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Uimhir 17 de 1927.
ACHT NA mBÓTHAR IARAINN (SEIRBHÍSÍ GLUAISTEÁIN AR BHÓITHRE), 1927.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
foluíonn an focal “cuideachta bhóthair iarainn” aon trambhealach go bhfuil na dividenda ar aon chuid dá chaipital íoctha urruithe fén Tramway and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883, no fé aon Acht eile no fé aon Ordú i gComhairle a dineadh fé aon Acht den tsórt san, agus aon trambhealach no bóthar iarainn a stiúruítear no a bainistítear ag suirbhéir contae no ag aon duine no daoine thar ceann aon chomhairle contae no údaráis áitiúla eile;
cialluíonn an focal “seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre” seirbhís aon fheithicle a ghluaiseann uaithi fein, pe'ca ghabhann leantóir léi no ná gabhann, agus a ritheann ar bhóthar phuiblí agus a húsáidtear i bpáirt no ar fad chun paisnéirí, bagáiste pearsanta paisnéirí, postanna, agus earraí tráchtála d'aon tsaghas no saghsanna earraí tráchtála d'iompar no chun aon chríche no crícheanna acu san;
foluíonn an focal “bóthar” aon tsráid, droichead, áirse, lána cearnóg, cúirt, clamhsa, no aon bhealach no pasáiste puiblí eile;
foluíonn an focal “earraí tráchtála” earraí, minearáil, eallach stuic, agus ainmhithe de gach saghas;
foluíonn an focal “postanna” málaí puist agus pacáidí puist (nách telegrama) mar a mínítear iad san sa Post Office Act, 1908;
foluíonn an focal “éilithe” rátaí, táillí, custuim, dleachta agus éilithe eile;
cialluíonn an focal “rátaí” rátaí agus éilithe eile i dtaobh earraí tráchtála d'iompar;
cialluíonn an focal “táillí” táillí agus éilithe eile i dtaobh paisnéirí agus a gcuid bagáiste d'iompar;
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála;
cialluíonn an focal “Coiste Comhairleach na Rátaí” Coiste Comhairleach na Rátaí a bunuíodh leis an Ordú um Choiste Chomhairleach na Rátaí, 1925 (Rialacha agus Orduithe Reachtúla, 1925, Uimh. 11).
Cuideachtana bóthair iarainn do chur seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl.
2.—Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn go bhfuil a mbóthar iarainn no aon chuid de laistigh de Shaorstát Éireann féadfid seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre do sholáthar, do bheith dá gcuid féin acu, do chimeád i dtreo agus do bheith ar siúl acu fén Acht so agus dá réir agus féadfid a gcistí do chur chuige sin.
Ceadú línte bealaigh.
3.—(1) Ní bheidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl ag aon chuideachtain bhóthair iarainn ar aon líne bealaigh ná beidh ceaduithe de thurus na huaire ag an Aire fén alt so.
(2) Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn a bheartóidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre do bheith ar siúl acu go buan no go triallach ar feadh tréimhse nách sia ná bliain cuirfid fé bhráid an Aire mion-innste ar an líne bealaigh ar a mbeidh sé beartuithe ag an gcuideachtain sin an tseirbhís sin do bheith ar siúl acu agus mion-innste ar chineál na seirbhíse a bheidh beartuithe amhlaidh a bheith ar siúl agus más rud é, tar éis do dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí, gur dó leis an Aire gur ceart é dhéanamh féadfidh an tAire an líne bealaigh sin do cheadú tar éis no gan é atharú.
(3) Pé uair is dó leis an Aire, i dtaobh líne bhealaigh a chuirfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn fé n-a bhráid fén alt so mar líne bhealaigh do sheirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre chun paisnéirí d'iompar, gurb ionann é go substainteach, i bpáirt no go hiomlán, agus an líne bealaigh ar a bhfuil seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre do phaisnéirí ar siúl go regleálta ag duine éigin eile seachas an chuideachta bhóthair iarainn sin le linn an churtha-fé-bhráid sin, ní cheadóidh an tAire fén alt so an líne bealaigh sin a céadluaidhtear go dtí go mbeidh fógra i dtaobh an churtha-fé-bhráid sin tabhartha aige don duine sin agus breithniú déanta aige ar pé aithris chúise (más ann di) a dhéanfidh an duine sin ina thaobh.
