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Uimhir 35 de 1979
AN tACHT UM THRÁDÁIL ÓCÁIDEACH, 1979
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Mínithe.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “oifigeach údaraithe” duine a cheapfar faoi alt 8 den Acht seo le bheith ina oifigeach údaraithe;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Tionscail, Tráchtála agus Fuinnimh;
ciallaíonn “cead trádála ócáidí” cead arna dheonú faoi alt 4 den Acht seo;
folaíonn “díol” comhaontú nó tairiscint chun ní a dhíol nó tairiscint a iarraidh chun ní a cheannach.
Trádáil ócáideach.
2.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, ciallaíonn “trádáil ócáideach” earraí a mhiondíol in áitreabh nó in áit (nach bóthar poiblí ná áit eile ar a bhfuil rochtain ag an bpobal ó cheart) a bheidh ar áitiú ag an duine a bheidh ag díol amhlaidh ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí is lú ná trí mhí dar críoch dáta an díola sin.
(2) Ní fholaíonn trádáil ócáideach—
(a) díol ar ceant (seachas ceant Dúitseach) ag sealbhóir ceadúnas nó cead ag a bhfuil feidhm de thuras na huaire faoi na hAchtanna um Cheantálaithe agus Gníomhairí Tithe, 1947 go 1973.
(b) díol ar aonach nó ar thaispeántas trádála, tráchtála, talmhaíochta nó tionscail a bhíonn ar siúl go hiomlán nó go príomha chun críche seachas chun earraí a dhíol,
(c) díol torthaí talmhaíochta nó gairneoireachta (lena n-áirítear beostoc) ag táirgeoir na dtorthaí sin nó ag a sheirbhísigh nó a ghníomhairí ag gníomhú dóibh amhlaidh,
(d) díol le duine san áit, nó i gcóngar na háite, ina gcónaíonn sé nó ina seolann sé gnó,
(e) díol ag an Stát nó thar a cheann nó ag Aire Rialtais nó thar a cheann,
(f) díol uachtair reoite, milseán, milseogra seacláide, bianna bruite (seachas bianna a bruitheadh in áit a ndíola), torthaí nó deochanna neamh-mheisciúla a dhéantar ó thráidire, ciseán, bara, tralaí nó deis dá samhail ag teagmhas a ligtear an pobal isteach chuige ar tháille nó saor ó tháille, nó ar an lá a mbíonn an teagmhas sin ar siúl agus san áit nó i ngarchomhsarsanacht na háite ina mbíonn sé ar siúl,
(g) díol uachtair reoite (le habhlanna, brioscaí nó coirnéid nó gan iad), nuachtán, tréimhseachán, irisí nó ábhar clóite eile, nó earraí crábhaidh nó creidimh,
(h) díol éisc,
(i) díol a n-úsáidtear na brabúis as chun críocha carthanúla nó críocha eile nach bhfaightear, nó nach bhfuil sé ceaptha go bhfaighfear, aon bhrabús príobháideach as,
(j) díol earraí lámhdhéanta ag déantóir na n-earraí sin nó ag céile nó ag leanbh an déantóra sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin, fo-alt (2) den alt seo a leasú, agus beidh éifeacht de réir aon rialachán den sórt sin leis an bhfo-alt sin.
Srian le trádáil ócáideach.
3.—(1) Ní ghabhfaidh duine do thrádáil ócáideach mura duine é, nó mura seirbhíseach nó gníomhaire é atá ag gníomhú sa cháil sin do dhuine, a shealbhaíonn cead trádála ócáidí ag a bhfuil feidhm de thuras na huaire agus gur trádáil ócáideach í atá de réir an cheada.
(2) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le trádáil ócáideach a mbeidh duine ag gabháil di laistigh de mhí tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo in áitreabh nó in áit a bhí ar áitiú go leanúnach ag an duine ar feadh tréimhse ba lú ná trí mhí dar críoch tráth na trádála sin.
