Peter Kelly (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

This legislation puts a limit for the first time on what candidates can spend at local elections. As a former councillor of 20 years standing, I believe this will help to develop a level playing field. Furthermore, it replicates the transparency achieved in general elections since 1997, when I first had the privilege of being elected to the Dáil. These limits take a measured approach and candidates will still be able to mount reasonable campaigns. This is particularly the case for new candidates who are eager to create a profile for themselves. At the same time, however, the limits ensure that no single candidate is at an unfair advantage due to his or her financial circumstances.

Some people believe there is a connection between the amount a candidate spends and the number of votes he or she gets, but I disagree. In all my years in public life, I have found that the amount of doors knocked and miles walked is the best indication of electoral success. A candidate can put his or her face on thousands of posters throughout a constituency but if he or she is not available to the community through clinics and correspondence with constituents, he or she will not get elected.

The political system in the United States of America puts much greater emphasis on fundraising. The unique way in which President Barack Obama raised funds for his presidential campaign is well documented. He received millions of dollars in small donations from individual Americans. Much of this money was pledged through his website. Will we see more of this kind of fundraising in this country?

The issue of where candidates find their money is vital. Greater emphasis needs to be put on regulating donations. Issues arose in this regard during the Lisbon treaty referendum. I welcomed the Taoiseach's announcement at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis of new proposals relating to transparency in regard to political fund raising and spending for referenda. It is vital, in the interests of democracy, that the rules and controls applying to political parties are applied to groups that campaign to influence elections and referenda.

Details of spending limits were announced on 10 February and we are currently discussing the Bill dealing with these matters. A sliding scale with four separate spending limits, based on population within each electoral area, will apply in the 34 county and city councils. A top limit of €15,000 will apply in the most populated areas. Limits of €13,000, €11,500 and €9,750 will apply in respect of candidates in other county and city council electoral areas depending on population. Owing to the different administrative responsibilities, a standard spending limit will apply to all 80 borough and town councils. Candidates contesting election to these local authorities will be, in all cases, subject to a spending limit of €7,500.

The legislation provides that the spending limit will commence 60 days prior to polling day and will end on polling day. Spending during this period by candidates and political parties will be covered under the new scheme and such spending must be declared in statements of election expenditure. While up to now all local election candidates were required to submit a declaration of election expenditure, no limit applied. Candidates will continue to submit spending returns to their local authority and will be required to comply with the new spending limits.

Building upon the existing system of election expenditure declarations by local election candidates will minimise complexity and maximise compliance with the new spending limits. It is quite common for candidates to contest a county council, borough and town election. In this regard, candidates will be permitted to spend the full amount in respect of the county council election plus one-quarter of the limit of the borough or town council. The spending limit for local elections will, in the first instance, apply to individual candidates. Candidates nominated by a political party will be automatically deemed to allocate 10% of their limit for use by the party's national agent. However, scope exists to vary this figure upwards or downwards by way of written agreement between the candidates and party.

There are 34 county and city councils which, in turn, are broken down into 171 local electoral areas. The top limit of €15,000 will apply in the 43 most populated areas; the €13,000 limit will apply in 38 electoral areas; the €11,500 will apply in 66 electoral areas and, the lowest limit of €9,750 will apply in 24 county and city councils. The spending limit of €7,500 will apply to all 80 borough and town councils. The spending limits are evidenced based and have been informed by stakeholder consultation with local government representation on the basis of limits for general elections, past spending patterns and, in particular, characteristics of local government in Ireland. Guidelines for candidates and others affected by the spending limits are currently being prepared by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and will be issued through local authorities.

On printing, I appeal to all political parties and candidates to have their posters, leaflets and so on printed locally in Ireland. Irish printers are the best. They produce good quality, state-of-the-art work and will not be beaten on price. Also, I request while I have this opportunity, that all Departments use Irish printers rather than merely paying lip-service to this request. Members should check all printed material to see where it has been printed. If not printed in Ireland, they should ask why that is the case. All costs should be included in the price. For example, the cost of sending abroad material for printing should include the cost of travelling to inspect same.

On posters, the name, address, contact, fax number and e-mail address of the printer should be displayed on all posters as should the name, address and so on of whomever ordered and paid for the posters.

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