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Uimhir 4 de 1975
AN tACHT CEARDCHUMANN, 1975
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
[22 Aibreán, 1975]
Léiriú
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “na cumainn chónascacháin” agus “an cumann cónasctha”, faoi seach, maidir le cónascadh atá beartaithe, na ceardchumainn a bheartaíonn cónascadh agus an ceardchumann a leanfaidh as an gcónascadh atá beartaithe;
ciallaíonn “Aire” an tAire Saothair;
ciallaíonn “Cláraitheoir” Cláraitheoir na gCara-Chumann;
ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt tá le “ceardchumann” an bhrí chéanna atá leis sna hAchtanna Ceardchumann, 1871 go 1971;
ciallaíonn “an ceardchumann is aistreoir” agus “an ceardchumann is aistrí”, faoi seach, maidir le haistriú gealltanas atá beartaithe, an ceardchumann a bheartaíonn a ghealltanais a aistriú agus an ceardchumann a bheartaíonn glacadh leo.
(2) Chun críocha ailt 3 agus 4, ciallaíonn “comhalta”, i ndáil le ceardchumann, comhalta atá, de thuras na huaire, i dteideal aon sochair a fháil a thugtar as cistí an cheardchumainn ach, i gcás ina sonraíonn rialacha ceardchumainn na daoine (nó an aicme daoine) atá i dteideal vótáil ar ábhar áirithe (nó ar aicme ábhair), ciallaíonn “comhalta” na daoine sin.
(3) San Acht seo—
(a) aon tagairt d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe,
(b) aon tagairt d'fho-alt is tagairt í don fho-alt den alt ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'alt éigin eile atá beartaithe.
Cónascadh ceardchumann agus ceardchumainn d'aistriú gealltanas.
2.—(1) Faoi réir an Achta seo, féadfaidh dhá cheardchumann nó níos mó cónascadh, maille le roinnt nó díscaoileadh a dhéanamh nó gan a dhéanamh ar chistí ceann amháin nó níos mó de na cumainn chónascacháin.
(2) Ní chónascfaidh dhá cheardchumann nó níos mó mura ndéanfar, i gcás gach cumainn chónascacháin díobh, rún, do cheadú ionstraim chónascacháin a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gCláraitheoir, a rith trí vótáil a dhéanamh ar dhóigh a chomhlíonfaidh na coinníollacha a shonraítear in alt 3 (1).
(3) Faoi réir an Achta seo, féadfaidh ceardchumann a ghealltanais a aistriú go ceardchumann eile.
(4) Ní aistreoidh ceardchumann a ghealltanais go ceardchumann eile—
(a) mura mbeidh geallta ag an gcumann eile na gealltanais a chomhalladh, agus
(b) i gcás an chumainn is aistreoir, mura ndéanfar rún, ag ceadú ionstraim aistrithe a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gCláraitheoir, a rith trí vótail a dhéanamh ar dhóigh a chomhlíonfaidh na coinníollacha a shonraítear in alt 3 (1).
Coinníollacha cónasctha nó aistrithe.
3.—(1) Is iad seo a leanas na coinníollacha dá dtagraítear in alt 2:
(a) beidh gach comhalta den chumann i dteideal vótáil ar an rún agus is trí bhallóid rúnda a dhéanfar an vótáil;
(b) beidh cead vótáil, gan bhac ná srian, ag gach comhalta den chumann agus, a mhéid is féidir le réasún, tabharfar deis chóir dó vótáil;
(c) is é an modh vótála páipéar vótála a mharcáil ag an duine a bheidh ag vótáil;
(d) déanfaidh an cumann gach beart réasúnach chun a áirithiú go mbeidh fógra i scríbhinn a chomhlíonann fo-alt (3) faighte ag gach comhalta den chumann seacht lá ar a laghad sula dtosófar ag vótáil ar an rún;
(e) cuirfidh an cumann, seacht lá ar a laghad sula dtosófar ag vótáil ar an rún, faoi deara fógra (i cibé foirm a bheidh forordaithe le rialacháin a bheidh déanta ag an Aire Tionscail agus Tráchtála faoi alt 13) i dtaobh an vótáil a dhéanamh a fhoilsiú i nuachtán laethúil amháin ar a laghad a fhoilsítear sa Stát.
(2) Sula ndéanfaidh comhaltaí ceardchumainn vótáil ar rún do cheadú ionstraime cónascacháin nó aistrithe, deimhneoidh an ceardchumann don Chláraitheoir go gcomhlíonann na bearta a bheartaíonn an ceardchumann a dhéanamh fo-alt (1) (d).
(3) An fógra dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) (d)—
(a) beidh an ionstraim iomchuí leagtha amach go hiomlán ann nó beidh dóthain tuairisce uirthi ann le go bhféadfaidh duine a gheobhaidh an fógra breithiúnas réasúnach a chinneadh ar an bpríomh-éifeacht a bheidh ag an gcónascadh nó ag an aistriú a bheartaítear,
(b) déarfar ann, mura mbeidh an ionstraim leagtha amach go hiomlán ann, cá háit a bhféadfar cóipeanna den ionstraim a iniúchadh,
(c) comhlíonfaidh sé aon rialacháin faoin Acht seo, agus
(d) beidh sé ceadaithe ag an gCláraitheoir ar bheith deimhin dó go gcomhlíonann sé na ceanglais sin roimhe seo den fho-alt seo.
