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Uimhir 21 de 1993
AN tACHT STAIDRIMH, 1993
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
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Struchtúr Institiúideach — An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh, An tArd-Stiúrthóir agus An Bord Náisiúnta Staidrimh
An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh.
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11. | Comhoibriú agus idirchaidreamh le húdaráis phoiblí agus daoine eile. |
An tArd-Stiúrthóir.
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An Bord Náisiúnta Staidrimh.
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Oifigigh Staidrimh.
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Faisnéis a Bhailiú.
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Taifid Údarás Poiblí a Úsáid chun Críocha Staidrimh
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Faisnéis a Chosaint.
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34. | Faisnéis nach inaitheanta a úsáid chun staidreamh a anailísiú. |
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Cionta, Pionóis agus Fianaise
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Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 1851, c. 93 |
Uimhir 21 de 1993
AN tACHT STAIDRIMH, 1993
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ CHUN STAIDREAMH OIFIGIÚIL A BHAILIÚ, A THIOMSÚ, A BHAINT AMACH AGUS A SCAIPEADH AGUS I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA. [14 Iúil, 1993]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht Staidrimh, 1993, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá a cheapfaidh an Taoiseach le hordú.
Léiriú.
3.—San Acht seo, mura léir a mhalairt a bheith ar intinn—
ciallaíonn “státseirbhíseach” duine a shealbhaíonn post sa Státseirbhís;
folaíonn “sárú” mainneachtain nó diúltú comhlíonadh;
ciallaíonn “cóip” atáirgeadh taifid nó aon chuid de thaifead ar mhodh cléireachais, fótagrafach, leictreonach nó ar aon mhodh eile;
ciallaíonn “scaipeadh” foilsiú, díol nó soláthar staidrimh oifigiúil in aon slí eile nó in aon fhoirm eile go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach trí dhaoine nó gnóthais eile;
ciallaíonn “an tArd-Stiúrthóir” Ard-Stiúrthóir na Príomh-Oifige Staidrimh;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil” údarás áitiúil chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941;
ciallaíonn “an Oifig” an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh;
ciallaíonn “oifigeach staidrimh” duine a mhínítear amhlaidh in alt 20 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “staidreamh oifigiúil” staidreamh arna thiomsú ag an Oifig nó ag aon údarás poiblí eile cibé acu faoin Acht seo nó ar shlí eile;
ciallaíonn “an duine atá i bhfeighil” an duine atá, de thuras na huaire, i bhfeighil aon áitribh nó gnóthais lena n-áirítear úinéirí agus tionóntaí;
folaíonn “áitreabh” aon teaghais, foirgneamh eile, both, carbhán, puball, áit, soitheach in uiscí teorann na hÉireann, aerárthach agus traein;
ciallaíonn “údarás poiblí” aon Roinn Stáit, údarás áitiúil, bord sláinte nó comhlacht eile arna bhunú le haon achtachán;
ciallaíonn “seirbhíseach poiblí” duine a shealbhaíonn post in aon údarás poiblí, lena n-áirítear an Garda Síochána;
folaíonn “taifead” aon pháipéar, modh fótagrafach, leictreonach nó eile lena ndéantar faisnéis a thaifeadadh nó a stóráil agus aon fhoirm, sceideal, ceistiúchán, treoir nó doiciméad eile den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “na hachtacháin aisghairthe” na hAchtanna Staidrimh, 1926 agus 1946, a aisghairtear leis an Acht seo;
folaíonn “staidreamh”, i dteannta sonraí uimhriúla, faisnéis nach féidir a shloinneadh go huimhriúil agus is gá chun sonraí a bhailiú, a thiomsú, a anailísiú nó a léiriú;
ciallaíonn “gnóthas” iomlán fiontair gnó, gabháltais talmhaíochta, forais, comhlachais nó údaráis phoiblí, nó aon chuid den chéanna.
Orduithe.
4.—Féadfaidh an Taoiseach le hordú ordú a bheidh déanta aige faoin Acht seo a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
Orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
5.—Déanfar ordú arna dhéanamh faoin Acht seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir.
Caiteachais.
6.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhófar ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Aisghairm agus forálacha iarmhartacha.
7.—(1) Aisghairtear leis seo na hAchtanna Staidrimh, 1926 agus 1946.
(2) Maidir leis an Ordú Staidrimh (Staidreamh Trádála (Aerfort Neamhchustam na Sionainne)), 1970 (I.R. Uimh. 68 de 1970), agus gach ordú arna dhéanamh an 1ú lá d'Eanáir, 1988, nó dá éis, faoi aon fhoráil d'achtachán a aisghairtear le fo-alt (1) den alt seo agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm díreach roimh an aisghairm sin, leanfaidh sé i bhfeidhm amhail is dá mba faoin bhforáil chomhréire den Acht seo a rinneadh é.
(3) Maidir leis an bhfaisnéis, na ceistiúcháin, na foirmeacha agus na taifid eile go léir a bhaileofar i gcomhlíonadh orduithe arna ndéanamh faoi na hachtacháin aisghairthe, tá sí nó siad faoi réir na srianta ar úsáid faisnéise agus na dtoirmeasc ar nochtadh faisnéise a shonraítear in ailt 32, 33, 34 agus 35 den Acht seo.
(4) An fhaisné is go léir a sholáthrófar go saorálach don Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, beidh sí faoi réir na cosanta agus na bhforálacha céanna amhail is dá mba faoin Acht seo a bailíodh an fhaisnéis sin.
(5) Aon duine atá ag gníomhú mar oifigeach staidrimh faoi na hAchtanna Staidrimh, 1926 agus 1946, díreach roimh a n-aisghairm faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, leanfaidh sé de bheith ina oifigeach staidrimh faoi na forálacha comhréire den Acht seo.
CUID II
Struchtúr Institiúideach — An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh, An tArd-Stiúrthóir agus An Bord Náisiúnta Staidrimh
An Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh
Struchtúr institiúideach.
8.—(1) Bunaítear leis seo Oifig ar a dtabharfar an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh chun na feidhmeanna a thugtar di leis an Acht seo a fheidhmiú.
(2) Beidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir a cheapfar faoi alt 12 den Acht seo freagrach as bainistiú agus rialú na hOifige.
(3) Beidh Bord Náisiúnta Staidrimh ann agus is í an fheidhm ghinearálta a bheidh aige, le comhaontú an Taoisigh, stiúradh straitéiseach na hOifige a threorú.
Foireann na Príomh-Oifige Staidrimh.
9.—(1) Fostófar sa Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh cibé líon comhaltaí foirne a chinnfidh an Taoiseach ó am go ham le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Beidh comhaltaí fhoireann na hOifige ina státseirbhísigh de chuid an Stáit.
(3) Is é an Taoiseach an t-údarás iomchuí chun críche Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, agus Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 agus 1958, i ndáil le comhaltaí d'fhoireann na hOifige.
(4) Na cumhachtaí is infheidhmithe ag an Taoiseach mar an t-údarás iomchuí i ndáil le comhaltaí d'fhoireann na hOifige, féadfaidh sé iad a tharmligean chuig an Ard-Stiúrthóir agus, má dhéanann sé é sin, ansin, fad a fhanfaidh an tarmligean i bhfeidhm—
(a) beidh na cumhachtaí sin, in ionad iad a bheith infheidhmithe ag an Taoiseach, infheidhmithe ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir; agus
(b) is é an tArd-Stiúrthóir, in ionad an Taoisigh, a bheidh ina údarás iomchuí i ndáil le comhaltaí d'fhoireann na hOifige.
