Ireland has introduced election measures that make it illegal for political parties to accept crypto donations.
To fight possible Russian cyber-interference in Ireland’s democracy, new laws on political integrity will be implemented.
As part of a legislative overhaul, foreign contributions would be restricted, and parties will ultimately be compelled to declare all property holdings.
Ireland’s Local Government Minister, Darragh O’Brien, wrote to party leaders detailing a variety of steps he is adopting to resist foreign meddling in Irish elections.
The reforms include safeguards against disinformation campaigns on social media that might sway elections, as well as new legislation limiting how and from whom political parties can obtain funds.
All political parties must now be able to submit consolidated accounts that follow international accounting standards and best practices. In addition, party leaders will be required to sign certifications stating that they are in conformity with the new fundraising regulations.
Ireland has a past with Russia
O’Brien presented the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an example of how hazardous politically-charged disinformation is to democracies throughout the world.
“The heinous invasion of Ukraine and the devious misinformation campaign underline the basic vulnerabilities that all democracies face,” he stated.
In January 2022, O’Brien launched his policy reform campaign by directing Attorney General Paul Gallagher to assemble a task group of lawyers and political scientists to “construct a legal and digital bulwark against malicious influence in our elections.”
Russia’s meddling in Ireland recently has been subtle but considerable. In 2018, the government enacted emergency laws to prevent the Russian Embassy in Dublin from expanding further. Commentators speculated that the building was to house signals intelligence infrastructure.
The Conti assault, which entered the Health Service Executive (HSE) and knocked its computer systems offline in May 2021, demonstrates how a decline in broader security may impact Irish society in unanticipated ways.
The incident was alleged to have been carried out by the Wizard Spider crime organization, which is located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Cryptocurrency has a turbulent past in Ireland. Last year, the country’s central bank governor warned that their popularity is “quite concerning.”