(4) Comhlíonfaidh an ionstraim iomchuí ceanglais aon rialachán faoin Acht seo a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire agus a bhainfidh leis.
Ceadú doiciméad ag an gCláraitheoir.
4.—Sula vótálfaidh comhaltaí ceardchumainn ar rún do cheadú ionstraime cónascacháin nó aistrithe, cuirfear an ionstraim agus an fógra dá dtagraítear in alt 3 (1) (d) faoi bhráid an Chláraitheora agus ceadóidh seisean iad ar bheith deimhin dó go gcomhlíonann siad ceanglais alt 3.
Vótáil ar rún do cheadú cónascadh nó aistriú.
5.—I gcás ina vótálfaidh ceardchumann ar rún do cheadú ionstraime cónascacháin nó aistrithe, is leor glantromlach de na vótaí a caitheadh leis an rún a rith d'ainneoin aon ní i rialacha an chumainn.
Ionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe a chlárú.
6.—Ní ghlacfaidh ionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe éifeacht sula mbeidh sí cláraithe ag an gCláraitheoir faoin Acht seo, agus ní chlárófar amhlaidh í roimh dheireadh tréimhse sé sheachtain dar tosach an dáta a dhéanfar iarratas ar í a chlárú a thaisceadh leis an gCláraitheoir.
Feidhm ailt 2 go 6.
7.—Bainfidh ailt 2 go 6 le gach cónascadh nó aistriú gealltanas d'ainneoin aon ní i rialacha cheardchumann lena mbainfidh.
Cumhacht rialacha a athrú le gealltanais a aistriú.
8.—(1) I gcás ina mbeartóidh ceardchumann a ghealltanais a aistriú go ceardchumann eile agus gur gá rialacha an chumainn is aistrí a athrú chun éifeacht a thabhairt don ionstraim aistrithe, beidh ag coiste bainistí nó ag comhlacht rialaithe eile an chumainn is aistrí cumhacht, d'ainneoin aon ní sna rialacha, athrú a dhéanamh, trí mheabhrán i scríbhinn, ar na rialacha a mhéid is gá sin chun éifeacht a thabhairt don ionstraim aistrithe.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh athrú ar rialacha ceardchumainn faoin alt seo éifeacht mura nglacfaidh nó go dtí go nglacfaidh an ionstraim aistrithe éifeacht.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt seo i gcás ceardchumann a mbeidh sé sainráite ina rialacha nach mbaineann an t-alt seo leis an gcumann sin.
Cónascadh agus aistriú ag comhaltaí de cheardchumainn áirithe.
9.—I gcás, maidir le comhlacht daoine is ceardchumann faoi dhlí tíre eile agus ar sa tír sin atá a cheanncheathrú rialaithe aige, tromlach comhaltaí an chomhlachta sin a chónaíonn sa limistéar arb é an Stát agus Tuaisceart Éireann é do chinneadh cónascadh le ceardchumann eile nó a ngealltanais a aistriú go ceardchumann eile, féadfaidh na comhaltaí den chomhlacht sin a bhfuil cónaí orthu amhlaidh cónascadh nó aistriú amhlaidh de réir an Achta seo, agus is ceardchumann chun críche alt 2 iad ó thráth cinneadh den sórt sin a dhéanamh.
Gearáin chun an Chláraitheora maidir le rúin.
10.—(1) Aon chomhalta de cheardchumann a rithfidh rún nó a airbheartóidh rún a rith ag ceadú ionstraime cónascacháin nó aistrithe féadfaidh sé gearán a dhéanamh chun an Chláraitheora ar fhoras amháin nó níos mó díobh seo a leanas—
(a) nach raibh an modh ar a ndearnadh an vótáil ar an rún de réir na gcoinníollacha a shonraítear in alt 3 (1),
(b) nach raibh d'éifeacht an rún a rith ag na vótaí a caitheadh i ndáil leis an rún.
(2) Ní thabharfar aird ar ghearán faoin alt seo a thaiscfear leis an gCláraitheoir tar éis deireadh na tréimhse sé sheachtain dar tosach dáta iarratas ar chlárú faoi alt 6 a thaisceadh leis.
(3) I gcás gearán a dhéanamh faoin alt seo, ní chláróidh an Cláraitheoir an ionstraim iomchuí faoin Acht seo go dtí go gcinnfear an gearán go críochnaitheach faoin Acht seo.
(4) I gcás gearán a dhéanamh faoin alt seo, féadfaidh an Cláraitheoir, tar éis deis éisteachta a thabhairt don ghearánach agus don cheardchumann lena mbainfidh, an gearán a dhíbhe nó a chinneadh ceart a bheith leis.
