kathy@limerickpost.ie
THE six TDs in Limerick’s city and county constituencies spent a total of €123,244 on their 2011 general election campaigns, according to figures from the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Two TDS, Kieran O’Donnell (FG) and Willie O’Dea (FF), spent slightly more than the national average of €18,746, with €20,617 and €20,082 respectively.
At the other end of the scale, Deputy Dan Neville (FG) spent just €11,995.
An Irish Times analysis of the election campaign spend of all 2011 general election candidates showed that successful candidates spent on average the equivalent of €2.25 per first preference vote.
Again, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell, who secured 5,405 first preference votes, spent the highest per vote, at €3.81, with Deputy Neville (9,176 first preference votes) spending the lowest at €1.31.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan (FG) spent the third highest amount in Limerick city and county at €18,624.
However, he received more than 13,000 first preference votes, which meant his average spend per vote was the second lowest at €1.40.
Deputy O’Dea, who secured almost 7,000 first preference votes, spent the equivalent of €2.89 per vote.
Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan (LAB) recorded a campaign spend of €16,390, or €2.58 for each of her 6,353 first preference votes.
Deputies Niall Collins (FF) and Patrick O’Donovan (FG) both spent an average of €1.98 per first preference vote.
Deputy Collins spent €18,501 and secured more than 9,300 first preference votes, while Deputy O’Donovan spent €17,035 and secured 8,597 first preference votes.
Limerick city had the 18th most expensive campaign spend out of the 43 constituencies nationwide, while Limerick was the seventh least expensive.
The spending cap in a three-seat constituency such as Limerick City or Limerick is currently €30,150, with successful candidates entitled to a reimbursement of up to a maximum amount of €8,700.
Candidates who fail to secure a Dáil seat are also entitled to a reimbursement of the same amount.
