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Uimhir 20 de 1925.
ACHT NA nÚDARÁS nÁITIÚIL (CÓ-CHEANNACH), 1925.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “connarthóir oifigiúil” duine a ceapfar fén Acht so chun bheith ina chonnarthóir oifigiúil chun earra do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla i Saorstát Éireann no in aon pháirt áirithe dhe;
cialluíonn an focal “riail-phraghas” an praghas a dhéanfidh duine a bheidh ag lorg puist mar chonnarthóir oifigiúil a luadh ina iarratas mar phraghas ar a bhfuil sé toilteannach an t-earra, le n-a mbaineann an t-iarratas, do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla;
foluíonn an focal “údarás áitiúil” comhairle chontae, comhairle chontae-bhuirge no bhuirge eile, comhairle bhailecheanntair, comhairle thuathcheanntair, bord caomhnóirí, baile-choimisinéirí baile, agus aon chólucht atá bunuithe no a bunófar le haon achtachán no dá bhua chun aon cheann d'fheidhmeanna aon chóluchta dá luaidhtear anso roimhe seo do chó-líona, agus fós aon choiste no có-choiste d'aon cheann no a ceapadh ag aon cheann de sna comhairlí, na búird, na coimisinéirí no na cóluchtaí eile roimhráite;
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe ag an Aire le rialacháin a dineadh fén Acht so.
Dualgas generálta an Aire maidir le soláthairtí.
2.—Beidh sé de dhualgas ar an Aire gach ní is oiriúnach do dhéanamh chun a chur ar chumas údarás n-áitiúil i dteanta a chéile pé soláthairtí d'aon earra a theastóidh uatha i bhfeidhmiú a ndualgas d'fháil o chonnarthóir no o chonnarthóirí oiriúnacha.
Connarthóirí oifigiúla do cheapa.
3.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire, mar is dó leis agus nuair is dó leis agus i pé slí is dó leis is ceart, fógra puiblí do thabhairt uaidh go nglacfa sé iarrataisí laistigh d'aimsir áirithe o dhaoine gur mian leo go gceapfí iad mar chonnarthóirí oifigiúla fén Acht so ar feadh tréimhse áirithe chun earra no earraí áirithe do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla i Saorstát Éireann no in aon pháirt áirithe dhe.
(2) Gach iarratas le n-a n-iarrfar connarthóir oifigiúil do cheapa, beidh sé i scríbhinn sa bhfuirm orduithe agus beidh na mioninnste orduithe ann, ar a n-áirítear ráiteas ar an bpraghas ar a bhfuil an t-iarratasóir toilteannach an t-earra le n-a mbaineann an t-iarratas do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla agus ráiteas go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir toilteannach an t-earra do chimeád ar an leibheul feabhais agus déanamh do réir na gcoiníollacha soláthair a horduíodh i dtaobh an earra san le rialacháin a dineadh fén Acht so.
(3) Ar bheith caithte don aimsir a luadhadh sa bhfógra puiblí roimhráite, breithneoidh an tAire gach iarratas a gheobha sé do réir an fhógra san agus féadfa sé éinne d'iarr san do cheapa chun bheith ina chonnarthóir oifigiúil ar feadh na tréimhse agus don líomatáiste a luadhadh sa bhfógra puiblí roimhráite chun aon earra gur dhin an duine sin iarratas amhlaidh ina thaobh do sholáthar ar an bpraghas a hainmníodh ina iarratas.
(4) Féadfar níos mó ná aon chonnarthóir oifigiúil amháin do cheapa fén alt so maidir le haon earra áirithe agus éinne a ceapfar fén alt so chun bheith ina chonnarthóir oifigiúil féadfar é cheapa amhlaidh maidir le níos mó ná aon earra amháin.
(5) Gach aon uair a ceapfar connarthóir oifigiúil fén alt so cuirfidh an tAire an ceapa in úil don té a ceapadh agus fós foillseoidh an tAire fógra, ar pé slí is dó leis is ceart, gur dineadh an ceapa.
Geallúint o chonnarthóir oifigiúil.
