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Uimhir 2 de 1934.
ACHT NA gCUAN (RÁTAÍ DO RIALÁIL), 1934.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála;
cialluíonn an abairt “údarás cuain” duine (le na n-áirmhítear bord, coiste, comhairle, no cólucht eile, pe'ca corpruithe no neamhinchorpruithe dho, ar n-a bhunú le reacht no fé, agus le n-a n-áirmhítear freisin comhairle chontae no údarás áitiúil eile, ach amháin Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Puiblí in Éirinn) ina bhfuil únaeracht, stiúradh, rialáil, no bainistí cuain dílsithe tré reacht, tré chonnradh, tré cheannach no tré shlí eile ar bith;
cialluíonn an focal “cuan” aon duga, piara, céibh, caladh, fánán no fánóg bhád chun, no a húsáidtear chun, cóiríochta, feistithe no ancaireachta árthach no chun, no a húsáidtear chun, earraí do chur ar bord luinge, do thógaint as luing, no d'aistriú o luing go luing, agus fós aon oibreacha, gléasra no feisteas ar n-a chur ar fáil no a húsáidtear maidir leis an gcéanna;
cialluíonn an focal “árthach” long, bád, no árthach eile de shaghas ar bith;
cialluíonn an focal “rátaí” rátaí, dleachta, custuim, agus éilithe eile, pé saghas iad, is inghearrtha ag údarás cuain alos árthach, earraí ceannaíochta de shaghas ar bith, no aer-árthach;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so.
Cosaint do Choimisinéirí na nOibreacha Puiblí in Éirinn.
2.—Ní bhainfidh an tAcht so le cuan ar bith is cuan fé stiúradh no fé bhainistí Choimisinéirí na nOibreacha Puiblí in Éirinn ná ní déanfar aon ordú fén Acht so i dtaobh na rátaí is inéilithe ag na Coimisinéirí sin alos aon chuain den tsórt san.
Orduithe cuan-rátaí do dhéanamh.
3.—(1) Más oiriúnach agus pé uair is oiriúnach leis é, féadfaidh an tAire, ar iarratas údaráis chuain aon chuain no ar iarratas duine ar bith úsáideann an cuan san no ag á bhfuil leas in úsáid no i bhforbairt an chuain sin, no gan aon iarratas den tsórt san, féadfaidh, le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú cuan-rátaí san Acht so), gach ráta no aon ráta dá n-éileoidh údarás cuain an chuain sin do shocrú no, más oiriúnach leis é, na rátaí maximum éileoidh an t-údarás san do shocrú, agus féadfaidh, chun na críche sin, ceiliúradh, maolú, atharú no leathnú do dhéanamh leis an ordú san ar aon fhoráil reachtúil no eile tré n-a ndeintear na rátaí no na rátaí maximum no minimum is inéilithe ag an údarás cuain sin do shocrú, do shrianadh no do rialáil ar shlí eile.
(2) Más oiriúnach agus pé uair is oiriúnach leis é, féadfaidh an tAire, ar aon iarratas den tsórt a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so no gan aon iarratas den tsórt san, féadfaidh, le hordú, ordú cuan-rátaí do cheiliúradh no do leasú.
(3) Pé uair a bheidh beartaithe ag an Aire ordú cuan-rátaí do dhéanamh, do leasú no do cheiliúradh, féadfaidh, más oiriúnach leis é, a chur fé ndeár fiosrúchán puiblí do dhéanamh i dtaobh an orduithe sin do dhéanamh, do leasú no do cheiliúradh (pe'ca aca é).
(4) Raghaidh gach ordú cuan-rátaí in éifeacht o pé dáta (nách dáta roimh dháta déanta an orduithe sin) a luadhfar san ordú san.
(5) Foillseofar gach ordú cuan-rátaí san Iris Oifigiúil chó luath agus bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis a dhéanta.
Iarrataisí ar orduithe cuanrátaí.
4.—(1) Féadfaidh aon údarás cuain, agus fós duine ar bith úsáideann aon chuan no ag á bhfuil leas in úsáid no i bhforbairt aon chuain, ordú cuan-rátaí alos an chuain sin d'iarraidh ar an Aire.
