13/12/07 - Report on disclosure of donations and election expenses at Dáil general election of 2007

3.11 - Receipt of National Agents' Election Expenses Statement forms

Five of the nine Election Expenses Statements furnished by national agents were received within the statutory deadline of 19 July 2007. Election Expenses Statements from the Labour Party and the Progressive Democrats were received on 20 July 2007. On 31 July 2007, the Standards Commission wrote to the national agents of Fine Gael and The Workers Party drawing their attention to the fact that an Election Expenses Statement had not been received and advising them that it is an offence to fail to furnish an Election Expenses Statement by the statutory deadline. An Election Expenses Statement was received from the national agent of Fine Gael on 1 August 2007. On 8 and 27 August 2007 the Standards Commission sent reminders to the national agent of the Workers Party, Mr. John Lowry, regarding his Election Expenses Statement which was still outstanding. The reminder of 27 August informed Mr. Lowry that if an Election Expenses Statement was not received within seven days, the Standards Commission would consider referring the matter to the DPP. The Election Expenses Statement was subsequently received on 27 August (after the Standards Commission's letter had issued).

In accordance with section 4(1) of the Act, the Standards Commission considered these Election Expenses Statements. National agents were required to account for national spending and spending on individual candidates. While there were queries raised and some corrections required the Standards Commission received good co-operation from the national agents in amending and returning their Election Expenses Statements.

Election Expenses totalling €11,082,313.10 were disclosed by candidates' election agents and the national agents of political parties. "Nil" Election Expenses Statements were furnished in respect of 11 (nine Non Party, one CSP and one GP). Details of the expenditure incurred by candidates and political parties is contained in the following Appendices to this report:

• Appendix 2 - Summary of expenditure on individual candidates (alphabetically) (pdf 270kb)
• Appendix 3 - Summary of expenditure by political parties (pdf 28kb)
• Appendix 4 - Summary of total expenditure by candidates and political parties (pdf 31kb)

Back to contents