Referendum Act, 1994

Further provisions regarding costs.

54.—(1) Subject to subsection (4), the costs and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of the referendum returning officer or any local returning officer at the trial of a referendum petition shall be paid out of the Central Fund.

(2) Costs awarded to the referendum returning officer or any local returning officer at the trial of a referendum petition shall be a simple contract debt due to the Minister for Finance and may be recovered by that Minister in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), costs awarded against the referendum returning officer or any local returning officer at the trial of a referendum petition shall be paid out of the Central Fund.

(4) Where the court is satisfied that the referendum returning officer or any local returning officer has been grossly negligent in the discharge of the duties of the office, the court may order that the officer shall be personally liable for any costs and expenses which the court finds to have been incurred by reason of such negligence.

(5) Where an order is made under subsection (4) any costs and expenses awarded against an officer which are paid out of the Central Fund shall be a simple contract debt due to the Minister for Finance by the officer, and may be recovered by that Minister in any court of competent jurisdiction.