(2) Beidh gach iarratas ar ordú cuan-rátaí sa bhfuirm orduithe agus beidh na mion-innste orduithe ann.
(3) Gach údarás cuain no duine iarrfaidh orduithe cuan-rátaí fén alt so, déanfaidh, ar an Aire dá éileamh san air, pé mion-innste breise do thabhairt don Aire theastóidh ón Aire chun an iarratais sin do bhreithniú.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire a chur mar cheangal, maidir le ráiteas ar bith a bheidh in iarratas ar ordú cuan-rátaí no cuirfear chun an Aire mar fhreagra ar éileamh ar mhion-innste fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, go ndéanfaidh duine éigin go n-eolas pearsanta ar an ráiteas san é d'fhíorú i pé slí éileoidh an tAire.
(5) Má theipeann ar aon údarás cuain no ar dhuine ar bith mion-innste no fíorú ar bith do thabhairt uaidh éileoidh an tAire air fén alt so do thabhairt uaidh féadfaidh an tAire, ar scór an teipthe sin agus gan dochar dá dhiscréid maidir leis an ordú san do dhéanamh no diúltú d'é do dhéanamh, diúltú do ghéilleadh don iarratas gur ina thaobh do héilíodh na mion-innste no an fíorú san amhlaidh.
Fógra i dtaobh orduithe cuanrátaí do dhéanamh, etc.
5.—(1) Pé uair a bheidh beartaithe ag an Aire ordú cuan-rátaí do dhéanamh, do leasú no do cheiliúradh bhéarfaidh fógra d'údarás cuain an chuain le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú beartaithe sin agus foillseoidh an t-údarás cuain sin, pé tráth no tráthanna agus i pé slí ordóidh an tAire, fógra ina mbeidh na mion-innste sin, maidir leis an ordú beartaithe sin, ordóidh an tAire.
(2) Beidh i ngach fógra fhoillseoidh údarás cuain do réir an ailt seo, i dteanta na mion-innste luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, treoracha do sna daoine uile ag á bhfuil leas sa scéal maidir le hagóidí do dhéanamh agus cúiseanna do phlé leis an Aire alos an orduithe bheartaithe sin maraon le treoracha i dtaobh an ama, na slí agus na háite ina bhféadfar na hagóidí sin do dhéanamh agus na cúiseanna san do phlé.
(3) Isé duine ar a mbeidh íoc na gcostaisí fé n-a raghaidh údarás cuain i bhfoillsiú fógra fhoillseoid do réir an ailt seo ná pé duine ordóidh an tAire.
(4) Pé uair ordóidh an tAire, maidir leis na costaisí fé n-a raghaidh údarás cuain i bhfoillsiú fógra fhoillseoid do réir an ailt seo, gur ar dhuine ar bith seachas an t-údarás cuain sin a bheidh íoc na gcostaisí sin, féadfaidh an t-údarás cuain sin na costaisí sin do bhaint den duine sin mar fhiacha gnáth-chonnartha in aon chúirt dlighinse inniúla.
(5) Gach údarás cuain go dteipfidh ortha déanamh do réir treorach do bhéarfaidh an tAire dhóibh fén alt so beid ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a gciontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich bpúint do chur ortha.
(6) Pé uair a theipfidh ar údarás cuain aon fhógra d'fhoillsiú ordóidh an tAire dhóibh a fhoillsiú fén alt so no déanamh do réir aon treorach eile bhéarfaidh an tAire dhóibh fén alt so, féadfaidh an tAire féin, gan dochar d'aon imeachta eile i gcoinnibh an údaráis chuain sin, an fógra san d'fhoillsiú no a mbeidh luaidhte sa treoir sin do dhéanamh, agus is ar an údarás cuain sin a bheidh íoc na gcostaisí uile fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chuige sin agus féadfaidh an tAire na costaisí sin do bhaint den údarás cuain sin mar fhiacha gnáth-chonnartha in aon chúirt dlighinse inniúla.
E bheith mar oblagáid rátaí socrófar le hordú d'éileamh.