(4) Agus é á bhreithniú ce'ca cheadóidh sé fén alt so líne bealaigh a bheidh beartuithe no ná ceadóidh, cuimhneoidh an tAire ar a mhéid a déanfar i bpáirt no go hiomlán i Saorstát Éireann na feithiclí a húsáidfar chun crícheanna na seirbhíse gluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh beartuithe a bheith ar siúl ar an líne bealaigh sin agus ar a fheabhas a bheidh sé cabhrú le déantóireacht den tsórt san chó fada agus is féidir é go réasúnta.
(5) Má chítear don Aire aon uair gur cheart, ar mhaithe leis an bpuiblíocht, líne bealaigh do cheaduigh sé fén alt so d'athbhreithniú, ath-bhreithneoidh an tAire an líne bealaigh sin tar éis pé fiosrúchán (más ann do) is oiriúnach leis do dhéanamh, agus ar dhéanamh an ath-bhreithnithe sin do féadfidh an tAire, más dó leis gur ceart é agus mar is dó leis is ceart, a cheadú don líne bhealaigh sin do tharrac siar no, tar éis do dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí, pé atharuithe is dó leis is ceart do dhéanamh ar an líne bealaigh sin.
(6) I gcás buan-tseirbhíse gluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl ar feadh cuid áirithe de gach bliain agus ar feadh na coda san amháin, leanfidh an ceadú a dhin an tAire fén alt so ar an líne bealaigh ar a mbeidh an tseirbhís sin ar siúl, leanfa sé i bhfeidhm (go dtí go dtarraiceofar siar é agus fé réir aon atharú a déanfar air fén alt so) chó fada agus is ar feadh na coda céanna san, no ar feadh na coda céanna san nách mór, de gach bliain i ndiaidh a chéile a bheidh an tseirbhís sin ar siúl.
Na héilithe a húdarófar maidir le seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre.
4.—(1) Lasmuich de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt san alt so, féadfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn pé éilithe is oiriúnach léi d'éileamh agus do ghlaca maidir le seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl aici fén Acht so ach gan iad do bheith níos mó ná na héilithe maximum a bheidh luaidhte sa sceideal d'éilithe maximum a bheidh ceaduithe de thurus na huaire (go sealadach no go buan) ag an Aire maidir leis an seirbhís sin.
(2) Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn go mbeidh beartuithe acu seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre do bheith ar siúl acu cuirfid fé bhráid an Aire sceideal d'éilithe maximum maidir leis an seirbhís sin, agus leis sin cuirfidh an tAire an sceideal san fé bhráid Choiste Comhairleach na Rátaí.
(3) Breithneoidh Coiste Comhairleach na Rátaí gach sceideal d'éilithe maximum a cuirfar fé n-a mbráid fén alt so agus tabharfid tuarasgabháil air don Aire chó luath agus is féidir dóibh é agus ar fháil na tuarasgabhála san don Aire breithneoidh sé í agus ceadóidh sé an sceideal san gan é atharú no tar éis pé atharuithe is oiriúnach leis do dhéanamh air no diúltóidh sé don sceideal san do cheadú, pe'ca aca is dó leis is ceart.
(4) Más dó leis gur gá é toisc dithineas do bheith leis féadfidh an tAire sceideal d'éilithe maximum a cuirfar fé n-a bhráid fén alt so do cheadú go sealadach ach stadfidh an ceadú sealadach san nuair a dhéanfidh an tAire, tar éis do tuarasgabháil Choiste Comhairleach na Rátaí do bhreithniú, an sceideal san do cheadú go buan tar éis é atharú no gan é atharú no diúltú d'é cheadú.
