Off On Dualscroll
Turn Dualscroll on to scroll both language versions together.
Number 26 of 1988
FORESTRY ACT, 1988
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Establishment and Administration
Transitional Provisions
Continuance of certain notices, certificates, declarations and bonds. | |
Continuance of licences and permissions granted by the Minister. | |
Repeal of Enactments
Amendment of Provisions of Forestry Act, 1946
Acts Referred to | |
1963, No. 33 | |
Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986 | |
1977, No. 30 | |
1984, No. 6 | |
Finance Act, 1895 | 58 & 59 Vict. c. 16 |
1933, No. 12 | |
1946, No. 13 | |
Forestry Acts, 1946 to 1976 | |
1973, No. 25 | |
Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1983 | |
Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 and 1984 | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict. c. 93 |
Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1984 | |
1954, No. 25 | |
Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1963 | |
1976, No. 22 | |
1977, No. 10 | |
1976, No. 39 | |
Number 26 of 1988
FORESTRY ACT, 1988
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title, collective citation and construction.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Forestry Act, 1988.
(2) The Forestry Acts, 1946 to 1976, and this Act may be cited as the Forestry Acts, 1946 to 1988, and shall be construed together as one Act.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
“the company” means the company referred to in section 9 (1);
“the Companies Acts” means the Companies Act, 1963, and every enactment which is to be construed with it as one Act;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“land” includes land covered by water;
“Minister” means the Minister for Energy;
“recognised trade unions and staff associations” means trade unions and staff associations recognised by the company for the purposes of negotiations which are concerned with the remuneration or conditions of employment, or the working conditions, of employees;
“State authority” means an authority being—
(a) a Minister of the Government,
(b) the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland,
(c) the Irish Land Commission;
“subsidiary” has the meaning assigned to it by section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963;
“vesting day” means the day appointed under section 9 (2) to be the vesting day.
(2) A reference in this Act to a section is to a section of this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended.
(3) A reference in this Act to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.
(4) A reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or adapted by or under any subsequent enactment.
(5) Where any function of the company is, under the memorandum of association of a subsidiary of the company, a function of the subsidiary every provision of this Act or any other enactment relating to the company shall, in respect of that function, apply to the subsidiary as it applies to the company.
Laying of orders before Houses of Oireachtas.
3.—Every order made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either such House within the next subsequent 21 days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Expenses.
4.—The expenses incurred by the Minister 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.
5.—(1) Section 53 of the Forestry Act, 1946, is hereby repealed from the passing of this Act.
(2) The enactments specified in the First Schedule are hereby repealed with effect from the vesting day to the extent specified in the third column.
Amendment of provisions of Forestry Act, 1946.
6.—(1) Every provision of the Forestry Act, 1946, mentioned in Part I of the Second Schedule shall have effect from the passing of this Act as amended in the second column.
(2) The provision of the Forestry Act, 1946, mentioned in Part II of the Second Schedule shall have effect from the vesting day as amended in the second column.
(3) A person charged with an offence under any of the following provisions of the Forestry Act, 1946, that is to say, sections 37 (3), 38 (2), 39 (4), 42 (3), 45 (2), 47 (2) and 51 (2) may be tried on indictment and, on conviction on indictment, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £2,000 together with an amount not exceeding £50 for each tree in respect of which the offence is committed or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
(4) Section 4 of the Forestry Act, 1946, is hereby amended by the substitution for every reference to an offence of a reference to a summary offence.
Penalties.
7.—(1) A person guilty of an offence under section 33 or 37 shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both the fine and the imprisonment, or
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
(2) On conviction of a person on indictment for an offence to which subsection (1) relates the court may, in addition to any other penalty, order any apparatus, equipment or other thing used to commit the offence to be forfeited.
(3) Where an offence to which subsection (1) relates is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any person (or any person acting on his behalf) being a director, manager, or secretary of such body, that person or the person so acting, as the case may be, shall also be guilty of that offence.
Proceedings.
8.—(1) Summary proceedings for an offence under section 33 or 37 may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister or the company.
(2) Notwithstanding section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence to which any provision of this Act relates may be instituted within 12 months from the date of the offence.
PART II
Establishment and Administration
Formation of company.
9.—(1) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, shall cause a private company conforming to the conditions laid down in this Act to be formed and registered under the Companies Acts.
(2) The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the vesting day for the company as soon as practicable after the company has been registered.
(3) Nothing in this Act shall prevent the company from availing of any provisions of the Companies Acts enabling a private company to re-register as a public limited company, but such provisions may be availed of only with the approval of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
Name and capital formation of company.
10.—(1) The name of the company shall be Coillte Teoranta or, in the English language, The Irish Forestry Board Limited.
(2) (a) The authorised share capital of the company shall be £1 billion or such other amount as may be approved from time to time by the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, divided into shares of one pound each.
(b) The company may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, divide the shares in its share capital into several classes and attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions.
Form of memorandum of association.
11.—The memorandum of association of the company and of any subsidiary shall be in such form consistent with this Act as may be approved of by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Objects of the company.
12.—(1) The principal objects of the company shall be stated in its memorandum of association to be—
(a) to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices,
(b) to establish and carry on woodland industries,
(c) to participate with others in forestry and related activities consistent with its objects, designed to enhance the effective and profitable operation of the company, and
(d) to utilise and manage the resources available to it in a manner consistent with the above objects.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent or restrict the inclusion among the objects of the company, as stated in its memorandum of association, of all such objects and powers as are reasonably necessary or proper for or incidental or ancillary to the due attainment of the principal objects aforesaid and are not inconsistent with this Act.
(3) The company shall have power to do anything which appears to it to be requisite, advantageous or incidental to, or which appears to it to facilitate, either directly or indirectly, the performance by it of its functions as specified in this Act or in its memorandum of association and is not inconsistent with any law for the time being in force.
(4) The Minister may, for the purpose of giving full effect to the assignment of functions under this Act to the company, by order adapt any enactment with the consent of any other Minister responsible for the administration of that enactment.
General duty of the company.
13.—(1) It shall be the general duty of the company—
(a) to conduct its affairs so as to ensure that revenues of the company are not less than sufficient to—
(i) meet all charges properly chargeable to revenue account (including depreciation of assets and proper allocation to general reserve) taking one year with another,
(ii) generate a reasonable proportion of capital needs, and
(iii) remunerate capital and repay borrowings,
(b) to conduct its business at all times in a cost effective and efficient manner,
(c) to have due regard to the environmental and amenity consequences of its operations, and
(d) to provide for consultation with the Minister for Finance concerning forestry development in areas of scientific interest.
(2) Nothing in section 12 or this section shall be construed as imposing on the company, either directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court to which it would not otherwise be subject.
Acquisition and sale of land and sale of timber.
14.—(1) The company shall submit to and agree with the Minister each year a programme for the sale and acquisition of land and the sale of timber, whether standing or felled.
(2) The company shall not exceed the limitations of the programme agreed with the Minister under subsection (1) without the prior approval of the Minister.
(3) The approval of the Minister referred to in subsection (2) may be given for a particular sale or generally, subject to such limitations and conditions as he may specify. The Minister may from time to time withdraw or vary any such limitations or conditions.
(4) The Minister may direct the company to include in its annual report such information as he may specify in respect of sales to which this section relates and the company shall comply with every such direction.
Articles of association.
15.—(1) The articles of association of the company shall be in such form consistent with this Act as may be approved of by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(2) The articles of association of the company shall provide that—
(a) the number of directors (including the chairman) shall be not more than 9;
(b) the chairman and other directors shall be appointed and may be removed from office by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance;
(c) each director (including the chairman) shall be appointed for a period not exceeding five years and shall be eligible for reappointment;
(d) the remuneration of the chairman and other directors shall be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance;
(e) no person shall be appointed as auditor of the company without the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance;
(f) the company shall, in consultation with recognised trade unions and staff associations, set up machinery for the purposes of negotiations concerned with the pay and conditions of service of its staff;
(g) the company shall not establish or acquire a subsidiary without the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance;
(h) the aggregate at any one time of the company's investment in undertakings (other than subsidiaries) shall not exceed £250,000, except with the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Restriction on alteration of memorandum or articles of association.
16.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Acts, no alteration in the memorandum of association or articles of association of the company or of any subsidiary of the company shall be valid or effectual unless made with the prior approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Issue of shares to Minister for Finance in consideration of transfer of property.
17.—(1) The company shall issue shares to the Minister for Finance to the value of the property transferred to it on the vesting day in accordance with sections 39 and 40, and each share shall carry one vote.
(2) The Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and following consultation with the company, shall issue as soon as possible after the vesting day a certificate certifying the sum which in his opinion represents the value of the property transferred to the company.
(3) The company, after receipt of the certificate, shall issue to the Minister for Finance, without payment by him, fully paid-up shares of the company equal in nominal value to the sum so certified.
Issue of share to Minister.
18.—(1) The company shall issue to the Minister one share of one pound in the share capital of the company.
(2) The Minister may exercise in respect of his share in the share capital of the company all the rights and powers of a holder of such shares and, where a right or power is exercisable by attorney, exercise it by his attorney.
(3) The cost of such share shall be advanced to the Minister out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
Issue of shares to subscribers to memorandum of association of company.
19.—(1) One share in the share capital of the company shall be issued to each of the subscribers to the memorandum of association of the company.
(2) The cost of such shares shall be advanced to the subscribers out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
Exercise of powers by Minister for Finance in respect of shares.
20.—The Minister for Finance may, subject to this Act, exercise in respect of the shares of the company held by him all the rights and powers of a holder of such shares and, where a right or power is exercisable by attorney, exercise it by his attorney.
Transfer or sale by Minister for Finance of shares.
21.—(1) The Minister for Finance may, from time to time as occasion requires for the purpose of compliance with so much of the Companies Acts as requires that there shall always be a minimum number of members of the company, transfer to any person one of his shares.
(2) The Minister for Finance may hold for so long as he thinks fit any shares of the company taken up or acquired by him under this Act and, after consultation with the Minister, may, as and when he thinks fit, sell all or any of such shares.
(3) The net proceeds of a sale by the Minister for Finance of shares of the company shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer.
Obligation of certain shareholders to hold shares in trust.
22.—(1) A member of the company to whom a share in the company is issued under section 19 or transferred under section 21 (1) shall hold that share in the company in trust for the Minister for Finance and shall accordingly be bound to pay all dividends and other money which he receives in respect of the share to the said Minister for the benefit of the Exchequer and to transfer, as and when required by the said Minister, the share to that Minister or a person nominated in that behalf by that Minister.
(2) Save when required pursuant to subsection (1), such member shall not transfer or alienate his share.
(3) Upon the death of a member of the company referred to in subsection (1), the share held by such member shall, without the necessity for a transfer, vest in the Minister for Finance.
Payment of dividends, etc. into Exchequer.
23.—(1) All amounts representing dividends or other money received by the Minister for Finance in respect of shares in the company and all amounts representing repayment of or interest on repayable advances received or recovered by him from the company shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as he may direct.
(2) All amounts representing dividends or other money received by the Minister in respect of his share in the company shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance may direct.
Power to borrow.
24.—(1) (a) Subject to the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, the company may, by means of the issue of debentures or otherwise, borrow money (including money in a currency other than the currency of the State) for capital purposes including working capital from persons other than the Minister for Finance.
(b) The aggregate at any one time of borrowings by the company under paragraph (a) shall not exceed £80 million.
(c) For the purposes of this subsection moneys borrowed in a currency other than the currency of the State shall be deemed to be the equivalent in the currency of the State of the actual moneys borrowed, such equivalent being calculated according to the rate of exchange at the time of the borrowing for that currency and the currency of the State.
(2) The company may borrow money (including money in a currency other than the currency of the State) temporarily but the aggregate at any one time of such borrowings shall not exceed such amount as has been approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(3) (a) Without prejudice to section 2 (5), references in subsections (1) and (2) to the company include references to a subsidiary of the company.
(b) Where the company and a subsidiary thereof have at any one time borrowings under this section, the limit on borrowings provided for shall apply to the aggregate at any one time of borrowings by the company and the subsidiary.
Guaranteeing by Minister for Finance of borrowings.
25.—(1) In relation to borrowings under section 24, the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, may guarantee, in such form and manner and in such money (including money in a currency other than the currency of the State) and on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit, the due repayment by the company of the principal of any money borrowed by the company or the due payment of instalments or other amounts of money owed by the company under a contract entered into by the company or the payment of interest on any money, instalment or amount or both the repayment of principal or payment of such instalments or amounts, as the case may be, and payment of the interest, and any such guarantee may include a guarantee of payment of commission and incidental expenses arising in connection with such borrowings or such contract.
(2) The Minister for Finance shall not so exercise the powers conferred on him by this section that the amount, or the aggregate amount, of money which he may at any one time be liable to pay on foot of any guarantee or guarantees under this section for the time being in force, together with the amount of money (if any) which he had previously paid on foot of any guarantee under this section and which has not been repaid by the company, exceeds £80 million.
(3) For the purpose of calculating the amount of borrowings or instalments or other money guaranteed by the Minister for Finance under this section by reference to the limit on money in subsection (2), the equivalent in the currency of the State of borrowings or instalments or other money in a foreign currency shall be calculated at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the giving of the guarantee.
(4) Where a guarantee under this section is or has been given, the company shall, if the Minister for Finance so requires, give to him such security (including, in particular, debentures) as may be specified in the equirement for the purpose of securing to the said Minister the repayment of any money which he may be liable to pay or has paid under the guarantee.