(5) I gcás ina gcinnfidh an Cláraitheoir ceart a bheith le gearán faoin alt seo, déanfaidh sé ordú ag sonrú na mbearta a cheanglaíonn sé a dhéanamh sula mbreithneoidh sé iarratas ar an ionstraim iomchuí sin a chlárú faoi alt 6.
(6) Tabharfaidh an Cláraitheoir don ghearánach agus don cheardchumannn iomchuí ráiteas ag insint na gcúiseanna le cinneadh aige maidir le gearán faoin alt seo.
(7) Féadfaidh an Cláraitheoir le hordú ó am go ham ordú faoi fho-alt (5) a athrú, agus tar éis ordú a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt sin maidir le hionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe ní thabharfaidh sé aird ar aon iarratas ar an ionstraim a chlárú mura deimhin leis go ndearnadh na bearta a sonraíodh san ordú (nó, má athraíodh é, san ordú arna athrú).
(8) Beidh feidhm ag an Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo maidir le gearáin faoin alt seo.
(9) Faoi réir fho-alt (10), ní thabharfar bailíocht rúin ag ceadú ionstraime cónascacháin nó aistrithe faoi cheist in aon imeachtaí dlí (ach amháin imeachtaí os comhair an Chláraitheora faoin alt seo nó imeachtaí de dhroim na n-imeachtaí sin) ar aon fhoras ar a bhféadfar nó ar a bhféadfaí gearán a dhéanamh chun an Chláraitheora faoin alt seo.
(10) I gcúrsa aon imeachtaí maidir le gearán faoin alt seo féadfaidh an Cláraitheoir, ar iarratas ón ngearánach nó ón gceardchumann, cás a shonrú chun tuairim na hArd-Chúirte a fháil ar cheist dlí a d'éirigh sna himeachtaí, agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh na hArd-Chúirte ar chás arna shonrú faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(11) Chun críocha an ailt seo measfar gearán a tharraingeofar siar a bheith arna chinneadh go críochnaitheach nuair a tharraingeofar siar é.
(12) Féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte ar phointe dlí in aghaidh cinneadh ag an gCláraitheoir faoin alt seo.
Maoin a dhiúscairt ar chónascadh nó aistriú.
11.—(1) Faoi réir an ailt seo, i gcás ina nglacfaidh ionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe éifeacht, an mhaoin a bheidh ar teachtadh chun sochair cumainn chónascacháin nó chun sochair brainse de chumann den sórt sin ag iontaobhaithe an chumainn nó an bhrainse, nó a bheidh ar teachtadh chun sochair ceardchumainn is aistreoir nó chun sochair brainse de cheardchumann den sórt sin ag iontaobhaithe an chumainn nó an bhrainse, dílseoidh sí, gan tíolacadh ná sannadh, do na hiontaobhaithe iomchuí nuair a ghlacfaidh an ionstraim éifeacht nó nuair a cheapfar na hiontaobhaithe iomchuí, cibé acu sin is déanaí a tharlóidh.
(2) I gcás aon talamh a bhfuil a húinéireacht cláraithe faoin Acht um Chlárú Teidil, 1964, teacht chun bheith dílsithe de bhua an ailt seo, déanfaidh an t-údarás clárúcháin faoin Acht sin, ar an táille iomchuí a íoc, na hiontaobhaithe iomchuí a chlárú sa chlár iomchuí a chothabháiltear faoin Acht sin mar úinéir (de réir brí an Achta sin) na talún.
(3) Ní bhainfidh fo-alt (1) le maoin a bheidh eiscthe ó oibriú an ailt seo leis an ionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe.
(4) San alt seo ciallaíonn “na hiontaobhaithe iomchuí”—
(a) i gcás maoin a bheidh le teachtadh chun sochair brainse cumainn chónasctha nó chun sochair brainse den chumann is aistrí, iontaobhaithe an bhrainse sin, mura bhforálann rialacha an chumainn chónasctha nó an chumainn is aistrí gurb iad iontaobhaithe an chumainn a theachtfaidh an mhaoin a bheidh le teachtadh amhlaidh, agus
(b) in aon chás eile, iontaobhaithe an chumainn chónasctha nó an chumainn is aistrí.
Athrú ar ainm ceardchumainn.
1871, c. 31.
12.—(1) Faoi réir an ailt seo, féadfaidh ceardchumann a ainm a athrú ar aon mhodh a fhoráiltear go sainráite ina rialacha chun sin a dhéanamh nó, mura bhforáiltear go sainráite ina rialacha modh chun sin a dhéanamh, trí athrú a dhéanamh de réir a rialacha san fhoráil iontu a thugann a ainm don chumann.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh athrú ainm a dhéanfaidh ceardchumann éifeacht go dtí go gcláróidh an Cláraitheoir é faoin Acht seo, agus ní chláróidh an Cláraitheoir athrú ainm má dhealraítear dó go mbeadh clárú an cheardchumainn faoin ainm beartaithe nua contrártha d'alt 13 (3) den Trade Union Act, 1871.