(5) Má thárluíonn agus nuair a thárlóidh go n-iarrfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn ar an Aire leasú do dhéanamh ar sceideal d'éilithe maximum do ceaduíodh fén alt so maidir le seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre atá ar siúl ag an gcuideachtain sin, no gur dó leis an Aire gur cheart, ar mhaithe leis an bpuiblíocht, sceideal d'éilithe maximum do ceaduíodh fén alt so do leasú, cuirfidh an tAire an sceideal san fé bhráid Choiste Comhairleach na Rátaí, agus chó luath agus is féidir dóibh é breithneoidh an Coiste sin an scéal féachaint ar cheart an sceideal san do leasú agus tabharfid tuarasgabháil air don Aire agus ar fháil na tuarasgabhála san don Aire breithneoidh sé í agus déanfa sé pé ní acu so is dó leis is ceart, eadhon, a cheadú don sceideal san do dhaingniú gan leasú ná atharú do dhéanamh air no pé leasú no atharú is dó leis is ceart do dhéanamh ar an sceideal san.
(6) Gach breath-údarás, comhacht, agus dualgas a bronntar no a forchuirtar ar Choiste Chomhairleach na Rátaí leis an Ordú um Choiste Chomhairleach na Rátaí, 1925, chun crícheanna a bhfeidhmeanna fén Harbours, Docks and Piers (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1920, bronntar agus forchuirtar ar Choiste Chomhairleach na Rátaí leis seo iad chun na gcrícheanna bhaineann le nithe do chur fé n-a mbráid fén alt so den Acht so.
(7) D'ainneoin éinní atá san alt so ní éileoidh ná ní ghlacfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn, gan cead ón Aire, maidir le seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl aici fén Acht so, aon éilithe ar son aon tráchta a raghaidh thar na héilithe is ísle d'éilíodh agus do ghlacadh an chuideachta san go dtí san ar son an tráchta san ar an seirbhís sin.
(8) Féadfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn aon éileamh d'éilimh sí go dleathach fén alt so d'éileamh agus d'fháil in aon chúirt údaráis inniúla mar fhiacha síbhialta.
Toirmeasc ar sheirbhísí do tharrac siar no eirghe asta.
5.—(1) Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn atá tar éis tosnú ar sheirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre do bheith ar siúl aici seachas seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre atá ar siúl go triallach fén Acht so, ní tharraiceoidh sí siar an tseirbhís sin ná ní eireoidh sí aisti gan cead ón Aire faid a bheidh sé dleathach fén Acht so an tseirbhís sin do bheith ar siúl agus í atharuithe no gan atharú uirthi.
(2) Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn a dhéanfidh (ar aon chúis seachas leor-chúiseanna lasmuich dá smacht) seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre do tharrac siar no eirghe aisti contrárdha don alt so beidh sí ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a ciontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur uirthi in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den tsárú san.
(3) Aon tseirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl ar feadh cuid áirithe de gach bliain ní tuigfar go bhfuil sí tarraicthe siar ná go bhfuil eirithe aisti do réir bhrí an ailt seo faid is ar feadh na coda céanna san no ar feadh na coda céanna san nách mór de gach bliain i ndiaidh a chéile a bheidh sí ar siúl.
Postanna d'iompar ar sheirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre.
6.—(1) Bainfidh an Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, le gach seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl ag cuideachta bhóthair iarainn fén Acht so, agus chun críche na bainte sin folóidh an focal “tramway,” san Acht san, seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl ag cuideachta bhóthair iarainn fén Acht so agus folóidh an focal “tramway company,” san Acht san, cuideachta bhóthair iarainn go mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl acu fén Acht so.
(2) I dteanta forálacha fo-alt (2) d'alt 2 den Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, mar a dintar leis an alt so é chur i mbaint, agus gan dochar do sna forálacha san, cuirfar fé bhráid an Bhínse Bhóthair Iarainn agus breithneoidh an Bínse sin gach aighneas, idir an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa agus cuideachta bhóthair iarainn 'na mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl acu fén Acht so, i dtaobh iompar postanna ar an seirbhís ghluaisteáin sin ar bhóithre (marab aighneas é le n-a mbaineann an fo-alt san (2) ).
(3) Pé uair eireoidh aon aighneas, idir an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa agus cuideachta bhóthair iarainn 'na mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl acu fén Acht so, i dtaobh iompar postanna ar an seirbhís ghluaisteáin sin ar bhóithre (agus aighneas le n-a mbaineann fo-alt (2) d'alt 2 den Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, d'áireamh) leanfidh an chuideachta bhóthair iarainn sin, faid a bheidh an t-aighneas san á shocrú, de sna seirbhísí le n-a mbaineann an t-aighneas san do dhéanamh.
