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Uimhir 14 de 1939.
ACHT NA nÚDARÁS nÁITIÚIL (CÓ-CHEANNACH), 1939.
[5adh Iúl, 1939.]
Gearr-theideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar Acht na nUdarás nAitiúil (Có-Cheannach), 1939, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht so i ngníomh an lá san a ceapfar chuige sin le hordú dhéanfaidh an tAire.
Mínithe.
2.—(1) San Acht so— cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Riaghaltais Aiteamhail agus Sláinte Poiblidhe;
cialluíonn an abairt “Acht 1925” Acht na nUdarás nAitiúil (Có-Cheannach), 1925 (Uimh. 20 de 1925);
cialluíonn an abairt “connrathóir oifigiúil” duine bheidh ceaptha no tuigfear a bheith ceaptha fén Acht so chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun crícheanna an Achta so;
cialluíonn an focal “riail-phraghas” maidir le haon earra an praghas do luaidh an connrathóir oifigiúil le n-a mbainfidh ina iarratas chun a cheaptha mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil alos na hearra san mar phraghas ar a raibh sé toilteanach an earra san do sholáthar mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san.
(2) Is údarás áitiúil chun crícheanna an Achta so gach duine agus cólucht acu so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) comhairle chontae, chontae-bhuirge, bhuirge, no bhaile cheanntair, bord caomhnóirí, coimisinéirí baile, agus údarás sláintíochta puirt, agus
(b) duine ar n-a cheapadh le reacht no fé chun feidhmeanna no aon cheann d'fheidhmeanna aon chóluchta den tsórt a luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so do chólíonadh, agus
(c) coiste no có-choiste no bord no có-bhord (pe'ca corpruithe no neamh-ionchorpruithe dhó) de cheann amháin no níos mó de sna cóluchtaí agus na daoine no bheidh ceaptha ag ceann amháin no níos mó de sna cóluchtaí agus na daoine luaidhtear i gceachtar de sna míreanna san roimhe seo den fho-alt so, agus
(d) aon chomhairle, coiste no cólucht eile do bhí, díreach roimh dháta an Achta so do rith, ina údarás áitiúil chun crícheanna Achta 1925 de bhuadh aon Achta seachas Acht 1925, agus
(e) aon chomhairle, coiste, no cólucht eile a bheidh dearbhuithe de thurus na huaire, le hordú ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so, do bheith ina údarás áitiúil do réir bhrí agus chun crícheanna an Achta so.
(3) Aon earra theastóidh o údarás áitiúil chun aon cheann dá gcomhachta no dá ndualgaisí d'fheidhmiú no do chóiíonadh, is earra í chun crícheanna an Achta so agus léireofar an focal “earra” san Acht so dá réir sin.
Comhacht don Aire chun feidhm an Achta so do leathnú.
3.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, a dhearbhú go bhfuil agus go mbeidh aon chomhairle, coiste no cólucht eile áirithe ina údarás áitiúil do réir bhrí agus chun crícheanna an Achta so.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, ceiliúradh no leasú do dhéanamh ar aon ordú do rinne sé roimhe sin fén alt so, le n-a n-áirmhítear ordú do rinneadh fén bhfo-alt so.
Acht 1925 d'athghairm.
4.—(1) Deintear leis seo Acht 1925 d'athghairm agus is ar dháta thosach feidhme an Achta so agus ón dáta san amach a bheidh éifeacht ag an athghairm sin.
(2) Gach duine bheidh, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so, ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil do ceapadh fé Acht 1925 chun crícheanna an Achta san tiocfa sé chun bheith agus beidh sé, ar dháta thosach feidhme an Achta so, ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun crícheanna an Achta so agus tuigfear gur ceapadh é chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san fén Acht so ach san amhail ar an dáta agus don earra agus in aghaidh na tréimhse agus ar na téarmaí gur amhail air, di, ina haghaidh agus ortha do ceapadh é fé Acht 1925.
Dualgas generálta an Aire maidir le soláthairtí.
5.—Beidh sé de dhualgas ar an Aire gach ní is inmhianuithe do dhéanamh chun a chur ar chumas údarásanna áitiúla na soláthairtí sin d'aon earra a theastóidh uatha chun a ndualgaisí do chólíonadh d'fháil i dteanta a chéile o chonnrathóir oiriúnach no o chonnrathóirí oiriúnacha.
Connrathóir oifigiúil do cheapadh.
6.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, o am go ham, fógra puiblí do thabhairt uaidh sa tslí sin is ceart dar leis á rá go nglacfa sé iarrataisí laistigh d'aimsir áirithe o dhaoine gur mian leo go gceapfaí iad chun bheith mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun earra no gach earra no aon cheann no cinn de dhá earra no níos mó a luadhfar sa bhfógra san do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla i rith tréimhse luadhfar sa bhfógra san.
(2) Fé réir na bhforálacha den chéad fho-alt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, beidh gach iarratas, a déanfar do bhun fógra phuiblí ar n-a thabhairt ag an Aire fén alt so, chun duine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil, beidh sé i scríbhinn sa bhfuirm agus sa tslí orduithe agus beidh na mion-innste orduithe ann, agus ortha san beidh—
(a) ráiteas ar an bpraghas ar a mbeidh an t-iarratasóir toilteanach an earra no na hearraí luadhfar san iarratas san do sholáthar i rith na tréimhse, agus do sna húdaráis áitiúla, a bheidh luaidhte sa bhfógra san,
(b) ráiteas á thaisbeáint, sa tslí orduithe, cadé an cháilíocht den earra san no de gach earra fé leith de sna hearraí sin a bheidh an t-iarratasóir toilteanach a sholáthar, agus
(c) ráiteas á rá go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir toilteanach cólíonadh do dhéanamh, maidir leis an earra no leis na hearraí sin, ar na coinníollacha soláthair orduithe.
(3) Pé uair nach féidir, mar gheall ar chineál na hearra no gnás na trádála no aon chúrsaí eile, iarrataisí á iarraidh go gceapfaí duine mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil alos earra áirithe do dhéanamh i ngach slí do réir forálacha an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh aige fén Acht so no le húdarás speisialta ar n-a thabhairt uaidh i ngach cás fé leith, a lomháil na hiarrataisí sin do dhéanamh sa bhfuirm sin is dóich leis is oiriúnaighe do réir chúrsaí an cháis agus a luadhfa sé sna rialacháin no san údarás speisialta san.
(4) Ar an aimsir a ceapfar le fógra puiblí bhéarfaidh an tAire uaidh fén alt so do bheith caithte déanfaidh an tAire (fé réir forálacha an Achta so) gach iarratas a dhéanfaidh duine ar bith do bhun an fhógra san agus a gheobhaidh an tAire laistigh den aimsir sin do bhreithniú agus féadfaidh an tAire leis sin, más oiriúnach leis é, aon duine den tsórt san do cheapadh chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil do gach údarás áitiúil no don aicme sin d'údaráis áitiúla no do sna húdaráis áitiúla áirithe sin is ceart dar leis an Aire chun na hearra no na n-earraí bheidh luaidhte in iarratas an duine sin do sholáthar i rith na tréimhse bheidh luaidhte so bhfógra san.
(5) Lasmuich de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so, beidh gach iarratas fén alt so á iarraidh go gceapfaí duine mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil ina iarratas neamh-incheiliúrtha, agus gach duine is iarratasóir fén alt so ar cheapadh den tsórt san beidh sé de cheangal air, má ceaptar é do réir a iarratais, an ceapadh san do ghlacadh.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith a dhéanfaidh iarratas fén alt so á iarraidh go gceapfaí é mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil urrús do thabhairt don Aire, tré éarlais, banna, urraíocht no ar shlí eile fé mar ordóidh an tAire, á urrú go ndéanfaidh an duine sin (má ceaptar é mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san) na dualgaisí agus na hoblagáidí fén gceapadh san do chólíonadh go cuibhe, agus féadfaidh an tAire a chur mar cheangal an t-urrús san do thabhairt sara mbreithneofar an t-iarratas san agus a thabhairt do bheith mar choinníoll nach foláir a chólíonadh sara mbreithneofar é no é thabhairt díreach roimh an duine sin do cheapadh no díreach tar éis é cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san agus a thabhairt do bheith mar choinníoll (roimhghabhálach no leantach, do réir mar a bheidh) a bheidh ag gabháil leis an gceapadh san.
(7) Má ceaptar duine fén alt so chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil ní bheidh an ceapadh san ina chonnradh ná ina chó-aontú idir an tAire agus an duine sin ná ní tuigfear uaidh connradh ná có-aontú do bheith eatortha.
(8) Féadfar níos mó ná aon chonnrathóir oifigiúil amháin do cheapadh fén alt so do bhun aon fhógra phuiblí áirithe bhéarfaidh an tAire uaidh fén alt so agus féadfar duine ar bith do cheapadh fén alt so chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil alos aon earra no earraí áirithe d'ainneoin é bheith ceaptha mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil alos aon earra no earraí eile.
(9) Gach uair a ceapfar connrathóir oifigiúil fén alt so cuirfidh an tAire an ceapadh in úil don duine ceapfar amhlaidh agus fós foillseoidh an tAire, ar an slí sin is ceart dar leis, fógra á rá go ndearnadh an ceapadh.
Coinníollacha maidir le háit na déantóireachta agus le téarmaí fostaíochta.
7.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire a shocrú le hordú, maidir le gach iarratas chun duine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun earra luadhfar san ordú san do sholáthar, go mbeidh geallúint ón iarratasóir ina theanta á gheallúint, má ceaptar é—
(a) gur earra rinneadh no táirgeadh in Éirinn a bheidh san earra san nuair a sholáthróidh sé í do bhun an cheaptha san, agus
(b) má dheineann no má tháirgeann sé an earra san tráth ar bith i rith tréimhse a cheaptha go mbeidh an págh a íocfa sé agus na coinníollacha fostaíochta go ndéanfa sé dá réir agus an earra san á déanamh no á táirgeadh chó fábharach ar a laighead dá fhostaithe leis an bpágh agus leis na coinníollacha fostaíochta is gá agus connartha deintear le hAire Stáit á gcólíonadh.
