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Number 26 of 1968
WOOL MARKETING ACT, 1968
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
An Chomhairle
Acts Referred to | |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 1897, c. 58 |
1963, No. 33 | |
Number 26 of 1968
WOOL MARKETING ACT, 1968
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“brokes” means wool obtained from the edges of a fleece in clipping;
“daggings or clarts” means wool naturally clotted with dung or earth;
“fallen wool” means wool which has been removed from sheep which have died from natural causes;
“fleece wool” means wool removed by shearing or clipping;
“flock” includes a flock consisting of one sheep only;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“gathered wool” means wool left by live sheep and gathered from hedges or elsewhere;
“licensed exporter” means a person to whom a licence has been granted under section 7 and which has not been revoked;
“locks” means wool (other than brokes, daggings or clarts) which may have become or has been detached from a fleece;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister in accordance with this Act;
“producer” means the owner of a flock of sheep or any other person engaged in the production of wool;
“registered buyer” means a person who pursuant to section 6 is for the time being registered in the register as a buyer of wool;
“sheep” includes lambs;
“skin wool” means wool which has been removed from the skins of dead sheep;
“tailings” means wool removed from the britch end of live sheep;
“wool”, except where the context otherwise requires, means any raw wool which has been removed or become detached from sheep in the State and includes brokes, daggings or clarts, fallen wool, fleece wool, gathered wool, locks, skin wool and tailings.
(2) A reference in this Act to performance of functions includes, with respect to powers, a reference to exercise of those powers.
Establishment day.
2.—The Minister may by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.
Prohibition of carrying on business of buyer of wool by unregistered persons.
3.—If, after the day mentioned in section 5 (4), any person,
(a) carries on the business of a buyer of wool and is not registered in the register, or
(b) uses as his place of such business any premises other than those in relation to which the person is registered in the register,
the person shall be guilty of an offence.
Prohibition of unlicensed business of exporting wool.
4.—(1) A person shall not carry on the business of an exporter of wool save under and in accordance with a licence issued under this Act in that behalf by the Minister.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.
The Register.
5.—(1) As soon as may be after the passing of this Act, the Minister shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, set up and maintain a register to be known as the Register of Buyers of Wool (in this Act referred to as the register).
(2) There shall be entered in the register the following particulars, namely:
(a) the full name, address and description of the person registered as a registered buyer,
(b) a description of the premises in which such person carries on the business of a buyer of wool which description shall be sufficient to identify those premises and the limits and extent thereof, and
(c) such other particulars as the Minister, in the circumstances of any particular case, considers relevant.
(3) Any change in the name or address of a registered buyer shall be notified by him to the Minister.
(4) On setting up the register the Minister shall by order certify the day of the setting up of the register.
(5) The Minister shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee (if any), permit the register to be inspected during office hours by any person.
Application for and conditions of registration.
6.—(1) On the application, in such form and containing such particulars as the Minister may direct, by or on behalf of a person who proposes to carry on the business of a buyer of wool the Minister may, at his discretion, register the person in the register as a registered buyer.
(2) Before the Minister registers any person under subsection (1) the following conditions shall be complied with, namely:
(a) the application shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any),
(b) the Minister shall be satisfied that—
(i) the premises together with any plant or machinery therein to be used by the person for the weighing, grading or storage of wool are suitable for each of those purposes having regard to the maximum quantity of wool likely to be handled in the premises at any time,
(ii) the said premises, plant and machinery comply with the requirements of any regulations made under this Act and applicable thereto, and
(iii) the person is competent to grade wool or will have in his employment persons who are so competent and that the number of persons grading wool in the said premises will be sufficient to properly grade the quantity of wool likely to be handled therein at any time.
(3) Whenever the Minister proposes to refuse an application for registration in the register he shall, before doing so, notify in writing the applicant for registration of his intention and of the reasons therefor, and, if any representations are made to the Minister by the applicant within seven days after the giving of the notification, the Minister shall consider them.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a person who carries on the business of a buyer of wool and who, immediately before the passing of this Act, carried on that business, shall, if in relation to the premises in which such business is so carried on or any plant or machinery therein, any regulations under this Act and applicable thereto are complied with, be entitled, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), to be registered in the register as a registered buyer.
Grant of licences for carrying on business of exporting wool.
7.—(1) On the application by or on behalf of a person who proposes to carry on the business of an exporter of wool, the Minister may, at his discretion, grant or refuse to grant a licence authorising the carrying on by the person of the business of exporting wool.
(2) An application under this section shall be in such form and shall contain such particulars as the Minister may direct and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee (if any).
(3) The Minister may, at the time of the granting of a licence under this section, attach to the licence such conditions as he shall think proper and shall specify in the licence.
(4) The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, amend or revoke a condition attached to a licence.
(5) Whenever the Minister proposes to refuse to grant a licence he shall, before doing so, notify the applicant for the licence of his intention and of the reasons therefor, and, if any representations are made by the applicant to the Minister within seven days after the date of the giving of the notification, the Minister shall consider them.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a person who carries on the business of an exporter of wool and who, immediately before the passing of this Act, carried on that business, shall, on payment of the prescribed fee (if any), be entitled to be granted a licence under this section.
Fees.
8.—(1) There shall be paid to the Minister in respect of every application for registration in the register under section 6 or for a licence under section 7 or for inspection of the register under section 5 (5), as the case may be, such fee (if any) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may fix by regulation.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to all fees payable under this section, namely:
(a) the fees shall be collected in money and taken in such manner as the Minister for Finance may from time to time direct, and shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance;
(b) the Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect of such fees.
Cancellation, revocation, suspension and restoration of registrations or licences.
9.—(1) The Minister shall—
(a) cancel the registration of any person in the register,
(b) revoke a licence granted to a person under this Act,
upon the application of the person or, in the case of a deceased person, his personal representative, or in the case of a body corporate, the liquidator.
(2) The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, cancel or suspend the registration of any person in the register or revoke or suspend a licence granted under this Act, if—
(a) he is satisfied that the registration or licence, as the case may be, was procured by fraud or misrepresentation,
(b) the person so registered or licensed has ceased to carry on the business of a buyer of wool or an exporter of wool, as may be appropriate,
(c) the person so registered or licensed, if an individual, has died, or if a body corporate, has been dissolved,
(d) the person so registered has been adjudicated a bankrupt,
(e) he is satisfied that—
(i) the premises in respect of which the person is so registered or any plant or machinery in such premises does not comply with the requirements of any regulations made under this Act and applicable thereto, or
(ii) the condition mentioned in section 6 (2) (b) (iii) is not being complied with,
(f) he is satisfied that a condition attached to such a licence has not been complied with,
(g) the person so registered or licensed has committed an offence under this Act.
(3) Whenever the Minister proposes to cancel, revoke or suspend under subsection (2) the registration of or a licence granted to any person, he shall, before doing so, give at least one month's notice in writing to the person or his personal representative (if any) or its liquidator, as may be appropriate, of his intention and the reasons therefor and in case the Minister intends to so suspend the registration or licence the period for which the Minister intends to so suspend the registration or licence shall be specified in the notice.
