18.—(1) The Council shall keep all proper and usual accounts and records of—

(a) all moneys received or expended by it and the sources of such income and the subject matter of such expenditure, and

(b) all property, assets and liabilities of the Council.

(2) Accounts kept in accordance with subsection (1) shall be audited at least once in each year by an auditor appointed for that purpose by the Minister and the auditor's fees and the expenses generally of the audit shall be paid by the Council as soon as practicable after the audit.

(3) As soon as practicable after each audit the Council shall provide a copy of the accounts and the auditor's certificate and report thereon to the Minister and shall cause copies of same to be printed, published and offered for sale, and immediately after publication a copy of the accounts and the auditor's certificate and report thereon shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.