Written answers

Thursday, 23 June 2005

Department of Finance

Departmental Expenditure

8:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to his Department related to the two Nice treaty referenda. [21745/05]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Given my Department's functions, there was no expenditure from its Vote in respect of either referendum on the Treaty of Nice. However, under the Referendum Act 1994, the expenses of returning officers concerned with the holding of referendums are met from the Central Fund, which is administered by my Department. The Act also provides that postal expenses incurred during the holding of referendums are met from the Central Fund. On 7 June 2001, referendums were held on the proposed 21st constitutional amendment on the abolition of the death penalty; the proposed 22nd constitutional amendment on the Treaty of Nice; and the proposed 23rd constitutional amendment on the International Criminal Court. It is not possible to disaggregate expenditure to identify that which relates solely to the proposed 22nd amendment. The second referendum to which the Deputy refers, held on 19 October 2002 was solely in respect of the proposed 26th constitutional amendment on the Treaty of Nice. The costs met from the Central Fund are detailed in the following table.

Although the Office of Public Works is not funded directly or indirectly by my Department, my Department has asked that office to communicate to the Deputy any relevant information relating to expenditure it incurred in respect of the referendums in question.

7 June 2001 19 October 2002
â'¬â'¬
Expenses of Returning Officers 4,998,364.34 2,233,808.78
Postal Expenses 9,737,311.35 1,189,000.00

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