(3) (a) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le trádáil ócáideach dá ngabhann duine in áitreabh nó in áit a bhí ar áitiú aige ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí ba lú ná trí mhí dar críoch dáta na trádála sin más rud é—
(i) go bhfuil ar intinn aige an t-áitreabh nó an áit a áitiú go ceann tréimhse leanúnaí trí mhí nó níos mó lena n-áirítear tráth na trádála réamhráite,
(ii) go ndéanfaidh sé, agus go dtabharfaidh sé don Aire, sula dtosóidh sé ar an trádáil sin, dearbhú reachtúil á rá go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige, agus
(iii) go n-áiteoidh sé an t-áitreabh nó an áit go ceann tréimhse leanúnaí trí mhí nó níos mó lena n-áirítear tráth na trádála réamhráite.
(b) Duine a dhéanfaidh dearbhú reachtúil chun críocha an fho-ailt seo gan foras réasúnach a bheith leis an ráiteas ann go bhfuil ar intinn aige an t-áitreabh nó an áit dá dtagraítear sa dearbhú a áitiú go ceann tréimhse leanúnaí trí mhí nó níos mó lena n-áirítear tráth na trádála dá dtagraítear sa dearbhú beidh sé ciontach i gcion; agus mura n-áiteoidh sé an t-áitreabh nó an áit sin ar feadh na tréimhse leanúnaí réamhráite toimhdeofar nó go suífear a mhalairt nach raibh foras réasúnach ag an duine leis an ráiteas réamhráite.
(4) Duine a sháróidh an t-alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Ceadanna trádála ócáidí.
4.—(1) Faoi réir na bhforálacha sin ina dhiaidh seo den alt seo, déanfaidh an tAire, ar dhuine do dhéanamh iarratais i scríbhinn chuige sin agus ar é d'íoc táille £50, mar aon le táille bhreise £25 in aghaidh gach lae nó gach coda de lá ar a mbeartaíonn an duine gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach lena mbaineann an t-iarratas cead (dá ngairtear “cead trádála ócáidí” dá éis seo san Acht seo) a dheonú don duine, i cibé foirm agus ag sonrú cibé nithe a chinnfidh an tAire, á údarú don duine gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach in áitreabh nó in áit shonraithe ar laethanta sonraithe.
(2) Déanfar iarratas chun an Aire ar chead trádála ócáidí 30 lá ar a laghad roimh an gcéad lá ar a mbeartaítear gabháil don trádáil ócáideach lena mbaineann an t-iarratas.
(3) (a) Beidh i gcead trádála ócáidí cibé coinníollacha (más ann) a chinnfidh an tAire agus a shonróidh sé sa chead.
(b) Duine a shealbhóidh cead trádála ócáidí comhlíonfaidh sé coinníollacha an cheada.
(c) Duine a sharóidh mír (b) den fho-alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire diúltú cead trádála ócáidí a dheonú do dhuine a ciontaíodh i gcion faoi alt 3(1) den Acht seo.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire cead trádála ócáidí a chúlghairm más deimhin leis go bhfuil coinníoll de chuid an cheada sáraithe nó á shárú nó má rinneadh an duine dar deonaíodh é a chiontú i gcion faoi alt 3(1) den Acht seo.
(6) Ní dheonóidh an tAire cead trádála ócáidí do dhuine a ciontaíodh níos mó ná uair amháin i gcion faoi alt 3(1) den Acht seo más tráth is lú ná cúig bliana roimh an gcéad lá ar a mbeartaíonn an duine gabháil don trádáil ócáideach lena mbaineann an t-iarratas ar an gcead a tharla an ciontú is deireanaí agus gur tharla dhá cheann, ar a laghad, de na ciontuithe tar éis deireadh a bheith leis an tréimhse dhícháilíochta (más ann) is deireanaí de bhua an fho-ailt seo chun cead trádála ócáidí a dheonú.
(7) Duine a iarrfaidh ar an Aire cead trádála ócáidí a dheonú dó tabharfaidh sé don Aire cibé faisnéis a iarrfaidh an tAire chun a chumhachtaí agus a fheidhmeanna faoin alt seo a fheidhmiú agus mura gcomhlíonfaidh an duine an fo-alt seo, féadfaidh an tAire diúltú an cead a dheonú dó.
(8) I gcás cead trádála ócáidí a dheonú do dhuine maidir le trádáil ócáideach in áitreabh nó in áit shonraithe ar laethanta sonraithe agus go n-íocfaidh an duine leis an Aire na táillí is iníoctha maidir leis an gcead agus go leanfaidh an duine ag áitiú an áitribh nó na háite ar feadh tréimhse nach lú ná trí mhí agus go n-áirítear sa tréimhse na laethanta a raibh an trádáil lena mbaineann an cead á seoladh, déanfaidh an tAire, ar an áitiú sin a chruthú chun a shástachta, na táillí a thabhairt ar ais a íocadh maidir leis an gcead a dheonú don duine.