4.—Nuair a ceapfar éinne chun bheith ina chonnarthóir oifigiúil fén Acht so ní dhéanfidh ná ní chiallóidh an ceapa san aon chonnra ná có-aontú idir an tAire agus an duine sin, ach féadfidh an tAire a éileamh ar éinne a ceapfar amhlaidh, mar choiníoll de choiníollacha a cheaptha go ndéanfidh an duine sin aon gheallúint do thabhairt uaidh is oiriúnach leis an Aire maidir le feabhas an earra a sholáthróidh sé, leis an slí ina soláthrófar an t-earra san, leis na héilithe a héileofar ar son a sheachadtha, le pionóisí mar gheall ar gan an t-earra do sholáthar, le staid na fostaíochta a bhaineann leis an earra do dhéanamh no do sholáthar, no maidir le héinní eile den tsórt san.
Údaráis áitiúla ag ceannach o chonnarthóirí oifigiúla.
5.—(1) Aon údarás áitiúil go dteastóidh uatha, chun feidhmithe a ndualgas, soláthar d'aon earra gur ceapadh connarthóir oifigiúil fén Acht so ar a shon, féadfid fógra, i dtaobh an méid den earra san a theastuíonn uatha, do chur, sa bhfuirm agus sa tslí orduithe, ag triall ar chonnarthóir oifigiúil ar son an earra san, agus leis sin tuigfar connra infheidhmithe do bheith déanta ag an údarás áitiúil sin agus ag an gconnarthóir oifigiúil sin chun an méid a fógradh amhlaidh den earra san do ghlaca agus do sholáthar fé seach ar an bpraghas orduithe agus do réir an leibhéil feabhais agus na gcoiníoll soláthair a horduíodh le rialacháin a dineadh fén Acht so agus do réir aon gheallúna a thug an connarthóir oifigiúil sin uaidh fén Acht so maidir leis an earra san.
(2) D'ainneoin na bhforálacha d'aon achtachán le n-a n-éilítear ar údarás áitiúil fógráin do thabhairt amach, tairisgeana do ghlaca, connracha do dhéanamh, no gabháil tré aon roimh-chúrsa eile sara bhfaghdís soláthar d'aon earra, féadfidh údarás áitiúil, fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo agus dá réir, soláthar d'aon earra d'fháil o chonnarthóir oifigiúil ar son an earra san gan na fógráin sin do thabhairt amach, na tairisgeanna san do ghlaca, na connartha san (lasmuich de chonnra den tsórt a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo) do dhéanamh, ná gabháil tríd an roimhchúrsa san.
Connracha le daoine eile seachas connarthóir oifigiúil.
6.—(1) Aon uair a cheannóidh údarás áitiúil aon earra gur ceapadh connarthóir oifigiúil fén Acht so ar a son, no a dhéanfid connra, le duine nách connarthóir oifigiúil ar son an earra san, chun an t-earra san do cheannach, cuirfar síos i miontuairiscí an údaráis áitiúla san iontráil ar na réasúin a bhí leis an gceannach no leis an gconnra san.
(2) Taisbeánfar an iontráil sin nuair a bheidh aon iniúcha á dhéanamh ar na cuntaisí de chuid an údaráis áitiúla ina n-áirítear aon íocaíocht as an earra san no fén gconnra san.
(3) Nuair a bheidh aon iniúcha den tsórt san á dhéanamh, maran deimhin leis an iniúchóir nách chun aon chríche ná cuspóra, calaoiseach ná éagcórach, a dineadh an ceannach no an connra san, ná chun aon chuspóra eile ach i gcó-líona a ndualgaisí bona fide ar mhaithe leis na híocóirí ráta ag na baill den údarás áitiúil do dhin é no d'údaruigh é dhéanamh, cuirfe sé i gcoinnibh na mball san le chéile agus i gcoinnibh gach duine fé leith acu méid aon chailliúna do bhain don údarás áitiúil tríd an gceannach no tríd an gconnra san, pe'ca de dheascaibh an phraghais a híocadh as an earra a tháinig an chailliúint sin no de dheascaibh cáilíocht an earra a fuarthas amhlaidh no de dheascaibh ní ar bith eile agus, i gcás connartha, más dó leis gur dócha go dtiocfadh aon chailliúint den tsórt san roimhráite de dheascaibh leanúint den chonnra, féadfa sé a fhaisnéis go bhfuil an connra san nea-dhlíthiúil.