(3) I gcás ina n-athróidh ceardchumann a ainm ní dhéanfaidh an t-athrú ainm difear d'aon cheart nó oibleagáid de chuid an chumainn nó de chuid aon duine dá chomhaltaí, agus, d'ainneoin an athraithe ainm, féadfaidh iontaobhaithe an chumainn nó aon oifigeach eile don chumann ar féidir leis agairt nó ar féidir é a agairt thar ceann an chumainn dul ar aghaidh le haon imeachtaí dlí a bheidh ar feitheamh nó féadfar dul ar aghaidh le haon imeachtaí den sórt sin ina gcoinne nó ina choinne.
Rialacháin.
13.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire Tionscail agus Tráchtála, le toilú an Aire, rialacháin a dhéanamh chun an tAcht seo a chur in éifeacht.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), féadfaidh foráil a bheith i rialacháin faoin alt seo do gach ní nó aon ní díobh seo a leanas:
(a) iarratais chun an Chláraitheora faoin Acht seo;
(b) clárú aon doiciméid faoin Acht seo;
(c) iniúchadh doiciméad a bheidh á gcoinneáil ag an gCláraitheoir faoin Acht seo;
(d) muirearú táillí i leith cibé ábhar agus ina mbeidh cibé méid a fhorordófar leis na rialacháin le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais;
(e) á cheangal go mbeidh ag gabháil le haon iarratas chun ionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe a chlárú nó chun ainm a athrú cibé dearbhuithe reachtúla nó doiciméid eile a shonrófar sna rialacháin;
(f) foráil a dhéanamh i dtaobh foirm nó ábhar aon doiciméid a cheanglaítear leis an Acht seo nó leis na rialacháin a chur ionsair nó faoi bhráid an Chláraitheora agus an dóigh a síneofar nó a bhfíordheimhneofar aon doiciméad den sórt sin;
(g) á údarú don Chláraitheoir a cheangal fógra a thabhairt nó a fhoilsiú ar cibé dóigh a ordóidh sé á rá go bhfuil iarratas chun ionstraim chónascacháin nó aistrithe a chlárú curtha nó le cur chuige.
Cosaint maidir le cónascadh, etc., atá ar feitheamh.
14.—I gcás, roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo—
(a) go mbeidh bearta déanta ag dhá cheardchumann nó níos mó chun cónascadh agus go mbeidh ballóid chun na críche sin tógtha ag ceardchumann díobh,
(b) go mbeidh bearta déanta ag ceardchumann chun a ghealltanais a aistriú go ceardchumann eile agus go mbeidh rún rite aige lena n-aistriú, nó
(c) go mbeidh bearta déanta ag ceardchumann chun a ainm a athrú agus go mbeidh an toiliú riachtanach faighte aige óna chomhaltaí,
féadfar, d'ainneoin an Achta seo, dul ar aghaidh leis an gcónascadh, leis an aistriú gealltanas nó leis an athrú ainm, de réir mar a bheidh, má bhíonn sé gan chríochnú roimh an tosach feidhme sin, agus é a chríochnú, amhail is dá mba nár ritheadh an tAcht seo.
Deontais i leith caiteachais neamhghnácha a bhainfidh le cónascadh nó aistriú.
15.—Aon uair a chónascfaidh dhá cheardchumann nó níos mó nó aon uair a aistreoidh ceardchumann a ghealltanais go ceardchumann eile, féadfaidh an tAire deontas, ina mbeidh cibé méid is cuí leis an Aire, a thabhairt, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, do cheann amháin nó níos mó de na ceardchumainn sin as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, i leith cibé caiteachais is deimhin leis a bheith neamhghnách agus a thabhaigh an ceardchumann nó na ceardchumainn sin de thoradh nó i gcúrsa nó in oirchill an chónasctha nó an aistrithe sin.
Aisghairm.
1876, c. 22.
1917, c. 24.
16.—Aisghairtear leis seo ailt 11 go 13 den Trade Union Act Amendment Act, 1876, agus an Trade Union (Amalgamation) Act, 1917.
Srian le ceadúnas margántaíochta a shealbhú agus a dheonú i gcás ceardchumann áirithe.
17.—(1) D'ainneoin Chuid II d'Acht 1941 agus alt 2 d'Acht 1971, ní shealbhóidh comhlacht daoine is ceardchumann faoi dhlí tíre eile agus ar sa tír sin atá a cheanncheathrú rialaithe aige ceadúnas margántaíochta faoin gCuid sin ná ní dheonófar ceadúnas den sórt sin dó mura gcomhallann an comhlacht daoine sin, i dteannta na gcoinníollacha iomchuí a shonraítear in alt 7 d'Acht 1941 agus in alt 2 d'Acht 1971 a chomhalladh, an coinníoll a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (2).
(2) Is é an coinníoll dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) go bhfuil ag an gceardchumann áirithe coiste bainistíochta nó údarás rialaithe eile ar cónaitheoir sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann gach comhalta de agus a bhfuil cumhacht aige faoi rialacha an cheardchumainn sin cinntí a dhéanamh maidir le hábhair de chineál tionsclach nó polaitiúil a ghabhann agus a bhaineann le staid eacnamaíoch nó pholaitiúil an Stáit nó Thuaisceart Éireann, a bhaineann go díreach le comhaltaí den cheardchumann a chónaíonn sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann agus nach mbaineann le comhaltaí nach gcónaíonn sa Stát ná i dTuaisceart Éireann.
