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Uimhir 25 de 1952.
AN tACHT UCHTÁLA, 1952.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta.
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht Uchtála, 1952, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh pé lá a cheapfas an tAire le hordú.
Mínithe.
3.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “ordú uchtála” ordú faoi alt 9;
ciallaíonn “an Bord” an comhlucht a bunaítear le halt 8;
ciallaíonn “leanbh” (ach amháin mar a n'éilíonn an comh. théacs a mhalairt) aon duine faoi bhun bliain agus fiche d'aois;
ciallaíonn “caomhnóir”, maidir le leanbh, duine a ceapadh, do réir dlí, chun bheith ina chaomhnóir ar phearsa an linbh, le gníomhas nó le huacht nó le hordú ó chúirt dlínse inniúla;
ciallaíonn “ordú eatraimh” ordú faoi alt 17;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt;
ciallaíonn “dílleachta” leanbh a bhfuil a thuismitheoirí marbh;
ní fholaíonn “tuismitheoir” athair nádúrtha linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh;
ciallaíonn an briathar “ordú” ordú le rialacha faoi alt 5;
ciallaíonn “cumann uchtála cláraithe” comhlucht daoine atá taifeadta sa Chlár de Chumainn Uchtála;
ciallaíonn “gaol” seanathair nó seanmháthair, deartháir, deirfiúr, uncal nó aintín, lánfhola nó leathfhola nó ó chleamhnas, agus is de thaobh na máthar amháin a déanfar gaolmhaireacht le leanbh neamhdhlisteanach a chomhaireamh.
Comhshocraíochta a dhéanamh chun leanbh d'uchtáil.
4.—San Acht seo forléireofar tagairtí do chomhshocraíochta a dhéanamh chun leanbh d'uchtáil mar thagairtí a fholaíos tagairtí do na nithe seo a leanas:—
(a) aon chomhaontú nó comhshocraíocht a dhéanamh chun, nó mar éascú chun, an leanbh dá uchtáil nó dá chothabháil ag aon duine, agus
(b) aon iomairle a thionscnamh, nó páirt a ghlacadh in aon iomairle, arb é is críoch nó éifeacht di aon chomh aontú nó comhshocraíocht den tsórt sin a dhéanamh, agus
(c) a thabhairt ar dhuine eile aon iomairle den tsórt sin a thionscnamh nó páirt a ghlacadh inti.
Rialacha.
5.—Féadfaidh an Bord, le toiliú an Aire, rialacha a dhéanamh chun a nós imeachta a rialú nó i dtaobh aon ní dá dtagartar san Acht seo mar ní ordaithe.
Cionta ag comhluchta corpraithe.
6.—Má dhéanann comhlucht corpraithe aon chion faoin Acht seo agus go gcruthófar gur héascaíodh é a dhéanamh trí aon fhaillí ag aon duine ba stiúrthóir, bainisteoir, rúnaí nó oifigeach eile don chomhlucht corpraithe, beidh an duine sin freisin ciontach sa chion agus féadfar imeachta a bhunú ina choinne agus é a phionósú dá réir.
Caiteachais.
7.—Na caiteachais faoina raghaidh Aire Stáit nó an Bord ag riaradh an Achta seo, déanfar, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais, iad d'íoc as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas.
CUID II.
Orduithe Uchtála.
An Bord Uchtála.
8.—(1) Beidh comhlucht ann dá ngairmfear an Bord Uchtála (ar a dtugtar an Bord san Acht seo) chun na feidhmeanna a ceaptar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Cathaoirleach agus seisear gnáthchomhaltaí a bheas ar an mBord.
(3) Is é an Rialtas a cheapfas an Cathaoirleach agus na gnáthchomhaltaí.
(4) Ní ceapfar aon duine ina Chathaoirleach mura bhfuil nó mura raibh sé ina Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach, den Ard-Chúirt, den Chúirt Chuarda nó den Chúirt Dúiche nó murab abhcóide nó aturnae é le deich mbliana ar a laghad.
(5) Féadfaidh an Bord gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas amháin a bheith ina chomhaltas.
(6) Bainfidh forála an Chéad Sceidil leis an mBord.
Cumhacht chun ordú uchtála a dhéanamh.
9.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord, ar iarratas ó dhuine ar mian leis leanbh d'uchtáil, ordú a dhéanamh chun an duine sin d'uchtáil an linbh.
(2) Más lánú phósta na hiarratasóirí is ordú chun iad d'uchtáil an linbh i gcomhpháirt a déanfar.
Leanaí a féadfar d'uchtáil.
10.—Ní déanfar ordú uchtála mura rud é—
(a) gur sa Stát atá cónaí ar leanbh, agus
(b) go bhfuil an leanbh, ar dháta an iarratais, sé mhí ar a laghad agus gan bheith thar seacht mbliana d'aois, agus
(c) gur leanbh neamhdhlisteanach nó dílleachta an leanbh.
Daoine a fhéadfas ordú uchtála d'iarraidh.
11.—(1) Ní déanfar ordú uchtála mura rud é—
(a) gur lánú phósta atá ina gcónaí le chéile na hiarratasóirí, nó
(b) gurb í máthair an linbh nó gurb é a athair nádúrtha nó gur gaol dó an t-iarratasóir, nó
(c) gur baintreach an t-iarratasóir.
(2) Ní déanfar ordú chun níos mó ná duine amháin d'uchtáil linbh, ach amháin i gcás lánún pósta atá ina gcónaí le chéile.
(3) Ní déanfar ordú uchtála mura rud é—
(a) go bfhuil tríocha bliain d'aois slán ag an iarratasóir, agus más lánú phósta na hiarratasóirí ag an mbeirt acu, nó
(b) go bhfuil bliain agus fiche d'aois slán ag an iarratasóir agus gurb í máthair an linbh nó gurb é a athair nádúrtha nó gur gaol dó an t-iarratasóir, nó
(c) gur lánú phósta na hiarratasóirí agus gurb í an bhean chéile máthair an linbh agus go bhfuil bliain agus fiche d'aois slán aici féin nó ag a fear céile, nó
(d) gur lánú phósta na hiarratasóirí agus gurb é athair nádúrtha an linbh, nó gur gaol don leanbh, duine acu agus go bhfuil bliain agus fiche d'aois slán acu beirt.
(4) Ní déanfar ordú uchtála mura bfhuil cónaí sa Stát ar na hiarratasóirí.
(5) Ní déanfar ordú uchtála mura rud é gur saoránach Éireannach an t-iarratasóir nó, más lánú phósta na hiarratasóirí, gur saoránach Éireannach an fear céile nó go raibh gnáthchónaí sa Stát ar an iarratasóir nó ar an bhfear céile ar feadh na gcúig mblian roimh dháta an iarratais.
Creideamh.
12.—(1) Ní déanfar ordú uchtála mura gcomhlíontar coinníollacha an ailt seo maidir le creideamh.
(2) Ní foláir an t-iarratasóir nó na hiarratasóirí a bheith ar aon-chreideamh leis an leanbh agus lena thuismitheoirí nó, i gcás linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh, lena mháthair.
(3) Féadfaidh an Bord, ag féachaint d'imthosca speisialta aon cháis áirithe, ordú uchtála a dhéanamh d'ainneoin nach den aon-chreideamh na daoine go léir dá dtagartar i bhfo-alt (2), ar choinníoll gur comhalta de cheann de na haicmí creidimh seo a leanas gach duine ar leith acu, eadhon, Eaglais na hÉireann, an Eaglais Phresbitéarach in Éirinn, an Eaglais Mhetoidisteach in Éirinn, Creideamh-Chumann na gCarad in Éirinn, Aontas Baisteach na hÉireann, agus na Bráithre ar a dtugtar go coitianta Bráithre Plymouth.
(4) I gcás tuismitheora atá tar éis bháis measfar gurb é an creideamh a bhí aige i dtráth a bháis a chreideamh.
(5) I gcás linbh measfar gurb é an creideamh a bhfuiltear á thabhairt suas leis a chreideamh.
(6) Beidh de rogha ag an mBord an coinníoll maidir le creideamh tuismitheora a ligean thar ceal mura féidir leo é d'fhionnadh.
Oiriúnacht na n-uchtóirí.
13.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh an Bord ordú uchtála mura deimhin leo gur duine dea-charachtair mhorálta an t-iarratasóir, gur leor a acmhainn chun an leanbh a chothú agus gur duine oiriúnach é chun cearta agus dualgais tuismitheora i leith an linbh a bheith aige.
(2) Más lánú phósta na hiarratasóirí, déanfaidh an Bord deimhin i dtaobh cáilíochta morálta agus oiriúnachta na beirte acu.
Toiliú le huchtáil.