(4) Whenever the Minister gives a notice mentioned in subsection (3) the following provisions shall have effect, namely:
(a) the Minister shall not cancel, revoke or suspend the registration or licence to which the notice relates until the expiration of the notice;
(b) in case representations are made to the Minister before the expiration of the notice by the person to whom the notice is given, the Minister shall consider them;
(c) if, within seven days after the date of the notice, the person to whom the notice is given makes a request to the Minister for the holding of an inquiry in relation to the matter, the Minister shall cause an inquiry to be held (unless, as a result of the consideration of representations made to him, the Minister has decided not to cancel, revoke or suspend the registration or licence, as the case may be);
(d) where an inquiry is held under this subsection, the Minister shall not cancel, revoke or suspend the registration or licence until he has considered the report of the person making the inquiry;
(e) the Minister shall appoint a person who is a practising barrister of at least ten years' standing to hold any inquiry under this subsection and the person so appointed shall have power to take evidence on oath which he is hereby authorised to administer and shall make a report to the Minister of his findings at the inquiry;
(f) the Minister shall give to the person who requested the holding of the inquiry notice of the time and place of the holding of the inquiry and the person shall be entitled to appear at the inquiry personally or by counsel or solicitor and to adduce evidence;
(g) there shall be paid to a person holding an inquiry under this subsection such remuneration as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may fix.
(5) Whenever the Minister cancels, revokes or suspends a registration or licence, he shall cause a statement of his reasons for doing so to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(6) In case the Minister cancels, revokes or suspends under this section a registration or licence he may subsequently, if he so thinks fit—
(a) in the case of a suspension—lift the suspension,
(b) in the case of a cancellation or revocation—restore the registration or grant (without payment of the prescribed fee (if any)) a new licence, as may be appropriate.
Exemption from Act.
10.—(1) The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, by regulation grant exemption from the provisions of this Act in relation to businesses of a particular class and to which this Act would otherwise apply.
(2) This Act shall not apply in relation to a business of a class in respect of which an exemption under this section has been granted and has not been withdrawn.
(3) The Minister may at any time withdraw an exemption under this section.
Regulations relating to the purchase of wool, to premises, plant and machinery and to the register.
11.—(1) The Minister may make regulations—
(a) providing for the purchase of wool on a graded basis,
(b) prescribing standards (expressed in methods of construction, types of material, terms of performance or otherwise) in relation to premises used for the weighing, grading or storage of wool or any plant or machinery in such premises which may be used in connection with such weighing, grading or storage,
(c) providing for the correction of errors in the register, for the alteration of names or addresses therein which have been changed, for the deletion or alteration of descriptions of premises in the register, and for the inclusion in the register of descriptions of premises not already therein described.
(2) Regulations made under subsection (1) (a) may—
(a) provide for either or both of the following, namely, the payment of a specified increase in price in relation to wool of specified quality or the making of a specified reduction in price in relation to wool with specified defects,
(b) in relation to every sale of wool by a producer, provide for the supply to the producer by the relevant registered buyer of a statement by such buyer containing such particulars as may be prescribed,
(c) subject to paragraph (b), apply in relation to the purchase of wool generally, to the purchase of wool of a specified class or to the purchase of wool in specified circumstances.
(3) Any person who purchases wool in contravention of regulations under subsection (1) (a) or who fails or neglects to comply with a provision mentioned in subsection (2) (b) shall be guilty of an offence.
Establishment of An Chomhairle Olla.
12.—(1) On the establishment day there shall be established a body to be known as An Chomhairle Olla (in this Act referred to as An Chomhairle) to perform the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) An Chomhairle shall consist of a chairman and either ten other members, or the number of other members specified in an order under this section and for the time being in force.
(3) The Minister may by order specify the number of members other than the chairman of which An Chomhairle shall partly consist, provided that in no case shall the number of such members so specified be less than six.
(4) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to An Chomhairle.
(5) The Minister may by order revoke or, subject to the proviso contained in subsection (3), amend an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).
Functions of An Chomhairle.
13.—An Chomhairle shall have the following functions, namely:
(a) to advise the Minister in relation to the fixing of grades, price increases relating to quality and price reductions relating to defects, to be used, paid or deducted in respect of the purchase of wool from producers;
(b) to advise the Minister in relation to the fixing of standards to be applied in relation to the registration of registered buyers;
(c) after consultation with the Minister, to fix a code of practice to be observed by wool exporters;
(d) to provide or secure the provision of courses for the training of persons in the grading of wool;
(e) to consider, devise or implement methods to increase exports of wool; and
(f) to consider methods of securing the maximum use of home produced wool by manufacturers in the State.
Assignment of additional functions relating to wool to An Chomhairle.
14.—The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, from time to time by order—
(a) assign to An Chomhairle such additional functions relating to wool as he thinks fit,
(b) make such provisions as he considers desirable or necessary in relation to matters ancillary to or arising out of the assignment to or fulfilment by An Chomhairle of functions assigned to it under this section.
Officers and servants.
15.—(1) The Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may appoint such officers and servants as he thinks necessary to assist An Chomhairle in the performance of its functions.
(2) The officers and servants so appointed shall hold office on such terms and receive such remuneration as the Minister for Finance determines.
Accounts and audits.
16.—(1) An Chomhairle shall keep, in such form as may be approved by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expended by it.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted by An Chomhairle to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit at such times as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, directs.
(3) Immediately after audit under this section of the accounts of An Chomhairle, a copy of those accounts, certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shall be presented to the Minister.
(4) The Minister shall cause copies of the documents mentioned in subsection (3) to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Annual Report, etc.
17.—(1) An Chomhairle shall in each year, at such date as the Minister may direct, make a report of its proceedings during the preceding twelve months ending on that date, and An Chomhairle shall, within ninety days after such date or such longer period as the Minister shall in any particular case allow, furnish the report to the Minister who shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) An Chomhairle shall supply the Minister with such information as he may from time to time require.
Annual grant.
18.—In each financial year there may be paid to An Chomhairle, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, a grant of such amount as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, may sanction in relation to the expenses incurred by An Chomhairle in the performance of its functions.
Levies.
19.—(1) For the purpose of defraying expenses in relation to the performance by An Chomhairle of its functions under this Act the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make an order (in this Act referred to as a levy order) imposing in relation to all or any of the following, namely, any purchase, sale or exportation of wool, a levy on the purchaser, seller or exporter of the wool, and whenever a levy order is made there shall be paid in accordance with the levy order to An Chomhairle by the person on whom it is imposed a levy of such amount as may be appropriate having regard to the provisions of the levy order.
(2) A levy order shall give any person assessed to the levy a right of appeal to the appeal tribunal constituted under section 20 and in addition may provide for all or any of the following:
(a) the exemption of a particular class of purchase or sale from the provisions of the order;
(b) the exemption of a particular class of exportation from the provisions of the order;
(c) the imposition of a levy of a specified class, at a specified rate or in respect of a specified period;
(d) the evidence by which a person's liability to the levy or his discharge from that liability may be established;
(e) the time or times at which a levy shall become due and payable to An Chomhairle.
(3) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order amend or revoke a levy order or an order under this subsection.
(4) Every sum payable by a person to An Chomhairle under this section for and on account of a levy imposed by a levy order shall be a simple contract debt due to An Chomhairle and shall be recoverable accordingly by An Chomhairle from the person in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Appeal Tribunal.