(4) Má faisnéistear, do réir an ailt seo, connra do bheith neadhlíthiúil, leis sin beidh an connra san gan brí, agus bainfidh alt 12 den Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1871 (alt a bhaineas le dualgaisí iniúchóra agus le hathchomhairc) le cás an chonnartha san, agus féadfar na baill den údarás áitiúil a dhin an connra san do chur, dá réir sin, fé fhormhuirear gach íocaíochta a dineadh fén gconnra san, no fé fhormhuirear pé cuid díobh a chífar don iniúchóir a bheith ceart agus réasúnta agus gach taobh don scéal do bhreithniú, ach d'ainneoin na faisnéise sin féadfidh an té le n-ar dineadh an connra san aon tsuim d'fháil a bheidh dlite dho fén gconnra san ar scór earraí a soláthruíodh roimh an bhfaisnéis sin.
(5) Ní bheidh dul thar aon bhreith a thabharfidh iniúchóir fén alt so agus beidh sí ceangailte ar gach éinne, ach amháin sa mhéid go n-atharófar í de bharr athchomhairc.
Tástáil na n-earraí a soláthrófar.
7.—Féadfidh an tAire socruithe do dhéanamh tré n-a bhféadfidh pé duine no daoine a cheadóidh sé, ar pé slí a cheadóidh sé, cáilíocht no cineál aon earra do soláthruíodh d'údarás áitiúil, ag connarthóir oifigiúil ar son an earra san, do thástáil no d'fháil amach le deighilteánacht no ar shlí eile ar iarratas agus ar chostas an údaráis áitiúla san.
Comhacht don Aire chun códhálacha do chomóra.
8.—Féadfidh an tAire códhálacha d'ionadaithe d'údaráis áitiúla do chomóra chun éinní a bhaineann le soláthar earraí d'údaráis áitiúla do phlé, agus bainfidh forálacha an Public Health and Local Government Conferences Act, 1885, le gach códháil den tsórt san.
Coiste Comhairle um Sholáthairtí Áitiúla.
9.—(1) Chun comhairle agus congnamh do thabhairt don Aire i gcó-líona a dhualgaisí fén Acht so bunófar coiste comhairle (dá ngairmtear an coiste san alt so) dá ngairmfear an Coiste Comhairle um Sholáthairtí Áitiúla agus beidh sé có-dhéanta de chúigear a cheapfidh an tAire o am go ham fé mar is gá é agus—
(a) beirt acu ina mbaill tofa de chomhairlí contae no contaebhuirge i Saorstát Éireann, agus
(b) beirt acu ina mbaill tofa de chomhairlí bailecheanntair no de choimisinéirí bailte i Saorstát Éireann, agus
(c) duine acu ina ionadaí do lucht na tráchtála i Saorstát Éireann.
(2) Sara gceapaidh an tAire ball den choiste, ragha sé i gcomhairle le haon chomhlachas a bheidh de thurus na huaire ag ionadú comhairlí contae no contae-bhuirge, comhairlí bailecheanntair, baile-choimisinéirí, no lucht na tráchtála fé mar is gá.
(3) Coinneoidh baill uile agus fé leith an choiste a mballraíocht fé seach ar feadh pé tréimhse o am a gceaptha a ordóidh an tAire mara bhfuighid bás no mara n-eiríd as an gcoiste roimh dheire na tréimhse sin, ach beid ion-ath-cheaptha.
(4) Triúr ball den choiste is quorum agus déanfidh baill an choiste, ag gach cruinniú, cathaoirleach do thogha as a líon féin don chruinniú san, agus beidh an dara vóta no vóta réitigh ag an gcathaoirleach san.
(5) Beidh rúnaí ag an gcoiste agus isé an tAire a ainmneoidh é.
(6) Tiocfidh an coiste le chéile aon uair a ghairmfidh an tAire le chéile iad agus fós ar pé ócáidí eile a shocróidh an coiste o am go ham.
(7) Déanfidh an coiste breithniú agus tabharfid comhairle don Aire ar gach ní a chuirfidh an tAire fé n-a mbráid agus féadfidh an coiste fós, do réir a dtoile féin, breithniú do dhéanamh agus, más oiriúnach leo é, tuairisc do thabhairt don Aire ar éinní eile a bhaineann le hearraí do sholáthar d'údaráis áitiúla fén Acht so no a dhineann difir don chéanna.