Feidhmeanna na hOifige.
10.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna na hOifige faisnéis a bhaineann le gníomhaíochtaí agus dálaí eacnamaíocha, sóisialta agus ginearálta sa Stát a bhailiú, a thiomsú, a bhaint amach agus a scaipeadh chun críocha staidrimh.
(2) Beidh údarás ag an Oifig staidreamh oifigiúil arna thiomsú ag údaráis phoiblí a chomhordú chun a chinntiú, go háirithe, go gcloítear le caighdeáin staitistiúla agus le húsáid aicmiúchán cuí.
(3) Beidh údarás ag an Oifig measúnú a dhéanamh ar an ngealladh staitistiúil atá sna taifid a choimeádann údaráis phoiblí agus, i gcomhar leo, a chinntiú go ndéanfar an gealladh sin a thabhairt i gcrích a mhéid atá na hacmhainní ann chuige sin.
Comhoibriú agus idirchaidreamh le húdaráis phoiblí agus daoine eile.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an Oifig socruithe a dhéanamh le húdaráis phoiblí agus daoine eile chun faisnéis a bhailiú, a thiomsú, a bhaint amach nó a scaipeadh chun críocha staidrimh.
(2) Coinneoidh an Oifig teagmháil dhlúth rialta leis na príomhúsáidirí agus na príomhsholáthróirí staidrimh.
An tArd-Stiúrthóir
Ard-Stiúrthóir na Príomh-Oifige Staidrimh.
12.—(1) Ceapfaidh an tUachtarán Ard-Stiúrthóir na hOifige ar ainmniú an Taoisigh.
(2) Beidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir ina chorparáid aonair faoin ainm Ard-Stiúrthóir na Príomh-Oifige Staidrimh agus beidh comharbas suthain agus séala aige agus féadfaidh sé agairt nó féadfar é a agairt faoin ainm sin.
(3) Beidh an duine a shealbhaíonn oifig an Ard-Stiúrthóra ina státseirbhíseach de chuid an Stáit.
(4) Beidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir i seilbh oifige ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Taoiseach tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais.
(5) Is é an Taoiseach an t-údarás iomchuí chun críche Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, agus Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 agus 1958, i ndáil leis an Ard-Stiúrthóir.
Neamhspleáchas maidir le nithe a bhaineann le staidreamh.
13.—Is ar an Ard-Stiúrthóir amháin a bheidh an fhreagracht as na nithe seo a leanas agus beidh sé neamhspleách le linn na feidhmeanna a ghabhann le cinneadh a dhéanamh ina leith a fheidhmiú—
(a) an mhodheolaíocht staidrimh agus na caighdeáin ghairmiúla staidrimh a úsáideann an Oifig;
(b) an t-ábhar atá i raitís staidrimh agus i bhfoilseacháin arna n-eisiúint ag an Oifig; agus
(c) tráth agus modhanna scaipthe staidrimh arna thiomsú ag an Oifig.
Rochtain ar an Taoiseach.
14.—Beidh de cheart ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir dul i gcomhairle leis an Taoiseach maidir le haon ní a fhearann ar an Oifig nó a bhaineann le staidreamh oifigiúil nó le riaradh an Achta seo.
Feidhmeanna an Ard-Stiúrthóra a tharmligean.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir a údarú d'aon chomhalta d'fhoireann na hOifige aon fheidhm dá chuid faoin Acht seo a fheidhmiú agus measfar aon fheidhm den sórt sin, nuair a fheidhmeofar í chun críocha an Achta seo, a bheith feidhmithe ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir.
(2) Maidir le haon údarú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) féadfar é a dhéanamh faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir;
(b) ní choiscfidh sé, le linn dó a bheith i bhfeidhm, ar an Ard-Stiúrthóir na feidhmeanna a bheidh tarmligthe leis sin a chomhall; agus
(c) féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir é a chúlghairm aon tráth.
Fíre doiciméad.
16.—Maidir le haon doiciméad a airbheartaíonn a bheith eisithe ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir nó ag aon duine a fheidhmíonn aon fheidhm dá chuid faoin Acht seo measfar, mura gcruthófar a mhalairt, gur doiciméad den sórt sin é má bhíonn ainm an duine lena mbaineann clóbhuailte nó stampáilte air nó má airbheartaíonn sé gur shínigh an duine sin é, gan cruthúnas ar fhíre an tsínithe.
Foireann shealadach a cheapadh.
17.—Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha seirbhíse a chinnfidh sé, ceapacháin shealadacha a dhéanamh chuig poist neamhbhunaithe ar fhoireann na hOifige a dhearbhaítear a bheith ina bpoist eisiata chun críocha Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956.
An Bord Náisiúnta Staidrimh
Comhdhéanamh agus ceapadh.
18.—(1) Is é a bheidh ar an mBord Náisiúnta Staidrimh ochtar comhalta ar a mbeidh an seachtar seo a leanas a gceapfaidh an Taoiseach iad—
(a) cúigear a bhfuil cumas agus taithí cruthaithe acu i réimsí iomchuí, agus is é an Taoiseach a ainmneoidh beirt acu sin agus is cibé eagraíocht nó eagraíochtaí a mheasfaidh an Taoiseach a bheith ionadaitheach d'úsáidirí staidrimh oifigiúil agus do sholáthróirí faisnéise faoin Acht seo a ainmneoidh triúr acu sin,
(b) Rúnaí Cúnta nó grád coibhéiseach nó níos airde i Roinn an Taoisigh, agus
(c) Rúnaí Cúnta nó grád coibhéiseach nó níos airde sa Roinn Airgeadais,
mar aon leis an Ard-Stiúrthóir, ex officio.
(2) Ceapfaidh an Taoiseach Cathaoirleach an Bhoird Náisiúnta Staidrimh as measc chomhaltaí an Bhoird a cheapfar faoi fho-alt (1)(a) den alt seo.
(3) Gach comhalta den Bhord a gceapfaidh an Taoiseach é ceapfar é chun oifig a shealbhú ar feadh cibé tréimhse, nach lú ná dhá bhliain agus nach mó ná sé bliana, a shonróidh an Taoiseach agus é á cheapadh aige.
(4) Féadfar comhalta den Bhord Náisiúnta Staidrimh a athcheapadh.
(5) Féadfaidh comhalta den Bhord a bheidh ceaptha ag an Taoiseach éirí as a oifig trí litir a bheidh dírithe chuig an Taoiseach agus féadfaidh an Taoiseach é a chur as a oifig.
(6) Aon chomhalta a cheapfar faoi fho-alt (1)(b) nó (c) den alt seo, scoirfidh sé d'oifig a shealbhú má scoireann sé den phost iomchuí státseirbhíse a shealbhú.
(7) Féadfaidh an Bord a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú d'ainneoin folúntais nó folúntas ina chomhaltas.
(8) Féadfaidh an Bord a nós imeachta féin a rialáil.
(9) Féadfar, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, cibé luach saothair agus liúntais i leith caiteachas a thabhóidh siad agus a chinnfidh an Taoiseach, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc le comhaltaí ainmnithe an Bhoird.
Feidhm an Bhoird Náisiúnta Staidrimh.