6.—(1) Pé uair a bheidh ordú cuan-rátaí i bhfeidhm maidir le cuan, déanfaidh an t-údarás cuain, alos gach abhair éilimh dá mbeidh rátaí socair leis an ordú san, na rátaí bheidh socair amhlaidh agus ní haon rátaí eile is mó no is lugha ná san d'éileamh agus déanfaid, alos gach abhair éilimh dá mbeidh rátaí maximum socair leis an ordú san, rátaí nách mó ná an maximum a bheidh socair amhlaidh d'éileamh.
(2) Gach údarás cuain éileoidh aon ráta contrárdha don alt so beid ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a gciontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga púnt do chur ortha.
Údaráis chuain do thabhairt eolais uatha.
7.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, tráth ar bith, a cheangal ar aon údarás cuain colas do thabhairt uatha, i pé fuirm ordóidh an tAire, maidir le gach ní no éinní acu so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) líon agus tonnáiste iomlán na n-árthach go léir no na n-árthach d'aon tsaghas áirithe do chaluigh i gcuan an údaráis sin no do bhain úsáid as ar shlí eile i rith aon tréimhse áirithe;
(b) cineál agus méid an lasta do cuireadh, do ládáladh no do tógadh ar na hárthaigh sin no isteach ionta;
(c) cineál agus méid an lasta do dí-ládáladh as na hárthaigh sin no do haistríodh uatha go hárthaigh eile;
(d) na rátaí d'éiligh an t-údarás san alos na n-árthach san agus an lasta san fé seach;
(e) ioncum agus caiteachas an údaráis sin in aghaidh aon tréimhse áirithe;
(f) sócmhainní agus fiachaisí (más ann dóibh) an údaráis sin aon tráth áirithe;
(g) éinní bhaineann no ghabhann le ní ar bith a luaidhtear in aon cheann de sna míreanna san roimhe seo den alt so.
(2) Pé uair a thárlóidh d'údarás cuain, ar an Aire do cheangal ortha fén alt so eolas do thabhairt don Aire, go dteipfidh ortha no go ndéanfaidh diúltú maidir leis an eolas san do thabhairt uatha amhlaidh, beidh an t-údarás cuain sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a gciontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich bpúint do chur ortha.
Fiosrúcháin phuiblí.
8.—Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach fiosrúchán puiblí déanfar fén Acht so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) isé dhéanfaidh an fiosrúchán san ná pé duine, agus isé am a déanfar é ná pé am, a cheapfaidh an tAire;
(b) déanfaidh údarás cuain an chuain le n-a mbaineann an fiosrúchán san a chur fé ndeár fógra i dtaobh déanta an fhiosrúcháin sin do thabhairt, i pé slí ordóidh an tAire, don phuiblíocht agus do pé daoine áirithe luadhfaidh an tAire;
(c) beidh ag an duine bheidh ag déanamh an fhiosrúcháin sin, chun a chur d'fhiachaibh ar fhínnithe teacht i láthair agus chun a scrúduithe fé mhionn (agus údaruítear leis seo don duine sin fínnithe do chur fé mhionn) no ar shlí eile, agus chun a chur d'fhiachaibh scríbhinní do thabhairt i láthair, na comhachta, na cearta agus na príbhléidí sin uile atá dílsithe san Ard-Chúirt no i mBreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt maidir le triail aicsin, agus beidh gairm fé láimh an duine sin có-ionann agus chó héifeachtúil le próiseas fuirmeálta ar n-a thabhairt amach ag an Ard-Chúirt chun a chur d'fhiachaibh ar fhínnithe teacht i láthair agus a chur d'fhiachaibh scríbhinní do thabhairt i láthair;
(d) má thárlann do dhuine ar bith—
(i) ar n-a ghairm go cuibhe mar fhínné ag fiosrúchán puiblí, go dteipfidh air teacht i láthair, no
(ii) ar bheith i láthair mar fhínné, go ndiúltóidh do mhionn do thabhairt a cheanglóidh neach déanta an fhiosrúcháin sin air do réir dlí do thabhairt, no d'aon scríbhinn do thabhairt i láthair a cheanglóidh neach déanta an fhiosrúcháin sin air do réir dlí do thabhairt i láthair, no d'aon cheist d'fhreagairt a cheanglóidh neach déanta an fhiosrúcháin sin air do réir dlí d'fhreagairt, no
