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Uimhir 6 de 1984
AN tACHT UM THOGHCHÁIN DO THIONÓL NA hEORPA, 1984
RIAR NA nALT
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5. | Liosta iarrthóirí ionaid a sheachadadh agus a tharraingt siar, etc. |
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Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Uimhir 6 de 1984
AN tACHT UM THOGHCHÁIN DO THIONÓL NA hEORPA, 1984
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí” iarrthóir nach iarrthóir do pháirtí polaitíochta cláraithe;
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977;
ciallaíonn “páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe” páirtí a bheidh, de bhun alt 8 den Phríomh-Acht, cláraithe de thuras na huaire i gClár na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta mar pháirtí atá eagraithe chun bheith san iomaidh i dtoghchán Tionóil;
ciallaíonn “iarrthóir ionaid” iarrthóir ionaid chun críocha an Achta seo;
tá le “liosta iarrthóirí ionaid” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 3 (3) (d).
Cáilíocht iarrthóirí, etc.
2.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 7:
“7.—(1) Duine nach bhfuil cáilithe le bheith ina chomhalta de Dháil Éireann nó duine ag a bhfuil oifig an Ard-Aighne, ní bheidh sé cáilithe lena thoghadh faoin Acht seo chun bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól.
(2) Duine a thoghfar faoin Acht seo chun bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól nó a mheasfar de bhun alt 6 den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, a bheith tofa amhlaidh agus ag a mbeidh, tráth a thofa nó an tráth a chéadmheasfar amhlaidh é, ceann de na hoifigí seo a leanas—
(a) oifig Chathaoirleach nó Leas-Chathaoirleach Dháil Éireann nó oifig Chathaoirleach nó Leas-Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann,
(b) oifig Aire Stáit,
scoirfidh sé den oifig sin a bheith aige ar a thoghadh amhlaidh, nó, i gcás go measfar amhlaidh é, ar an lá a chéadmheasfar amhlaidh é.
(3) Más rud é le linn duine a bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól—
(a) go dtiocfaidh sé faoi aon dícháilíochtaí dá bhfuil infheidhme maidir le comhaltas i nDáil Éireann, nó
(b) go dtiocfaidh sé chun oifig de na hoifigí a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) nó (2) den alt seo a bheith aige,
scoirfidh sé as a aithle sin de bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól.”.
Iarrthóirí ionaid.
3.—(1) I dtoghchán Tionóil, féadfaidh—
(a) páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe, agus
(b) duine is iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí i ndáil leis an toghchán,
faoi réir agus de réir na bhforálacha seo a leanas den alt seo, duine amháin nó níos mó ná duine amháin a ainmniú, le tóiliú uaidh nó uathu, le bheith ina n-iarrthóirí ionaid i ndáil leis an toghchán.
(2) Faoi réir mhír (b) d'fho-alt (3) den alt seo, beidh duine is iarrthóir i dtoghchán Tionóil inainmnithe mar iarrthóir ionaid.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas maidir le hiarrthóirí ionaid a ainmniú i dtoghchán Tionóil—
(a) is é an líon uasta iarrthóirí ionaid a ainmneofar amhlaidh—
(i) i gcás iarrthóirí ionaid a ainmneoidh páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe amhlaidh, ceathrar de bhreis ar an líon iarrthóirí don pháirtí sin a bheidh ainmnithe go bailí an tráth is déanaí chun iarrthóireacht a tharraingt siar faoi Riail 12 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht, agus
(ii) i gcás iarrthóirí ionaid a ainmneoidh iarrthóir neamhpháirtí amhlaidh, triúr,
(b) ní ainmneofar duine mar iarrthóir ionaid mura mbeidh sé cáilithe lena thoghadh faoin bPríomh-Acht don Tionól,
(c) ní fhéadfar duine a ainmniú amhlaidh maidir le níos mó ná toghlach amháin,
(d) déanfar na hiarrthóirí ionaid a ainmneofar amhlaidh maidir le toghlach faoi leith a ainmniú trí ainm gach duine díobh a thaifeadadh ar liosta (dá ngairtear an “liosta iarrthóirí ionaid” in áiteanna eile san Acht seo) agus le linn iarrthóirí ionaid a ainmniú maidir le toghlach faoi leith déanfaidh an páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, an t-iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí lena mbaineann, liosta amháin den sórt sin a úsáid, faoi réir alt 5 (4) (a) den Acht seo.
An liosta iarrthóirí ionaid.
4.—(1) Beidh liosta iarrthóirí ionaid san fhoirm fhorordaithe agus beidh sé sínithe—
(a) i gcás gur ainmneacha iarrthóra nó iarrthóirí ionaid, arna ainmniú nó arna n-ainmniú ag páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe faoi leith, a bheidh ar an liosta, ag an oifigeach nó más iomchuí, na hoifigigh don pháirtí sin a bhfuil a ainm nó a n-ainmneacha taifeadta i gClár na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta de bhun alt 13 (3) (c) den Acht Toghcháin, 1963, nó de bhun an ailt sin arna chur chun feidhme le halt 8 (4) den Phríomh-Acht,
(b) i gcás gur ainmneacha iarrthóra nó iarrthóirí ionaid, arna ainmniú nó arna n-ainmniú ag duine is iarrthóir neamhpháirtí sa toghchán, a bheidh ar an liosta, ag an duine sin.
(2) Maidir le liosta iarrthóirí ionaid cuirfear sloinne aon duine a bheidh ainmnithe trína thaifeadadh ann chun tosaigh ar a ainm nó ar a ainmneacha eile agus beidh a sheoladh ar an liosta freisin.
(3) I gcás go n-ainmneoidh páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe nó iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí i dtoghchán Tionóil níos mó ná iarrthóir ionaid amháin, is san ord a chinnfidh an páirtí sin nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, an t-iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí sin a bheidh ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí ionaid sin ar an liosta iarrthóirí ionaid iomchuí agus nuair a bheidh aon fhoráil de na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977 agus 1984 á gcur i bhfeidhm, maidir leis an liosta, déanfar na hainmneacha ar an liosta a liostú nó a thabhairt san ord ina mbeidh siad cinnte amhlaidh nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, tabharfar aird ar an ord sin.
(4) De réir mar is iomchuí, beidh ar bharr liosta iarrthóirí ionaid—
(a) i gcás gur oifigeach nó oifigigh dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) (a) den alt seo a shíneoidh an liosta, an t-ainm agus (más mian leis an oifigeach nó na hoifigigh ag a mbeidh an liosta sínithe amhlaidh) na túslitreacha nó an giorrúchán eile (más ann) lena n-aithnítear an páirtí i gceist, nó
(b) i gcás gur iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí sa toghchán a shíneoidh an liosta, ainm an iarrthóra sin (agus an sloinne i dtosach).
(5) Féadfaidh na nithe seo a leanas a bheith ar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid, más cuí leis an Aire é—
(a) nóta i dtaobh na gcáilíochtaí, na ndícháilíochtaí agus na n-éagumas maidir le duine a thoghadh don Tionól agus lena bheith ina chomhalta den Tionól,
(b) foirm dhearbhaithe, a bheidh le síniú—
(i) i gcás gur oifigeach dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) (a) den alt seo a shíneoidh an liosta, ag an oifigeach nó, más iomchuí, na hoifigigh a shíneoidh an liosta,
(ii) i gcás gur duine is iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí sa toghchán iomchuí a shíneoidh an liosta, ag an duine sin,
á rá gur léigh sé na nótaí agus, maidir leis na hiarrthóirí ionaid a bheidh ainmnithe trí thaifead ar an liosta sin, go gcreideann sé go bhfuil gach duine díobh inainmnithe faoin Acht seo mar iarrthóir ionaid agus nach bhfuil aon duine díobh ainmnithe go bailí mar iarrthóir ionaid maidir le haon toghlach eile.