(2) Pé uair a bheidh ordú déanta fén alt so maidir le hiarrataisí chun duine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil ní déanfar, faid a bheidh an t-ordú san i bhfeidhm, aon iarratas ar dhuine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san do bhreithniú mara mbeidh an gheallúint a bheidh luaidhte san ordú san ina theanta.
(3) Mara ndeinidh aon chonnrathóir oifigiúil áirithe do réir gheallúna bheidh tugtha uaidh aige do bhun orduithe fén alt so, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich bpúint do chur air.
(4) Feidhmeoidh an tAire na comhachta bheirtear dó leis an alt so sa mhéid a chífear dó o am go ham é bheith praiticiúil san do dhéanamh.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, ordú bheidh déanta fén gcéad fho-alt den alt so do cheiliúradh.
(6) San alt so ní fholuíonn an focal “Éire” aon líomatáiste ná fuil laistigh den líomatáiste ina bhfuil feidhm ag na dlithe a hachtuítear ag an Oireachtas.
Déanamh no táirgeadh earraí d'iniúchadh.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire a shocrú le hordú, maidir le gach iarratas chun duine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun earra luadhfar san ordú san do sholáthar, go mbeidh geallúint ón iarratasóir ina theanta á gheallúint, i gcás é cheapadh agus é do dhéanamh no do tháirgeadh na hearra san tráth ar bith le linn tréimhse a cheaptha, go leigfidh don Aire an déanamh no an táirgeadh san d'iniúchadh.
(2) Pé uair a bheidh ordú déanta fén alt so maidir le hiarrataisí chun duine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil ní déanfar, faid a bheidh an t-ordú san i bhfeidhm, aon iarratas ar dhuine do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san do bhreithniú mara mbeidh an gheallúint a bheidh luaidhte san ordú san ina theanta.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, ordú bheidh déanta fén gcéad fho-alt den alt so do cheiliúradh.
(4) Pé uair a bhéarfaidh connrathóir oifigiúil geallúint uaidh á rá go leigfidh don Aire déanamh no táirgeadh earra d'iniúchadh a bheidh á déanamh no á táirgeadh aige agus a bheidh le soláthar aige mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) féadfaidh oifigeach don Aire dul isteach in aon áitreabh ina mbeidh déanamh no táirgeadh na hearra san no aon pháirt no próiseas den déanamh no den táirgeadh san ar siúl ag an gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin agus féadfaidh dul isteach amhlaidh san áitreabh san tráth ar bith nuair a bheidh an déanamh no an táirgeadh san no an pháirt no an próiseas san den déanamh no den táirgeadh san ar siúl agus féadfaidh, ar dhul isteach dó amhlaidh, an t-áitreabh san agus gléasra agus fearas an áitreibh sin d'iniúchadh agus do scrúdú agus iniúchadh agus breithniú do dhéanamh ar gach próiseas no ar aon phróiseas no próisisí den déanamh no den táirgeadh san a bheidh ar siúl san áitreabh san, agus scrúdú agus breithniú do dhéanamh ar an slí agus ar an modh a húsáidtear chun na hearra san do thástáil san áitreabh san;
(b) féadfaidh oifigeach don Aire bheidh ag déanamh iniúchta fén mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so in aon áitreabh somplaí den earra bheidh á déanamh no á táirgeadh i bpáirt no go hiomlán san áitreabh san agus d'aon chompáirt no có-abhar den earra san do thógaint agus do thabhairt leis gan íoc asta, agus féadfaidh na somplaí sin do thógaint tráth ar bith le linn an déanamh no an táirgeadh san do bheith ar siúl;
(c) féadfaidh oifigeach don Aire raghaidh isteach in aon áitreabh fén alt so iniúchadh agus scrúdú do dhéanamh ann ar gach leabhar agus breacachán go bhfeicfear don oifigeach san é bheith riachtanach do réir réasúin iad d'iniúchadh agus do scrúdú chun déanamh no táirgeadh na hearra bheidh á déanamh no á táirgeadh i bpáirt no go hiomlán san áitreabh san d'iniúchadh sa cheart agus féadfaidh cóipeanna do dhéanamh san áitreabh san d'iomlán aon scríbhinní no d'aon chuid d'aon scríbhinní den tsórt san agus na cóipeanna san do bhreith leis;
(d) bhéarfaidh an connrathóir oifigiúil sin d'aon oifigeach don Aire a raghaidh isteach in aon áitreabh leis an gconnrathóir sin fén alt so gach saoráid réasúnta chun gach ní no aon ní no nithe do dhéanamh go dtugtar comhacht don oifigeach san leis an bhfo-alt so chun é no iad do dhéanamh san áitreabh san agus, go sonnrách, taisbeánfaidh don oifigeach san gach leabhar agus breacachán go n-iarrfaidh an t-oifigeach san fén mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so é thaisbeáint.
(5) Gach connrathóir oifigiúil a bhacfaidh no a choiscfidh go toiliúil oifigeach don Aire agus aon chomhacht dá dtugtar d'oifigeach don Aire leis an bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so á feidhmiú aige in aon áitreabh no maidir le haon áitreabh leis an gconnrathóir sin, no ná déanfaidh éinní áirithe no dhiúltóidh d'éinní áirithe do dhéanamh a ceangailtear ar an gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin leis an bhfo-alt san do dhéanamh, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén bhfo-alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air agus, más cionta leanúnach é, fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar dhá phunt in aghaidh gach lae leanfar den chionta san.
(6) Gach duine (seachas an connrathóir oifigiúil go mbainfidh an scéal le n-a áitreabh) a bhacfaidh no choiscfidh go toiliúil oifigeach don Aire agus é ag feidhmiú aon chomhachta dá dtugtar d'oifigeach don Aire leis an alt so, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén bhfo-alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint do chur air.
(7) San alt so cialluíonn an abairt “oifigeach don Aire” oifigeach don Aire go n-údarás ón Aire chun na gcomhacht a bheirtear d'oifigeach don Aire leis an alt so d'fheidhmiú, ach féadfaidh an tAire, más ceart agus pé uair is ceart san dar leis, údarás agus comhacht do thabhairt do dhuine ar bith nach oifigeach don Aire (pe'ca bheidh an duine sin i seirbhís an Riaghaltais no ná beidh) chun na gcomhacht a bheirtear leis an alt so d'oifigeach don Aire d'fheidhmiú maidir le haon chonnrathóir oifigiúil áirithe agus go generálta no ar ócáid áirithe, agus pé uair a bhéarfaidh an tAire údarás agus comhacht amhlaidh do dhuine ar bith den tsórt san tuigfear an duine sin do bheith, sa mhéid go dtugtar agus chun na gcrícheanna chun a dtugtar údarás agus comhacht dó amhlaidh, ina oifigeach don Aire do réir bhrí an ailt seo.
Ceapadh connrathóra oifigiúil do cheiliúradh.
9.—(1) Féadfaidh connrathóir oifigiúil tráth ar bith a iarraidh ar an Aire a cheapadh mar chonnrathóir den tsórt san do cheiliúradh agus leis sin féadfaidh an tAire, más deimhin leis ná cuirfidh an ceiliúradh san costas breise ar na húdaráis áitiúla gur chun earraí do sholáthar dóibh do ceapadh an connrathóir sin chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil, an ceapadh san do cheiliúradh le hordú, ach féadfaidh leis an ordú san, más ceart san dar leis, teacht in éifeacht an cheiliúrtha san do chur ar athló go dtí an dáta san ina dhiaidh sin is gá dar leis chun an chostais bhreise sin roimhráite do sheachaint.
(2) Pé uair is deimhin leis an Aire gur theip ar chonnrathóir oifigiúil connradh do chólíonadh a tuigfear, de bhuadh an Achta so no de bhuadh Achta 1925, do rinne sé le húdarás áitiúil no gur theip air geallúint a thug sé uaidh do bhun an Achta so do choimeád agus do chólíonadh, no gur theip air aon oblagáid eile a forchuirtear air leis an Acht so do chólíonadh, féadfaidh an tAire, fé réir forálacha an ailt seo, ceapadh an chonnrathóra oifigiúil sin do cheiliúradh le hordú.
(3) Sara ndeinidh an tAire ceapadh connrathóra oifigiúil do cheiliúradh fén bhfó-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, bhéarfa sé don chonnrathóir oifigiúil sin fógra seachtaine i scríbhinn á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige an ceapadh san do cheiliúradh agus breithneoidh an chúis sin (más ann di) a phléidhfidh an connrathóir oifigiúil sin leis maidir leis an gceiliúradh san sara raghaidh an fógra san in éag.
(4) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le ceapadh connrathóra oifigiúil do cheiliúradh fén alt so ar shlí seachas ar iarratas uaidh féin, sé sin le rá:—
(a) raghaidh an ceiliúradh san in éifeacht ar an dáta san (nach dáta roimh dháta orduithe dhéanta an cheiliúrtha san) a luadhfar chuige sin san ordú san agus ón dáta san amach;
(b) i gcás an chonnrathóra oifigiúil le n-a mbainfidh an ceiliúradh san do bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil de bhuadh dhá cheapadh no níos mó alos earraí deifriúla, bainfidh an ceiliúradh san leis an gceapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil gur ina thaobh do thárla an teip as a dtáinig an ceiliúradh san ach féadfaidh, más dóich leis an Aire san do bheith ceart agus go luadhfaidh amhlaidh in ordú déanta an cheiliúrtha san, baint le gach ceapadh den tsórt san no leis na ceaptha san agus leis an gcuid sin de sna ceaptha san is dóich leis an Aire is ceart agus a luadhfaidh san ordú san;
(c) ní dhéanfaidh aon cheiliúradh den tsórt san dochar ná deifir d'aon chonnradh tuigfear de bhuadh an Achta so no de bhuadh Achta 1925 do bheith déanta idir an connrathóir oifigiúil le n-a mbainfidh an ceiliúradh san agus údarás áitiúil roimh an lá raghaidh an ceiliúradh san in éifeacht, ná ní scaoilfe sé an connrathóir oifigiúil sin ná an t-údarás áitiúil sin o n-a n-oblagáidí fé seach fén gconnradh san.
