Winning elections is all about using funds wisely

It’s show time again. The party machines have revved up. The soundbites have been polished off. The candidates are out on the road pressing the flesh, occasionally taking time out to gaze up admiringly at their images on their posters.

Many candidates can expect to cough up well in excess of €10,000 each in the search for that coveted lifetime car space in Leinster House.

Since 2007, Ireland’s system of campaign funding has been overhauled, but there remain glitches in the system and certain parties, particularly Sinn Féin and Fine Gael, appear to be doing well under the current arrangements.