Udarú connartha bhaineann le seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre.
7.—Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn go mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl acu no a bheartóidh í bheith ar siúl acu fén Acht so, féadfid connartha do dhéanamh maidir leis an seirbhís sin do ghléasa, do chimeád i dtreo, d'oibriú agus do chimeád ar siúl.
Cuntaisí do chimeád agus do thabhairt i dtaobh seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre.
8.—(1) Déanfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn go mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl aici fén Acht so cuntaisí do chimeád agus cuntaisí do thabhairt uaithi i dtaobh na seirbhíse sin fé mar ordóidh an tAire o am go ham.
(2) Aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn ná cimeádfidh cuntas no ná tabharfidh cuntas uaithi is gá dhi de bhua an ailt seo a chimeád no a thabhairt uaithi beidh sí ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a ciontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar chúig púint do chur uirthi in aghaidh gach lae a leanfidh an fhaillí sin.
Airgead do chruinniú chun crícheanna seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre.
9.—Tré fheidhmiú gach comhachta no aon chomhachta dá bhfuil aici le linn rithte an Achta so chun airgead do chruinniú tré iasachtaí d'fháil no tré stoc nua do bhunú agus do thabhairt amach mar chaipital bhreise, féadfidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn go mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl aici fén Acht so airgead do chruinniú o am go ham fé mar is gá chun feithiclí, gluaisteáin, garáistí, oifigí, meaisínteacht, gléasra, agus feisteas do sholáthar chun crícheanna na seirbhíse sin, agus d'ainneoin aon achtacháin ina choinnibh sin beidh sé ina chrích chun a bhféadfidh an chuideachta san airgead do chruinniú tré aon chomhacht den tsórt san roimhráite d'fheidhmiú feithiclí, gluaisteáin, garáistí, oifigí, meaisínteacht, gléasra, no feisteas den tsórt san do sholáthar.
An bhaint a bheidh ag na seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre le gnó eile cuideachtana bóthair iarainn.
10.—(1) Chun crícheanna Acht na mBóthar Iarainn, 1924 (Uimh. 29 de 1924), tuigfar, i dtaobh seirbhíse gluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl ag cuideachta bhóthar iarainn fén Acht so, gur gnó é ar siúl ag an gcuideachtain mar ghnó chabhartha no fo-ghnó dá bóthar iarainn, gnó ná fuil na héilithe bhaineann leis fé údarás an bhínse bhóthair iarainn.
(2) Ní tuigfar aon tseirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre a bheidh ar siúl ag cuideachta bhóthair iarainn fén Acht so do bheith ina cuid de ghnó na cuideachtan san chun críche aon chó-aontú idir an chuideachta san agus an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa a thugann teideal don chuideachtain sin telegrama do chur chun siúil in aisce no do réir ráta laigheaduithe.
Fo-dhlithe i dtaobh seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn go mbeidh seirbhís ghluaisteáin ar bhóithre ar siúl acu fén Acht so fo-dhlithe do dhéanamh chun taisteal ar an seirbhís sin agus úsáid agus oibriú na seirbhíse sin agus feidhmiú éilithe bhaineann léi do rialú agus féadfid, le haon fho-dhlí den tsórt san, a ordú cadé an pionós, nách mó ná fíneáil dachad scilling, a féadfar a chur ar dhaoine a gheobhaidh cúirt údaráis achmair a bheith ciontach i sárú na fo-dhlí sin.
(2) Ní bheidh aon fheidhm ná éifeacht ag aon fho-dhlí a déanfar fén alt so mara ndaingnighidh ná go dtí go ndaingneoidh an tAire í agus ar bheith daingnithe amhlaidh di tiocfidh gach fodhlí den tsórt san i ngníomh an lá a cheapfidh an tAire chuige sin nuair a bheidh sé á daingniú no, mara n-orduítear aon dáta den tsórt san amhlaidh, díreach tar éis an daingnithe sin.
(3) Foillseofar ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire gach fo-dhlí a déanfar fén alt so.
