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

B. Main functions of an election agent

2.5 The election agent is the key link for the Standards Commission in relation to expenditure incurred on the candidate's behalf at the election. He/she should be comfortable with handling money and keeping accounts.

2.6 The main function of the election agent is to authorise and control spending connected to the candidate's election campaign and to account for such spending.

2.7 Subject to what is stated at paragraphs 2.8 and 2.9 below, the election agent is the only person who may incur expenditure or make payments on behalf of the candidate. All invoices, receipts or vouchers must be provided to the election agent and retained by him/her for the purposes of completing his/her Election Expenses Statement.

2.8 A candidate cannot incur any expenses or make any payments in relation to the election campaign without being authorised to do so by the election agent. It is an offence for a candidate to incur expenses or make payments, other than in respect of "his or her reasonable living expenses", unless authorised to do so by the election agent. (See paragraph 2.36(ii) below for an explanation of what is meant by "reasonable living expenses".) Where expenses have been incurred by or on behalf of a candidate before the appointment of an election agent, the candidate must furnish details of such expenses, together with all invoices/receipts, to the election agent once he/she has been appointed. It is an offence for a candidate to fail to comply with this requirement.

2.9 The election agent may authorise other persons to incur expenditure or make payments within specified financial limits. The election agent must account for spending by all such authorised persons. Expenses incurred or payments made by authorised persons must be within the limit specified by the election agent. An election agent may authorise the candidate or the national agent of the candidate's political party (if applicable) to incur election expenses. The name and address of every authorised person will have to be included in the Election Expenses Statement, which the election agent must furnish to the Standards Commission after the election.

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