Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 3, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:

"(b) in subsection (1)(b) by inserting the following after subparagraph (ix)—

"(x) expenditure incurred in preparing or publishing material on the internet, where the material was published prior to the period during which election expenses are to be calculated under this Act.".".

The purpose of this amendment is to deal with what might be termed either an anomaly or an oversight in the Bill. I am of the view that expenditure relating to material published on the Internet would have to be either included or excluded during election periods. A situation might arise where the costs relating to an entire website might be inappropriately included in a candidate's election spending. As the Minister is aware, many websites of this nature have been in operation for years and contain massive archives of material, which would relate to matters far more wide-ranging in scope than elections. I ask him to consider accepting the amendment in order that candidates would not be obliged to pay huge sums of money which might prevent them from seeking election.

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