20.—(1) The Minister shall make regulations providing for the establishment of a tribunal to determine appeals by persons assessed to any levy imposed under this Act and such regulations may include—
(a) provision as to the procedure to be followed on such an appeal;
(b) provision for summoning persons to attend and give evidence and produce documents; and
(c) provision for authorising the administration of oaths to witnesses.
(2) If, on an appeal, the appellant satisfies the tribunal established in accordance with regulations under this section that he ought not to have been assessed to the levy or ought to have been assessed in a smaller amount, the tribunal shall rescind, or as may be appropriate, reduce the assessment, but in any other case shall confirm it, and any decision of the tribunal shall be final.
(3) A person who is a member of a tribunal established in accordance with regulations under this section shall be paid, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such fee for attendance at meetings of the tribunal and such allowances for expenses incurred by him as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.
Posting of prices offered for wool.
21.—(1) The Minister may make regulations requiring every registered buyer to post and keep posted, in accordance with subsection (2), notice of the prices he is currently offering for the purchase of wool.
(2) Where the Minister makes regulations under subsection (1) the notice mentioned therein shall be posted—
(a) prominently in the premises in relation to which the person is registered in the register,
(b) in such characters and in such position or positions so that it may be conveniently read by any person who is in the premises for business purposes.
(3) Any registered buyer who fails or neglects to comply with a requirement of regulations under this section or any person who wilfully pulls down, injures or defaces any notice posted in pursuance of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
Power to require certain persons to keep certain records or documents and supply information.
22.—(1) The Minister may by notice in writing served on any person who is a registered buyer or licensed exporter of wool require the person—
(a) to furnish to the Minister within a specified period such specified information relating to the purchase, storage or export, as may be appropriate, of wool,
(b) to keep and produce for examination on behalf of the Minister such specified records or other documents relating to the purchase, storage or export, as may be appropriate, of wool,
as the Minister determines.
(2) Where a person on whom a notice is served under subsection (1) fails or neglects to comply with the requirements of the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence unless, in case and in so far only as the notice relates to information, he satisfies the court, that the information was not in his possession.
Service etc. of notices.
23.—(1) A notice under this Act or regulations made thereunder may be served on or given to a person—
(a) by delivering it to him, or
(b) by sending it by registered post in an envelope addressed to him at the address at which he ordinarily resides or carries on business.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a company registered under the Companies Act, 1963, shall be deemed to carry on business at its registered offices and every other body corporate and every unincorporated body shall be deemed to carry on business at its principal office or place of business.
Powers of officers of Minister.
24.—(1) An officer of the Minister authorised in writing by the Minister to exercise the powers conferred on an officer of the Minister by this section may do all or any of the following things, namely:
(a) enter, inspect and examine at all reasonable times by day any premises in which wool is weighed, graded, cleansed or otherwise processed, or stored together with any plant or machinery therein;
(b) require any person having in his possession or control any records or other documents relating to the purchase of wool by a registered buyer or by a person carrying on a business exempted for the time being under section 10 or relating to the export of wool by a licensed exporter to produce such records or other documents, and inspect, examine or copy any of them, and for those purposes enter at all reasonable times by day any premises in which he has reason to believe such records or other documents are kept.
(2) If any person wilfully delays an officer of the Minister in the exercise of any power under this section, or fails without reasonable cause to produce any record or other document which he is required in pursuance of this section to produce or refuses without reasonable cause to give to the officer any information which such officer may reasonably require with regard to the entries in such record or document, the person shall be deemed to obstruct an officer of the Minister in the execution of his duties under this Act.
(3) Where an officer of the Minister is obstructed in the execution of his duties under this Act the person obstructing such officer shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) An officer of the Minister performing functions under this Act shall be furnished with a certificate of his authorisation to perform those functions, and when exercising a power or carrying out a duty under this Act shall, if so required, produce the said certificate to any person affected.
Offences and penalties.
25.—(1) Every person who attempts or aids, abets, assists, counsels or procures another person, or conspires with another person, to commit an offence under this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate or by a person purporting to act on behalf of a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons, and is proved to have been so committed with the consent or approval of, or to have been facilitated by any default on the part of any person being, in the case of a body corporate, a director, manager, secretary or other officer thereof, or in the case of an unincorporated body, a member of the committee of management or other controlling authority thereof, that person shall also be guilty of the offence.
(3) Every person who commits an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds (together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding ten pounds for every day on which the offence is continued) or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both to the fine and the imprisonment.
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
26.—Every order and regulation made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Expenses.
27.—The expenses of the Minister 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.
Short title.
28.—This Act may be cited as the Wool Marketing Act, 1968.
SCHEDULE
An Chomhairle
1. An Chomhairle shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land.
2. A member of An Chomhairle may at any time resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect as on and from the date of the receipt of the letter by the Minister.
3. The Minister may at any time remove a member of An Chomhairle from office.
4. (1) Each member of An Chomhairle shall be appointed by the Minister for such period not exceeding five years as the Minister shall determine at the time of the appointment, and, subject to the foregoing and to article 5 of this Schedule, shall hold his office on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines.
(2) The chairman of An Chomhairle shall be that member of An Chomhairle who, at the time of his appointment to be a member of An Chomhairle or subsequently, is appointed by the Minister to be such chairman.
5. Each member of An Chomhairle shall be paid, out of moneys at the disposal of An Chomhairle, such allowances for expenses incurred by him as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may determine.
6. Of the ordinary members of An Chomhairle—
(a) not less than three shall be persons each of whom the Minister considers representative of wool producers, and
(b) not less than three shall be persons each of whom the Minister considers representative of the wool trade.
7. A member of An Chomhairle whose term of office expires by effluxion of time shall be eligible for reappointment.
8. A member of An Chomhairle shall be disqualified from holding and shall cease to hold office if he is adjudicated a bankrupt or makes a composition or arrangement with creditors, or is sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction to suffer imprisonment or penal servitude or ceases to be ordinarily resident in the State.
9. Subject to article 6 of this Schedule, where a casual vacancy occurs among the members of An Chomhairle the Minister shall as soon as possible appoint a person whom he considers suitable to fill the vacancy.
10. An Chomhairle shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.
11. The Minister may fix the date, time and place of the first meeting of An Chomhairle.
12. The quorum for a meeting of An Chomhairle shall, unless the Minister otherwise directs, be three members.
13. At a meeting of An Chomhairle—
(a) the chairman of An Chomhairle shall, if present, be the chairman of the meeting,
(b) if and so long as the chairman of An Chomhairle is not present or if the office of chairman is vacant, the members of An Chomhairle who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
14. The chairman of An Chomhairle and each ordinary member of An Chomhairle at a meeting thereof shall have a vote.
15. Every question at a meeting of An Chomhairle shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question and, in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
16. An Chomhairle may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.
17. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, An Chomhairle shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, the procedure and business of An Chomhairle.
18. An Chomhairle shall, as soon as may be after its establishment, provide itself with a seal.
19. The seal of An Chomhairle shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman of An Chomhairle or some other member thereof authorised by An Chomhairle to act in that behalf and the signature of an officer provided by the Minister under section 15 and authorised by An Chomhairle to act in that behalf.
20. Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of An Chomhairle and every document purporting to be an instrument made by An Chomhairle and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with article 19 of this Schedule) of An Chomhairle shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
Uimhir 26 de 1968
AN tACHT MARGAITHE OLLA, 1968
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “ciumhasóga” olann a fhaightear ó chiumhais lomra le linn bearrtha;
ciallaíonn “olann draoibeach” olann atá foircthe go nádúrtha le hotrach nó cré;
ciallaíonn “olann tite” olann a baineadh de chaora a fuair bás nádúrtha;
ciallaíonn “olann lomra” olann a bearradh de chaora;
folaíonn “tréad” tréad aon-chaorach;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “olann chruinnithe” olann a thit de chaoirigh bheo agus a cruinníodh de sceacha nó as áiteanna eile;
ciallaíonn “onnmhaireoir ceadúnaithe” duine dar deonaíodh ceadúnas faoi alt 7 nach bhfuil cúlghairthe;
ciallaíonn “goib-olann” olann (seachas ciumhasóga nó olann draoibeach) a thit as lomra nó a baineadh as lomra;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh;
ciallaíonn an briathar “forordú” forordú le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire de réir an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn “táirgeoir” úinéir tréada caorach nó aon duine a bhíonn ag táirgeadh olla;
ciallaíonn “ceannaitheoir cláraithe” duine atá, de bhun alt 6, cláraithe de thuras na huaire sa chlár mar cheannaitheoir olla;
folaíonn “caora” uan;
ciallaíonn “olann craicinn” olann a baineadh de sheithí caorach marbh;
ciallaíonn “sciotaí” olann a bhaintear de dheireadh íochtarach caorach beo;
ciallaíonn “olann”, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, aon olann amh a baineadh nó a thit de chaoirigh sa Stát agus folaíonn sé ciumhasóga, olann draoibeach, olann tite, olann lomra, olann chruinnithe, giob-olann, olann craicinn agus sciotaí.
(2) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh folaíonn sí, maidir le cumhachtaí, tagairt do na cumhachtaí sin a fheidhmiú.
An lá bunaithe.
2.—Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú lá a cheapadh mar lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
Toirmeasc ar dhaoine neamhchláraithe a bheith ag seoladh gnó ceannaitheora olla.
3.—Má dhéanann aon duine, tar éis an lae a luaitear in alt 5 (4)—
(a) gnó ceannaitheora olla a sheoladh agus gan é cláraithe sa chlár, nó
(b) aon áitreabh seachas an t-áitreabh a bhfuil an duine cláraithe ina leith sa chlár a úsáid mar a áit chun an ghnó sin,
beidh an duine ciontach i gcion.
Toirmeasc ar ghnó neamhcheadúnaithe ag onnmhairiú olla.
4.—(1) Ní sheolfaidh aon duine gnó onnmhaireora olla ach amháin faoi réim agus de réir cheadúnais a d'eisigh an tAire faoin Acht seo chun na críche sin.
(2) Beidh duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) ciontach i gcion.
(3) Tiocfaidh fo-ailt (1) agus (2) i ngníomh cibé lá a shocróidh an tAire le hordú.
An Clár.
5.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith, déanfaidh an tAire, de réir forálacha an Achta seo, clár ar a dtabharfar an Clár de Cheannaitheoirí Olla (dá ngairtear an clár san Acht seo) a bhunú agus a chothabháil.
(2) Taifeadfar na sonraí seo a leanas sa chlár, is é sin:
(a) ainm iomlán, seoladh agus tuairisc an duine a chlárófar mar cheannaitheoir cláraithe,
(b) tuairisc an áitribh ina seolann an duine sin gnó ceannaitheora olla, is tuairisc a bheidh dóthanach chun go n-aithneofar an t-áitreabh sin agus a theorainneacha agus a mhéid, agus
(c) cibé sonraí eile a mheasfaidh an tAire, i gcúinsí aon cháis áirithe, is iomchuí.
(3) Cuirfidh ceannaitheoir cláraithe aon athrú ar a ainm nó ar a sheoladh in iúl don Aire.
(4) Nuair a bhunóidh an tAire an clár deimhneoidh sé le hordú lá an chláir a bhunú.
(5) Ceadóidh an tAire d'aon duine, ar an táille fhorordaithe (más ann) a íoc, an clár a iniúchadh le linn uaire oifige.
Iarratas ar chlárú agus coinníollacha maidir le clárú.
6.—(1) Ar iarratas a dhéanamh, i cibé foirm, agus ina mbeidh cibé sonraí, a ordóidh an tAire, ag duine, nó thar ceann duine, a bhear taíonn gnó ceannaitheora olla a sheoladh, féadfaidh an tAire, dá rogha féin, an duine a chlárú sa chlár mar cheannaitheoir cláraithe.
(2) Sula gcláróidh an tAire aon duine faoi fho-alt (1) comhlíonfar na coinníollacha seo a leanas, is é sin:
(a) beidh an táille fhorordaithe (más ann) ag gabháil leis an iarratas,
(b) beidh an tAire deimhin den méid seo a leanas—
(i) go bhfuil an t-áitreabh mar aon le haon ghléasra nó innealra ann a úsáidfidh an duine chun olann a mheá, a ghrádú nó a stóráil oiriúnach chun gach críche acu sin ag féachaint don chainníocht uasta olla is dócha a bheith á láimhsiú aon tráth áirithe san áitreabh,
(ii) go gcomhlíonann an t-áitreabh, an gléasra agus an t-innealra a dúradh forálacha aon rialachán a rinneadh faoin Acht seo agus is inchurtha chun feidhme maidir leis an gcéanna, agus
(iii) go bhfuil an duine inniúil ar olann a ghrádú nó go mbeidh daoine ar fostú aige a bhfuil an inniúlacht sin iontu agus gur leor an méid daoine a bheidh san áitreabh sin chun grádú ceart a dhéanamh ar an olann is dócha a bheith á láimhsiú ann aon tráth áirithe.
(3) Aon uair a bheartóidh an tAire diúltú d'iarratas ar chlárú sa chlár, tabharfaidh sé, sula ndéanfaidh sé amhlaidh, fógra i scríbhinn don iarratasóir ar chlárú ag insint go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige agus na bhfáthanna atá aige leis, agus má dhéanann an t-iarratasóir aon uiríolla chun an Aire laistigh de sheacht lá tar éis an fógra a thabhairt, breithneoidh an tAire iad.
(4) D'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, aon duine a sheolann gnó ceannaitheora olla agus a sheol an gnó sin díreach roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith beidh sé, más rud é, maidir leis an áitreabh ina seoltar amhlaidh an gnó sin nó maidir le haon ghléasra nó innealra san áitreabh sin, go gcomhlíontar aon rialacháin faoin Acht is inchurtha chun feidhme maidir leis an gcéanna, i dteideal, ar an táille fhorordaithe (más ann) a íoc, é a chlárú sa chlár mar cheannaitheoir cláraithe.
Ceadúnais a dheonú chun gnó onnmhairithe olla a sheoladh.
7.—(1) Ar iarratas a fháil ó dhuine, nó thar ceann duine, a bheartaíonn gnó onnmhaireora olla a sheoladh, féadfaidh an tAire, dá rogha féin, ceadúnas a dheonú, nó diúltú ceadúnas a dheonú, á údarú don duine gnó onnmhairithe olla a sheoladh.
