Press Releases

Press Release re Report on Dáil General Election 2011

Date Released: 18.10.2011

Press Release

Report on Dáil General Election 2011

Figures released by the Standards Commission in a report to the Ceann Comhairle show that election expenses of €9.28m were disclosed by candidates and political parties at the 2011 general election, a decrease of almost 16% on the €11.08m figure reported for the 2007 election, even though there were 100 additional candidates in 2011.

The highest expenditure was reported on behalf of Fine Gael and its candidates at €3,120,238. This was followed by:

• Fianna Fáil €2,138,793
• The Labour Party €1,956,813
• Non-Party €1,141,176
• Sinn Féin €496,928
• The Green Party €241,789
• Socialist Party €85,124
• People before Profit Alliance €47,757
• Christian Solidarity €20,114
• South Kerry Independent Alliance €15,347
• The Workers Party €11,987

These figures represent reported expenditure on property, goods or services used for election purposes during the election period. The election period began with the dissolution of the Dáil on 1 February 2011 and ended on polling day on 25 February 2011. Expenditure on property, goods or services not used during this period was not required to be accounted for.

No candidate is reported to have exceeded the statutory expenditure limits. The limits for the 2011 general election were €30,150 (3 seater), €37,650 (4 seater) and €45,200 (5 seater).

327 candidates qualified for reimbursement of election expenses and the total certified for payment to date is €2,503,857.

Dáil General Election 2011 - reported expenditure met from public funds

The Commission has previously commented (in its 2006 Annual Report and subsequent reports) that the use of public funds for electoral purposes is a major issue which requires to be re-evaluated in consideration of future changes to the electoral law. This arises through the use of services and facilities which continue post-dissolution of the Dáil, i.e., secretarial staff, use of office and IT equipment, access to Leinster House offices and use of telephone and copying facilities. The reported returns reinforce the Commission's case for removal of the "self assessment" element of the present system. The Commission believes it would be fairer if access to Oireachtas facilities were to cease on dissolution.

Dáil General Election 2011 - donations disclosed by unsuccessful candidates

Donations with a total value of €285,618 were disclosed by 102 unsuccessful candidates. Candidates who are elected are required to furnish a Donation Statement to the Standards Commission before 31 January 2012 disclosing donations valued at more than €634.87 received in 2011.

The unsuccessful candidates disclosing the highest donations were:

1. Daly, Martin (NP) Mayo €17,166
2. Haskins, Dylan (NP) Dublin South East €14,098
3. O'Toole, Larry (SF) Dublin North East €10,691
4. Flynn, Mannix (NP) Dublin South East €9,097
5. O'Donnabhain, Dáithí (FF) Cork North West €9,050
6. D'Arcy, Michael (FG) Wexford €8,900
7. Breathnach, Declan (FF) Louth €7,950
8. Sexton, Raymond (NP) Dublin North East €7,400
9. Dillon, John (NP) Limerick €7,000
10. Mulvihill, John (Lab) Cork East €6,300
11. Moran, Kevin (Boxer) (NP) Longford/Westmeath €6,000
12. Hogan, Liam (Lab) Cavan/Monaghan €5,780
13. O'Brien, Darragh (FF) Dublin North €5,300
14. Aylward, Bobby (FF) Carlow/Kilkenny €5,250
15. Gilroy, John (Lab) Cork North Central €5,050.

The Standards Commission has referred 23 files to the Gardaí/DPP in relation to contraventions of the Act at the election. Further files may be referred by the Standards Commission to the Gardaí/DPP.

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