Local elections spending limits urged

ENVIRONMENT Minister Martin Cullen is being urged to prevent the rich buying their way into power by bringing in spending limits for the local elections.

No cap on spending exists for local elections, despite tight limits being in place for general elections and European elections. Research has shown that spending in local elections is directly related to success at the polls.

Fine Gael wants Mr Cullen to broaden his view of electoral legislation to include the law covering local elections. According to environment spokesman Bernard Allen there is a major anomaly when elections covering larger geographic areas have spending limits while local elections don’t.