(2) Aon iarratas a dhéanfar faoin alt seo is i cibé foirm a bheidh sé, agus beidh cibé sonraí ann, a ordóidh an tAire agus beidh an táille fhorordaithe (más ann) ag gabháil leis.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, an tráth a dheonóidh sé ceadúnas faoin alt seo, cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis agus a shonróidh sé sa cheadúnas a chur ag gabháil leis an gceadúnas.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire, más cuí leis, conníoll a ghabhann le ceadúnas a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(5) Aon uair a bheartóidh an tAire diúltú ceadúnas a dheonú tabharfaidh sé, sula ndéanfaidh sé amhlaidh, fógra d'iarratasóir an cheadúnais ag insint go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige agus na bhfáthanna atá aige leis, agus, má dhéanann an t-iarratasóir aon uiríolla chun an Aire laistigh de sheacht lá tar éis an fógra a thabhairt, breithneoidh an tAire iad.
(6) D'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, aon duine a sheolann gnó onnmhaireora olla agus a sheol an gnó sin díreach roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith beidh sé, ar an táille fhorordaithe (más ann) a íoc, i dteideal ceadúnas a dheonú dó faoin alt seo.
Táillí.
1879. c. 58.
8.—(1) Déanfar cibé táille (más ann) a shocróidh an tAire le rialacháin le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais a íoc leis an Aire i leith gach iarratais ar chlárú sa chlár faoi alt 6 nó i leith ceadúnais faoi alt 7 nó i leith an clár a iniúchadh faoi alt 5 (5), de réir mar a bheidh.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas maidir leis na táillí go léir is iníoctha faoin alt seo, is é sin:
(a) déanfar na táillí a bhailiú in airgead agus a ghlacadh i cibé slí a ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham, agus íocfar isteach sa Státchiste, nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Státchiste, iad de réir orduithe ón Aire Airgeadais;
(b) ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, maidir le táillí den sórt sin.
Clárú nó ceadúnais a chealú, chúlghairm, a fhionraí agus a aisiriú.
9.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire—
(a) clárú aon duine sa chlár a chealú,
(b) ceadúnas a deonaíodh do dhuine faoin Acht seo a chúlghairm.
ar iarratas ón duine nó, i gcás duine éagtha, óna ionadaí pearsanta, nó i gcás comhlachta chorpraithe, ón leachtóir.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, más cuí leis, clárú aon duine sa chlár a chealú nó a fhionraí nó ceadúnas a deonaíodh faoin Acht seo a chúlghairm nó a fhionraí—
(a) más deimhin leis gur trí chalaois nó mífhaisnéis a fuarthas an clárú nó an ceadúnas, de réir mar a bheidh,
(b) má tá an duine atá cláraithe nó ceadúnaithe amhlaidh tar éis scor de bheith ag seoladh gnó ceannaitheora olla nó onnmhaireora olla, de réir mar is iomchuí,
(c) má tá an duine atá cláraithe nó ceadúnaithe amhlaidh, más pearsa aonair é, tar éis bháis, nó más comhlacht corpraithe é, arna urscaoileadh,
(d) má tá an duine atá cláraithe amhlaidh breithnithe ina fhéimheach,
(e) más deimhin leis—
(i) nach gcomhlíonann an t-áitreabh arb ina leith atá an duine sin cláraithe nó aon ghléasra nó innealra atá san áitreabh ceanglais aon rialacháin a rinneadh faoin Acht seo agus is inchurtha chun feidhme maidir leis an gcéanna, nó
(iii) go bhfuil an coinníoll a luaitear in alt 6 (2) (b) (iii) gan chomhlíonadh,
(f) más deimhin leis go bhfuil coinníoll atá ag gabháil leis an gceadúnas sin gan chomhlíonadh,
(g) má tá cion déanta faoin Acht seo ag an duine atá cláraithe nó ceadúnaithe amhlaidh.
(3) Aon uair a bheartóidh an tAire clárú aon duine nó ceadúnas a deonaíodh d'aon duine a chealú, a chúlghairm nó a fhionraí faoi fho-alt (2), tabharfaidh sé, sula ndéanfaidh sé amhlaidh, fógra míosa ar a laghad i scríbhinn don duine nó dá ionadaí pearsanta (más ann) nó dá leachtóir, de réir mar is iomchuí, ag insint go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige agus na bhfáthanna atá aige leis agus má bhíonn ar intinn ag an Aire an clárú nó an ceadúnas a fhionraí, sonrófar san fhógra an tréimhse a mbeidh sé ar intinn ag an Aire an clárú nó an ceadúnas a fhionraí amhlaidh ar a feadh.
(4) Aon uair a thabharfaidh an tAire fógra a luaitear i bhfo-alt (3), beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas is é sin:
(a) ní chealóidh, ní chúlghairfidh ná ní fhionróidh an tAire an clárú nó an ceadúnas lena mbainfidh an fógra nó go n-éagfaidh an fógra;
(b) má dhéanann an duine dá dtabharfar an fógra uiríolla chun an Aire roimh éag don fhógra, breithneoidh an tAire iad;
(c) má iarrann an duine dá dtabharfar an fógra, laistigh de sheacht lá ó dháta an fhógra, ar an Aire go seolfar fiosrúchán i dtaobh an ábhair, cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara go seolfar fiosrúchán (mura mbeidh an tAire tar éis a chinneadh, de thoradh uiríolla chuige a bhreithniú, gan cealú, cúlghairm nó fionraí a dhéanamh ar an gclárú nó ar an gceadúnas, de réir mar a bheidh);
(d) i gcás ina seolfar fiosrúchán faoin bhfo-alt seo, ní dhéanfaidh an tAire an clárú nó an ceadúnas a chealú, a chúlghairm ná a fhionraí nó go mbreithneoidh sé an tuarascáil ón duine a dhéanfaidh an fiosrúchán;
(e) ceapfaidh an tAire duine is abhcóide cleachtach a bhfuil seasamh deich mbliana ar a laghad ag an mbarra aige chun aon fhiosrúchán a sheoladh faoin bhfo-alt seo agus beidh cumhacht ag an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh fianaise a ghlacadh faoi mhionn agus údaraítear leis seo dó daoine a chur faoi mhionn agus tabharfaidh sé tuarascáil don Aire ar a chinneadh ag an bhfiosrúchán;
(f) tabharfaidh an tAire don duine a d'iarr go seolfaí an fiosrúchán fógra faoin am agus faoin áit a seolfar an fiosrúchán agus beidh an duine i dteideal láithriú ag an bhfiosrúchán go pearsanta nó trí abhcóide nó aturnae agus fianaise a thabhairt ar aird;
(g) íocfar le duine a sheolfaidh fiosrúchán faoin bhfo-alt seo cibé luach saothair a shocróidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(5) Aon uair a chealóidh, a chúlghairfidh nó a fhionróidh an tAire clárú nó ceadúnas cuirfidh sé faoi deara ráiteas ar na fáthanna a bhí aige le sin a dhéanamh a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(6) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an tAire clárú nó ceadúnas a chealú, a chúlghairm nó a fhionraí faoin alt seo féadfaidh sé ina dhiaidh sin, más cuí leis—
(a) i gcás fionraí—an fionraí a fhoirceannadh,
(b) i gcás cealú nó cúlghairm—an clárú a aisiriú nó ceadúnas nua a dheonú (gan an táille fhorordaithe (más ann) a bheith le híoc), de réir mar is iomchuí.
Díolúine ón Acht.
