Fine Gael spent €3m on election but ‘saved party from greater seat loss’

Fine Gael’s director of elections has staunchly defended his party’s 2016 general election bill, saying its ballot box wipeout would have been even worse if it did not spend almost 40% more than any other party.

MEP Brian Hayes made the controversial claim after it emerged the Government party spent almost €3m on market research, publicity, advertising and other strategies during last year’s damaging campaign.

Details revealed in the 21-page dossier by Ireland’s political finances watchdog, the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo), show Fine Gael spent €2.76m on last year’s election.