14.—(1) Ní déanfar ordú uchtála gan toiliú gach duine acu seo a leanas, eadhon, máthair an linbh nó caomhnóir an linbh nó aon duine atá i gcúram nó i bhfeighil an linbh, mura ligfidh an Bord aon toiliú den tsórt sin thar ceal do réir an ailt seo.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord toiliú aon duine a ligean thar ceal más deimhin leis an mBord nach bhfuil ar chumas an duine sin, de dheasca easláine meabhrach, a thoiliú a thabhairt nó nach féidir an duine sin d'fháil.
(3) Ní ligfear thar ceal toiliú coimircí chúirte ach amháin le ceadú na Cúirte.
(4) Féadfaidh duine toiliú le hordú uchtála a dhéanamh gan a fhios a bheith aige cé hé iarratasóir an orduithe.
(5) Is i scríbhinn sa bhfoirm ordaithe a bhéarfar toiliú.
(6) Féadfar toiliú a tharraingt siar aon tráth sara ndéanfar ordú uchtála.
Toiliú a bheith bailí.
15.—(1) Ní bheidh toiliú bailí mara dtabharfar é tar éis sé mhí d'aois a bheith slán ag an leanbh agus tráth nach luaithe ná trí mhí sara ndéanfar an t-iarratas uchtála.
(2) (a) Má athraíonn máthair linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh a creideamh laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag roimh bhreith an linbh, ní bheidh a toiliú le huchtáil an linbh bailí mura dtabharfar é tar éis bliain d'aois a bheith slán ag an leanbh.
(b) Má athraíonn sí a creideamh laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag tar éis na breithe, ní bheidh a toiliú bailí mura dtabharfar é dhá mhí dhéag ar a laghad tar éis an dáta lena nglacfaidh an Bord mar dháta athruithe a creidimh.
(3) Déanfaidh an Bord deimhin de, i dtaobh gach duine ar gá a thoiliú agus nár ligeadh a thoiliú thar ceal, gur thug sé a thoiliú agus go dtuigeann sé brí agus éifeacht an toilithe sin agus an orduithe uchtála.
Iarratais d'éisteacht.
16.—(1) Beidh na daoine seo a leanas, agus ní bheidh duine ar bith eile, i dteideal éisteacht d'fháil ar iarratas a dhéanamh ar ordú uchtála—
(a) na hiarratasóirí,
(b) máthair an linbh,
(c) caomhnóir an linbh,
(d) duine atá i gcúram nó i bhfeighil an linbh,
(e) gaol don leanbh,
(f) ionadaí do chumann uchtála cláraithe a bhfuil, nó a raibh tráth ar bith, baint aige leis an leanbh,
(g) sagart nó duine de chléir aon aicme creidimh a admhaíos an Bunreacht (nó, i gcás aon aicme creidimh den tsórt sin nach bhfuil cléir aici, ionadaí údaraithe don aicme chreidimh sin), má héilítear gur den aicme chreidimh sin an leanbh nó duine dá thuismitheoirí (pé acu beo nó marbh dó).
(h) oifigeach don Bhord,
(i) aon duine eile a gcinnfidh an Bord, dá rogha féin, éisteacht a thabhairt dó.
(2) Aon duine a mbeidh teideal aige éisteacht d'fháil, féadfaidh abhcóide nó aturnae feidhmiú ar a shon.
(3) Féadfaidh an Bord an t-iarratas go léir, nó aon chuid de, d'éisteacht go príobháideach.
(4) Má gheibheann an Bord fógra bhfuil imeachta ar feitheamh in aon chúirt bhreithiúnais maidir le coimeád linbh a bhfuil iarratas ina leith faoi bhráid an Bhoird, ní dhéanfaidh an Bord aon ordú sa chás go dtí go mbeidh breith tugtha ar na himeachta.
Orduithe eatraimh.
17.—(1) Nuair a déanfar iarratas ar ordú uchtála, féadfaidh an Bord, más dleathach an t-ordú uchtála a dhéanamh i gcúrsaí an cháis, an t-iarratas a chur ar atráth, más cuí leis é, agus ordú (dá ngairmtear san Acht seo ordú eatraimh) a dhéanamh ag tabhairt coimeád an linbh don iarratasóir go ceann tréimhse promhaidh nach sia ná dhá bhliain.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord coinníollacha maidir le cothabháil, oideachas agus maoirsiú leasa an linbh a chur ag gabháil leis an ordú eatraimh.
(3) Féadfaidh an Bord an t-ordú eatraimh a chúlghairm, agus déanfaidh sé amhlaidh ar an duine dár tugadh coimeád an linbh, nó ar mháthair nó caomhnóir an linbh, dá iarraidh sin.
(4) Aon duine a shárós, pé acu trí ghníomh nó neamhghníomh é, coinníoll in ordú eatraimh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air nó príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí dhéag nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.
Athuchtáil.
18.—I gcás uchtóirí (nó uchtóir aonair) linbh a bheith tar éis bháis, féadfar ordú uchtála eile a dhéanamh do réir an Achta seo maidir leis an leanbh, agus chuige sin measfar gur leanbh dleathach leis na huchtóirí nó leis an uchtóir atá tar éis bháis an leanbh.
Uchtáil roimh dháta an Achta seo.
19.—(1) Má dhéanann duine iarratas ar ordú uchtála laistigh den tréimhse a ceaptar le fo-alt (5) agus go gcruthóidh sé chun sástachta an Bhoird go raibh an leanbh faoina chúram ó dháta roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith, beidh éifeacht ag forála an ailt seo.
(2) Féadfar an t-ordú uchtála a dhéanamh d'ainneoin an leanbh a bheith os cionn seacht mbliana d'aois ar dháta an iarratais.
(3) Má bhí an leanbh ina chónaí ar feadh trí bliana ar a laghad leis an iarratasóir agus go gcruthófar chun sástachta an Bhoird gur thoiligh máthair an linbh leis an iarratasóir d'uchtáil an linbh mar leanbh leis féin, féadfaidh an Bord toiliú na máthar faoi alt 14 a ligean thar ceal.
(4) Bhéarfaidh an Bord aird chuí ar mhianta an linbh ag féachaint dá aois agus dá thuiscint.
(5) Ní foláir iarratas faoin alt seo a dhéanamh laistigh de dhá bhliain tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo nó laistigh de pé tréimhse bhreise a cheadós an Bord in aon chás áirithe ar chúis réasúnach.
Cás a shonrú don Ard-Chúirt.
20.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord (agus, má iarrann iarratasóir ar ordú uchtála, máthair nó caomhnóir an linbh, nó aon duine i gcúram nó i bhfeighil an linbh, air é, déanfaidh, an Bord, mura dóigh leo gur ar chúis suaibhreosach atáthar á iarraidh sin) aon cheist dlí a éireos as iarratas ar ordú uchtála a tharchur chun na hArd-Chúirte lena cinneadh.
(2) Faoi réir rialacha na cúirte, féadfar cás a sonraíodh faoin alt seo d'éisteacht in camera.
Ordú uchtála a cheartú.
21.—Féadfaidh an Bord ordú uchtála a leasú trí aon earráid ana sonraí ann a cheartú.
An clár d'uchtleanaí.
22.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an tArd-Chláraitheoir Clár d'Uchtleanaí.
(2) Déanfar taifead sa chlár maidir le gach uchtleanbh. Is sa bhfoirm atá leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a bheas an taifead agus beidh ann na sonraí is gá do réir na foirme.
(3) Mura bhfuil dáta breithe an linbh ar eolas, cinnfidh an Bord an dáta is dóigh a rugadh an leanbh agus taifeadfar an dáta sin mar dháta breithe an linbh.
(4) Taifeadfar sa chlár an tír ina rugadh an leanbh más deimhin leis an mBord cad é an tír í agus má ordaíonn sé í a thaifeadadh.
(5) Coimeádfaidh an tArd-Chláraitheoir treoir chun go bhféadfar an bhaint idir gach taifead sa chlár agus an taifead comhréire i gclár na mbreitheanna a rianú. Ní bheidh an treoir sin inscrúduithe ag an bpobal; agus ní tabharfar aon fhaisnéis aisti d'aon duine ach amháin ar ordú ó Chúirt nó ón mBord.
(6) Má leasaítear ordú uchtála leasófar dá réir an taifead a bhaineas leis.
(7) Má cuirtear ordú uchtála ar ceal cealófar an taifead.
(8) Cuirfidh an Bord chun an Ard-Chláraitheora na sonraí is gá chun a chur ar a chumas déanamh dó réir an ailt seo.
(9) Coimeádfaidh an tArd-Chláraitheoir ina oifig treoir don chlár; agus beidh daoine i dteideal an treoir sin a chuardach agus cóip dheimhnithe d'fháil de thaifead sa chlár nó de shonraí an taifid ar na téarmaí agus na coinníolacha céanna ar gach slí, maidir le táillí agus eile, ag a bhfuil feidhm faoi na hAchta um Chlárú Breitheanna agus Bása, 1863 go 1952, nó faoi aon achtachán eile maidir le breitheanna a chlárú, agus déanfar na táillí sin a bhailiú agus a dhiúscairt amhail mar déantar le táillí is iníoctha faoi na hAchta sin adúradh.