(9) I gcás ar lú an méid laethanta nó codanna de laethanta a mbeidh sealbhóir ceada ag gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach lena linn de bhun chead trádála ócáidí ná an méid laethanta nó codanna de laethanta a bheidh sonraithe sa chead, déanfar méid na dtáillí a íocadh nó is iníoctha faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo a choigeartú dá réir sin trí aisíocaíochtaí iomhcuí ón Aire.
(10) I gcás duine do mhainniú táille a íoc leis an Aire de réir an ailt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(11) Déanfar na táillí is iníoctha leis an Aire faoin alt seo a dhiúscairt de réir orduithe ón Aire Airgeadais.
(12) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, maidir le haon táillí a mhuirearófar nó a thoibheofar faoin alt seo.
(13) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin, méideanna na dtáillí a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo a athrú agus beidh éifeacht leis an bhfo-alt sin de réir aon rialacháin den sórt sin agus féadfar táillí éagsúla a shocrú faoin bhfo-alt seo maidir le haicmí éagsúla daoine.
Ceadanna trádála ócáidí a thaispeáint.
5.—(1) Duine a bheidh ag gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach lena mbaineann alt 3 den Acht seo taispeánfaidh sé an cead trádála ócáidí a bhaineann leis an trádáil in ionad, san áit nó i gcóngar na háite ina mbeidh sé ag seoladh na trádála, ina mbeidh sé le feiceáil go soiléir agus soléite ag daoine den phobal.
(2) Duine a sháróidh an t-alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Toirmeasc ar fhaisnéis bhréagach agus ar cheadanna a athrú.
6.—(1) Ní thabharfaidh duine faisnéis bhréagach don Aire i ndáil le hiarratas ar chead trádála ócáidí a dheonú.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh duine, le hintinn mheabhlaireachta, cead trádála ócáidí a athrú ná a úsáid.
(3) Ní bhrionnóidh duine doiciméad a airbheartaíonn gur cead trádála ócáidí é.
(4) Duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1), (2) nó (3) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(5) Is cosaint é do dhuine a bheidh cúisithe i gcion faoin alt seo i ndáil le faisnéis bhréagach a thabhairt don Aire a shuíomh nach raibh a fhios aige agus nach bhféadfadh sé, trí chúram réasúnach a ghlacadh, a fhios a bheith aige, go raibh an fhaisnéis bréagach.
Trádáil ócáideach a fhógairt.
7.—(1) Ní dhéanfar fógrán in ndáil le trádáil ócáideach lena mbaineann alt 3 den Acht seo a fhoilsiú mura mbeidh cead trádála ócáidí i bhfeidhm ag údarú na trádála agus go mbeidh uimhir an cheada agus ainm agus seoladh an duine dar deonaíodh é san fhógrán.
(2) Más rud é, i ndáil le fógrán, go mbeidh sárú déanta ar fho-alt (1) den alt seo, beidh an duine a sheolann an trádáil ócáideach lena mbaineann an fógrán nó a bheartaíonn dul á seoladh agus an duine a d'fhoilsigh an fógrán ciontach i gcion.
(3) San alt seo folaíonn “fógrán” catalóg, ciorclán agus praghasliosta.
