asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether (a) Irish citizens and (b) British citizens living in the Republic of Ireland can donate funding to political parties inside the United Kingdom; and, in each case, if not, why not. [HL4338]

Irish citizens who are registered on a United Kingdom electoral register can donate to political parties registered in Northern Ireland and/or Great Britain. In addition, Irish citizens who meet the eligibility requirements set out in Article 3 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2007 can donate to political parties registered in Northern Ireland.

British citizens living in Ireland, or anywhere else in the world, can donate to United Kingdom political parties if they are on a United Kingdom electoral register. British citizens living abroad can register on a United Kingdom electoral register as overseas electors if they meet the requirements set out in Section 2 of the Representation of the People Act 1985. Broadly speaking, to register as an overseas elector, a person must have been resident and registered to vote in the United Kingdom some time within the previous 15 years.