Guidelines for the general election to the 30th Dáil

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

3.35   It is an offence for a political party to fail to furnish to the national agent, in sufficient time to enable the agent to carry out his/her duties, relevant details of expenses incurred before the appointment of the national agent. 

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

3.37   Payment of claims received more than 45 days after polling day can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

3.38   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.

3.39   Failure to furnish an Election Expenses Statement and Statutory Declaration to the Standards Commission by the statutory deadline 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.

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

3.41   The penalty if a national agent is found guilty of the offence of breaching the expenditure limit is a fine of up to €1,269.74. 

3.42   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.

3.43   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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