(10) Féadfar foráil a dhéanamh le rialacháin faoi alt 6 den Acht um Staidreamh Beatha agus um Chlárú Breitheanna, Bása agus Póstaí, 1952 (Uimh. 8 de 1952), (a bhaineas le heisiúint gearr-dheimhnithe), chun go n-eiseofar, maidir le haon taifead sa Chlár d'Uchtleanaí, deimhniú ar pé cinn de na sonraí sa taifead a sonrófar sna rialacháin.
(11) Déanfar cóip dheimhnithe de thaifead sa Chlár d'Uchtleanaí, má airbheartaíonn sí a bheith arna heisiúint faoi shéala Oifige an Ard-Chláraitheora, a ghlacadh, gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, mar fhianaise ar na fíorais a bheas luaite inti agus is leor an chóip dheimhnithe sin a thabhairt ar aird mar chomhlíonadh ar aon cheanglas dlí i dtaobh deimhniú breithe a thabhairt ar aird.
Ranníoc ó údarás cúnaimh phoiblí i leith caiteachas uchtála.
23.—Féadfaidh údarás cúnaimh phoiblí, dá rogha féin, ranníoc a dhéanamh i leith na gcaiteachas faoina raghaidh duine ar bith i dtaobh iarratais ar ordú uchtála maidir le leanbh a bhfuil an t-údarás sin i dteideal ranníoc a dhéanamh i leith a chothuithe.
CUID III.
Éifeacht Orduithe Uchtála.
Cearta agus dualgais tuismitheora.
24.—Ar ordú uchtála a dhéanamh—
(a) measfar, maidir le cearta agus dualgais tuismitheoirí agus leanaí i leith a chéile, an leanbh a bheith ina leanbh leis an uchtóir nó leis na huchtóirí, a rugadh dó, di nó dóibh de phósadh dleathach;
(b) caillfidh an mháthair nó an caomhnóir gach ceart tuismitheora agus saorfar í nó é ó gach dualgas tuismitheora maidir leis an leanbh.
Saoránacht.
25.—Ar ordú uchtála a dhéanamh i gcás inar saoránach Éireannach an t-uchtóir (nó an fear céile más lánú phósta a dhéanfas an uchtáil), beidh an leanbh, mura saoránach Éireannach é cheana, ina shaoránach Éireannach.
Cearta maoine.
26.—(1) Más rud é, aon tráth tar éis ordú uchtála a dhéanamh, go n-éagfaidh uchtóir nó an duine uchtaithe nó aon duine eile gan tiomna a dhéanamh i leith aon mhaoine, réadach nó pearsanta (seachas maoin faoi réir leasa shainoidhrithe faoi dhiúscairt a rinneadh roimh dháta an orduithe uchtála), cineachfaidh an mhaoin sin ar gach slí amhail is dá mba leanbh leis an uchtóir, a rugadh de phósadh dleathach, an duine uchtaithe agus nárbh é leanbh aon duine eile é.
(2) In aon diúscairt mhaoine, réadach nó pearsanta, a déanfar, pé acu trí ionstraim inter vivos nó trí uacht (lena n-áirítear codaisíl) é, tar éis dáta orduithe uchtála—
(a) déanfar aon tagairt (sainráite nó intuigthe) do leanbh nó leanaí an uchtóra d'fhorléiriú, mura léir a mhalairt d'intinn, mar thagairt, nó mar thagairt a fholaíos tagairt, don duine uchtaithe;
(b) déanfar aon tagairt (sainráite nó intuigthe) do leanbh nó leanaí tuismitheoirí nádúrtha an duine uchtaithe, nó ceachtar acu, d'fhorléiriú, mura léir a mhalairt d'intinn, mar thagairt nach tagairt, nó nach bhfolaíonn tagairt, don duine uchtaithe; agus
(c) déanfar aon tagairt (sainráite nó intuigthe) do dhuine ag a bhfuil aon chol gaoil leis an duine uchtaithe d'fhorléiriú, mura léir a mhalairt d'intinn, mar thagairt don duine ag a mbeadh an col gaoil sin leis dá mba leanbh leis an uchtóir é, a rugadh de phósadh dleathach, agus nárbh é leanbh aon duine eile é.
(3) Maidir le cineachadh aon mhaoine do réir an ailt seo agus le forléiriú aon diúscartha lena mbaineann fo-alt (2), measfar gaol a bheith ag duine uchtaithe le haon duine eile is leanbh nó leanbh uchtaithe leis an uchtóir nó, más lánú phósta na huchtóirí, le ceachtar acu—
(a) i gcás inar lánú phósta na huchtóirí agus inar leanbh nó leanbh uchtaithe leis an mbeirt nuachar an duine eile—mar dheartháir nó deirfiúr lánfhola;
(b) in aon chás eile—mar dheartháir nó deirfiúir leathfhola.
(4) D'ainneoin aon rialach dlí, ní measfar chun críocha an ailt seo aon diúscairt a rinneadh trí uacht nó codaisíl a forghníomhaíodh roimh dháta orduithe uchtála a bheith arna déanamh tar éis an dáta sin de dhroim amháin gur daingníodh an uacht nó an codaisíl trí chodaisíl d'fhorghníomhú tar éis an dáta sin.
(5) Má déantar ordú uchtála i leith duine a huchtaíodh roimhe sin, ní tabharfar aon aird chun críocha an ailt seo ar an uchtáil sin roimhe sin maidir le cineachadh aon mhaoine ar bhás duine a éagfas gan tiomna a dhéanamh tar éis dáta an orduithe uchtala sin ina dhiaidh sin ná maidir le haon diúscairt mhaoine tar éis an dáta sin.
Dleacht chomharbais, dleacht leagáide, dleacht chustam agus dleacht stampa ar thalamh.
27.—Chun críocha na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) dleacht chomharbais agus dleacht leagáide,
(b) na dleachta stampa is inmhuirir ar thalamh a thíolacadh nó d'aistriú, agus
(c) an díolúine ó dhleacht chustam faoi mhír (b) d'alt 18 den Acht Airgeadais, 1936 (Uimh. 31 de 1936) (a bhaineas le hallmhuiriú earraí oidhreachta),
measfar gur leanbh leis an uchtóir nó leis na huchtóirí, a rugadh dó, di nó dóibh de phósadh dleathach, duine uchtaithe, agus nach é leanbh aon duine eile é.
Na Fatal Accidents Acts agus na hAchta um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre.
28.—Chun críocha na nAcht seo a leanas—
(a) na Fatal Accidents Acts, 1846 to 1908, agus
(b) na hAchta um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934 agus 1948,
measfar gur leanbh leis an uchtóir nó leis na huchtóirí, a rugadh dó, di nó dóibh de phósadh dleathach, duine uchtaithe, agus nach é leanbh aon duine eile é.
Na tuismitheoirí nádúrtha do phósadh ina dhiaidh sin.
29.—(1) Faoi réir fo-ailt (2), ní dhéanfaidh sé difir ar bith do bhailíocht orduithe uchtála i leith linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh, ná d'fhorála an Achta seo maidir le héifeacht an orduithe, tuismitheoirí nádúrtha an linbh do phósadh ina dhiaidh sin agus ní bhainfidh an tAcht Dlisteanais, 1931 (Uimh. 13 de 1931), leis an leanbh mura gcuirfear an t-ordú ar ceal.
(2) (a) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) más duine dá thuismitheoirí nádúrtha d'uchtaigh an leanbh agus go ndéanfadh a bpósadh sin ina dhiaidh sin dlisteanú ar an leanbh, d'éagmais an fho-ailt sin.
(b) Sa chás sin beidh feidhm ag an Acht Dlisteanais, 1931, agus scoirfidh an t-ordú uchtála de bheith i bhfeidhm.
(c) Ar bhreith an linbh d'athchlárú faoin Acht sin, déanfaidh an tArd-Chláraitheoir an taifead sa Chlár d'Uchtleanaí a chealú agus bhéarfaidh fógra dá réir sin don Bhord.
Arachas ar shaol uchtlinbh faoi bhun deich mbliana d'aois.
30.—(1) Chun críocha na n-achtachán atá de thuras na huaire i bhfeidhm maidir le cara-chumainn agus le cuideachtana árachais tionscail, a chumasaíos do na cumainn agus na cuideachtana sin a árachú go n-íocfar airgead i leith costas sochraide agus a chuireas tórainn leis na daoine lena bhféadtar airgead d'íoc ar bhás linbh faoi bhun deich mbliana d'aois, measfar gur leanbh leis an uchtóir nó leis na huchtóirí, a rugadh dó, di nó dóibh de phósadh dleathach, uchtleanbh, agus nach é leanbh aon duine eile é.