10.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, más cuí leis, díolúine a dheonú, le rialacháin, ó fhorálacha an Achta seo maidir le gnóthaí d'aicme áirithe agus lena mbainfeadh an tAcht seo mura mbeadh sin.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Acht seo maidir le gnó d'aicme ar deonaíodh díolúine faoin alt seo ina leith agus nár tarraingíodh siar.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire aon tráth díolúine faoin alt seo a tharraingt siar.
Rialacháin a bhainfidh le ceannach olla, le háitribh, le gléasra agus innealra agus leis an gclár.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh—
(a) ina mbeidh foráil i dtaobh olann a cheannach ar fhoras grádaithe,
(b) a fhorordóidh caighdeáin (a léireofar ina modhanna déanmhais, cineálacha ábhar, téarmaí comhlíonaidh nó eile) maidir le háitribh a úsáidtear chun olann a mheá, a ghrádú nó a stóráil nó aon ghléasra nó innealra in áitreabh den sórt sin a fhéadfaí a úsáid i ndáil le meá, grádú nó stóráil den sórt sin,
(c) ina mbeidh foráil i dtaobh earráidí sa chlár a cheartú, chun ainmneacha nó seolta sa chlár a bheidh athraithe a athrú sa chlár, chun tuairiscí ar áitribh sa chlár a scriosadh nó a athrú, agus chun tuairiscí áitreabh nach bhfuil tuairiscithe sa chlár a chur sa chlár.
(2) Aon rialacháin a dhéanfar faoi fho-alt (1) (a)—
(a) féadfaidh foráil a bheith iontu do cheann amháin nó don dá cheann acu seo a leanas, is é sin, praghas méadaithe sonraithe a íoc maidir le holann de cháilíocht shonraithe nó laghdú sonraithe a dhéanamh ar phraghas maidir le holann a mbeidh lochtaí sonraithe uirthi,
(b) féadfaidh, maidir le gach díolachán olla ag táirgeoir, foráil a bheith iontu chun an ceannaitheoir cláraithe iomchuí do thabhairt ráitis ón gceannaitheoir sin don táirgeoir ina mbeidh cibé sonraí a fhorordófar,
(c) faoi réir mhír (b), féadfaidh siad feidhm a bheith acu maidir le ceannach ola i gcoitinne, maidir le ceannach olla d'aicme áirithe nó maidir le ceannach olla in imthosca sonraithe.
(3) Aon duine a cheannóidh olann contrártha do rialacháin faoi fho-alt (1) (a) nó a mhainneoidh nó a fhailleoidh foráil a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) (b) a chomhlíonadh beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
An Chomhairle Olla a bhunú.
12.—(1) An lá bunaithe bunófar comhlacht ar a dtabharfar An Chomhairle Olla (dá ngairtear An Chomhairle san Acht seo) chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Cathaoirleach agus deichniúr comhaltaí eile, nó an líon de chomhaltaí eile a shonrófar in ordú faoin alt seo a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, a bheidh ar an gComhairle.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, a shonrú cad é an méid comhaltaí seachas an cathaoirleach a bheidh ina gcuid de líon na Comhairle, ar choinníoll nach lú in aon chás ná seisear an líon comhaltaí den sórt sin a shonrófar amhlaidh.
(4) Beidh éifeacht ag an Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo maidir leis an gComhairle.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a chúlghairm nó, faoi réir an choinníll atá i bhfo-alt (3), a leasú.
Feidhmeanna na Comhairle.
13.—Beidh na feidhmeanna seo a leanas ag an gComhairle, is é sin:
(a) an tAire a chomhairliú i dtaobh grádanna a shocrú, méadú ar phragsanna í ndáil le cáilíocht agus laghdú ar phraghsanna i ndáil le lochtaí, a úsáidfear, a íocfar nó a asbhainfear i leith ceannach olla ó tháirgeoirí;
(b) an tAire a chomhairliú i dtaobh caighdeáin a shocrú a bheidh le cur chun feidhme i ndáil le ceannaitheoirí cláraithe a chlárú;
(c) tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, riailchleachtas a shocrú a urramóidh onnmhaireoirí olla;
(d) cúrsaí chun oiliúint a thabhairt do dhaoine ar ghrádú olla a sholáthar nó a áirithiú go soláthrófar cúrsaí den sórt sin;
(e) modhanna chun méadú ar onnmhairiú olla a bhreithniú, a cheapadh nó a chur i bhfeidhm; agus
(f) modhanna chun a áirithiú go ndéanfaidh monaróirí sa Stát olann a táirgeadh sa Stát a úsáid a mhéid is féidir é.
Feidhmeanna breise i ndáil le holann a shannadh don Chomhairle.
14.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, ó am go ham le hordú—
(a) cibé feidhmeanna breise is oiriúnach leis i ndáil le holann a shannadh don Chomhairle,
(b) cibé fóralacha a dhéanamh is dóigh leis is inmhianaithe nó is gá i ndáil le hábhair atá coimhdeach le, nó a éiríonn as, sannadh feidhmeanna don Chomhairle, nó comhalladh feidhmeanna ag an gComhairle, a shannfar di faoin alt seo.
Oifigigh agus seirbhísigh.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, cibé oifigigh agus seirbhísigh is dóigh leis is gá a cheapadh chun cabhrú leis gComhairle ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna.
(2) Na hoifigigh agus na seirbhísigh a cheapfar amhlaidh sealbhóidh siad oifig ar cibé téarmaí agus gheobhaidh siad cibé luach saothair a chinnfidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
16.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Chomhairle, i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnáth ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh sí nó a chaithfidh sí.
(2) Cuirfidh an Chomhairle na cuntais a choimeádfar faoin alt seo faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste lena n-iniúchadh cibé tráthanna a ordóidh an tAire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) Díreach tar éis iniúchadh faoin alt seo ar chuntais na Comhairle, déanfar cóip de na cuntais sin arna ndeimhniú ag an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste agus cóip de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste a thíolacadh don Aire.
(4) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna de na doiciméid a luaitear i bhfo-alt (3) a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Tuarascáil bhliantúil, etc.
17.—(1) Gach bliain, déanfaidh an Chomhairle, ar cibé dáta a ordóidh an tAire, tuarascáil ar a himeachta in imeacht an dá mhí dhéag roimhe sin dar críoch an dáta sin, agus déanfaidh an Chomhairle, laistigh de nócha lá tar éis an dáta sin nó cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin a cheadóidh an tAire in aon chás áirithe, an tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire agus cuirfidh seisean faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Tabharfaidh an Chomhairle don Aire cibé eolas a iarrfaidh sé ó am go ham.
Deontas bliantúil.
18.—Gach bliain airgeadais féadfar deontas a mbeidh cibé méid ann a cheadóidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, i ndáil le caiteachais na Comhairle ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna a íoc leis an gComhairle as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Tobhaigh.
19.—(1) D'fhonn caiteachais i ndáil le comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna faoin Acht seo ag an gComhairle a ghlanadh, féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, ordú (dá ngairtear ordú tobhaigh san Acht seo) a dhéanamh lena bhforchuirfear, i ndáil le haon ní acu seo a leanas, is é sin, aon cheannach, díol nó onnmhairiú olla, tobhach ar cheannaitheoir, ar dhíoltóir nó ar onnmhaireoir na holla, agus aon uair a dhéanfar ordú tobhaigh déanfaidh an duine ar a bhforchuirfear é tobhach ina mbeidh cibé méid is iomchuí ag féachaint d'fhorálacha an ordaithe thobhaigh a íoc de réir an ordaithe thobhaigh leis an gComhairle.
