Guidelines for the general election to the 30th Dáil

E. "The Election Period" - Dates between which the spending limit applies

2.20   The spending limit at the election applies to all expenses incurred and payments made in providing property, goods or services which are used for electoral purposes during the period from the date of the dissolution of the Dáil up until polling day itself, both dates included.  This is known as the election period.

2.21  Regardless of when the expenses are incurred or the payments are made, they must be accounted for if they relate to property, goods or services which are used for electoral purposes during the election period.  Accordingly, expenses which are incurred or payments which are made at any time before the date of dissolution of the Dáil on property, goods or services which are used during the election period must be accounted for.

2.22  If expenses are incurred or payments are made on property, goods or services which were intended to be used but were not used, or only a part was used, during the election period it will not be necessary to account for the unused part.  Similarly, it will not be necessary to account for expenses incurred or payments made in respect of property, goods or services which were used before the date of dissolution of the Dáil or which were used after polling day.  Some examples of this might be:

• promotional material circulated by candidates/political parties before the election period commenced;  
• insurance or rent costs applying to a campaign premises in so far as the costs relate to a period before and/or after the election period;
• "Thank you" notices circulated after the election.

2.23     If an advertisement is published in a newspaper or other publication which carries a publication date which is during the election period, the advertisement is regarded as an election expense.  If the publication date is before or after the election period, the advertisement is not regarded as an election expense.

2.24    The cost of an opinion poll or other similar survey which is taken within the period of 60 days before polling day is regarded as an election expense.

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