Annual Report 2007

Seanad general election 2007

In accordance with Article 18.8 of the Constitution, a general election for the Seanad must take place not later than ninety days after a dissolution of the Dáil. Ballot papers for panel members were issued on 9 July 2007 and the poll closed on 23 July 2007. Ballot papers for the university constituencies were issued on 19 June 2007 and the poll closed on 24 July 2007. 158 candidates contested the election (123 Panel candidates and 35 University candidates).

The provisions of the Electoral Acts regarding the disclosure and limitation of donations applied to all candidates at the Seanad general election. There are no limits on spending at a Seanad election and candidates are not required to account for their election expenses. Unsuccessful candidates at the Seanad general election were required, within 56 days after the day on which the poll closed, to furnish to the Standards Commission a Donation Statement and accompanying documentation. Details of all donations, with a value greater than €634.87, received by unsuccessful candidates in relation to the election were required to be disclosed. Successful candidates at the election were required, as members of Seanad Éireann, to furnish an annual Donation Statement and accompanying documentation to the Standards Commission by 31 January 2008.

The Standards Commission furnished a report on the Seanad general election to the Ceann Comhairle on 7 February 2008. The report showed that 16 of the 105 unsuccessful candidates who were required to furnish a Donation Statement disclosed a donation exceeding €634.87 in value while 89 unsuccessful candidates furnished a "nil" Donation Statement. In all, donations totalling €48,216.25 were disclosed. (Four unsuccessful candidates who were subsequently nominated to the Seanad by An Taoiseach were not required to complete a Donation Statement as unsuccessful candidates. These candidates were required to complete a Donation Statement for 2007 as Members of Seanad Éireann.)

A copy of the Standards Commission's report on the Seanad election is available on its website.

Back to contents