39. (1) A specified person may, in the course of that person’s electoral activities in the State, use the personal data of a data subject for the purpose of communicating in writing (including by way of newsletter or circular) with the data subject.

(2) Communicating in accordance with subsection (1) shall, for the purposes of Article 6(1)(e), be considered to be the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

(3) In this section, “specified person” means—

(a) a political party,

(b) a member of either House of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority, or

F4[(c) a candidate for election to the office of President of Ireland, or Mayor of Limerick, or for membership of either House of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority.]

(4) In this section and in sections 48, 58 and 59, “electoral activities” includes the dissemination of information, including information as to a person’s activities and policies, that might reasonably be of interest to electors.