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Uimhir 11 de 1988
AN tACHT UM OLA-THRUAILLIÚ NA FARRAIGE (DLITEANAS SIBHIALTA AGUS CÚITEAMH), 1988
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
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5. | Orduithe agus Rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais. |
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Dliteanas Sibhialta i leith Damáiste ó Thruailliú
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9. | Dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát agus i dtír eile. |
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14. | Feidhm alt 13 den Acht i gcás go mbeidh dliteanas i gceist in dhá thír nó níos mó. |
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An Ciste Cúitimh Idirnáisiúnta um Ola-Thruailliú
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Cinntí i dTíortha Coinbhinsiúin a Aithint agus a Fhorghníomhú
Ilghnéitheach
30. | |
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34. | |
35. | Longa a choinneáil go dtí go ndéanfar cinneadh ar imeachtaí (lena n-áirítear achomhairc) faoin Acht. |
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Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict. c. 93 |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 42 & 43 Vict. c. 58 |
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 | 57 & 58 Vict. c. 60 |
Na hAchtanna Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1983 | |
Na hAchtanna um Ola-Thruailliú na Farraige, 1956 go 1977 | |
Uimhir 11 de 1988
AN tACHT UM OLA-THRUAILLIÚ NA FARRAIGE (DLITEANAS SIBHIALTA AGUS CÚITEAMH), 1988
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Ola-Thruailliú na Farraige (Dliteanas Sibhialta agus Cúiteamh), 1988, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú, agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a cheapadh le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla.
Léiriú.
3.—(1) San Acht seo—
tá le “méid comhiomlán an chúitimh” an bhrí a shonraítear in alt 21;
ciallaíonn “Tír Choinbhinsiúin”, a mhéid a éileoidh an comhthéacs, stát (seachas an Stát) ar dearbhaíodh le hordú faoi alt 4 gur ghlac sé leis an gCoinbhinsiún ar Dhliteanas nó leis an gCoinbhinsiún ar an gCiste nó le haon Choinbhinsiún nó Prótacal ag leasú nó ag leathnú na gCoinbhinsiún sin agus nár dearbhaíodh dá éis sin ceachtar de na Coinbhinsiúin sin a bheith séanta aige;
ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt nó breitheamh de chuid na Cúirte sin;
tá le “amhola” an bhrí a shonraítear in alt 19;
ciallaíonn “scaoileadh amach”, i ndáil le hola, aon scaoileadh amach nó éalú ola cibé ní is cúis leis;
tá le “an Ciste” an bhrí a shonraítear in alt 19;
tá le “ola bhreosla” an bhrí a shonraítear in alt 19;
ciallaíonn “an Coinbhinsiún ar an gCiste” an Coinbhinsiún Idirnáisiúnta ar Bhunú Ciste Idirnáisiúnta le haghaidh Cúitimh as Damáiste ó Ola-Thruailliú, 1971, arna dhéanamh sa Bhruiséil, an 18ú lá de Nollaig, 1971, agus folaíonn sé aon Choinbhinsiún nó Prótacal a dhaingnigh an Stát agus a leasaíonn nó a leathnaíonn an Coinbhinsiún sin;
ciallaíonn “ráthóir” aon duine a chuireann árachas nó urrús airgeadais eile ar fáil chun dliteanas úinéara loinge faoi alt 16 a chumhdach;
ciallaíonn “údarás cuain”—
(a) i gcás cuain lena mbaineann an tAcht Cuanta, 1946, údarás cuain de réir bhrí an Achta sin; nó
(b) i gcás cuain faoi rialú Choimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn, na Coimisinéirí; nó
(c) i gcás lárionad cuain iascaigh lena mbaineann an tAcht um Lárionaid Chuanta Iascaigh, 1968, Aire na Mara; nó
