Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps the Standards in Public Office Commission will take to address digital spending in election campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22543/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC) administer the Electoral Acts, which provide, inter alia, for the regulation of donations and expenses during Dáil, Seanad, European and Presidential elections.

The Electoral Acts provide that election expenditure relates only to expenses incurred and payments made in providing property, goods or services which are used for electoral purposes during the period commencing on the date of the dissolution of the Dáil and ending on polling day itself. Expenditure outside of this timeframe is not covered by electoral rules.  Thresholds for spending in constituencies are based on the number of seats. As long as the threshold is respected, it is for candidates and their agents to determine how to spend their resources. This may include print and broadcast media, expenditure on posters, and digital campaigns among others. Reimbursement of expenses from the Exchequer is capped and only applies to specific types of expenditures.

SIPOC also oversees the Register of Third Parties, for individuals and organisations, other than political parties, that accept donations for political purposes and may engage in political campaigns. Third parties who accept a donation above a certain threshold given for political purposes must register with SIPOC and submit annual returns.

SIPOC is an independent statutory body and, as such, is not accountable to my Department in the performance of its functions. However, I am advised that, at every election, SIPOC issues guidelines to candidates, election agents and political parties regarding acceptable donations and expenditures during an election campaign and that these guidelines set out what is or is not considered acceptable.

I am also advised that SIPOC is aware that new and evolving technologies may impact election activities. While all expenditures, including expenditure on digital media, are subject to the provisions of the Acts, some digital activities related to an election may fall outside of their scope, including, for example, social media engagement by individuals.