19.—(1) Maidir le feidhm an Bhoird Náisiúnta Staidrimh i leith stiúradh straitéiseach na hOifige a threorú, le comhaontú an Taoisigh, folóidh sí na nithe seo a leanas go háirithe—
(a) tosaíochtaí a bhunú chun staidreamh oifigiúil a thiomsú agus a fhorbairt;
(b) measúnú a dhéanamh ar na hacmhainní foirne, trealaimh agus airgeadais ba chóir a chur ar fáil chun staidreamh oifigiúil a thiomsú;
(c) eadráin a dhéanamh, faoi réir chinneadh deireanach an Taoisigh, in aon choinbhleachtaí a éireoidh idir an Oifig agus údaráis phoiblí eile i ndáil le staidreamh a bhaint amach as taifid nó le gníomhaíochtaí staidrimh a chomhordú.
(2) Soláthróidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir cibé faisnéis a theastóidh ón mBord le haghaidh feidhmiú cuí fheidhmeanna an Bhoird.
(3) Ní dhéanfar aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) nó (2) den alt seo a fhorléiriú mar ní—
(a) lena gcumasaítear don Bhord aon chumhacht nó rialú a fheidhmiú i ndáil le comhlíonadh, i gcás áirithe nó in imthosca áirithe, feidhme a bheidh sannta don Ard-Stiúrthóir leis an Acht seo nó faoi;
(b) lena n-údaraítear do chomhaltaí ceaptha den Bhord rochtain a bheith acu ar fhaisnéis a bheidh bailithe faoin Acht seo is faisnéis is féidir a chur i mbaint go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach le duine nó gnóthas inaitheanta.
Oifigigh Staidrimh
Oifigigh staidrimh.
20.—Maidir le gach duine de na daoine seo a leanas—
(a) gach comhalta d'fhoireann na hOifige agus aon duine eile atá ar fostú go díreach ag an Oifig i mbailiú nó baint amach faisnéise faoin Acht seo,
(b) gach duine eile atá de thuras na huaire, de dhroim socruithe arna ndéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 11 den Acht seo, ar fostú i mbailiú, baint amach, tiomsú nó scaipeadh faisnéise agus i dtaca leis an gcéanna faoin Acht seo, agus
(c) aon duine eile a n-údaraíonn an tArd-Stiúrthóir dó i scríbhinn anailís áirithe staidrimh a dhéanamh, ar feadh tréimhse sonraithe, a bhféadfadh gur gá, lena haghaidh, rochtain ar shonraí arna mbailiú faoin Acht seo,
beidh sé, chun críocha an Achta seo, ina oifigeach staidrimh agus gairtear oifigeach staidrimh de san Acht seo.
Dearbhú rúndachta.
21.—Déanfaidh gach duine, sula rachaidh sé i mbun dualgas mar oifigeach staidrimh, dearbhú a shíniú san fhoirm seo a leanas—
“Dearbhaímse, .................................................. go sollúnta go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhualgais mar oifigeach staidrimh a chomhall go hiomlán agus go hionraic i gcomhréir le ceanglais an Achta Staidrimh, 1993, agus na n-orduithe go léir faoi sin, agus nach nochtfaidh mé ná nach gcuirfidh mé i bhfios le linn mo sheirbhíse mar oifigeach staidrimh ná aon tráth dá héis, ach amháin i gcomhlíonadh mo dhualgas faoin Acht sin agus faoi na horduithe sin, aon ní a thiocfaidh ar m'iúl agus a bhaineann le haon duine, teaghlach, líon tí nó gnóthas mar gheall ar mo sheirbhís mar oifigeach staidrimh.”.
Fianaise ar cheapachán.
22.—(1) Gach oifigeach staidrimh atá i dteideal faoin Acht seo—
(a) a cheangal go pearsanta ar aon duine nó gnóthas, nó cuireadh a thabhairt go pearsanta dó, aon doiciméad a chomhlánú agus a chur ar ais nó aon fhaisnéis a sholáthar ó bhéal nó i scríbhinn,
(b) aon doiciméad a bhaineann le haon duine nó gnóthas a iniúchadh, a chóipeáil, a bhailiú nó a fháil nó sleachta a thógáil as, nó
(c) dul isteach in aon áitreabh,
soláthrófar deimhniú ceapacháin dó a bheidh sínithe ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir nó stampáilte nó clóbhuailte le hainm an Ard-Stiúrthóra.
(2) Aon oifigeach staidrimh a bheidh ag gníomhú faoin alt seo, déanfaidh sé, ar éileamh, a dheimhniú ceapacháin a thabhairt ar aird lena iniúchadh.
(3) Aon doiciméad a thabharfaidh duine ar aird de bhun an ailt seo agus a airbheartóidh gurb é deimhniú ceapacháin an duine sin é, measfar gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, mura gcruthófar a mhalairt, gurb é deimhniú ceapacháin an duine sin é.
CUID III
Faisnéis a Bhailiú
Foirmeacha.
23.—Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir foirmeacha, ceistiúcháin agus taifid eile chun faisnéis a bhailiú faoin Acht seo agus na treoracha is gá lena gcomhlánú go cuí a ullmhú, agus an dáta nó an tréimhse a shonrú ar laistigh di ba cheart na foirmeacha, na ceistiúcháin agus na taifid eile sin, arna gcomhlánú, nó an fhaisnéis a éilítear a chur ar ais chuig an bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh.
Cuireadh faisnéis a sholáthar ar bhonn saorálach.
24.—(1) Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir nó oifigeach staidrimh cuireadh a thabhairt d'aon duine nó gnóthas—
(a) foirm, ceistiúchán nó taifead eile a chomhlánú,
(b) aon cheisteanna a fhreagairt,
(c) aon fhaisnéis nó taifid a sholáthar,
ar bhonn saorálach agus aon fhaisnéis a gheofar amhlaidh, beidh sí faoi réir na srianta ar úsáid agus an toirmisc ar nochtadh faisnéise a shonraítear in ailt 32, 33, 34 agus 35 den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfaidh daoine agus gnóthais faisnéis agus taifid, nó cóipeanna den chéanna, a bheidh ina seilbh a sholáthar don Ard-Stiúrthóir nó d'oifigigh staidrimh ar cuireadh faoi fhorálacha an Achta seo, d'ainneoin aon ní atá san Acht um Chosaint Sonraí, 1988.
Ordú ón Taoiseach ag ceangal faisnéis a sholáthar.
25.—(1) Féadfaidh an Taoiseach ceanglas a fhorordú, le hordú, ar dhaoine agus ar ghnóthais faisnéis a sholáthar faoin Acht seo, ina sonrófar, go háirithe—
(a) cineál ginearálta na faisnéise a éilítear;
(b) a mhinice a sholáthrófar í;
(c) na daoine nó na gnóthais, nó na haicmí daoine nó gnóthas, a gceanglaítear orthu í a sholáthar.
(2) Déanfar ordú ar leithligh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) i leith gach tosú ar leithligh ar shuirbhéireacht a ghabhfar de láimh i gceann tréimhsí is faide ná dhá mhí dhéag;
(b) gach cúig bliana ar a laghad i leith gach suirbhéireachta leanúnaí a ghabhfar de láimh i gceann tréimhsí dhá mhí dhéag nó tréimhsí is giorra ná sin.
Ordachán chun faisnéis a sholáthar.