(2) Más rud é, roimh ordú uchtála a dhéanamh, go ndearna duine a thoiligh, de bhun an Achta seo, leis an ordú a dhéanamh aon árachú den tsórt sin, beidh na cearta agus na dliteanais faoin bpolasaí arna n-aistriú, de bhuaidh an orduithe uchtála, chun an uchtóra (nó, más lánú phósta na huchtóirí, chun an fhir chéile), agus chun críche na n-achtachán sin measfar gurb eisean a thóg amach an polasaí.
Orduithe atharthachta, etc.
31.—(1) Má déantar ordú uchtála i leith linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh, ansin, murab uchtóir an mháthair, scoirfidh aon ordú atharthachta atá i bhfeidhm i leith an linbh, agus aon chomhaontú trínar ghabh athair nádúrtha an linbh air féin íocaíochta a dhéanamh go sonrach chun sochair an linbh, d'éifeacht a bheith acu, ach sin gan dochar do ghnóthú aon riaráistí atá dlite faoin ordú nó faoin gcomhaontú ar dháta an orduithe uchtála.
(2) Má déantar ordú uchtála i leith linbh a cuireadh faoi chúram duine oiriúnaigh le hordú atá i bhfeidhm faoin Children Act, 1908, scoirfidh an t-ordú á chur faoi chúram amhlaidh d'éifeacht a bheith aige.
Srian le Cuid I den Children Act, 1908.
32.—Ní bheidh feidhm ag Cuid I den Children Act, 1908, arna leasú le hAcht na Leanaí, 1934 (Uimh. 15 de 1934) (a bhaineas le haltramadh agus cothabháil leanaí ar luaíocht), i gcás linbh is ábhar d'ordú uchtála nó d'ordú eatraimh, maidir le huchtóir ná le duine a ndearnadh an t-ordú eatraimh ina fhábhar.
Forceannadh ar an údarás tuismitheora atá ag údarás cúnaimh phoiblí.
33.—Ar ordú uchtála a dhéanamh, má tá rún i bhfeidhm maidir leis an leanbh faoi alt 45 den Acht um Chúnamh Poiblí, 1939 (Uimh. 27 de 1939), beidh an rún sin forceannta.
CUID IV.
Clárú Cumann Uchtála.
Srian le comhshocraíochta a dhéanamh chun leanaí d'uchtáil.
34.—(1) Ní dleathach d'aon chomhlucht daoine aon chomhshocraíochta a dhéanamh, ná féachaint le hiad a dhéanamh, chun leanbh faoi bhun seacht mbliana d'aois d'uchtáil, mura cumann uchtála cláraithe nó údarás cúnaimh phoiblí an comhlucht sin ná, chun na críche sin, leanbh a choinneáil ina gcoimeád ná a shocrú go gcoinneoidh aon duine nó comhlucht eile é.
(2) Má ghlacann aon duine páirt ar bith i mbainistí nó i rialú comhluchta daoine arb é is aon-chuspóir dó, nó ar ceann dá chuspóirí, comhshocraíochta a dhéanamh i dtaobh uchtála, agus nach cumann uchtála cláraithe ná údarás cúnaimh phoiblí, beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí dhéag a chur air nó fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt nó an phríosúntacht sin agus an fhíneáil sin le chéile.
(3) In aon imeachta faoin alt seo, má tugtar cruthúnas ar nithe a bheith déanta nó focail a bheith scríofa, ráite nó foilsithe (pé acu i láthair aon pháirtí sna himeachta é nó nach ea) ag duine ar bith a ghlac páirt i mbainistí nó i rialú comhluchta daoine, nó i ndéanamh comhshocraíocht i dtaobh uchtála thar ceann an chomhluchta, beidh an cruthúnas sin inghlactha mar fhianaise ar chuspóir an chomhluchta sin.
An Clár de Chumainn Uchtála.
35.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Bord Clár de Chumainn Uchtála (ar a dtugtar an clár sa Chuid seo).
(2) Beidh an clár inscrúduithe ag an bpobal le linn gnáthuaireanta oifige.
(3) Is sa bhfoirm ordaithe a bheas na taifid sa chlár agus ní foláir na sonraí ordaithe a bheith iontu.
Cumainn uchtála a chlárú.
36.—(1) Faoi réir forál an ailt seo, taifeadfaidh an Bord sa chlár aon chomhlucht daoine a dhéanfas iarratas ar chlárú agus a bhéarfas don Bhord pé faisnéis is gá leis an mBord chun a chur ar a chumas a chinneadh an bhfuil an comhlucht sin i dteideal é a chlárú.
(2) Ní chláróidh an Bord aon chomhlucht daoine mura deimhin leis an mBord—
(a) gur comhlucht é atá ann d'aon-toisc chun cuspóirí carthanais nó daoncharadais a chur ar aghaidh, pé acu cuspóir carthanais do réir bhrí aon rialach dlí aon chuspóir acu sin nó nach ea, agus
(b) go bhfuil an comhlucht inniúil ar na hoblagáidí a chomhlíonadh a cuirtear ar chumainn uchtála chláraithe faoin Acht seo.
(3) Féadfaidh an Bord diúltú d'aon chomhlucht daoine a chlárú más dóigh leis an mBord nach duine cuí oiriúnach chun gníomhú duine ar bith a ghlacfas páirt i mbainistí nó i rialú an chomhluchta nó atá, thar ceann an chomhluchta, ag gabháil do chomhshocraíochta a dhéanamh i dtaobh uchtála.
Clárú a chealú.
37.—Féadfaidh an Bord clárú cumainn uchtála chláraithe a chealú ar aon fhoras a cheanglódh ar an mBord nó a bhéarfadh teideal don Bord iarratas ar chlárú an chumainn a dhiúltú nó más dóigh leis an mBord nach bhfuil ceanglais an Achta seo á gcomhlíonadh go sásúil ag an gcumann nó má dhéanann an cumann, nó aon duine ag gníomhú thar ceann an chumainn, cion faoin Acht seo.
Faisnéis a thabhairt agus scrúdú leabhar a cheadú.
38.—(1) Déanfaidh cumann uchtála cláraithe agus gach oifigeach don chumann nó duine ar bith eile a ghlacas páirt i mbainistí nó i rialú an chumainn—
(a) pé faisnéis a thabhairt don Bhord a iarrfas an Bord ó am go ham, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, maidir le cóiriú, comhaltas, fostaithe, eagraíocht agus gníomhachta an chumainn;
(b) cead a thabhairt, gach tráth réasúnach, do chomhalta den Bhord nó d'oifigeach údaraithe dhó na leabhair agus na doiciméid uile i dtaobh uchtála atá i seilbh nó faoi urlámhas an chumainn a scrúdú agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh díobh.
(2) Aon duine a shárós, pé acu trí ghníomh nó neamhghníomh é, foráil den alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
Míniú don mháthair nó don chaomhnóir ar éifeacht uchtála.
39.—(1) Má bheartaíonn máthair nó caomhnóir linbh an leanbh a chur faoina réir ag cumann uchtála cláraithe lena uchtáil faoin Acht seo, ní foláir don chumann, sara nglacfaid an leanbh—
(a) ráiteas i scríbhinn sa bhfoirm ordaithe a thabhairt don duine sin agus míniú soiléir ann—
(i) ar an éifeacht atá ag ordú uchtála ar chearta máthar nó caomhnóra, agus
(ii) ar na forála den Acht seo a bhaineas le toiliú le hordú uchtála a dhéanamh; agus
(b) a áirithiú go dtuigeann an duine an ráiteas agus go síneoidh sé doiciméad á rá sin.
(2) Mura gcomhlíontar aon ceann áirithe de cheanglais fo-ailt (1), beidh an cumann agus gach duine a ghlacas páirt i mbainistí nó i rialú an chumainn, agus gach duine a raibh baint aige le glacadh an linbh thar ceann an chumainn, ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
CUID V.
Ilghnéitheach.
Srian le leanaí a chur amach as an Stát.
40.—(1) Ní aistreoidh aon duine, ná ní chuirfidh faoi deara ná ní cheadóidh go n-aistreofar, amach as an Stát leanbh faoi bhun seacht mbliana d'aois atá ina shaoránach Éireannach.
(2) Ní bhainfidh fo-alt (1) le haistriú linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh faoi bhun bliana d'aois ag an máthair nó le ceadú na máthar nó, má tá an mháthair tar éis bháis, le ceadú gaoil, chun cónaí leis an máthair nó le gaol lasmuigh den Stát.
(3) Ní bhainfidh fo-alt (1) le haistriú linbh (nach leanbh neamhdhlisteanach faoi bhun bliana d'aois) ag duine de thuismitheoirí nó ag caomhnóir an linbh nó ag gaol don leanbh nó le ceadú aon duine acu sin.
(4) Aon duine a shárós an t-alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí dhéag a chur air nó fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt nó an phríosúntacht sin agus an fhíneáil sin le chéile.
Fógráin áirithe a thoirmeasc.