Cumhachtaí oifigeach údaraithe.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire oifigigh don Aire a cheapadh le bheith ina n-oifigigh údaraithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
(2) Féadfaidh oifigeach údaraithe—
(a) dul isteach in aon áit nó áitreabh a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige lena chreidiúint go bhfuil trádáil ócáideach ar siúl ann agus iad a iniúchadh agus a scrúdú,
(b) comhalta den Gharda Síochána a thabhairt leis má bhíonn cúis réasúnach aige lena cheapadh go gcuirfear aon mhórbhac air agus é ag feidhmiú a dhualgais,
(c) a cheangal ar aon duine a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige lena chreidiúint go bhfuil sé ag gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach—
(i) cead trádála ócáidí ag údarú na trádála sin a thabhairt ar aird mura mbeidh an cead sin ar taispeáint, agus
(ii) má mhainníonn, má fhaillíonn nó má dhiúltaíonn sé an cead sin a thabhairt ar aird i gcás nach raibh sé ar taispeáint, a ainm agus a sheoladh agus, más seirbhíseach nó gníomhaire é do dhuine eile, ainm agus seoladh an duine eile sin, a thabhairt don oifigeach,
(d) cibé scrúdú agus fiosrú a dhéanamh is gá chun a fháil amach an bhfuil forálacha an Achta seo á gcomhlíonadh,
(e) a cheangal ar aon duine a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige lena chreidiúint go bhfuil sé ag gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach de shárú ar an Acht seo cibé faisnéis a bheidh ina chumhacht a thabhairt i dtaobh úinéireacht aon earraí atá á ndíol i gcúrsa na trádála sin nó a úsáidtear chun críocha na trádála sin,
(f) a cheangal ar aon duine a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige lena chreidiúint go bhfuil sé ag gabháil do thrádáil ócáideach de shárú ar an Acht seo doiciméid, leabhair nó taifid a bhaineann leis an trádáil sin atá faoina chumhacht, ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú a thabhairt ar aird dó agus cibé faisnéis a íarrfaidh sé a thabhairt dó i ndáil le hiontrálacha sna doiciméid, sna leabhair nó sna taifid sin, agus aon doiciméad, leabhar nó taifead den sórt sin a scrúdú nó a chóipeáil nó sleachta a thógáil astu.
(3) Ní chuirfidh duine bac nó treampán ar oifigeach údaraithe, ná ní thabharfaidh sé faisnéis bhréagach dó, agus é ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo.
(4) (a) Ní mhainneoidh, ní dhiúltóidh ná ní fhailleoidh duine ceanglas ó oifigeach údaraithe faoin alt seo a chomhlíonadh.
(b) Measfar nach mbeidh mainnithe ná diúltaithe ag duine ceanglas a chomhlíonadh a chuir oifigeach údaraithe faoin alt seo á cheangal cead trádála ócáidí a thabhairt ar aird má thugann sé a ainm agus a sheoladh, agus, más seirbhíseach nó gníomhaire é do dhuine eile, má thugann sé ainm agus seoladh an duine eile sin, don oifigeach.
(5) (a) Duine a sháróidh fo-alt (3) nó (4) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(b) Is cosaint é do dhuine a bheidh cúisithe i gcion faoin alt seo i ndáil le faisnéis bhréagach a thabhairt d'oifigeach údaraithe a shuíomh nach raibh a fhios aige agus nach bhféadfadh sé, trí chúram réasúnach a ghlacadh, a fhios a bheith aige, go raibh an fhaisnéis bréagach.
(6) Tabharfar deimhniú a cheaptha d'oifigeach údaraithe agus, le linn dó a bheith ag comhlíonadh aon fheidhme faoin Acht seo, tabharfaidh sé an deimhniú ar aird d'aon duine lena mbaineann, má iarrtar air é.
Pionóis.
9.—(1) Duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi alt 3 (1) den Acht seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000 agus ina theannta sin, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil nach mó ná £250 in aghaidh gach lae nó gach coda de lá a leanfar den chion tar éis an chéad lae sin nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí nó an fhíneáil nó na fíneálacha agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air.
(2) Beidh dlínse ag Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche cion faoi alt 3 (1) den Acht seo a thriail go hachomair—
(a) más é tuairim an Bhreithimh gur mionchion is intriailte go hachomair na fíorais a cruthaíodh nó a líonmhnaíodh i gcoinne cosantóir a bheidh cúisithe i gcion den sórt sin,
(b) má thoilíonn an Stiúrthóir lonchúiseamh Poiblí leis, agus
(c) mura ndéanfaidh an cosantóir (ar an mBreitheamh á chur in iúl dó go bhfuil de cheart aige go dtrialfadh giúiré é) agóid a dhéanamh i gcoinne é a thriail go hachomair,
agus, ar é a chiontú faoin bhfo-alt seo, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur ar an gcosantóir sin.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag alt 13 den Acht um Nós Imeachta Coiriúil, 1967, i ndáil le cion faoi alt 3 (1) den Acht seo ionann is dá ndéanfaí, in ionad na bpionós a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (3) den alt sin 13, an pionós dá bhforáiltear le fo-alt (2) den alt seo a shonrú ann, agus déanfar an tagairt i bhfo-alt (2) (a) den alt sin 13 do na pionóis dá bhforáiltear san fho-alt sin (3) a fhorléiriú agus beidh éifeacht léi dá réir sin.
