Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the recently failed referendum on Oireachtas inquiries including costs incurred in relation to the draft scheme of legislation associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35116/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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My Department does not have any direct responsibility in relation to the Referendum Commission, other than to sponsor the budgetary requirement. All financial commitments are authorised by the Commission and discharged by the Office of the Ombudsman.

I am advised by the Office of the Ombudsman that the budget allocated to the Referendum Commission in respect of the thirtieth amendment was €1.5 million. Expenditure to date has amounted to €352,653. Total estimated expenditure is expected to be in the region of €700,000.

No additional expenditure arose from the preparation of the draft legislation other than a reprioritisation of the work programmes of both my Department and the Office of the Attorney General. These customary costs were the normal administrative costs associated with the work of both organisations.