(5) The Minister for Finance shall, as soon as may be after the expiration of every financial year, lay before each House of the Oireachtas a statement setting out with respect to each guarantee under this section given during that year or given at any time before, and in force at, the commencement of that year—
(a) particulars of the guarantee,
(b) in case any payment has been made by him under the guarantee before the end of that year, the amount of the payment and the amount (if any) repaid to him on foot of the payment,
(c) the amount of money covered by the guarantee which was outstanding at the end of that year.
(6) Money paid by the Minister for Finance under a guarantee under this section shall be repaid to him (with interest thereon at such rate or rates as he appoints) by the company within such period from the date of payment by the said Minister as may be specified by that Minister after consultation with the company.
(7) Where the whole or any part of the money required by subsection (6) to be repaid to the Minister for Finance has not been repaid in accordance with that subsection, the amount so remaining outstanding shall be repaid to the Central Fund out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(8) Notwithstanding the provision of money under subsection (7) to repay the amount to the Central Fund, the company shall remain liable to the Minister for Finance in respect of that amount and that amount (with interest thereon at such rate or rates as the said Minister appoints) shall be repaid to the said Minister by the company at such times and in such instalments as he appoints and, in default of repayment as aforesaid and without prejudice to any other method of recovery, shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(9) In relation to a guarantee under this section in money in a currency other than the currency of the State—
(a) each of the references to principal, each of the references to instalments or other amounts of money, each of the references to interest and the reference to commission and incidental expenses in subsection (1) shall be taken as referring to the equivalent in the currency of the State of the actual principal, the actual instalments or other amounts of money, the actual interest or the actual commission and incidental expenses, as may be appropriate;
(b) the reference to the amount of money in subsection (5) (c) shall be taken as referring to the equivalent in the currency of the State of the actual amount of money, such equivalent being calculated according to the rate of exchange for the time being for that currency and the currency of the State;
(c) each of the references to money in subsections (6) to (8) shall be taken as referring to the cost in the currency of the State of the actual money.
(10) (a) Without prejudice to section 2 (5), references in this section to the company include references to a subsidiary of the company.
(b) Where there are in force at any one time guarantees under or by virtue of this section in respect of the company and of a subsidiary thereof, the relevant limit specified in subsection (2) shall apply to the aggregate of the amounts which the Minister for Finance is at any one time liable to pay under such guarantees.
Financing of capital works.
26.—(1) (a) The Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, may provide funds to the company for capital purposes by way of—
(i) Exchequer repayable advances, or
(ii) subscription for shares in the company, or
(iii) both such advances and subscription.
(b) The aggregate amount of funds provided under paragraph (a) shall not exceed £100 million.
(2) Exchequer advances provided under subsection (1) (a) shall be made on such terms as to repayment, interest, and other matters as may be determined by the Minister for Finance.
(3) If the company fails to make a repayment as required under subsection (2), the company shall remain liable to the Minister for Finance in respect of the unpaid amount and that amount (with interest thereon at such rate or rates as the said Minister appoints) shall be repaid to the said Minister by the company at such times and in such instalments as he appoints and, in default of payment as aforesaid and without prejudice to any other method of recovery, shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Provision of working capital for company.
27.—(1) The Minister for Finance may make available as working capital to the company an amount not exceeding £3 million.
(2) Liabilities of the Minister and the company under section 53 may, subject to the approval of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, be discharged by due account being taken of them along with other properly reckonable amounts in the calculation of the working capital to be made available to the company under subsection (1).
(3) The company shall issue to the Minister for Finance shares to the value of the working capital made available to it under subsection (1).
Provision of money for payments out of Central Fund.
28.—(1) All money from time to time required by the Minister for Finance to meet sums which may become payable by him under section 25, 26 or 27 shall be advanced out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
(2) The Minister for Finance may, for the purpose of providing for advances out of the Central Fund under this section, borrow on the security of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof any sums required for the purpose and, for the purpose of such borrowing, he may create and issue securities bearing interest at such rate and subject to such conditions as to repayment, redemption or any other matter as he thinks fit, and shall pay all sums so borrowed into the Exchequer.
(3) The principal of and interest on all securities issued under this section and the expenses incurred in connection with the issue of the securities shall be charged on and payable out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
Grants for current expenditure.
29.—(1) During the period of four years from the vesting day, the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister and following application by the company, may make available to the company annual grants not exceeding in aggregate £30 million for current expenditure.
(2) Such details of the purposes for which such grants are to be expended as may be required by the Minister or the Minister for Finance shall be made available in support of applications by the company for disbursement of funds under this section.
(3) All moneys required by the Minister for Finance under this section shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Accounts and audits.
30.—(1) Without prejudice to the requirements of the Companies Acts in relation to balance sheets and accounts, the company shall keep, in such form as may be approved of by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts of all money received by or expended by it, including a profit and loss account and a balance sheet, and, in particular, shall keep in such form as aforesaid all such special accounts as the Minister may from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the company to an auditor for audit and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the profit and loss account and of the balance sheet and of such other (if any) of the accounts as the Minister may direct and a copy of the auditor's report on the accounts shall be presented to the Minister who shall cause copies thereof to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Annual report and furnishing of information to Minister.
31.—(1) Not later than six months after the end of each accounting year, the company shall make a report to the Minister of its activities during that year and the Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) Every annual report shall include information, in such form as the Minister may direct after consultation with the company and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, regarding the operations, cost-effectiveness and financial targets of the company.
(3) The company shall, if so required by the Minister, furnish to him such information as he may require in respect of any balance sheet, account or report of the company or in relation to the policy and operations of the company other than day-to-day operations.
Disclosure by directors of certain interests.
32.—(1) Where at a meeting of the directors of the company any of the following matters arises, namely—
(a) an arrangement to which the company is a party or a proposed such arrangement, or
(b) a contract or other agreement with the company or a proposed such contract or other agreement,
then any director of the company present at the meeting who otherwise than in his capacity as such a director is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in the matter—
(i) shall at the meeting disclose to the company the fact of such interest and the nature thereof,
(ii) shall take no part in any deliberations of the directors relating to such matter save to such extent as the chairman of the meeting at which such deliberations take place may permit, and
(iii) shall not vote on a decision relating to the matter.
(2) Where an interest is disclosed pursuant to this section, the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting concerned and, for so long as the matter to which the disclosure relates is being dealt with by the meeting, the director by whom the disclosure is made shall not be counted in the quorum for the meeting.
(3) Where at a meeting of the directors of the company a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a director of the company, would be a failure by him to comply with the requirements of subsection (1), the question may be determined by the chairman of the meeting whose decision shall be final and where such a question is so determined particulars of the determination shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
(4) Where the Minister is satisfied that a director has failed to comply with a requirement of subsection (1) he may, if he thinks fit, and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, remove that director from office, and in case a person is removed from office pursuant to this subsection he shall thenceforth be disqualified from being a director of the company.
(5) Section 194 of the Companies Act, 1963, shall not apply to a director of the company.
Prohibition on unauthorised disclosure of information.
33.—(1) A person shall not disclose confidential information obtained by him while performing duties as a director or member of staff of, or an adviser or consultant to, the company unless he is duly authorised to do so.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) In this section—
“confidential” means that which is expressed to be confidential either as regards particular information or as regards information of a particular class or description;
“duly authorised” means authorised by the company or by some person authorised in that behalf by the company.
Membership of either House of Oireachtas or European Parliament.
34.—(1) Where a director of the company is—
(a) nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or
(b) elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to the European Parliament, or
(c) regarded pursuant to section 15 (inserted by the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984) of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977, as having been elected to such Parliament to fill a vacancy,
he shall thereupon cease to be a director of the company.
(2) Where a person employed by the company is—
(a) nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, or
(b) elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to the European Parliament, or
(c) regarded pursuant to section 15 (inserted by the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984) of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977, as having been elected to such Parliament to fill a vacancy,
he shall thereupon stand seconded from employment by the company and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from, the company any remuneration or allowances in respect of the period commencing on such nomination or election, or when he is so regarded as having been elected (as the case may be) and ending when he ceases to be a member of either such House or such Parliament.
(3) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein or who is a member of the European Parliament shall, while he is so entitled or is such a member, be disqualified from becoming a director of the company or from employment in any capacity by the company.
(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), that subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the reckoning of a period therein mentioned as service with the company for the purpose of any pensions, gratuities or other allowances payable on resignation, retirement or death.
Chief Executive.
35.—(1) There shall be a Chief Executive of the company.
(2) The first Chief Executive of the company, having been selected by means of a public competition, shall be appointed by the Minister for a period not exceeding three years and may be removed from office by the Minister during that period.
(3) The first Chief Executive may be reappointed and thereafter may be removed from office by the directors of the company.
(4) Each subsequent Chief Executive shall be appointed and may be removed from office by the directors of the company.
(5) The functions of the Chief Executive shall be to carry on, manage and control generally the administration of the company, subject to the lawful directions of the directors of the company.
(6) The Chief Executive shall hold office on and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration, allowances and superannuation) as may be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Staff of company.
36.—Without prejudice to the requirements of section 43, the company, in determining the remuneration or allowances for expenses to be paid to its officers or servants or the terms or conditions subject to which such officers or servants hold or are to hold their employment, shall have regard to Government or nationally agreed guidelines which are for the time being extant, or to Government policy concerning remuneration and conditions of employment which is so extant, and in addition to the foregoing, the company shall comply with any directives with regard to such remuneration, allowances, terms or conditions which the Minister may give from time to time to the company with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
Bye-laws.
37.—(1) The Minister may at the request of the company or on his own behalf make bye-laws to regulate access to or use of any land owned, managed or used by the company.
(2) Where the company submits a proposal to the Minister to make a bye-law the Minister shall, as he may think proper, refuse to approve of the proposal or approve thereof without modifications or make such modifications therein as he may think proper and make the bye-law as so modified.
(3) A document which purports to be a copy of bye-laws made under this section, and which has endorsed thereon a certificate (purporting to be signed by an officer of the Minister) stating that the document is a true copy of the bye-laws and that the bye-laws were in force on a specified date, shall, without proof of signature of such officer or that he was in fact such officer, be received as evidence in every court and in all legal proceedings of the bye-laws and of the fact that they were in force on that date.
(4) A person who contravenes a bye-law made under this section shall be guilty of an offence.
General Ministerial powers.
38.—(1) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, issue directions in writing to the company requiring the company—
(a) to comply with policy decisions of a general kind made by the Government concerning the development of forestry and related activities of which he may advise the company from time to time, or
(b) to provide or maintain specified services or facilities, or
(c) to maintain or use specified land or premises in the company's possession for a particular purpose.
(2) The company shall comply with every direction given to it under this section.
(3) (a) A direction to the company under this section shall, if the company so requests in writing, be given by the Minister by order.
(b) Such an order shall remain in force for a specified period of not more than twelve months unless extended or revoked by order of the Minister.
(4) If the company satisfies the Minister that, over a period of at least twelve months or such other period as may be determined by the Minister after consultation with the company, it has sustained a loss in complying with a direction under subsection (1) (b) or (1) (c), it shall be entitled to recover the loss from the Minister.
(5) The Minister may require an audit of the books and records of the company to determine that such loss has been incurred.
(6) Before giving a direction to the company under subsection (1) (b) or (1) (c), the Minister shall obtain from the company details of the cost of complying with such direction and the company shall supply such information to the Minister on request.
(7) The Minister may stipulate, in consultation with the company and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, financial or other targets (including payment of dividends in respect of shares in the company) to be achieved by the company.
(8) Moneys required by the Minister to meet payments required by him under this section shall be advanced to him by the Minister for Finance out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART III
Transitional Provisions
Transfer of land.
39.—(1) On the vesting day all land (other than land designated by the Minister) which, immediately before that day, was vested in the Minister and was used or had been acquired for the purposes of functions assigned by this Act to the company and all rights, powers and privileges relating to or connected with such land shall, without any conveyance or assignment, but subject to subsection (2), stand vested in the company for all the estate or interest for which immediately before the vesting day it was vested in the Minister but subject to all trusts and equities affecting the land subsisting and capable of being performed.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not operate to vest in the company any minerals or any right of mining or taking minerals, or any foreshore, within the meaning of the Foreshore Act, 1933.
(3) The Minister may on his own initiative and shall on the application of the company issue a certificate in respect of specified land certifying, as he thinks proper, that the land vested in the company under this section or did not so vest and the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the facts so certified.
Transfer of other property.
40.—(1) On the vesting day all property other than land, including choses-in-action, which immediately before that day was the property of the Minister and was used or had been acquired in connection with the functions assigned by this Act to the company shall stand vested in the company without any assignment.
(2) The Minister may on his own initiative and shall on the application of the company issue a certificate in respect of specified property certifying, as he thinks proper, that the property vested in the company under this section or did not so vest and the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the facts so certified.
(3) Every chose-in-action transferred by subsection (1) to the company may, after the vesting day, be sued on, recovered or enforced by the company in its own name and it shall not be necessary for the company or the Minister to give notice to the person bound by the chose-in-action of the transfer effected by that subsection.
Transfer of rights and liabilities.
41.—(1) All rights and liabilities of the Minister arising by virtue of any contract or commitment (expressed or implied) entered into by him or by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland on his behalf before the vesting day in relation to functions assigned to the company under this Act shall on that day stand transferred to the company.
