Report re spending at Dáil General Election of 2002 (Text)

Chapter 3 Definition of what constitutes election expenses

Section 31(1) of the Electoral Acts provides that election expenses are those and only those set out in paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Electoral Acts, which are incurred on the provision of property, goods or services for use at the election during the election period (see Chapter 5 below for a definition of the election period) in order:

(i) to promote or oppose the interests of a political party or the election of a candidate, or

(ii) to present the policies of a political party or the comments of a political party on the policies of another political party or a candidate at the election, or

(iii) to solicit votes for or against a candidate at an election, or

(iv) to present the policies of a candidate or the views of a candidate on any matter connected with the election or the comments of a candidate on the policies of a political party or another candidate at the election, or

(v) otherwise to influence the outcome of the election.

The provision of property, goods or services free or below cost which are used at the election during the election period is regarded as an election expense which must be accounted for at full commercial price, subject to an allowance for any normal or general discount.

The expenses set out in paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Electoral Acts are as follows:

(a) Advertising (whatever the medium used).

Expenses in respect of such advertising include agency fees, design costs and other costs incurred in connection with preparing, producing, distributing or otherwise disseminating such advertising.

(b) Publicity.

Expenses in respect of that matter include expenses incurred in respect of party political broadcasts, the provision of any services or facilities in connection with press conferences or other dealings with the media, media advice and training and photography.

(c) Election posters.

Expenses in respect of such material include the costs of the design, production, printing, erection and removal of election posters.

(d) Other election material.

Expenses in respect of such material include the design, production, printing and dissemination of such material (other than posters), including canvas cards, election leaflets, election manifestos, newsletters and other promotional election material.

(e) Office and stationery.

Expenses in respect of those matters include costs incurred in the rental or use of an office premises or meeting rooms for election purposes (other than for the purposes of annual or other party conferences) and the costs of heating, electricity, insurance, purchase or rental of office equipment, telephones, stationery and postage.

(f) Transport and travel.

Expenses in respect of those matters include expenses incurred on transport and travel (by any means), petrol and diesel, rental or use of campaign vehicles, rental or use of vehicles for transport of voters on polling day, accommodation costs, taxi and hackney services and courier services.

(g) Market research.

Expenses in respect of that matter include expenses incurred in the taking of an opinion poll or other similar survey relating to an election within the period of 60 days before polling day at the election (which in the case of the Dáil general election was 18 March 2002) by or on behalf of a political party, a political group or a candidate at the election.

(h) Campaign workers.

Expenses in respect of that matter include payments to campaign workers, insurance and other costs.

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