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Uimhir 53 de 1936.
ACHT UM PÁGH TALMHAÍOCHTA, 1936.
Míniú.
1.—San Acht so cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Talmhaíochta.
Na habairtí “oibrí talmhaíochta” agus “fostóir talmhaíochta” do léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “oibrí talmhaíochta” duine ar fostú fé chonnradh sheirbhíse no phríntíseachta gur obair thalmaíochta a chuid oibre no roinnt dá chuid oibre fén gconnradh san, ach ní fholuíonn duine gur seirbhís tighis ar fad nach mór a chuid oibre fé aon chonnradh den tsórt san ;
cialluíonn an abairt “fostóir talmhaíochta” duine go mbíonn ceárd no gnó na talmhaíochta ar siúl aige agus go mbíonn daoine eile ar fostú aige mar oibrithe talmhaíochta chun crícheanna na céirde no an ghnótha san.
(2) Má eiríonn aon cheist fén Acht so i dtaobh ce'ca tá aon fhostaíocht áirithe no aon tsaghas áirithe fostaíochta ina fostaíocht do bhéarfadh gurbh oibrí talmhaíochta an té bheadh ar fostú inti no ná fuil no i dtaobh ce'ca ceárd no gnó na talmhaíochta aon cheárd no gnó áirithe bhíonn ar siúl ag duine no nach eadh, isé an tAire bhéarfaidh breith ar an gceist agus ní bheidh dul thar an mbreith sin.
(3) San alt so foluíonn an focal “talmhaíocht” feirmeoireacht déiríochta agus talamh d'úsáid mar thalamh féaraigh, móinfhéir, no inbhir no mar thalamh ubhallghuirt no saighleánach no coille no mar gharraithe margaidh no altran.
Ceanntair pháigh thalmhaíochta.
3.—(1) Roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, Saorstát Éireann do roinnt ina cheanntair, pé ceanntair agus pé méid ceanntar is dóich leis is ceart, agus a dhearbhú gur ceanntar páigh thalmhaíochta chun crícheanna an Achta so gach ceanntar acu san.
(2) Aon uair roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so no dá éis sin féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, leasú do dhéanamh ar ordú bheidh déanta fén alt so, le n-a n-áirmhítear an fo-alt so.
(3) San Acht so cialluíonn an abairt “ceanntar páigh” ceanntar a bheidh dearbhuithe de thurus na huaire, le hordú do rinneadh fén alt so, do bheith ina cheanntar pháigh thalmhaíochta.
Líomatáistí páigh thalmhaíochta agus coistí do sna líomatáistí sin
4.—(1) Roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, na nithe seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na ceanntair pháigh uile agus fé seach i Saorstát Éireann do ghrúpáil ina líomatáistí (dá ngairmtear líomatáistí páigh thalmhaíochta san Acht so), pé líomatáistí agus pé méid líomatáistí is dóich leis is ceart ;
(b) a dhearbhú, i dtaobh an choiste atá le bunú fén alt so do gach líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta fé leith, gurb é is líon do ghnáth-bhaill an choiste sin an líon (nach lugha ná beirt in aghaidh gach ceanntair pháigh a bheidh sa líomatáiste sin) a luadhfar san ordú san.
(2) Tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so féadfaidh an tAire, aon bhliain chaileandair, na nithe seo leanas do dhéanamh le hordú déanfar ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 30adh lá de Mheán Fhómhair na bliana caileandair sin:—
(a) aon dá cheanntar pháigh no níos mó do ghrúpáil ina líomatáistí páigh thalmhaíochta nua, pé líomatáistí agus pé méid líomatáistí is dóich leis is ceart ;
(b) a dhearbhú, i dtaobh an choiste atá le bunú fén alt so don aon líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta nua san no, má bunuítear níos mó ná aon líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta nua amháin leis an ordú san, do gach líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta nua fé leith den tsórt san, gurb é is líon do ghnáth-bhaill an choiste sin an líon (nach lugha ná beirt in aghaidh gach ceanntair pháigh a bheidh sa líomatáiste sin) a luadhfar san ordú san.
(3) Gach ordú déanfar fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo tiocfaidh i bhfeidhm an chéad 1adh lá d'Eanar tar éis dáta an orduithe sin.
(4) Pé uair a déanfar ordú fé fho-alt (2) den alt so, ansan, ar dháta agus o dháta an orduithe sin do theacht i bhfeidhm, gach líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta bheidh ann roimh an dáta san agus ina mbeidh aon cheanntar páigh le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú san scuirfe sé de bheith ann agus beidh an coiste don líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta san ar scur.
(5) San alt so nuair a húsáidtear an abairt “an líon oiriúnach” i dtaobh gnáth-bhall an choiste do líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta cialluíonn sí an líon a dearbhófar le hordú déanfar fén alt so is líon do ghnáth-bhaill an choiste sin.
(6) Ar theacht i bhfeidhm don Acht so bunófar do gach líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta fé leith a bunófar leis an ordú déanfar fé fho-alt (1) den alt so coiste chun na bhfeidhmeanna ceaptar dóibh leis an Acht so do chólíonadh.
(7) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú fé fho-alt (2) den alt so, ansan, ar dháta agus o dháta an orduithe sin do theacht i bhfeidhm, bunófar do gach líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta fé leith a bunófar leis an ordú san coiste chun na bhfeidhmeanna ceaptar dóibh leis an Acht so do chólíonadh.