(8) Féadfidh an tAire íocaíochtaí d'íoc le baill den choiste, pé méid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgid, mar aisíoc i gcostaisí taistil agus in íoc liúntais chothuithe.
Costaisí.
10.—(1) Íocfar amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas na costaisí a bheidh ar an Aire ag cur an Achta so in éifeacht pé méid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgid.
(2) I ndeire gach bliana airgeadais áitiúla deimhneoidh an tAire, le hordú fé n-a shéala, cadé an tsuim a chaith sé, as airgead a soláthruíodh fé fho-alt (1) den alt so, i rith na bliana airgeadais áitiúla san ag cur có-líona a dhualgaisí fén Acht so in éifeacht, agus cáinmheasfa sé an tsuim sin ar na contaethe agus ar na contae-bhuirgí uile agus fé leith i Saorstát Éireann do réir luach bliantúil glan na maoine 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) Déanfidh comhairle gach contae agus contae-bhuirge an méid a cáinmheasadh ar an gcontae no ar an gcontae-bhuirg sin leis an ordú san do chruinniú tríd an ráta dealbhais mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán agus íocfid isteach i Stát-Chiste Shaorstáit Éireann é do réir pé treoracha a thabharfidh an tAire Airgid uaidh chuige sin.
Comhachta cigirí.
11.—Aon oifigeach don Aire a cheapfidh no a údaróidh an tAire chun bheith ina chigire chun críche an Achta so, féadfa sé gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) dul isteach gach tráth réasúnta in aon teaghlach, óspidéal, gealtlann, no fundúireacht eile a coinnítear suas, i bpáirt no go hiomlán, le rátaí agus scrúdú agus iniúcha do dhéanamh ann ar aon earraí a ceannuíodh don bhfundúireacht san agus an méid d'aon earra den tsórt san a bheidh sa bhfundúireacht san an uair sin do chur ar liost no d'áireamh;
(b) tora aon scrúduithe, iniúcha, cur-ar-liosta no áirimh den tsórt san do thuairisciú don Aire;
(c) bheith i láthair ag aon chruinniú den chomhairle, den bhord, no den choiste go bhfuil bainistí aon fhundúireachta den tsórt san roimhráite de chúram ortha, cruinniú ag á mbeidh ceannach aon earra don bhfundúireacht san le breithniú, agus páirt do thógaint sna himeachta (ach gan vótáil) ag an gcruinniú san.
Féadfidh an tAire rialacháin do dhéanamh.
12.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh i gcóir gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an nós-imeachta do cheapa a leanfidh údaráis áitiúla agus iad ag cur an Achta so in éifeacht;
(b) an leibhéal feabhais do shocrú d'aon earra gur cheap an tAire connarthóir oifigiúil no go bhfuil sé chun a leithéid do cheapa ar a shon;
(c) na coiníollacha soláthair d'ordú d'aon earra den tsórt san roimhráite;
(d) údarás do thabhairt go soláthródh an tAire somplaí oifigiúla d'aon earra go bhfuil sé chun connarthóir oifigiúil do cheapa ar a shon agus socrú do dhéanamh chun go lóisteálfí na somplaí oifigiúla san chun a scrúduithe ag an bpuiblíocht;
(e) an nós-imeachta do regleáil maraon le nithe eile a bhaineann no a ghabhann le haon tástáil no fáil amach ar cháilíocht no ar chineál aon earra go n-údaruítear do leis an Acht so socruithe do dhéanamh ina chóir;
(f) éileamh, maidir le haon earra a soláthrófar, gurb earra é a dineadh i bpáirt no go hiomlán i Saorstát Éireann;
(g) éileamh gur fé mar is gá i bhfeidhmiú connracha le Roinn Stáit a bheidh an págh a íocfidh agus na coiníollacha fostaíochta a chimeádfidh connarthóir oifigiúil a bheidh ag soláthar aon earra d'údaráis áitiúla;
(h) éinní no aon rud d'ordú dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no á ordú no le n'ordú.
(2) Aon rialacháin a déanfar fén Acht so leagfar iad fé bhráid dhá Thigh an Oireachtais chó luath agus is féidir é.
Oifigigh do cheapa.
