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2024 General Election Guidelines
From Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO)
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The Standards in Public Office Commission has published guidelines for candidates, election agents, national agents of political parties and other persons to ensure compliance with legislation for the General Election.
The Guidelines relate to areas such as disclosure of political donations, prohibited donations, limits on election spending and reimbursement of election expenses.
Guidelines for the General Election to the 34th Dáil Candidates and Election Agents
Guidelines for the General Election to the 34th Dáil Candidates and Election Agents
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Guidelines for the General Election to the 34th Dáil Candidates and Election Agents
Guidelines for the General Election to the 34th Dáil Candidates and Election Agents
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Returning Officer Forms
| 8 November 2024 to 29 November 2024 (inclusive) | Election Period |
| €58,350 | Spending Limit for a 5 seat Constituency |
| €48,600 | Spending Limit for a 4 seat Constituency |
| €38,900 | Spending Limit for a 3 seat Constituency |
| 13 January 2025 | Claims for payment of election expenses, from suppliers, must be received by the election agent by this date |
| 24 January 2025 | Date by which all Election Statements must be furnished to the Standards Commission (applies to successful and unsuccessful candidates). |
| 24 January 2025 | Date by which unsuccessful candidates must furnish to the Standards Commission their Donation Statements, Certificate of Monetary Donations and Bank Statements. |
| 31 January 2025 | Date by which all TDs (i.e. successful candidates in the election) must furnish to the Standards Commission their annual returns, including donation statements, certificate of monetary donations, and bank statements. |
| €11,200 | Maximum amount of reimbursement of allowable election expenses that a qualifying candidate may claim. |
The Standards Commission receives queries concerning the use of Oireachtas facilities, including Oireachtas envelopes by TDs and Senators, particularly in the lead up to an election.
It has made it clear on a number of occasions in the past that use of Oireachtas envelopes and other Oireachtas facilities for electoral purposes by Members (other than in a Dáil general election campaign) and the supply of such facilities to others in any circumstances is inappropriate.
In the following explanatory note, the Standards Commission sets out the position both in general terms and also with specific regard to the position in the lead up to a dissolution of the Dáil and after its dissolution in respect of which particular rules apply.
Proper use of public resources in elections - 2024 general election
Proper use of public resources in elections - 2024 general election
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The Standards in Public Office Commission receives a number of queries regarding communications made to election candidates, and whether they are regarded as lobbying activities. The guidance note through the link below provides information in this regard.
The Standards Commission recently published a note on the Code for the Conduct of Electoral Investigations. This notes provides clarity on how investigations into potential breaches and offences under the Electoral Act will be conducted.
The note refers to TDs, Senators, MEPs, the Mayor of Limerick, political parties, candidates at Dáil, Seanad, European, Limerick Mayoral and Presidential elections, election agents, national agents, third parties, ‘other persons’ and donors/corporate donors, and covers the investigation of statutory returns each elections candidate, election agent, national agent, and other persons may have in respect of the 2024 General Election.
Code for the Conduct of Electoral Investigations
Code for the Conduct of Electoral Investigations
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Corporate donors who intend to donate to election candidates or parties for the 2024 general election should be aware that the maximum you can donate as a non-registered corporate donor is €200. If you intend to donate more than €200 to any candidate or party, you must first register with the Commission and be approved on our list of registered Corporate Donors prior to making this donation.
Third Parties are defined under the Electoral act as organisation, other than those of registered political parties, who accept €100 or more for political purposes. Organisations who received donations of this amount or more have statutory obligations to make annual returns to the Commission, providing details of political donations they have received.