(8) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir leis an gcoiste do líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta (le n-a n-áirmhítear líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta nua bunófar de bhuadh ordú déanfar fé fho-alt (2) den alt so), sé sin le rá:—
(a) cathaoirleach agus an líon oiriúnach de ghnáth-bhaill a bheidh ar an gcoiste sin ;
(b) isé bheidh ina chathaoirleach ná an té is Cathaoirleach ar an mBord Páigh Thalmhaíochta ;
(c) ainmneoidh an tAire na gnáth-bhaill ;
(d) beidh leath na ngnáth-bhall ina ndaoine is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'fhostóirí talmhaíochta sa líomatáiste sin agus beidh an leath eile ina ndaoine is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'oibrithe talmaíochta sa líomatáiste sin ;
(e) ag ainmniú na ngnáth-bhall dó ainmneoidh an tAire, in aghaidh gach ceanntair pháigh fé leith sa líomatáiste sin, duine amháin ar a laighead is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'fhostóirí talmhaíochta sa cheanntar pháigh sin agus duine amháin ar a laighead is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'oibrithe talmhaíochta sa cheanntar pháigh sin ;
(f) déanfaidh an tAire, roimh dháta bunuithe an choiste sin, an líon oiriúnach de dhaoine d'ainmniú chun bheith ina ngnáth-bhaill agus céad ghnáth-bhall a gairmtear sa bhfo-alt so de gach duine fé leith dá n-aimneofar amhlaidh ;
(g) mara mbeidh an coiste sin ar scur i gceann na bliana caileandair sin tré oibriú fo-ailt (4) den alt so déanfaidh an tAire, an bhliain chaileandair ina mbunófar an coiste sin, ach tar éis dáta an bhunuithe sin, agus gach bliain chaileandair ina dhiaidh sin seachas bliain chaileandair go mbeidh an coiste sin ar scur ina deireadh tré oibriú an fho-ailt sin (4), an líon oiriúnach de dhaoine d'ainmniú chun bheith ina ngnáth-bhaill ;
(h) marab éag no eirghe as roimhe sin dó beidh gach céad ghnáth-bhall i seilbh oifige o dháta bunuithe an choiste sin go dtí an chéad 31adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag tar éis an dáta san ;
(i) marab éag no eirghe as roimhe sin dó beidh gach gnáthbhall (seachas céad ghnáth-bhall no duine a hainmneofar chun foth-fholúntais) i seilbh oifige go ceann tréimhse de dhá mhí dhéag ón gcéad 1adh lá d'Eanar tar éis dáta a ainmnithe ;
(j) gnáth-bhall a bheidh ag dul as oifig ar a théarma oifige bheith caithte tré imeacht aimsire beidh sé ionathainmnithe ;
(k) pé uair a thárlóidh folúntas (dá ngairmtear fothfholúntas sa bhfo-alt so) imeasc na ngnáth-bhall tré éag no eirghe as do ghnáth-bhall, ainmneoidh an tAire duine chun an fholúntais sin agus beidh an duine a hainmneofar amhlaidh i seilbh oifige go dtí an chéad 31adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag ina dhiaidh sin marab éag no eirghe as roimhe sin dó ;
(l) ag ceapadh duine dhó chun foth-fholúntais bhéarfaidh an tAire áird ar mhíreanna (d) agus (e) den fho-alt so.
(9) Féadfaidh ball den choiste do líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta eirghe as a oifig mar bhall den tsórt san tré leitir do dhíriú agus do chur chun rúnaí an choiste sin agus raghaidh gach eirghe-as den tsórt san in éifeacht ar fháil na leitreach san don rúnaí.
(10) Féadfaidh coiste do líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta gníomhú d'ainneoin aon fholúntais i mballraíocht an choiste sin.
(11) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgid, rúnaí do cheapadh do gach coiste do líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta.
(12) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin a dhéanfaidh fén Acht so, nós imeachta coistí do líomatáistí páigh thalmhaíochta do rialáil.
Bord Páigh Thalmhaíochta do bhunú.
5.—(1) Ar theacht i bhfeidhm don Acht so bunófar bord (dá ngairmtear an Bord san Acht so) ar a dtabharfar mar ainm agus mar theideal an Bord Páigh Thalmhaíochta chun na bhfeidhmeanna ceaptar dóibh leis an Acht so do chólíonadh.
(2) Beidh an Bord ina gcólucht chorpruithe go síor-chomharbas agus séala oifigiúil (ar a dtabharfar áird i gcúrsaí breithiúntais) agus féadfaid dul chun dlí, agus féadfar dul chun dlí leo, fé n-a n-ainm chorpruithe agus féadfaid talamh do shealbhú agus do chur de láimh.
(3) Dhá bhall déag a bheidh ar an mBord, eadhon—
(a) cathaoirleach (dá ngairmtear Cathaoirleach an Bhúird san Acht so), agus
(b) aon ghnáth-bhall déag (dá ngairmtear gnáth-bhaill san Acht so), eadhon—
(i) trí baill (dá ngairmtear baill neodracha san Acht so) ainmneoidh an tAire,
(ii) ceithre baill (dá ngairmtear baill na bhfostóirí san Acht so) ainmneoidh an tAire, agus
(iii) ceithre baill (dá ngairmtear baill na n-oibrithe san Acht so) ainmneoidh an tAire.
(4) Beidh baill na bhfostóirí ina ndaoine is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'fhostóirí talmhaíochta agus beidh baill na n-oibrithe ina ndaoine is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'oibrithe talmhaíochta.
Cathaoirleach an Bhúird.
6.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an Achta so do rith agus fé mar is gá é ina dhiaidh sin ceapfaidh an tAire duine chun bheith ina Chathaoirleach ar an mBord.
(2) Beidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird i seilbh oifige faid is toil leis an Aire é.
(3) Pé uair a bheidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird, toisc easláinte no toisc leor-chúise eile, fé mhí-chumas shealadach ná leigfidh dó dualgaisí a oifige do chólíonadh féadfaidh an tAire duine de bhaill neodracha an Bhúird d'ainmniú chun cólíonadh do dhéanamh, ar feadh ré an mhí-chumais sin, ar dhualgaisí Chathaoirleach an Bhúird agus, ar feadh ré an mhí-chumais sin, beidh comhachta uile Chathaoirleach an Bhúird ag an té ceapfar amhlaidh agus tuigfear chun crícheanna an Achta so gurb é Cathaoirleach an Bhúird é, ach ar feadh ré an mhí-chumais sin tuigfear chun crícheanna ailt 13 den Acht so nach gnáth-bhall é.
(4) Íocfar le Cathaoirleach an Bhúird pé luach saothair agus pé liúntaisí in aghaidh costaisí cheapfaidh an tAire le haontú an Aire Airgid.
Ainmniú agus téarma oifige gnáth-bhall den Bhord.
7.—(1) Roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so ainmneoidh an tAire aon duine dhéag chun bheith ina ngnáth-bhaill den Bhord agus céad ghnáth-bhall a gairmtear san alt so de gach duine fé leith dá n-ainmneofar amhlaidh.
(2) Ainmneoidh an tAire aon duine dhéag gach bliain ainmniúcháin chun bheith ina ngnáth-bhaill den Bhord.
(3) Marab éag no eirghe as no teacht fé dhí-cháilíocht roimhe sin dó beidh gach céad ghnáth-bhall i seilbh oifige o dháta thosach feidhme an Achta so go dtí an 31adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag, 1939.
(4) Marab éag no eirghe as no teacht fé dhí-cháilíocht roimhe sin dó beidh gach gnáth-bhall (seachas céad ghnáth-bhall no duine ceapfar chun foth-fholúntais sa Bhord) i seilbh oifige go ceann tréimhse de thrí bliana ón gcéad 1adh lá d'Eanar tar éis na bliana ainmniúcháin in ar hainmníodh é.