(iii) go ndéanfaidh éinní eile bheadh, dá mba Chúirt Bhreithiúnais go gcomhacht daoine do dhaoradh mar gheall ar dhísbeagadh cúirte neach déanta an fhiosrúcháin sin, ina dhísbeagadh cúirte,
féadfaidh neach déanta an fhiosrúcháin sin cionta an duine sin do dheimhniú fé n-a láimh don Ard-Chúirt agus féadfaidh an Chúirt sin, tar éis pé fiosrú is oiriúnach léi do dhéanamh, an duine sin de phionósú no pé ní do dhéanamh is gá chun é do phionósú díreach fé is dá mbeadh sé ciontach sa Chúirt sin do dhísbeagadh;
(e) beidh teideal ag fínné, i láthair fhiosrúcháin phuiblí ar n-a dhéanamh fén Acht so, chun na saoirsí agus na bpríbhléidí céanna chun a mbeadh teideal aige dá mb'fhínné i láthair na hArd-Chúirte é;
(f) na costaisí uile fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun fiosrúcháin phuiblí do dhéanamh i dtaobh ar cheart ordú cuanrátaí, d'iarr údarás cuain no aon duine no cólucht daoine, do dhéanamh, do leasú no do cheiliúradh (pe'ca aca é) no nár cheart, déanfaidh an duine no na daoine sin ordóidh an tAire iad d'íoc leis an Aire agus san, i gcás níos mó ná duine amháin den tsórt san dá n-íoc, i pé cionúireachtaí ordóidh an tAire, agus isé an tAire shocróidh méid na gcostaisí sin agus ar san do shocrú amhlaidh féadfaidh an tAire an méid sin do bhaint amach dá réir sin mar fhiacha síbhialta in aon chúirt dlighinse inniúla;
(g) na costaisí fé n-a raghaidh údarás cuain chun a chur fé ndeár fógra do thabhairt do réir an ailt seo déanfaidh an duine sin ordóidh an tAire iad d'íoc agus (marab é an t-údarás cuain sin an duine sin) féadfaidh an t-údarás cuain sin iad do bhaint den duine sin mar fhiacha síbhialta in aon chúirt dlighinse inniúla;
(h) féadfaidh an duine dhéanfaidh fiosrúchán puiblí fén alt so, más dóich leis san do bheith ceart, a ordú go n-íocfaidh aon duine áirithe do bhí i láthair no go raibh ionadaí uaidh i láthair ag an bhfiosrúchán san na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí fé n-a ndeachaidh duine ar bith eile (le n-a n-áirmhítear údarás cuain) tré theacht i láthair no tré ionadaí uaidh do theacht i láthair agus tré fhianaise do thabhairt i láthair ag an bhfiosrúchán san;
(i) pé uair ordóidh an duine dhéanfaidh fiosrúchán puiblí fén alt so go n-íocfaidh duine áirithe na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí fé n-a ndeachaidh duine eile, déanfaidh máistir measaireachta den Ard-Chúirt na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí sin do mheas agus d'fháil amach ar éileamh an té le n-ar horduíodh amhlaidh no ar éileamh an té dar horduíodh amhlaidh na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí sin d'íoc agus nuair a bheidh na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí sin measta agus faighte amach amhlaidh féadfaidh an té le n-ar horduíodh amhlaidh iad d'íoc méid na gcostaisí agus na gcaiteachaisí sin do bhaint den té dar horduíodh amhlaidh iad d'íoc mar fhiacha gnáth-chonnartha in aon chúirt dlighinse inniúla.
Alt 18 den Pilotage Act, 1913, do leasú.
9.—(1) An chomhacht chun fo-dhlithe do cheiliúradh no d'atharú, no chun cur leo, a bronntar ar an Aire agus a dílsítear ann le halt 18 den Pilotage Act, 1913, mar atá san oiriúnuithe leis an Acht um Oiriúnú Achtanna, 1922 (Uimh. 2 de 1922), no fé, féadfaidh an tAire, maidir le haon fho-dhlithe chun dleachta píolóideachta do shocrú, an chomhacht san d'fheidhmiú uaidh féin d'ainneoin gan aon chúis den tsórt a luaidhtear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt san 18 do phlé leis an Aire i dtaobh an fho-dhlí sin, ach an feidhmiú san do bheith fé réir na bhforálacha eile den alt san.
