The Standards in Public Office Commission has apologised to former MEP Emer Costello for suggesting that she was the biggest spender in the Dublin constituency in European elections last May.

In a statement today, the commission said a press release it issued on Monday contained an inaccuracy and had been amended.

“It stated that Ms Emer Costello had the highest expenditure in the Dublin Constituency at €202,034. In fact the highest expenditure was incurred by Ms Mary Fitzpatrick at €218,545.”

A feature of the election in Dublin was that the two highest spending candidates, Ms Fitzpatrick of Fianna Fail and Ms Costello of Labour both failed to be elected.

Separately, the commission also said in its statement that a report to the Ceann Comhairle on the election omitted to record a donation of €1,000 received by Ms Costello from Siptu.

“The total for donations received recorded on the press release referred to above was accordingly inaccurate. The correct figure should be €23,649.”

The press release on the commission's website and the report to the Ceann Comhairle have been amended and can be accessed at www.sipo.gov.ie.