Guidelines for the general election to the 30th Dáil

D. Opening and maintaining a political donations account when required to do so

1.20  If a candidate receives, in any particular calendar year a monetary donation for political purposes the value of which exceeds €126.97, he/she must open and maintain an account in a financial institution in the State.  The candidate must lodge that donation and any further such monetary donations, of whatever value, received by him/her to that account.  The account should be separate from any other personal account held by the candidate.  A credit union is not regarded as a "financial institution" for the purposes of the legislation.

1.21  If a candidate already operates a political donations account it is not necessary to open a separate account specifically for the general election.  All monetary donations however, of whatever value, received in relation to the election must be lodged to the account.

1.22  It should be noted that a candidate who is elected will have an ongoing requirement as a member of Dáil Éireann to maintain his/her political donations account and will be required, on an annual basis, to furnish documentation relating to the account to the Standards Commission.

Back to contents