(2) San alt so tá an bhrí chéanna leis an abairt “dleachta píolóideachta” atá leis an abairt “pilotage dues” san Pilotage Act, 1913.
An Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, do leasú.
10.—(1) Féadfaidh ordú déanfar fé fho-alt (1) d'alt 2 den Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, i dtaobh aistrithe comhacht agus dualgas a bhaineann le cuanta, duganna agus piaranna, féadfaidh gan feidhm do bheith aige ach maidir le comhachta agus dualgaisí bhaineann le cuan, duga agus piara áirithe amháin no níos mó no le haon cheann acu san, agus féadfaidh fós gan feidhm do bheith aige ach maidir le comhacht agus dualgas áirithe no níos mó no comhacht no dualgas áirithe no níos mó bhaineann leis na cuanta, na duganna agus na piaranna no le haon cheann acu san gur maidir leo no leis a bheidh feidhm ag an ordú san.
(2) Aistriú déanfar ar chomhachta no dualgaisí le hordú déanfar fé fho-alt (1) den alt san 2 den Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, agus go dteorainn le n-a fheidhm sa tslí a húdaruítear leis an alt so, tuigfear, chun crícheanna fo-ailt (2) den alt san 2, an t-aistriú san do dhéanamh fén alt san.
Rialacháin.
11.—Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú rialacháin do dhéanamh i dtaobh éinní no aon ruda dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no le hordú.
Ciontaí do chúiseamh.
12.—Féadfaidh an tAire no féadfar ar agra an Aire mar chúisitheoir gach cionta fé alt ar bith den Acht so do chúiseamh.
Costaisí.
13.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar gach costas fé n-a raghfar chun an Achta so do chur in éifeacht.
Gearr-theideal.
14.—Féadfar Acht na gCuan (Rátaí do Rialáil), 1934, do ghairm den Acht so.
Number 2 of 1934.
HARBOURS (REGULATION OF RATES) ACT, 1934.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Act Referred to | |
No. 2 of 1922 | |
Number 2 of 1934.
HARBOURS (REGULATION OF RATES) ACT, 1934.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the expression “harbour authority” means a person (including a board, committee, council, or other body, whether corporate or unincorporated, established by or under statute and also including a county council or other local authority but excluding the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland) in whom is vested by statute, contract, purchase, or otherwise howsoever the ownership, control, regulation, or management of a harbour;
the word “harbour” means any dock, pier, quay, wharf, jetty or boatslip intended or used for the accommodation, berthing or anchorage of vessels or for the shipping, unshipping or transhipping of goods, and any works, plant or equipment provided or used in connection therewith;
the word “vessel” means a ship, boat, or other vessel of any description;
the word “rates” means rates, dues, tolls, and other charges of whatever description leviable by a harbour authority in respect of vessels, merchandise of any description, or aircraft;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act.
Saving for the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.
2.—This Act shall not apply to any harbour under the control or management of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland nor shall any order be made under this Act in relation to the rates chargeable by such Commissioners in respect of any such harbour.
Making of harbour rates orders.
3.—(1) The Minister may, if and whenever he thinks fit on the application of the harbour authority for any harbour or on the application of any person who uses or is interested in the use or development of such harbour, or without any such application, by order (in this Act referred to as a harbour rates order) fix all or any of the rates or, where he so thinks fit, the maximum rates to be charged by the harbour authority of such harbour, and may for that purpose revoke, modify, alter, or extend by such order any statutory or other provision fixing, restricting, or otherwise regulating the rates or the maximum or minimum rates chargeable by such harbour authority.
(2) The Minister may if and whenever he thinks fit, on any such application as is mentioned in the next preceding sub-section of this section or without any such application, by order revoke or amend a harbour rates order.
