European election spending limits raised by 17%

The spending limit for candidates in the forthcoming European Parliament elections has been increased by over 17 per cent to €230,000, the Standards in Public Office Commission announced today.

The levels are set by Ministerial Order.

For the last European Parliament election in 1999 the limit was set at £150,000 (€190,000).

Under the rules, candidates representing a particular political party can assign all or part of their spending limit to the party, but a party is only allowed to spend the total assigned to it.

Overall spending on any one candidate cannot rise above €230,000. If candidates are elected or receive one quarter of the quota, they are entitled to a refund of expenses from the Exchequer of up to €38,092.14.

Any reference to a candidate or party's European campaign in material produced in connection with the local election and citizenship referendum, which are also being held on June 11th, must be taken into account in relation to the European spending limit.

Local election spending limits are controlled by individual local authorities. Candidates are required to disclose their spending if requested.

Spending in the 2002 General Election exceeded €9 million.