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TODAY The Detail has reported on over a thousand gifts received by Stormont Ministers over the last seven years.
The list below is compiled from a full record of gifts received by ministers, which was obtained by The Detail under Freedom of Information. There is no allegation of wrongdoing against those who gave or received the gifts. Below is a summary of some of the types of gifts given to leading politicians. The full spreadsheets listing all gifts are available here Ministerial gifts FOI responses spreadsheet.xlsx
TICKETS
•In June 2008 former Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew received two complimentary tickets for a concert by the group “The Police” from music promoter MCD Dublin. The then Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy, was also given a ticket by the NI assembly for the same concert that took place on Stormont’s grounds. Department of Education records show that the tickets were passed to him by his party colleague Caitríona Ruane.
•In September 2008 former Culture Minister Gregory Campbell and his adviser were given two tickets to the Northern Ireland versus Czech Republic soccer match by the Irish Football Association (IFA).
•In October 2008 Gregory Campbell received 8 Tickets to “On Eagle's Wing” by the producer in his capacity as Culture Minister.
•In June 2012 Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy received two Irish Open tickets from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
•In October 2013 Minister Kennedy also received tickets to the Champions League game Arsenal V Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium, London – 3 tickets (£300) from MICROS-Fidelio UK Limited in conjunction with Petrogas Global Ltd from, as part of hospitality and networking event
•In May 2014 Minister Kennedy received a ticket for Ulster v Leinster from Ulster Rugby.
TRAVEL
•In December 2011 Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín was gifted with a frequent flyer- complimentary car parking and executive lounge pass for what is listed as ‘Aldergrove’, by the [Belfast International] airport’s Managing Director John Doran.
•In August 2012 Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy received Diamond Club Membership from BMI.
•In October 2014 Minister Kennedy received a return flight on inaugural flight Belfast – London City from Flybe.
•In April 2015 Minister Kennedy received a rail smart card zone 4, for travel on departmental business from Translink.
FOOD/DRINK
•In May 2007 former Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew was given a bottle of 12-year-old single Malt Bushmills with a personalised label from Diageo.
•In November 2008 former Employment Minister Reg Empey and Lady Empey attended a private dinner worth £100 from construction company R G Coulter & Co.
•In November 2010 Peter Robinson received a decanter and 3 shot glasses from the Ambassador of Belarus
•In May 2011 the First Minister, Peter Robinson, received a slice of wedding cake in a presentation box from the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate. The record shows the cake was retained by the Department.
•In December of each of the last three years Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has received a turkey. A turkey was given by a member of the public in 2012 and more turkeys were gifted by Moy Park in 2013 and 2014.
DECORATIVE GIFTS
•In December 2007 former First Minister the late Ian Paisley received a crystal ‘Big Apple’ from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In December 2008 deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness received a ‘Tiffany’ silver coloured pewter trinket box from Mayor Bloomberg.
•In October 2007, in her capacity as Environment Minister, Arlene Foster received a commemorative piece of flooring from where the engine of the Titanic was built. The gift came from the Titanic Quarter/ Harland & Wolfe.
•In February 2008 the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness received a silver friendship bowl from the President of the Scottish Parliament.
•In June 2008 former Employment Minister Reg Empey received a pocket watch from Former President George W. Bush.
•In November 2009 former Culture Minister Nelson McCausland was presented with a gaelic football, but there are no details on who it was given by.
•In May 2010 former Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy received a Cavan Crystal vase from Belfast Media Group.
•In November 2012 Education Minister John O’Dowd received a silver horse ornament from JP McManus award ceremony worth £900.
•In November 2012 Employment Minister Stephen Farry received a horse ornament worth £1,000 and in November 2013 a fox ornament worth £800 from the JP McManus awards in his capacity as DEL Minister. In November 2013 he also received a pen worth £250 from the JP McManus Awards.
•In December 2012 the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness received a “wall plaque of Crumlin Road Gaol” from the Crumlin Road Gaol.
•In April 2013 First Minister Peter Robinson received what was described in the records as a “picture of sheep” from the Mayor of Ballymena.
•In September 2013 First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness received a bolt from the Freedom Tower in New York from Silverstein Properties.
•In July 2014 First Minister Peter Robinson received a small travelling prayer mat, small ornament and copy of the Koran from Belfast Islamic Centre.
BOOKS
•In October 2008 former Culture Minister Gregory Campbell was given two books on BBC Radio personality `Uncle Hugo’ by Blackstaff Press.
•In February 2009 Culture Minister Gregory Campbell, while hosting a reception for the GAA, was given two books on gaelic football by Tyrone GAA.
•In February deputy First Minister 2010 Martin McGuinness received a book entitled “Barack Obama – The Inaugural Address 2009” from former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
•In November 2012 Education Minister John O’Dowd received Irish language materials from the Council for the Curriculum examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on a Ministerial visit.
CLOTHING
•In October 2010 First Minister Peter Robinson received a neck tie from Hilary Clinton.
•In February 2012 Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster received a Manchester City football shirt from Etihad. In April 2012 deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and First Minister Peter Robinson also received Man City football shirts.
•In December 2012 the First Minister Peter Robinson and the deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness received clothing described as an “Alicia Adams Alpaca” from Hilary Clinton.
•In December 2013 Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín received two Ulster and Toronto Chieftains GAA tee shirts from the GAA.