(4) Einne gheobhaidh cúirt údaráis achmair ciontach i sárú fodhlí a bheidh déanta fén alt so féadfidh an chúirt sin é dhaora chun dul fé aon phionós nách mó ná an pionós a bheidh orduithe leis an bhfo-dhlí sin in aghaidh an tsáruithe sin no, mara mbeidh aon phionós orduithe amhlaidh, fé aon phionós nách mó ná fíneáil dachad scilling.
(5) Pé uair a thiocfidh dainnseur no crá don phuiblíocht no d'aon chuid den phuiblíocht no pé uair is eagal do réir réasúin a leithéid do theacht as sárú ar fho-dhlí a bheidh déanta fén alt so, féadfidh aon oifigeach no seirbhíseach don chuideachta bhóthair iarainn do dhin an fho-dhlí sin cur isteach do dhéanamh chun an dainnseur no an crá san do chasa i leataoibh, do chur as an slí, no do chosc agus go sonnrách féadfa sé, le fóiréigean más gá é, an té bheidh ag sárú na fo-dhlí sin amhlaidh do chur as áitreabh na cuideachtan san no as aon fheithicil leo, ach ní chuirfidh aon chur-isteach ná cur-as den tsórt san deire le hindliteacht aon phionóis mar gheall ar an sárú san ná ní dhéanfa sé dochar di.
Deire le comhachta reachtúla atá ann fé láthair.
12.—Gach foráil atá in aon Acht (pe'ca Acht puiblí generálta no áitiúil no pearsanta é) de Pháirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe no in aon Acht (pe'ca Acht puiblí no príobháideach é) den Oireachtas agus le n-a n-údaruítear d'aon chuideachta bhóthair iarainn áirithe seirbhísí gluaisteáin ar bhóithre no aon tseirbhís áirithe den tsórt san do bheith ar siúl acu, scuirfe sí d'éifeacht do bheith aici i gceann sé mí tar éis rithte an Achta so.
Gearr-theideal.
13.—Féadfar Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Seirbhísí Gluaisteáin ar Bhóithre), 1927, do ghairm den Acht so.
Number 17 of 1927.
RAILWAYS (ROAD MOTOR SERVICES) ACT, 1927.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Authorisation of contracts in reference to road motor services. | |
Relation of road motor services to other business of railway companies. | |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 29 of 1924 | |
Number 17 of 1927.
RAILWAYS (ROAD MOTOR SERVICES) ACT, 1927.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “railway company” includes any tramway the dividends on any part of the paid up capital of which are guaranteed under the Tramway and Public Companies (Ireland) Act, 1883, or any other Act or any Order in Council made under any such Act, and any tramway or railway conducted or managed by a county surveyor or by any person or persons on behalf of any county council or other local authority;
the expression “road motor service” means a service of any self-propelled vehicle, whether accompanied by a trailer or not, running on a public road and used wholly or partly for the conveyance of passengers, passengers' personal luggage, mails, and merchandise of any class or classes of merchandise or for some one or more of those purposes;
the word “road” includes any street, bridge, arch, lane, square, court, alley, or other thoroughfare or public passage;
the word “merchandise” includes goods, minerals, live-stock, and animals of all descriptions;
the word “mails” includes mail bags and postal packets (other than telegrams) as defined in the Post Office Act, 1908;
the word “charges” includes rates, fares, tolls, dues and other charges;
the word “rates” means rates and other charges in connection with the carriage of merchandise;
the word “fares” means fares and other charges in connection with the conveyance of passengers and their luggage;
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the expression “the Rates Advisory Committee” means the Rates Advisory Committee established by the Rates Advisory Committee Order, 1925 (Statutory Rules and Orders, 1925, No. 11).
Running of road motor services by railway companies.
2.—Any railway company whose or any part of whose railway lies within Saorstát Eireann may provide, own, maintain, and run road motor services under and in accordance with this Act and may apply their funds for the purpose of so doing.
Approval of routes.
3.—(1) No railway company shall run a road motor service on any route which is not for the time being approved of by the Minister under this section.
(2) A railway company proposing to run a road motor service either permanently or tentatively for a period not exceeding twelve months shall submit to the Minister particulars of the route on which such company proposes to run such service and particulars of the nature of the service so proposed to be run and the Minister may, if after consultation with the Minister for Local Government and Public Health he thinks proper so to do, approve of such route either with or without modification.