(5) Pé uair a déanfar ceapadh connrathóra oifigiúil do cheiliúradh fén alt so scuirfidh an connrathóir oifigiúil sin, an lá raghaidh an ceiliúradh san in éifeacht, de bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil de bhuadh an cheaptha bheidh ceiliúrtha amhlaidh, ach ní chuirfidh an ceiliúradh san deireadh le haon cheapadh eile ná ní dhéanfaidh deifir d'aon cheapadh eile ag ceapadh an chonnrathóra oifigiúil sin chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil mara gcuiridh ordú déanta an cheiliúrtha san an ceiliúradh san i mbaint leis an gceapadh eile sin.
Údaráis áitiúla do cheannach earraí o chonnrathóirí oifigiúla.
10.—(1) Aon údarás áitiúil go dteastóidh uatha, chun a ndualgaisí do chólíonadh, soláthar d'aon earra go mbeidh connrathóir oifigiúil ceaptha dhi maidir leis an údarás áitiúil sin féadfaid ordú, ar an méid den earra san a theastóidh uatha amhlaidh, do chur, sa bhfuirm agus sa tslí orduithe, go dtí connrathóir oifigiúil don earra san maidir leis an údarás áitiúil sin, agus leis sin tuigfear connradh infheidhmithe do bheith déanta ag an údarás áitiúil sin agus ag an gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin chun an mhéide do horduíodh amhlaidh den earra san do ghlacadh agus do sholáthar fé seach ar an riailphraghas agus í den cháilíocht adubhairt an connrathóir oifigiúil sin ina iarratas ar é do cheapadh a bhí sé toilteannach a sholáthar agus do réir na gcoinníollacha soláthair orduithe alos na hearra san.
(2) D'ainneoin forálacha aon achtacháin le n-a gceangailtear ar údarás áitiúil fógráin do thabhairt amach, tairgsintí do ghlacadh. connartha do dhéanamh, no gabháil tré aon roimh-chúrsa eile roimh soláthar d'aon earra áirithe d'fháil, féadfaidh údarás áitiúil soláthar den earra san d'fháil, fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so agus dá réir, o chonnrathóir oifigiúil don earra san maidir leis an údarás áitiúil sin gan na fógráin sin do thabhairt amach, na tairgsintí sin do ghlacadh, na connartha san (lasmuich de chonnradh den tsórt a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so) do dhéanamh, ná gabháil tríd an roimh-chúrsa san.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag alt 10 den Finance Act, 1901, (ar n-a leasú no ar n-a leathnú le hachtacháin ina dhiaidh sin) agus ag gach achtachán eile atá i bhfeidhm anois no a hachtófar ina dhiaidh seo agus le n-a n-atharuítear no le n-a n-atharófar connartha de dhruim reachtúcháin a thiocfaidh i bhfeidhm tar éis a ndéanta, beidh feidhm acu maidir le gach connradh a tuigtear leis an alt so do bheith déanta ag údarás áitiúil agus ag connrathóir oifigiúil fé is dá ndeintí an connradh san ar an dáta ar ar iarr, no ar an dáta is déanaí ar ar iarr, an connrathóir oifigiúil sin é do cheapadh mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil don údarás áitiúil sin alos na hearra le n-a mbainfidh an connradh san.
Earraí ionadathacha.
11.—(1) Pé uair a bheidh connrathóir oifigiúil ceaptha ag an Aire no bheidh sé chun é cheapadh chun earra áirithe (dá ngairmtear an earra bhunaidh san alt so) do sholáthar d'údarás áitiúil amháin no níos mó, féadfaidh an tAire, más oiriúnach leis é, a dhearbhú le hordú earra áirithe eile (dá ngairmtear an earra ionadathach san alt so) do bheith ina hearra in ionad na hearra bunaidh.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire aon ordú den tsórt a húdaruítear leis an bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas faid a bheidh an t-ordú san i bhfeidhm, sé sin le rá:—
(a) gach tráth cheannóidh údarás áitiúil an earra ionadathach a bheidh luaidhte san ordú san tuigfear, chun crícheanna an Achta so, gurb í an earra bhunaidh le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú san do ceannuíodh;
(b) féadfaidh duine bheidh ar intinn an earra ionadathach san do sholáthar a iarraidh é do cheapadh, agus féadfar é do cheapadh, mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun na hearra bunaidh sin do sholáthar;
(c) pé uair a dhéanfaidh údarás áitiúil caindíocht den earra bhunaidh sin d'ordú fén Acht so o chonnrathóir oifigiúil a bheidh ceaptha chun na hearra bunaidh sin do sholáthar, is dleathach don chonnrathóir oifigiúil sin (fé réir cólíonadh forálacha an Achta so agus na n-orduithe, na rialachán agus na bhfógairtí bheidh déanta no tugtha fé agus a bhainfidh leis an earra bhunaidh sin agus le n-a soláthar) an chaindíocht chéanna den earra ionadathaigh sin do sholáthar don údarás áitiúil sin in ionad na hearra bunaidh sin;
(d) pé uair a dhéanfaidh connrathóir oifigiúil caindíocht den earra ionadathaigh sin do sholáthar d'údarás áitiúil, fén mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so, in ionad na caindíochta céanna den earra bhunaidh sin, tuigfear an soláthar san do bheith ina chólíonadh ag an gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin ar an gconnradh idir an t-údarás áitiúil sin agus an connrathóir oifigiúil sin a bheidh tar éis eirghe fén Acht so de bhuadh an orduithe ón údarás áitiúil sin ar an gcaindíocht san den earra bhunaidh sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, ordú bheidh déanta fén gcéad fho-alt den alt so do cheiliúradh no do leasú.
Meastacháin o údaráis áitiúla ar a riachtanaisí.
12.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, tráth ar bith, a cheangal ar aon údarás áitiúil meastachán, ar an gcaindíocht iomlán d'earra áirithe bheidh ag teastáil ón údarás áitiúil sin i rith tréimhse áirithe chun crícheanna a gcomhachta agus a ndualgaisí, do chur fé n-a bhráid sa bhfuirm agus sa tslí orduithe agus laistigh d'aimsir áirithe.
(2) Pé uair a cheanglóidh an tAire fén alt so ar údarás áitiúil an meastachán san a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do chur chuige, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh an t-oifigeach orduithe don údarás áitiúil sin an meastachán san a éileoidh an tAire amhlaidh d'ullamhú agus cuirfidh an meastachán san fé bhráid an údaráis áitiúil sin laistigh den aimsir sin a bhéarfaidh go mbeidh ar chumas an údaráis áitiúil sin déanamh do réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den fho-alt so;
(b) breithneoidh an t-údarás áitiúil sin an meastachán san a chuirfidh an t-oifigeach orduithe sin fé n-a mbráid amhlaidh agus ceadóid an meastachán san gan atharú no gus na hatharuithe sin is ceart dar leo (fé mar is dóich leo is ceart);
(c) cuirfidh an t-údarás áitiúil sin an meastachán san, mar a bheidh sé ceaduithe amhlaidh acu, fé bhráid an Aire laistigh den aimsir a bheidh ceaptha chuige sin leis an éileamh san ón Aire.
(3) Pé uair, tar éis d'údarás áitiúil meastachán do chur fé bhráid an Aire fén alt so do bhun éilimh ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén alt so, a cheapfaidh an tAire fén Acht so connrathóir oifigiúil amháin chun na hearra le n-a mbainfidh an meastachán san do sholáthar don údarás áitiúil sin (pe'ca ina n-aonar no i dteanta údarás áitiúil eile é) i rith tréimhse bheidh có-thráthach leis an tréimhse no ina mbeidh an tréimhse le n-a mbainfidh an meastachán san agus, sa mhéid go mbainfidh an ceapadh san leis an earra san do sholáthar don údarás áitiúil sin, go ndéanfaidh an tAire é, agus go n-iarrfaidh an connrathóir oifigiúil sin é, go sonnrách ar fhoras an mhéastacháin sin, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) cuirfidh an tAire in úil don údarás áitiúil sin láithreach go ndearnadh agus gur hiarradh an ceapadh san ar an bhforas san agus go mbeidh feidhm ag an bhfo-alt so agus ag an gcéad fho-alt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so dá réir sin;
(b) beidh sé de dhualgas ar an údarás áitiúil sin an chaindíocht (dá ngairmtear an chaindíocht mheasta san alt so) den earra san a bheidh luaidhte sa mheastachán san mar an chaindíocht di a bheadh ag teastáil ón údarás áitiúil sin i rith na tréimhse sin le n-a mbainfidh an meastachán san d'ordú agus do ghlacadh ón gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin, fén Acht so agus dá réir, i rith na tréimhse sin.