(3) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo, a mhéid a bhaineann sé le sealbhóir láithreach ceadúnais mhargántaíochta, i ngníomh ar cibé dáta a shocróidh an tAire chuige sin le hordú.
(4) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1941” an tAcht Ceárd-Chumann, 1941;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1971” an tAcht Ceardchumann, 1971.
Caiteachais.
18.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhófar ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
19.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Ceardchumann, 1975, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna Ceardchumann, 1871 go 1975, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Ceardchumann, 1871 go 1971, agus den Acht seo le chéile.
AN SCEIDEAL
Forálacha d'Fhorlíonadh alt 10
1. Ar ghearán a dhéanamh faoi alt 10 féadfaidh an Cláraitheoir—
(a) a cheangal ar an ngearánach nó ar aon oifigeach don cheardchumann freastal agus féadfaidh sé, ar iarratas ón ngearánach nó ó aon oifigeach den sórt sin, a cheangal ar aon duine freastal mar fhinné;
(b) a cheangal aon doiciméid a bhaineann leis na hábhair a gearánadh a thabhairt ar aird;
(c) daoine a chur faoi mhionn agus dearbhaisc a ghlacadh agus a cheangal ar an ngearánach, ar aon oifigeach don cheardchumann nó ar aon duine a bheidh ag freastal mar fhinné dul faoi cheistiú faoi mhionn nó faoi dhearbhasc;
(d) cibé follasú i dtaobh doiciméad nó eile, nó cibé iniúchadh doiciméad, a d'fhéadfadh an Ard-Chúirt a dheonú, a dheonú don ghearánach nó d'aon oifigeach don cheardchumann;
(e) a ordú go ndéanfar na caiteachais go léir, nó aon chuid de na caiteachais, a bhain le héisteacht an ghearáin, arna ndeimhniú aige, a íoc as cistí an cheardchumainn nó ag an ngearánach; agus
(f) a ordú don cheardchumann go n-íocfaidh sé leis an ngearánach as cistí an chumainn, nó don ghearánach go n-íocfaidh sé leis an gcumann, suim shonraithe i leith na gcostas a thabhaigh an gearánach nó an cumann (de réir mar a bheidh) nó méid fómhasta na gcostas sin.
2. Duine a gcuirfear de cheangal air, ar aon duine á iarraidh sin, freastal os comhair an Chláraitheora mar fhinné in imeachtaí maidir le gearán faoi alt 10, beidh sé i dteideal go n-íocfaidh an duine ar ar iarratas uaidh a cuireadh an ceangal sin air—
(a) cibé suim i leith cailleadh ama agus costais taistil a bheadh sé i dteideal a fháil tar éis toghairm a sheirbheáil air freastal mar fhinné san Ard-Chuirt, agus
(b) má fhreastalaíonn sé go cuí, suim ar aon-mhéid le haon liúntais eile a bheadh sé i dteideal a fháil dá bhfreastalódh sé mar fhinné in imeachtaí san Ard-Chúirt.
3. (1) Faoi réir fhomhír (2) den mhír seo, má mhainníonn nó má dhiúltaíonn aon duine gan chúis réasúnach déanamh de réir foréilimh ón gCláraitheoir faoi mhír 1 (a) go 1 (c) den Sceideal seo nó de réir aon ordú ón gCláraitheoir de bhun mhír 1 (d) den Sceideal seo, dlífear ar é a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná trí mhí, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air.
(2) Ní chiontófar duine i gcion faoin mír seo i ngeall ar é do mhainniú nó do dhiúltú déanamh de réir foréilimh freastal mar fhinné os comhair an Chláraitheora mura mbeidh aon suim a bheidh sé i dteideal a fháil faoi mhír 2 (a) den Sceideal seo íoctha nó tairgthe.
(3) Aon chostais a ordóidh ordú faoi mhír 1 (f) den Sceideal seo a fhómhas féadfar iad a fhómhas san Ard-Chúirt de réir an scála a fhorordaítear le rialacha na cúirte sin maidir le himeachtaí sa chúirt sin de réir mar a ordóidh an t-ordú nó, mura mbeidh aon ordú tugtha san ordú, de réir mar a ordóidh an chúirt sin.
(4) Aon suim is iníoctha de bhua ordú faoi mhír 1 (e) nó 1 (f) den Sceideal seo beidh sí, má ordaíonn an Ard-Chúirt é, inghnóthaithe trí fhorghníomhú arna eisiúint as an gcúirt sin nó, d'eile, ionann is dá mba iníoctha í faoi ordú ón gcúirt sin.
