Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

In terms of the direct spend through the Exchequer, I think it is of the order of €15 million to €15.5 million. However, there may also be local authority expenditure involved. If there is only one referendum in a particular year, there are obviously costs associated with maintaining the register and also the preparations relating to holding it. The funding from the Exchequer is, as already stated, approximately €15 million. In 2014, the Exchequer paid out in the region of €28 million in respect of the European and local elections.