41.—(1) Ní fhoilseoidh aon duine, ná ní chuirfidh faoi deara go bhfoilseofar, aon fhógrán á chur in iúl—
(a) gur mian le tuismitheoir nó caomhnóir linbh faoi bhun seacht mbliana d'aois go n-uchtófaí an leanbh, nó
(b) gur mian le duine leanbh den tsórt sin d'uchtáil, nó
(c) go bhfuil duine (nach cumann uchtála cláraithe ná údarás cúnaimh phoiblí) toilteanach comhshocraíochta a dhéanamh chun leanbh den tsórt sin d'uchtáil.
(2) Aon duine a shárós an t-alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
Iocaíochta áirithe a thoirmeasc.
42.—(1) Ní ghlacfaidh uchtóir, tuismitheoir ná caomhnóir linbh, ná ní chomhaontóidh go nglacfaidh, aon íocaíocht ná luaíocht eile i gcomaoin an leanbh d'uchtáil faoin Acht seo.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh ná ní thabharfaidh duine ar bith, ná ní chomhaontóidh go ndéanfaidh ná go dtabharfaidh, aon íocaíocht ná luaíocht a dtoirmeasctar le fo-alt (1) í a ghlacadh.
(3) (a) Duine a dhéanfas comhshoeraíochta chun leanbh d'uchtáil, ní ghlacfaidh ná ní dhéanfaidh ná ní thabharfaidh sé aon íocaíocht ná luaíocht eile i gcomaoin na comhshocraíochta a dhéanamh ná ní chomhaontóidh chuige sin.
(b) Ní bhaineann an fo-alt seo—
(i) le híocaíochta a déanfar chun an leanbh a chothabháil;
(ii) le luach saothair aturnaethe as seirbhísí gairmiúla.
(4) Aon duine a shárós foráil den alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí dhéag a chur air nó fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt nó an phríosúntacht sin agus an fhíneáil sin le chéile.
Ráitis bhréagacha.
43.—Aon duine a dhéanfas go feasach aon ráiteas bréagach nó a bhéarfas amhlaidh aon fhaisnéis bhréagach don Bhord nó do chomhalta den Bhord nó d'oifigeach údaraithe dhó nó a chabhrós nó a neartós amhlaidh le haon duine eile chun sin a dhéanamh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, gan dochar d'aon phionós eile a dlífear a chur air, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí dhéag a chur air nó fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt nó an phríosúntacht sin agus an fhíneáil sin le chéile.
AN CHÉAD SCEIDEAL
An Bord Uchtála.
1. Sa Sceideal seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, ciallaíonn “comhalta” an Cathaoirleach nó gnáthchomhalta.
2. (1) Is go ceann tréimhse cúig bliana a ceapfar gach comhalta, mura chun corrfholúntas a líonadh a ceaptar é.
(2) Aon chomhalta a ceapfar chun corrfholúntas a líonadh, ceapfar é go ceann a mbeidh gan caitheamh den téarma a bheadh a réamhtheachtaí i seilbh oifige dá leanadh sé de bheith ina chomhalta.
(3) Féadfar comhalta a bheas ag dul as oifig d'athcheapadh.
3. (1) Féadfaidh an Rialtas comhalta a chur as oifig de dheasca mí-iompair a sonrófar nó de dheasca éagumais nó toisc gan ó do fhreastal ar chruinnithe den Bhord.
(2) Féadfaidh comhalta éirí as a oifig.
4. (1) Mura féidir le comhalta, go sealadach, gníomhú, féadfaidh an Rialtas duine a cheapadh chun gníomhú ina ionad.
(2) Ní ceapfar duine chun gníomhú in ionad an Chathaoirligh mura bhfuil sé cáilithe chun é a cheapadh ina Chathaoirleach.
(3) Folaíonn na tagairtí san Acht seo do chomhalta tagairtí do dhuine a bheas ag gníomhú amhlaidh.
5. Féadfar pé luach saothair a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, d'íoc leis an gCathaoirleach.
6. (1) Ceapfaidh an tAire duine chun bheith ina chláraitheoir don Bhord agus féadfaidh sé, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, pé oifigigh agus seirbhísigh eile is gá leis a cheapadh don Bhord.
(2) Beidh cláraitheoir, oifigigh agus seirbhísigh an Bhoird i seilbh oifige ar pé téarmaí, agus gheobhaid pé luach saothair, chinnfeas an tAire Airgeadais.
7. (1) Beidh ag an mBord séala oifigiúil ar a dtabharfar aird bhreithiúnach.
(2) Nuair a cuirfear an séala ar dhoiciméad, fianófar é le síniú an Chathaoirligh nó an chláraitheora nó duine a bheas údaraithe ag an mBord chun é d'fhianú.
(3) Glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartós a bheith ina ionstraim arna déanamh ag an mBord, a bheith séalaithe leis an séala agus a bheith fianaithe do réir na míre seo, agus measfar, gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, gurb í an ionstraim sin í, mura gcruthaítear a mhalairt.
8. (1) Is é is córam do chruinniú den Bhord an Cathaoirleach agus beirt ghnáthchomhaltaí.
(2) Gach ceist a éireos ag cruinniú, cinnfear í do réir tuairime an tromlaigh de na comhaltaí a bheas i láthair.
(3) I gcás na comhaltaí a bheith roinnte leath-má-leath ina dtuairim, cinnfear an cheist do réir tuairime an Chathaoirligh.
(4) Is é an Cathaoirleach nó comhalta eile a bheas údaraithe ag an gCathaoirleach a chraolfas cinneadh an Bhoird agus ní cead tuairim ar bith eile, ag aontú ná ag easaontú leis an gcinneadh sin, a chraoladh, ná ní cead a nochtadh tuairim den tsórt sin a bheith ann.
(5) Faoi réir an Achta seo, féadfaidh an Bord a nós imeachta féin a rialú.
9. (1) Féadfaidh an Bord, chun críocha aon imeacht a bheas faoina bhráid faoin Acht seo, gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh:—
(a) finnéithe a thoghairm chun teacht ina láthair,
(b) na finnéithe a thiocfas ina láthair a cheistiú faoi mhionn (agus údaraítear leis seo do chomhalta den Bhord nó do chláraitheoir an Bhoird iad a chur faoi mhionn),
(c) a cheangal ar aon fhinné den tsórt sin aon doiciméad faoina chumhacht nó faoina urlámhas a thabhairt ar aird don Bhord.
(2) Beidh finné i láthair an Bhoird i dteideal na saoirsí agus na bpribhléidí céanna a mbeadh sé ina dteideal dá mba fhinné i láthair na hArd-Chúirte é.
(3) Duine ar bith—
(a) a toghairmfear go cuí mar fhinné i láthair an Bhoird agus a mhainneos teacht i láthair, nó
(b) a bheas i láthair mar fhinné agus a dhiúltós mionn a ghlacadh a cheanglós an Bord air go dlíthiúil a ghlacadh nó aon doiciméad faoina chumhacht nó faoina urlámhas a thabhairt ar aird a cheanglós an Bord air go dlíthiúil a thabhairt ar aird nó aon cheist a fhreagairt a cheanglós an Bord air go dlíthiúil a fhreagairt,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air.
(4) I gcás finné (seachas iarratasóir ar ordú uchtála) do theacht i láthair an Bhoird de bhun toghairme d'eisigh an Bord as a threoir féin, féadfaidh an Bord, más oiriúnach leis é, suim d'íoc leis i leith na gcaiteachas faoina ndeachaigh sé i ndáil lena theacht i láthair an Bhoird do réir scála a bheas ordaithe ag an Aire, le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais.
10. Féadfaidh an Bord fianaise a thógáil ó bhéal nó trí mhionnscríbhinn.
11. (1) Féadfaidh an Bord pé fiosruithe a dhéanamh is gá leis chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Féadfaidh comhalta den Bhord nó oifigeach dó cuairt a thabhairt ar theaghlach an linbh, caomhnóra an linbh, na n-iarratasóirí ar ordú uchtála agus an duine dár tugadh coimeád an linbh faoi ordú eatraimh.
(3) Féadfaidh an Bord a údarú d'oifigeach do Roinn Stáit nó d'údarás áitiúil fiosruithe agus cuairteanna a dhéanamh thar ceann an Bhoird.
12. Aon toghairm, fógra nó doiciméad eile a ceanglaítear ar an mBord nó a húdaraítear dó leis an Acht seo nó faoin Acht seo d'eisiúint chun duine ar bith féadfar é a sheirbheáil leis an bpost cláraithe.
13. (1) Tar éis gach bliain a bheith caite, foilseoidh an Bord tuarascáil ina mbeidh an fhaisnéis seo a leanas maidir leis an mbliain sin—
(a) uimhir na n-iarratas ar uchtáil agus cinneadh an Bhoird maidir leo,
(b) ainmneacha na gcumann cláraithe a raibh baint acu leis na hiarratais,
(c) uimhir na n-iarratas ar chumainn a chlárú agus cinneadh an Bhoird maidir leo,
(d) ainm agus seoladh gach cumainn a cláraíodh nó ar cealaíodh a chlárú i rith na bliana.
