Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the official campaign period for the upcoming local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12239/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Section 12B of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 provides that the period for the reckoning of election expenses, during which spending limits apply, shallcommence on a date between 50 and 60 days prior to polling dayand end on polling day. The date of commencement of the spending period will beset out in an order made by me, as Minister, before the election.Election spending incurred during this period must be reported to the local authority concerned and must be below the specified spending limits.

Section 31(3)(a) of the Electoral Act 1997 provides that the period for the reckoning of election expenses at a European Parliament election shall commence on the date of the order appointing polling day and end on polling day. Election spending incurred during this period must be reported to the Standards in Public Office Commission and must be below the specified spending limit. Section 10 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 provides that the order appointing polling day shall be made by me, as Minister,not less than 50 days before polling day.

In advance of the local and European Parliament elections scheduled for May 23, 2014 I will make the necessary orders having regard to the statutory provisions identified.