(3) Whenever a route submitted to the Minister under this section by a railway company as a route for a road motor service for the conveyance of passengers is in the opinion of the Minister substantially the same in whole or in part as the route on which a road motor service for passengers is at the time of such submission run regularly by some person other than such railway company, the Minister shall not approve under this section of such first-mentioned route until he has given to such person notice of such submission and has considered such (if any) representations as may be made in regard thereto by such person.
(4) When considering whether he will or will not approve under this section of a proposed route, the Minister shall have regard to the extent to which the vehicles to be used for the purposes of the proposed road motor service on such route will be manufactured in whole or in part in Saorstát Eireann and the desirability of promoting such manufacture so far as may be reasonably practicable.
(5) If at any time it appears to the Minister that a route approved of by him under this section ought in the public interest to be re-considered, the Minister shall, after such (if any) inquiry as he thinks fit to make, re-consider such route and on such re-consideration the Minister may, if and as he thinks proper, either withdraw his approval of such route or after consultation with the Minister for Local Government and Public Health make such modifications in such route as he thinks proper.
(6) In the case of a permanent road motor service which is run for a particular part only of every year, the approval of the Minister under this section of the route on which such service is run shall (until the withdrawal and subject to any modification thereof under this section) continue in force so long as such service is run for the same or substantially the same part of every consecutive year.
Charges authorised on road motor services.
4.—(1) Save as is otherwise provided in this section, a railway company may demand and take in respect of a road motor service run by it under this Act such charges as it thinks fit not exceeding the maximum charges stated in the schedule of maximum charges for the time being approved (provisionally or finally) by the Minister in respect of such service.
(2) A railway company proposing to run a road motor service shall submit to the Minister a schedule of maximum charges in respect of such service and the Minister shall thereupon refer such schedule to the Rates Advisory Committee.
(3) The Rates Advisory Committee shall consider every schedule of maximum charges referred to them under this section and shall report thereon to the Minister with all convenient speed and the Minister upon receiving such report shall consider the same and shall, as he thinks proper, either approve of such schedule without modification or with such modifications as he thinks fit to make therein or refuse to approve of such schedule.
(4) The Minister may, if he considers that the urgency of the matter so requires, approve provisionally of a schedule of maximum charges submitted to him under this section but such provisional approval shall cease when the Minister after consideration of the report of the Rates Advisory Committee finally approves with or without modification or refuses to approve of such schedule.
(5) If and whenever a railway company applies to the Minister to revise a schedule of maximum charges approved under this section in respect of a road motor service run by such company or the Minister is of opinion that a schedule of maximum charges approved under this section ought in the public interest to be revised, the Minister shall refer such schedule to the Rates Advisory Committee who shall with all convenient speed consider the revision of such schedule and report thereon to the Minister, and the Minister upon receiving such report shall consider the same and shall as he thinks proper either confirm his approval of such schedule without revision or modification or make such revision or modification in such schedule as he thinks proper.
(6) All the jurisdictions, powers, and duties conferred or imposed on the Rates Advisory Committee by the Rates Advisory Committee Order, 1925, for the purposes of their functions under the Harbours, Docks and Piers (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1920, are hereby conferred and imposed on the Rates Advisory Committee for the purposes of references to them under this section of this Act.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section a railway company shall not without the permission of the Minister demand or take in respect of a road motor service run by it under this Act any charges for any traffic exceeding the lowest charges theretofore demanded and taken by such company for such traffic on such service.
(8) A railway company may sue for and recover as a civil debt in any court of competent jurisdiction any charge lawfully made by it under this section.
Prohibition of withdrawal or discontinuance of services.
5.—(1) A railway company which has commenced to run a road motor service other than a road motor service being run tentatively under this Act shall not, so long as the running of such service either with or without modification is lawful under this Act, withdraw or discontinue such service without the permission of the Minister.
(2) A railway company which withdraws or discontinues (otherwise than for sufficient reasons beyond their control) a road motor service in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds for every day during which such contravention continues.
(3) A road motor service which is run for a particular part of every year shall not be deemed to be withdrawn or discontinued within the meaning of this section so long as it is run for the same or substantially the same part of every consecutive year.
Conveyance of mails on road motor services.