(6) (a) Nuair a thíolacfar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid don cheann comhairimh, sannfaidh sé litir amháin nó níos mó don liosta d'fhonn é a aithint agus nuair a bheidh an litir nó na litreacha sin sannta amhlaidh, féadfar tagairt a dhéanamh ar aon pháipéar ballóide, fógra nó doiciméad eile don liosta iarrthóirí ionaid lena mbaineann sé nó siad (mura rud é go dtarraingeofar siar é, go measfar faoin Acht seo é a bheith tarraingthe siar nó go rialóidh an ceann comhairimh go bhfuil sé neamhbhailí) faoi threoir na litreach nó na litreacha sin.
(b) Ní foras ar a bhféadfar toghchán Tionóil a thabhairt faoi cheist sannadh ag an gceann comhairimh faoin bhfo-alt seo.
Liosta iarrthóirí ionaid a sheachadadh agus a tharraingt siar, etc.
5.—(1) I dtoghchán Tionóil déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh, le linn na ngnáth-uaireanta oifige agus ag cibé áit nó áiteanna a bheidh ainmnithe san Fhógra Toghcháin, ar gach dálach le linn na tréimhse a thosóidh le foilsiú an fhógra sin agus a chríochnóidh ar 12 a chlog meán lae ar an dáta is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh, foirmeacha a chur ar fáil lena n-úsáid mar liostaí iarrthóirí ionaid agus soláthróidh sé foirm nó foirmeacha den sórt sin in aisce d'aon duine a iarrfaidh sin ach ní bheidh sé d'oibleagáid i dtoghchán den sórt sin foirm arna soláthar ag an gceann comhairimh de bhun an ailt seo a úsáid: Ar choinníoll gur san fhoirm fhorordaithe faoi alt 4 den Acht seo nó i bhfoirm sa chéill chéanna a bheidh an doiciméad a úsáidfear amhlaidh mar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid.
(2) Seachadfar gach liosta iarrthóirí ionaid don cheann comhairimh laistigh de na huaireanta a shonraítear i Riail 7 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht agus is é an duine a dhéanfaidh an seachadadh—
(a) i gcás gur oifigeach dá dtagraítear in alt 4 (1) (a) den Acht seo a shíneoidh an liosta, an t-oifigeach nó, más iomchuí, aon duine de na hoifigigh a shínigh an liosta nó aon duine atá, maidir leis an toghchán Tionóil lena mbaineann, ina iarrthóir don pháirtí lena mbaineann an liosta,
(b) i gcás gur duine is iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí i dtoghchán den sórt sin a shíneoidh an liosta, an duine sin nó a mholtóir.
(3) (a) I gcás gurb é tuairim an chinn comhairimh nach bhfuil liosta iarrthóirí ionaid déanta amach nó sínithe i gceart, rialóidh sé go bhfuil sé neamhbhailí mura leasófar chun a shástachta é.
(b) Is cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(c) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dó liosta iarrthóirí ionaid a ghlacadh i dtoghchán Tionóil, is liosta nach rialóidh sé go bhfuil sé neamhbhailí, déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh na nithe seo a leanas—
(i) cuirfidh sé faoi deara go ndéanfar fógra ina dtagrófar don liosta, agus ina luafar ainmneacha agus seoltaí na n-iarrthóirí ionaid atá ainmnithe trí thaifead ar an liosta agus iad san ord ina bhfuil siad ar an liosta, a thaispeáint lasmuigh den áit ina mbeidh sé ag glacadh ainmniúchán,
(ii) tabharfaidh sé, leis an bpost nó ar shlí eile, fógra i scríbhinn i dtaobh glacadh den sórt sin don duine nó do na daoine a shínigh an liosta agus do gach iarrthóir ionaid atá ainmnithe trí thaifead ar an liosta agus déanfaidh fógra arna thabhairt de bhun na fomhíre seo d'iarrthóir ionaid tagairt don liosta iarrthóirí ionaid iomchuí agus beidh san fhógra sin ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí ionaid atá ainmnithe trí thaifead, agus iad san ord ina bhfuil siad, ar an liosta.
(d) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an trátha a shonraítear i Riail 12 (1) den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht mar an tráth is déanaí chun iarrthóireacht a tharraingt siar, scrúdóidh an ceann comhairimh na liostaí iarrthóirí ionaid (más ann), agus
(i) i gcás gur mó an líon iarrthóirí ionaid atá in aon liosta den sórt sin ná an líon uasta a cheadaítear le halt 3 (3) (a) den Acht seo, scriosfaidh an ceann comhairimh den liosta an líon ainmneacha is ionann agus an barrachas, ag tosú leis an ainm atá ag bun an liosta agus, más gá, uaidh sin aníos an liosta sin,
(ii) i gcás go scriosfaidh an ceann comhairimh ainm de liosta iarrthóirí ionaid déanfaidh sé, a luaithe is féidir, fógra i scríbhinn faoin scriosadh a thabhairt, leis an bpost nó ar shlí eile, don duine ar scriosadh a ainm agus don duine nó, más iomchuí, do gach duine de na daoine, a shínigh an liosta.
(4) (b) Féadfar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid a tharraingt siar trí fhógra i scríbhinn a bheidh sínithe—
(i) i gcás gur liosta iarrthóirí ionaid dá dtagraítear in alt 4 (1) (a) den Acht seo an liosta, ag an duine nó, más iomchuí, ag na daoine a bheidh, de thuras na huaire, ina oifigeach nó ina n-oifigigh dá dtagraítear san alt sin, nó
(ii) i gcás gur liosta iarrthóirí ionaid dá dtagraítear in alt 4(1) (b) den Acht seo an liosta, ag an iarrthóir neamhpháirtí a shínigh é,
agus a sheachadfar ar an gceann comhairimh tráth nach déanaí ná 12 a chlog meán lae ar an dáta is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh.
(b) Féadfar fógra dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo a sheachadadh ar an gceann comhairimh trína thabhairt dó—
(i) i gcás go mbaineann an fógra le liosta iarrthóirí ionaid dá dtagraítear in alt 4 (1) (a) den Acht seo,
(I) ag an oifigeach nó, más iomchuí, ag aon oifigeach de na hoifigigh a shínigh é, nó
(II) ag aon duine is iarrthóir, maidir leis an toghchán Tionóil lena mbaineann, don pháirtí lena mbaineann an liosta,
(ii) i gcás go mbaineann an fógra le liosta iarrthóirí ionaid dá dtagraítear in alt 4 (1) (b) den Acht seo, ag an iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí a shínigh an liosta nó ag a mholtóir.
(c) Déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh, a luaithe a sheachadfar fógra dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo air, fógra poiblí a thabhairt faoin tarraingt siar lena mbaineann.
(5) Más rud é go dtíolacfar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid i dtogchán Tionóil agus,
(a) i gcás an liosta sin a thíolacadh ag páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe, nach mbeidh iarrthóir ar bith de chuid an pháirtí sin ainmnithe an tráth is déanaí chun iarrthóireacht a tharraingt siar faoi Riail 12 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht, nó
(b) i gcás an liosta sin a thíolacadh ag iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí agus go mbeidh iarrthóireacht an iarrthóra sin tarraingthe siar nó go measfar de bhun alt 10 den Phríomh-Acht nó riail 20 den Chéad Sceideal sin a dúradh, í a bheith tarraingthe siar,
measfar an liosta iarrthóirí ionaid a bheith tarraingthe siar.
(6) Ní foras ar a bhféadfar toghchán Tionóil a thabhairt faoi cheist aon ní a dhéanfaidh ceann comhairimh le linn dó an chumhacht a thugtar dó le fo-alt (3) (d) (i) den alt seo a fheidhmiú.