(3) Whenever the Minister proposes to make, amend, or revoke a harbour rates order, the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, cause a public inquiry to be held in regard to the making, amendment, or revocation (as the case may be) of such order
(4) Every harbour rates order shall take effect from such date (not being a date prior to the date on which such order is made) as may be specified in such order.
(5) Every harbour rates order shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as conveniently may be after it is made.
Applications for harbour rates orders.
4.—(1) Any harbour authority and any person who uses or is interested in the use or development of any harbour may apply to the Minister for a harbour rates order in respect of such harbour.
(2) Every application for a harbour rates order shall be in the prescribed form and shall contain the prescribed particulars.
(3) Every harbour authority or person who applies under this section for a harbour rates order shall, when required by the Minister so to do, furnish to the Minister such further particulars as the Minister may require for the consideration of such application.
(4) The Minister may require any statement made in an application for a harbour rates order or made to the Minister in response to a request for particulars under the next preceding sub-section of this section to be verified in such manner as the Minister may require by some person having personal knowledge of such statement.
(5) If any harbour authority or person fails to furnish any particulars or any verification which he is required by the Minister under this section to furnish, the Minister may, on the ground of such failure and without prejudice to his discretion to make or refuse to make such order, refuse the application in relation to which such particulars or verification were so required.
Notice of making, etc., of harbour rates orders.
5.—(1) Whenever the Minister proposes to make, amend or revoke a harbour rates order the Minister shall give notice to the harbour authority of the harbour to which such proposed order relates and such harbour authority shall publish, at such time or times and in such manner as the Minister directs, a notice containing such particulars as the Minister directs of such proposed order.
(2) Every notice published by a harbour authority in pursuance of this section shall contain, in addition to the particulars mentioned in the foregoing sub-section of this section, directions to all persons interested as to the making of objections and representations to the Minister in respect of such proposed order, together with directions as to the time, manner, and place in which such objections and representations may be made.
(3) The expenses incurred by a harbour authority in the publication of a notice published by them in pursuance of this section shall be borne by such person as the Minister shall direct.
(4) Whenever the Minister directs that the expenses incurred by a harbour authority in the publication of a notice published by them in pursuance of this section shall be borne by any person other than such harbour authority, such expenses shall be recoverable by such harbour authority from such person as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(5) Every harbour authority which fails to comply with a direction given to them by the Minister under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
(6) Whenever a harbour authority fails to publish any notice directed by the Minister to be published by them under this section or to comply with any other direction given to them by the Minister under this section, the Minister may, without prejudice to any other proceedings against such harbour authority, himself publish such notice or carry out and execute such direction and all expenses incurred by the Minister in so doing shall be borne by such harbour authority and such expenses shall be recoverable by the Minister from such harbour authority as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Obligation to charge rates fixed by order.
6.—(1) Whenever a harbour rates order is in force in respect of a harbour, the harbour authority shall, in respect of all subjects of charge for which rates are fixed by such order, charge the rates so fixed and no other or greater or less rates and shall, in respect of all subjects of charge for which maximum rates are fixed by such order, charge rates not exceeding the maximum so fixed.
(2) Every harbour authority which charges any rate 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.
Harbour authorities to furnish information.
7.—(1) The Minister may at any time require any harbour authority to furnish information in such form as the Minister directs in relation to all or any of the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) the number and total tonnage of vessels, either generally or of any specified class, which have berthed in or otherwise used the harbour of such authority during any specified period;
(b) the nature and the amount of cargo shipped, loaded or taken on or into such vessels;
(c) the nature and the amount of cargo discharged or transhipped from such vessels;
(d) the rates charged by such authority in respect of such vessels and such cargo respectively;
(e) the revenue and expenditure of such authority over any specified period;
(f) the assets and liabilities (if any) of such authority at any specified time;
(g) any matter connected with or ancillary to any matter mentioned in any of the foregoing paragraphs of this section.
(2) Whenever a harbour authority, on being required by the Minister under this section to furnish information to the Minister, fails or refuses so to furnish such information, such harbour authority shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
Public inquiries.