13.—Féadfidh an tAire, le haontú an Aire Airgid, pé oifigigh agus pé méid oifigeach is dó leis is gá do cheapa chun cabhruithe leis i bhfeidhmiú a dhualgaisí fén Acht so, agus beidh gach oifigeach den tsórt san i seilbh oifige ar pé téarmaí agus tabharfar luach saothair do ar pé rátaí agus i pé slí a cheadóidh an tAire Airgid.
Gearr-theideal agus buaine.
14.—(1) Féadfar Acht na nUdarás nAitiúil (Có-Cheannach), 1925, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Raghaidh an tAcht so in éag i gceann trí mblian o am a rithte.
Number 20 of 1925.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (COMBINED PURCHASING) ACT, 1925.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Number 20 of 1925.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (COMBINED PURCHASING) ACT, 1925.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “official contractor” means a person appointed under this Act to be an official contractor for the supply of a commodity to local authorities in Saorstát Eireann or any particular part thereof;
the expression “standard price” means the price which an applicant for the position of official contractor states in his application as the price at which he is willing to supply to local authorities the commodity to which the application relates;
the expression “local authority” includes a county council, county or other borough council, urban district council, rural district council, board of guardians, town commissioners of a town, and any body which is or may be established by or in pursuance of any enactment to perform any of the functions of any of the bodies hereinbefore mentioned, and also any committee or joint committee of or appointed by any of the councils, boards, commissioners, or other bodies aforesaid;
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Local Government and Public Health;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister by regulations made under this Act.
General duty of Minister in relation to supplies.
2.—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 contractors.
3.—(1) The Minister may as and when and in such manner as he thinks proper give public notice that he will within a specified time receive applications from persons desirous of being appointed to be official contractors under this Act for a specified period for the supply of one or more specified commodities to local authorities in Saorstát Eireann or any specified part thereof.
(2) Every application for appointment as an official contractor shall be made in writing in the prescribed form and shall contain the prescribed particulars, including a statement of the price at which the applicant is willing to supply to local authorities the commodity to which the application relates and a statement that the applicant is willing to conform to the standard of quality and the conditions of supply prescribed in relation to such commodity by regulations made under this Act.
(3) At the expiration of the time specified in the public notice aforesaid the Minister shall consider all applications received by him in pursuance of such notice and may appoint any person who so applied to be an official contractor during the period and for the area specified in the public notice aforesaid for any commodity in respect of which such person so applied at the price named in his application.
(4) More than one official contractor may be appointed under this section in respect of any particular commodity and any person appointed under this section to be an official contractor may be so appointed in respect of more than one commodity.
(5) Every appointment of an official contractor under this section shall be notified by the Minister to the person appointed and notice of the appointment shall also be published by the Minister in such manner as he thinks proper.
Undertaking by official contractor.
4.—The appointment of any person to be an official contractor under this Act shall not constitute or imply any contract or agreement between the Minister and such person, but the Minister may require any person so appointed, as a condition of his appointment, to enter into any undertaking which the Minister considers desirable in relation to the quality of the commodity to be supplied by him, the manner in which such commodity is to be supplied, the charges to be made for delivery, penalties for failure to supply, the conditions of employment in relation to the production or supply of the commodity, or any other similar matter.
Purchases by local authorities from official contractors.
5.—(1) Any local authority requiring for the performance of their duties a supply of any commodity for which an official contractor has been appointed under this Act may send in the prescribed form and manner to an official contractor for that commodity a notification of 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 prescribed price and in accordance with the standard of quality and conditions of supply prescribed by regulations made under this Act and in accordance with any undertaking in relation to such commodity entered into under this Act by such official contractor.
(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, a supply of any commodity from an official contractor for that commodity without issuing such advertisements, taking such tenders, entering into such contracts (other than such contract as is mentioned in the foregoing sub-section), or carrying out such preliminary procedure.
Contracts with persons other than official contractor.
6.—(1) Whenever a local authority purchases or enters into a contract for the purchase of any commodity for which an official contractor has been appointed under this Act with a person who is not an official contractor for such commodity, an entry shall be made in the minutes of such local authority stating the reasons for such purchase or contract.
(2) Such entry shall be produced at any audit of the accounts of the local authority which includes any payment for such commodity or under such contract.
