Chapter 1 - Introduction

This report by the Standards in Public Office Commission (the Standards Commission), relating to its supervision of the Meath and Kildare North Dáil by-elections of 11 March 2005, is being furnished to the Chairman of Dáil Éireann (Ceann Comhairle) pursuant to the provisions of section 4(1) of the Electoral Act, 1997.

Issues dealt with in the report include :

• the disclosure of donations by unsuccessful candidates at the by-elections;
• requirements relating to prohibited donations and the limitation on acceptance by candidates of certain types of donations;
• the opening and maintenance of political donations accounts by candidates;
• the disclosure of expenditure on behalf of candidates, political parties and "other persons"; and
• the reimbursement of election expenses to qualified candidates.

For the purpose of the report, the Electoral Act, 1997, as amended, is referred to hereafter as "the Act".

In accordance with section 4(5) of the Act all such reports furnished by the Standards Commission must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.