(4) Duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin Acht seo (seachas alt 3 (1)) dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
(5) Déanfaidh an cláraitheoir, an cláraitheoir contae nó an Cléireach Cúirte Dúiche lena mbaineann an toradh a bheidh ar imeachtaí in aon chúirt maidir le cion faoin alt seo a chur i bhfios don Aire.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire cion achomair faoin Acht seo a ionchúiseamh.
Cionta ag comhlachtaí corpraithe.
10.—I gcás cion faoin Acht seo a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh an cion le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú, nó go raibh sé inchurtha i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine ba stiúrthóir, bainisteoir nó rúnaí ar an gcomhlacht áirithe nó ba chomhalta de choiste bainistí nó d'údarás rialaithe eile an chomhlachta nó ba oifigeach eile dó, tráth an chiona a dhéanamh, measfar go ndearna an duine sin freisin an cion agus féadfar imeachtaí a shaothrú ina choinne agus é a phionósú dá réir sin.
Rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
11.—Gach rialachán a dhéanfar 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 lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin, beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Caiteachais.
12.—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.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
13.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Thrádáil Ócáideach, 1979, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocrófar chuige sin le hordú nó le horduithe ón Aire faoin alt seo go ginearálta nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú amhlaidh chun críocha éagsúla agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla.
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 1879, c. 58 |
Na hAchtanna um Cheantálaithe agus Gníomhairí Tithe, 1947 go 1973. | |
Number 35 of 1979
OCCASIONAL TRADING ACT, 1979
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Number 35 of 1979
OCCASIONAL TRADING ACT, 1979
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“authorised officer” means a person appointed under section 8 of this Act to be an authorised officer;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy;
“occasional trading permit” means a permit granted under section 4 of this Act;
“selling” includes agreeing or offering to sell or inviting an offer to buy.
Occasional trading.
2.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, “occasional trading” means selling goods by retail at a premises or place (not being a public road or other place to which the public have access as of right) of which the person so selling has been in occupation for a continuous period of less than three months ending on the date of such selling.
(2) Occasional trading does not include—
(a) selling by auction (other than by Dutch auction) by the holder of a licence or permit for the time being in force under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts, 1947 to 1973,
(b) selling at a trade, commercial, agricultural or industrial fair or show that is held wholly or mainly for a purpose other than the selling of goods,
(c) selling of agricultural or horticultural produce (including livestock) by the producer thereof or his servants or agents acting as such,
(d) selling to a person at, or at a place adjacent to, the place where he resides or carries on business,
(e) selling by or on behalf of the State or a Minister of the Government,
(f) selling of ice-cream, sweets, chocolate confectionery, cooked foods (other than those cooked at the place of sale), fruit or non-alcoholic beverages from a tray, basket, barrow, trolley or other similar device at an event to which the public are admitted whether subject to or free of charge, or on the day on which, and at or in the immediate vicinity of the place at which, there takes place, such an event,
(g) selling of ice-cream (with or without wafers, biscuits or cornets), newspapers, periodicals, magazines or other printed matter or pious or religious objects,
(h) selling of fish,
(i) selling the profits of which are used for charitable or other purposes from which no private profit is derived or intended to be derived,
(j) selling of hand-crafted goods by the maker thereof or the spouse or child of such maker.
(3) The Minister may, by regulations, amend subsection (2) of this section and that subsection shall have effect in accordance with any such regulations.
Restriction on occasional trading.
3.—(1) A person shall not engage in occasional trading unless he is, or is the servant or agent acting as such of, a person who holds an occasional trading permit for the time being in force and the occasional trading is in accordance with the permit.
(2) This section does not apply to occasional trading engaged in by a person within one month after the commencement of this Act at a premises or place of which the person has been in continuous occupation for a period of less than three months ending at the time of such trading.