(5) Gnáth-bhall den Bhord a bheidh ag dul as oifig ar a théarma oifige bheith caithe tré imeacht aimsire beidh sé ionathainmnithe.
(6) Chun crícheanna an ailt seo is bliain ainmniúcháin gach bliain acu so leanas, sé sin le rá, an bhliain 1939, an bhliain 1942, an bhliain 1945, agus mar sin de.
Gnáth-bhaill den Bhord d'eirighe as agus do theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh gnáth-bhall den Bhord eirghe as a oifig mar bhall den tsórt san tráth ar bith tré leitir do dhíriú agus do chur chun rúnaí an Bhúird agus raghaidh gach eirghe-as den tsórt san in éifeacht ar fháil na leitreach san don rúnaí.
(2) Má thárlann agus pé uair a thárlóidh go mbreithiúnófar gnáth-bhall den Bhord do bheith ina fhéimhí no go ndéanfa sé socrú le n-a chreidmheasóirí, no go scuirfe sé de bheith ina ghnáthchomhnaí i Saorstát Éireann, no go mbeidh sé as láthair, gan toiliú an Bhúird, o gach cruinniú den Bord ar feadh tréimhse de shé mhí, beidh sé dí-cháilithe chun leanúint de bheith agus scuirfidh de bheith ina ghnáth-bhall.
Foth-fholúntaisí imeasc gnáthbhall an Bhúird do líonadh.
9.—(1) Pé uair a thárlóidh folúntas (dá ngairmtear fothfholúntas san alt so) i mballraíocht an Bhúird tré ghnáth-bhall d'éag no d'eirghe as no do theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht cuirfidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird in úil don Aire an folúntas san do bheith ann agus ceapfaidh an tAire chun an fholúntais sin—
(a) má ba bhall neodrach an gnáth-bhall san, pé duine is dóich leis is ceart, no
(b) má ba dhuine de bhaill na bhfostóirí an gnáth-bhall san, duine is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'fhostóirí talmhaíochta, no
(c) má ba dhuine de bhaill na n-oibrithe an gnáth-bhall san, duine is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ionadathach d'oibrithe talmhaíochta.
(2) Marab éag no eirghe as no teacht fé dhí-cháilíocht roimhe sin dó, beidh gach duine ceapfar chun foth-fholúntais i seilbh oifige mar ghnáth-bhall ar feadh a mbeidh gan caitheamh den téarma oifige go mbeadh an ball, gurbh é a éag no a eirghe as no a theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht fé ndeár an folúntas, i seilbh oifige mara mbeadh a éag no a eirghe as no a theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht.
Fuireann an Bhúird.
10.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgid, duine do cheapadh chun bheith ina rúnaí don Bhord agus pé daoine eile agus pé méid daoine eile is dóich leis is gá do cheapadh chun bheith ina n-oifigigh (seachas mar rúnaí) don Bhord agus beidh na daoine sin i seilbh oifige ar pé téarmaí agus gheobhaid luach saothair do réir pé rátaí agus i pé slí ordóidh an tAire Airgid.
Nós imeachta an Bhúird.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord gníomhú d'ainneoin foth-fholúntas no foth-fholúntaisi do bheith imeasc na ngnáth-bhall.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh i dtaobh nós imeachta an Bhúird.
(3) Fé réir aon rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo déanfaidh an Bord, tré bhuan-orduithe no ar shlí eile, an nós imeachta leanfar agus an gnó déanfar ag á gcruinnithe do rialáil.
Cruinnithe an Bhúird.
12.—(1) Beidh a gcéad chruinniú ag an mBord pé lá agus pé tráth agus i pé áit a cheapfaidh an tAire.
(2) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo beidh ag an mBord pé cruinnithe agus pé méid cruinnithe agus san pé tráth is gá chun a bhfeidhmeanna fén Acht so do chólíonadh sa cheart.
(3) Is leor Cathaoirleach an Bhúird mar quorum ag cruinniú den Bhord.
(4) Ní bheidh aon chruinniú ag an mBord mara mbeidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird i láthair.
An Bord do thabhairt breithe ar cheisteanna.
13.—Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le hordú do dhéanamh ag cruinniú den Bhord, sé sin le rá:—
(a) mara mbeidh aon ghnáth-bhaill no mara mbeidh ach aon ghnáth-bhall amháin ar an gcruinniú san déanfaidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird an t-ordú san agus chun crícheanna an Achta so tuigfear, i dtaobh an orduithe sin mar a dhéanfaidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird amhlaidh é, an Bord á dhéanamh go cuibhe ag an gcruinniú san ;
(b) má bhíonn dhá ghnáth-bhall no níos mó ar an gcruinniú san beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(i) i gcás éinne amháin ar a laighead de bhaill na bhfostóirí agus éinne amháin ar a laighead de bhaill na n-oibrithe do bheith ar na gnáth-bhaill sin agus na gnáth-bhaill sin uile do rith rúin d'aon aonta i bhfábhar an orduithe sin do dhéanamh i dtéarmaí luadhfar sa rún san, tuigfear chun crícheanna an Achta so an Bord do dhéanamh an orduithe sin go cuibhe sna téarmaí sin ag an gcruinniú san, agus
(ii) in aon chás eile féadfaidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird, más oiriúnach leis é, déanamh an orduithe sin do chur ar athló go dtí an chéad chruinniú eile den Bhord no an t-ordú san do dhéanamh, agus másé an ní deiridh sin a thárlóidh tuigfear chun crícheanna an Achta so, i dtaobh an orduithe sin mar a dhéanfaidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird amhlaidh é, an Bord á dhéanamh go cuibhe ag an gcruinniú san.
Miontuairiscí cruinnithe an Bhúird.
14.—Coimeádfaidh an Bord i leabhar a chuirfid ar fáil chuige sin miontuairiscí ar na himeachta ag gach cruinniú den Bhord agus sighneoidh Cathaoirleach an Bhúird na miontuairiscí uile den tsórt san ag an gcruinniú le n-a mbainfid no ag an gcéad chruinniú eile agus ar iad do bheith sighnithe amhlaidh glacfar i bhfianaise iad.
Séala an Bhúird
15.—(1) Cuirfidh an Bord có-shéala ar fáil agus beidh san acu.
(2) Déanfar séala an Bhúird do dhílse-dheimhniú le sighniú Chathaoirleach an Bhúird.
(3) Gach scríbhinn a bheireann le tuisgint gur ordú no ionstruim eile í ar n-a thabhairt amach no ar n-a dhéanamh ag an mBord agus í bheith séaluithe le séala an Bhúird ar n-a dhílsedheimhniú sa tslí foráltar leis an alt so, glacfar i bhfianaise í agus tuigfear, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, gurb í an t-ordú no an ionstruim sin í gan cruthú ar údarás ná ar shighniú neach sighnithe an chéanna.
