44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?

Broadcasting Act 2009, Section 41.— (3) A broadcaster shall not broadcast an advertisement which is directed towards a political end or which has any relation to an industrial dispute.

Broadcasters may not allow political advertising. However, party political broadcasts are permitted during election campaigns further to Section 39(2) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. While there is no obligation on broadcasters to transmit party political broadcasts, those that do so shall ensure that they are allocated in an equitable manner and ensure that party political broadcasts are transmitted at times that are aimed at achieving a similar audience for all such broadcasts. Similar broadcast treatment shall be provided for all party political broadcasts, both at their introduction and at their conclusion. Such broadcasts may only be availed of by political parties included on the Register of Political Parties as provided for under Irish law. Determinations in respect of the allocation of party political parties are a matter for broadcasters. To ensure that a party political broadcast does not rank as an advertisement (which is prohibited by Section 41(3) of the 2009 Act) no payment or similar consideration shall be applied for such broadcasts.