(2) The Minister may on his own initiative and shall on the application of the company issue a certificate in respect of a specified contract or commitment certifying, as he thinks proper, that the rights and liabilities of the Minister thereunder were transferred on the vesting day to the company under this section or were not so transferred and the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the facts so certified.
(3) Every right and liability transferred by subsection (1) to the company may, on and after the vesting day, be sued on, recovered or enforced by or against the company in its own name and it shall not be necessary for the company or the Minister to give notice to the person whose right or liability is transferred by this section of such transfer.
(4) The company shall comply with such obligations (excluding repayment of principal or interest payments) as may be specified by the Minister for Finance in relation to his contractual obligations under foreign loan contracts, entered into before the vesting day, relating to functions assigned to the company under this Act.
Exemption from stamp duty.
42.—Section 12 of the Finance Act, 1895, shall not apply to the vesting in the company of any property or rights transferred by this Act.
Provisions applicable to staff transferred to company.
43.—(1) The company shall accept into its employment with effect from the vesting day in accordance with the terms of this Act every person who immediately before the vesting day is a member of the staff of the Department of Energy and is designated, whether before, on or after the vesting day, by the Minister for employment by the company.
(2) Save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, a member of the staff of the Department of Energy referred to in subsection (1) shall not, while in the service of the company, be brought to less beneficial conditions of service or of remuneration than the conditions of service or of remuneration to which he was subject immediately before the vesting day.
(3) Until such time as the scales of pay and conditions of service of staff so transferred are varied by the company, following consultation with recognised trade unions and staff associations, the scales of pay to which they were entitled and the conditions of service, restrictions, requirements and obligations to which they were subject immediately before their transfer shall continue to apply to them and may be exercised or imposed by the company while they are in its service.
(4) The conditions in regard to tenure of office which are granted by the company in relation to a member of the staff so transferred shall not, while he is in the service of the company, be less favourable to him than those prevailing for the time being in the civil service; any alteration in the conditions in regard to tenure of office of any such member shall not be less favourable to him than the prevailing conditions in the civil service at the time of such alteration, save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned. If a dispute arises between the company and any such member as to conditions prevailing in the civil service, the matter shall be determined by the Minister for Finance after consultation with the Minister.
(5) In relation to staff transferred to the company, previous service in the civil service shall be reckonable for the purposes of, but subject to any other exceptions or exclusions in, the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1984, the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 and 1984, and the Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977.
Superannuation.
44.—(1) The company shall prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on resignation, retirement or death to or in respect of such members of the staff of the company as it may think fit.
(2) Every such scheme shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom pensions, gratuities or allowances are payable under the scheme, and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), every such scheme may be amended or revoked by a subsequent scheme submitted and approved of under this section.
(4) Every scheme under this section shall provide for not less favourable conditions in respect of persons who, immediately before the vesting day, were members of the staff of the Department of Energy than those to which they were entitled immediately before the vesting day.
(5) Disbursement of pensions, gratuities and other allowances which may be granted to or in respect of persons who, immediately before the vesting day, were members of the staff of the Department of Energy shall not be on less favourable conditions than would apply if the benefits referred to had continued to be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(6) A scheme submitted by the company under this section shall, if approved by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, be carried out by the company in accordance with its terms.
(7) No pension, gratuity or allowance shall be granted by the company on the resignation, retirement or death of a member of the staff of the company otherwise than in accordance with a scheme under this section.
(8) Where a superannuation allowance falls due for payment to or in respect of a person to whom subsection (4) applies in the period beginning on the vesting day and ending immediately before the coming into operation of a scheme submitted by the company and approved of under this section, the allowance shall be calculated and paid by the company in accordance with such superannuation scheme or such enactments in relation to superannuation, as applied to such person immediately before the vesting day and, for that purpose, his pensionable service with the company shall be aggregated with his previous pensionable service.
(9) The Minister for Finance shall make such contribution as may, with his consent, be specified in a scheme or schemes under this section towards the pensions, gratuities and other allowances related to reckonable service given before the vesting day which may be granted to or in respect of persons who, immediately before that day, were members of the staff of the Department of Energy, and such scheme or schemes shall, with the like consent, fix the manner and times of the payment of such contribution.
(10) (a) Notwithstanding anything in the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1963, and the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1976, the Minister for Finance may, following consultation with the company, delegate to the company the payment of pensions, gratuities and other allowances to or in respect of such persons who were members of the staff of the Department of Energy or of other Departments and who were engaged in functions assigned to the company under this Act and who retired or died before the vesting day as he may specify.
(b) Any delegation under paragraph (a) shall provide for not less favourable conditions than would apply if the benefits referred to had continued to be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(c) The company shall make payments in accordance with any such delegation to it and shall be reimbursed by the Minister for Finance in respect thereof in such manner and at such times as may be specified in the articles of association of the company.
(11) Moneys required to be paid by the Minister for Finance under this section shall be advanced out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
Power of Commissioners of Public Works to undertake work.
45.—(1) The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland shall have power to undertake work at the request of the company.
(2) In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (1), the said Commissioners shall, in respect of any work undertaken by them at the request of the company on or after the vesting day, be deemed not to be a State authority for the purposes of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 to 1983.
Charge of rates on property of company.
46.—Rateable property vested in the company on the vesting day shall, from the commencement of the next following financial year, cease to be exempt from the rate chargeable by a local authority notwithstanding that the property may appear as exempt on a valuation list.
Liability for loss occurring before vesting day.
47.—(1) A claim in respect of any loss or injury alleged to have been suffered by any person arising out of the exercise before the vesting day of functions assigned to the company by this Act shall, after that day, lie against the company, whether or not any claim in respect thereof was made before that day and, subject to section 49, not against the Minister, any other State authority or the State.
(2) Where, before the vesting day in a claim to which subsection (1) relates, agreement in settlement of the claim has been reached between the parties and the terms of the agreement have not been implemented or judgment has been given in favour of the injured person and the judgment has not been enforced, the terms of the agreement or the judgment, as the case may be, shall, in so far as enforceable against the Minister, any other State authority or the State, be enforceable against the company and, subject to section 49, not against the Minister, any other State authority or the State.
(3) Any claim made or proper to be made by the Minister, any other State authority or the State in respect of any loss or injury arising from the act or default of any person before the vesting day shall, where the claim relates to functions assigned to the company by this Act, be regarded as made by or proper to be made by the company and may be pursued and sued for by the company as if the loss or injury had been suffered by the company.
(4) Where, before the vesting day, in a claim to which subsection (3) relates, agreement in settlement of the claim has been reached between the parties and the terms of the agreement have not been implemented or judgment has been given in favour of the Minister, any other State authority or the State and the judgment has not been enforced, the terms of the agreement or the judgment, as the case may be, shall, in so far as enforceable by the Minister, any other State authority or the State, be enforceable by the company.
(5) This section does not apply to a claim by one State authority against another.
Continuance of pending legal proceedings.
48.—All legal proceedings in respect of functions assigned to the company by this Act and pending immediately before the vesting day to which the Minister, any other State authority or the State is a party shall be continued with the substitution for any such party of the company.
Enforcement of judgments.
49.—(1) Where judgment is given against the company in any proceedings in pursuance of a claim to which section 47 (1) relates or in proceedings continued under section 48 and the person in whose favour the judgment is given has been unable to enforce the judgment, in whole or in part, against the company, he shall be entitled to enter judgment against the Minister for Finance in any court of competent jurisdiction for any amount not recovered on foot of the judgment as a debt due to him by the said Minister.
(2) The Minister for Finance shall be entitled to recover from the company any payment made by him to a person in satisfaction of a judgment entered against him under subsection (1).
(3) Moneys required by the Minister for Finance to meet payments required by him under this section shall be advanced to him out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof, and shall be repaid to the Central Fund out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Continuance of certain notices, certificates, declarations and bonds.
50.—From the vesting day—
(a) every notice, certificate and declaration given by or to the Minister,
(b) every court order directed to any person, and
(c) every bond given by any person to the Minister,
which relates to functions assigned under this Act to the company, shall, where its operation, effect or term has not ceased or expired before the vesting day, continue in force and have effect as if the functions of the Minister were on that day performable by the company.
Continuance of licences and permissions granted by the Minister.
51.—Every licence or permission granted by the Minister in relation to land or other property vested in the company under this Act, and in force immediately before the vesting day, shall continue in force as if granted by the company.
Continuance of planning consultations.
52.—For the purpose of section 84 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963—
(a) any consultation which is completed before the vesting day between the Minister and a planning authority in relation to the construction or extension of a building which from that day is to be used in connection with the functions assigned by this Act to the company shall have effect as if the company were a party to that consultation;
(b) any such consultation which is commenced by the Minister but which is not completed before the vesting day in relation to the construction or extension of any building which from that day is to be used as aforesaid shall be completed by the company and not by the Minister.
Transitional financial provisions.
53.—(1) The company shall pay to or in respect of every member of the staff of the Department of Energy transferred to the service of the company any amount due to or in respect of that member in respect of service with the Department and unpaid on the vesting day and the company shall, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, be reimbursed by the Minister.
(2) The Minister shall, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, pay to the company an amount equal to advance payments received by him before the vesting day in respect of goods or services to be provided by the company on or after the vesting day.
(3) The company shall pay to the Minister an amount equal to sums collected by it on or after the vesting day in respect of goods or services provided by the Minister before the vesting day in respect of functions assigned by this Act to the company.
(4) All sums required to be paid under this section shall become due and payable on such date as the Minister, in consultation with the company and with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, may determine.
(5) The company shall supply the Minister with such information, records and documents as the Minister may require for the purposes of this section and the Minister and his officers shall have the right to inspect and take copies of all relevant records and documents of the company.
(6) In the event of a disagreement as to any amount to be paid by the Minister to the company or by the company to the Minister under this section the decision of the Minister, given with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, shall be final.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Repeal of Enactments
Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
No. 13 of 1946 | In section 9 (1): paragraphs (b), (e) and (h). | |
Sections 9 (6), 10 and 59. | ||
No. 25 of 1954 | In the First Schedule: paragraph 1, as amended by section 64 of the Wildlife Act, 1976. |
SECOND SCHEDULE
Amendment of Provisions of Forestry Act, 1946
PART I
Provision | Amendment |
Sections 11 (3) and 63 (4) | “£100” substituted for “ten pounds”. |
Sections 37 (3), 38 (2), 39 (4), 42 (3), 45 (2), 47 (2) and 51 (2) | (a) “subject to section 53 of this Act” deleted. (b) “£50” substituted for “five pounds”. |
Sections 41 (11), 46 (9), 48 (5), 49 (7) and 52 (5) | “£50” substituted for “five pounds” and “£100” substituted for “ten pounds”. |
Section 58 (2) | “£200” substituted for “twenty pounds”. |
Section 63 (5) | “£50” substituted for “five pounds”. |
Section 64 | “£250” substituted for “twenty-five pounds”. |
PART II
Provision | Amendment |
Section 9 (1) (g) | “undertake the planting, development, utilisation, management or supervision, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as may be agreed upon, or” deleted. |
Uimhir 26 de 1988
AN tACHT FORAOISEACHTA, 1988
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. | |
6. | |
7. | |
8. |
Bunú agus Riaradh
9. | |
10. | |
11. | |
12. | |
13. | |
14. | |
15. | |
16. | Srian le meabhrán comhlachais nó airteagail chomhlachais a athrú. |
17. | Scaireanna a eisiúint don Aire Airgeadais i gcomaoin maoin a aistriú. |
18. | |
19. | Scaireanna a eisiúint do shínitheoirí mheabhrán comhlachais na cuideachta. |
20. | An tAire Airgeadais d'fheidhmiú cumhachtaí i leith scaireanna. |
21. | |
22. | Oibleagáid scairshealbhóirí áirithe scaireanna a shealbhú ar iontaobhas. |
23. | |
24. | |
25. | |
26. | |
27. | |
28. | Airgead a sholáthar le haghaidh íocaíochtaí as an bPríomh-Chiste. |
29. | |
30. | |
31. | |
32. | |
33. | |
34. | Comhaltas de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó de Pharlaimint na hEorpa. |
35. | |
36. | |
37. | |
38. |
Forálacha Idirlinne
Achtacháin a Aisghairm
Leasú ar Fhorálacha an Achta Foraoiseachta, 1946
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986 | |
Finance Act, 1895 | 58 & 59 Vict. c. 16 |
Na hAchtanna Foraoiseachta, 1946 go 1976 | |
Na hAchtanna Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1963 go 1983 | |
Na hAchtanna um Fhógra Íosta agus Téarmaí Fostaíochta, 1973 agus 1984 | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict. c. 93 |
Na hAchtanna um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967 go 1984 | |
Na hAchtanna Aoisliúntas, 1834 go 1963 | |
Uimhir 26 de 1988
AN tACHT FORAOISEACHTA, 1988
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal, comhlua agus forléiriú.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Foraoiseachta, 1988, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna Foraoiseachta, 1946 go 1988, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Foraoiseachta, 1946 go 1976, agus den Acht seo, agus forléireofar le chéile iad mar aon Acht amháin.