Fianaise ar orduithe an Bhúird.
16.—Má bheirtear i láthair in aon imeachta dlí scríbhinn a bheireann le tuisgint í bheith ina cóip d'ordú do rinne an Bord agus í bheith deimhnithe bheith ina cóip dhílis ag Cathaoirleach an Bhúird no ag rúnaí an Bhúird, is leor san mar fhianaise ar an ordú, agus ní gá aon chruthú ar scríbhneoireacht ná ar phost oifigiúil neach deimhnithe an chéanna.
Orduithe ón mBord ag ceapadh rátaí minimum páigh.
17.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo déanfaidh an Bord, chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so agus o am go ham ina dhiaidh sin mar is dóich leo is ceart, na rátaí minimum páigh d'oibrithe talmhaíochta i gcóir am-oibre do cheapadh, le hordú, do gach ceanntar páigh fé leith agus féadfaid, más gá agus sa mhéid gur gá leo é, na rátaí minimum páigh d'oibrithe talmhaíochta i gcóir teasc-oibre do cheapadh don cheanntar san.
(2) Aon rátaí minimum a cheapfaidh an Bord do cheanntar pháigh féadfar iad a cheapadh i slí go mbainfid go cóchoitiann leis an gceanntar san no le haon aicme speisialta d'oibrithe talmhaíochta no le haon chuid speisialta den cheanntar san no le haon aicme speisialta i gcuid speisialta agus san, i ngach cás fé leith, fé réir aon eisceachtaí déanfar i dtaobh fostaíochta d'aon tsaghas speisialta agus i slí go n-atharóid do réir mar a bheidh an fhostaíocht ina fostaíocht in aghaidh an lae no na seachtaine no an mhí no in aghaidh tréimhse eile, no do réir uimhir na n-uaireanna oibre no coiníollacha na fostaíochta, no i slí go mbeidh ráta deifriúil le fáil ar obair bhreis-aimsire.
(3) Le haon ordú dhéanfaidh an Bord fén alt so féadfar a mhíniú cadiad na sochair no na buntáistí (nach sochair ná buntáistí toirmeasctar le dlí) is féidir d'áireamh mar íocaíocht pháigh in ionad íocaíochta in airgead tirim agus cadé an luach is ionchurtha ortha.
(4) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo féadfaidh an Bord tráth ar bith, le hordú, leasú no ceiliúradh do dhéanamh ar ordú bheidh déanta fén alt so, le n-a n-áirmhítear an fo-alt so.
(5) Féadfaidh ordú dhéanfaidh an Bord fén alt so baint do bheith aige le haon mhéid ceanntracha páigh agus féadfaidh forálacha deifriúla bheith ann i dtaobh ceanntracha deifriúla den tsórt san.
(6) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach ordú dhéanfaidh an Bord fé fho-alt (1) den alt so ag ceapadh rátaí minimum páigh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) sara ndéanfaidh an Bord an t-ordú san déanfaid fógra, á rá go bhfuilid ar intinn an t-ordú san do dhéanamh, do sheirbheáil, i gcás é bheith beartuithe an t-ordú do bhaint le haon cheanntar páigh amháin no le dhá cheanntar pháigh no níos mó san aon líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta amháin, ar an gcoiste don líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta ina bhfuil an ceanntar no na ceanntair sin no, i gcás é bheith beartuithe an t-ordú san do bhaint le dhá cheanntar no níos mó i líomatáistí páigh thalmhaíochta deifriúla, ar an gcoiste do gach líomatáiste fé leith acu san ;
(b) más ar aon choiste amháin a bheidh an fógra le seirbheáil féadfaidh an coiste sin, fé cheann dhá mhí tar éis dáta na seirbheála san, molta i dtaobh na rátaí minimum san do dhéanamh chun an Bhúird ;
(c) más ar dhá choiste no níos mó bheidh an fógra le seirbheáil féadfaidh gach coiste fé leith acu san, fé cheann dhá mhí tar éis dáta na seirbheála san, molta do dhéanamh chun an Bhúird i dtaobh na rátaí minimum san sa mhéid go mbeidh feidhm ag na rátaí minimum san maidir le haon cheanntar páigh ina líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta ;
(d) ní dhéanfaidh an Bord an t-ordú san go ceann an dá mhí sin mara mbeidh molta déanta roimhe sin ag an gcoiste no ag na coistí ar ar seirbheáladh an fógra san ;
(e) má dheineann an coiste no na coistí sin aon mholta fé cheann an dá mhí sin bhéarfaidh an Bord áird ar na molta san le linn an orduithe sin do dhéanamh.
(7) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le haon ordú (dá ngairmtear ordú leasúcháin sa bhfo-alt so) a dhéanfaidh an Bord fé fho-alt (4) den alt so ag leasú no ag ceiliúradh orduithe bheidh déanta ag an mBord, sé sin le rá:—
(a) sara ndéanfaidh an Bord an t-ordú leasúcháin sin seirbheálfaid dréacht den ordú leasúcháin sin, i gcás é bheith beartuithe é do bhaint le haon cheanntar páigh amháin no le dhá cheanntar pháigh no níos mó san aon líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta amháin, ar an gcoiste don líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta ina bhfuil an ceanntar no na ceanntair sin no, i gcás é bheith beartuithe an t-ordú san do bhaint le dhá cheanntar pháigh no níos mó i líomatáistí páigh thalmhaíochta deifriúla, ar an gcoiste do gach líomatáiste fé leith acu san ;
(b) más ar aon choiste amháin a bheidh an dréacht san le seirbheáil féadfaidh an coiste sin, fé cheann dhá mhí tar éis dáta na seirbheála san, molta i dtaobh an orduithe leasúcháin sin do dhéanamh chun an Bhúird ;
(c) más ar dhá choiste no níos mó bheidh an dréacht san le seirbheáil féadfaidh gach coiste fé leith acu san, fé cheann dhá mhí tar éis dáta na seirbheála san, molta do dhéanamh chun an Bhúird i dtaobh an orduithe leasúcháin sin sa mhéid go mbeidh feidhm aige maidir le haon cheanntar páigh ina líomatáiste páigh thalmhaíochta ;
(d) ní dhéanfaidh an Bord an t-ordú leasúcháin go ceann an dá mhí sin mara mbeidh molta déanta roimhe sin ag an gcoiste no ag na coistí ar ar seirbheáladh an dréacht san ;
(e) má dheineann an coiste no na coistí sin aon mholta fé cheann an dá mhí sin bhéarfaidh an Bord áird ar na molta san le linn an orduithe leasúcháin sin do dhéanamh.
