Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to update electoral law in view of the impact of digital spending in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22544/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While I am aware of the current trends, both in Ireland and internationally, in the growth of expenditure on digital advertising over the other more traditional forms of media advertising, I have no proposals to amend the Electoral Acts in relation to spending limits that apply at elections at this point in time.

It can be seen from the statements of election expenses furnished to the Standards in Public Office Commission, by political parties and candidates, which are published on the Commission's website, that expenditure on digital advertising, on various social media platforms, was a feature of the 2016 general election.  I expect that such expenditure will continue to be a feature of election campaigns should current global trends continue.

The Electoral Acts, including provisions in relation to spending limits and the composition of election expenses, are subject to ongoing review in order to ensure that a robust and modern legal framework for political funding is maintained as a cornerstone in support of the operation of our democratic system.  The statutory limits on election spending have been the subject of change in the past and will be kept under review in the context of future elections.