Corrfholúntais.
6.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 15:
“15.—(1) Nuair a tharlóidh corrfholúntas i measc na ndaoine a bheidh ina n-ionadaithe sa Tionól de bhua na nAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977 agus 1984, líonfar an folúntas de réir na bhfo-alt seo a leanas den alt seo.
(2) (a) I gcás an t-ionadaí iomchuí a toghadh faoin Acht seo sa toghchán Tionóil deiridh roimhe sin a bheith ina iarrthóir sa toghchán sin do pháirtí polaitíochta cláraithe a thíolaic, maidir leis an toghchán sin, liosta iarrthóirí ionaid (nach liosta a tarraingíodh siar nó ar rialaigh an ceann comhairimh go raibh sé neamhbhailí)—
(i) measfar, de bhua an ailt seo (de réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo), an duine (más ann) a bhfuil a ainm, ag féachaint d'fho-alt (3) den alt seo, sa chéad áit nó, más iomchuí, ina aonar, ar an liosta sin a bheith tofa faoin Acht seo don Tionól chun an folúntas a líonadh,
(ii) a luaithe is féidir tar éis don chorrfholúntas tarlú iarrfaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann i litir ar an oifigeach nó ar na hoifigigh don pháirtí polaitíochta cláraithe a bhfuil a ainm nó a n-ainmneacha taifeadta i gClár na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta de bhun alt 13 (3) (c) den Acht Toghcháin, 1963, nó de bhun an ailt sin arna chur chun feidhme le halt 8 (4) den Acht seo, a fháil amach cé hé an duine (más ann) a bhfuil a ainm, ag féachaint don fho-alt sin (3), sa chéad áit nó, más iomchuí, ina aonar ar an liosta sin agus scéala a thabhairt dó i scríbhinn i dtaobh cé hé an duine sin.
(b) I gcás an t-ionadaí iomchuí a toghadh faoin Acht seo sa toghchán sin a bheith, sa toghchán sin, ina iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí a thíolaic liosta iarrthóirí ionaid (nach liosta a tarraingíodh siar nó ar rialaigh an ceann comhairimh go raibh sé neamhbhailí),
(i) measfar, de bhua an ailt seo (de réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo), an duine (más ann) a bhfuil a ainm, ag féachaint d'fho-alt (3) den alt seo, sa chéad áit, nó, más iomchuí, ina aonar, ar an liosta sin a bheith tofa faoin Acht seo chun an folúntas a líonadh,
(ii) a luaithe is féidir tar éis don chorrfholúntas tarlú iarrfaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann i litir ar an gceann comhairimh don toghlach lena mbaineann a fháil amach, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle le cibé duine a bhfuil a ainm ar an liosta iarrthóirí ionaid iomchuí nó, más iomchuí, le cibé líon is gá, i dtuairim an chinn comhairimh, de na daoine a bhfuil a n-ainmneacha ar an liosta sin, cé hé an duine (más ann) a bhfuil a ainm, ag féachaint don fho-alt sin (3), sa chéad áit nó, más iomchuí, ina aonar ar an liosta sin agus scéala a thabhairt dó i scríbhinn i dtaobh cé hé an duine sin.
(c) Más rud é—
(i) nárbh iarrthóir a thuairiscítear i mír (a) nó (b) den fho-alt seo an t-ionadaí iomchuí a toghadh amhlaidh don Tionól sa toghchán sin, nó
(ii) ag féachaint d'fhorálacha an ailt seo, maidir leis an bhfolúntas, nach mbeidh aon ainm sa chéad áit nó ina aonar ar an liosta iarrthóirí ionaid iomchuí, nó
(iii) nach mbeidh ceanglas a rinne Cléireach Dháil Éireann comhlíonta ar an tréimhse tríocha lá, dar tosach dáta an cheanglais, a bheith caite,
féadfaidh Dáil Éireann duine a roghnú a bhfuil a ainm ar aon liosta iarrthóirí ionaid (is liosta ar tugadh fógra poiblí ina thaobh de bhun Riail 21 (arna leasú le halt 7 den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984) den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo), nó, más iomchuí, ar an aon liosta amháin den sórt sin, a tíolacadh ag an toghchán Tionóil deiridh roimhe sin, agus i gcás go ndéanfaidh Dáil Éireann roghnú faoin mír seo déanfaidh sí an duine arna roghnú amhlaidh a shonrú le rún.
(3) Nuair a bheifear ag fáil amach chun críocha an ailt seo an bhfuil ainm sa chéad áit nó ina aonar ar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid nó nuair a bheidh roghnú á dhéanamh faoin alt seo, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas—
(a) tabharfar neamhaird ar ainm aon duine—
(i) arb amhlaidh de thuras na huaire maidir leis—
(I) gur ionadaí sa Tionól é, nó
(II) nach bhfuil sé cáilithe lena thoghadh faoin Acht seo don Tionól, nó
(III) gur duine é nach bhfuil i dteideal gabháil le hoifig mar ionadaí sa Tionól de bhua aon fhorála a leagadh síos faoi aon cheann nó gach ceann de na conarthaí, nó
(ii) nach bhfuil sásta glacadh le hoifig mar ionadaí den sórt sin;
(b) nuair a bheidh an méid sin á fháil amach, i gcás an t-ionadaí iomchuí a toghadh faoin Acht seo don Tionól sa toghchán Tionóil deiridh roimhe sin a bheith ina iarrthóir sa toghchán sin do pháirtí polaitíochta cláraithe, tabharfar neamhaird ar ainm aon duine nach comhalta de thuras na huaire den pháirtí sin.
(4) Más rud é, de bhun ceanglais a rinneadh faoin Acht seo, go bhfaighidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann scéala, cuirfidh sé faoi deara, a luaithe is féidir—
(a) cóip den scéala a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas, agus
(b) fógra i dtaobh an scéala a fhoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil.
(5) (a) I gcás go leagfar cóip de scéala de bhun an ailt seo, measfar, ar an tréimhse seacht lá dar tosach an lá a dhéantar an fógra i dtaobh an scéala a fhoilsiú de bhun fho-alt (4) den alt seo a bheith caite, an duine atá ainmnithe sa scéala lena mbaineann a bheith tofa air sin faoin Acht seo don Tionól.
(b) I gcás go rithfidh Dáil Éireann rún de bhun fho-alt (2) (c) den alt seo, measfar air sin an duine a bheidh sonraithe sa rún a bheith tofa faoin Acht seo.
(6) A luaithe is féidir tar éis go measfar duine, de bhua an ailt seo, a bheith tofa faoin Acht seo don Tionól, tabharfaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann scéala don Tionól i dtaobh ainm agus seoladh an duine mar aon leis an dáta a ghlac a thoghadh éifeacht.
(7) Duine lena mbaineann mír (a) nó (b) d'fho-alt (5) den alt seo, mura dtarlóidh roimhe sin é a éag, nó a éirí as oifig nó a theacht faoi dhícháilíocht lena thoghadh faoin Acht seo don Tionól nó é a chur as oifig nó é a scor ar dhóigh eile de bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól, sealbhóidh sé oifig mar ionadaí den sórt sin ar feadh a mbeidh gan chaitheamh den téarma a bheadh an t-ionadaí a bhfuil sé ag gabháil a ionaid i seilbh oifige dá mba nár scoir sé de bheith i seilbh oifige.
(8) Má bhíonn agus fad a bheidh oifig Chléireach Dháil Éireann folamh nó sealbhóir na hoifige sin gan bheith i gcumas a dhualgais a chomhlíonadh, toisc é a bheith breoite nó as láthair nó ar chúis eile, is é a fheidhmeoidh na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an alt seo Leas-Chléireach Dháil Éireann.
