11th June 2003

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Government guilty of buying the election

Dublin Sinn Fein Councillor Nicky Kehoe said that today's report from the Public Office Commission on election spending will confirm in the public mind that this government bought the election. Cllr. Kehoe said:

``Not only are members of the current Cabinet guilty of massive over spending in the last election campaign, they also manipulated public finances in the five months running up to the election at a huge cost today in terms of cutbacks in public services particularly health and education.

``The fact that so many outgoing members of the last Dáil overspent will be a surprise to nobody, but today's report provides us with an opportunity to begin the process of electoral reform.and bring about a level playing field.

``I will be consulting with party colleagues and the local community in the coming days to decide on a course of action in terms my own constituency.''

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