(8) Má dheineann an Bord ordú beidh san ina fhianaise prima facie gur cólíonadh a n-éilítear le fo-ailt (6) agus (7) den alt so.
(9) Aon scríbhinn is gá do réir an ailt seo do sheirbheáil ar an gcoiste do líomatáiste pháigh thalmhaíochta is i slí acu so leanas a seirbheálfar ar an gcoiste sin í, sé sin le rá:—
(a) tríd an scríbhinn sin do sheachadadh do rúnaí an choiste sin ;
(b) tríd an scríbhinn sin do chur tríd an bpost i leitir chláruithe roimh-íoctha bheidh dírithe chun an rúnaí sin ag an áit chomhnaithe is déanaí is eol do bheith aige.
(10) Gach ordú déanfar fén alt so leagfar é fé bhráid Dháil Éireann chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta agus má dheineann Dáil Éireann, fé cheann an lá is fiche shuidhfidh Dáil Éireann tar éis an orduithe sin do leagadh fé n-a mbráid amhlaidh, rún do rith ag cur an orduithe sin ar nea-mbrí beidh an t-ordú san curtha ar nea-mbrí dá réir sin ach beidh san gan dochar do dhleathacht éinní do rinneadh roimhe sin fén ordú san.
Oibrithe talmhaíochta áirithe do shaoradh o fhorálacha an Achta so.
18.—Más rud é, ar fháil iarratais dóibh, gur deimhin leis an mBord, i dtaobh duine ar bith bheidh ar fostú no gur mian leis go bhfostófaí é mar oibrí thalmhaíochta ar am-obair le n-a mbaineann ráta minimum ar n-a cheapadh fén Acht, go bhfuil an duine sin, de dheascaibh aon díobhála cuirp no díthe meabhrach no aon laige tháinig toisc aoise no aon chúise eile, gan bheith inniúil ar an ráta minimum san do thuilleamh, deonfaidh an Bord don duine cead le n-a ndéanfar, go n-éifeacht o dháta an iarratais, no o aon lá is déanaí ná san agus a luadhfar sa chead, fostaíocht an oibrí do shaoradh o sna forálacha den Acht so le n-a gceangailtear págh d'íoc do réir ráta nach lugha ná an ráta minimum, ach san fé réir pé coinníollacha luadhfar sa chead.
Ciontaí agus imeachta dlí.
19.—(1) I gcás ordú ag ceapadh aon ráta mhinimum pháigh do bheith déanta ag an mBord fén Acht so agus do bheith i bhfeidhm, déanfaidh gach duine is fostóir talmhaíochta, agus go mbeidh aon duine eile ar fostú aige is oibrí talmhaíochta de bhuadh na fostaíochta san, págh d'íoc leis an duine eile sin, i gcásanna le n-a mbaineann an ráta minimum san, do réir ráta nach lugha ná an ráta minimum oiriúnach fén ordú san.
(2) Má dheineann duine ar bith éinní contrárdha don alt so beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air agus, i gcás cionta leanúnaigh, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar púnt in aghaidh gach lae leanfar den chionta.
(3) In aon imeachta bunófar in aghaidh duine fén alt so is ar an duine sin a bheidh a chruthú gur íoc sé págh do réir ráta nach lugha ná an ráta minimum.
(4) In aon imeachta bunófar in aghaidh duine fén alt so féadfaidh an chúirt, pe'ca ciontófar an duine sin no ná ciontófar, más deimhin leo gur theip ar an duine sin fo-alt (1) den alt so do chólíonadh maidir le haon duine eile bhí ar fostú aige mar oibrí thalmhaíochta, a ordú don duine sin pé suim d'íoc leis an duine eile sin a gheobhaidh an chúirt a bheith có-ionann leis an deifríocht idir an méid ba cheart do réir an ráta mhinimum d'íoc leis an oibrí talmhaíochta san agus an méid do híocadh leis.
(5) Féadfaidh oifigeach don Bhord, in ainm agus thar ceann oibrí thalmhaíochta, imeachta síbhialta do bhunú, in aghaidh an fhostóra thalmhaíochta go mbeidh an t-oibrí talmhaíochta san ar fostú aige, chun suimeanna do bhaint amach a bheidh ag an oibrí talmhaíochta san ar an bhfostóir talmhaíochta san toisc págh do réir ráta ba lugha ná an ráta minimum do bhain leis an gcás d'íoc leis an oibrí talmhaíochta san, ach ní bhainfidh éinní sa bhfo-alt so o cheart an oibrí thalmhaíochta san chun na suime sin do bhaint amach tré imeachta síbhialta.
(6) Ní bheidh brí le haon chó-aontú ar phágh d'íoc contrárdha don alt so no ar staonadh o fheidhm do bhaint as aon cheart chun íoc páigh d'fhoirfheidhmiú do réir an ailt seo.
Comhachta oifigeach don Bhord.
20.—(1) Féadfaidh oifigeach don Bhord gach ní no éinní acu so leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) a cheangal, tar éis fógra réasúnta do thabhairt uaidh, go dtaisbeánfaí dhó leatháin pháigh no breacacháin eile ar phágh do híocadh le hoibrithe talmhaíochta, agus iad d'iniúchadh agus cóipeanna do dhéanamh díobh ;
(b) dul isteach gach tráth réasúnta in aon áitreabh no áit chun an iniúchta san do dhéanamh no chun an Achta so d'fhoirfheidhmiú ;
(c) a cheangal ar aon oibrí talmhaíochta no ar fhostóir aon oibrí den tsórt san no ar ghníomhaire aon fhostóra den tsórt san eolas ar bith do thabhairt uaidh is féidir leis a thabhairt uaidh i dtaobh fostaíochta an oibrí no i dtaobh an pháigh a híoctar leis.
(2) Má dheineann duine ar bith—
(a) aon oifigeach don Bhord do chosc no do bhac agus é ag feidhmiú aon chomhachta dá mbronntar ar an oifigeach san leis an alt so ; no
(b) diúltú d'aon scríbhinn do thaisbeáint no d'aon eolas do thabhairt uaidh a cheanglóidh aon oifigeach den tsórt san air go dleathach a thaisbeáint no a thabhairt uaidh ; no
(c) aon leathán páigh no breacachán no scríbhinn eile bheidh bréagach in aon phonc táchtach do thaisbeáint no a chur fé ndeár é thaisbeáint no a leigint go feasach é thaisbeáint d'aon oifigeach den tsórt san agus a fhios aige é bheith bréagach ; no
(d) eolas ar bith do thabhairt d'aon oifigeach den tsórt san agus a fhios aige é bheith bréagach,
beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air no, más rogha leis an gcúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná trí mhí, no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile.