6.—(1) The Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, shall apply to every road motor service run by a railway company under this Act, and for the purpose of such application the word “tramway” shall in that Act include a road motor service run by a railway company under this Act, and the expression “tramway company” shall in that Act include a railway company which runs a road motor service under this Act.
(2) In addition and without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 2 of the Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, as applied by this section every dispute between the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and a railway company which runs a road motor service under this Act in relation to the conveyance of mails on such road motor service (not being a dispute to which the said sub-section (2) applies) shall be referred to and determined by the Railway Tribunal.
(3) Whenever any dispute has arisen between the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and a railway company which runs a road motor service under this Act in relation to the conveyance of mails on such road service (including a dispute to which sub-section (2) of section of the Conveyance of Mails Act, 1893, applies), such railway company shall while such dispute is being decided continue to perform the services to which such dispute relates.
Authorisation of contracts in reference to road motor services.
7.—A railway company which runs or proposes to run a road motor service under this Act may enter into contracts with reference to the equipment, maintenance, working, and running of such service.
Accounts and returns in relation to road motor services.
8.—(1) A railway company which runs a road motor service under this Act shall keep such accounts and make such returns in relation to such service as the Minister shall from time to time direct.
(2) A railway company which fails to keep an account or to make a return which it is required by virtue of this section to keep or make shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds for every day during which such failure continues.
Raising money for purposes of road motor services.
9.—A railway company which runs a road motor service under this Act may, by the exercise of all or any of its powers existing at the passing of this Act to raise money by borrowing or by the creation and issue of new stock as additional capital, from time to time raise such moneys as may be necessary for the purpose of providing vehicles, motors, garages, offices, machinery, plant, and equipment for the purposes of such service, and notwithstanding any enactment to the contrary the provision of such vehicles, motors, garages, offices, machinery, plant, or equipment shall be a purpose for which such company may raise money by the exercise of any such power as aforesaid.
Relation of road motor services to other business of railway companies.
10.—(1) A road motor service run by a railway company under this Act shall for the purposes of the Railways Act, 1924 (No. 29 of 1924), be deemed to be a business carried on by the company ancillary or subsidiary to its railway, the charges for which are not subject to the jurisdiction of the railway tribunal.
(2) No road motor service run by a railway company under this Act shall be deemed to be part of the business of such company for the purpose of any agreement between such company and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs entitling such company to send telegrams free or at a reduced rate.
Bye-laws in relation to road motor services.
11.—(1) A railway company which runs a road motor service under this Act may make bye-laws for regulating the travelling upon, using and working of, and the enforcement of charges in respect of such service and may by any such bye-law prescribe the penalty not exceeding a fine of forty shillings which may be inflicted on persons found by a court of summary jurisdiction to be guilty of contravening such bye-law.
(2) No bye-law made under this section shall be of any force or effect unless and until confirmed by the Minister, and every such bye-law when so confirmed shall come into operation on the date appointed in that behalf by the Minister when confirming the same or, if no such date is so prescribed, immediately upon such confirmation.
(3) All bye-laws made under this section shall be published in such manner as the Minister shall direct.
(4) Any person found guilty by a court of summary jurisdiction of contravening a bye-law made under this section may be sentenced by such court to suffer any penalty not exceeding the penalty prescribed by such bye-law in respect of such contravention or, where no penalty is so prescribed, not exceeding a fine of forty shillings.
(5) Whenever danger or annoyance to the public or to any section of the public is caused by or may reasonably be apprehended from a contravention of a bye-law made under this section, any officer or servant of the railway company by which such bye-law was made may interfere to obviate, remove, or prevent such danger or annoyance and in particular may remove, if necessary by force, from the premises or any vehicle of such company the person so contravening such bye-law, but no such interference or removal shall relieve from or prejudice the liability for any penalty in respect of such contravention.
Cesser of existing statutory powers.
12.—Every provision contained in any Act (whether public general or local or personal) of the United Kingdom Parliament or in any Act (whether public or private) of the Oireachtas authorising any particular railway company to run road motor services or any particular such service shall cease to have effect at the expiration of six months after the passing of this Act.
Short title.
13.—This Act may be cited as the Railways (Road Motor Services) Act, 1927.