Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the principle of this Bill. It is very important to have strict spending limits for all elections. In the last election, I was vastly outspent by the Labour Party. I had no billboard or glossy advertisements on the side of the newspaper bins outside shops across the constituency, unlike the Labour Party. The idea that Fianna Fáil spends all the money, or that money gets one elected, is not always correct.

I have a concern that the spending limits are far too high. I appreciate that the Minister entered into consultation with the environment committee, but I do not know what went on as I am not a member of that committee. A limit of €7,500 for a town or borough council election is far too high. The largest borough council is in Drogheda, which is where I am from, even though I do not represent most of it. Around 500 votes would get a candidate elected to Drogheda Borough Council and I cannot think of anyone who would want to spend €7,500 on an election for a seat on that council.

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