(4) Pé uair a bheidh sé de dhualgas ar údarás áitiúil, de bhuadh an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, an chaindíocht mheasta d'earra d'ordú agus do ghlacadh o chonnrathóir oifigiúil áirithe i rith tréimhse áirithe, ansan agus sa chás san—
(a) mara ndeinidh an t-údarás áitiúil sin an chaindíocht mheasta den earra san d'ordú agus do ghlacadh on gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin i rith na tréimhse sin, is dleathach don chonnrathóir oifigiúil sin an oiread san den earra san do sheachadadh don údarás áitiúil sin, laistigh den aimsir orduithe tar éis na tréimhse sin do bheith caithte, a dhéanfaidh suas, i dteanta an mhéide (más ann dó) den earra san a ghlac an t-údarás áitiúil sin i rith na tréimhse sin, an chaindíocht mheasta den earra san agus tuigfear chun gach críche gur orduigh an t-údarás áitiúil sin fén Acht so an méid den earra san a seachadfar amhlaidh, agus
(b) má dheineann an t-údarás áitiúil sin soláthar den earra san is mó ná an chaindíocht mheasta dhi d'ordú agus do ghlacadh ón gconnrathóir oifigiúil sin i rith na tréimhse sin, beidh an connrathóir oifigiúil sin (d'ainneoin éinní contrárdha dhó san atá san Acht so) i dteideal praghas a bheidh an percentáiste orduithe níos mó ná an riailphraghas d'éileamh ar an údarás áitiúil sin agus d'fháil uatha ar an oiread san den earra san a hordófar agus a glacfar amhlaidh thar an gcaindíocht mheasta den earra san.
(5) Mara ndeinidh údarás áitiúil meastachán do chur fé bhráid an Aire do réir éilimh chuige sin ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén alt so ar an údarás áitiúil sin agus go gceapfaidh an tAire connrathóir oifigiúil amháin fén Acht so chun na hearra le n-ar bhain an t-éileamh san do sholáthar don údarás áitiúil sin i rith tréimhse bheidh có-thráthach leis an tréimhse no ina mbeidh an tréimhse le n-ar bhain an t-éileamh san, beidh an connrathóir oifigiúil sin (d'ainneoin éinní contrárdha dhó san atá san Acht so) i dteideal praghas a bheidh an percentáiste orduithe níos mó ná an riailphraghas d'éileamh ar an údarás áitiúil sin agus d'fháil uatha ar gach soláthar den earra san a ordóidh agus a ghlacfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil sin uaidh i rith na tréimhse sin le n-ar bhain an t-éileamh san.
Deighleáil le daoine nach connrathóirí oifigiúla do thoirmeasc.
13.—(1) Pé uair a bheidh connrathóir oifigiúil amháin no níos mó ceaptha chun earra áirithe do sholáthar i rith tréimhse áirithe do gach údarás áitiúil no d'aon aicme d'údaráis áitiúla no d'aon údaráis áitiúla áirithe, ní dhéanfaidh aon údarás áitiúil den tsórt san (ach amháin i gcás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so) aon chaindíocht den earra san no d'earra a bheidh dearbhuithe de thurus na huaire, le hordú ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so, do bheith ina hearra in ionad na hearra san d'ordú ná do ghlacadh i rith na tréimhse sin, ná ní dhéanfaidh aon bhall ná oifigeach d'aon údarás áitiúil den tsórt san (ach amháin mar adubhradh) an céanna d'ordú thar ceann an údaráis áitiúil sin i rith na tréimhse sin, o dhuine ar bith seachas an connrathóir oifigiúil sin no duine de sna connrathóirí oifigiúla san, do réir mar a bheidh.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh údarás áitiúil soláthar d'aon earra d'ordú agus do ghlacadh o dhuine ar bith i gcás gur sárú ar an bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so an t-ordú agus an glacadh san, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) gach íocaíocht a dhéanfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil sin leis an duine sin ar aon chaindíocht den earra san a hordófar agus a glacfar amhlaidh, beidh sí ina híocaíocht nea-dhleathach agus féadfaidh iniúchóir cuntaisí an údaráis áitiúil sin deighleáil léi dá réir sin mara dtaisbeántar gurbh fhéidir don duine sin an íocaíocht san do bhaint den údarás áitiúil sin go dleathach tré imeacht dlí;
(b) féadfaidh an tAire, más oiriúnach leis é, fógra do sheirbheáil ar an údarás áitiúil sin agus ar an duine sin, tríd an bpost, á rá gur sárú ar fho-alt (1) den alt so an t-údarás áitiúil sin d'ordú agus do ghlacadh aon chaindíochta den earra san ón duine sin;
(c) ní bheidh an duine sin i dteideal aon airgead do bhaint den údarás áitiúil sin ar aon chuid den earra san ná mar gheall uirthi a hordófar agus a glacfar uaidh amhlaidh má chruthuíonn an t-údarás áitiúil sin go raibh fógra tugtha don duine sin á rá gur shárú, agus go raibh a fhios aige gur shárú, ar fho-alt (1) den alt so an t-ordú agus an glacadh san nuair do sholáthruigh sé an earra san don údarás áitiúil sin;
(d) má dheineann duine o n-a n-ordóidh agus o n-a nglacfaidh údarás áitiúil aon chaindíocht d'earra contrárdha d'fho-alt (1) den alt so a chruthú ná raibh fógra tugtha dhó á rá gur shárú, agus ná raibh a fhios aige gur shárú, mar adubhradh, an t-ordú agus an glacadh san nuair a sholáthruigh sé aon chaindíocht áirithe den earra san don údarás áitiúil sin do bhun an orduithe sin, beidh sé i dteideal an praghas có-aontuithe, maraon le hairgead eile is iníoctha ar an gcaindíocht áirithe sin den earra san, d'fháil ón údarás áitiúil sin agus do bhaint díobh.
(3) Má dheineann aon bhall no oifigeach d'údarás áitiúil aon chaindíocht d'earra ar bith d'ordú go toilteannach thar ceann an údaráis áitiúil sin o dhuine ar bith i gcás gur sárú ar fho-alt (1) den alt so an t-ordú san, beidh an ball no an t-oifigeach san ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear (gan dochar d'é bheith ionchurtha fé fhor-mhuirear no muirear agus cuntaisí an údaráis áitiúil sin á n-iniúchadh) fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche punt do chur air.
Saoirsí o n-a bheith d'oblagáid earraí do cheannach o chronnrathóirí oifigiúla.
14.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, más oiriúnach agus pé uair is oiriúnach leis é, rialacháin do dhéanamh ag tabhairt comhachta d'údaráis áitiúla i gcásanna áirithe chun soláthar d'aon earra no earraí áirithe no d'aon earra ar bith do cheannach o dhuine nach é an connrathóir oifigiúil don údarás áitiúil sin é alos na hearra go gceannófar soláthar di amhlaidh agus féadfaidh an tAire, leis na rialacháin sin, na srianta agus na coinníollacha san is ceart dar leis d'fhorchur maidir le húdaráis áitiúla d'fheidhmiú na comhachta bhéarfar dóibh amhlaidh.
(2) D'ainneoin éinní atá san Acht so, ní bheidh aon cheannach a dhéanfaidh údarás áitiúil, fé réim agus do réir rialachán ar n-a ndéanamh fén alt so, ina shárú ar aon alt den Acht so de bhíthin an earra is abhar don cheannach san do cheannach o dhuine nach é an connrathóir oifigiúil don údarás áitiúil sin é alos na hearra san agus dá bhíthin sin amháin.
Earraí sholáthróidh connrathóirí oifigiúla do thástáil.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire socrú do dhéanamh tré n-a bhféadfar cáilíocht no cineál aon earra sholáthróidh connrathóir oifigiúil d'údarás áitiúil do thástáil no d'fháil amach tré mhiondealú no ar shlí eile ar iarratas agus ar chostas an údaráis áitiúil sin agus, chuige sin, féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh le hordú fén alt so, gach ní no aon ní no nithe acu so leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) socrú do dhéanamh chun tástálanna tréimhsiúla no eile do dhéanamh ar shomplaí d'earraí sholáthróidh connrathóirí oifigiúla d'údaráis áitiúla;
(b) na daoine dhéanfaidh na tástálanna san ar shomplaí d'earraí áirithe agus na meáin tré n-a ndéanfar agus an modh ina ndéanfar iad d'ordú;
(c) an nós imeachta i gcoitinne maidir leis na tástálanna san, ar a n-áirmhítear iarrataisí ar aon tástáil den tsórt san agus toradh aon tástála den tsórt san do chur in úil do dhaoine le n-a mbainfidh, do rialáil;
(d) an deimhniú no an cruthú eile bheidh le tabhairt ar thoradh aon tástála den tsórt san, agus na daoine do bhéarfaidh an deimhniú no an cruthú eile sin uatha, agus na daoine dá dtabharfar an deimhniú no an cruthú eile sin d'ordú;
(e) a shocrú aon deimhniú no cruthú eile den tsórt a luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so do bhéarfar alos aon tástála áirithe do bheith, maidir leis na somplaí dob abhar don tástáil sin, ina fhianaise dhochlaoidhte chun gach críche ar thoradh na tástála san.
(2) Pé uair a forálfar le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh fén alt so go mbeidh aon deimhniú no cruthú eile áirithe ina fhianaise dhochlaoidhte chun gach críche ar thoradh tástála do rinneadh fé sna rialacháin sin, glacfaidh gach cúirt dlí leis an deimhniú no leis an gcruthú eile sin, maidir leis na somplaí dob abhar den tástáil sin, mar fhianaise dho-chlaoidhte ar thoradh na tástála san agus glacfaidh gach cúirt dlí freisin leis an gcéanna mar chrúthú, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, go ndearnadh an tástáil sin fé réim agus do réir na rialachán san.
(3) San alt so foluíonn an focal “tástáil” gach modh chun éinní no aon ruda, is abhar do thástáil fé rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh fén alt so, do thástáil, d'fhiosrú, no d'fháil amach agus léireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin.
An Coiste Comhairlitheach um Sholáthairtí Áitiúla.
16.—(1) An Coiste Comhairlitheach um Sholáthairtí Áitiúla (dá ngairmtear an coiste san alt so) do bunuíodh do bhun ailt 9 d'Acht 1925 chun comhairle agus congnamh do thabhairt don Aire maidir le cólíonadh a dhualgaisí fén Acht san, déanfar, d'ainneoin an Acht san do bheith á athghairm leis an Acht so, é do bhuanú agus do chothabháil fén Acht so chun comhairle agus congnamh do thabhairt don Aire maidir le cólíonadh a dhualgaisí fén Acht so.