(3) (a) This section does not apply to occasional trading engaged in by a person at a premises or place of which he has been in occupation for a continuous period of less than three months ending on the date of such trading if—
(i) he intends to occupy the premises or place for a continuous period of three months or more that includes the time of the trading aforesaid,
(ii) before he commences such trading, he makes, and gives to the Minister, a statutory declaration stating that intention, and
(iii) he occupies the premises or place for a continuous period of three months or more that includes the time of the trading aforesaid.
(b) A person who makes a statutory declaration for the purposes of this subsection without having reasonable grounds for the statement therein that he intends to occupy the premises or place referred to in the declaration for a continuous period of three months or more that includes the time of the trading referred to in the declaration shall be guilty of an offence; and if he does not occupy the said premises or place for the continuous period aforesaid it shall be presumed until the contrary is shown that the person did not have reasonable grounds for the statement aforesaid.
(4) A person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence.
Occasional trading permits.
4.—(1) Subject to the subsequent provisions of this section, the Minister shall, on the application in writing of a person therefor and on payment of a fee of £50, together with a further fee of £25 for each day or part of a day on which the person proposes to engage in the occasional trading to which the application relates, grant to the person a permit (referred to subsequently in this Act as “an occasional trading permit”), in such form and specifying such matters as the Minister may determine, authorising the person to engage in occasional trading at a specified premises or place on specified days.
(2) An application for an occasional trading permit shall be made to the Minister not less than 30 days before the first day on which it is intended to engage in the occasional trading to which the application relates.
(3) (a) An occasional trading permit shall contain such conditions (if any) as the Minister determines and specifies in the permit.
(b) A person who holds an occasional trading permit shall comply with the conditions of the permit.
(c) A person who contravenes paragraph (b) of this subsection shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) The Minister may refuse to grant an occasional trading permit to a person who has been convicted of an offence under section 3 (1) of this Act.
(5) The Minister may revoke an occasional trading permit if he is satisfied that a condition of the permit has been or is being contravened or if the person to whom it was granted is convicted of an offence under section 3 (1) of this Act.
(6) The Minister shall not grant an occasional trading permit to a person who was convicted more than once of an offence under section 3 (1) of this Act if the latest conviction occurred less than five years before the first day on which the person proposes to engage in the occasional trading to which the application for the permit relates and two, at least, of the convictions occurred after the expiration of the last period (if any) of disqualification by virtue of this subsection for being granted an occasional trading permit.
(7) A person who applies to the Minister for the grant of an occasional trading permit shall furnish to the Minister such information as the Minister may request for the purpose of the exercise of his powers and functions under this section and if the person fails to comply with this subsection, the Minister may refuse to grant the permit to him.
(8) Where a person is granted an occasional trading permit in respect of occasional trading at a specified premises or place on specified days and pays to the Minister the fees payable in respect of the permit and the person remains in occupation of the premises or place for a period of not less than three months and the period includes the days on which the trading to which the permit relates was carried on, the Minister shall upon proof to his satisfaction of such occupation, return the fees paid in respect of the grant of the permit to the person.
(9) Where the number of days or parts of days for which the holder of a permit engages in occasional trading pursuant to an occasional trading permit is less than the number of days or parts of days specified in the permit, the amount of the fees paid or payable under subsection (1) of this section shall be adjusted accordingly by the making of appropriate repayments by the Minister.
(10) Where a person fails to pay to the Minister a fee in accordance with this section, he shall be guilty of an offence.
(11) Fees paid to the Minister under this section shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance.
(12) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 shall not apply in respect of any fees charged or levied under this section.
(13) The Minister may by regulations, vary the amounts of the fees specified in subsection (1) of this section and that subsection shall have effect in accordance with any such regulations and different fees may be fixed under this subsection in respect of different classes of persons.
Display of occasional trading permits.
5.—(1) A person engaging in occasional trading to which section 3 of this Act applies shall display the occasional trading permit relating to the trading in such a position at or near the place where he is carrying on the trading as to be clearly visible and easily legible to members of the public at the place.
(2) A person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence.
Prohibition of false information and alteration of permits.
6.—(1) A person shall not give false information to the Minister in relation to an application for the grant of an occasional trading permit.
(2) A person shall not with intent to deceive either alter or use an occasional trading permit.
(3) A person shall not forge a document purporting to be an occasional trading permit.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section in relation to the giving of false information to the Minister to show that he did not know and could not, with the exercise of reasonable care, have known that the information was false.
