Guidelines for the Dáil bye-elections in Dublin South and Dublin Central in 2009

I. Offences and penalties applicable to candidates at the election

1.59 It is an offence by the candidate to fail to furnish to the election agent relevant details of expenses incurred before the appointment of an election agent, in sufficient time to enable the agent to carry out his/her duties.

1.60 After an election agent has been appointed, it is an offence for a candidate to incur election expenses unless authorised to do so by his/her election agent or the national agent of his/her political party.

1.61 Knowingly accepting a prohibited donation, referred to in paragraph 1.32 above, may result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

1.62 Failure to take the appropriate action in relation to a prohibited donation as specified in paragraph 1.25 (anonymous donations), or paragraph 1.26 (foreign donations), or paragraph 1.28 (donations in excess of the prescribed limit) may result in a fine of €1,269.74

1.63 Failure to furnish to the Standards Commission a Donation Statement, Certificate of Monetary Donations or a statement from a financial institution, within the statutory deadline (i.e. by 31 July 2009) may result in a fine of up to €1,269.74. In addition, there can be an on-going fine of up to €126.97 per day for each day, after a conviction, on which the above statutory documentation is still outstanding.

1.64 Knowingly furnishing to the Standards Commission a Donation Statement or Statutory Declaration, Certificate of Monetary Donations, or a statement of a financial institution, which is false or misleading may result in a fine of up to €25,394.76 and/or up to 3 years imprisonment.

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