Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999

Power of court to require information.

16.—(1) Where, in dealing with legal proceedings referred to in section 15 , it appears to the Circuit Court that any person who is, or has been, the national agent of a political party, designated person or a candidate at an election or a person to whom section 6 (7) applies has refused or failed to furnish a statement pursuant to section 13 , or to furnish the particulars necessary to enable the provisions of this Act in relation to the furnishing of such a statement to be complied with, the Circuit Court may, before making an order under section 15 , order that person to attend before it.

(2) Unless a person referred to in subsection (1) shows cause to the contrary, the Circuit Court may order that person—

(a) to furnish the statement required under section 13 to the specified local authority or to the local authority concerned, or

(b) to furnish such particulars in the possession or procurement of that person as may be required for the purpose of furnishing such statement, as the Circuit Court thinks fit, within such period, to such person and in such manner as it directs, and may require that person to provide such explanation of such particulars as the Circuit Court directs.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the relevant Circuit Court is that which sits in respect of the county where the principal office of the local authority to which an election was held is situated.