(2) Tabharfaidh ordú tobhaigh ceart achomhairc chun an bhinse achomhairc arna chomhdhéanamh faoi alt 20 d'aon duine a mheasúnófar i leith an tobhaigh agus ina theannta sin féadfaidh foráil a bheith ann do gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas:
(a) aicme áirithe ceannaigh nó díola a dhíolmhadh ó fhorálacha an ordaithe;
(b) aicme áirithe onnmhairithe a dhíolmhadh ó fhorálacha an ordaithe;
(c) tobhach d'aicme áirithe a fhorchur, de réir ráta shonraithe nó in aghaidh tréimhse sonraithe;
(d) an fhianaise trína ndéanfar dliteanas duine i leith an tobhaigh nó a urscaoileadh ón dliteanas sin a bhunú;
(e) an tráth nó na tráthanna a thiocfaidh tobhach chun bheith dlite don Chomhairle agus iníoctha léi.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire le, hordú, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, ordú tobhaigh nó ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(4) Gach suim is iníoctha ag duine leis an gComhairle faoin alt seo i leith agus ar cuntas tobhaigh a forchuireadh le hordú tobhaigh is fiach shimplí í a bheidh dlite don Chomhairle agus beidh sí inaisghafa dá réir sin ag an gComhairle ón duine in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla.
Binse Achomhairc.
20.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire rialacháin ina mbeidh foráil chun binse a bhunú chun achomhairc a chinneadh a dhéanfaidh daoine a measúnaíodh i leith tobhaigh a forchuireadh faoin Acht seo agus féadfaidh na forálacha seo a leanas a bheith sna rialacháin sin—
(a) foráil maidir leis an nós imeachta a leanfar ar an achomharc sin;
(b) foráil chun daoine a thoghairm chun teacht i láthair agus fianaise a thabhairt agus doiciméid a thabhairt ar aird; agus
(c) foráil d'údarú finnéithe a chur faoi mhionn.
(2) Má dheimhníonn duine, ar achomharc, don bhinse a bhunófar de réir rialachán faoin Acht seo nár cheart é a mheasúnú i leith an tobhaigh nó gur i leith méid níos lú ba chóir é a mheasúnú, cealóidh an binse, nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, laghdóidh sé an mheasúnacht, ach in aon chás eile daingncoidh sé í, agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach aon chinneadh ag an mbinse.
(3) Íocfar , as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, le duine is comhalta de bhinse a bhunófar de réir rialachán faoin alt seo cibé táille i leith a bheith i láthair ag cruinnithe den bhinse agus fós cibé líúntais i leith costas a thabhóidh sé a chinnfidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Fógra a chur suas faoi phraghsanna a thairgfear ar olann.
21.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh á cheangal ar gach ceannaitheoir cláraithe fógra a chur suas agus a choimeád curtha suas, de réir fho-alt (2), ag insint na bpraghsanna atá sé a thairiscint faoi láthair ar olann.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an tAire rialacháin faoi fho-alt (1) cuirfear suas an fógra a luaitear ansin—
(a) go feiceálach san áitreabh a bhfuil an duine cláraithe sa chlár ina leith,
(b) i gcarachtair de shórt agus in ionad nó in ionaid go bhféadfaidh aon duine a bheidh san áitreabh ar chúrsa gnó é a léamh go héasca.
(3) Aon cheannaitheoir cláraithe a mhainneoidh nó a fhailleoidh déanamh de réir ceanglais rialachán faoin alt seo nó aon duine a tharraingeoidh anuas, a dhamáisteoidh nó a aghloitfidh go toiliúil aon fhógra a bheidh curtha suas de bhun an ailt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Cumhacht chun a cheangal ar dhaoine áirithe taifid agus doiciméid áirithe a choimeád agus eolas a thabhairt.
22.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le fógra i scríbhinn a sheirbheálfar ar aon duine is ceannaitheoir cláraithe nó onnmhaireoir ceadúnaithe olla, a cheangal ar an duine sin—
(a) go dtabharfaidh sé don Aire laistigh de thréimhse shonraithe cibé eolas sonraithe i dtaobh olann a cheannach, a stóráil nó a onnmhairiú, de réir mar is iomchuí,
(b) go gcoimeádfaidh sé agus go dtabharfaidh sé ar aird le haghaidh scrúdaithe thar ceann an Aire cibé taifid shonraithe nó doiciméid eile i dtaobh olann a cheannach, a stóráil nó a onnmhairiú, de réir mar is iomchuí,
a chinnfidh an tAire.
(2) Aon duine ar a seirbheálfar fógra faoi fho-alt (1) agus a mhainneoidh nó a fhailleoidh déanamh de réir ceanglas an fhógra beidh sé ciontach i gcion mura ndeimhneoidh sé don chúirt, i gcás ina mbaineann an fógra le heolas agus nach mbaineann sé ach le heolas, nach raibh an t-eolas aige.
Fógraí a sheirbheáil, etc.
23.—(1) Féadfar fógra faoin Acht seo nó faoi rialacháin faoin Acht seo a sheirbheáil ar dhuine nó a thabhairt do dhuine—
(a) trína sheachadadh dó, nó
(b) trina chur leis an bpost cláraithe i gclúdach a bheidh dírithe chuige ag an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí air nó ag a seolann sé gnó.
(2) Chun críocha fho-alt (1), measfar gnó a bheith á sheoladh ina hoifigí cláraithe ag cuideachta atá cláraithe faoi Acht na gCuid eachtaí, 1963, agus measfar gnó a bheith á sheoladh ina phríomhoifig nó ina phríomh-áit ghnó ag gach comhlacht corpraithe eile agus ag gach comhlacht neamhchorpraithe.
Cumhachtaí oifigeach an Aire.
24.—(1) Féadfaidh aon oifigeach don Aire a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn ag an Aire chun na cumhachtaí a fheidhmiú a thugtar d'oifigeach don Aire leis an alt seo gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh, is é sin:
(a) gach tráth réasúnach sa lá, dul isteach in aon áitreabh, agus iniúchadh agus scrúdú a dhéanamh ar aon áitreabh, ina ndéantar olann a mheá, a ghrádú, a ghlanadh nó a phróisiú ar shlí eile, nó a stóráil mar aon le haon ghléasra nó innealra san áitreabh sin;
(b) a cheangal ar aon duine a mbeidh ina sheilbh nó faoi rialú aige aon taifid nó doiciméid eile a bhaineann le ceannach olla ag ceannaitheoir cláraithe nó ag duine a sheolann gnó atá díolmhaithe de thuras na huaire faoi alt 10 nó a bhaineann le honnmhairiú olla ag onnmhaireoir ceadúnaithe na taifid nó na doiciméid eile sin a thabhairt ar aird, agus aon cheann acu a iniúchadh nó a scrúdú nó cóip a dhéanamh de, agus chun na críocha sin dul isteach gach tráth réasúnach sa lá in aon áitreabh a bhfuil cúis aige chun a chreidiúint go gcoimeádtar taifid nó doiciméid eile den sórt sin ann.