26.—(1) Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir nó oifigeach staidrimh, de bhun ceanglais arna dhéanamh faoi alt 25 den Acht seo, a ordú d'aon duine, trí fhógra a sheachadadh—
(a) foirm, ceistiúchán nó taifead eile a chomhlánú agus a chur ar ais, de réir aon treoracha a bheidh inti nó ann nó a chuirfear in iúl dóar shlí eile,
(b) freagra a thabhairt ar cheisteanna a chuirfidh oifigigh staidrimh air,
(c) aon taifead, cóip d'aon taifead nó sliocht as aon taifead a sholáthar,
faoi dháta sonraithe nó laistigh de thréimhse shonraithe.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo agus alt 27 den Acht seo is leor ordachán chun faisnéis a sholáthar i gcomhlíonadh ceanglais arna dhéanamh faoi alt 25 den Acht seo—
(a) i gcás duine aonair — más rud é go ndéantar fógra a bheidh dírithe chuig an duine sin a sheachadadh ar an áit chónaithe, fostaíochta nó ghnó is déanaí is eol a bheith aige;
(b) i gcás duine aonair atá i bhfeighil áitribh — más rud é go ndéantar fógra a sheachadadh ar an áitreabh nó ar a oifig nó ar a áit chónaithe gan é a bheith riachtanach an duine a ainmniú;
(c) i gcás gnóthais gnó — más rud é go ndéantar fógra a sheachadadh ar an ngnó nó ar an ngnólacht ag aon áitreabh óna n-oibríonn sé nó óna seolann sé a ghnóthaí trína thrádainm a úsáid, nó ar aon duine aonair a bhaineann lena bhainistiú (lena n-áirítear glacadóir nó leachtaitheoir nó riarthóir) ag a áit ghnó nó ag a áit chónaithe;
(d) i gcás duine aonair atá i bhfeighil aon ghnóthais eile — más rud é go ndéantar fógra a sheachadadh ar a oifig nó ar a áit ghnó gan é a bheith riachtanach an duine a ainmniú.
Daoine a gceanglaítear orthu faisnéis a sholáthar.
27.—(1) Maidir le faisnéis a iarrfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir trí fhógra a sheachadadh faoi alt 26 den Acht seo nó faoin alt seo, déanfar í a sholáthar—
(a) i gcás duine áirithe — ag an duine atá i gceist má tá cónaí air sa Stát i láthair na huaire agus, más rud é gur ar an gcoigríoch dó, ag a chéile nó ag gaol leis ar a bhfuil cónaí in áitreabh an duine, nó más rud é go bhfuil sé éagtha, ag ionadaí pearsanta nó neasghaol eastát an duine éagtha atá i seilbh na faisnéise nó a bhfuil rochtain aige uirthi;
(b) i gcás duine atá i bhfeighil áitribh — ag an duine sin agus, má éilítear an fhaisnéis i leith daoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu, atá ar lóistín, atá ar iostas nó atá ag obair san áitreabh, beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach duine den sórt sin an fhaisnéis a éilítear a sholáthar don duine atá i bhfeighil;
(c) i gcás gnóthais — ag aon duine nó ag gach duine de na daoine seo a leanas atá i seilbh na faisnéise a éilítear nó a bhfuil rochtain acu uirthi:
(i) dílseánaigh, comhpháirtithe, stiúrthóirí, bainisteoirí, leachtaitheoirí, glacadóirí agus riarthóirí gnóthas corpraithe agus neamhchorpraithe gnó;
(ii) an duine atá i bhfeighil aon ghnóthais eile.
(2) Más rud é, maidir le faisnéis a n-éilíonn duine nó gnóthas gur sholáthair sé í i gcomhlíonadh ordacháin arna dhéanamh faoi alt 26 den Acht seo, nach bhfuil sí i seilbh na hOifige, féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir, trí fhógra eile a sheachadadh faoin alt sin, a ordú don duine nó don ghnóthas an fhaisnéis a sholáthar faoi dháta sonraithe.
Eisiúint agus seachadadh fógraí agus doiciméad eile.
28.—(1) Maidir le haon fhógra nó taifead a sheachadfaidh oifigeach staidrimh beidh sé, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, ina fhianaise leordhóthanach gur eisigh agus gur sheachaid an tArd-Stiúrthóir go cuí é nó gur eisíodh agus gur seachadadh thar ceann an Ard-Stiúrthóra go cuí é.
(2) Féadfar aon fhógra nó taifead a sheachadadh trína sheachadadh go pearsanta ag oifigeach staidrimh nó leis an bpost nó trí mhodhanna eile cumarsáide agus má sheachadtar leis an bpost é measfar go bhfuarthas é an tráth a dhéanfaí é a sheachadadh i ngnáthchúrsa an phoist.
Ceart rochtana chun críocha staidrimh.
29.—Féadfaidh oifigeach staidrimh gach tráth réasúnach, ar a dheimhniú ceapacháin a thabhairt ar aird má éilítear sin, dul isteach in aon áitreabh—
(a) chun fógra a sheachadadh faoi alt 26 den Acht seo, nó
(b) chun foirmeacha, ceistiúcháin, taifid nó faisnéis a sheachadadh nó a bhailiú, nó
(c) chun cibé fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh a údaraítear dó a dhéanamh faoin Acht seo.
CUID IV
Taifid Údarás Poiblí a Úsáid chun Críocha Staidrimh
Rochtain ar thaifid údarás poiblí.
30.—(1) D'fhonn cabhrú leis an Oifig i bhfeidhmiú a feidhmeanna faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir, trí fhógra a sheachadadh, a iarraidh ar aon údarás poiblí—
(a) a cheadú d'oifigigh staidrimh, gach tráth réasúnach, rochtain a bheith acu ar aon taifid atá faoina chúram, iad a iniúchadh agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh díobh nó sleachta a thógáil astu, agus
(b) cóipeanna nó sleachta as aon taifead den sórt sin a sholáthar don Oifig, má éilíonn aon oifigeach den sórt sin amhlaidh,
agus déanfaidh an t-údarás poiblí, faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, aon iarraidh den sórt sin a chomhlíonadh saor in aisce.
(2) Maidir le fo-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) ní bheidh feidhm aige maidir le taifid a bhaineann le Cúirt, leis an nGarda Síochána, le riarachán na bpríosún nó leis an Ombudsman nó le haon duine dá chuid oifigeach;
(b) ní bheidh feidhm aige maidir le taifid liachta nach bhfuil ar fáil go poiblí ach amháin le comhaontú an Aire Sláinte;
(c) beidh éifeacht leis i ngach cás eile d'ainneoin aon ní atá in aon achtachán seachas forálacha chun ord poiblí nó slándáil an Stáit a chosaint.
Comhoibriú údarás poiblí leis an Oifig.
31.—(1) Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir a iarraidh ar aon údarás poiblí dul i gcomhairle leis agus comhoibriú leis chun gealladh thaifid an údaráis mar fhoinse faisnéise staidrimh a mheasúnú, agus, más cuí agus más indéanta sin, a mhodhanna agus a chórais taifeadta a fhorbairt chun críocha staidrimh, agus déanfaidh an t-údarás poiblí aon iarraidh den sórt sin a chomhlíonadh, a mhéid atá na hacmhainní ann chuige sin.