(2) Gach duine do bhí ina bhall den choiste díreach roimh an Acht so do rith leanfa sé de bheith ina bhall den tsórt san tar éis an Achta so do rith agus tuigfear, chun crícheanna na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, gur fén Acht so do ceapadh é chun bheith ina bhall den tsórt san agus san ar an lá ar ar ceapadh agus in aghaidh na tréimhse gur ina haghaidh a ceapadh é fé alt 9 d'Acht 1925.
(3) Fé réir forálacha an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so is seisear a cheapfaidh an tAire o am go ham mar is gá é a bheidh ar an gcoiste agus—
(a) beidh beirt acu, tráth a gceaptha, ina mbaill toghtha de chomhairlí contae, agus
(b) beidh beirt acu, tráth a gceaptha, ina mbaill toghtha de chomhairlí contae-bhuirge, buirge no bailecheanntair no de choimisinéirí baile, agus
(c) beidh duine acu ionadathach d'fhostóirí bheidh ag gabháil do thionnscal no do thráchtáil, agus
(d) beidh duine acu ionadathach do cheárd-chumainn.
(4) Sara gceapfaidh an tAire ball den choiste, ragha sé i gcomhairle le haon chomhlachas a bheidh de thurus na huaire ionadathach do chomhairlí contae no contae-bhuirge, comhairlí bailecheanntair, baile-choimisinéirí no lucht tionnscail agus tráchtála no ceárd-chumainn, fé mar is gá sa chás.
(5) Maran éag no eirghe as roimhe sin dóibh coinneoidh baill uile agus fé seach an choiste a mballraíocht fé seach ar feadh na tréimhse sin o am a gceaptha ordóidh an tAire ach beid, má bhíd cáilithe ar gach slí eile, ion-athcheaptha.
(6) Triúr ball den choiste is quorum agus déanfaidh baill an choiste, ag gach cruinniú, an cathaoirleach don chruinniú san do thoghadh as a líon féin, agus beidh an dara vóta no vóta réitigh ag an gcathaoirleach san.
(7) Beidh rúnaí ag an gcoiste agus isé an tAire ainmneoidh é.
(8) Tiocfaidh an coiste le chéile pé uair a ghairmfidh an tAire le chéile iad.
(9) Déanfaidh an coiste breithniú agus bhéarfaidh comhairle don Aire ar gach ní a chuirfidh an tAire fé n-a mbráid agus féadfaidh an coiste freisin, ar a ndeiscréid, breithniú do dhéanamh agus, más oiriúnach leo é, tuairisc do thabhairt don Aire ar éinní eile bhainfidh le hearraí do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla fén Acht so no dhéanfaidh deifir don chéanna.
(10) Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é féadfaidh an tAire íocaíochtaí d'íoc le baill den choiste mar aisíoc i gcostaisí taistil agus mar íoc i liúntas cothuithe.
Costaisí.
17.—(1) Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar na costaisí uile fé n-a raghaidh an tAire no aon Aire eile chun an Achta so do chur in éifeacht.
(2) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis deireadh gach bliana airgeadais áitiúla deimhneoidh an tAire, le hordú, cadé an tsuim do caitheadh, an bhliain airgeadais áitiúil sin, as airgead do soláthruíodh fé fho-alt (1) den alt so chun an Achta so do chur in éifeacht, agus cáinmheasfa sé an tsuim sin ar na contaethe agus ar na contae-bhuirgí uile agus fé seach do réir an mhéide is luach bliantúil fé sna hAchtanna Luachála don mhaoin is ionrátuithe i gcóir ráta dhealbhais sna contaethe agus sna contae-bhuirgí sin fé seach agus cuirfe sé cóipeanna den ordú san chun comhairle gach contae agus contae-bhuirge den tsórt san.
(3) Déanfaidh comhairle gach contae agus contae-bhuirge an méid a cáinmheasfar ar an gcontae no ar an gcontae-bhuirg sin leis an ordú san d'íoc leis an Aire agus déanfaid an méid a bheidh le n-íoc amhlaidh do chruinniú, i gcás contae, tríd an ráta dealbhais mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán agus, i gcás contae-bhuirgí Bhaile Atha Cliath agus Luimnigh, tríd an ráta cathardha agus, i gcás contae-bhuirgí Chorcaighe agus Phortláirge, tríd an ráta dealbhais.
(4) Má bhíonn aon airgead iníoctha ag comhairle leis an Aire fén alt so, féadfar, mara n-íocfaidh an chomhairle sin an t-airgead san, é do bhaint as aon airgead is iníoctha ag aon Aire leis an gcomhairle sin chun aon chríche ar bith, ach, i gcás airgid is iníoctha amach as Cuntas an Chánachais Áitiúil (Éirinn), déanfar an asbaint sin fé réir éilithe an chiste urraíochta fé sna hAchtanna Talamh-Cheannaigh agus gan dochar do sna héilithe sin.
(5) Tuigfear, chun crícheanna an ailt seo, gur cuid de chostaisí an Aire na héilithe sin, in aghaidh aois-liúntais agus liúntaisí eile agus aiscí is iníoctha ar dhuine d'éag no d'eirghe as, a chinnfidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, do bheith ceart.
(6) Na costaisí uile fé n-a raghaidh an tAire no aon Aire eile chun Acht 1925 do chur in éifeacht i rith na bliana airgeadais áitiúla a thiocfaidh an tAcht so i ngníomh tuigfear, chun crícheanna an ailt seo, gur chun an Achta so do chur in éifeacht do chuathas fútha.
(7) An t-airgead uile íocfaidh comhairle chontae no chontaebhuirge leis an Aire do bhun an ailt seo déanfaidh an tAire é d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste sa tslí sin ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Comhachta cigirí.
18.—(1) Féadfaidh aon oifigeach don Aire a cheapfaidh no a údaróidh an tAire chun bheith ina chigire chun crícheanna an Achta so gach ní no aon ní no nithe acu so leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) dul isteach gach tráth réasúnta in aon teaghlach, óispidéal, óispidéal meabhair-ghalair, no fundúireacht eile bheidh dílsithe in údarás áitiúil agus á bhainistí acu agus iniúchadh agus scrúdú do dhéanamh ann ar aon earraí a ceannuíodh don fhundúireacht san agus cuntas do dhéanamh den chaindíocht d'aon earra den tsórt san a bheidh sa bhfundúireacht san an uair sin;
(b) bheith i láthair ag aon chruinniú den chomhairle no den bhord no den choiste, go mbeidh bainistí aon fhundúireachta den tsórt san roimhráite de chúram ortha, ag á mbeidh ceannach aon earra don fhundúireacht san no éinní eireoidh as aon cheannach den tsórt san no bhainfidh leis le breithniú, agus páirt do thógaint sna himeachta (seachas vótáil) ag an gcruinniú san.
(2) Gach duine bhacfaidh oifigeach don Aire a ceapfar no a húdarófar chun bheith ina chigire chun crícheanna an Achta so no chuirfidh isteach air agus é ag feidhmiú aon chomhachta dílsítear ann de bhuadh an ailt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint do chur air.
Rialacháin.
19.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh chun gach críche no aon chríche no crícheanna acu so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) chun an nós imeachta do cheapadh a leanfaidh údaráis áitiúla agus iad ag cur an Achta so in éifeacht;
(b) chun a ordú cadé an modh ina gceapfar no ina gcinnfear (le n-a n-áirmhítear ceapadh do réir somplaí) an caighdeán cáilíochta d'aon earra go mbeidh an tAire tar éis connrathóir oifigiúil do cheapadh no go mbeidh sé ar intinn é do cheapadh ina cóir;
(c) chun a údarú go soláthróidh an tAire somplaí oifigiúla d'aon earra go mbeidh sé ar intinn connrathóir oifigiúil do cheapadh ina cóir agus chun socrú do dhéanamh chun na somplaí oifigiúla san do lóisteáil chun a n-iniúchta ag an bpuiblíocht;
(d) chun éinní no aon rud d'ordú dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no á ordú no le hordú.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire a ordú, le fógairt speisialta, ná beidh feidhm maidir le hearra áirithe no gur go n-atharuithe áirithe a bheidh feidhm maidir le hearra áirithe ag aon rialacháin áirithe a bheidh déanta fén alt so, no go mbeidh feidhm maidir le hearra áirithe ag foráil ná beidh feidhm aici maidir leis an earra san de bhuadh aon rialacháin a bheidh déanta fén alt so.
(3) Má bheirtear fógairt speisialta alos aon earra áirithe fén alt so, féadfaidh duine ar bith, d'iarr sarar tugadh an fhógairt sin go gceapfaí é mar chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun na hearra san do sholáthar agus ná beidh ceaptha do bhun an iarratais sin, an t-iarratas san do tharrac siar tráth ar bith sara gceaptar é amhlaidh.
(4) Fógairt speisialta bhéarfar fén alt so alos aon earra áirithe ní bheidh feidhm aici maidir le haon chonnrathóir oifigiúil chun na hearra san do sholáthar do ceapadh chun bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san sarar tugadh an fhógairt sin faid a leanfaidh de bheith ina chonnrathóir oifigiúil den tsórt san de bhuadh an cheaptha san.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le fógairt speisialta, leasú no ceiliúradh do dhéanamh ar fhógairt speisialta a bheidh tugtha roimhe sin fén alt so, le n-a n-áirmhítear fógairt speisialta bheidh tugtha fén bhfo-alt so.
(6) San Acht so cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh fén alt so no le fógairt speisialta ar n-a tabhairt fén alt so no le có-oibriú rialachán ar n-a ndéanamh amhlaidh agus fógartha speisialta ar n-a tabhairt amhlaidh, do réir mar a bheidh oiriúnach.
