Vol. 572 No. 5
32 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the position in regard to his review of the Electoral Acts; the specific provisions being reviewed; when he expects the review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23602/03]
68 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the basis on which he is proposing an increase in the permitted levels of donations to candidates and political parties; if he is also considering increasing the spending limits for elections; the amounts of new levels proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23569/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 68 together.
I have already announced a review of the Electoral Act 1997. I am currently awaiting a report from the Standards in Public Office Commission on its view of the operation of the Act's provisions and I will also have regard to the commission's report on election expenditure at the 2002 general election.
I envisage that the review of the Act will be completed within as short a timescale as possible. However, I consider that a broadly based consultation on this matter is also desirable and I intend to allow time for this.