(2) Má bheartaíonn aon údarás poiblí aon chóras a thabhairt isteach, a athbhreithniú nó a leathnú, ar córas é chun faisnéis a stóráil agus a aisghabháil, nó suirbhéireacht staidrimh a dhéanamh rachaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an Ard-Stiúrthóir agus glacfaidh an t-údarás poiblí le haon mholtaí a dhéanfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir le réasún i ndáil leis an togra.
(3) Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir nó aon údarás poiblí a iarraidh ar an mBord Náisiúnta Staidrimh eadráin a dhéanamh maidir le tograí arna ndéanamh ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir faoi fho-alt (1) nó (2) den alt seo agus, nuair nach féidir teacht ar chomhaontú, moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Taoisigh chun a chinneadh a fháil maidir leis an gcéanna.
(4) Maidir le fo-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo—
(a) ní bheidh feidhm acu maidir le taifid a bhaineann le Cúirt, leis an nGarda Síochána nó le riarachán na bpríosún;
(b) beidh éifeacht leo i ngach cás eile d'ainneoin aon ní atá in aon achtachán seachas forálacha chun ord poiblí nó slándáil an Stáit a chosaint.
CUID V
Faisnéis a Chosaint
Srianta ar úsáid faisnéise.
32.—Maidir leis an bhfaisnéis go léir a thabharfaidh duine, gnóthas nó údarás poiblí faoin Acht seo, ní úsáidfear í ach amháin chun staidreamh a thiomsú agus a anailísiú.
Toirmeasc ar nochtadh faisnéise.
33.—(1) Ní dhéanfar aon fhaisnéis a gheofar in aon slí faoin Acht seo ná faoi na hachtacháin aisghairthe, ar faisnéis í is féidir a chur i mbaint le duine nó le gnóthas inaitheanta, a scaipeadh, a thaispeáint ná a chur in iúl d'aon duine ná d'aon chomhlacht, seachas le toiliú i scríbhinn ón duine sin nó ón ngnóthas sin nó ó ionadaí pearsanta nó neasghaol duine éagtha, ach amháin mar a leanas—
(a) chun críocha ionchúisimh i leith ciona faoin Acht seo;
(b) d'oifigigh staidrimh i gcúrsa a ndualgas faoin Acht seo;
(c) d'fhonn aon fhaisnéis den sórt sin a thaifeadadh chun úsáid na hOifige, agus chuige sin amháin, i cibé foirm agus modh dá bhforálfar le conradh i scríbhinn arna dhéanamh ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir, ar conradh é a chosnaíonn rúndacht na faisnéise chun a shástachta.
(2) Féadfaidh an Oifig, chun críocha staidrimh agus chuige sin amháin, cóid a shannadh a gheofar ó fhaisnéis arna bailiú faoin Acht seo chun gnóthais atá liostaithe i gcórais riaracháin údarás poiblí eile a aicmiú de réir earnálacha gníomhaíochta eacnamaíochta agus méide (daoine atá gafa).
(3) Féadfaidh an Taoiseach, le hordú, cibé toirmisc bhreise a fhorordú ar nochtadh taifead nó faisnéise inaitheanta a gheofar faoin Acht seo nó faoi na hachtacháin aisghairthe go ceann cibé tréimhsí a fhorordófar.
(4) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san Acht seo mar ní a cheanglaíonn ar aon duine ná gnóthas faisnéis a sholáthar i ndáil le ní ar lorgaíodh faisnéis maidir leis in imthosca a thabharfadh teideal don duine nó don ghnóthas diúltú an fhaisnéis a thabhairt uaidh in imeacht sibhialta in aon chúirt nó ar fhorais phribhléide.
Faisnéis nach inaitheanta a úsáid chun staidreamh a anailísiú.
34.—Féadfaidh an Oifig, chun críocha staidrimh agus chuige sin amháin, faisnéis a gheofar in aon slí faoin Acht seo nó faoi na hachtacháin aisghairthe a sholáthar, i cibé foirm a fhágfaidh nach féidir í a chur i mbaint go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach le duine nó le gnóthas inaitheanta, do cibé daoine agus faoi réir cibé muirear, coinníollacha agus srianta a chinnfidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir.
Rochtain ar thaifid Daonáirimh tar éis 100 bliain.
35.—I gcás Daonáirimh a ghabhfar de láimh faoin Acht seo nó faoi na hachtacháin aisghairthe, scoirfidh srianta ailt 32 agus 33 den Acht seo d'fheidhm a bheith acu 100 bliain tar éis dáta an Daonáirimh iomchuí.
CUID VI
Cionta, Pionóis agus Fianaise
Neamhsholáthar faisnéise a éilítear.
36.—Aon duine a mhainneoidh nó a dhiúltóidh aon fhaisnéis a iarrtar a sholáthar mar fhreagra ar ordachán ón Ard-Stiúrthóir faoi alt 26 nó 27 den Acht seo de bhun ceanglais arna dhéanamh faoi alt 25 den Acht seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Rochtain a chosc.
37.—Aon duine a choiscfidh ar oifigeach staidrimh a dhualgais a chomhall mar a cheadaítear faoi alt 29 den Acht seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Mí-úsáid faisnéise.
38.—Aon duine a úsáidfidh faisnéis a tugadh faoin Acht seo nó faoi na hachtacháin aisghairthe de shárú ar alt 32 den Acht seo, nó a nochtfaidh go toiliúil faisnéis a bhaineann le haon duine nó gnóthas inaitheanta de shárú ar alt 33 den Acht seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Drochúsáid oifige ag oifigeach staidrimh.
39.—Aon oifigeach staidrimh a dhéanfaidh, nó a dhéanfaidh iarracht, ar scáth a fheidhmeanna mar oifigeach den sórt sin a chomhlíonadh, aon fhaisnéis a fháil ar aon mhodh ó aon duine ar aon ócáid nach bhfuil sé i dteideal go dleathach a fháil ar an modh sin ón duine sin ar an ócáid sin, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Bac a chur ar an Ard-Stiúrthóir nó ar oifigigh staidrimh.
40.—Aon duine a chuirfidh bac go toiliúil ar an Ard-Stiúrthóir nó ar oifigeach staidrimh i bhfeidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Oifigeach staidrimh a phearsanú.
41.—Aon duine nach oifigeach staidrimh a thabharfaidh le fios gur oifigeach staidrimh é, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Doiciméid a chosaint.
42.—(1) Aon duine a scriosfaidh nó a fhalsóidh go toiliúil aon doiciméad nó taifead a eisíodh chun staidreamh a bhailiú i gcomhlíonadh ceanglais arna dhéanamh faoi alt 25 den Acht seo nó a dhéanfaidh damáiste go toiliúil don chéanna, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(2) Aon oifigeach staidrimh a mhainneoidh aon doiciméad nó taifead atá ina choimeád, ar doiciméad nó taifead é ina bhfuil faisnéis a bailíodh faoin Acht seo, a choimeád i cibé modh a chinnteoidh nach mbeidh rochtain ag daoine neamhúdaraithe air, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(3) Aon oifigeach staidrimh a mhainneoidh go toiliúil doiciméad nó taifead arna bhailiú ó aon duine nó gnóthas faoin Acht seo a thabhairt ar ais chuig an Oifig, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Faisnéis bhréagach a thabhairt.