(2) Bhéarfaidh an Bord cóip den tuarascáil don Aire agus bhéarfaidh an tAire go leagfar í faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
14. (1) Bhéarfaidh an Bord go bhfoilseofar san Iris Oifigiúil fógra sa bhfoirm ordaithe maidir le gach ordú uchtála a rinneadh agus maidir le gach clárú agus le gach cealú ar chlárú sa Chlár de Chumainn Uchtála.
(2) Ní déanfar in aon fhógra maidir le hordú uchtála aon tagairt do thuismitheoirí nádúrtha an linbh, dá shloinneadh roimhe sin, d'áit a bhreithe, ná tagairt ar bith dá bhunadh.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Foirm an Taifid sa Chlár d'Uchtleanaí.
Uimh. an taifid | An dáta a rugadh agus an tír ina rugadh | An ainm baiste nó an chéad ainm | An gnéas | Ainm, seoladh agus slí bheatha an uchtóra nó na n-uchtóirí | Dáta an orduithe uchtála | Dáta an taifid agus síniú an Ard-Chláraitheora |
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Number 25 of 1952.
ADOPTION ACT, 1952.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General.
Section | |
Adoption Orders.
Contribution by public assistance authority towards expenses of adoption. |
Effects of Adoption Orders.
Succession duty, legacy duty, customs duty and stamp duty on land. | |
Termination of parental authority of public assistance authority. |
Registration of Adoption Societies.
Miscellaneous.
An Bord Uchtála.
Form of Entry in Adopted Children Register.
Acts Referred to | |
Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1952 | No. 8 of 1952 |
No. 31 of 1936 | |
No. 13 of 1931 | |
No. 15 of 1934 | |
No. 27 of 1939 | |
Number 25 of 1952.
ADOPTION ACT, 1952.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Adoption Act, 1952.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may by order appoint.
Definitions.
3.—In this Act—
“adoption order” means an order under section 9;
“the Board” means the body established by section 8;
“child” means (save where the context otherwise requires) any person under twenty-one years of age;
“guardian”, in relation to a child, means a person appointed, according to law, to be guardian of his person by deed or will or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction;
“interim order” means an order under section 17;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
“orphan” means a child whose parents are dead;
“parent” does not include the natural father of an illegitimate child;
“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under section 5;
“registered adoption society” means a body of persons entered in the Adoption Societies Register;
“relative” means grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, whether of the whole blood, of the half-blood or by affinity, relationship to an illegitimate child being traced through the mother only.
Making of arrangements for adoption.
4.—In this Act references to the making of arrangements for the adoption of a child shall be construed as including references to—
(a) the making of any agreement or arrangement for, or facilitating, the adoption or maintenance of the child by any person, and
(b) the initiation of or taking part in any negotiations of which the purpose or effect is the making of any such agreement or arrangement, and
(c) the causing of another to initiate or take part in any such negotiations.
Rules.
5.—The Board, with the consent of the Minister, may make rules for the regulation of its procedure or for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed.
Offences by bodies corporate.
6.—Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been facilitated by any neglect on the part of any person, being a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the body corporate, that person shall also be guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Expenses.
7.—The expenses incurred by a Minister of State or the Board in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II.
Adoption Orders.
An Bord Uchtála.
8.—(1) There shall be a body to be known as An Bord Uchtála (in this Act referred to as the Board) to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Board shall consist of a Chairman and six ordinary members.
(3) The Chairman and the ordinary members shall be appointed by the Government.
(4) A person shall not be appointed Chairman unless he is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, the High Court or the Circuit Court or a Justice of the District Court or is a barrister or solicitor of at least ten years' standing.
(5) The Board may act notwithstanding the existence of one vacancy in its membership.
(6) The provisions of the First Schedule shall apply to the Board.
Power to make adoption order.
9.—(1) The Board may, on the application of a person desiring to adopt a child, make an order for the adoption of the child by that person.
(2) Where the applicants are a married couple the order shall be for the adoption of the child by them jointly.
Children who may be adopted.
10.—An adoption order shall not be made unless the child—
(a) resides in the State, and
(b) is, at the date of the application, not less than six months and not more than seven years of age, and
(c) is illegitimate or an orphan.
Persons who may apply for adoption order.
11.—(1) An adoption order shall not be made unless—
(a) the applicants are a married couple who are living together, or
(b) the applicant is the mother or natural father or a relative of the child, or
(c) the applicant is a widow.
(2) Save in the case of a married couple living together, an order shall not be made for the adoption of a child by more than one person.
(3) An adoption order shall not be made unless—
(a) the applicant and, if the applicants are a married couple, each of them has attained the age of thirty years, or
(b) the applicant has attained the age of twenty-one years and is the mother, natural father or a relative of the child, or
(c) the applicants are a married couple and the wife is the mother of the child and she or her husband has attained the age of twenty-one years, or
(d) the applicants are a married couple and one of them is the natural father or a relative of the child and each of them has attained the age of twenty-one years.
(4) An adoption order shall not be made unless the applicants reside in the State.
(5) An adoption order shall not be made unless the applicant or, if the applicants are a married couple, the husband is an Irish citizen or has been ordinarily resident in the State during the five years preceding the date of the application.
Religion.
12.—(1) An adoption order shall not be made unless the conditions of this section in regard to religion are fulfilled.
(2) The applicant or applicants shall be of the same religion as the child and his parents or, if the child is illegitimate, his mother.
(3) The Board may, having regard to the special circumstances of a particular case, make an adoption order although the persons referred to in subsection (2) are not all of the same religion, provided that each of them is a member of one of the following religious denominations, namely, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland, the Baptist Union of Ireland and the Brethren, commonly known as the Plymouth Brethren.
(4) The religion of a parent who is dead shall be taken to be the religion at the time of death.
(5) A child's religion shall be taken to be that in which he is being brought up.
(6) The Board shall have discretion to dispense with the condition as to the religion of a parent if unable to ascertain it.
Suitability of adopters.
13.—(1) The Board shall not make an adoption order unless satisfied that the applicant is of good moral character, has sufficient means to support the child and is a suitable person to have parental rights and duties in respect of the child.
(2) Where the applicants are a married couple, the Board shall satisfy itself as to the moral character and suitability of each of them.
Consents to adoption.
14.—(1) An adoption order shall not be made without the consent of every person being the child's mother or guardian or having charge of or control over the child, unless the Board dispenses with any such consent in accordance with this section.
(2) The Board may dispense with the consent of any person if the Board is satisfied that that person is incapable by reason of mental infirmity of giving consent or cannot be found.
(3) The consent of a ward of court shall not be dispensed with except with the sanction of the Court.
(4) A person may give consent to the making of an adoption order without knowing the identity of the applicant for the order.
(5) A consent shall be given in writing in the prescribed form.
(6) A consent may be withdrawn at any time before the making of an adoption order.
Validity of consent.
15.—(1) A consent shall not be valid unless it is given after the child has attained the age of six months and not earlier than three months before the application for adoption.
(2) (a) If the mother of an illegitimate child changes her religion within twelve months before the birth of the child, her consent to the adoption of the child shall not be valid unless it is given after the child attains the age of one year.
(b) If she changes her religion within twelve months after the birth, her consent shall not be valid unless given at least twelve months after the date which the Board accepts as the date of her change of religion.
(3) The Board shall satisfy itself that every person whose consent is necessary and has not been dispensed with has given consent and understands the nature and effect of the consent and of the adoption order.
Hearing of applications.
16.—(1) The following persons and no other persons shall be entitled to be heard on an application for an adoption order—
(a) the applicants,
(b) the mother of the child,
(c) the guardian of the child,
(d) a person having charge of or control over the child,
(e) a relative of the child,
(f) a representative of a registered adoption society which is or has been at any time concerned with the child,
(g) a priest or minister of a religion recognised by the Constitution (or, in the case of any such religion which has no ministry, an authorised representative of the religion) where the child or a parent (whether alive or dead) is claimed to be or to have been of that religion,
(h) an officer of the Board,
(i) any other person whom the Board, in its discretion, decides to hear.
(2) A person who is entitled to be heard may be represented by counsel or solicitor.
(3) The Board may hear the application wholly or partly in private.
(4) Where the Board has notice of proceedings pending in any court of justice in regard to the custody of a child in respect of whom an application is before the Board, the Board shall make no order in the matter until the proceedings have been disposed of,
Interim orders.
17.—(1) On an application for an adoption order the Board, in circumstances in which it would be lawful to make the adoption order, may, if it thinks fit, adjourn the application and make an order (in this Act referred to as an interim order) giving the custody of the child to the applicant for a probationary period not exceeding two years.
(2) The Board may attach to the interim order conditions in regard to the maintenance, education and supervision of the welfare of the child.
(3) The Board may revoke the interim order and shall revoke it at the request of the person to whom custody of the child has been given or of the mother or guardian of the child.
(4) A person who contravenes, whether by act or omission, a condition of an interim order shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.
Re-adoption.