Rialacháin do leagadh fé bhráid an Oireachtais.
20.—Gach rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire fén Acht so leagfar é fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta agus má dheineann ceachtar Tigh den Oireachtas, laistigh den lá is fiche shuidhfidh an Tigh sin tar éis an rialacháin sin do leagadh fé n-a bhráid, rún do rith ag cur an rialacháin sin ar nea-mbrí, beidh an rialachán san curtha ar nea-mbrí dá réir sin, ach beidh san gan dochar d'éinní do rinneadh roimhe sin fén rialachán san.
An tAire do cheapadh oifigeach.
21.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, pé oifigigh agus pé méid oifigeach is dóich leis is gá do cheapadh chun cabhruithe leis chun a dhualgaisí fén Acht so do chólíonadh, agus beidh gach oifigeach den tsórt san i seilbh oifige ar na téarmaí sin agus bhéarfar luach saothair dó do réir na rátaí sin agus ar an slí sin a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Cúisithe.
22.—Féadfar cionta fé aon alt den Acht so do chúiseamh ar agra an Aire.
Number 14 of 1939.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (COMBINED PURCHASING) ACT, 1939.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Act Referred to | |
No. 20 of 1925 | |
Number 14 of 1939.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (COMBINED PURCHASING) ACT, 1939.
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1939.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as shall be fixed for that purpose by an order made by the Minister.
Definitions.
2.—(1) In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Local Government and Public Health;
the expression “the Act of 1925” means the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1925 (No. 20 of 1925);
the expression “official contractor” means a person appointed or deemed to have been appointed under this Act to be an official contractor for the purposes of this Act;
the expression “standard price” means, in relation to any commodity, the price which the official contractor concerned stated, in his application for appointment as official contractor in respect of such commodity, to be the price at which he was willing to supply such commodity as such official contractor.
(2) Each of the following persons and bodies shall be a local authority for the purposes of this Act, that is to say:—
(a) the council of a county, county borough, borough, or urban district, a board of guardians, the commissioners of a town, and a port sanitary authority, and
(b) a person appointed by or under statute to perform the functions or any of the functions of any such body as is mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section, and
(c) a committee or joint committee or board or joint board (whether corporate or unincorporate) of or appointed by one or more of the bodies and persons mentioned in either of the preceding paragraphs of this sub-section, and
(d) any council, committee, or other body which, immediately before the passing of this Act, was, by virtue of any Act other than the Act of 1925, a local authority for the purposes of the Act of 1925, and
(e) any council, committee, or other body which is for the time being declared by an order made by the Minister under this Act to be a local authority within the meaning and for the purposes of this Act.
(3) Any goods or articles which are required by a local authority for the purposes of the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties shall be a commodity for the purposes of this Act, and the word “commodity” shall in this Act be construed accordingly.
Power of Minister to extend the application of this Act.
3.—(1) The Minister may by order declare that any particular council, committee or other body is and shall be a local authority within the meaning and for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Minister may at any time by order revoke or amend any order previously made by him under this section, including an order made under this sub-section.
Repeal of the Act of 1925.
4.—(1) The Act of 1925 is hereby repealed as on and from the commencement of this Act.
(2) Every person who is, immediately before the commencement of this Act, an official contractor appointed under the Act of 1925 for the purposes of that Act shall, upon the commencement of this Act, become and be an official contractor for the purposes of this Act and shall be deemed to have been appointed to be such official contractor under this Act, but as of the date and for the commodity and period and upon the terms as of, for, and upon which he was appointed under the Act of 1925.
General duty of Minister in relation to supplies.
5.—It shall be the duty of the Minister to take all such steps as may be desirable to enable local authorities to obtain jointly from one or more suitable contractors such supplies of any commodity as may be required by them in the performance of their duties.
Appointment of official contractor.
6.—(1) The Minister may, from time to time, give public notice in such manner as he thinks proper that he will, within a specified time, receive applications from persons desiring to be appointed to be official contractor for the supply, during a period specified in such notice, of a commodity or of all or any of two or more commodities similarly specified, to local authorities.
(2) Subject to the provisions of the next following sub-section of this section, every application, made in pursuance of public notice given by the Minister under this section, for appointment as official contractor shall be made in writing in the prescribed form and manner and shall contain the prescribed particulars, which shall include—
(a) a statement of the price at which the applicant is willing to supply the commodity or commodities specified in such application during the period and to the local authorities stated in such notice,
(b) a statement showing in the prescribed manner the quality which the applicant is willing to supply of such commodity or each of such commodities, and,
(c) a statement that the applicant is willing to conform in respect of such commodity or commodities with the prescribed conditions of supply.
(3) Whenever, owing to the nature of the commodity, the custom of the trade, or any other circumstances, it is not practicable for applications for appointment as official contractor in respect of a particular commodity to be made in conformity in all respects with the provisions of the next preceding sub-section of this section, the Minister may, by regulations made by him under this Act or by special authorisation given by him in each particular case, allow such applications to be made in such form as he shall think most suitable to the circumstances of the case and shall specify in such regulations or special authorisation.
(4) Upon the expiration of the time limited by a public notice given by the Minister under this section, the Minister shall (subject to the provisions of this Act) consider every application made by any person in pursuance of such notice and received by the Minister within the said time, and the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, thereupon appoint any such person to be an official contractor to all local authorities or to such class of or to such particular local authorities as the Minister shall think proper for the supply of the commodity or commodities specified in the application of such person during the period stated in such notice.
(5) Save as is otherwise provided by this Act, every application under this section for appointment as an official contractor shall be irrevocable and every applicant under this section for such appointment, shall, if he is appointed in accordance with his application, be bound to accept such appointment.
(6) The Minister may require any person who has applied under this section for appointment as an official contractor to give to the Minister, by deposit, bond, surety, or otherwise as the Minister shall direct, security for the due performance by such person (if he is appointed as such official contractor) of the duties and obligations under such appointment, and the Minister may require such security to be given either before and as a condition precedent to consideration of such application or immediately before or after appointment as such official contractor and as a condition (precedent or subsequent, as the case may be) of such appointment.
(7) The appointment under this section of a person to be an official contractor shall not constitute or imply any contract or agreement between the Minister and such person.
(8) More than one official contractor may be appointed under this section in pursuance of any particular public notice given by the Minister under this section, and any person may be appointed under this section to be an official contractor in respect, of any commodity or commodities notwithstanding that he holds an appointment as official contractor in respect of any other commodity or commodities.
(9) Every appointment under this section of an official contractor shall be notified by the Minister to the person so appointed and shall also be published by the Minister in such manner as he thinks proper.
Conditions as to place of manufacture and terms of employment.
7.—(1) The Minister may by order provide that every application for appointment as official contractor for the supply of a commodity specified in such order shall be accompanied by an undertaking by the applicant that, in the event of his appointment,—
(a) such commodity when supplied by him in pursuance of such appointment shall be manufactured or produced in Ireland, and
(b) if he manufactures or produces such commodity at any time during the period of his appointment, the wages paid and the conditions of employment observed by him in such manufacture or production shall be not less favourable to his employees than those required in the execution of contracts with a Minister of State.
(2) Whenever an order has been made under this section in relation to applications for appointment as an official contractor, no application for appointment as such official contractor shall, so long as such order remains in force, be considered unless it is accompanied by the undertaking mentioned in such order.
(3) If any official contractor fails to carry out an undertaking entered into by him in pursuance of an order under this section, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not, exceeding ten pounds.
(4) The Minister shall exercise the powers conferred on him by this section in so far as it appears to him from time to time to be practicable so to do.
(5) The Minister may by order at any time revoke an order made under the first sub-section of this section.
(6) In this section the word “Ireland” does not include any area which is not within the area and extent of application of the laws enacted by the Oireachtas.
Inspection of manufacture or production of commodities.
8.—(1) The Minister may by order provide that every application for appointment as official contractor for the supply of a commodity specified in such order shall be accompanied by an undertaking by the applicant that, in the event of his appointment and of his manufacturing or producing such commodity at any time during the period of his appointment, he will permit such manufacture or production to be inspected by the Minister.
(2) Whenever an order has been made under this section in relation to applications for appointment as an official contractor, no application for appointment as such official contractor shall, so long as such order remains in force, be considered unless it is accompanied by the undertaking mentioned in such order.
(3) The Minister may by order at any time revoke an order made under the first sub-section of this section.
(4) Whenever an official contractor has entered into an undertaking to permit the manufacture or production by him of a commodity to be supplied by him as such official contractor to be inspected by the Minister, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) an officer of the Minister may enter any premises in which the manufacture or production of such commodity, or any part or process of such manufacture or production, is carried on by such official contractor, and may so enter such premises at any time when such manufacture or production or such part or process thereof is being carried on, and may on such entry inspect and examine such premises and the plant and equipment thereof, and inspect and observe all or any of the processes of such manufacture or production carried on in such premises, and examine and observe the means employed and method used in testing such commodity in such premises;
(b) an officer of the Minister making an inspection under the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section in any premises may take and carry away without payment samples of the commodity manufactured or produced wholly or partly in such premises and of any component or constituent of such commodity, and may take such samples at any stage in such manufacture or production;
(c) an officer of the Minister who has entered any premises under this section may there inspect and examine all such books and records the examination and inspection of which appear to such officer to be reasonably necessary for the proper inspection of the manufacture or production of the commodity manufactured or produced wholly or partly in such premises, and may there make and take away copies of the whole or any part of any such documents;
(d) such official contractor shall afford to any officer of the Minister entering under this section any premises of such contractor all reasonable facilities for the doing of all or any of the things which such officer is empowered by this sub-section to do in such premises, and in particular shall produce to such officer all books and records the production of which shall be demanded by such officer under the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section.