43.—Aon duine, i gcomhlíonadh airbheartaithe aon cheanglais nó aon ordacháin faoin Acht seo, a sholáthróidh faisnéis, a dhéanfaidh ráiteas, scríofa nó ó bhéal, nó a thabharfaidh ar aird nó a sheachadfaidh doiciméad atá bréagach i bponc ábhartha, agus a fhios aige é a bheith bréagach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Pionóis.
44.—(1) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi aon fhoráil den Acht seo dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £20,000 a chur air.
(2) I gcás ina gciontófar duine i gcion faoi alt 36 den Acht seo beidh sé, má leantar den sárú tar éis a chiontaithe, ciontach i gcion gach lá a leanfar den sárú, agus maidir le gach cion den sórt sin dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 a chur air.
(3) Féadfaidh an tArd-Stiúrthóir nó oifigeach staidrimh imeachtaí achoimre i ndáil le cion faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh agus a thabhairt ar aghaidh.
(4) D'ainneoin alt 10 (4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachtaí achoimre i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh laistigh de dhá bhliain ó dháta an chiona.
Fianaise staidrimh in imeachtaí dlí.
45.—Féadfar fianaise prima facie ar aon staidreamh oifigiúil a thabhairt i ngach imeacht dlí trí dhoiciméad a thabhairt ar aird a airbheartóidh an staidreamh sin a bheith ann agus a bheith eisithe ag an bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh nó a bheith sínithe ag an Ard-Stiúrthóir.
Number 21 of 1993
STATISTICS ACT, 1993
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Institutional Structure — The Central Statistics Office, The Director General and The National Statistics Board
The Central Statistics Office
Co-operation and liaison with other public authorities and persons. |
The Director General
The National Statistics Board
Officers of Statistics
Collection of Information
Use of Records of Public Authorities for Statistical Purposes
Protection of Information
Use of non-identifiable information for statistical analysis. | |
Offences, Penalties and Evidence
Acts Referred to | |
1956, No. 45 | |
1956, No. 46 | |
1958, No. 34 | |
1988, No. 25 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 1851, c. 93 |
1926, No. 12 | |
1946, No. 34 | |
Number 21 of 1993
STATISTICS ACT, 1993
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Statistics Act, 1993.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Taoiseach by order appoints.
Interpretation.
3.—In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
“civil servant” means a person holding a position in the Civil Service;
“contravention” includes failure or refusal to comply;
“copy” means the reproduction of a record or any part thereof by clerical, photographic, electronic or any other means;
“dissemination” means the publication, sale or provision of official statistics in any other manner or form either directly or indirectly through other persons or undertakings;
“the Director General” means the Director General of the Central Statistics Office;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“local authority” means a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941;
“the Office” means the Central Statistics Office;
“officer of statistics” means a person so defined in section 20 of this Act;
“official statistics” means statistics compiled by the Office or any other public authority whether under this Act or otherwise;
“person in charge” means the person who is for the time being in charge of any premises or undertaking including owners and tenants;
“premises” includes any dwelling, other building, hut, caravan, tent, place, vessel in Irish territorial waters, aircraft and train;
“public authority” means any Department of State, local authority, health board or other body established by any enactment;
“public servant” means a person holding a position in any public authority, including the Garda Síochána;
“record” includes any paper, photographic, electronic or other mode of recording or storing information and any form, schedule, questionnaire, instruction or other such document;
“the repealed enactments” means the Statistics Acts, 1926 and 1946, repealed by this Act;
“statistics” includes, in addition to numerical data, information not expressible numerically which is necessary for the collection, compilation, analysis or interpretation of data;
“undertaking” means the whole or any part of a business enterprise, agricultural holding, institution, association or public authority.
Orders.
4.—The Taoiseach may by order revoke or amend an order made by him under this Act.
Laying of orders before Houses of the Oireachtas.
5.—An order made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be before each House of the Oireachtas.
Expenses.
6.—The expenses incurred in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals and consequential provisions.
7.—(1) The Statistics Acts, 1926 and 1946, are hereby repealed.
(2) The Statistics (Trade Statistics (Shannon Free Airport)) Order, 1970 (S.I. No. 68 of 1970), and every order made on or after the 1st day of January, 1988, under any provision of an enactment repealed by subsection (1) of this section and in force immediately before such repeal shall continue in force as if made under the corresponding provision of this Act.
(3) All information, questionnaires, forms and other records collected in compliance with orders made under the repealed enactments are subject to the restrictions on use and prohibitions on disclosure of information specified in sections 32, 33, 34 and 35 of this Act.
(4) All information provided voluntarily to the Central Statistics Office prior to the commencement of this Act shall be subject to the same protection and provisions as if such information was collected under this Act.
(5) Any person acting as an officer of statistics under the Statistics Acts, 1926 and 1946, immediately prior to their repeal under subsection (1) of this section shall continue as an officer of statistics under the corresponding provisions of this Act.
PART II
Institutional Structure — The Central Statistics Office, The Director General and The National Statistics Board
The Central Statistics Office
Institutional structure.
8.—(1) There is hereby established an Office to be known as the Central Statistics Office to exercise the functions conferred on it by this Act.
(2) The Director General appointed under section 12 of this Act shall be responsible for the management and control of the Office.
(3) There shall be a National Statistics Board which with the agreement of the Taoiseach shall have the general function of guiding the strategic direction of the Office.
Staff of the Central Statistics Office.
9.—(1) There shall be employed in the Central Statistics Office so many members of staff as the Taoiseach shall, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, from time to time determine.
(2) The members of the staff of the Office shall be civil servants of the State.
(3) The Taoiseach shall be the appropriate authority for the purpose of the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 and 1958, in relation to members of the staff of the Office.
(4) The Taoiseach may delegate to the Director General the powers exercisable by him as the appropriate authority in relation to members of the staff of the Office and, if he does so, then, so long as the delegation remains in force—
(a) those powers shall, in lieu of being exercisable by the Taoiseach, be exercisable by the Director General; and
(b) the Director General shall, in lieu of the Taoiseach, be the appropriate authority in relation to members of the staff of the Office.
Functions of Office.
10.—(1) The functions of the Office shall be the collection, compilation, extraction and dissemination for statistical purposes of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State.
(2) The Office shall have authority to co-ordinate official statistics compiled by public authorities to ensure, in particular, adherence to statistical standards and the use of appropriate classifications.
(3) The Office shall have authority to assess the statistical potential of the records maintained by public authorities and, in conjunction with them, to ensure that this potential is realised in so far as resources permit.
Co-operation and liaison with other public authorities and persons.
11.—(1) The Office may make arrangements with other public authorities and persons for the collection, compilation, extraction or dissemination of information for statistical purposes.
(2) The Office shall maintain close and regular contact with the principal users and suppliers of statistics.
The Director General
The Director General of the Central Statistics Office.
12.—(1) The Director General of the Office shall be appointed by the President on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
(2) The Director General shall be a corporation sole by the name of the Director General of the Central Statistics Office with perpetual succession and a seal and may sue or be sued by that name.
(3) The person holding the office of Director General shall be a civil servant of the State.
(4) The Director General shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Taoiseach after consultation with the Minister for Finance.
(5) The Taoiseach shall be the appropriate authority for the purpose of the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 and 1958, in relation to the Director General.
Independence on statistical matters.
13.—The Director General shall have the sole responsibility for and be independent in the exercise of the functions of deciding—
(a) the statistical methodology and professional statistical standards used by the Office;
(b) the content of statistical releases and publications issued by the Office; and
(c) the timing and methods of dissemination of statistics compiled by the Office.