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “an chuideachta” an chuideachta dá dtagraítear in alt 9 (1);
ciallaíonn “Achtanna na gCuideachtaí” Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, agus gach achtachán atá le forléiriú leis mar aon Acht amháin;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
folaíonn “talamh” talamh atá faoi uisce;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Fuinnimh;
ciallaíonn “ceardchumainn agus comhlachais foirne aitheanta” ceardchumainn agus comhlachais foirne atá aitheanta ag an gcuideachta chun críocha caibidlí a bhaineann le luach saothair nó coinníollacha fostaíochta fostaithe, nó le coinníollacha oibre fostaithe;
ciallaíonn “údarás Stáit” údarás arb éard é—
(a) Aire Rialtais,
(b) Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn,
(c) Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann;
tá le “fochuideachta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 155 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963;
ciallaíonn “lá dílseacháin” an lá a bheidh ceaptha, faoi alt 9 (2), mar lá dílseacháin.
(2) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo, mura léirítear gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(3) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'fho-alt, do mhír nó d'fhomhír is tagairt í don fho-alt, don mhír nó don fhomhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura léirítear gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(4) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'aon achtachán, forléireofar í mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú nó arna oiriúnú le haon achtachán iardain, nó faoi.
(5) Más rud é, faoi mheabhrán comhlachais fochuideachta de chuid na cuideachta, gur feidhm de chuid na fochuideachta aon fheidhm de chuid na cuideachta, beidh feidhm, i dtaca leis an bhfeidhm sin, ag gach foráil den Acht seo, nó d'aon achtachán eile a bhaineann leis an gcuideachta, maidir leis an bhfochuideachta, mar atá feidhm aici maidir leis an gcuideachta.
Orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
3.—Gach ordú a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe sin, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhni dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú.
Caiteachais.
4.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Aisghairm.
5.—(1) Déantar leis seo alt 53 den Acht Foraoiseachta, 1946, a aisghairm ó dháta an Achta seo a rith.
(2) Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a shonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal a aisghairm le héifeacht ón lá dílseacháin a mhéid a shonraítear sa tríú colún.
Leasú ar fhorálacha an Achta Foraoiseachta, 1946.
6.—(1) Gach foráil den Acht Foraoiseachta, 1946, a luaitear i gCuid I den Dara Sceideal, beidh éifeacht léi ó dháta an Achta seo a rith mar a leasaítear sa dara colún.
(2) An fhoráil den Acht Foraoiseachta, 1946, a luaitear i gCuid II den Dara Sceideal, beidh éifeacht léi ón lá dílseacháin mar a leasaítear sa dara colún.
(3) Aon duine a chúiseofar i gcion faoi aon fhoráil acu seo a leanas de chuid an Achta Foraoiseachta, 1946, is é sin le rá, ailt 37 (3), 38 (2), 39 (4), 42 (3), 45 (2), 47 (2) agus 51 (2), féadfar é a thriail ar díotáil agus, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £2,000 mar aon le méid nach mó ná £50 in aghaidh gach crainn a ndearnadh an cion ina leith, nó de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air.
(4) Leasaítear leis seo alt 4 den Acht Foraoiseachta, 1946, trí thagairt do chion achomair a chur in ionad gach tagartha do chion.
Pionóis.
7.—(1) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi alt 33 nó 37 dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £10,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air.
(2) Ar dhuine a chiontú ar díotáil i leith ciona lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) féadfaidh an chúirt, i dteannta aon phionóis eile, a ordú go bhforghéillfear aon ghaireas, trealamh nó ní eile a úsáideadh chun an cion a dhéanamh.
(3) I gcás cion lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh é le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú, nó gurb inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine (nó aon duine ag gníomhú thar a cheann) is stiúrthóir, bainisteoir nó rúnaí de chuid an chomhlachta sin, beidh an duine sin nó an duine a bhí ag gníomhú amhlaidh, de réir mar a bheidh, ciontach freisin sa chion sin.
Imeachtaí.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire nó an chuideachta imeachtaí achoimre mar gheall ar chion faoi alt 33 nó 37 a thabhairt ar aghaidh agus a ionchúiseamh.
(2) D'ainneoin alt 10 (4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachtaí achoimre mar gheall ar chion lena mbaineann aon fhoráil den Acht seo a thionscnamh laistigh de 12 mhí ó dháta an chiona.
CUID II
Bunú agus Riaradh
Foirmiú na cuideachta.
9.—(1) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais, go ndéanfar cuideachta phríobháideach a bheidh i gcomhréir leis na coinníollacha atá leagtha síos san Acht seo a fhoirmiú agus a chlárú faoi Achtanna na gCuideachtaí.
(2) Déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá a cheapadh mar lá dílseacháin don chuideachta a luaithe is indéanta sin tar éis chlárú na cuideachta.
(3) Ní choiscfidh aon ní san Acht seo ar an gcuideachta leas a bhaint as aon fhorálacha de chuid Achtanna na gCuideachtaí a chumasaíonn do chuideachta phríobháideach athchlárú mar chuideachta phoiblí theoranta, ach ní cead leas a bhaint as forálacha den sórt sin ach amháin le ceadú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais.
Ainm agus foirmiú caipitiúil na cuideachta.
10.—(1) Coillte Teoranta nó, sa Bhéarla, The Irish Forestry Board Limited, is ainm don chuideachta.
(2) (a) Is é a bheidh i scairchaipiteal údaraithe na cuideachta £1 billiún nó cibé méid eile a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, arna roinnt i scaireanna punt an ceann.
(b) Féadfaidh an chuideachta, le toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, na scaireanna ina cuid scairchaipitil a roinnt ina n-aicmí leithleacha agus aon chearta, pribhléidí nó coinníollacha tosaíochta, iarchurtha, cáilithe nó speisialta a chur ag gabháil leo faoi seach.
Foirm an mheabhráin chomhlachais.
11.—Is i cibé foirm i gcomhréir leis an Acht seo a cheadóidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a bheidh meabhrán comhlachais na cuideachta agus aon fhochuideachta.
Cuspóirí na cuideachta.
12.—(1) Luafar i meabhrán comhlachais na cuideachta gurb iad a príomhchuspóirí—
(a) gnó na foraoiseachta agus gníomhaíochtaí gaolmhara a sheoladh ar bhonn tráchtála agus de réir cleachtas éifeachtach na foraoiseolaíochta,
(b) tionscail coille a bhunú agus a sheoladh,
(c) rannpháirtiú le daoine eile i gcúrsaí foraoiseachta agus gníomhaíochtaí gaolmhara a bheidh ag teacht lena cuspóirí, d'fhonn cur le hoibriú éifeachtúil brabúsmhar na cuideachta, agus
(d) na hacmhainní a bheidh ar fáil di a úsáid agus a bhainistí ar shlí a bheidh ag teacht leis na cuspóirí thuasluaite.
(2) Ní chuirfidh aon ní san alt seo cosc nó srian leis na cuspóirí agus na cumhachtaí sin go léir is gá nó is cuí le réasún chun na príomhchuspóirí thuasluaite a bhaint amach go cuí, nó atá teagmhasach nó coimhdeach lena mbaint amach, agus ar cuspóirí agus cumhachtaí iad nach bhfuil ar neamhréir leis an Acht seo, a bheith ar áireamh i gcuspóirí na cuideachta mar a luaitear iad ina meabhrán comhlachais.
(3) Beidh de chumhacht ag an gcuideachta aon ní a dhéanamh a mheasann sí is gá chun go gcomhlíonfaidh sí a feidhmeanna mar a shonraítear iad san Acht seo nó ina meabhrán comhlachais, nó a rachadh chun sochair don chomhlíonadh sin nó atá teagmhasach leis nó a mheasann sí a d'éascódh, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, an comhlíonadh sin agus ar ní é nach bhfuil ar neamhréir le haon dlí a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, d'fhonn lán-éifeacht a thabhairt don sannadh feidhmeanna a dhéantar faoin Acht seo don chuideachta, aon achtachán a oiriúnú le toiliú aon Aire eile a bheidh freagrach as riaradh an achtacháin sin.
Dualgas ginearálta na cuideachta.
13.—(1) Beidh sé mar dhualgas ginearálta ar an gcuideachta—
(a) a cuid gnóthaí a stiúradh ar chaoi a áiritheoidh nach mbeidh ioncaim na cuideachta níos lú ná mar is leor—
(i) chun íoc as na muirir go léir is inmhuirearaithe go cuí ar an gcuntas ioncaim (lena n-áirítear dímheas sócmhainní agus leithroinnt chuí don chúlchiste ginearálta), agus blianta a ghlacadh le chéile,
(ii) chun cion réasúnach de riachtanais chaipitiúla a chruthú, agus
(iii) chun íoc as caipiteal agus chun iasachtaí a aisíoc,
(b) a gnó a sheoladh gach uile thráth ar bhealach cost-éifeachtúil agus éifeachtach,
(c) aird chuí a thabhairt ar thionchar a cuid oibríochtaí ar an timpeallacht agus ar thaitneamhachtaí, agus
(d) socrú a dhéanamh le haghaidh comhchomhairliúcháin leis an Aire Airgeadais i dtaobh forbairt na foraoiseachta i limistéir is díol spéise ó thaobh cúrsaí eolaíochta de.
(2) Ní dhéanfar aon ní in alt 12 ná san alt seo a fhorléiriú mar ní a fhorchuireann, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, aon chineál dualgais nó dliteanais ar an gcuideachta ar dualgas nó dliteanas é is infheidhmithe le himeachtaí os comhair aon chúirte agus nach mbeadh an chuideachta faoina réir thairis sin.
Talamh a fháil agus a dhíol agus adhmad a dhíol.
14.—(1) Cuirfidh an chuideachta faoi bhráid an Aire gach bliain, agus comhaontóidh siad air eatarthu, clár chun talamh a dhíol agus a fháil agus chun adhmad, cibé acu ina sheasamh nó leagtha, a dhiol.
(2) Ní rachaidh an chuideachta thar na teorainneacha a aontaítear leis an Aire faoi fho-alt (1) maidir leis an gclár, gan ceadú a fháil roimh ré ón Aire.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire an ceadú dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) a thabhairt maidir le díolachán ar leith nó go ginearálta, faoi réir cibé teorainneacha agus coinníollacha a shonróidh sé. Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham aon teorainneacha nó coinníollacha den sórt sin a tharraingt siar nó a athrú.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire a ordú don chuideachta cibé faisnéis a shonróidh sé, maidir le díolacháin lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, a bheith ar áireamh ina tuarascáil bhliantúil agus déanfaidh an chuideachta de réir gach ordú den sórt sin.
Airteagail chomhlachais.
15.—(1) Is i cibé foirm a bheidh i gcomhréir leis an Acht seo agus a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais a bheidh airteagail chomhlachais na cuideachta.
(2) Forálfar in airteagail chomhlachais na cuideachta—
(a) nach mó ná 9 líon na stiúrthóirí (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach);
(b) gurb é an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a cheapfaidh an cathaoirleach agus na stiúrthóirí eile, agus go bhféadfaidh sé iad a chur as oifig;
(c) go ndéanfar gach stiúrthóir (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach) a cheapadh ar feadh tréimhse nach faide ná cúig bliana agus go mbeidh sé inathcheaptha;
(d) gurb é an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a chinnfidh luach saothair an chathaoirligh agus na stiúrthóirí eile;
(e) nach ndéanfar aon duine a cheapadh mar iniúchóir don chuideachta gan ceadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais;
(f) go ndéanfaidh an chuideachta, i gcomhairle le ceardchumainn agus comhlachais foirne aitheanta, sás a bhunú chun críocha caibidlí i ndáil le pá agus coinníollacha seirbhíse a cuid foirne;
(g) nach ndéanfaidh an chuideachta fochuideachta a bhunú ná a fháil gan ceadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais;
(h) nach mbeidh infheistíocht chomhiomlán na cuideachta i ngnóthais (seachas i bhfochuideachtaí) níos mó ná £250,000 aon tráth áirithe, ach amháin le ceadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Srian le meabhrán comhlachais nó airteagail chomhlachais a athrú.
16.—D'ainneoin aon ní in Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, ní bheidh aon athrú ar mheabhrán comhlachais nó ar airteagail chomhlachais na cuideachta ná aon fhochuideachta don chuideachta bailí ná éifeachtúil mura ndéanfar é le ceadú roimh ré ón Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Scaireanna a eisiúint don Aire Airgeadais i gcomaoin maoin a aistriú.
17.—(1) Eiseoidh an chuideachta scaireanna don Aire Airgeadais go feadh luach na maoine a aistreofar chuici ar an lá dílseacháin de réir ailt 39 agus 40, agus beidh vóta amháin ag gabháil le gach scair.
(2) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae dílseacháin déanfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta, deimhniú a eisiúint ag deimhniú na suime a fhreagraíonn, dar leis, do luach na maoine a aistreofar chuig an gcuideachta.
(3) Tar éis di an deimhniú a fháil eiseoidh an chuideachta don Aire Airgeadais, gan aon íocaíocht uaidh, scaireanna láníoctha sa chuideachta arb ionann a luach ainmniúil agus an tsuim a deimhníodh amhlaidh.
Scair a eisiúint don Aire.
18.—(1) Eiseoidh an chuideachta don Aire scair amháin puint i scairchaipiteal na cuideachta.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire cearta agus cumhachtaí uile sealbhóra scaireanna i scairchaipiteal na cuideachta a fheidhmiú maidir lena scair sa scairchaipiteal sin agus, i gcás ceart nó cumhacht a bheith infheidhmithe ag aturnae, féadfaidh sé é a fheidhmiú trína aturnae.
(3) Déanfar costas na scaire sin a airleacan don Aire as an bPríomh-Chiste nó as a thoradh fáis.
