Health Minister Micheál Martin and disability campaigner Kathy Sinnott may face substantial legal bills, it has emerged.
It follows a High Court ruling this morning on the legal costs of Ms Sinnott's challenge to the result of the 2002 general election in Cork South Central.
Ms Sinnott lost her challenge in the High Court last January, but the minister did not seek costs against her.
Earlier this month, Ms Sinnott, Mr Martin and Dan Boyle of the Green Party, sought a contribution to their costs - estimated at €500,000 - from the Environment Minister Martin Cullen as a representative of the State.
However, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said there was not a case for costs against a party who did not participate in the proceedings and had no wrong alleged against them.
He refused to exercise his discretion and make such an order for costs.
It means each party will have to pay their own legal fees for the eight-day hearing.
