Annual Report 2007

Costs for 2007

The table below outlines the expenditure attributed to the Standards Commission in 2007. The figures for 2006 are also shown for comparison purposes. The expenditure is provided for in Subhead B of Vote 18 [Ombudsman].

	2006 €'000	2007 €'000
Staff Salaries	675	737
Travel and Expenses	4	14
Incidental Expenses	112	141
Postal Telecommunications	18	25
Office Machinery and Other Office Supplies	64	31
Office Premises	35	39
Consultancy and Legal Fees	19	107
Total	927	1,094

The overall costs in 2007 are up on the 2006 figures, mainly because of the additional costs associated with the supervision of the Dáil and Seanad general elections in 2007 and a formal investigation conducted under the Ethics Act in 2007.

The increase in Travel and Expenses was as a result of the programme of regional visits undertaken by staff of the Standards Commission in relation to the Dáil general election, as outlined earlier in this report.

The figure for Incidental Expenses includes the cost of a public notice in national newspapers and certain magazines drawing attention to the statutory obligations attaching to third parties and other persons campaigning at the Dáil general election. A public notice was also placed in the national newspapers in relation to the Standards Commission's investigation in the Killarney case.

The increase under the Postal and Telecommunications heading is attributable to the Dáil and Seanad general elections.

The increase in Consultancy and Legal Fees reflects the fact that the Standards Commission conducted a formal investigation under the Ethics Act in 2007 which included additional legal costs.

Back to contents