Number 4 of 1975
TRADE UNION ACT, 1975
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Acts Referred to | |
1964, No. 16 | |
Trade Union Act, 1871 | 1871, c. 31 |
Trade Union Act Amendment Act, 1876 | 1876, c. 22 |
Trade Union (Amalgamation) Act, 1917 | 1971, c. 24 |
Number 4 of 1975
TRADE UNION ACT, 1975
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“the amalgamating unions” and “the amalgamated union”, in relation to a proposed amalgamation, mean respectively the trade unions proposing to amalgamate and the trade union which is to result from the proposed amalgamation;
“Minister” means the Minister for Labour;
“Registrar” means the Registrar of Friendly Societies;
“trade union”, save where the context otherwise requires, has the same meaning as in the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1971;
“the transferor trade union” and “the transferee trade union”, in relation to a proposed transfer of engagements, mean respectively the trade union proposing to transfer its engagements and the trade union proposing to accept them.
(2) For the purposes of sections 3 and 4 “member”, in relation to a trade union, means a member for the time being entitled to any benefits provided out of the funds of the trade union but, where the rules of a trade union specify the persons (or class of persons) entitled to vote on a particular matter (or class of matter), “member” means those persons.
(3) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a section is to a section of this Act unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,
(b) a reference to a subsection is to the subsection of the section in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other section is intended.
Amalgamations of, and transfers of engagements by, trade unions.
2.—(1) Subject to this Act, two or more trade unions may amalgamate, whether with or without a division or dissolution of the funds of one or more amalgamating union.
(2) Two or more trade unions shall not amalgamate unless in the case of each amalgamating union a resolution, approving an instrument of amalgamation which has been approved by the Registrar, is passed on a vote taken in a manner satisfying the conditions specified in section 3 (1).
(3) Subject to this Act, a trade union may transfer its engagements to another trade union.
(4) A trade union shall not transfer its engagements to another trade union unless—
(a) the other union has undertaken to fulfil the engagements, and
(b) in the case of the transferor union, a resolution, approving an instrument of transfer which has been approved by the Registrar, is passed on a vote taken in a manner satisfying the conditions specified in section 3 (1).
Conditions for amalgamations or transfers.
3.—(1) The conditions referred to in section 2 are the following:
(a) every member of the union shall be entitled to vote on the resolution and the voting shall be by secret ballot;
(b) every member of the union shall be allowed to vote without interference or constraint and, so far as is reasonably possible, shall be given a fair opportunity of voting;
(c) the method of voting shall consist of the marking of a voting paper by the person voting;
(d) the union shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that, not less than seven days before voting on the resolution begins, every member of the union has received a notice in writing complying with subsection (3);
(e) not less than seven days before voting on the resolution begins, the union shall cause to be published in at least one daily newspaper published in the State notice (in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for Industry and Commerce under section 13) of the holding of the vote.
(2) Before a resolution to approve an instrument of amalgamation or transfer is voted on by the members of a trade union, the trade union shall satisfy the Registrar that the steps it proposes to take comply with subsection (1) (d).
(3) The notice referred to in subsection (1) (d) shall—
(a) either set out in full the relevant instrument or give sufficient account of it to enable a recipient of the notice to form a reasonable judgment of the main effects of the proposed amalgamation or transfer,
(b) state, if it does not set out the instrument in full, where copies of the instrument may be inspected,
(c) comply with any regulations under this Act, and
(d) be approved by the Registrar on being satisfied that it complies with the foregoing requirements of this subsection.
(4) The relevant instrument shall comply with the requirements of any regulations under this Act for the time being in force and relating thereto.
Approval of documents by Registrar.
4.—Before a resolution to approve an instrument of amalgamation or transfer is voted on by the members of a trade union, the instrument and the notice referred to in section 3 (1) (d) shall be submitted to the Registrar, who shall approve them on being satisfied that they comply with the requirements of section 3.
Voting on resolution to approve amalgamation or transfer.
5.—Where a vote is taken by a trade union on a resolution to approve an instrument of amalgamation or transfer, a simple majority of the votes recorded shall be sufficient to pass the resolution notwithstanding anything in the rules of the union.
Registration of instrument of amalgamation or transfer.
6.—An instrument of amalgamation or transfer shall not take effect before it has been registered by the Registrar under this Act, and shall not be so registered before the expiration of a period of six weeks beginning with the date on which an application for its registration is lodged with the Registrar.
Application of sections 2 to 6.
7.—Sections 2 to 6 shall apply to every amalgamation or transfer of engagements notwithstanding anything in the rules of a trade union concerned.
Power to alter rules for purpose of transfer of engagements.
8.—(1) Where a trade union proposes to transfer its engagements to another trade union and an alteration of the rules of the transferee union is necessary to give effect to the instrument of transfer, the committee of management or other governing body of the transferee union shall, notwithstanding anything in the rules, have power by memorandum in writing to alter the rules so far as may be necessary to give effect to the instrument of transfer.
(2) An alteration of the rules of a trade union under this section shall not take effect unless or until the instrument of transfer takes effect.
(3) This section shall not apply in the case of a trade union the rules of which expressly exclude the application to that union of this section.
Amalgamations and transfers by members of certain trade unions.
