Annual Report 2002

Electoral Acts, 1997 to 2002 (Electoral Acts)

Under the Electoral Acts, the Standards Commission is responsible for supervising those elements of the legislation which relate to limits and disclosure of political donations, limits on spending at Dáil, European Parliament and presidential elections, reimbursement of certain candidates' election expenses and Exchequer funding of political parties. With the exception of statements from financial institutions and certificates of monetary donations, which are excluded from public display by the legislation, all of the statements furnished to the Standards Commission relating to donations, election spending and Exchequer funding can be inspected and copied by the public at the office of the Standards Commission. They can also be viewed, in summary form, on its website (www.sipo.ie). The fact that access to this material is required to be made available to the public is regarded by the Standards Commission as a hugely important element of the legislation.

In this part of the report the Standards Commission outlines its activities during 2002 in relation to the general elections to Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. A summary is provided of donations disclosed by unsuccessful candidates at the above elections. The activities of third parties and accounting units are described. Details are given of donations disclosed by TDs, Senators, MEPs and political parties in 2002. In addition, a breakdown is provided of Exchequer funding for 2002 received by political parties and an account is provided of how the funding received by parties for 2001 was used.

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