18.—Where the adopters (or sole adopter) of a child have died, a further adoption order may be made in accordance with this Act in respect of the child and, for this purpose, the child shall be taken to be the lawful child of the deceased adopters or adopter.
Existing adoptions.
19.—(1) Where a person applies for an adoption order within the time limited by subsection (5) and satisfies the Board that he has had the child under his care from a date before the passing of this Act, the provisions of this section shall have effect.
(2) The adoption order may be made although the child was, at the date of the application, over seven years of age.
(3) If the child has been living with the applicant for at least three years and the Board is satisfied that the child's mother consented to his adopting the child as his own, the Board may dispense with her consent under section 14.
(4) The Board shall give due consideration to the wishes of the child having regard to his age and understanding.
(5) An application under this section shall be made within two years after the commencement of this Act or within such further period as the Board in any particular case may for reasonable cause allow.
Case stated for High Court.
20.—(1) The Board may (and, if so requested by an applicant for an adoption order, the mother or guardian of the child or any person having charge of or control over the child, shall, unless it considers the request frivolous) refer any question of law arising on an application for an adoption order to the High Court for determination.
(2) Subject to rules of court, a case stated under this section may be heard in camera.
Correction of adoption order.
21.—The Board may amend an adoption order by correcting any error in the particulars contained therein.
Adopted children register.
22.—(1) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall maintain an Adopted Children Register.
(2) An entry shall be made in the register with respect to each adopted child. The entry shall be in the form set out in the Second Schedule and contain the particulars required by the form.
(3) If the date of the child's birth is unknown, the Board shall determine the probable date of birth and that date shall be entered as the child's date of birth.
(4) The country of birth of the child shall be entered in the register if the Board, being satisfied thereof, so directs.
(5) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall keep an index to make traceable the connexion between each entry and the corresponding entry in the register of births. That index shall not be open to public inspection; and no information from it shall be given to any person except by order of a Court or of the Board.
(6) If an adoption order is amended the entry relating to it shall be amended accordingly.
(7) If an adoption order is set aside the entry shall be cancelled.
(8) The Board shall send to an tArd-Chláraitheoir the particulars necessary to enable him to comply with this section.
(9) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall keep at his office an index to the register; and persons shall be entitled to search that index and to have a certified copy of an entry in the register or of items contained in the entry on the same terms and conditions in all respects as to fees and otherwise as are applicable under the Births and Deaths Registration Acts, 1863 to 1952, or any other enactment in respect of the register of births; and such fees shall be collected and disposed of in the same manner as fees payable under the said recited Acts.
(10) Regulations under section 6 of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1952 (No. 8 of 1952), (which relates to the issue of abridged certificates) may provide for the issue, as respects any entry in the Adopted Children Register, of a certificate of such items contained in the entry as may be specified in the regulations.
(11) A certified copy of an entry in the Adopted Children Register, if purporting to be issued under the seal of Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora, shall, without further proof, be received as evidence of the facts stated therein and any requirement of law for the production of a certificate of birth shall be satisfied by the production of such certified copy.
Contribution by public assistance authority towards expenses of adoption.
23.—A public assistance authority may, at their discretion, contribute towards the expenses incurred by any person in connexion with an application for an adoption order in respect of a child towards whose support they are entitled to contribute.
PART III.
Effects of Adoption Orders.
Parental rights and duties.
24.—Upon an adoption order being made—
(a) the child shall be considered with regard to the rights and duties of parents and children in relation to each other as the child of the adopter or adopters born to him, her or them in lawful wedlock;
(b) the mother or guardian shall lose all parental rights and be freed from all parental duties with respect to the child.
Citizenship.
25.—Upon an adoption order being made in a case in which the adopter (or, where the adoption is by a married couple, the husband) is an Irish citizen the child, if not already an Irish citizen, shall be an Irish citizen.
Property rights.
26.—(1) Where, at any time after the making of an adoption order, an adopter or the adopted person or any other person dies intestate in respect of any real or personal property (other than property subject to an entailed interest under a disposition made before the date of the adoption order), that property shall devolve in all respects as if the adopted person were the child of the adopter born in lawful wedlock and were not the child of any other person.
(2) In any disposition of real or personal property made, whether by instrument inter vivos or by will (including codicil), after the date of an adoption order—
(a) any reference (whether express or implied) to the child or children of the adopter shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as, or as including, a reference to the adopted person;
(b) any reference (whether express or implied) to the child or children of the adopted person's natural parents or either of them shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as not being, or as not including, a reference to the adopted person; and
(c) any reference (whether express or implied) to a person related to the adopted person in any degree shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as a reference to the person who would be related to him in that degree if he were the child of the adopter born in lawful wedlock and were not the child of any other person.
(3) For the purpose of the devolution of any property in accordance with this section and for the purpose of the construction of any disposition to which subsection (2) applies, an adopted person shall be deemed to be related to any other person being the child or adopted child of the adopter or, where the adopters are a married couple, of either of them—
(a) where the adopters are a married couple and the other person is the child or adopted child of both spouses—as brother or sister of the whole blood;
(b) in any other case—as brother or sister of the half-blood.
(4) Notwithstanding any rule of law, a disposition made by will or codicil executed before the date of an adoption order shall not be treated for the purposes of this section as made after that date by reason only that the will or codicil is confirmed by a codicil executed after that date.
(5) Where an adoption order is made in respect of a person who had been previously adopted, such previous adoption shall be disregarded for the purposes of this section in relation to the devolution of any property on the death of a person dying intestate after the date of the subsequent adoption order and in relation to any disposition of property after that date.
Succession duty, legacy duty, customs duty and stamp duty on land.
27.—For the purposes of—
(a) succession duty and legacy duty,
(b) the stamp duties chargeable on conveyances or transfers of land, and
(c) exemption from customs duty under paragraph (b) of section 18 of the Finance Act, 1936 (No. 31 of 1936) (which relates to the importation of articles of inheritance)
an adopted person shall be considered as the child of the adopter or adopters born to him, her or them in lawful wedlock and not to be the child of any other person.
Fatal Accidents and Workmen's Compensation Acts.
28.—For the purposes of—
(a) the Fatal Accidents Acts 1846 to 1908, and
(b) the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 and 1948,
an adopted person shall be considered as the child of the adopter or adopters born to him, her or them in lawful wedlock and not to be the child of any other person.
Subsequent marriage of natural parents.
29.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the validity of an adoption order in respect of an illegitimate child and the provisions of this Act in regard to the effects of the order shall not be affected by the subsequent marriage of his natural parents and the Legitimacy Act, 1931 (No. 13 of 1931), shall not apply to the child unless the order is set aside.
(2) (a) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the child has been adopted by one of his natural parents and their subsequent marriage would, apart from that subsection, legitimate the child.
(b) In that case, the Legitimacy Act, 1931, shall apply and the adoption order shall cease to be in force.
(c) Upon the re-registration of the birth of the child under that Act an tArd-Chláraitheoir shall cancel the entry in the Adopted Children Register and notify the Board accordingly.
Assurance on life of adopted child under ten years of age.
30.—(1) For the purposes of the enactments for the time being in force relating to friendly societies and industrial assurance companies, which enable such societies and companies to insure money to be paid for funeral expenses and restrict the persons to whom money may be paid on the death of a child under ten years of age, an adopted child shall be considered as the child of the adopter or adopters born to him, her or them in lawful wedlock and not to be the child of any other person.
(2) Where, before the making of an adoption order, any such insurance has been effected by a person who, in pursuance of this Act, has given consent to the making of the order, the rights and liabilities under the policy shall by virtue of the adoption order stand transferred to the adopter (or, where a married couple are the adopters, to the husband) who shall, for the purpose of the said enactments, be treated as the person who took out the policy.
Affiliation orders, etc.
31.—(1) Where an adoption order is made in respect of an illegitimate child, then, unless the mother is an adopter, any affiliation order in force with respect to the child and any agreement whereby the natural father of the child has undertaken to make payments specifically for the benefit of the child shall cease to have effect, but without prejudice to the recovery of any arrears which are due under the order or agreement at the date of the adoption order.
(2) Where an adoption order is made in respect of a child committed to the care of a fit person by an order in force under the Children Act, 1908, the committal order shall cease to have effect.
Restriction of Part I of Children Act, 1908.
32.—Part I of the Children Act, 1908, as amended by the Children Act, 1934 (No. 15 of 1934) (which relates to the nursing and maintenance of children for reward), shall, in relation to a child who is the subject of an adoption order or an interim order, not apply to an adopter or to a person in whose favour the interim order was made.
Termination of parental authority of public assistance authority.
33.—Upon an adoption order being made a resolution in force in respect of the child under section 45 of the Public Assistance Act 1939 (No. 27 of 1939), shall terminate.
PART IV.
Registration of Adoption Societies.
Restriction on making arrangements for adoption.
34.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any body of persons to make or attempt to make any arrangements for the adoption of a child under seven years of age unless that body is a registered adoption society or a public assistance authority or for that purpose to retain a child in their custody or arrange to have him retained by any other person or body.