Scaireanna a eisiúint do shínitheoirí mheabhrán comhlachais na cuideachta.
19.—(1) Eiseofar scair amháin i scairchaipiteal na cuideachta do gach duine de shínitheoirí mheabhrán comhlachais na cuideachta.
(2) Déanfar costas na scaireanna sin a airleacan do na sínitheoirí as an bPríomh-Chiste nó as a thoradh fáis.
An tAire Airgeadais d'fheidhmiú cumhachtaí i leith scaireanna.
20.—Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, faoi réir an Achta seo, cearta agus cumhachtaí uile sealbhóra scaireanna sa chuideachta a fheidhmiú i leith na scaireanna de chuid na cuideachta a bheidh á sealbhú aige agus, i gcás ceart nó cumhacht a bheith infheidhmithe ag aturnae, féadfaidh sé é a fheidhmiú trína aturnae.
An tAire Airgeadais d'aistriú nó do dhíol scaireanna.
21.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham de réir mar is gá sa chás, chun déanamh de réir an oiread sin d'Achtanna na gCuideachtaí a cheanglaíonn go mbeidh íosmhéid comhaltaí i gcónaí ag an gcuideachta, scair amháin dá chuid a aistriú chuig aon duine.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais aon scaireanna de chuid na cuideachta a thóg sé nó a fuair sé faoin Acht seo a shealbhú fad is cuí leis agus, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, féadfaidh sé, de réir mar is cuí leis agus nuair is cuí leis, na scaireanna sin go léir nó aon scair díobh a dhíol.
(3) Déanfar na glanfháltais ó dhíol scaireanna na cuideachta ag an Aire Airgeadais a íoc isteach sa Státchiste nó a chur chun tairbhe don Státchiste.
Oibleagáid scairshealbhóirí áirithe scaireanna a shealbhú ar iontaobhas.
22.—(1) Déanfaidh comhalta den chuideachta dá n-eisítear scair sa chuideachta faoi alt 19, nó dá n-aistrítear scair sa chuideachta faoi alt 21 (1), an scair sin sa chuideachta a shealbhú ar iontaobhas don Aire Airgeadais agus beidh de cheangal air dá réir sin na díbhinní agus an t-airgead eile go léir a gheobhaidh sé i leith na scaire a íoc leis an Aire sin chun tairbhe don Státchiste agus an scair a aistriú chuig an Aire sin nó chuig duine a bheidh ainmnithe chuige sin ag an Aire sin de réir mar a cheanglaíonn, agus nuair a cheanglaíonn, an tAire sin air é.
(2) Ach amháin nuair a cheanglaítear air déanamh amhlaidh de bhun fho-alt (1), ní dhéanfaidh comhalta den sórt sin a scair a aistriú ná a choimhthiú.
(3) Ar chomhalta den chuideachta dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) d'fháil bháis, dílseofar don Aire Airgeadais, gan aistriú a bheith riachtanach, an scair a bhí á sealbhú ag an gcomhalta sin.
Díbhinní, etc., a íoc isteach sa Státchiste.
23.—(1) Na méideanna go léir a fhreagraíonn do dhíbhinní nó airgead eile a bheidh faighte ag an Aire Airgeadais i leith scaireanna sa chuideachta agus na méideanna go léir a fhreagraíonn d'aisíoc airleacan inaisíoctha, nó d'ús ar an gcéanna, a bheidh faighte nó gnóthaithe aige ón gcuideachta, déanfar iad a íoc isteach sa Státchiste nó a chur chun tairbhe don Státchiste i cibé caoi a ordóidh sé.
(2) Na méideanna go léir a fhreagraíonn do dhíbhinní nó airgead eile a bheidh faighte ag an Aire i leith a scaire sa chuideachta, déanfar iad a íoc isteach sa Státchiste nó a chur chun tairbhe don Státchiste i cibé caoi a ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Cumhacht iasacht a fháil.
24.—(1) (a) Faoi réir thoiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, féadfaidh an chuideachta, trí bhintiúir a eisiúint nó ar shlí eile, airgead (lena n-áirítear airgead in airgead reatha seachas airgead reatha an Stáit) a fháil ar iasacht chun críocha caipitiúla, lena n-áirítear caipiteal oibre, ó dhaoine seachas an tAire Airgeadais.
(b) Ní mó ná £80 milliún aon tráth áirithe comhiomlán iasachtaí na cuideachta faoi mhír (a).
(c) Chun críocha an fho-ailt seo, aon airgead a gheofar ar iasacht in airgead reatha seachas airgead reatha an Stáit measfar gur coibhéis é in airgead reatha an Stáit don airgead a fuarthas ar iasacht iarbhír, agus an choibhéis sin á ríomh de réir an ráta iomlaoide, tráth na hiasachta a fháil, don airgead reatha sin agus d'airgead reatha an Stáit.
(2) Féadfaidh an chuideachta airgead (lena n-áirítear airgead in airgead reatha seachas airgead reatha an Stáit) a fháil ar iasacht go díomuan ach ní mó comhiomlán na n-iasachtaí sin aon tráth áirithe ná cibé méid a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) (a) Gan dochar d'alt 2 (5), folaíonn tagairtí i bhfo-ailt (1) agus (2) don chuideachta tagairtí d'fhochuideachta de chuid na cuideachta.
(b) I gcás go mbeidh, aon tráth áirithe, iasachtaí faoin alt seo faighte ag an gcuideachta agus ag fochuideachta dá cuid, beidh feidhm ag an teorainn le hiasachtaí dá bhforáiltear, maidir le comhiomlán iasachtaí na cuideachta agus na fochuideachta aon tráth áirithe.
An tAire Airgeadais do ráthú iasachtaí.
25.—(1) I ndáil le hiasachtaí a gheofar faoi alt 24, féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, ráthaíocht a thabhairt i cibé foirm agus slí agus i cibé airgead (lena n-áirítear airgead in airgead reatha seachas airgead reatha an Stáit) agus ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha is cuí leis, go n-aisíocfaidh an chuideachta go cuí príomhshuim aon airgid a gheobhaidh an chuideachta ar iasacht nó go n-íocfar go cuí tráthchodanna nó méideanna eile airgid a bheidh dlite den chuideachta faoi chonradh a rinne an chuideachta nó go n-íocfar ús ar aon airgead, tráthchuid nó méid, nó go n-aisíocfar príomhshuim nó go n-íocfar na tráthchodanna nó na méideanna sin, de réir mar a bheidh, agus go n-íocfar an t-ús, agus féadfar a áireamh in aon ráthaíocht den sórt sin ráthaíocht go n-íocfar coimisiún agus caiteachais theagmhasacha i ndáil leis na hiasachtaí sin nó leis an gconradh sin.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais na cumhachtaí a thugtar dó leis an alt seo a fheidhmiú ar shlí gur mó ná £80 milliún an méid, nó an méid comhiomlán, airgid a dhlífidh sé aon tráth áirithe a íoc ar scór aon ráthaíochta nó ráthaíochtaí faoin alt seo a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, mar aon leis an méid airgid (más aon mhéid é) a bheidh íoctha aige cheana féin ar scór aon ráthaíochta faoin alt seo agus nach mbeidh aisíoctha ag an gcuideachta.
(3) Chun méid na n-iasachtaí, na dtráthchodanna nó an airgid eile a bheidh ráthaithe ag an Aire Airgeadais faoin alt seo a ríomh faoi threoir na teorann le hairgead atá i bhfo-alt (2), déanfar an méid in airgead reatha an Stáit is coibhéis d'iasachtaí, do thráthchodanna nó d'airgead eile in airgead reatha coigríche a ríomh de réir an ráta iomlaoide a bhí i réim an tráth a tugadh an ráthaíocht.
(4) I gcás go dtabharfar nó gur tugadh ráthaíocht faoin alt seo, déanfaidh an chuideachta, má cheanglaíonn an tAire Airgeadais amhlaidh, cibé urrús (lena n-áirítear, go háirithe, bintiúir) a thabhairt dó a bheidh sonraithe sa cheanglas chun a urrú don Aire sin go n-aisíocfar aon airgead a dhlífidh sé a íoc, nó a bheidh íoctha aige, faoin ráthaíocht.
(5) Déanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, a luaithe is féidir tar éis dheireadh gach bliana airgeadais, ráiteas a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a leagfaidh amach, maidir le gach ráthaíocht faoin alt seo a tugadh i rith na bliana sin nó a tugadh aon tráth roimh thosach na bliana sin agus a bhí i bhfeidhm i dtosach na bliana sin—
(a) sonraí na ráthaíochta,
(b) i gcás aon íocaíocht a bheith déanta aige faoin ráthaíocht roimh dheireadh na bliana sin, méid na híocaíochta agus an méid (más aon mhéid é) a aisíocadh leis ar scór na híocaíochta,
(c) an méid airgid a bhí faoi bhrí na ráthaíochta agus a bhí gan aisíoc i ndeireadh na bliana sin.
(6) Déanfaidh an chuideachta aon airgead a d'íoc an tAire Airgeadais faoi ráthaíocht faoin alt seo a aisíoc leis (mar aon le hús ar an airgead sin de réir cibé ráta nó rátaí a cheapfaidh sé) laistigh de cibé tréimhse ó dháta na híocaíochta ag an Aire sin a shonróidh an tAire sin tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta.
(7) I gcás nach mbeidh an t-airgead go léir nó aon chuid den airgead, a gceanglaíonn fo-alt (6) den alt seo é a aisíoc leis an Aire Airgeadais aisíoctha de réir an fho-ailt sin, déanfar an méid a bheidh gan aisíoc amhlaidh a aisíoc leis an bPríomh-Chiste as airgead á sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(8) D'ainneoin airgead a sholáthar faoi fho-alt (7) chun an méid a aisíoc leis an bPríomh-Chiste, leanfaidh an chuideachta de bheith faoi dhliteanas don Aire Airgeadais i leith an méid sin agus déanfaidh an chuideachta an méid sin (mar aon le hús ar an méid sin de réir cibé ráta nó rátaí a cheapfaidh an tAire sin) a aisíoc leis an Aire sin cibé tráthanna agus i cibé tráthchodanna a cheapfaidh sé agus, mura ndéanfar aisíoc mar a dúradh agus gan dochar d'aon mhodh gnóthaithe eile, féadfar é a ghnóthú mar fhiach conartha shimplí in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla.
(9) I ndáil le ráthaíocht faoin alt seo in airgead in airgead reatha seachas airgead reatha an Stáit—
(a) glacfar le gach tagairt do phríomhshuim, le gach tagairt do thráthchodanna nó méideanna eile airgid, le gach tagairt d'ús agus leis an tagairt do choimisiún agus caiteachais theagmhasacha i bhfo-alt (1) mar thagairt do choibhéis na príomhshuime iarbhír, na dtráthchodanna nó méideanna eile airgid iarbhír, an úis iarbhír nó an choimisiúin agus na gcaiteachas teagmhasach iarbhír, de réir mar is cuí, in airgead reatha an Stáit;
(b) glacfar leis an tagairt don méid airgid i bhfo-alt (5) (c) mar thagairt do choibhéis an méid airgid iarbhír in airgead reatha an Stáit, agus an choibhéis sin a ríomh de réir an ráta iomlaoide de thuras na huaire don airgead reatha sin agus d'airgead reatha an Stáit;
(c) glacfar le gach tagairt d'airgead i bhfo-ailt (6) go (8) mar thagairt do chostas an airgid iarbhír in airgead reatha an Stáit.
(10) (a) Gan dochar d'alt 2 (5), folaíonn tagairtí san alt seo don chuideachta tagairtí d'fhochuideachta de chuid na cuideachta.
(b) I gcás go mbeidh, aon tráth áirithe, ráthaíochtaí faoi réim nó de bhua an ailt seo i bhfeidhm maidir leis an gcuideachta agus maidir le fochuideachta dá cuid, beidh feidhm ag an teorainn iomchuí a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (2) maidir le comhiomlán na méideanna a dhlífidh an tAire Airgeadais aon tráth áirithe a íoc faoi na ráthaíochtaí sin.
Oibreacha caipitiúla a mhaoiniú.
26.—(1) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, cistí a sholáthar don chuideachta le haghaidh críoch caipitiúil—
(i) trí airleacain Státchiste inaisíoctha, nó
(ii) trí shuibscríobh le haghaidh scaireanna sa chuideachta, nó
(iii) trí na hairleacain sin agus tríd an suibscríobh sin.
(b) Ní mó ná £100 milliún méid comhiomlán na gcistí a sholáthrófar faoi mhír (a).
(2) Aon airleacain Státchiste a sholáthrófar faoi fho-alt (1) (a) déanfar iad de réir cibé téarmaí maidir le haisíoc, ús agus nithe eile a chinnfidh an tAire Airgeadais.
(3) Má mhainníonn an chuideachta aisíocaíocht a dhéanamh mar a cheanglaítear faoi fho-alt (2), leanfaidh an chuideachta de bheith faoi dhliteanas don Aire Airgeadais i leith an méid nach mbeidh íoctha agus déanfaidh an chuideachta an méid sin (mar aon le hús ar an méid sin de réir cibé ráta nó rátaí a cheapfaidh an tAire sin) a aisíoc leis an Aire sin cibé tráthanna agus i cibé tráthchodanna a cheapfaidh sé agus, mura ndéanfar aisíoc mar a dúradh agus gan dochar d'aon mhodh gnóthaithe eile, féadfar é a ghnóthú mar fhiach conartha shimplí in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla.