(9) San alt seo ciallaíonn “corrfholúntas”,
(a) folúntas a tharlóidh toisc nach bhfuil duine, cé gur toghadh é nó gur measadh é a bheith tofa don Tionól faoi na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977 agus 1984, i dteideal gabháil le hoifig mar ionadaí sa Tionól de bhua aon fhorála a leagadh síos faoi aon cheann nó gach ceann de na conarthaí, nó
(b) folúntas a tharlóidh toisc duine a scor de bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól ar dhóigh seachas trí imeacht aimsire nó de dhroim ordú a dhéanamh ag an Ard-Chúirt faoi alt 17 den Acht seo.”.
Leasú ar an gCéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht.
7.—Leasaítear leis seo an Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht—
(a) trí na focail “ocht n-uaire an chloig is daichead roimh an am is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh faoi Riail 7” a chur in ionad na bhfocal “dhá uair a chloig is seachtó roimh an am is déanaí chun iarrthóireacht a tharraingt siar faoi Riail 12” i mír (1) agus mír (2) de Riail 20;
(b) trí na fomhíreanna seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhíreanna (a), (b) agus (c) de Riail 20 (4):
“(a) ní chuirfidh a bhás ó bhail a ainmniú ná aon rogha a taifeadadh dó, agus
(b) má thoghtar é—
(i) ní bheidh a thoghadh ó bhail mar gheall ar a bhás agus measfar gur toghadh é ina chomhalta den Tionól de bhua an Achta seo agus gur éirigh sé as a oifig díreach tar éis dó teacht chun bheith ina ionadaí den sórt sin, agus
(ii) beidh feidhm ag alt 15 den Acht seo maidir leis an bhfolúntas dá dhroim sin sa Tionól.”;
(c) trí na míreanna seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhíreanna (b) agus (c) de Riail 21:
“(b) i dtaobh ainmneacha agus tuairiscí na n-iarrthóirí atá arna n-ainmniú amhail mar atá taifeadta ina bpáipéir ainmniúcháin agus na moltóirí, más ann dóibh,
(c) i dtaobh aon liosta iarrthóirí ionaid a tíolacadh go cuí sa toghchán (is liosta den sórt sin nár tarraingíodh siar, nár measadh faoin Acht seo a bheith tarraingthe siar ná nár rialaigh an ceann comhairimh go raibh sé neamhbhailí) agus i dtaobh ainm an pháirtí polaitíochta chláraithe nó an iarrthóra neamh-pháirtí a thíolaic an liosta sin mar aon le hainm agus seoladh, nó ainmneacha agus seoltaí, aon duine nó daoine a bheidh ainmnithe trí thaifead ann chun bheith mar iarrthóirí amhail mar atá taifeadta ar an liosta sin agus, i gcás níos mó ná duine amháin a bheith ann, san ord céanna ina bhfuil siad ar an liosta sin, agus
(d) i dtaobh an oird ina gcuirfear ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí sin ar na páipéir bhallóide.”;
(d) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fhomhír (b) de Riail 22 (2):
“(bb) i gcás go mbeidh liosta iarrthóirí ionaid sínithe ag iarrthóir neamh-pháirtí de bhun alt 4 (1) (b) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, agus nach dtarraingeofar siar é ná nach rialóidh an ceann comhairimh go bhfuil sé neamhbhailí, folóidh an taifead i ndáil leis an iarrthóir sin tagairt (is tagairt dá dtagraítear in alt 4 (6) (a) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984) don liosta sin,”;
(e) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fhomhír (c) de Riail 22 (2):
“(cc) i gcás go mbeidh liosta iarrthóirí ionaid sínithe ag oifigeach do pháirtí polaitíochta den sórt sin de bhun alt 4 (1) (a) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, agus nach dtarraingeofar siar é ná nach rialóidh an ceann comhairimh go bhfuil sé neamhbhailí, folóidh an taifead i ndáil le haon iarrthóir don pháirtí sin tagairt (is tagairt dá dtagraítear in alt 4 (6) (a) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984) don liosta sin,”;
(f) tríd an Riail seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh Riail 51:
“Na cuntais pháipéar ballóide a fhíorú | 51A. (1) Ceithre lá ar a laghad roimh an lá vótaíochta, tabharfaidh an ceann comhairimh áitiúil fógra i scríbhinn do gach iarrthóir i dtaobh an lae, an ama agus na háite a n-osclóidh sé na boscaí ballóide de bhun na Rialach seo agus i dtaobh an líon gníomhairí a fhéadfaidh gach iarrthóir a cheapadh le bheith i láthair le linn oscailt na mboscaí. Tabharfaidh sé do na gníomhairí sin saoráidí réasúnacha chun bheith ag faire ar na himeachtaí agus gach faisnéis ina dtaobh sin is féidir leis a thabhairt dóibh i gcomhréir le stiúradh ordúil na n-imeachtaí agus le comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna. (2) Is é an lá a bheidh sonraithe i bhfógra faoin Riail seo lá nach déanaí ná an lá a bheidh sonraithe san ordú iomchuí faoi alt 6 (2) den Acht seo. (3) Déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh áitiúil, ar an lá a bheidh sonraithe san fhógra faoi mhír (1) den Riail seo agus ag an am a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh, na nithe seo a leanas— (a) osclóidh sé gach bosca ballóide agus comhairfidh sé an líon páipéar ballóide a bheidh ann agus cuirfidh sé an líon iomlán páipéar a fhionnfar i gcomórtas leis an líon a thaispeántar sa chuntas páipéar ballóide iomchuí, (b) ullmhóidh sé ráiteas a léireoidh toradh an chomórtais faoi fhomhír (a) den mhír seo i gcás na mboscaí ballóide go léir don chontae nó don chontaebhuirg arb é is ceann comhairimh áitiúil dó, (c) osclóidh sé an bosca ballóide inar cuireadh na páipéir phostbhallóide de bhun cheanglais Riail 50 den Sceideal seo agus comhairfidh sé agus taifeadfaidh sé líon na bpáipéar ballóide sin, (d) déanfaidh sé suas i bpaicéid ar leith na páipéir bhallóide a fuarthas i ngach bosca ballóide (lena n-áirítear páipéir phostbhallóide), formhuineoidh sé ar chúl gach paicéid den sórt sin an líon páipéar ballóide atá ann agus sonraí i dtaobh an stáisiúin vótaíochta lena mbaineann siad (nó, más iomchuí, gur páipéir phostbhallóide iad) agus cuirfidh sé na paicéid i mboscaí agus séalóidh sé na boscaí agus formhuineoidh sé ar gach bosca díobh líon na bpaicéad atá ann agus ainm an chontae nó na contaebhuirge arb é is ceann comhairimh áitiúil dó, agus (e) déanfaidh sé gach bosca den sórt sin a sheachadadh láithreach ar an gceann comhairimh don toghlach mar aon— (i) leis an ráiteas dá dtagraitear i bhfomhír (b) den mhír seo, agus (ii) le ráiteas i dtaobh an líon páipéar postbhallóide a taifeadadh faoi fhomhír (c) den mhír seo. (4) Le linn líon na bpáipéar ballóide a chomhaireamh agus a thaifeadadh de bhun na Rialach seo, cuirfidh an ceann comhairimh áitiúil faoi deara na páipéir sin a choimeád aghaidh in airde agus cibé réamhchúraimí is cuí a ghlacadh chun nach bhféadfaidh aon duine na huimhreacha a bheidh clóite ar chúl na bpáipéar sin a fheiceáil. (5) Féadfaidh an ceann comhairimh áitiúil, a chúntóirí agus a chléirigh, comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána ar dualgas agus gníomhairí na n-iarrthóirí a bheidh ceaptha go cuí chuige seo, agus ní fhéadfaidh aon duine eile ach amháin le cead ón gceann comhairimh sin, bheith i láthair ag imeachtaí a bheidh sé ag stiúradh de bhun na Rialach seo.”; |
