Second StageStage in the legislative process — click for what it meansCurrentThe bill’s status — click for what it means25th SeanadThe House currently handling the bill35/2019Official bill number / year
Electoral (Civil Society Freedom) (Amendment) Bill 2019
- Sponsor
- Lynn Ruane · Independent
- Introduced
- 14 May 2019
- Last updated
- 5 Mar 2025
What this bill doesAI · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
- Amends Electoral Act 1997 section 22 to narrowly define 'political purposes' as donations relating to specific elections or referendums only, removing ambiguous language covering all government policy advocacy.
- Exempts civil society organisations from strict campaign finance rules when conducting routine lobbying and advocacy work unrelated to electoral campaigns.
- Removes threat of criminal penalties (up to €25,394 fine and three years imprisonment) that currently deters NGOs and volunteers from ordinary political advocacy.
Stage timelineWhat do these stages mean?
- First Stage25th Seanad14 May 2019
- Second Stage25th Seanad4 Mar 2025
Debates
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