Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a date has been set for the local and European elections. [2553/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The timing of European Parliament elections is determined by the EU Council of Ministers by reference to the period corresponding to the first direct elections in 1979. Accordingly, they are held within a specified four-day period in June every five years subsequent to 1979. The Council announced in June 2008 that the 2009 European Parliament elections will take place between 4 and 7 June 2009.

Each member state must fix a polling date within this period and, although a formal decision has not been made in the matter, I expect that, as on previous occasions, polling at the European Parliament and local elections will take place on the same day in June 2009. I will make a statement in relation to polling day as soon as possible.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce campaign spending limits for the local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I intend to bring forward proposals in the near future for legislative change to allow for the introduction of spending limits at local elections and to have the limits in place for the local elections to be held in June 2009. Section 33 of the Electoral Act 1997 and the related order (the Electoral Act 1997 (Section 3) Order 2004) provides for the limitation of election expenses at European elections.