Advertising of occasional trading.
7.—(1) An advertisement relating to occasional trading to which section 3 of this Act applies shall not be published unless there is in force an occasional trading permit authorising the trading and the advertisement contains the number of the permit and the name and address of the person to whom it was granted.
(2) Where, in relation to an advertisement, there is a contravention of subsection (1) of this section, the person carrying on or proposing to carry on the occasional trading to which the advertisement relates and the person who published the advertisement shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) In this section “advertisement” includes a catalogue, a circular and a price list.
Powers of authorised officers.
8.—(1) The Minister may appoint officers of the Minister to be authorised officers for the purposes of this Act.
(2) An authorised officer may—
(a) enter, inspect and examine any place or premises where he has reasonable cause to believe that occasional trading is being engaged in,
(b) take with him a member of the Garda Síochána if he has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of his duty,
(c) require any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be engaging in occasional trading—
(i) to produce, if it is not being displayed, an occasional trading permit authorising such trading, and
(ii) if he fails, neglects or refuses to produce such a permit in a case in which it is not being displayed, to furnish to the officer his name and address, and, if he is the servant or agent of another person, the name and address of that other person,
(d) make such examination and inquiry as may be necessary to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act are being complied with,
(e) require any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be engaging in occasional trading in contravention of this Act to give such information as is in his power to give as to the ownership of any goods being sold in the course of, or used for the purpose of, such trading,
(f) require any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be engaging in occasional trading in contravention of this Act to produce to him documents, books or records relating to such trading in his power, possession or control and give to him such information as he may request in relation to entries in those documents, books or records and examine, copy or take extracts from any such document, book or record.
(3) A person shall not obstruct or interfere with, or give false information to, an authorised officer in the performance of his functions under this Act.
(4) (a) A person shall not fail, refuse or neglect to comply with a requirement of an authorised officer under this section.
(b) A person shall be deemed not to have failed or refused to comply with a requirement of an authorised officer under this section to produce an occasional trading permit if he gives to the officer his name and address and, if he is the servant or agent of another person, the name and address of that other person.
(5) (a) A person who contravenes subsection (3) or (4) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
(b) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section in relation to the giving of false information to an authorised officer to show that he did not know and could not, with the exercise of reasonable care, have known that the information was false.
(6) An authorised officer shall be furnished with a certificate of his appointment and when performing any function under this Act shall, if so required, produce the certificate to any person affected.
Penalties.
9.—(1) A person guilty of an offence under section 3 (1) of this Act shall be liable, on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £5,000 together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding £250 for each day or part of a day on which the offence is continued after the first such day or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both the fine or fines and the imprisonment.
(2) A Justice of the District Court shall have jurisdiction to try summarily an offence under section 3 (1) of this Act if—
(a) the Justice is of opinion that the facts proved or alleged against a defendant charged with such an offence constitute a minor offence fit to be tried summarily,
(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions consents, and
(c) the defendant (on being informed by the Justice of his right to be tried by a jury) does not object to being tried summarily,
and, upon conviction under this subsection, the said defendant shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £500.
(3) Section 13 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1967, shall apply in relation to an offence under section 3 (1) of this Act as if, in lieu of the penalties specified in subsection (3) of the said section 13, there were specified therein the penalty provided for by subsection (2) of this section, and the reference in subsection (2) (a) of the said section 13 to the penalties provided for in the said subsection (3) shall be construed and have effect accordingly.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this Act (other than section 3 (1)) shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £500.
(5) The result of proceedings in any court in respect of an offence under this Act shall be communicated by the registrar, county registrar or District Court Clerk concerned to the Minister.
(6) A summary offence under this Act may be prosecuted by the Minister.
Offences by bodies corporate.
10.—Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate and the offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of, any person who when the offence was committed, was a director, member of the committee of management or other controlling authority of the body concerned, or the manager, secretary or other officer of the body, that person shall also be deemed to have committed the offence and may be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Laying of regulations.
11.—Every regulation made 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 regulation is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Expenses.
12.—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.
Short title and commencement.
13.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Occasional Trading Act, 1979.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as, by order or orders made by the Minister under this section, may be fixed therefor either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions.
Acts Referred to | |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 1879, c. 58 |
1967, No. 12 | |
Auctioneers and House Agents Acts, 1947 to 1973 | |