9.—Where, in the case of a body of persons which is a trade union under the law of another country and has its headquarters control situated in that country, a majority of the members of that body who are resident in the area comprising the State and Northern Ireland so decide, the members of that body who are so resident may, in accordance with this Act, amalgamate with or transfer their engagements to another trade union and shall, from the making of such a decision, be a trade union for the purpose of section 2.
Complaints to Registrar regarding resolutions.
10.—(1) A member of a trade union which passes or purports to pass a resolution approving an instrument of amalgamation or transfer may complain to the Registrar on one or more than one of the following grounds—
(a) that the manner in which the vote on the resolution was taken did not satisfy the conditions specified in section 3 (1),
(b) that the votes recorded in relation to the resolution did not have the effect of passing it.
(2) A complaint under this section lodged with the Registrar after the expiry of the period of six weeks beginning on the date on which an application for registration under section 6 is lodged with him shall not be entertained.
(3) Where a complaint under this section is made, the Registrar shall not register the relevant instrument under this Act until the complaint is finally determined under this Act.
(4) Where a complaint is made under this section, the Registrar may, after giving the complainant and the trade union concerned an opportunity of being heard, either dismiss the complaint or find it to be justified.
(5) Where the Registrar finds a complaint under this section to be justified, he shall make an order specifying what steps he requires to be taken before he will consider an application for registration under section 6, of the instrument concerned.
(6) The Registrar shall furnish to the complainant and the trade union concerned a statement of the reasons for a decision by him on a complaint under this section.
(7) The Registrar may from time to time by order vary an order under subsection (5), and after making an order under that subsection in relation to an instrument of amalgamation or transfer shall not entertain any application to register the instrument unless he is satisfied that the steps specified in the order (or, where it has been varied, in the order as varied) have been taken.
(8) The Schedule to this Act shall apply in relation to complaints under this section.
(9) Subject to subsection (10), the validity of a resolution approving an instrument of amalgamation or transfer shall not be questioned in any legal proceedings (except proceedings before the Registrar under this section or proceedings arising out of such proceedings) on any ground on which a complaint could be, or could have been, made to the Registrar under this section.
(10) In the course of proceedings on a complaint under this section the Registrar may, at the request of the complainant or of the trade union, state a case for the opinion of the High Court on a question of law arising in the proceedings, and the decision of the High Court on a case stated under this subsection shall be final.
(11) For the purposes of this section a complaint which is withdrawn shall be deemed to be finally determined at the time when it is withdrawn.
(12) An appeal shall lie to the High Court on a point of law against a decision of the Registrar under this section.
Disposal of property on amalgamation or transfer.
11.—(1) Subject to this section, where an instrument of amalgamation or transfer takes effect, the property held for the benefit of an amalgamating union or of a branch of such a union by the trustees of the union or branch, or for the benefit of a transferor trade union or of a branch of such a trade union by the trustees of the union or branch, shall without any conveyance, assignment or assignation vest on the instrument taking effect or on the appointment of the appropriate trustees, whichever is the later, in the appropriate trustees.
(2) Where any land of which the ownership is registered under the Registration of Title Act, 1964, becomes vested by virtue of this section, the registering authority under that Act shall, upon payment of the appropriate fee, register the appropriate trustees in the appropriate register maintained under that Act as owner (within the meaning of that Act) of the land.
(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to property excepted from the operation of this section by the instrument of amalgamation or transfer.
(4) In this section “the appropriate trustees” means—
(a) in the case of property to be held for the benefit of a branch of an amalgamated union or for the benefit of a branch of the transferee union, the trustees of that branch, unless the rules of the amalgamated union or transferee union provide that the property to be so held shall be held by the trustees of the union, and
(b) in any other case, the trustees of the amalgamated or transferee union.
Change of name of trade union.
12.—(1) Subject to this section, a trade union may change its name by any method of doing so expressly provided for by its rules or, if its rules do not expressly provide for a method of doing so, by adopting in accordance with its rules an alteration of the provision in them which gives the union its name.
(2) A change of name by a trade union shall not take effect until it is registered by the Registrar under this Act, and the Registrar shall not register a change of name if it appears to him that registration of the union under the proposed new name would be contrary to section 13 (3) of the Trade Union Act, 1871.
(3) Where a trade union changes its name the change of name shall not affect any right or obligation of the union or of any of its members, and, notwithstanding the change of name, any pending legal proceedings may be continued by or against the trustees of the union or any other officer of the union who can sue or be sued on its behalf.
Regulations.
13.—(1) The Minister for Industry and Commerce may, with the consent of the Minister, make regulations for carrying this Act into effect.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may provide for all or any of the following:—
(a) applications to the Registrar under this Act;
(b) the registration under this Act of any document;
(c) the inspection of documents kept by the Registrar under this Act;
(d) the charging of fees in respect of such matters and of such amounts as may with the approval of the Minister for Finance be prescribed by the regulations;
(e) requiring any application for the registration of an instrument of amalgamation or transfer or a change of name to be accompanied by such statutory declarations or other documents as may be specified in the regulations;
(f) making provision as to the form or content of any document required by this Act or by the regulations to be sent or submitted to the Registrar and the manner in which any such document shall be signed or authenticated;
(g) authorising the Registrar to require notice to be given or published in such manner as he may direct of the fact that an application for registration of an instrument of amalgamation or transfer has been or is to be made to him.