Caipiteal oibre a sholáthar don chuideachta.
27.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais méid nach mó ná £3 mhilliún a chur ar fáil don chuideachta mar chaipiteal oibre.
(2) Féadfar aon dliteanais de chuid an Aire agus na cuideachta faoi alt 53 a urscaoileadh, faoi réir cheadú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, trí na dliteanais sin, mar aon le méideanna eile is ináirithe go cuí, a chur i gcuntas go cuí le linn an caipiteal oibre a bheidh le cur ar fáil don chuideachta faoi fho-alt (1) a bheith á ríomh.
(3) Eiseoidh an chuideachta scaireanna don Aire Airgeadais go feadh luach an chaipitil oibre a chuirtear ar fáil di faoi fho-alt (1).
Airgead a sholáthar le haghaidh íocaíochtaí as an bPríomh-Chiste.
28.—(1) An t-airgead go léir a bheidh ag teastáil ó am go ham ón Aire Airgeadais faoi chomhair suimeanna a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha aige faoi alt 25, 26 nó 27, airleacfar iad as an bPríomh-Chiste nó as a thoradh fáis.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, chun soláthar a dhéanamh d'airleacain as an bPríomh-Chiste faoin alt seo, aon suimeanna a bheidh ag teastáil chuige sin a fháil ar iasacht ar urrús an Phríomh-Chiste nó a thoradh fáis agus, d'fhonn na hiasachtaí sin a fháil, féadfaidh sé urrúis a bhunú agus a eisiúint agus iad faoi réir cibé ráta úis agus cibé coinníollacha i dtaobh aisíoca, fuascailte nó aon ní eile is cuí leis, agus íocfaidh sé isteach sa Státchiste na suimeanna go léir a gheofar ar iasacht amhlaidh.
(3) Déanfar príomhshuim na n-urrús go léir a eiseofar faoin alt seo, agus an t-ús ar na hurrúis sin, agus na caiteachais a thabhófar i ndáil le heisiúint na n-urrús, a mhuirearú ar an bPríomh-Chiste nó a thoradh fáis agus beidh siad iníoctha as an gcéanna.
Deontais le haghaidh caiteachais reatha.
29.—(1) Le linn na tréimhse ceithre bliana ón lá dílseacháin, féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire agus tar éis iarratas a fháil ón gcuideachta, deontais bhliantúla, nach mó ná £30 milliún san iomlán, a chur ar fáil don chuideachta le haghaidh caiteachais reatha.
(2) Déanfar cibé sonraí i dtaobh na gcríoch chun a gcaithfear na deontais sin a bheidh ag teastáil ón Aire nó ón Aire Airgeadais a chur ar fáil mar thaca le hiarratais ón gcuideachta ar íoc cistí faoin alt seo.
(3) Déanfar an t-airgead go léir a bheidh ag teastáil ón Aire Airgeadais faoin alt seo a íoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
30.—(1) Gan dochar do cheanglais Achtanna na gCuideachtaí i ndáil le cláir chomhardaithe agus cuntais, coimeádfaidh an chuideachta, i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh sí nó a chaithfidh sí, lena n-áirítear cuntas sochair agus dochair agus clár comhardaithe, agus, go háirithe, coimeádfaidh sí san fhoirm sin a dúradh na cuntais speisialta sin go léir a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(2) Déanfaidh an chuideachta na cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur gach bliain faoi bhráid iniúchóra lena n-iniúchadh agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfar cóip den chuntas sochair agus dochair agus den chlár comhardaithe agus de cibé cuntais eile (más ann) a ordóidh an tAire, mar aon le cóip de thuarascáil an iniúchóra ar na cuntais, a thíolacadh don Aire agus cuirfidh seisean faoi deara cóipeanna díobh a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Tuarascáil bhliantúil agus faisnéis a thabhairt don Aire.
31.—(1) Tráth nach déanaí ná sé mhí tar éis dheireadh gach bliana cuntasaíochta, tabharfaidh an chuideachta tuarascáil don Aire i dtaobh a gníomhaíochtaí i rith na bliana sin agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Beidh i ngach tuarascáil bhliantúil faisnéis, i cibé foirm a ordóidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta agus le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, maidir le hoibríochtaí, éifeachtúlacht costais agus spriocanna airgeadais na cuideachta.
(3) Déanfaidh an chuideachta, má cheanglaíonn an tAire uirthi é, cibé faisnéis a thabhairt dó a bheidh ag teastáil uaidh maidir le haon chlár comhardaithe, cuntas nó tuarascáil de chuid na cuideachta nó i ndáil le beartas agus oibríochtaí na cuideachta seachas oibríochtaí ó lá go lá.
Stiúrthóirí do nochtadh leasanna áirithe.
32.—(1) Más rud é, ag cruinniú de stiúrthóirí na cuideachta, go mbeidh aon ábhar acu seo a leanas i dtrácht, eadhon—
(a) comhshocraíocht ar páirtí inti an chuideachta, nó comhshocraíocht den sórt sin a bheidh beartaithe, nó
(b) conradh nó comhaontú eile leis an gcuideachta nó conradh nó comhaontú eile den sórt sin a bheidh beartaithe,
ansin, aon stiúrthóir de chuid na cuideachta a bheidh i láthair ag an gcruinniú agus a mbeidh leas aige ar bhealach ar bith, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, san ábhar, seachas ina cháil mar stiúrthóir den sórt sin—
(i) nochtfaidh sé don chuideachta ag an gcruinniú go bhfuil an leas sin aige agus cad é an leas é,
(ii) ní ghlacfaidh sé páirt in aon bhreithniú a dhéanfaidh na stiúrthóirí ar an ábhar sin ach amháin a mhéid a cheadóidh cathaoirleach an chruinnithe ag a ndéantar an breithniú sin, agus
(iii) ní vótálfaidh sé ar aon chinneadh i ndáil leis an ábhar.
(2) I gcás go nochtfar leas de bhun an ailt seo, taifeadfar an nochtadh i miontuairiscí an chruinnithe lena mbaineann agus, fad a bheifear ag déileáil ag an gcruinniú leis an ábhar lena mbaineann an nochtadh, ní áireofar an stiúrthóir a dhéanann an nochtadh ar an gcóram don chruinniú.
(3) Más rud é, ag cruinniú de stiúrthóirí na cuideachta, go n-éireoidh ceist i dtaobh cibé acu ar mhainneachtain nó nár mhainneachtain ag stiúrthóir de chuid na cuideachta déanamh de réir cheanglais fho-alt (1) iompar áirithe aige, féadfaidh cathaoirleach an chruinnithe an cheist a chinneadh agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach a chinneadhsan agus i gcás go gcinnfear ceist amhlaidh déanfar sonraí i dtaobh an chinnidh a thaifeadadh i miontuairiscí an chruinnithe.
(4) Más deimhin leis an Aire gur mhainnigh stiúrthóir déanamh de réir ceanglais de chuid fho-alt (1) féadfaidh sé, más cuí leis, agus le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, an stiúrthóir sin a chur as oifig, agus i gcás go gcuirfear duine as oifig de bhun an fho-ailt seo beidh sé dícháilithe dá éis sin chun bheith ina stiúrthóir ar an gcuideachta.
(5) Ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 194 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, maidir le stiúrthóir de chuid na cuideachta.
Toirmeasc ar fhaisnéis a nochtadh go neamhúdaraithe.
33.—(1) Ní nochtfaidh duine faisnéis a fuair sé faoi rún le linn dó bheith ag comhlíonadh dualgas mar stiúrthóir ar an gcuideachta, mar chomhalta dá foireann nó mar chomhairleoir nó sainchomhairleoir di, mura mbeidh sé údaraithe go cuí déanamh amhlaidh.
(2) Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(3) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “faoi rún” rud a deirtear a bheith faoi rún ó thaobh faisnéise áirithe nó ó thaobh faisnéise d'aicme nó de thuairisc áirithe;
ciallaíonn “údaraithe go cuí” údaraithe ag an gcuideachta nó ag duine éigin a bheidh údaraithe chuige sin ag an gcuideachta.
Comhaltas de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó de Pharlaimint na hEorpa.
34.—(1) Más rud é, i gcás stiúrthóir de chuid na cuideachta—
(a) go n-ainmneofar é mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, nó
(b) go dtoghfar é mar chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó chun Parlaimint na hEorpa, nó
(c) go measfar, de bhun alt 15 (a cuireadh isteach leis an Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977, é a bheith tofa chun na Parlaiminte sin chun folúntas a líonadh,
scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina stiúrthóir ar an gcuideachta.
(2) Más rud é, i gcás duine a bheidh ar fostú ag an gcuideachta—
(a) go n-ainmneofar é mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, nó
(b) go dtoghfar é mar chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó chun Parlaimint na hEorpa, nó
(c) go measfar, de bhun alt 15 (a cuireadh isteach leis an Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1984) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Thionól na hEorpa, 1977, é a bheith tofa chun na Parlaiminte sin chun folúntas a líonadh,
beidh sé air sin ar iasacht ó fhostaíocht na cuideachta agus ní íocfaidh an chuideachta leis, ná ní bheidh sé i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé ón gcuideachta, aon luach saothair ná liúntais i leith na tréimhse dar tosach tráth a ainmnithe nó a thofa amhlaidh, nó an tráth a measfar amhlaidh é a bheith tofa (de réir mar a bheidh) agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta de cheachtar Teach acu sin nó den Pharlaimint sin.
(3) Duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal, faoi Bhuan-Orduithe ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas, suí sa Teach sin nó is comhalta de Pharlaimint na hEorpa, beidh sé, fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh nó ina chomhalta den sórt sin, dícháilithe chun bheith ina stiúrthóir ar an gcuideachta nó chun bheith fostaithe in aon cháil ag an gcuideachta.
(4) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (2), forléireofar an fo-alt sin mar fho-alt a thoirmiscfidh tréimhse a luaitear ann a áireamh mar sheirbhís leis an gcuideachta chun críche aon phinsean, aiscí nó liúntas eile is iníoctha tráth éirí as, tráth scoir nó tráth báis.
Príomhfheidhmeannach.
35.—(1) Beidh Príomhfheidhmeannach ar an gcuideachta.
(2) Tar éis don chéad Phríomhfheidhmeannach ar an gcuideachta a bheith roghnaithe trí chomórtas poiblí, ceapfaidh an tAire é go ceann tréimhse nach faide ná trí bliana agus féadfaidh an tAire é a chur as oifig le linn na tréimhse sin.
(3) Beidh an chéad Phríomhfheidhmeannach inathcheaptha agus féadfaidh stiúrthóirí na cuideachta é a chur as oifig dá éis sin.
(4) Is iad stiúrthóirí na cuideachta a cheapfaidh gach Príomhfheidhmeannach ina dhiaidh sin agus féadfaidh siad é a chur as oifig.
(5) Is iad na feidhmeanna a bheidh ag an bPríomhfheidhmeannach riaradh na cuideachta a sheoladh, a bhainistí agus a rialú i gcoitinne, faoi réir treoracha dleathacha ó stiúrthóirí na cuideachta.
(6) Sealbhóidh an Príomhfheidhmeannach a oifig faoi réim agus faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear téarmaí agus coinníollacha i ndáil le luach saothair, liúntais agus aoisliúntas) a chinnfidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Foireann na cuideachta.
36.—Gan dochar do cheanglais alt 43, beidh aird ag an gcuideachta, le linn di bheith ag cinneadh cén luach saothair agus cé na liúntais le haghaidh caiteachas a íocfar lena hoifigigh nó lena seirbhísigh nó cé na téarmaí nó na coinníollacha a sealbhaíonn nó a sealbhóidh na hoifigigh nó na seirbhísigh sin a gcuid fostaíochta faoina réir, ar threoirlínte Rialtais nó ar threoirlínte a aontaíodh ar bhonn náisiúnta agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, nó ar bheartas an Rialtais i ndáil le luach saothair agus coinníollacha fostaíochta a bheidh i bhfeidhm amhlaidh agus, chomh maith leis sin, déanfaidh an chuideachta de réir aon treoracha maidir le luach saothair, liúntais, téarmaí nó coinníollacha den sórt sin a thabharfaidh an tAire don chuideachta ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Fodhlíthe.
37.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, ar an gcuideachta dá iarraidh nó thar a cheann féin, fodhlíthe a dhéanamh do rialáil rochtana chuig aon talamh, nó úsáide aon talún, atá ar úinéireacht ag an gcuideachta nó á bhainistí nó á úsáid aici.
(2) I gcás go gcuirfidh an chuideachta togra faoi bhráid an Aire chun fodhlí a dhéanamh, déanfaidh an tAire, de réir mar is cuí leis, diúltú an togra a cheadú nó an togra a cheadú gan mhodhnuithe, nó cibé modhnuithe a dhéanamh air is dóigh leis is cuí, agus an fodhlí, arna mhodhnú amhlaidh, a dhéanamh.
(3) Aon doiciméad a airbheartaíonn gur cóip é d'fhodhlíthe a dhéantar faoin alt seo, agus a mbeidh deimhniú (a airbheartaíonn a bheith sínithe ag oifigeach don Aire) formhuinithe air á rá gur cóip dhílis de na fodhlíthe an doiciméad agus go raibh na fodhlíthe i bhfeidhm ar dháta sonraithe, glacfar leis, gan chruthú ar shíniú an oifigigh sin nó gurbh é an t-oifigeach sin é iarbhír, mar fhianaise i ngach cúirt agus i ngach imeacht dlíthiúil go raibh na fodhlíthe ann agus go raibh siad i bhfeidhm ar an dáta sin.
