the matter.

Continued at source: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/us-group-denies-sipo-claims-that-funding-for-abortion-campaign-was-political-819944.html

22.12.2017

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Ireland: Standards commission explains why George Soros’ donation to fund Amnesty abortion campaign was illegal

Standards commission explains why George Soros' donation to fund Amnesty abortion campaign was illegal
The law bans any foreign donations that aren’t from an Irish citizen who resides outside the island.

Dec 13, 2017

THE STANDARDS IN Public Office Commission (SIPO) has explained why it ordered Amnesty International to return a donation made by billionaire George Soros for its My Body My Rights campaign.

Sipo said current legislation governing donations to political groups forces those who receive donations over €100 to register as a third-party. The Electoral Act also bans foreign donations from an individual other than an Irish citizen who resides outside the island of Ireland – meaning Soros’ €137,000 donation did not meet the criteria for an acceptable donation.

Continued at source: http://www.thejournal.ie/george-soros-banned-3748738-Dec2017/

13.12.2017

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Ireland: Amnesty refuses to pay back cash linked to abortion repeal

Amnesty refuses to pay back cash linked to abortion repeal

Michael Cogley, Ireland Reporter
December 9 2017, 12:01am, The Times

Amnesty International Ireland may face a criminal investigation for refusing to return money donated by a fund backed by the philanthropist George Soros.

The human rights organisation has been told to pay back €137,000 from Open Society Foundations, to ensure that Ireland’s abortion laws comply with human rights, by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo). Amnesty has been campaigning for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment.

Continued at source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/amnesty-refuses-to-pay-back-cash-linked-to-abortion-repeal-3fxbxgmrm

09.12.2017