Rise in election spending opposed

THE State’s public office watchdog has disagreed with the views of Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen that spending limits for political parties and candidates during election campaigns should be increased.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), in a review of the Electoral Acts, states that it was not “aware that the current limits caused a particularly difficulty for any party or candidate in the context of being able to deliver a meaningful campaign”.

The Commission also warns that an increase in spending limits could lead to a disproportional advantage at the polling booths for larger and better-resourced parties.

“It will almost certainly be the case that the level of campaigning will grow in line with that increase, as will the gap between those, both individuals and parties, who are in a position to incur higher levels of spending and those who are not”.

Citing research which shows a direct positive correlation between election spending and electoral success, SIPO says that the spending limits that are set should give all candidates, as far as is possible to attain, the same opportunity to attract voter support.

The Labour Party’s environment spokesman, Eamon Gilmore, said yesterday the report clearly demonstrated that there was no case for increasing spending limits at election times.

“If there is no case for increasing spending limits there is no case for increasing donation limits,” said Mr Gilmore.

Pointing out that no party had reached its spending limits in the 2002 election, Mr Gilmore said: “Minister Cullen should now accept the advice of the Commission and scrap his proposals to increase spending and donation limits. To do what he is proposing would simply further damage the standing of politics and politicians among the public.”

Responding to the report, Mr Cullen’s spokesman said: “The minister’s view on this issue are well known. He believes that the current legislation is overly bureaucratic and does not lend itself to public understanding of the issue.

“His view is that a simplified legislation is need. Transparency over what candidates are spending at election times is not as clearcut as it should be,” said the spokesman.

“Current rules, where candidates can spend at will prior to the three week before an election is called, make a mockery of the belief that limits exist for candidates,” he said.

This issue is addressed in SIPO’s report which refers to its potential to “fundamentally undermine the perceived effectiveness of the legislation.”