Guidelines for the European Parliament Elections 2009

May 2009

Published by the Standards in Public Office Commission under section 4(6)(a) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended.

 

Standards in Public Office Commission
Tel: (01) 639 5666
Fax: (01) 639 5684
email: sipo@sipo.gov.ie
Website: http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/

Contact names and numbers in the Standards in Public Office Commission secretariat for urgent enquiries outside office hours

Aidan Moore - 087 9175186
Paddy Walsh - 087 9794748
David Waddell - 087 2329814

  Guidelines for the European Elections (pdf, 246 kb)

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Candidates

Candidates

A. Appointment of an election agent

B. Assignment of a portion of a candidate's statutory spending limit to his/her political party (if contesting the election as a party candidate)

C. Keeping a record of donations received in relation to the election

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

E. Prohibited Donations

F. Persons who may be incurring unauthorised expenditure to promote/oppose candidates at the election

G. Furnishing the required statutory documentation after the election

H. Claiming a reimbursement of election expenses by eligible candidates

I. Offences and penalties applicable to candidates at the election

Chapter 2 - Candidates' Election Agents

Candidates' Election Agents - Introduction

A. Appointment as an election agent

B. Main functions of an election agent

C. Spending limits for the election

D. Assignment by a candidate of a portion of his/her statutory spending limit to his/her political party (if contesting the election as a party candidate)

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

F. Persons who may be incurring unauthorised expenditure to promote or oppose candidates at the election

G. What are election expenses?

H. What are not election expenses?

I. Payment of invoices to suppliers

J. Furnishing an Election Expenses Statement after the election

K. Consequences of overspending by an election agent

L. Offences and penalties applicable to election agents at the election

Chapter 3 - National Agents

National Agents - Introduction

A. Appointment of a national agent

B. Assignments by candidates to a political party

C. Spending by the national agent

D. Persons incurring unauthorised expenditure to promote or oppose candidates at the election

E. "The Election Period"; F. What are election expenses; and G.What are not election expenses

H. Payment of invoices to suppliers

I. Furnishing an Election Expenses Statement after the election

J. Consequences of overspending by the national agent

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

Chapter 4 - Third Parties, Other Persons and Publishers

Third Parties, Other Persons and Publishers - Introduction

A. What is a "Third Party" and an "Other Person"

B. Statutory requirements of a Third Party with regard to receipt of donations.

C. Statutory requirements of a Third Party and Other Person with regard to incurring election expenses

D. What are election expenses

E. Payment of invoices to suppliers

F. Election Expenses Statements

G. Requirements for publishers under section 31(10) of the Electoral Act, 1997

H. Offences and Penalties applicable to third parties with regard to the receipt of donations

I. Offences and Penalties applicable to third parties and other persons with regard to incurring election expenses

Appendix 1 - Definitions

Appendix 2 - Fund-raising events

Appendix 3 - Items which are not election expenses and which were included in Election Expenses Statements at previous elections

  Appendix 4 - Sample Election Expenses Statement form for European election 2009 (pdf, 49 kb)