The country's six biggest political parties received almost €13 million in taxpayer funding last year.

The public ethics watchdog, SIPO says the figure is down slightly on 2012.

Fine Gael received the biggest payout, of just under €5 million - while Labour received over 3 million, Fianna Fáil over 2.8 million, and Sinn Féin 1.8 million.

The Socialist Party and the People Before Profit Alliance also received taxpayer funding.

Parties receive taxpayer funding and allowances based on their results in general elections, to help them with the costs of running TDs' offices.