(g) trí na focail “a ndéileálfar leis ina dhiaidh sin de réir Riail 51A den Sceideal seo” a chur in ionad na bhfocal “a bheidh le seachadadh ina dhiaidh sin ag an gceann comhairimh áitiúil agus déileálfaidh seisean leis mar bhosca ballóide le haghaidh comhaireamh na vótaí sa toghchán” i mír (4) de Riail 49;
(h) trí na focail “d'aon liosta iarrthóirí ionaid ar tugadh fógra poiblí ina thaobh de bhun Riail 21, arna leasú le halt 7 den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984,” a chur in ionad na bhfocal “den ráiteas dá dtagraítear i Riail 54 (2)” i mír (3) de Riail 68;
(i) trí na fomhíreanna seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhíreanna (c) agus (d) de Riail 69 (1):
“(c) na ráitis a ullmhaíodh de réir Riail 51A (3) den Sceideal seo, agus
(d) páipéir ainmniúcháin na n-iarrthóirí, idir bhailí agus neamhbhailí, aon deimhnithe cleamhnachta polaitíochta agus aon liostaí iarrthóirí ionaid, idir bhailí agus neamhbhailí,”;
(j) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur isteach i Riail 69 (2) i ndiaidh fhomhír (a):
“(aa) na cuntais pháipéar ballóide,”;
(k) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (1) de Riail 79:
“(1) Ní dhéanfaidh duine—
(a) duine eile a ainmniú lena thoghadh faoin Acht seo chun bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól, ná
(b) iarrthóireacht duine eile sa toghchán sin a tharraingt siar, ná
(c) duine a ainmniú mar iarrthóir ionaid faoin Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984;
gan toiliú ón duine sin.”; agus
(l) tríd an Riail seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh Riail 81:
“Dearbhú bréagach ar liosta iarrthóirí ionaid. | 81A. (1) Má dhéanann duine a shíníonn liosta iarrthóirí ionaid dearbhú ar an liosta sin gur léigh sé na nótaí ar chúl an liosta agus go gcreideann sé go bhfuil gach duine a bhfuil a ainm ar an liosta mar iarrthóir ionaid, |
(a) inainmnithe faoin Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, mar iarrthóir ionaid, agus (b) nach bhfuil aon duine de na daoine sin ainmnithe go bailí mar iarrthóir ionaid maidir le haon toghlach eile, ansin más rud é, maidir le haon duine a bhfuil a ainm ar an liosta amhlaidh, (c) nach bhfuil sé inainmnithe amhlaidh, nó (d) go bhfuil sé ainmnithe go bailí maidir le toghlach ar bith eile, beidh an duine a rinne an dearbhú ciontach i gcion. (2) In ionchúiseamh mar gheall ar chion faoi mhír (1) den Riail seo, is cosaint mhaith don chosantóir a shuíomh go raibh cúis réasúnach aige chun a chreidiúint go raibh an duine iomchuí nó, más iomchuí, duine iomchuí inainmnithe faoin Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, mar iarrthóir ionaid nó nach raibh sé ainmnithe go bailí mar iarrthóir ionaid maidir le haon toghlach eile.”, |
agus tá míreanna (1) agus (2) den Riail sin 20, mír (4) den Riail sin 49, agus mír (3) den Riail sin 68, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach i míreanna 1, 2 agus 3, faoi seach, den Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA
1. | (1) Más rud é, tráth nach déanaí ná ocht n-uaire an chloig is daichead roimh an am is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh faoi Riail 7 den Sceideal seo, gur deimhin leis an gceann comhairimh go bhfuil iarrthóir atá arna ainmniú tar éis bás a fháil, tabharfaidh an ceann comhairimh fógra poiblí láithreach dá réir sin agus measfar iarrthóireacht an iarrthóra a bheith tarraingthe siar. (2) Más rud é, tráth ar bith sa tréimhse a thosóidh ocht n-uaire an chloig is daichead roimh an am is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh faoi Riail 7 den Sceideal seo agus a chríochnóidh ar thosach na vótaíochta gur deimhin leis an gceann comhairimh go bhfuil iarrthóir atá arna ainmniú don toghchán tar éis bás a fháil, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas i ndáil leis an toghchán Tionóil— (a) cuirfidh an ceann comhairimh scéala faoi bhás an iarrthóra chuig an Aire agus chuig an bpríomh-cheann comhairimh agus san am céanna, má bhíonn fógra tugtha faoin vótaíocht, cuirfidh sé an vótaíocht ar ceal, (b) tabharfaidh an ceann comhairimh fógra poiblí go bhfuil gach gníomh a rinneadh i ndáil leis an toghchán (ach amháin ainmniú na n-iarrthóirí atá fágtha) ar neamhní agus go ndéanfar toghchán úr, (c) tosófar athuair ar na himeachtaí uile don togh chán, ach ní gá ainmniú úr i leith aon iarrthóra a bhí arna ainmniú an tráth a cuireadh an scéala faoi bhás an iarrthóra chuig an Aire, (d) sa toghchán úr, is é an t-am is luaithe chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh 10 a.m. an lá (gan aon lá eisiata a áireamh) díreach tar éis dáta an fhógra phoiblí dá dtagraítear i bhfomhír (b) den mhír seo agus is é an t-am is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh 12 a chlog, meán lae, an tríú lá (gan aon lá eisiata a áireamh) díreach tar éis an dáta sin, (e) socróidh an tAire an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán úr, (f) ní bheidh feidhm ag Riail 3 den Sceideal seo i ndáil leis an toghchán úr agus déanfar tagairtí do Chlár na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta i Riail 4 den Sceideal seo a fhorléiriú, i ndáil leis an toghchán úr, mar thagairtí don chóip den Chlár a cuireadh chuig an gceann comhairimh i ndáil leis an toghchán a cuireadh ar ceal. |
2. | (4) Déanfar bosca ballóide ar leith (a ndéileálfar leis ina dhiaidh sin de réir Riail 51A den Sceideal seo) a chur ar fáil agus taispeánfar é agus é oscailte agus folamh do ghníomhairí na n-iarrthóirí a bheidh i láthair agus glasálfaidh agus séalóidh an ceann comhairimh áitiúil é. |
3. | (3) Tabharfaidh an ceann comhairimh fógra poiblí faoi ainmneacha agus tuairiscí na n-iarrthóirí a toghadh agus freisin, i gcás toghcháin iomaidh, faoi líon iomlán na vótaí a tugadh do gach iarrthóir, cibé acu a toghadh é nó nár toghadh, faoi aon aistriú vótaí agus faoi líon iomlán na vótaí a bhí creidiúnaithe do gach iarrthóir ag deireadh an chomhairimh ina ndearnadh an t-aistriú. Cuirfidh sé cóip den fhógra sin chuig an Aire, chuig an bpríomhcheann comhairimh agus chuig gach duine a toghadh. Cuirfidh sé cóip d'aon liosta iarrthóirí ionaid ar tugadh fógra poiblí ina thaobh de bhun Riail 21, arna leasú le halt 7 den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, den Sceideal seo chuig an Aire freisin. |
Aisghairm.
8.—Aisghairtear leis seo Rialacha 46 (4) agus 54 (2) den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht.
Gearrtheideal, comhlua agus forléiriú.
9.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977 agus 1984, a ghairm den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977, agus den Acht seo le chéile agus forléireofar le chéile iad mar aon Acht amháin.