8.—The following provisions shall have effect in relation to every public inquiry held under this Act, that is to say:—
(a) such inquiry shall be held by such person and at such time as the Minister shall appoint;
(b) the harbour authority of the harbour to which such inquiry relates shall cause notice of the holding of such inquiry to be given in such manner as the Minister shall direct to the public and to such particular persons as the Minister shall specify;
(c) the person holding such inquiry shall have all such powers, rights, and privileges for enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath (which such person is hereby authorised to administer) or otherwise, and for compelling the production of documents as are vested in the High Court or a Judge thereof in respect of the trial of an action, and a summons signed by such person shall be equivalent to and have the like effect as a formal process issued by the High Court for enforcing the attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents;
(d) if any person—
(i) on being duly summoned as a witness at a public inquiry makes default in attending, or
(ii) being in attendance as a witness refuses to take an oath legally required by the person holding such inquiry to be taken, or to produce any document legally required by the person holding such inquiry to be produced by him, or to answer any question to which the person holding such inquiry may legally require an answer, or
(iii) does any other thing which would, if the person holding such inquiry were a Court of Justice, having power to commit for contempt of court, be contempt of such court,
the person holding such inquiry may certify the offence of that person under his hand to the High Court and that Court may, after such inquiry as it thinks proper to make, punish or take steps for the punishment of that person in like manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of the said Court;
(e) a witness before a public inquiry held under this Act shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court;
(f) all expenses incurred by the Minister in holding a public inquiry on the question whether a harbour rates order for which a harbour authority or any person or body of persons has applied should or should not be made, amended, or revoked (as the case may be), shall be paid to the Minister by such person or persons and, if by more than one such person, in such proportions as the Minister shall direct, and the amount of such expenses shall be fixed by the Minister and when so fixed shall be recoverable by the Minister accordingly as a civil debt in any court of competent jurisdiction;
(g) the expenses incurred by a harbour authority in causing notice to be given in pursuance of this section shall be paid by such person as the Minister shall direct and (if such person is not the said harbour authority) shall be recoverable by such harbour authority from such person as a civil debt in any court of competent jurisdiction;
(h) the person holding a public inquiry under this section may, if he thinks proper so to do, order the costs and expenses incurred by any person (including a harbour authority) of appearing or being represented and adducing evidence at such inquiry to be paid by any other person who appeared or was represented at such inquiry;
(i) whenever the person holding a public inquiry under this section orders the costs and expenses incurred by one person to be paid by another person, such costs and expenses shall be taxed and ascertained by a taxing-master of the High Court on the requisition of either the person to whom or the person by whom such costs and expenses were so ordered to be paid, and the amount of such costs and expenses when so taxed and ascertained shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction by the person to whom and from the person by whom such costs and expenses were so ordered to be paid.
Amendment of section 18 of the Pilotage Act, 1913.
9.—(1) The power of revoking, varying, or adding to bye-laws conferred on and vested in the Minister by section 18 of the Pilotage Act, 1913, as adapted by or under the Adaptation of Enactments Act, 1922 (No. 2 of 1922), may, in relation to any bye-laws fixing pilotage dues, be exercised by the Minister on his own motion notwithstanding that no such representation as is mentioned in sub-section (1) of the said section 18 has been made to the Minister in respect of such bye-law, but subject to the other provisions of the said section.
(2) In this section the expression “pilotage dues” has the same meaning as it has in the Pilotage Act, 1913.
Amendment of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919.
10.—(1) An order made under sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, in respect of the transfer of powers and duties relating to harbours, docks, and piers may be limited to powers and duties relating to one or more particular harbours, docks, and piers or any of them, and may also be limited to one or more particular powers and duties or powers or duties relating to the harbours, docks, and piers or any of them to which such order is limited.
(2) A transfer of powers or duties effected by an order made under sub-section (1) of the said section 2 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, and limited in the manner authorised by this section shall, for the purposes of sub-section (2) of the said section 2, be deemed to have been effected under that section.
Regulations.
11.—The Minister may by order make regulations in relation to any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Prosecution of offences.
12.—Every offence under any section of this Act may be prosecuted by or at the suit of the Minister as prosecutor.
Expenses.
13.—All expenses of carrying this Act into effect shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title.
14.—This Act may be cited as the Harbours (Regulation of Rates) Act, 1934.