(5) Every official contractor who shall wilfully obstruct or impede an officer of the Minister in the exercise, in or in relation to any premises of such contractor, of any of the powers conferred on an officer of the Minister by the next preceding sub-section of this section or who shall fail or refuse to do anything which such official contractor is required by the said sub-section to do shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding two pounds for every day during which such offence is continued.
(6) Every person (other than the official contractor whose premises are concerned) who shall wilfully obstruct or impede an officer of the Minister in the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this section on an officer of the Minister shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.
(7) In this section the expression “officer of the Minister” means an officer of the Minister authorised by the Minister to exercise the powers conferred by this section on an officer of the Minister, but the Minister may, if and whenever he so thinks proper, authorise and empower any person who is not an officer of the Minister (whether such person is or is not in the service of the Government) to exercise, in respect of any particular official contractor and either generally or on a particular occasion, the powers conferred by this section on an officer of the Minister, and whenever the Minister so authorises and empowers any such person such person shall, to the extent and for the purposes to and for which he is so authorised and empowered, be deemed to be an officer of the Minister within the meaning of this section.
Revocation of appointment of official contractor.
9.—(1) An official contractor may at any time apply to the Minister for the revocation of his appointment as such contractor, and thereupon the Minister may, if he is satisfied that such revocation will not occasion additional expense to the local authorities for the supply of commodities to whom such contractor was appointed to be an official contractor, revoke by order such appointment, but may, if he so thinks proper, postpone by such order the taking effect of such revocation to such subsequent date as may be necessary in his opinion to avoid the occasioning of such additional expense as aforesaid.
(2) Whenever the Minister is satisfied that an official contractor has failed to carry out a contract deemed by virtue of this Act or by virtue of the Act of 1925 to have been entered into by him with a local authority, or has failed to observe and perform an undertaking entered into by him in pursuance of this Act or has failed to fulfil any other obligation imposed on him by this Act, the Minister may, subject to the provisions of this section, by order revoke the appointment of such official contractor.
(3) Before revoking under the next preceding sub-section of this section the appointment of an official contractor, the Minister shall give to such official contractor one week's notice in writing of his intention to revoke such appointment and shall consider such (if any) representations as may be made to him by such official contractor in respect of such revocation before the expiration of such notice.
(4) The following provisions shall have effect in respect of the revocation under this section of the appointment of an official contractor otherwise than on his own application, that is to say:—
(a) such revocation shall take effect as on and from such date (not being prior to the date of the order effecting such revocation) as shall be stated in that behalf in such order;
(b) where the official contractor to whom such revocation relates was an official contractor by virtue of two or more appointments in respect of different commodities, such revocation shall relate to the appointment as official contractor in respect of which the failure occasioning such revocation took place, but may, if the Minister so thinks proper and so states in the order effecting such revocation, extend to all such appointments or to such and so many of such appointments as the Minister shall think proper and shall specify in such order;
(c) no such revocation shall prejudice or affect any contract deemed by virtue of this Act or by virtue of the Act of 1925 to have been entered into between the official contractor to whom such revocation relates and a local authority before the day on which such revocation takes effect, or release such official contractor or such local authority from their respective obligations under such contract.
(5) Whenever the appointment of an official contractor is revoked under this section, such official contractor shall, on the day on which such revocation takes effect, cease to be an official contractor by virtue of the appointment so revoked, but such revocation shall not terminate or affect any other appointment of such official contractor to be an official contractor unless such revocation is extended thereto by the order effecting such revocation.
Purchases by local authorities from official contractors.
10.—(1) Any local authority requiring for the performance of their duties a supply of any commodity, for which an official contractor has been appointed in respect of such local authority, may send in the prescribed form and manner to an official contractor for that commodity in respect of such local authority an order for the quantity of such commodity so required by them, and thereupon such local authority and such official contractor shall be deemed to have entered into an enforceable contract to take and supply respectively the quantity so notified of such commodity at the standard price and of the quality which such official contractor stated in his application for appointment that he was willing to supply and in accordance with the prescribed conditions of supply for such commodity.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any enactment requiring a local authority to issue advertisements take tenders, enter into contracts, or carry out any other preliminary procedure before obtaining a supply of any commodity, a local authority may obtain, under and in accordance with the foregoing sub-section of this section, a supply of such commodity from an official contractor for such commodity in respect of such local authority without issuing such advertisements, taking such tenders, entering into such contracts (other than such contract as is mentioned in the foregoing sub-section of this section), or carrying out such preliminary procedure.
(3) Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1901, (as amended or extended by subsequent enactments) and every other enactment now in force or hereafter enacted whereby contracts are or may be varied in consequence of legislation which comes into force after the making thereof shall apply to every contract which is deemed by this section to have been entered into by a local authority and an official contractor as if such contract had been entered into on the date on which such official contractor applied or last applied to be appointed official contractor to such local authority in respect of the commodity to which such contract relates.
Substitute commodities.
11.—(1) Whenever the Minister has appointed or proposes to appoint an official contractor for the supply of a particular commodity (in this section referred to as the original commodity) to one or more local authorities, the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, declare by order that another specified commodity (in this section referred to as the substitute commodity) is a substitute for the original commodity.
(2) Whenever the Minister makes any such order as is authorised by the foregoing sub-section of this section the following provisions shall have effect so long as such order is in force, that is to say:—
(a) every purchase by a local authority of the substitute commodity specified in such order shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to be a purchase of the original commodity to which such order relates;
(b) a person who intends to supply such substitute commodity may apply for appointment, and may be appointed, as official contractor for the supply of such original commodity;
(c) whenever a local authority orders under this Act a quantity of such original commodity from an official contractor appointed for the supply of such original commodity, it shall be lawful for such official contractor (subject to compliance with the provisions of this Act and the orders, regulations and special directions made thereunder applicable to such original commodity and the supply thereof) to supply a similar quantity of such substitute commodity to such local authority in lieu of such original commodity;
(d) whenever an official contractor supplies, under the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section, to a local authority a quantity of such substitute commodity in lieu of a similar quantity of such original commodity, such supply shall be deemed to be a compliance by such official contractor with the contract between such local authority and such official contractor arising under this Act by virtue of the order by such local authority for the said quantity of such original commodity.
(3) The Minister may by order at any time revoke or amend an order made under the first sub-section of this section.
Estimates by local authorities of their requirements.
12.—(1) The Minister may at any time require any local authority to submit to him, in the prescribed form and manner and within a specified time, an estimate of the total quantity of a specified commodity which such local authority will require during a specified period for the purposes of their powers and duties.
(2) Whenever the Minister requires under this section a local authority to furnish to him such estimate as is mentioned in the next preceding sub-section of this section, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the prescribed officer of such local authority shall prepare such estimate as is so required by the Minister and shall submit such estimate to such local authority within such time as will enable such local authority to comply with the subsequent provisions of this sub-section;
(b) such local authority shall consider the said estimate so submitted to them by such prescribed officer and shall approve of such estimate either (as they shall think proper) without alteration or with such alterations as they shall think proper;
(c) such local authority shall submit such estimate as so approved of by them to the Minister within the time limited in that behalf by the said requisition of the Minister.
(3) Whenever, after the submission under this section of an estimate by a local authority to the Minister in pursuance of a requisition made by the Minister under this section, the Minister appoints under this Act one official contractor for the supply to such local authority (whether alone or together with other local authorities) of the commodity to which such estimate relates during a period which coincides with or includes the period to which such estimate relates, and such appointment, in so far as it relates to the supply of such commodity to such local authority, is specifically made by the Minister and applied for by such official contractor on the basis of such estimate, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the Minister shall forthwith inform such local authority that such appointment was made and applied for on the said basis and that this sub-section and the next following sub-section of this section apply accordingly;
(b) it shall be the duty of such local authority to order and take from such official contractor, under and in accordance with this Act, during the said period to which such estimate relates the quantity (in this section referred to as the estimated quantity) of such commodity stated in such estimate as the quantity thereof which would be required by such local authority during the said period.
(4) Whenever, by virtue of the next preceding sub-section of this section, it is the duty of a local authority to order and take from a particular official contractor the estimated quantity of a commodity during a particular period, then and in such case—
(a) if such local authority fails to order and take from such official contractor during the said period the estimated quantity of such commodity, it shall be lawful for such official contractor within the prescribed time after the expiration of the said period to deliver to such local authority so much of such commodity as will, with the amount (if any) thereof taken by such local authority during the said period, make up the estimated quantity of such commodity, and the amount of such commodity so delivered shall be deemed for all purposes to have been ordered by such local authority under this Act, and
(b) if such local authority orders and takes from such official contractor during the said period a supply of such commodity exceeding the estimated quantity thereof, such official contractor shall (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act) be entitled to charge and to be paid by such local authority, for so much of such commodity so ordered and taken as exceeds the estimated quantity of such commodity, a price exceeding the standard price by the prescribed percentage.
(5) Where a local authority fails to submit to the Minister an estimate in accordance with a requisition in that behalf made by the Minister under this section to such local authority, and the Minister appoints under this Act one official contractor for the supply to such local authority of the commodity to which such requisition related during a period which coincides with or includes the period to which such requisition related, such official contractor shall (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act) be entitled to charge and to be paid by such local authority for all supplies of such commodity ordered and taken from him by such local authority during the said period to which such requisition related a price exceeding the standard price by the prescribed percentage.
Prohibition of dealings with persons who are not official contractors.
13.—(1) Whenever one or more official contractors has or have been appointed for the supply of a particular commodity during a particular period to all or any class of local authorities or to any particular local authorities, no such local authority shall (save as is otherwise provided by this Act) order or take and no member or officer of any such local authority shall (save as aforesaid) order on behalf of such local authority during such period any quantity of such commodity or of a commodity which is for the time being declared by an order made by the Minister under this Act to be a substitute for such commodity from any person other than such official contractor or one of such official contractors, as the case may be.