Number 6 of 1984
EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS ACT, 1984
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Delivery and withdrawal of replacement candidates' list, etc. | |
Acts Referred to | |
1963, No. 19 | |
1977, No. 30 | |
Number 6 of 1984
EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS ACT, 1984
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“non-party candidate” means a candidate who is not a candidate of a registered political party;
“the Principal Act” means the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977;
“registered political party” means a party which pursuant to section 8 of the Principal Act is for the time being registered in the Register of Political Parties as a party organised to contest an Assembly election;
“replacement candidate” means a replacement candidate for the purposes of this Act;
“replacement candidates' list” has the meaning assigned to it by section 3 (3) (d).
Qualification of candidates, etc.
2.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 7:
“7.—(1) A person who is not eligible to become a member of Dáil Éireann or who holds the office of Attorney General shall not be eligible for election under this Act to be a representative in the Assembly.
(2) A person who is elected under this Act to be a representative in the Assembly or who pursuant to section 6 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, is to be regarded as having been so elected, and who when so elected, or when he commences to be so regarded, holds the office of—
(a) Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Dáil Éireann or Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Seanad Éireann,
(b) Minister of State,
shall on such election, or, in case he is to be so regarded, on the day on which he commences to be so regarded, cease to hold that office.
(3) If while he is a representative in the Assembly a person—
(a) becomes subject to any of the disqualifications applicable to membership of Dáil Éireann, or
(b) becomes the holder of an office mentioned in subsections (1) or (2) of this section,
he shall thereupon cease to be a representative in the Assembly.”.
Replacement candidates.
3.—(1) At an Assembly election—
(a) a registered political party, and
(b) a person who in relation to the election is a non-party candidate,
may, subject to and in accordance with the following provisions of this section, nominate with his or their consent one or more persons to be as regards the election replacement candidates.
(2) Subject to paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section, a person who is a candidate at an Assembly election shall be eligible for nomination as a replacement candidate.
(3) The following provisions shall apply in relation to the nomination of replacement candidates at an Assembly election—
(a) the number of replacement candidates to be so nominated shall not—
(i) in the case of replacement candidates so nominated by a registered political party, exceed by more than four the number of candidates of that party standing validly nominated at the latest time for withdrawal of candidature under Rule 12 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act, and
(ii) in the case of replacement candidates so nominated by a non-party candidate, exceed three,
(b) a person shall not be nominated as a replacement candidate unless he is eligible for election under the Principal Act to the Assembly,
(c) a person may not be so nominated in respect of more than one constituency,
(d) the replacement candidates so nominated as regards a particular constituency shall be nominated by each of their name's being entered on a list (elsewhere in this Act referred to as the “replacement candidates' list”) and in nominating replacement candidates as regards a particular constituency, the registered political party or, as may be appropriate, the non-party candidate concerned, shall, subject to section 5 (4) (a) of this Act, use a single such list.
Replacement candidates' list.
4.—(1) A replacement candidates' list shall be in the prescribed form and shall be signed by—
(a) in case the list contains the names of one or more replacement candidates nominated by a particular registered political party, the officer or, as may be appropriate, the officers of such party whose name or names are entered in the Register of Political Parties either pursuant to section 13 (3) (c) of the Electoral Act, 1963, or pursuant to that section as applied by section 8 (4) of the Principal Act,
(b) in case the list contains the names of one or more replacement candidates nominated by a person who is a non-party candidate at the election, that person.
(2) As regards a replacement candidates' list the surname of any person nominated by entry thereon as a replacement candidate shall be placed before his other name or names and the list shall also contain his address.
(3) Where a registered political party or a non-party candidate at an Assembly election nominates more than one replacement candidate, the order in which the names of such replacement candidates appear on the relevant replacement candidates' list shall be determined by that party, or, as may be appropriate, that non-party candidate, and in applying any provision of the European Assembly Elections Acts, 1977 and 1984, in relation to the list, the names on the list shall be listed or given in the order in which they have been so determined or, as may be appropriate, regard shall be had to that order.
(4) As may be appropriate, a replacement candidates' list shall be headed by—
(a) where the list is signed by an officer or officers referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section, the name together with (if the officer or officers by whom the list is signed so wish) the initials or other abbreviation (if any) by which the party concerned is known, or
(b) in case the list is signed by a non-party candidate at the election, the name of that candidate (the surname being stated first).
(5) A replacement candidates' list may, if the Minister so thinks proper, include—
(a) a note of the qualifications, disqualifications and incapacities as regards election to and membership of the Assembly,
(b) a form of declaration, to be signed by—
(i) in case the list is signed by an officer referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section, the officer or, as may be appropriate, the officers signing the list,
(ii) in case the list is signed by a person who is a non-party candidate at the relevant election, that person,
that he has read the notes and, as regards the replacement candidates nominated by entry on such list, he believes each of them to be eligible for nomination under this Act as a replacement candidate and none of them to stand validly nominated as a replacement candidate as regards any other constituency.
(6) (a) Where a replacement candidates' list is presented to the returning officer, he shall assign to the list one or more letters for the purpose of identifying it and, when such letter or letters is or are so assigned, the replacement candidates' list to which it or they relate may (unless it is withdrawn, deemed under this Act to have been withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid) be referred to on any ballot paper, notice or other document by reference to such letter or letters.
(b) An assignment by the returning officer under this subsection shall not form a ground on which an Assembly election may be questioned.
Delivery and withdrawal of replacement candidates' list, etc.
5.—(1) At an Assembly election the returning officer shall, during the usual office hours and at such place or places as are named in the Notice of Election, on each week-day during the period beginning on the publication of that notice and ending at 12 noon on the latest date for receiving nominations, provide forms for use as replacement candidates' lists, and he shall supply such a form or forms free of charge to any person applying therefore, but the use at such an election of a form supplied by the returning officer pursuant to this section shall not be obligatory: Provided that the document so used as a replacement candidates' list is in the form prescribed under section 4 of this Act or in a form to the like effect.
(2) Each replacement candidates' list shall be delivered to the returning officer within the times specified for receiving nominations by Rule 7 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act and such delivery shall be made by—
(a) in case the list is signed by an officer referred to in section 4 (1) (a) of this Act, the officer or, as may be appropriate, any of the officers, by whom the list was signed or any person who is as regards the Assembly election concerned a candidate of the party to which the list relates,
(b) in case the list is signed by a person who is a non-party candidate at such election, that person or his proposer.
(3) (a) Where the returning officer is of the opinion that a replacement candidates' list is not properly made out or signed, if the list is not amended to his satisfaction, he shall rule it as being invalid.
(b) A decision under this subsection shall be final.
(c) As soon as may be after the receipt by him at an Assembly election of a replacement candidates' list which he does not rule as being invalid the returning officer shall—
(i) cause to be displayed outside the place at which he is receiving nominations a notice referring to the list and stating the names and addresses of the replacement candidates nominated by entry thereon and in the order in which they appear on the list,
(ii) give, by post or otherwise, notice in writing of such receipt to the person or persons by whom the list was signed, and to each replacement candidate nominated by entry thereon and a notice given pursuant to this subparagraph to a replacement candidate shall refer to the relevant replacement candidates' list and contain the names of the replacement candidates nominated by entry, and in the order in which they appear, thereon.
(d) As soon as may be after the time specified in Rule 12 (1) of the First Schedule to the Principal Act as the latest time for the withdrawal of candidature, the returning officer shall examine the replacement candidates' lists (if any), and
(i) where the number of replacement candidates included in any such list exceeds the maximum number permitted by section 3 (3) (a) of this Act, the returning officer shall delete from the list the number of names equal to the excess commencing with the name which stands at the bottom of the list and if need be there- after working up that list,
(ii) in case the returning officer deletes a name from a replacement candidates' list he shall, as soon as may be, give, by post or otherwise, to the person whose name has been deleted and to the person or, as may be appropriate, each of the persons, by whom the list was signed, notice in writing of the deletion.