Access to the Taoiseach.
14.—The Director General shall have the right to consult the Taoiseach concerning any matters affecting the Office or relating to official statistics or the administration of this Act.
Delegation of functions of Director General.
15.—(1) The Director General may authorise any member of the staff of the Office to exercise any of his functions under this Act and any such function shall, when exercised for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been exercised by the Director General.
(2) An authorisation under subsection (1) of this section—
(a) may be made subject to such terms and conditions as the Director General may determine;
(b) shall, while in force, not prevent the discharge by the Director General of the functions thereby delegated; and
(c) may at any time be revoked by the Director General.
Authenticity of documents.
16.—A document purporting to be issued by the Director General or by any person exercising any of his functions under this Act shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be such if the name of the person concerned is printed or stamped thereon or if it purports to be signed by that person, without proof of the authenticity of the signature.
Appointment of temporary staff.
17.—The Director General, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and on such terms and conditions of service as he may determine, may make temporary appointments to unestablished posts on the staff of the Office declared to be excluded positions for the purposes of the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956.
The National Statistics Board
Composition and appointment.
18.—(1) The National Statistics Board shall consist of eight members comprising the following seven persons who shall be appointed by the Taoiseach—
(a) five persons of proven ability and experience in relevant fields, two of whom shall be nominated by the Taoiseach and three of whom shall be nominated by such organisation or organisations as the Taoiseach considers to be representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under this Act,
(b) an Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach, and
(c) an Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance,
together with the Director General, ex officio.
(2) The Chairman of the National Statistics Board shall be appointed by the Taoiseach from among the members of the Board appointed under subsection (1) (a) of this section.
(3) Every member of the Board appointed by the Taoiseach shall be appointed to hold office for such period, not being less than two or more than six years, as the Taoiseach may specify when appointing him.
(4) A member of the National Statistics Board may be reappointed.
(5) A member of the Board appointed by the Taoiseach may resign his office by letter addressed to the Taoiseach and may be removed from his office by the Taoiseach.
(6) A member appointed under subsection (1) (b) or (c) of this section shall cease to hold office if he ceases to hold the relevant civil service position.
(7) The Board may exercise its functions notwithstanding one or more vacancies in its membership.
(8) The Board may regulate its own procedure.
(9) The nominated members of the Board may be paid, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such remuneration and allowances for expenses incurred by them as the Taoiseach, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, may determine.
Function of National Statistics Board.
19.—(1) The function of the National Statistics Board in guiding, with the agreement of the Taoiseach, the strategic direction of the Office shall include in particular—
(a) establishing priorities for the compilation and development of official statistics;
(b) assessing the resources of staff, equipment and finance which should be made available for the compilation of official statistics;
(c) arbitrating, subject to the final decision of the Taoiseach, on any conflicts which may arise between the Office and other public authorities relating to the extraction of statistics from records or to the co-ordination of statistical activities.
(2) The Director General shall provide such information as may be required by the Board for the proper exercise of its functions.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be construed as—
(a) enabling the Board to exercise any power or control in relation to the performance, in a particular case or in particular circumstances, of a function assigned to the Director General by or under this Act;
(b) authorising appointed members of the Board to have access to information collected under this Act which can be directly or indirectly related to an identifiable person or undertaking.
Officers of Statistics
Officers of statistics.
20.—Each of the following persons—
(a) every member of the staff of the Office and any other person directly engaged by the Office in the collection or extraction of information under this Act,
(b) every other person who, consequent on arrangements made under subsection (1) of section 11 of this Act, is for the time being engaged in and about the collection, extraction, compilation or dissemination of information under this Act, and
(c) any other person authorised in writing by the Director General to perform for a specified period particular statistical analysis which may necessitate access to data collected under this Act,
shall, for the purposes of this Act, be and is in this Act referred to as an officer of statistics.
Declaration of secrecy.
21.—Every person shall before assuming duties as an officer of statistics sign a declaration in the following form—
“I,______________________, solemnly declare that I will fully and honestly fulfil my duties as an officer of statistics in conformity with the requirements of the Statistics Act, 1993, and of all orders thereunder, and that I will not, except in the performance of my duties under that Act and such orders, disclose or make known during my service as an officer of statistics or at any time thereafter, any matter which comes to my knowledge relating to any person, family, household or undertaking by reason of my service as an officer of statistics.”.
Evidence of appointment.
22.—(1) Every officer of statistics who is entitled under this Act to—
(a) require or invite in person the completion and return of any document or the provision of any information orally or in writing from any person or undertaking,
(b) inspect, copy or take extracts from, collect or receive any document relating to any person or undertaking, or
(c) enter any premises,
shall be provided with a certificate of appointment signed by, stamped or printed with, the name of the Director General.
(2) An officer of statistics acting under this section shall on demand produce his certificate of appointment for inspection.
(3) A document produced by a person in pursance of this section and purporting to be his certificate of appointment shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed without further proof to be such.
PART III
Collection of Information
Forms.
23.—The Director General may prepare forms, questionnaires and other records for the collection of information under this Act and the instructions necessary for their proper completion, and specify the date or period within which these completed forms, questionnaires and other records or the required information should be returned to the Central Statistics Office.
Invitation to provide information on a voluntary basis.
24.—(1) The Director General or an officer of statistics may invite any person or undertaking to—
(a) complete a form, questionnaire or other record,
(b) answer any questions,
(c) provide any information or records,
on a voluntary basis and any information so obtained shall be subject to the restrictions on use and prohibition on disclosure of information specified in sections 32, 33, 34 and 35 of this Act.
(2) Persons and undertakings may provide information and records, or copies thereof, which they may possess to the Director General or officers of statistics on invitation under the provisions of this Act notwithstanding anything contained in the Data Protection Act, 1988.
Order by Taoiseach requiring provision of information.
25.—(1) The Taoiseach may prescribe by order a requirement on persons and undertakings to provide information under this Act, specifying, in particular—
(a) the general nature of the information required;
(b) the frequency with which it is to be provided;
(c) the persons or undertakings, or classes of persons or undertakings, required to provide it.
(2) A separate order under subsection (1) of this section shall be made—
(a) for each separate commencement of a survey undertaken at intervals of more than twelve months;
(b) at least every five years for each continuing survey undertaken at intervals of twelve months or less.
Direction to provide information.
26.—(1) The Director General or an officer of statistics may, pursuant to a requirement made under section 25 of this Act, direct by the delivery of a notice any person—
(a) to complete and return a form, questionnaire or other record in accordance with any instructions contained therein or otherwise communicated to him,
(b) to answer questions asked of him by officers of statistics,
(c) to supply any record, copy of or extract from any record,
by a specified date or within a specified period.
(2) For the purposes of this section and section 27 of this Act a direction to provide information in compliance with a requirement made under section 25 of this Act shall be sufficient—
(a) in the case of an individual person — if a notice addressed to that person is delivered to his last known place of residence, employment or business;
(b) in the case of an individual person in charge of premises — if a notice is delivered to the premises or to his office or residence without necessarily naming the person;
(c) in the case of a business undertaking — if a notice is delivered to the business or concern at any premises from which it operates or conducts its affairs using its trading name, or to any individual person involved in its management (including a receiver or liquidator or administrator) at his place of business or residence;
(d) in the case of an individual person in charge of any other undertaking — if a notice is delivered to his office or residence without necessarily naming the person.