(2) Whenever a local authority orders and takes from any person a supply of any commodity in such circumstances that such ordering and taking is a contravention of the foregoing sub-section of this section, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) every payment made by such local authority to such person for any quantity of such commodity so ordered and taken shall be an illegal payment and may be dealt with accordingly by the auditor of the accounts of such local authority unless it is shown that such payment could have been lawfully recovered by process of law from such local authority by such person;
(b) the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, serve by post on such local authority and on such person notice that the ordering and taking of any quantity of such commodity by such local authority from such person is a contravention of sub-section (1) of this section;
(c) such person shall not be entitled to recover from such local authority any money for or on account of any of such commodity so ordered and taken from him if such local authority shows that when such person supplied such commodity to such local authority he had notice and knew that such ordering and taking was a contravention of sub-section (1) of this section;
(d) if a person from whom any quantity of a commodity is ordered and taken by a local authority in contravention of sub-section (1) of this section shows that at the time he supplied any particular quantity of such commodity to such local authority in pursuance of such order he had not notice and did not know that such ordering and taking was such contravention as aforesaid, he shall be entitled to be paid by and to recover from such local authority the agreed price and other moneys payable for the said particular quantity of such commodity.
(3) If any member or officer of a local authority wilfully orders on behalf of such local authority from any person any quantity of any commodity in such circumstances that such ordering is a contravention of sub-section (1) of this section such member or officer shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall (without prejudice to his liability to surcharge or charge at an audit of the accounts of such local authority) be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Exemptions from obligation to purchase from official contractors.
14.—(1) The Minister may, if and whenever he so thinks proper, by order make regulations conferring on local authorities power in specified circumstances to purchase a supply of any specified commodity or commodities or of any commodity whatsoever from a person who is not the official contractor to such local authority for the commodity of which a supply is so purchased, and the Minister may by such regulations impose such restrictions and conditions as he shall think proper in respect of the exercise by local authorities of the power so conferred.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, no purchase made by a local authority under and in accordance with regulations made under this section shall be a contravention of any section of this Act merely by reason of such purchase being made from a person who is not the official contractor to such local authority for the commodity which is the subject of such purchase.
Testing commodities supplied by official contractors.
15.—(1) The Minister may make arrangements whereby the quality or nature of any commodity supplied to a local authority by an official contractor may, on the application and at the cost of such local authority, be tested or ascertained by analysis or otherwise and for that purpose the Minister may by regulations made by order under this section do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) provide for the making of periodical or other tests of samples of commodities supplied to local authorities by official contractors;
(b) prescribe the persons by whom and the means by and manner in which such tests of samples of particular commodities are to be made;
(c) regulate the procedure generally in relation to such tests, including applications for any such test and the communication to persons concerned of the result of any such test;
(d) prescribe the certificate or other evidence to be given of the result of any such test, and the persons by whom such certificate or other evidence is to be given, and the persons to whom such certificate or other evidence is to be furnished;
(e) provide that any such certificate or other evidence as is mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section given in respect of any test shall, as respects the samples which were the subject of such test, be conclusive evidence for all purposes of the result of such test.
(2) Whenever regulations made under this section provide that any particular certificate or other evidence shall be conclusive evidence for all purposes of the result of a test made under such regulations, such certificate or other evidence shall, as respects the samples which were the subject of such test, be accepted by all courts of justice as conclusive evidence of the result of such test and shall also be accepted by all courts of justice as evidence until the contrary is proved, that such test was carried out under and in accordance with such regulations.
(3) In this section the word “test” includes every method of testing, investigating, or ascertaining any matter or thing which is the subject of a test under regulations made under this section, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly.
The Local Supplies Advisory Committee.
16.—(1) The Local Supplies Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the committee) established in pursuance of section 9 of the Act of 1925 for the purpose of advising and assisting the Minister in the performance of his duties under that Act shall, notwithstanding the repeal of the said Act by this Act, be continued and maintained under this Act for the purpose of advising and assisting the Minister in the performance of his duties under this Act.
(2) Every person who was a member of the committee immediately before the passing of this Act shall continue to be such member after such passing and shall, for the purposes of the subsequent provisions of this section, be deemed to have been appointed to be such member under this Act but on the day and for the period on and for which he was actually appointed under section 9 of the Act of 1925.
(3) Subject to the provisions of the next preceding sub-section of this section, the committee shall consist of six persons to be appointed by the Minister from time to time as occasion requires, of whom—
(a) two persons shall, at the time of their appointment, be elected members of county councils, and
(b) two persons shall, at the time of their appointment, be elected members of councils of county boroughs, boroughs, or urban districts or commissioners of towns, and
(c) one person shall be representative of employers engaged in industry or commerce, and
(d) one person shall be representative of trade unions.
(4) The Minister shall, before appointing a member of the committee, consult with any association for the time being representative of county or county borough councils, urban district councils, town commissioners or of industry or commerce or of trade unions, as the case may require.
(5) The several members of the committee shall, unless they previously die or resign, respectively retain their membership for such period from their appointment as the Minister shall prescribe, but shall, if otherwise qualified, be eligible for reappointment.
(6) Three members of the committee shall be a quorum, and the members of the committee shall at every meeting elect from amongst their number the chairman for that meeting and such chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
(7) The committee shall have a secretary who shall be nominated by the Minister.
(8) The committee shall meet whenever summoned by the Minister.
(9) The committee shall consider and advise the Minister on all matters which shall be referred to it by the Minister, and the committee may also at its discretion consider and if it thinks fit report to the Minister on any other matter relating to or affecting the supply of commodities to local authorities under this Act.
(10) Payments may be made by the Minister to members of the committee, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, in respect of repayment of travelling expenses and payment of subsistence allowance.
Expenses.
17.—(1) All expenses incurred by the Minister or any other Minister in carrying this Act into effect shall to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(2) As soon as may be after the end of every local financial year the Minister shall by order certify the sum which, during such local financial year, was expended out of moneys provided under sub-section (1) of this section in carrying this Act into effect, and shall assess that sum on the several counties and county boroughs in proportion to the annual value under the Valuation Acts of the property rateable for poor rate in such counties and county boroughs respectively, and shall send copies of such order to the council of every such county and county borough.
(3) The council of every county and county borough shall pay the amount assessed by such order on such county or county borough to the Minister and shall raise the amount so to be paid, in the case of a county by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge and, in the case of the county boroughs of Dublin and Limerick, by means of the municipal rate, and in the case of the county boroughs of Cork and Waterford, by means of the poor rate.
(4) Where any money is payable to the Minister under this section by a council, such money may, in default of payment by such council, be deducted from any money payable to such council by any Minister for any purpose whatsoever, but such deduction shall, in the case of money payable out of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account, be made subject to and without prejudice to the claims of the guarantee fund under the Land Purchase Acts.
(5) The expenses of the Minister shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to include such charges in respect of superannuation and other allowances and gratuities payable on death or retirement as the Minister shall, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, determine to be proper.
(6) All expenses incurred by the Minister or any other Minister in carrying into effect the Act of 1925 during the local financial year in which this Act comes into operation shall be deemed, for the purposes of this section, to have been incurred in carrying this Act into effect.
(7) All moneys paid to the Minister by the council of a county or a county borough in pursuance of this section shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer by the Minister in such manner as the Minister for Finance shall direct.
Powers of inspectors.
18.—(1) Any officer of the Minister appointed or authorised by him to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act may do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) enter at all reasonable times any home, hospital, mental hospital, or other institution vested in and managed by a local authority and there inspect and examine any commodities purchased for such institution, and list or take stock of the quantity of any such commodity then in such institution;
(b) attend any meeting of the council, board, or committee charged with the management of any such institution as aforesaid at which the purchase of any commodity for such institution or any matter arising on or in relation to any such purchase is to be considered and take part in the proceedings (other than voting) at such meeting.
(2) Every person who obstructs or interferes with an officer of the Minister appointed or authorised to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act in the exercise of any power vested in him by virtue of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.
Regulations.
19.—(1) The Minister may by order make regulations for all or any of the following purposes, that is to say:—
(a) appointing the procedure to be adopted by local authorities in carrying this Act into effect;
(b) prescribing the method of fixing or determining (including fixing by reference to samples) the standard of quality for any commodity for which the Minister has appointed or intends to appoint an official contractor;
(c) authorising the provision by the Minister of official samples of any commodity for which he proposes to appoint an official contractor and providing for the deposit of such official samples for public inspection;
(d) prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or as being or to be prescribed.
(2) The Minister may by special direction prescribe that any regulations made under this section shall not apply in relation to a specified commodity or shall apply in relation to a specified commodity with specified modifications, or that a provision not applying in relation to a specified commodity by virtue of any regulation made under this section shall apply in relation to that commodity.
(3) Where a special direction in respect of any commodity has been given under this section, any person, who before such direction was given applied to be appointed as official contractor for the supply of that commodity and who has not been appointed in pursuance of the said application, may withdraw the said application at any time before he is so appointed.
(4) A special direction given under this section in respect of any commodity shall not apply in relation to any official con tractor for the supply of that commodity who was appointed to be such official contractor before such direction was given so long as he continues to be such official contractor by virtue of such appointment.
(5) The Minister may at any time by special direction amend or revoke a special direction previously given under this section, including a special direction given under this sub-section.
(6) In this Act the word “prescribed” means, according as may be appropriate, prescribed by regulations made under this section or by a special direction given under this section or by the joint operation of regulations so made and a special direction so given.
Laying of regulations before the Oireachtas.
20.—Every regulation made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling such regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which such House has sat after such regulation is laid before it, such regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to anything previously done under such regulation.
Appointment of officers by the Minister.
21.—The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, appoint such and so many officers as he shall think necessary to assist him in the performance of his duties under this Act, and all such officers shall hold office on such terms and be remunerated at such rates and in such manner as the Minister for Finance shall sanction.
Prosecutions.
22.—A prosecution for an offence under any section of this Act may be brought at the suit of the Minister.