[F174Local government auditors.N.I.
(1)The Department may, with the consent of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, designate persons who are members of the staff of the Northern Ireland Audit Office as local government auditors.
(2)Only persons so designated may—
(a)audit accounts which are by law subject to audit by local government auditors; or
(b)exercise any other function conferred by law on such auditors.
(3)The Department may, after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, assign to local government auditors their duties.
(4)Any sums payable by a local government auditor in consequence of any liability for breach of duty (whether arising under a contract or otherwise) incurred by him in performing his functions shall be charged on and issued out of the Consolidated Fund.]