Use of Official Dail letters.

[setanta]

It's all very well to use them to communicate with your constituents on any matter, it's another thing to use them as part of the election campaign of someone who you are associated with.

If they are used, they should be considered as part of that person's electoral expenses.

They are. You might not be aware of it but a local FF candidate in Lucan, Des Kelly, fought a High Court battle against his own party to have such expenses included in the returns for Dáil candidates. He won and the provisions also now extend to local election candidates.

The letter you that the OP mentions does not fall within these calculations. If I understand it correctly, the Dáil letter only mentions the local election candidate in passing as attending/jointly hosting the public meeting. It, therefore, does not in itself constitute election expendture.

[wysiwyg]

Just for people's interest, this letter was from Lucinda Creighton.

She should not have used Dail postage for that purpose. That is electioneering. It should also be considered part of a candidates electoral expenses, although as we are still outside the "period of election" I am not sure exactly how that might be dealt with

[setanta]

I remember canvassing in 2002 and getting a serious ear-bashing from a woman who had a sign on her letter box saying "No junk mail or political leaflets". Her complaint was that she never heard anything from politicians.

I think we all have examples of that. I saw something similar while out campaigning in Lucan a couple of weeks ago.

[code twinkle]

Oh dear! I fear you may have just drawn every left-wing foot-stamper about the place to this thread! Brace yourselves!

(Oh, Seán Dunne too)

Actually I recently got one from a Labour Senator, same deal.

[wysiwyg]

They are. You might not be aware of it but a local FF candidate in Lucan, Des Kelly, fought a High Court battle against his own party to have such expenses included in the returns for Dáil candidates. He won and the provisions also now extend to local election candidates.

The letter you that the OP mentions does not fall within these calculations. If I understand it correctly, the Dáil letter only mentions the local election candidate in passing as attending/jointly hosting the public meeting. It, therefore, does not in itself constitute election expendture.

Semantics. The substantive point here, is that Deputy Creighton is using Dáil material to intriduce a local election candidate. You can split hairs on it all you like, but if you were honest, you know exactly what she's at.

She shouldn't be doing it.

[Digout]

If I understand it correctly, the Dáil letter only mentions the local election candidate in passing as attending/jointly hosting the public meeting. It, therefore, does not in itself constitute election expendture.

It has a photo of her also. And all of her contact details. This letter is from Lucinda who is "Working closely with Catherine Noone in the South East Inner City".

[wysiwyg]

Actually I recently got one from a Labour Senator, same deal.

Expect it from members of all parties. It's a very abused practice.

[setanta]

Actually I recently got one from a Labour Senator, same deal.

It's very common for all parties and indeed independents. While there are occasional complaints from people about it they really never amount to anything other than your usual whingers. Like the people who complain about posters on lamp-posts who won't ever go out to vote for you anyhow.

[Digout]

I dont have a scanner, but I'll go to a web cafe later and scan it in.

[wysiwyg]

It's very common for all parties and indeed independents. While there are occasional complaints from people about it they really never amount to anything other than your usual whingers. Like the people who complain about posters on lamp-posts who won't ever go out to vote for you anyhow.

The usual "whingers" ?

Nice way to deal with the electorate. Is that official Labour Party policy in dealing with anyone who disagrees with you ?