(2) Má mhoillíonn aon duine go toiliúil aon oifigeach don Aire agus é ag feidhmiú aon chumhachta faoin alt seo nó má mhainníonn sé gan chúis réasúnach aon taifead nó doiciméad eile a thabhairt ar aird a cheanglófar air den bhun an ailt seo a thabhairt ar aird nó má dhiúltaíonn sé gan chúis réasúnach aon eolas a thabhairt don oifigeach a iarrfaidh an t-oifigeach sin le réasún i dtaobh na sonraí sa taifead nó sa doiciméad sin, measfar gur choisc an duine oifigeach don Aire agus é ag comhlíonadh a dhualgas faoin Acht seo.
(3) Má choisctear oifigeach don Aire agus é ag comhlíonadh a dhualgas faoin Acht seo, beidh an duine a choiscfidh an t-oifigeach sin ciontach i gcion.
(4) Tabharfar d'oifigeach don Aire a bheidh ag comhlionadh feidhmeanna faoin Acht seo deimhniú ar a údarás na feidhmeanna sin a chomhlíonadh, agus nuair a bheidh sé ag feidhmiú cumhachta nó ag déanamh aon dualgais faoin Acht seo tabharfaidh sé ar aird, má iarrtar air é, an deimhniú sin d'aon duine lena mbainfidh.
Cionta agus pionóis.
25.—(1) Gach duine a fhéachfaidh le cion a dhéanamh, nó a chabhróidh, a neartóidh nó a dhéanfaidh comhcheilg, le duine eile le cion a dhéanamh, nó a chomhairleoidh do dhuine eile, nó a thabharfaidh ar dhuine eile, cion a dhéanamh, faoin Acht seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(2) I gcás cion faoin Acht seo a dhéanamh ag comhlacht corpraithe nó ag duine a airbheartaíonn a bheith ag gníomhú thar ceann comhlachta chorpraithe nó comhlachta neamhchorpraithe daoine, agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh amhlaidh é le toiliú nó le ceadú, nó gur urasaíodh a dhéanamh trí aon mhainneachtain ar thaobh, aon duine is stiúrthoir, bainisteoir, rúnaí nó oifigeach eile de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe i gcás comhlachta chorpraithe nó is comhalta de choiste bainistí nó d'údarás rialaithe eile comhlachta neamhchorpraithe i gcás comhlachta neamhchorpraithe, beidh an duine sin freisin ciontach sa chion.
(3) Gach duine a dhéanfaidh cion faoin Acht seo dlífidh sé ar é a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt (agus ina theannta sin, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise nach mó ná deich bpunt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion) nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná trí mhí, nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air.
Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
26.—Gach ordú agus rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú nó an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe nó an rialacháin beidh an t-ordú nó an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú nó faoin rialachán.
Caiteachais.
27. Déanfar caiteachais an Aire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal.
28.—Féadfar an tAcht Margaithe Olla, 1968, a ghairm den Acht seo.
AN SCEIDEAL
An Chomhairle
1. Beidh an Chomhairle ina comhlacht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aici agus beidh sí inagartha faoina hainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aici talamh a fháil, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt.
2. Féadfaidh comhalta den Chomhairle tráth ar bith éirí as a oifig trí litir a bheidh dírithe chun an Aire agus beidh éifeacht ag an éirí as amhail ar an agus ón dáta a gheobhaidh an tAire an litir.
3. Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith comhalta den Chomhairle a chur as oifig.
4. (1) Déanfaidh an tAire gach comhalta den Chomhairle a cheapadh go ceann cibé tréimhse nach faide ná cúig bliana a chinnfidh an tAire tráth an cheaptha, agus, faoi réir an mhéid sin roimhe seo agus airteagal 5 den Sceideal seo, sealbhóidh gach comhalta den sórt sin a oifig ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an tAire.
(2) Is é a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle an comhalta sin den Chomhairle a cheapfaidh an tAire, tráth a cheaptha ina chomhalta den Chomhairle nó dá éis sin, ina chathaoirleach den sórt sin.
5. Íocfar le gach comhalta den Chomhairle, as airgead a bheidh faoina réir ag an gComhairle, cibé liúntais i leith costas a thabhóidh sé a chinnfidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
6. Maidir le gnáthchomhaltaí na Comhairle—
(a) is é a bheidh i dtriúr acu ar a laghad daoine a measfaidh an tAire gach duine acu a bheith ionadaitheach do tháirgeoirí olla, agus
(b) is é a bheidh i dtriúr acu ar a laghad daoine a measfaidh an tAire gach duine acu a bheith ionadaitheach do thrádáil na holla.
7. Beidh comhalta den Chomhairle a n-éagfaidh a théarma oifige trí imeacht aimsire inathcheaptha.
8. Beidh comhalta den Chomhairle dícháilithe chun oifig a shealbhú agus scoirfidh sé d'oifig a shealbhú má bhreithnítear ina fhéimheach é nó má dhéanann sé imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht le creidiúnaithe, nó má thugann cúirt dlínse inniúla prianbhreith phríosúnáchta nó phianseirbhíse air nó má scoireann sé de ghnáthchónaí a bheith air sa Stát.
9. Faoi réir airteagal 6 den Sceideal seo, má tharlaíonn corrfholúntas i measc comhaltaí na Comhairle déanfaidh an tAire, a luaithe is féidir, duine a mheasfaidh sé a bheith oiriúnach a cheapadh chun an folúntas a líonadh.
10. Beidh ag an gComhairle cibé cruinnithe agus cibé méid cruinnithe is gá chun a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
11. Féadfaidh an tAire dáta, am agus ionad chéad-chruinniú na Comhairle a shocrú.
12. Is é is córam do chruinniú den Chomhairle triúr comhalta, mura n-ordóidh an tAire a mhalairt.
13. Ag cruinniú den Chomhairle—
(a) is é cathaoirleach na Comhairle, má bhíonn sé i láthair, a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(b) má bhíonn agus an fad a bheidh cathaoirleach na Comhairle as láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, déanfaidh na comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon a roghnú chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
14. Beidh vóta ag cathaoirleach na Comhairle agus ag gach gnáthchomhalta den Chomhairle ag cruinniú den Chomhairle.
15. Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Chomhairle a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás comhionannas vótaí, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
16. Féadfaidh an Chomhairle gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais i measc a comhaltaí.
17. Faoi réir forálacha an Sceidil seo, rialóidh an Chomhairle, le buanorduithe nó ar shlí eile, nós imeachta agus gnó na Comhairle.
18. Soláthróidh an Chomhairle séala di féin a luaithe is féidir tar éis a bunaithe.
19. Fíordheimhneofar séala na Comhairle le síniú chathaoirleach na Comhairle nó chomhalta éigin eile den Chomhairle a mbeidh údarás aige ón gComhairle gniomhú chuige sin mar aon le síniú oifigigh a sholáthraigh an tAire faoi alt 15 agus a mbeidh údarás aige ón gComhairle gníomhú chuige sin.
21. Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala na Comhairle agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh a bheith ina ionstraim a rinne an Chomhairle agus a bheith séalaithe le séala (á airbheartú gur fíordheimhníodh de réir airteagal 19 den Sceideal seo é) na Comhairle agus measfar gurb é an ionstraim sin é gan chruthúnas mura suífear a mhalairt.