(4) Aon duine a sháróidh fodhlí faoin alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Cumhachtaí ginearálta an Aire.
38.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, treoracha i scríbhinn a eisiúint don chuideachta á cheangal ar an gcuideachta—
(a) déanamh de réir cinntí ginearálta beartais ón Rialtas mar gheall ar fhorbairt na foraoiseachta agus gníomhaíochtaí gaolmhara, ar cinntí iad a chuirfidh sé in iúl don chuideachta ó am go ham, nó
(b) seirbhísí nó saoráidí sonraithe a sholáthar nó a chothabháil, nó
(c) talamh nó áitreabh sonraithe a bheidh i seilbh na cuideachta a chothabháil nó a úsáid chun críche áirithe.
(2) Déanfaidh an chuideachta de réir gach treorach a thabharfar di faoin alt seo.
(3) (a) Má iarrann an chuideachta amhlaidh i scríbhinn, is le hordú a thabharfaidh an tAire treoir don chuideachta faoin alt seo.
(b) Leanfaidh ordú den sórt sin de bheith i bhfeidhm go ceann tréimhse sonraithe nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag mura ndéanfar é a fhadú nó a chúlghairm le hordú ón Aire.
(4) Má dheimhníonn an chuideachta don Aire go bhfuil, thar thréimhse dhá mhí dhéag ar a laghad nó cibé tréimhse eile a chinnfidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta, caillteanas tabhaithe aici de bharr déanamh de réir treorach faoi fho-alt (1) (b) nó (1) (c), beidh sí i dteideal an caillteanas a ghnóthú ón Aire.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire a cheangal go ndéanfar iniúchadh ar leabhair agus ar thaifid na cuideachta chun a chinneadh gur tabhaíodh an caillteanas sin.
(6) Sula dtabharfaidh sé treoir don chuideachta faoi fho-alt (1) (b) nó (1) (c), gheobhaidh an tAire mionsonraí ón gcuideachta i dtaobh an chostais a bhain le déanamh de réir na treorach sin agus tabharfaidh an chuideachta an fhaisnéis sin don Aire ar é á hiarraidh.
(7) Féadfaidh an tAire, i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta agus le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, spriocanna airgeadais nó spriocanna eile (lena n-áirítear díbhinní a íoc i leith scaireanna sa chuideachta) a bheidh le baint amach ag an gcuideachta a leagan síos mar choinníoll.
(8) Déanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais aon airgead a bheidh ag teastáil ón Aire faoi chomhair íocaíochtaí a cheanglaítear air a dhéanamh faoin alt seo a airleacan dó as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
CUID III
Forálacha Idirlinne
Talamh a aistriú.
39.—(1) An talamh go léir (seachas talamh a bheidh ainmnithe ag an Aire) a bhí, díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, dílsithe don Aire agus á úsáid nó faighte chun críocha feidhmeanna a shanntar leis an Acht seo don chuideachta, agus na cearta, na cumhachtaí agus na pribhléidí go léir a bhaineann nó a ghabhann leis an talamh sin beidh siad, an lá sin, gan aon tíolacadh ná sannadh ach faoi réir fho-alt (2), dílsithe don chuideachta go feadh an eastáit nó an leasa go léir ar a raibh an céanna, díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, dílsithe don Aire ach sin faoi réir na n-iontaobhas agus na gcothromas go léir a dhéanann difear don talamh agus a bheidh ar marthain agus infheidhmithe.
(2) Ní oibreoidh fo-alt (1) chun aon mhianraí nó aon cheart mianadóireachta, nó ceart chun mianraí a bhaint, nó aon imeall trá de réir bhrí an Achta Imeall Trágha, 1933, a dhílsiú don chuideachta.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire ar a thionscnamh féin, agus ní foláir dó ar iarratas ón gcuideachta, deimhniú a eisiúint maidir le talamh sonraithe á dheimhniú, de réir mar is iomchuí leis, go raibh an talamh dílsithe don chuideachta faoin alt seo nó nach raibh sé dílsithe amhlaidh agus is fianaise dhochloíte an deimhniú ar na fíorais a dheimhnítear amhlaidh.
Maoin eile a aistriú.
40.—(1) An mhaoin go léir seachas talamh, lena n-áirítear ábhair i gcaingean, ar mhaoin de chuid an Aire í díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, agus a bhí á húsáid nó faighte díreach roimh an lá sin i ndáil leis na feidhmeanna a shanntar leis an Acht seo don chuideachta, beidh sí, an lá sin, dílsithe don chuideachta gan aon sannadh a dhéanamh.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire ar a thionscnamh féin, agus ní foláir dó ar iarratas ón gcuideachta, deimhniú a eisiúint maidir le maoin shonraithe á dheimhniú, de réir mar is iomchuí leis, go raibh an mhaoin dílsithe don chuideachta faoin alt seo nó nach raibh sí dílsithe amhlaidh agus is fianaise dhochloíte an deimhniú ar na fíorais a dheimhnítear amhlaidh.
(3) Gach ábhar i gcaingean a aistrítear chuig an gcuideachta le fo-alt (1) féadfaidh an chuideachta, tar éis an lá dílseacháin, agra a dhéanamh ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó é a chur i bhfeidhm ina hainm féin agus ní gá don chuideachta ná don Aire fógra faoin aistriú a dhéantar leis an bhfo-alt sin a thabhairt don duine a bheidh faoi cheangal ag an ábhar i gcaingean.
Cearta agus dliteanais a aistriú.
41.—(1) Na cearta agus na dliteanais go léir de chuid an Aire de bhua aon chonradh nó árach (sainráite nó intuigthe) a rinne nó a thug sé féin nó a rinne nó a thug Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn thar a cheann roimh an lá dílseacháin i ndáil le feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta faoin Acht seo beidh siad, an lá sin, arna n-aistriú chuig an gcuideachta.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire ar a thionscnamh féin, agus ní foláir dó ar iarratas ón gcuideachta, deimhniú a eisiúint maidir le conradh nó árach sonraithe á dheimhniú, de réir mar is iomchuí leis, go ndearnadh cearta agus dliteanais an Aire faoin gcéanna a aistriú, an lá dílseacháin, chuig an gcuideachta faoin alt seo nó nár aistríodh amhlaidh iad agus is fianaise dhochloíte an deimhniú ar na fíorais a dheimhnítear amhlaidh.
(3) Gach ceart agus gach dliteanas a aistrítear chuig an gcuideachta le fo-alt (1) féadfaidh an chuideachta, ar an lá dílseacháin agus dá éis, agra a dhéanamh ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó é a chur i bhfeidhm ina hainm féin nó féadfar, an lá sin nó dá éis, agra a dhéanamh ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó é a chur i bhfeidhm i gcoinne na cuideachta ina hainm féin agus ní gá don chuideachta ná don Aire fógra faoin aistriú sin a thabhairt don duine arb é a cheart nó a dhliteanas a aistrítear leis an alt seo.
(4) Comhlíonfaidh an chuideachta cibé oibleagáidí (cé is moite d'aisíoc príomhshuime nó d'íocaíochtaí úis) a bheidh sonraithe ag an Aire Airgeadais i ndáil lena oibleagáidí conarthacha faoi chonarthaí iasachtaí coigríche, a rinneadh roimh an lá dílseacháin, i ndáil le feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta faoin Acht seo.
Díolúine ó dhleacht stampa.
42.—Ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 12 den Finance Act, 1895, maidir le haon mhaoin nó cearta a aistrítear leis an Acht seo a dhílsiú don chuideachta.
Forálacha a bhaineann le foireann a aistrítear chuig an gcuideachta.
43.—(1) Le héifeacht ón lá dílseacháin glacfaidh an chuideachta i bhfostaíocht, de réir théarmaí an Achta seo, gach duine a bhí, díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, ina chomhalta d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh ar duine é a bheidh ainmnithe ag an Aire, cibé acu roimh nó ar an lá dílseacháin nó dá éis, lena fhostú ag an gcuideachta.
(2) Ach amháin i gcomhréir le comhaontú comhchoiteann arna chaibidil le haon cheardchumann nó comhlachas foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann, aon chomhalta d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) ní lú tairbhe dó na coinníollacha seirbhíse nó luacha saothair ar a gcuirfear é, fad a bheidh sé i seirbhís na cuideachta, ná na coinníollacha seirbhíse nó luacha saothair a raibh sé faoina réir díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin.
(3) Go dtí go ndéanfaidh an chuideachta, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le ceardchumainn agus comhlachais foirne aitheanta, athrú ar scálaí pá agus coinníollacha seirbhíse na gcomhaltaí den fhoireann a bheidh aistrithe amhlaidh, leanfaidh na scálaí pá a raibh teideal acu chucu, agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse, na srianta, na ceanglais agus na hoibleagáidí a raibh siad faoina réir, díreach sular aistríodh iad, de bheith i bhfeidhm maidir leo agus féadfaidh an chuideachta iad a fheidhmiú nó a fhorchur fad a bheidh na comhaltaí sin i seirbhís na cuideachta.
(4) Na coinníollacha maidir le seilbh oifige a dheonóidh an chuideachta i ndáil le comhalta den fhoireann a bheidh aistrithe amhlaidh ní lú fabhar dó iad, fad a bheidh sé i seirbhís na cuideachta, ná na coinníollacha a bheidh i réim de thuras na huaire sa státseirbhís; aon athrú ar na coinníollacha maidir le seilbh oifige aon chomhalta den sórt sin ní lú fabhar dó é ná na coinníollacha a bheidh i réim sa státseirbhís tráth an athraithe sin, ach amháin i gcomhréir le comhaontú comhchoiteann arna chaibidil le haon cheardchumann nó comhlachas foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann. Má bhíonn aon díospóid idir an chuideachta agus aon chomhalta den sórt sin i dtaobh na gcoinníollacha atá i réim sa státseirbhís, is é an tAire Airgeadais, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, a chinnfidh an cheist.
(5) I gcás foirne a aistreofar chuig an gcuideachta, féadfar seirbhís roimh ré sa státseirbhís a áireamh chun críocha na nAchtanna um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967 go 1984, an Achta um Laethanta Saoire (Fostaithe), 1973, na nAchtanna um Fhógra Íosta agus Téarmaí Fostaíochta, 1973 agus 1984, agus an Achta um Dhífhostú Éagórach, 1977, ach sin faoi réir aon eisceachtaí nó eisiataí eile sna hAchtanna sin.
Aoisliúntas.
44.—(1) Ullmhóidh an chuideachta, agus cuirfidh sí faoi bhráid an Aire, scéim nó scéimeanna chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a dheonú do cibé comhaltaí d'fhoireann na cuideachta is cuí léi, nó i leith na gcomhaltaí sin, ar iad d'éirí as, ar scor dóibh nó ar iad d'fháil bháis.
(2) Socróidh gach scéim den sórt sin an tráth scoir agus na coinníollacha scoir do na daoine go léir a mbeidh pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais iníoctha leo nó ina leith faoin scéim agus féadfar tráthanna éagsúla agus coinníollacha éagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(3) Faoi réir fho-alt (4), féadfar gach scéim den sórt sin a leasú nó a chúlghairm le scéim iardain arna cur isteach agus arna ceadú faoin alt seo.
(4) Socróidh gach scéim faoin alt seo coinníollacha maidir le daoine a bhí, díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh ar coinníollacha iad nach lú fabhar ná na coinníollacha a raibh teideal acu chucu díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin.
(5) Na pinsin, na haiscí agus na liúntais eile is féidir a dheonú do dhaoine, nó i leith daoine, a bhí, díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh, eisíocfar iad ar choinníollacha nach lú fabhar ná na coinníollacha a mbeadh feidhm acu dá mba as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas a bheadh na sochair dá dtagraítear á n-íoc fós.
(6) Déanfaidh an chuideachta scéim a bheidh curtha faoi bhráid an Aire aici faoin alt seo a chur i gcrích de réir a téarmaí, má cheadaíonn an tAire an scéim le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(7) Ní dheonóidh an chuideachta pinsean, aisce nó liúntas ar chomhalta d'fhoireann na cuideachta d'éirí as, do scor nó d'fháil bháis ach amháin i gcomhréir le scéim faoin alt seo.
(8) I gcás ina ndlífear aoisliúntas a íoc le duine, nó i leith duine, lena mbaineann fo-alt (4) sa tréimhse dar tosach an lá dílseacháin agus dar críoch díreach roimh theacht i ngníomh do scéim a bheidh curtha faoi bhráid an Aire ag an gcuideachta agus a bheidh ceadaithe faoin alt seo, déanfaidh an chuideachta an liúntas a ríomh agus a íoc i gcomhréir le cibé scéim aoisliúntais, nó le cibé achtacháin i ndáil le haoisliúntas, a bhain leis an duine sin díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin agus, chun na críche sin, déanfar seirbhís inphinsin an duine sin leis an gcuideachta a chomhiomlánú lena sheirbhís inphinsin roimhe sin.
