Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of running the European elections and by elections on 5 June 2009, with an outline of the main items of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to his Department of European election 2009. [19228/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 137 together.

The legislative position governing expenditure on elections is mainly the statutory responsibility of the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Arising from the statutory position election expenses are charged against the Central Fund under in 3 main headings –

· Expenses of running the elections which comprises of necessary costs including poll/counting staff costs, storage of equipment, preparation and provision of polling stations, clerical and travel expenses and various fees;

· Charges by An Post for delivery of various material including election communications from parties/candidates, ballot papers for postal voters and polling cards; and

· Candidates' expenses subject to statutory limits.

The cost of the 2007 General Election was €31.6m and the cost of the 2008 Referendum was €16.3m. While it is difficult to estimate accurately the cost of the upcoming elections, it is estimated that they will cost in the region of €25-€30m with postal charges estimated at €12m and the remainder the running expenses of the election and the candidates' expenses.