Tuarasgabhála bliantúla.
21.—Bhéarfaidh an Bord don Aire chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis deireadh gach bliana caileandair fé leith tuarasgabháil ar a n-imeachta fén Acht so, agus leagfaidh an tAire fé bhráid Dháil Éireann cóip de gach tuarasgabháil den tsórt san do bhéarfar dó amhlaidh.
Rialacháin.
22.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh i dtaobh éinní no aon ruda adeirtear is abhar do rialacháin fén Acht so.
Costaisí.
23.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar na costaisí uile fé n-a raghfar chun an Achta so do chur i bhfeidhm.
Gearr-theideal agus tosach feidhme.
24.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Págh Talmhaíochta, 1936, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht so i ngníomh pé lá ceapfar chuige sin le hordú ón Aire.
Number 53 of 1936.
AGRICULTURAL WAGES ACT, 1936.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Number 53 of 1936.
AGRICULTURAL WAGES ACT, 1936.
Definition.
1.—In this Act the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Agriculture.
Construction of expressions “agricultural worker” and “agricultural employer.”
2.—(1) In this Act—
the expression “agricultural worker” means a person employed under a contract of service or apprenticeship whose work under such contract is or includes work in agriculture, but does not include a person whose work under any such contract is mainly domestic service;
the expression “agricultural employer” means a person who carries on the trade or business of agriculture and who employs other persons as agricultural workers for the purposes of such trade or business.
(2) If any question arises under this Act whether any employment or any class of employment is such as to make the person employed therein an agricultural worker or whether any trade or business carried on by a person is the trade or business of agriculture, the question shall be decided by the Minister whose decision shall be final.
(3) In this section the word “agriculture” includes dairy-farming farming and the use of land as grazing, meadow, or pasture land or orchard or osier land or woodland or for market gardens or nursery grounds.
Agricultural wages districts.
3.—(1) The Minister shall, before the commencement of this Act, by order divide Saorstát Eireann into such and so many districts as he thinks proper and declare that each such district shall be an agricultural wages district for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Minister may at any time, either before or after the commencement of this Act, by order amend an order made under this section, including this sub-section.
(3) In this Act the expression “wages district” means a district which is for the time being declared to be an agricultural wages district by an order made under this section.
Agricultural wages areas and committees for such areas.
4.—(1) The Minister shall, before the commencement of this Act, by order do the following things, that is to say:—
(a) group the several wages districts in Saorstát Eireann into such and so many areas (in this Act referred to as agricultural wages areas) as he thinks proper;
(b) declare, in respect of the committee to be established under this section for each agricultural wages area, that the number of ordinary members of such committee shall be the number (not being less than two for each wages district included in such area) specified in such order.
(2) After the commencement of this Act the Minister may, in any calendar year, by order, made not later than the 30th day of September in such calendar year, do the following things:—
(a) group any two or more wages districts into such and so many new agricultural wages areas as he thinks proper;
(b) declare, in respect of the committee to be established under this section for such one new agricultural wages area or, where more than one new agricultural wages area is constituted by such order, for each such new agricultural wages area, that the number of ordinary members of such committee shall be the number (not being less than two for each wages district included in such area) specified in such order.
(3) Every order made under the immediately preceding sub-section shall come into force on the 1st day of January next following the date of such order.
(4) Whenever an order is made under sub-section (2) of this section, then as on and from the date on which such order comes into force, each agricultural wages area existing before the said date which includes any wages district to which such order relates shall cease to exist, and the committee for such agricultural wages area shall be dissolved.
(5) In this section the expression “the appropriate number” when used in relation to the ordinary members of the committee for an agricultural wages area means the number declared by an order made under this section to be the number of ordinary members for such committee.
(6) On the commencement of this Act there shall be established for each agricultural wages area constituted by the order made under sub-section (1) of this section a committee to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(7) Whenever the Minister makes an order under sub-section (2) of this section then as on and from the date on which such order comes into force there shall be established for each agricultural wages area constituted by such order a committee to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(8) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the committee for an agricultural wages area (including a new agricultural wages area established by virtue of an order made under sub-section (2) of this section), that is to say:—
(a) such committee shall consist of a chairman and the appropriate number of ordinary members;
(b) the chairman shall be the person who is the Chairman of the Agricultural Wages Board;
(c) the ordinary members shall be nominated by the Minister;
(d) one half of the ordinary members shall be persons who are, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural employers in the said area and the other half shall be persons who are, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural workers in the said area;
(e) the Minister in nominating the ordinary members shall nominate, in respect of each wages district included in such area, at least one person who is, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural employers in such wages district and at least one person who is, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural workers in such wages district;
(f) the Minister shall, before the date on which such committee is established, nominate the appropriate number of persons to be ordinary members, and each of the persons so nominated is in this sub-section referred to as a first ordinary member;
(g) the Minister shall, unless such committee will, at the expiration of such calendar year, be dissolved by the operation of sub-section (4) of this section, in the calendar year in which such committee is established, but subsequent to the date of establishment, and in every subsequent calendar year other than a calendar year at the expiration of which such committee will be dissolved by the operation of the said sub-section (4), nominate the appropriate number of persons to be ordinary members;
(h) every first ordinary member shall, unless he sooner dies or resigns, hold office from the date of the establishment of such committee until the 31st day of December next following the said date;
(i) every ordinary member (other than a first ordinary member or a person nominated to fill a casual vacancy) shall, unless he sooner dies or resigns, hold office for a period of twelve months from the 1st day of January next following the date of his nomination;
(j) an ordinary member retiring on the expiration by effluxion of time of his term of office shall be eligible for renomination;
(k) whenever a vacancy (in this sub-section referred to as a casual vacancy) occurs amongst the ordinary members by the death or resignation of an ordinary member, the Minister shall nominate a person to fill such vacancy and the person so nominated shall, unless he sooner dies or resigns, hold office until the next following 31st day of December;
(l) in appointing a person to fill a casual vacancy the Minister shall have regard to paragraphs (d) and (e) of this sub-section.
(9) A member of the committee for an agricultural wages area may resign his office as such member by letter addressed and sent to the secretary of such committee and every such resignation shall take effect upon the receipt of such letter by the secretary.
(10) A committee for an agricultural wages area may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership of such committee.
(11) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance appoint a secretary for each committee for an agricultural wages area.
(12) The Minister may by regulations made by him under this Act regulate the procedure of committees for agricultural wages areas.
Establishment of Agricultural Wages Board.