(4) (a) A replacement candidates' list may be withdrawn by notice in writing signed by—
(i) in case the list is a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (a) of this Act, the person who is or, as may be appropriate, the persons who are for the time being the officer or officers referred to in that section, or
(ii) in case the list is a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (b) of this Act, the non-party candidate by whom it was signed,
and delivered to the returning officer not later than 12 noon on the latest date for receiving nominations.
(b) A notice referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be delivered to the returning officer by being given to him by—
(i) in case the notice relates to a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (a) of this Act,
(I) the officer or, as may be appropriate, any of the officers, by whom it was signed, or
(II) any person who is as regards the Assembly election concerned a candidate of the party to which the list relates,
(ii) in case the notice relates to a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (b) of this Act, the non-party candidate by whom the list was signed or his proposer.
(c) The returning officer shall, immediately on the delivery to him of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection, give public notice of the withdrawal concerned.
(5) Where a replacement candidates' list is presented at an Assembly election and,
(a) in case such list was presented by a registered political party, at the latest time for withdrawal of candidature under Rule 12 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act no candidate of that party stands nominated, or
(b) in case such list was presented by a non-party candidate and the candidature of that candidate is, or pursuant to either section 10 of the Principal Act or Rule 20 of the said First Schedule is deemed to have been, withdrawn.
the replacement candidates' list shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
(6) Nothing done by a returning officer in exercising the power conferred on him by subsection (3) (d) (i) of this section shall form a ground on which an Assembly election may be questioned.
Casual vacancies.
6.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 15:
“15.—(1) Where a casual vacancy occurs amongst the persons who by virtue of the European Assembly Elections Acts, 1977 and 1984, are representatives in the Assembly, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the following subsections of this section.
(2) (a) In case the relevant representative elected under this Act at the last preceding Assembly election was at that election a candidate of a registered political party which as regards that election presented a replacement candidates' list (not being a list which is withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid)—
(i) the person (if any) whose name, having regard to subsection (3) of this section, stands first or, as may be appropriate, alone on that list shall by virtue of this section (in accordance with subsection (5) hereof) be regarded as having been elected under this Act to the Assembly to fill the vacancy,
(ii) as soon as may be after the casual vacancy occurs, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann shall by letter request the officer or officers of the registered political party whose name or names is or are entered in the Register of Political Parties either pursuant to section 13 (3) (c) of the Electoral Act, 1963, or pursuant to that section as applied by section 8 (4) of this Act to ascertain the person (if any) whose name, having regard to the said subsection (3), stands first, or, as may be appropriate, alone on the said list and to notify him in writing of that person.
(b) In case the relevant representative elected under this Act at such election was at such election a non-party candidate who presented a replacement candidates' list (not being a list which is withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid),
(i) the person (if any) whose name, having regard to subsection (3) of this section, stands first, or, as may be appropriate, alone on that list shall by virtue of this section (in accordance with subsection (5) hereof) be regarded as having been elected under this Act to fill the vacancy,
(ii) as soon as may be after the casual vacancy occurs, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann shall by letter request the returning officer for the constituency concerned to ascertain, after consulting such person whose name is or, as may be appropriate, so many as such returning officer considers necessary of the persons whose names are, on the relevant replacement candidates' list, the person (if any) whose name having regard to the said subsection (3), stands first or, as may be appropriate, alone on the said list and to notify him in writing of that person.
(c) In case—
(i) the relevant representative so elected to the Assembly at such election was not a candidate described in either paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, or
(ii) having regard to the provisions of this section, in relation to the vacancy no name stands first or alone on the relevant replacement candidates' list, or
(iii) a requirement made by the Clerk of Dáil Éireann stands not complied with on the expiration of the period of thirty days beginning on the date of the requirement,
Dáil Éireann may select a person whose name is on any replacement candidates' list (being a list of which public notice was given pursuant to Rule 21 (as 45 amended by section 7 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984) of the First Schedule to this Act), or, as may be appropriate, the sole such list, presented at the last-preceding Assembly election, and in case Dáil Éireann makes a selection under this paragraph it shall by resolution specify the person so selected.
(3) In ascertaining for the purposes of this section if there is a name first or alone on a replacement candidates' list, or making a selection under this section, the following provisions shall apply—
(a) the name of any person who—
(i) is for the time being—
(I) a representative in the Assembly, or
(II) not eligible for election under this Act to the Assembly, or
(III) a person who, by virtue of any provision laid down under any or all of the treaties, is not entitled to assume the office of representative in the Assembly, or
(ii) is not willing to accept office as such a representative,
shall be disregarded;
(b) in making such an ascertainment, in case the relevant representative elected under this Act to the Assembly at the last preceding Assembly election was at that election a candidate of a registered political party, the name of any person who is not for the time being a member of such party shall be disregarded.
(4) Where pursuant to a requirement made under this section the Clerk of Dáil Éireann receives a notification, he shall, as soon as may be—
(a) cause a copy of the notification to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas,
and
(b) cause to be published in the Iris Oifigiúil a notice of the notification.
(5) (a) Where a copy of a notification is laid pursuant to this section, after the expiration of the period of seven days beginning on the day on which the notice of the notification is published pursuant to subsection (4) of this section the person named in the notification concerned shall thereupon be regarded as having been elected under this Act to the Assembly.
(b) Where pursuant to subsection (2) (c) of this section a resolution is passed by Dáil Éireann, the person specified in the resolution shall thereupon be regarded as having been elected under this Act.
(6) As soon as may be after a person is, by virtue of this section, regarded as having been elected under this Act to the Assembly, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann shall notify the Assembly of the name and address of the person together with the date on which his election took effect.
(7) A person to whom paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (5) of this section applies shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns, becomes disqualified for election under this Act to the Assembly, is removed from office or otherwise ceases to be a representative in the Assembly, hold office as such a representative for the residue of the term for which the representative whom he replaces would have held office had he not ceased to hold office.
(8) If and so long as the office of Clerk of Dáil Éireann is vacant or the holder of that office is unable through illness, absence or other cause to fulfil his duties, the functions assigned by this section to him shall be performed by the Clerk-Assistant of Dáil Éireann.
(9) In this section “a casual vacancy” means,
(a) a vacancy occasioned by a person who though elected or regarded as having been elected to the Assembly pursuant to the European Assembly Elections Acts, 1977 and 1984, is, by virtue of any provision laid down under any or all of the treaties, not entitled to assume the office of representative in the Assembly, or
(b) a vacancy occasioned by a person having ceased to be a representative in the Assembly otherwise than by the effluxion of time or in consequence of the making of an order under section 17 of this Act by the High Court.”.
Amendment of First Schedule to Principal Act.
7.—The First Schedule to the Principal Act is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution of “forty-eight hours before the latest time for receiving nominations under Rule 7” for “seventy-two hours before the latest time for the withdrawal of candidature under Rule 12” in both paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of Rule 20;
(b) the substitution of the following subparagraphs for subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Rule 20 (4):
“(a) his death shall not invalidate his nomination or any preference recorded for him, and
(b) if he is elected—
(i) his election shall not be invalidated by reason of his death and he shall be deemed to have been elected to membership of the Assembly by virtue of this Act and to have resigned his office immediately after having so become such a representative, and
(ii) section 15 of this Act shall apply as regards the resultant vacancy in the Assembly.”;
(c) the substitution of the following paragraphs for paragraphs (b) and (c) of Rule 21:
“(b) the names and descriptions of the candidates standing nominated as entered in their nomination papers and of the proposers, if any,
(c) any replacement candidates' list duly presented at the election (being such a list which is not withdrawn, deemed under the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, to have been withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid) and the name of the registered political party or non-party candidate by whom such list was presented together with the name and address or names and addresses of any person or persons nominated by entry thereon to be replacement candidates as entered on such list and, if there is more than one, in the same order as that in which they appear on such list, and
(d) the order in which the names of the said candidates will appear on the ballot papers.”;
(d) the insertion of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (b) of Rule 22 (2):
“(bb) in case a replacement candidates' list has been signed by a non-party candidate pursuant to section 4 (1) (b) of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, and is neither withdrawn nor ruled by the returning officer as being invalid, the entry in relation to that candidate shall include a reference (being a reference referred to in section 4 (6) (a) of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984) to that list,”;
(e) the insertion of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (c) of Rule 22 (2):
“(cc) in case a replacement candidates' list has been signed by an officer of such political party pursuant to section 4 (1) (a) of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, and is neither withdrawn nor ruled by the returning officer as being invalid, the entry in relation to any candidate of that party shall include a reference (being a reference referred to in section 4 (6) (a) of the European Assembly Election Act, 1984) to that list,”;
(f) the insertion of the following Rule after Rule 51:
“Verification of ballot paper accounts.
