The winner of the Tipperary South by-election, Independent TD Mr Seamus Healy, spent less on his campaign than the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael or Labour candidates.
Figures released by the Public Offices Commission yesterday revealed that u£8,858, or 16.3 per cent of the total money spent by candidates on the by-election, was spent by Mr Healy. A total of u£54,341 was spent by the six candidates and their parties during the campaign.
The highest amount spent was u £14,190, or 26.1 per cent, on the Fianna Fail candidate, Councillor Barry O'Brien. This was followed by u£13,822, or 25.4 per cent, spent on the Labour candidate Mrs Ellen Ferris, while u£13,532, or (25.4) was spent on the Fine Gael candidate, Senator Tom Hayes.
The Christian Solidarity Party candidate, Mrs Mary Heney, spent u£3,741 while the Natural Law Party candidate, Mr Raymond McInerney, spent u£197.
Under electoral legislation the total spending allowed by a party and candidate in a three-seat constituency is u£14,453.
While the commission said it found a good level of awareness of the requirements of the legislation, it was necessary in some cases to request that minor errors in statements be corrected and that relevant invoices be provided.
The commission also expressed concern about the use of free postage-paid Oireachtas envelopes and said it intended raising the matter with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of both Houses. The commission regards the use of the envelopes as a donation to the candidate and as an election expense incurred by the candidate.
According to the commission, the use of Oireachtas envelopes gives an "unfair advantage" at an election to candidates who have access to them either directly or indirectly.
Senator Tom Hayes availed of Oireachtas envelopes to the value of u£900, Mr Barry O'Brien used u£450 worth while Mrs Ellen Ferris used u£31.50 worth.
The commission also said yesterday that the election expenses statement provided by the national agent of the Labour Party shows that liability for election expenses valued at u£1,264 is in dispute between the agent, An Post and a supplier of printed election materials.