Saver for pending amalgamations, etc.
14.—Where before the commencement of this Act—
(a) two or more trade unions have taken steps for the purpose of amalgamating and a ballot for that purpose has been taken by one of them,
(b) a trade union has taken steps for the purpose of transferring its engagements to another trade union and has passed a resolution for their transfer, or
(c) a trade union has taken steps for the purpose of changing its name and has obtained from its members the necessary consent,
the amalgamation, transfer of engagements or change of name, as the case may be, if not completed before such commencement may, notwithstanding this Act, be proceeded with and completed as if this Act had not been passed.
Grants towards exceptional expenses of amalgamation or transfer.
15.—Whenever two or more trade unions amalgamate or whenever a trade union transfers its engagements to another trade union, the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make to one or more of those trade unions out of moneys to be provided by the Oireachtas a grant of such amount as the Minister thinks fit, towards such expenses as he is satisfied were exceptional and were incurred by that trade union or those trade unions as a result of, in the course of, or in contemplation of such amalgamation or transfer.
Repeals.
16.—Sections 11 to 13 of the Trade Union Act Amendment Act, 1876, and the Trade Union (Amalgamation) Act, 1917, are hereby repealed.
Restriction on holding and grant of negotiation licence in case of certain trade unions.
17.—(1) Notwithstanding Part II of the Act of 1941 and section 2 of the Act of 1971, a body of persons which is a trade union under the law of another country and has its headquarters control situated in that country shall not hold or be granted a negotiation licence under that Part unless, in addition to fulfilling the relevant conditions specified in section 7 of the Act of 1941 and section 2 of the Act of 1971, it fulfils the condition specified in subsection (2).
(2) The condition referred to in subsection (1) is that the trade union concerned has a committee of management or other controlling authority every member of which is resident in the State or Northern Ireland and which is empowered by the rules of that trade union to make decisions in matters of an industrial or political nature which arise out of and are in connection with the economic or political condition of the State or Northern Ireland, are of direct concern to members of the trade union resident in the State or Northern Ireland and do not affect members not so resident.
(3) This section, so far as it applies to an existing holder of a negotiation licence, shall come into operation on such date as the Minister fixes for that purpose by order.
(4) In this section—
“the Act of 1941” means the Trade Union Act, 1941;
“the Act of 1971” means the Trade Union Act, 1971.
Expenses.
18.—The expenses incurred 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 and collective citation.
19.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Trade Union Act, 1975.
(2) The Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1971, and this Act may be cited together as the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1975.
SCHEDULE
Provisions Supplemental to section 10
Section 10 (8).
1. On a complaint made under section 10 the Registrar may—
(a) require the attendance of the complainant or of any officer of the trade union and may, on the application of the complainant or any such officer, require the attendance of any person as a witness;
(b) require the production of any documents relating to the matters complained of;
(c) administer oaths and take affirmations and require the complainant, any officer of the trade union or any person attending as a witness to be examined on oath or affirmation;
(d) grant to the complainant or to any officer of the trade union such discovery as to documents and otherwise, or such inspection of documents, as might be granted by the High Court;
(e) order the whole or any part of the expenses of hearing the complaint, as certified by him, to be paid either out of the funds of the trade union or by the complainant; and
(f) order the trade union to pay to the complainant out of the funds of the union, or the complainant to pay to the union, either a specified sum in respect of the costs incurred by the complainant or the union (as the case may be) or the taxed amount of those costs.
2. A person who, on the application of any person, is required to attend before the Registrar as a witness in proceedings on a complaint under section 10 shall be entitled to be paid by the person on whose application he is so required—
(a) such sum in respect of loss of time and travelling expenses as he would be entitled to on being served with a summons to attend as a witness in the High Court, and
(b) if he duly attends, a sum equal to any further allowances to which he would be entitled if attending as a witness in proceedings in the High Court.
3. (1) Subject to subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, if any person without reasonable excuse fails or refuses to comply with a requisition of the Registrar under paragraph 1 (a) to 1 (c) of this Schedule or any order of the Registrar made in pursuance of paragraph 1 (d) of this Schedule, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(2) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this paragraph by reason of failure or refusal on his part to comply with a requisition to attend as a witness before the Registrar unless any sum to which he is entitled under paragraph 2 (a) of this Schedule has been paid or tendered.
(3) Any costs required by an order under paragraph 1 (f) of this Schedule to be taxed may be taxed in the High Court according to the scale prescribed by rules of that court for proceedings in that court as may be directed by the order or, if the order gives no direction, by that court.
(4) Any sum payable by virtue of an order under paragraph 1 (e) or 1 (f) of this Schedule shall, if the High Court so orders, be recoverable by execution issued from that court or otherwise as if payable under an order of that court.