Mr. Paddy Walsh:

For Deputy Catherine Murphy's information, as long ago as 2003 the Standards in Public Office Commission raised the issue of election spending and the election period and what it was appropriate to cover. As the Deputy probably is aware, it covers the period from the date on which an election is called until polling day, whereas a lot of money is front-loaded in the weeks in advance of that period. In particular, when it is known that an election will take place, there will be a lot of front-loading. As I said, the commission raised this issue as long ago as 2003. It is also important to note that during the years the commission has raised the issue of the absence of teeth in the electoral legislation. It can write to individuals about various aspects of what we suspect they are doing, but they can ignore us completely and there is no sanction for their failing to respond to us. Obviously, we will suggest to any electoral commission that were it to consider all of the recommendations made in the past 12 years, it would be starting from a good point to be encompassed in any new legislation.