Dáil bye-elections 2009

K. Offences and penalties applicable to a national agent at the election

3.32 It is an offence for a political party to fail to furnish to the national agent relevant details of expenses incurred before the appointment of the national agent.

3.33 If a person who is not authorised to do so incurs expenditure or makes a payment in relation to the election, he/she can be fined up to €1,269.74, on conviction.

3.34 Payment of claims received more than 45 days after polling day (i.e. after 20 July 2009) can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

3.35 Failure to make such enquiries and maintain such records as are necessary for the purpose of furnishing an Election Expenses Statement and making a Statutory Declaration may result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

3.36 Failure to furnish an Election Expenses Statement and Statutory Declaration to the Standards Commission by the statutory deadline (i.e. by 31 July 2009) can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74 and an on-going fine of up to €126.97 per day for each day, after a conviction, on which the Statement and Declaration are still outstanding.

3.37 Failure to provide supplementary information relating to an Election Expenses Statement as requested by the Standards Commission can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

3.38 A fine of up to €1,269.74 is the penalty when a national agent is found guilty of the offence of breaching the expenditure limit.

3.39 Knowingly furnishing a false or misleading Election Expenses Statement to the Standards Commission can result in a fine of up to €25,394.76 and/or up to 3 years imprisonment.

3.40 Failure to furnish to the Standards Commission, within 7 days after the date of the order, a copy of a court order for the payment of a disputed claim may result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

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