Persons required to provide information.
27.—(1) Information requested by the Director General by delivery of a notice under section 26 of this Act or this section shall be provided in the case of—
(a) a particular person — by the person in question if currently resident in the State and if abroad by a spouse or relative resident in the person’s dwelling, or if deceased by the personal representative or next-of-kin of the deceased person’s estate who has possession of or access to the information;
(b) a person in charge of premises — by that person and, if the information is required in respect of persons resident, boarding, lodging or working in the premises, it shall be the duty of each such person to provide the required information to the person in charge;
(c) an undertaking — by any or all of the following persons who are in possession of or have access to the required information:
(i) proprietors, partners, directors, managers, liquidators, receivers and administrators of incorporated and unincorporated business undertakings;
(ii) the person in charge of any other undertaking.
(2) Where information which a person or undertaking claims to have provided in compliance with a direction made under section 26 of this Act is not in the possession of the Office, the Director General may by delivery of a further notice under that section direct the person or undertaking to provide the information by a specified date.
Issue and delivery of notices and other documents.
28.—(1) Any notice or record delivered by an officer of statistics shall, until the contrary is proved, be sufficient evidence that it has been duly issued and delivered by or on behalf of the Director General.
(2) The delivery of any notice or record may be effected by being delivered in person by an officer of statistics or by post or by other means of communication and if delivered by post it shall be deemed to have been received when in the ordinary course of post it would be delivered.
Right of access for statistical purposes.
29.—An officer of statistics may at all reasonable times, on production of his certificate of appointment if demanded, enter any premises for the purposes of—
(a) delivering a notice under section 26 of this Act, or
(b) delivering or collecting forms, questionnaires, records or information, or
(c) making any such inquiries as he is authorised to make under this Act.
PART IV
Use of Records of Public Authorities for Statistical Purposes
Access to records of public authorities.
30.—(1) For the purpose of assisting the Office in the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Director General may by delivery of a notice request any public authority to—
(a) allow officers of statistics at all reasonable times to have access to, inspect and take copies of or extracts from any records in its charge, and
(b) provide the Office, if any such officer so requires, with copies or extracts from any such record,
and the public authority shall, subject to subsection (2) of this section, comply with any such request free of charge.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section—
(a) shall not apply to records pertaining to a Court, the Garda Síochána, the prison administration or the Ombudsman or any of his officers;
(b) shall apply to medical records which are not publicly available only with the agreement of the Minister for Health;
(c) shall in all other cases have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment other than provisions for the protection of public order or the security of the State.
Co-operation of public authorities with the Office.
31.—(1) The Director General may request any public authority to consult and co-operate with him for the purpose of assessing the potential of the records of the authority as a source of statistical information and, where appropriate and practicable, developing its recording methods and systems for statistical purposes, and the public authority shall comply with any such request, in so far as resources permit.
(2) If any public authority proposes to introduce, revise or extend any system for the storage and retrieval of information or to make a statistical survey it shall consult with the Director General and accept any recommendations that he may reasonably make in relation to the proposal.
(3) The Director General or any public authority may request the National Statistics Board to arbitrate on and, when agreement cannot be reached, to make recommendations to the Taoiseach for his decision on proposals made by the Director General under subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section—
(a) shall not apply to records pertaining to a Court, the Garda Síochána or the prison administration;
(b) shall in all other cases have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment other than provisions for the protection of public order or the security of the State.
PART V
Protection of Information
Restrictions on use of information.
32.—All information furnished by a person, undertaking or public authority under this Act shall be used only for statistical compilation and analysis purposes.
Prohibition on disclosure of information.
33.—(1) No information obtained in any way under this Act or the repealed enactments which can be related to an identifiable person or undertaking shall, except with the written consent of that person or undertaking or the personal representative or next-of-kin of a deceased person, be disseminated, shown or communicated to any person or body except as follows—
(a) for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence under this Act;
(b) to officers of statistics in the course of their duties under this Act;
(c) for the purposes of recording such information solely for the use of the Office in such form and manner as is provided for by a contract in writing made by the Director General which protects its confidentiality to his satisfaction.
(2) The Office may, for statistical purposes only, assign codes derived from information collected under this Act classifying undertakings listed in the administrative systems of other public authorities by economic activity and size (persons engaged) categories.
(3) The Taoiseach may by order prescribe such further prohibitions on the disclosure of identifiable records or information obtained under this Act or the repealed enactments for such periods as may be prescribed.
(4) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require any person or undertaking to provide information in relation to a matter on which information was sought in circumstances that would entitle the person or undertaking to decline to give the information in a civil proceeding in any court or on grounds of privilege.
Use of non-identifiable information for statistical analysis.
34.—The Office may provide, for statistical purposes only, information obtained in any way under this Act or the repealed enactments, in such form that it cannot be directly or indirectly related to an identifiable person or undertaking, to such persons and subject to such charges, conditions and restrictions as the Director General may determine.
Access to Census of Population records after 100 years.
35.—In the case of a Census of Population undertaken under this Act or under the repealed enactments, the restrictions of sections 32 and 33 of this Act shall cease to apply 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.
PART VI
Offences, Penalties and Evidence
Non-provision of required information.
36.—Any person who fails or refuses to provide any requested information in response to a direction from the Director General under section 26 or 27 of this Act pursuant to a requirement made under section 25 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
Prevention of access.
37.—Any person who prevents an officer of statistics from carrying out his duties as allowed under section 29 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
Misuse of information.
38.—Any person who uses information furnished under this Act or the repealed enactments in contravention of section 32 of this Act or wilfully discloses information relating to any identifiable person or undertaking in contravention of section 33 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
Abuse of office by an officer of statistics.
39.—Any officer of statistics who in the pretended performance of his functions as such officer obtains or attempts to obtain by any means from any person on any occasion any information which he is not lawfully entitled to obtain by that means from that person on that occasion shall be guilty of an offence.
Obstruction of Director General or officers of statistics.
40.—Any person who wilfully obstructs the Director General or an officer of statistics in the exercise of his functions under this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
Impersonation of an officer of statistics.
41.—Any person not being an officer of statistics who represents himself as being an officer of statistics shall be guilty of an offence.
Protection of documents.
42.—(1) Any person who wilfully destroys, damages or falsifies any document or record issued for the collection of statistics in compliance with a requirement made under section 25 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) Any officer of statistics who fails to keep any document or record in his custody, containing information collected under this Act, in such manner as to ensure that unauthorised persons will not have access thereto shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) Any officer of statistics who wilfully fails to return to the Office a document or record collected from any person or undertaking under this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
Furnishing false information.
43.—A person who, in purported compliance with any requirement or direction under this Act, provides information, makes a statement written or oral or produces or delivers any document false in a material particular, knowing it to be false, shall be guilty of an offence.
Penalties.
44.—(1) A person guilty of an offence under any provision of this Act shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £20,000.
(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 36 of this Act he shall, if the contravention continues after conviction, be guilty of an offence on every day on which it continues and for each such offence he shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50, or
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
(3) Summary proceedings in relation to an offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by the Director General or an officer of statistics.
(4) Notwithstanding section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted within two years from the date of the offence.
Statistical evidence in legal proceedings.
45.—Prima facie evidence of any official statistics may be given in all legal proceedings by the production of a document purporting to contain such statistics and to be issued by the Central Statistics Office or to be signed by the Director General.