51A. (1) Not less than four days before the polling day, the local returning officer shall give written notice to each candidate of the day, time and place at which he will open the ballot boxes pursuant to this Rule and of the number of agents each candidate may appoint to attend at the opening. He shall give the said agents reasonable facilities for overseeing the proceedings and all information with respect thereto which he can give them consistent with the orderly conduct of the proceedings and the performance of his functions.
(2) The day specified in a notice under this Rule shall be a day not later than the day specified in the relevant order under section 6(2) of this Act.
(3) On the day specified in the notice under paragraph (1) of this Rule and at the time so specified the local returning officer shall—
(a) open each ballot box and count the number of ballot papers found therein and compare the total number of papers ascertained with the number shown in the appropriate ballot paper account,
(b) prepare a statement showing the result of the comparison under subparagraph (a) of this paragraph in respect of all the ballot papers for the country or country borough for which he is the local returning officer,
(c) open the ballot box in which the postal ballot papers were placed pursuant to the requirements of Rule 50 of this Schedule and count and record the number of such ballot papers,
(d) make up in separate packets the ballot papers found in each ballot box (including postal ballot papers), endorse on each such packet the number of ballot papers contained therein and particulars of the polling station to which they relate (or, where appropriate, that they are postal ballot papers) and place the packets in boxes which he shall seal and on each of which he shall endorse the number of packets contained therein and the name of the country or county borough for which he is the local returning officer, and
(e) forthwith deliver to the returning officer for the constituency all such boxes together with—
(i) the statement referred to in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, and
(ii) a statement of the number of postal ballot papers recorded under subparagraph (c) of this paragraph.
(4) The local returning officer, while counting and recording the number of ballot papers pursuant to this Rule, shall cause the said papers to be kept face upwards and due precautions to be taken to prevent any person from seeing the numbers printed on the backs of the said papers.
(5) the local returning officer, his assistants and clerks, members of the Garda Síochána on duty and the agents of the candidates duly appointed for this purpose and no other person, except with the permission of such returning officer, may be present at proceedings conducted by him pursuant to this Rule.”;
(g) the substitution of “dealt with in accordance with Rule 51A of this Schedule” for “delivered by the local returning officer who shall treat it as a ballot box for the purpose of the counting of the votes at the election” in paragraph (4) of Rule 49;
(h) the substitution of “any replacement candidates' list of which public notice was given pursuant to Rule 21, as amended by section 7 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984,” for “the statement referred to in Rule 54 (2)” in paragraph (3) of Rule 68;
(i) the substitution of the following subparagraphs for subparagraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 69 (1):
“(c) the statements prepared in accordance with Rule 51A (3) of this Schedule, and
(d) the candidates' nomination papers, whether valid or invalid, any certificates of political affiliation and any replacement candidates' lists, whether valid or invalid,”;
(j) the insertion in Rule 69 (2) after subparagraph (a) of the following subparagraph:
“(aa) the ballot paper accounts,”;
(k) the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (1) of Rule 79:
“(1) A person shall not—
(a) nominate another person for election under this Act to be a representative in the Assembly, or
(b) withdraw the candidature of another person for such election, or
(c) nominate a person as a replacement candidate under the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984.
save with the consent of that person.”; and
(l) the insertion of the following Rule after Rule 81:
“False declaration on replacement candidates' list.
81A. (1) In case a person by whom a replacement candidates' list is signed makes a declaration on such list that he has read the notes on the back of the list and believes each of the persons whose names appear on the list as being replacement candidates,
(a) to be eligible for nomination under the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, as a replacement candidate, and
(b) that none of such persons stands validly nominated as a replacement candidate in respect of any other constituency,
then if any person whose name so appears,
(c) is not eligible for such nomination, or
(d) stands validly so nominated in respect of any other constituency,
the person by whom the declaration is made shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) In a prosecution for an offence under paragraph (1) of this Rule, it shall be a good defence for the defendant to show that he had reasonable grounds for believing that the relevant person, or, as may be appropriate, a relevant person, was eligible for nomination under the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, as a replacement candidate, or did not stand validly nominated as a replacement candidate in respect of any other constituency.”,
and paragraphs (1) and (2) of the said Rule 20, paragraph (4) of the said Rule 49 and paragraph (3) of the said Rule 68, as so amended, are set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, respectively, of the Table to this section.
TABLE
1. (1) Where, not less than forty-eight hours before the latest time for receiving nominations under Rule 7 of this Schedule, the returning officer becomes satisfied that a candidate standing nominated has died, the returning officer shall immediately give public notice to that effect and the candidature of the candidate shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
(2) Where, at any time during the period beginning forty-eight hours before the latest time for receiving nominations under Rule 7 of this Schedule and ending on the commencement of the poll, the returning officer becomes satisfied that a candidate standing nominated for election has died, the following provisions shall have effect in relation to the Assembly election—
(a) the returning officer shall notify the Minister and the chief returning officer of the death of the candidate and at the same time, if notice of the poll has been given, he shall countermand the poll,
(b) the returning officer shall give public notice that all acts done in connection with the election (other than the nomination of the surviving candidates) are void and that a fresh election will be held,
(c) all the proceedings for the election shall be commenced afresh, but a fresh nomination shall not be necessary in respect of any candidate who stood nominated at the time when notification of the death of the candidate was sent to the Minister,
(d) at the fresh election the earliest time for receiving nominations shall be 10 a.m. on the day (disregarding any excluded day) next following the date of the public notice referred to in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph and the latest time for receiving nominations shall be 12 noon on the third day (disregarding any excluded day) next following the said date,
(e) the polling day at the fresh election shall be fixed by the Minister,
(f) Rule 3 of this Schedule shall not apply in relation to the fresh election and references to the Register of Political Parties contained in Rule 4 of this Schedule shall, in relation to the fresh election, be construed as references to the copy of that Register sent to the returning officer in relation to the countermanded election.
2. (4) A separate ballot box (which shall be subsequently dealt with in accordance with Rule 51A of this Schedule) shall be provided and shall be shown open and empty to the agents of the candidates present and shall be locked and sealed by the local returning officer.
3. (3) The returning officer shall give public notice of the names and descriptions of the candidates elected and also, in the case of a contested election, of the total number of votes given for each candidate, whether elected or not, of any transfer of votes and of the total number of votes credited to each candidate at the end of the count at which such transfer took place. He shall send a copy of the said notice to the Minister, the chief returning officer and each person elected. He shall also send a copy of any replacement candidates' list of which public notice was given pursuant to Rule 21, as amended by section 7 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984 of this Schedule to the Minister.
Repeals.
8.—Rules 46 (4) and 54 (2) of the First Schedule to the Principal Act are hereby repealed.
Short title, collective citation and construction.
9.—(1) This Act may be cited as the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984.
(2) The European Assembly Elections Act, 1977, and this Act may be cited together as the European Assembly Elections Acts, 1977 and 1984, and shall be construed together as one Act.