5.—(1) On the commencement of this Act there shall be established a board (in this Act referred to as the Board) to be styled and known as the Agricultural Wages Board to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal (which shall be judicially noticed) and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to hold and dispose of land.
(3) The Board shall consist of twelve members, namely—
(a) a chairman (in this Act referred to as the Chairman of the Board), and
(b) eleven ordinary members (in this Act referred to as ordinary members), namely—
(i) three members (in this Act referred to as neutral members) nominated by the Minister,
(ii) four members (in this Act referred to as employers' members) nominated by the Minister, and
(iii) four members (in this Act referred to as workers' members) nominated by the Minister.
(4) The employers' members shall be persons who are, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural employers and the workers' members shall be persons who are, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural workers.
The Chairman of the Board.
6.—(1) The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act and thereafter as occasion requires appoint a person to be the Chairman of the Board.
(2) The Chairman of the Board shall hold office during the pleasure of the Minister.
(3) Whenever the Chairman of the Board is through ill-health or other sufficient cause temporarily incapacitated from performing the duties of his office the Minister may nominate from among the neutral members of the Board a person to perform, during such incapacity, the duties of the Chairman of the Board and the person so appointed shall during such incapacity have all the powers of the Chairman of the Board and be deemed for the purposes of this Act to be the Chairman of the Board but shall during such incapacity be deemed, for the purposes of section 13 of this Act, not to be an ordinary member.
(4) There shall be paid to the Chairman of the Board such remuneration and such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, shall appoint.
Nomination and term of office of ordinary members of the Board.
7.—(1) The Minister shall before the commencement of this Act nominate eleven persons to be ordinary members of the Board and each of the persons so nominated is in this section referred to as a first ordinary member.
(2) The Minister shall in each nomination year nominate eleven persons to be ordinary members of the Board.
(3) Every first ordinary member shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns, or becomes disqualified, hold office from the date of the commencement of this Act until the 31st day of December, 1939.
(4) Every ordinary member (other than a first ordinary member or a person appointed to fill a casual vacancy of the Board) shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns, or becomes disqualified, hold office for a period of three years from the 1st day of January next following the nomination year in which he was nominated.
(5) An ordinary member of the Board retiring on the expiration by effluxion of time of his term of office shall be eligible for renomination.
(6) For the purposes of this section each of the following years shall be a nomination year, that is to say, the year 1939, the year 1942, the year 1945, and so on.
Resignation and disqualification of ordinary members of the Board.
8.—(1) An ordinary member of the Board may at any time resign his office as such member by a letter addressed and sent to the secretary of the Board and every such resignation shall take effect upon the receipt of such letter by the secretary.
(2) If and whenever an ordinary member of the Board is adjudged bankrupt, or makes a composition with his creditors, or ceases to be ordinarily resident in Saorstát Eireann, or absents himself, without the consent of the Board, from all meetings of the Board for a period of six months, he shall be disqualified for continuing to be and shall cease to be an ordinary member.
Filling of casual vacancies amongst ordinary members of the Board.
9.—(1) Whenever a vacancy (in this section referred to as a casual vacancy) occurs in the membership of the Board by reason of the death, resignation, or disqualification, of an ordinary member, the Chairman of the Board shall notify the Minister of such vacancy, and the Minister shall appoint to fill such vacancy—
(a) in case such ordinary member was a neutral member, such person as he thinks proper, or
(b) in case such ordinary member was an employers' member, a person who is, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural employers, or
(c) in case such ordinary member was a workers' member, a person who is, in the opinion of the Minister, representative of agricultural workers.
(2) Every person appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns, or becomes disqualified, hold office as an ordinary member for the residue of the term of office for which the member whose death, resignation, or disqualification, occasioned the vacancy would have held office if he had not died, resigned or become disqualified.
Staff of the Board.
10.—The Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may appoint a person to be secretary of the Board and such and so many other persons as he shall consider necessary to be officers (other than secretary) of the Board, and such persons shall hold office upon such terms and be remunerated at such rates and in such manner as the Minister for Finance shall direct.
Procedure of the Board.
11.—(1) The Board may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies amongst the ordinary members.
(2) The Minister may by order make regulations in relation to the procedure of the Board.
(3) Subject to any regulations made by the Minister under the immediately preceding sub-section, the Board shall regulate by standing orders or otherwise the procedure to be observed and the business to be transacted at its meetings.
Meetings of the Board.
12.—(1) The Board shall hold its first meeting on such day and at such time and place as the Minister shall appoint.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board shall hold such and so many meetings and at such time as may be necessary for the proper discharge of its functions under this Act.
(3) The Chairman of the Board shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Board.
(4) No meeting of the Board shall be held unless the Chairman of the Board is present thereat.
Determination of questions by the Board.
13.—The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the making of an order at a meeting of the Board, that is to say:—
(a) if no ordinary members or only one ordinary member are or is present at such meeting the Chairman of the Board shall make such order and such order as so made by the Chairman of the Board shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been duly made by the Board at such meeting;
(b) if two or more ordinary members are present at such meeting, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(i) in case such ordinary members include at least one employers' member and one workers' member and all such ordinary members pass unanimously a resolution in favour of the making of such order in terms specified in such resolution, such order shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been duly made in such terms by the Board at such meeting, and
(ii) in any other case, the Chairman of the Board may, as he thinks fit, either adjourn the making of such order to the next meeting of the Board or make such order, and in the latter event such order as so made by the Chairman of the Board shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been duly made by the Board at such meeting.
Minutes of meetings of the Board.
14.—The Board shall keep in a book to be provided by it for the purpose, minutes of the proceedings at every meeting of the Board, and all such minutes shall be signed either at the meeting to which they relate by the Chairman of the Board or at the next meeting by the Chairman of the Board and when so signed shall be admitted in evidence.
The seal of the Board.
15.—(1) The Board shall provide and have a common seal.
(2) The seal of the Board shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chairman of the Board.
(3) Every document purporting to be an order or other instrument issued or made by the Board and to be sealed with the seal of the Board authenticated in the manner provided by this section shall be received in evidence and shall until the contrary is shown be deemed to be such order or instrument without proof of the authority or signature of the person signing the same.
Evidence of orders of the Board.
16.—In any legal proceedings the production of a document purporting to be a copy of an order made by the Board and to be certified to be a true copy by the Chairman of the Board or secretary of the Board shall be sufficient evidence of the order, and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position of the person certifying the same.
Orders of the Board fixing minimum rates of wages.
17.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section the Board shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act and thereafter from time to time as they think proper, by order fix, in respect of each wages district, the minimum rates of wages for agricultural workers for time work, and may, if and so far as they think it necessary, fix, in respect of such district, the minimum rates of wages for agricultural workers for piece work.