(3) At any such audit unless the auditor is satisfied that such purchase or contract was not made for any fraudulent or improper purpose or object or for any object other than the bona fide discharge by the members of the local authority making or authorising the making thereof of their duties in the interests of the ratepayers, he shall charge against such members jointly and severally the amount of any loss caused to the local authority by such purchase or contract, whether such loss arises from the price paid for the commodity or from the quality of the commodity so obtained or otherwise howsoever, and in the case of a contract if in his opinion any such loss as aforesaid is likely to result from the continuance of the contract he may declare such contract to be illegal.
(4) Where a contract is declared to be illegal in pursuance of this section such contract shall thereupon become void, and section 12 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1871 (which relates to the duties of an auditor and to appeals) shall apply in the case of such contract, and the members of the local authority making such contract may be surcharged accordingly either with all payments made thereunder or with such portion thereof as may appear to the auditor, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, just and reasonable, but the person with whom such contract was made may notwithstanding such declaration recover any sum due to him under such contract in respect of commodities supplied before such declaration.
(5) Any decision of an auditor under this section shall, save so far as the same may be altered on appeal, be conclusive and binding on all persons.
Testing commodities supplied.
7.—The Minister may make arrangements whereby the quality or nature of any commodity supplied to a local authority by an official contractor for that commodity may, on the application and at the cost of such local authority, be tested or ascertained by analysis or otherwise by such person or persons and according to such procedure as he may approve.
Power to Minister to hold conferences.
8.—The Minister may hold conferences of representatives of local authorities for the purpose of discussing any matter connected with the supply of commodities to local authorities, and the provisions of the Public Health and Local Government Conferences Act, 1885, shall apply to every such conference.
Local Supplies Advisory Committee.
9.—(1) For the purpose of advising and assisting the Minister in the performance of his duties under this Act there shall be established an advisory committee (in this section referred to as the committee) which shall be styled the Local Supplies Advisory Committee and shall consist of five persons to be appointed by the Minister from time to time as occasion requires, of whom—
(a) two persons shall be elected members of county or county borough councils in Saorstát Eireann, and
(b) two persons shall be elected members of urban district councils or commissioners of towns in Saorstát Eireann, and
(c) one person shall be representative of commerce in Saorstát Eireann.
(2) 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 commerce as the case may require.
(3) 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 be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) 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.
(5) The committee shall have a secretary who shall be nominated by the Minister.
(6) The committee shall meet whenever summoned by the Minister and also on such other occasions as the committee may from time to time determine.
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
10.—(1) The expenses of the Minister in carrying this Act into effect to such amount as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, shall be paid out of money to be provided by the Oireachtas.
(2) At the end of every local financial year the Minister, by order under his seal, shall certify the sum which has been expended by him out of moneys provided under sub-section (1) of this section during such local financial year in carrying the performance of his duties under this Act into effect, and shall assess that sum on the several counties and county boroughs in Saorstát Eireann in proportion to the net annual value 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 raise the amount assessed by such order on such county or county borough by means of the poor rate as a county at large charge and shall pay the same into the Exchequer of Saorstát Eireann in accordance with such directions as may be given for the purpose by the Minister for Finance.
Powers of inspectors.
11.—Any officer of the Minister appointed or authorised by him to be an inspector for the purpose 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, lunatic asylum, or other institution supported in whole or in part by means of rates 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) report to the Minister the result of any such inspection, examination, listing, or stocktaking;
(c) 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 is to be considered and take part in the proceedings (other than voting) at such meeting.
Minister may make regulations.
12.—(1) The Minister may by order make regulations for all or any of the matters following, that is to say:—
(a) appointing the procedure to be adopted by local authorities in carrying this Act into effect;
(b) determining the standard of quality for any commodity for which the Minister has appointed or intends to appoint an official contractor;
(c) prescribing the conditions of supply for any such commodity as aforesaid;
(d) 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;
(e) regulating the procedure and other matters relating or incidental to any testing or ascertaining of the quality or nature of any commodity for which he is authorised by this Act to make arrangements;
(f) requiring that any commodity to be supplied shall be manufactured wholly or in part in Saorstát Eireann;
(g) requiring that the wages to be paid and the conditions of employment to be observed by an official contractor for the supply of any commodity to local authorities shall be such as are required in the execution of contracts with a State Department;
(h) prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or as being or to be prescribed.
(2) Any regulations made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Appointment of officers.
13.—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.
Short title and duration.
14.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Local Authorities (Combined Purchasing) Act, 1925.
(2) This Act shall expire after the termination of three years from its passing.