(2) If any person takes any part in the management or control of a body of persons which exists wholly or in part for the purpose of making arrangements for adoption, and which is not a registered adoption society or a public assistance authority, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to both.
(3) In any proceedings under this section, proof of things done or of words written, spoken, or published (whether or not in the presence of any party to the proceedings) by any person taking part in the management or control of a body of persons, or in making arrangements for adoption on behalf of the body, shall be admissible as evidence of the purpose for which that body exists.
The Adoption Societies Register.
35.—(1) The Board shall keep an Adoption Societies Register (in this Part referred to as the register).
(2) The register shall be open to public inspection during ordinary office hours.
(3) Entries in the register shall be in the prescribed form and contain the prescribed particulars.
Registration of adoption societies.
36.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board shall enter in the register any body of persons which applies to be registered and furnishes to the Board such information as the Board may think necessary to enable it to determine if the body is entitled to be registered.
(2) The Board shall not register any body of persons unless the Board is satisfied—
(a) that the body is one which exists only for the purpose of promoting charitable, benevolent or philanthropic objects, whether or not any such object is charitable within the meaning of any rule of law, and
(b) that the body is competent to discharge the obligations imposed upon registered adoption societies under this Act.
(3) The Board may refuse to register any body of persons if it appears to the Board that any person who takes part in the management or control of the body or who is engaged on its behalf in connection with the making of arrangements for adoption is not a fit and proper person to act.
Cancellation of registration.
37.—The Board may cancel the registration of a registered adoption society on any ground which would require or entitle the Board to refuse an application for the registration of the society or if it appears to the Board that the requirements of this Act are not being adequately complied with by the society or if an offence under this Act is committed by the society or by any person acting on its behalf.
Furnishing of information and inspection of books.
38.—(1) A registered adoption society and every officer of the society or other person taking part in its management or control shall—
(a) furnish the Board with such information as the Board may from time to time by notice in writing require in regard to its constitution, membership, employees, organisation and activities;
(b) at all reasonable times permit a member or authorised officer of the Board to inspect and make copies of all books and documents relating to adoption in the possession or control of the society.
(2) A person who contravenes, whether by act or omission, a provision of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
Explanation to mother or guardian as to effect of adoption.
39.—(1) Where the mother or guardian of a child proposes to place the child at the disposal of a registered adoption society for adoption under this Act the society shall, before accepting the child—
(a) furnish that person with a statement in writing in the prescribed form explaining clearly—
(i) the effect of an adoption order upon the rights of a mother or guardian, and
(ii) the provisions of this Act relating to consent to the making of an adoption order; and
(b) ensure that the person understands the statement and that he signs a document to that effect.
(2) In the case of failure to comply with any of the requirements of subsection (1), the society, every person who takes part in its management or control and every person concerned in the acceptance of the child on behalf of the society shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
PART V.
Miscellaneous.
Restriction on sending children abroad.
40.—(1) No person shall remove out of the State a child under seven years of age who is an Irish citizen or cause or permit such removal.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the removal of an illegitimate child under one year of age by or with the approval of the mother or, if the mother is dead, of a relative for the purpose of residing with the mother or a relative outside the State.
(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the removal of a child (not being an illegitimate child under one year of age) by or with the approval of a parent, guardian or relative of the child.
(4) A person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to both.
Prohibition upon certain advertisements.
41.—(1) No person shall publish or cause to be published any advertisement indicating—
(a) that a parent or guardian of a child under seven years of age desires to have the child adopted, or
(b) that a person desires to adopt such a child, or
(c) that a person (not being a registered adoption society or a public assistance authority) is willing to make arrangements for the adoption of such a child.
(2) A person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
Prohibition of certain payments.
42.—(1) An adopter, parent or guardian of a child shall not receive or agree to receive any payment or other reward in consideration of the adoption of the child under this Act.
(2) No person shall make or give or agree to make or give any payment or reward the receipt of which is prohibited by subsection (1).
(3) (a) A person who makes arrangements for the adoption of a child shall not receive, make or give any payment or other reward in consideration of the making of the arrangements or agree to do so.
(b) This subsection does not apply to—
(i) payments made for the maintenance of the child;
(ii) solicitors' remuneration for professional services.
(4) A person who contravenes a provision of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to both.
False statements.
43.—If any person knowingly makes any false statement or furnishes any false information to the Board or a member or authorised officer of the Board or aids or abets another person to do so, he shall be guilty of an offence and, without prejudice to any other penalty to which he may be liable, shall, on summary conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to both.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
An Bord Uchtála.
Member.
1. In this Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires, “member” means the Chairman or an ordinary member.
Term of office.
2. (1) Each member, unless appointed to fill a casual vacancy, shall be appointed for a period of five years.
(2) A member appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall be appointed for the remainder of the term for which his predecessor, if he had continued to be a member, would have held office.
(3) An outgoing member may be reappointed.
Removal and resignation.
3. (1) The Government may remove a member from office for stated misbehaviour or incapacity or failure to attend meetings of the Board.
(2) A member may resign his office.
Substitutes.
4. (1) Where a member is temporarily unable to act, the Government may appoint a person to act in his place.
(2) A person shall not be appointed to act in place of the Chairman unless he is qualified for appointment as Chairman.
(3) References in this Act to a member include references to a person so acting.
Remuneration.
5. There may be paid to the Chairman such remuneration as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.
Registrar and officers and servants.
6. (1) The Minister shall appoint a person to be registrar of the Board and may with the consent of the Minister for Finance appoint such other officers and servants of the Board as he thinks necessary.
(2) The registrar, officers and servants of the Board shall hold office on such terms and receive such remuneration as the Minister for Finance determines.
Seal.
7. (1) The Board shall have an official seal which shall be judicially noticed.
(2) The seal shall, when applied to a document, be attested by the signature of the Chairman or the registrar or of a person authorised by the Board to attest it.
(3) Every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Board, to be sealed with the seal and to be attested in accordance with this paragraph shall, unless the contrary is shown, be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without further proof.
Procedure.
8. (1) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman and two ordinary members.
(2) Every question at a meeting shall be decided in accordance with the opinion of the majority of those present.
(3) In the case of an equal division of opinion, the question shall be decided in accordance with the opinion of the Chiarman.
(4) The decision of the Board shall be pronounced by the Chairman or other member authorised by the Chairman and no other opinion, whether assenting or dissenting, shall be pronounced nor shall the existence of such an opinion be disclosed.
(5) Subject to this Act, the Board may regulate its own procedure.
Power to summon witnesses, etc.
9. (1) The Board may for the purposes of any proceedings before it under this Act do all or any of the following things—
(a) summon witnesses to attend before it,
(b) examine on oath (which a member or the registrar of the Board is hereby authorised to administer) the witnesses attending before it,
(c) require any such witness to produce to the Board any document in his power or control.
(2) A witness before the Board shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court.
(3) If any person—
(a) on being duly summoned as a witness before the Board makes default in attending, or
(b) being in attendance as a witness refuses to take an oath legally required by the Board to be taken, or to produce any document in his power or control legally required by the Board to be produced by him, or to answer any question to which the Board may legally require an answer,
he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
(4) Where a witness (other than an applicant for an adoption order) attends before the Board in pursuance of a summons issued on the initiative of the Board, the Board may, if it thinks fit, pay to him a sum in respect of expenses incurred by him in connection with his attendance in accordance with a scale prescribed by the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance.
Evidence.
10. The Board may take evidence orally or on affidavit.
Enquiries.
11. (1) The Board may make such enquiries as it thinks necessary for the fulfilment of its functions.
(2) A member or officer of the Board may visit the homes of the child, the guardian of the child, the applicants for an adoption order and the person to whom custody of the child has been given under an interim order.
(3) The Board may authorise an officer of a Department of State or of a local authority to make enquiries and visits on behalf of the Board.
Service of documents.
12. A summons, notice or other document required or authorised by or under this Act to be issued by the Board to any person may be served by registered post.
Annual report.
13. (1) The Board shall, after the expiration of each year, publish a report giving the following information in relation to that year—
(a) the number of applications for adoption and the decisions of the Board thereon,
(b) the names of the registered societies concerned in the applications,
(c) the number of applications for registration of societies and the decisions of the Board thereon,
(d) the name and address of each society which is registered or the registration of which is cancelled during the year.
(2) The Board shall present a copy of the report to the Minister who shall cause it to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Notices to be published in Iris Oifigiúil.
14. (1) The Board shall cause to be published in Iris Oifigiúil a notice in the prescribed form of the making of every adoption order and of every registration and cancellation of registration in the Adoption Societies Register.
(2) A notice in regard to an adoption order shall not refer to the child's natural parents, former surname, place of birth or otherwise to his origin.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Form of Entry in Adopted Children Register.
No. of entry | Date and country of birth | Christian name or first name | Sex | Name, address and occupation of adopter or adopters | Date of adoption order | Date of entry and signature of an tArd-Chláraitheoir |