(2) Any minimum rates fixed by the Board in respect of a wages district may be so fixed as to apply universally to such district or to any special class of agricultural workers or to any special part of such district or to any special class in a special part, subject in each case to any exceptions which may be made for employment of any special character and so as to vary according as the employment is for a day, week, month, or other period, or according to the number of working hours or the conditions of the employment, or so as to provide for a differential rate in the case of overtime.
(3) Any order made by the Board under this section may define the benefits or advantages (not being benefits or advantages prohibited by law) which may be reckoned as payment of wages in lieu of payment in cash and the value at which they are to be reckoned.
(4) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board may at any time by order amend or revoke an order made under this section including this sub-section.
(5) An order made by the Board under this section may relate to any number of wages districts and may contain different provisions in relation to different such districts.
(6) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to every order made by the Board under sub-section (1) of this section fixing minimum rates of wages, that is to say:—
(a) the Board shall, before making such order serve notice of their intention to make such order on, in case the order is intended to relate to one wages district only or to two or more wages districts in the same agricultural wages area, the committee for the agricultural wages area which includes such district or districts or, in case such order is intended to relate to two or more districts included in different agricultural wages areas, the committee for each such area;
(b) where the notice is to be served on one committee only, the said committee may within two months after the date of such service make to the Board recommendations in relation to such minimum rates;
(c) where the notice is to be served on two or more committees, each such committee may, within two months after the date of such service, make to the Board recommendations in relation to such minimum rates so far as such minimum rates apply in respect of any wages district included in its agricultural wages area;
(d) the Board shall not make such order until the expiration of the said two months, unless recommendations have been previously made by the committee or committees upon whom such notice has been served;
(e) in case any recommendations are made by the said committee or committees before the expiration of the said two months, the Board shall take into consideration such recommendations in making such order.
(7) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to any order (in this sub-section referred to as an amending order) made by the Board under sub-section (4) of this section amending or revoking an order made by the Board, that is to say:—
(a) the Board shall, before making such amending order, serve a draft of such amending order on, in case it is intended to relate to one wages district only or to two or more wages districts in the same agricultural wages area, the committee for the agricultural wages area which includes such district or districts or, in case such order is intended to relate to two or more wages districts included in different agricultural wages areas, the committee for each such area;
(b) where the said draft is to be served on one committee only, the said committee may within two months after the date of such service make to the Board recommendations in relation to such amending order;
(c) where the said draft is to be served on two or more committees, each such committee may, within two months after the date of such service make to the Board recommendations in relation to such amending order so far as it applies in respect of any wages district included in its agricultural wages area;
(d) the Board shall not make the amending order until the expiration of the said two months, unless recommendations have been previously made by the committee or committees upon whom such draft was served;
(e) in case any recommendations are made by the said committee or committees before the expiration of the said two months, the Board shall take into consideration such recommendations in making such amending order.
(8) The making of an order by the Board shall be prima facie evidence that the requirements of sub-sections (6) and (7) of this section have been complied with.
(9) Any document required by this section to be served on the committee for an agricultural wages area shall be served on such committee in one or other of the following ways, that is to say:—
(a) by delivering such document to the secretary of such committee;
(b) by sending by post in a prepaid registered letter addressed to the said secretary at his last known place of abode such document.
(10) Every order made under this section shall be laid before Dáil Eireann as soon as may be after it is made, and, if a resolution annulling such order is passed by Dáil Eireann within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which Dáil Eireann has sat after such order is so laid before it, such order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such order.
Exemption of certain agricultural workers from provisions of this Act.
18.—If, on application, the Board are satisfied that any person employed or desiring to be employed as an agricultural worker, on time work to which a minimum rate fixed under the Act is applicable is so affected by any physical injury or mental deficiency or any infirmity due to age or to any other cause that he is incapacitated from earning that minimum rate, the Board shall grant to the person a permit exempting as from the date of the application, or from any later day specified in the permit, the employment of the worker from the provisions of this Act requiring wages to be paid at not less than the minimum rate, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the permit.
Offences and legal proceedings.
19.—(1) Where an order fixing any minimum rate of wages has been made by the Board under this Act and is in force, every person who, being an agricultural employer, employs any other person who is by virtue of such employment an agricultural worker shall, in cases to which such minimum rate is applicable, pay to such other person wages at a rate not less than the appropriate minimum rate under such order.
(2) If any person acts in contravention of this section such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds and, in the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding one pound for each day during which the offence is continued.
(3) In any proceedings against a person under this section it shall lie with such person to prove that he has paid wages at not less than the minimum rate.
(4) In any proceedings against a person under this section the court may, whether there is a conviction or not, if satisfied that such person has failed in relation to any other person employed by him as an agricultural worker to comply with sub-section (1) of this section, order such person to pay to such other person such sum as may be found by the court to represent the difference between the amount which ought at the minimum rate to have been paid to such agricultural worker and the amount actually paid.
(5) An officer of the Board may, in the name and on behalf of an agricultural worker, institute civil proceedings against the agricultural employer employing such agricultural worker for the recovery of sums due from such agricultural employer to such agricultural worker on account of the payment of wages to such agricultural worker at less than the minimum rate applicable, but nothing in this sub-section shall be in derogation of the right of such agricultural worker to recover such sum by civil proceedings.
(6) Any agreement for the payment of wages in contravention of this section or for abstaining to exercise any right of enforcing the payment of wages in accordance with this section shall be void.
Powers of officers of the Board.
20.—(1) An officer of the Board may do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) require, after giving reasonable notice, the production of, and inspect and take copies of wages sheets or other records of wages paid to agricultural workers;
(b) enter at all reasonable times any premises or place for the purpose of such inspection or for the enforcement of this Act;
(c) require any agricultural worker or the employer of any such worker or the agent of any such employer to give any information which it is in his power to give with respect to the employment of the worker or the wages paid to him.
(2) If any person—
(a) obstructs or impedes any officer of the Board in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on such officer by this section; or
(b) refuses to produce any document or give any information which any such officer lawfully requires him to produce or give; or
(c) produces or causes to be produced or knowingly allows to be produced any wages sheet, record or other document which is false in any material particular to any such officer knowing the same to be false; or
(d) furnishes any information to any such officer knowing the same to be false,
such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Annual reports.
21.—The Board shall make to the Minister as soon as may be after the expiration of each calender year a report of their proceedings under this Act, and the Minister shall lay a copy of every such report so made to him before Dáil Eireann.
Regulations.
22.—The Minister may by order make regulations in relation to any matter or thing which is expressed to be the subject of regulations under this Act.
Expenses.
23.—All expenses incurred in carrying this Act into execution 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 commencement.
24.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as may be fixed therefor by order of the Minister.