(9) Déanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais cibé ranníoc a shonrófar, lena thoiliú, i scéim nó i scéimeanna faoin alt seo faoi chomhair na bpinsean, na n-aiscí agus na liúntas eile i ndáil le seirbhís ináirithe a tugadh roimh an lá dílseacháin ar pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais iad is féidir a dheonú do dhaoine, nó i leith daoine, a bhí, díreach roimh an lá sin, ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh, agus socróidh an scéim nó na scéimeanna sin, leis an toiliú sin, modh íoca agus tráthanna íoca an ranníoca sin.
(10) (a) D'ainneoin aon ní sna hAchtanna Aoisliúntas, 1834 go 1963, agus san Acht Aoisliúntas agus Pinsean, 1976, féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta, an cúram a tharmligean chuig an gcuideachta pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a íoc leis na daoine sin, nó i leith na ndaoine sin, a bhí ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh nó de Ranna eile agus a bhí ag gabháil d'fheidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta faoin Acht seo, ar daoine iad a scoir nó a fuair bás roimh an lá dílseacháin, de réir mar a shonróidh sé.
(b) Déanfaidh aon tarmligean faoi mhír (a) socrú le haghaidh coinníollacha nach lú fabhar ná na coinníollacha a mbeadh feidhm acu dá mba as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas a bheadh na sochair dá dtagraítear á n-íoc fós.
(c) Déanfaidh an chuideachta íocaíochtaí de réir aon tarmligean den sórt sin a dhéanfar chuici agus cúiteoidh an tAire Airgeadais í ina leith ar cibé modh agus cibé tráthanna a bheidh sonraithe in airteagail chomhlachais na cuideachta.
(11) Airleacfar as an bPríomh-Chiste nó a thoradh fáis aon airgead a cheanglaítear ar an Aire Airgeadais a íoc faoin alt seo.
Cumhacht Choimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí obair a ghabháil de láimh.
45.—(1) Beidh cumhacht ag Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn obair a ghabháil de láimh ar iarraidh ón gcuideachta.
(2) I bhfeidhmiú na gcumhachtaí a thugtar le fo-alt (1), measfar, maidir le haon obair a ghabhfaidh na Coimisinéirí sin de láimh ar iarraidh ón gcuideachta an lá dílseacháin nó dá éis, nach údarás Stáit na Coimisinéirí sin chun críocha na nAchtanna Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1963 go 1983.
Rátaí a mhuirearú ar mhaoin na cuideachta.
46.—Aon mhaoin inrátaithe a dhílsítear don chuideachta ar an lá dílseacháin scoirfidh sí, amhail ó thosach na chéad bhliana airgeadais ina dhiaidh sin, de bheith díolmhaithe ón ráta is inmhuirearaithe ag údarás áitiúil d'ainneoin an mhaoin a bheith luaite mar mhaoin dhíolmhaithe ar liosta luachála.
Dliteanas maidir le caillteanas a tharlóidh roimh an lá dílseacháin.
47.—(1) Aon éileamh maidir le haon chaillteanas nó díobháil a líomhnaítear a bhain d'aon duine de dhroim na feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta leis an Acht seo a fheidhmiú roimh an lá dílseacháin, is éileamh é, tar éis an lae sin, i gcoinne na cuideachta, bíodh nó ná bíodh aon éileamh déanta ina leith roimh an lá sin agus, faoi réir alt 49, ní éileamh é i gcoinne an Aire, i gcoinne aon údaráis Stáit eile ná i gcoinne an Stáit.
(2) Más rud é, roimh an lá dílseacháin, in éileamh lena mbaineann fo-alt (1), go bhfuil na páirtithe tar éis teacht ar chomhaontú maidir leis an éileamh a shocrú agus nach bhfuil téarmaí an chomhaontaithe curtha i ngníomh nó go bhfuil breithiúnas tugtha i bhfabhar an duine ar bhain an díobháil dó, agus nach bhfuil an breithiúnas curtha i bhfeidhm, beidh téarmaí an chomhaontaithe nó an bhreithiúnais, de réir mar a bheidh, sa mhéid gurb infheidhmithe iad i gcoinne an Aire, aon údaráis Stáit eile nó an Stáit, inchurtha i bhfeidhm i gcoinne na cuideachta agus, faoi réir alt 49, ní bheidh siad inchurtha i bhfeidhm i gcoinne an Aire, aon údaráis Stáit eile ná an Stáit.
(3) Aon éileamh a dhéanfaidh an tAire, aon údarás Stáit eile nó an Stát, nó is cuí dó a dhéanamh, maidir le haon chaillteanas nó díobháil de dhroim gnímh nó mainneachtana ag aon duine roimh an lá dílseacháin glacfar leis, más éileamh é a bhaineann le feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta leis an Acht seo, mar éileamh a dhéanann an chuideachta nó mar éileamh is cuí di a dhéanamh agus féadfaidh an chuideachta dul ar aghaidh leis agus agairt ina leith ionann is dá mba don chuideachta a bhain an caillteanas nó an díobháil.
(4) Más rud é, roimh an lá dílseacháin, in éileamh lena mbaineann fo-alt (3), go bhfuil na páirtithe tar éis teacht ar chomhaontú maidir leis an éileamh a shocrú agus nach bhfuil téarmaí an chomhaontaithe curtha i ngníomh, nó go bhfuil breithiúnas tugtha i bhfabhar an Aire, aon údaráis Stáit eile nó an Stáit agus nach bhfuil an breithiúnas curtha i bhfeidhm, beidh téarmaí an chomhaontaithe nó an bhreithiúnais, de réir mar a bheidh, sa mhéid gurb inchurtha i bhfeidhm iad ag an Aire, ag aon údarás Stáit eile nó ag an Stát, inchurtha i bhfeidhm ag an gcuideachta.
(5) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le héileamh ó údarás Stáit amháin i gcoinne údaráis Stáit eile.
Imeachtaí dlí a bhí ar feitheamh do leanúint i bhfeidhm.
48.—Na himeachtaí dlí uile i leith feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta leis an Acht seo, a bhí ar feitheamh díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin agus ar páirtí iontu an tAire, aon údarás Stáit eile nó an Stát, leanfaidh siad de bheith i bhfeidhm ach an chuideachta a chur in ionad aon pháirtí den sórt sin.
Breithiúnais a chur i bhfeidhm.
49.—(1) I gcás go dtabharfar breithiúnas i gcoinne na cuideachta in aon imeachtaí de bhun éileamh lena mbaineann alt 47 (1) nó in imeachtaí a leanann de bheith i bhfeidhm faoi alt 48, agus nach bhfuil an duine ar tugadh an breithiúnas ina fhabhar in ann an breithiúnas a chur i bhfeidhm, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, i gcoinne na cuideachta, beidh sé i dteideal breithiúnas i gcoinne an Aire Airgeadais a thaifeadadh in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla i leith aon mhéid nár gnóthaíodh ar scór an bhreithiúnais mar fhiach a bheidh dlite dó ag an Aire sin.
(2) Beidh an tAire Airgeadais i dteideal aon íocaíocht a bheidh déanta aige le duine mar shásamh ar bhreithiúnas a taifeadadh ina choinne faoi fho-alt (1), a ghnóthú ón gcuideachta.
(3) Aon airgead a bheidh ag teastáil ón Aire Airgeadais faoi chomhair íocaíochtaí a cheanglaítear air a dhéanamh leis an alt seo, airleacfar chuige é as an bPríomh-Chiste nó a thoradh fáis agus aisíocfar leis an bPríomh-Chiste é as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Fógraí, deimhnithe, dearbhuithe agus bannaí áirithe do leanúint i bhfeidhm.
50.—Ón lá dílseacháin—
(a) gach fógra, deimhniú agus dearbhú a bheidh tugtha ag an Aire nó don Aire,
(b) gach ordú cúirte a bheidh dírithe chuig aon duine, agus
(c) gach banna a bheidh tugtha ag aon duine don Aire,
agus a bhaineann le feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta faoin Acht seo, leanfaidh siad, i gcás nach mbeidh a n-oibriú, a n-éifeacht nó a dtéarma scortha nó dulta in éag roimh an lá dílseacháin, d'fheidhm a bheith acu, agus beidh éifeacht leo, ionann is dá mbeadh feidhmeanna an Aire inchomhlíonta an lá sin ag an gcuideachta.
Ceadúnais agus ceadanna a dheonaigh an tAire do leanúint i bhfeidhm.
51.—Gach ceadúnas nó cead a dheonaigh an tAire i ndáil le talamh nó maoin eile a dhílsítear don chuideachta faoin Acht seo, agus a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh an lá dílseacháin, leanfaidh sé d'fheidhm a bheith aige ionann is dá mba í an chuideachta a dheonaigh é.
Comhchomhairliúcháin pleanála do leanúint i bhfeidhm.
52.—Chun crícha alt 84 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1963—
(a) aon chomhchomhairliúchán a bheidh curtha i gcrích roimh an lá dílseacháin idir an tAire agus údarás pleanála i ndáil le foirgniú nó méadú foirgnimh a bheidh le húsáid ón lá sin i ndáil leis na feidhmeanna a shanntar leis an Acht seo don chuideachta, beidh éifeacht leis ionann is dá mba pháirtí sa chomhchomhairliúchán sin an chuideachta;
(b) aon chomhchomhairliúchán den sórt sin a bheidh tosaithe ag an Aire ach nach mbeidh curtha i gcrích roimh an lá dílseacháin i ndáil le foirgniú nó méadú aon fhoirgnimh a bheidh le húsáid mar a dúradh ón lá sin, is í an chuideachta, agus ní hé an tAire, a chuirfidh i gcrích é.
Forálacha airgeadais idirlinne.
53.—(1) Íocfaidh an chuideachta le gach comhalta, nó i leith gach comhalta, d'fhoireann na Roinne Fuinnimh a bheidh aistrithe chuig seirbhís na cuideachta aon mhéid a bheidh dlite don chomhalta sin nó ina leith maidir le seirbhís leis an Roinn agus a bheidh gan íoc ar an lá dílseacháin agus déanfaidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, an méid sin a aisíoc leis an gcuideachta.
(2) Íocfaidh an tAire leis an gcuideachta, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, méid is ionann agus na réamhíocaíochtaí a bheidh faighte aige roimh an lá dílseacháin i leith earraí nó seirbhísí a chuirfidh an chuideachta ar fáil ar an lá dílseacháin nó dá éis.
(3) Íocfaidh an chuideachta leis an Aire méid is ionann agus na suimeanna a bhaileoidh sí, ar an lá dílseacháin nó dá éis, i leith earraí nó seirbhísí a chuir an tAire ar fáil roimh an lá dílseacháin i leith feidhmeanna a shanntar don chuideachta leis an Acht seo.
(4) Na suimeanna go léir a cheanglaítear a íoc faoin alt seo beidh siad dlite agus iníoctha ar cibé dáta a chinnfidh an tAire, i gcomhairle leis an gcuideachta agus le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(5) Tabharfaidh an chuideachta don Aire cibé faisnéis, taifid agus doiciméid a bheidh ag teastáil ón Aire chun críocha an ailt seo agus beidh sé de cheart ag an Aire agus ag a oifigigh na taifid agus na doiciméid iomchuí uile de chuid na cuideachta a iniúchadh agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh díobh.
(6) Má tharlaíonn easaontú maidir le haon mhéid a bheidh le híoc ag an gcuideachta leis an Aire, nó ag an Aire leis an gcuideachta, faoin alt seo is breith chríochnaitheach breith an Aire, arna tabhairt le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
AN CHÉAD SCEIDEAL
Achtacháin a Aisghairm
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
In alt 9 (1): míreanna (b), (e) agus (h). Ailt 9 (6), 10 agus 59. | ||
Sa Chéad Sceideal: mír 1, arna leasú le halt 64 den Acht um Fhiadhúlra, 1976. |
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Leasú ar Fhorálacha an Achta Foraoiseachta, 1946
CUID I
Foráil | Leasú |
Ailt 11 (3) agus 63 (4) | “£100” a chur in ionad “deich bpuint”. |
Ailt 37 (3), 38 (2), 39 (4), 42 (3), 45 (2), 47 (2) agus 51 (2) | (a) “faoi réir ailt 53 den Acht seo” a scriosadh. |
(b) “£50” a chur in ionad “cúig puint”. | |
Ailt 41 (11), 46 (9), 48 (5), 49 (7) agus 52 (5) | “£50” a chur in ionad “cúig puint” agus “£100” a chur in ionad “deich bpuint”. |
Alt 58 (2) | “£200” a chur in ionad “fiche punt”. |
Alt 63 (5) | “£50” a chur in ionad “cúig puint”. |
Alt 64 | “£250” a chur in ionad “cúig puint fhichead”. |
CUID II
Foráil | Leasú |
Alt 9 (1) (g) | “cúnamh nó comhairle a thabhairt i ndáil le plandáil nó bainisteoireacht aon choillte nó foraoisí le daoine ar bith, lena n-áirítear coillte agus foraoiseacha le haon Aire Stáit nó le húdaráis áitiúil” a chur in ionad “plandáil, forbairt, úsáid, bainistí nó maoirsiú aon choillte nó foraoisí le daoine ar bith, lena n-áirítear coillte agus foraoisí le haon Aire Stáit nó le húdarás áitiúil, a ghlacadh de láimh ar pé téarmaí agus faoi réir pé coinníoll ar a gcomhaontófar, nó cúnamh nó comhairle a thabhairt maidir le plandáil nó bainistí aon choillte nó foraoisí den tsórt sin”. |