(d) i gcás cuain faoi rialú údaráis áitiúil, an t-údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann; nó
(e) i gcás cuain faoi bhainisteoireacht Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail, Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail;
ciallaíonn “máistir cuain” duine arna cheapadh ag údarás cuain le bheith ina mháistir cuain agus folaíonn sé duine arna cheapadh ag údarás cuain chun forálacha an Achta seo a fhorghníomhú;
ciallaíonn “tarlú” aon teagmhas nó sraith teagmhas leis an mbunús céanna agus is cúis le damáiste ó thruailliú;
ciallaíonn “cigire”—
(a) duine a cheaptar chun bheith ina chigire le barántas ón Aire faoi alt 31, nó
(b) duine a cheaptar chun bheith ina shuirbhéir long le barántas ón Aire faoi alt 724 den Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, nó
(c) oifigeach cosanta iascaigh mhara;
ciallaíonn “an Coinbhinsiún ar Dhliteanas” an Coinbhinsiún Idirnáisiúnta ar Dhliteanas Sibhialta i leith Damáiste ó Ola-Thruailliú, 1969, arna dhéanamh sa Bhruiséil, an 29ú lá de Shamhain, 1969, agus folaíonn sé aon Choinbhinsiún nó Prótacal a dhaingnigh an Stát agus a leasaíonn nó a leathnaíonn an Coinbhinsiún sin;
ciallaíonn “máistir”, i ndáil le long, an duine atá, de thuras na huaire, i gceannas nó i bhfeighil na loinge;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” Aire na Mara;
ciallaíonn “ola” (seachas i gCuid III) aon ola mharthanach lena n-áirítear amhola, ola bhreosla, ola throm dhíosail, ola bhealaithe, agus ola mhíl mhóir cibé acu a iompraítear ar bord loinge í mar lasta nó i mbuncair loinge den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “úinéir”, i ndáil le long, an duine atá cláraithe mar úinéir na loinge sin nó, mura bhfuil aon duine cláraithe mar úinéir na loinge, an duine ar leis an long, agus, i gcás long ar le stát í agus go n-oibríonn duine í atá cláraithe sa stát sin mar oibritheoir na loinge, ciallaíonn “úinéir” an duine atá cláraithe mar oibritheoir den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “forordaithe” forordaithe le Rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire faoin Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “damáiste ó thruailliú” caillteanas nó damáiste lasmuigh de long a iompraíonn ola i mbulc mar lasta a thig as éalú nó scaoileadh amach ola as long, cibé áit a dtarlaíonn an t-éalú nó an scaoileadh amach sin, agus folaíonn sé an costas i leith na mbeart a dhéantar chun damáiste ó thruailliú a chosc nó a íoslaghdú agus aon chaillteanas nó damáiste breise arb iad na bearta sin is cúis leo: agus folaíonn damáiste ó thruailliú laistigh den Stát nó laistigh d'aon Tír Choinbhinsiúin bearta a dhéanfar lasmuigh den Stát nó, de réir mar a bheidh, den Tír Choinbhinsiúin sin chun damáiste ó thruailliú laistigh den Stát nó laistigh den Tír Choinbhinsiúin sin a chosc nó a íoslaghdú;
ciallaíonn “oifigeach cosanta iascaigh mhara” duine a ndearbhaítear le halt 220 den Acht Iascaigh (Comhdhlúthú), 1959, gur oifigeach cosanta iascaigh mhara é;
ciallaíonn “suiteáil chríochfoirt” aon láithreán sa Stát chun ola i mbulc a stóráil a bhfuil ar a chumas ola a ghlacadh ó chóir iompair ar uisce agus folaíonn sé aon saoráid atá suite amach ón gcósta agus atá ceangailte le láithreán den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “aonad cuntais” aonad cuntais Chearta Tarraingthe Speisialta an Chiste Airgeadaíochta Idirnáisiúnta.
(2) Folaíonn tagairt san Acht seo don Stát nó d'aon tír eile farraigí teorann agus uiscí intíre an Stáit nó, de réir mar a bheidh, farraigí teorann agus uiscí intíre na tíre eile sin.
(3) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(4) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'fho-alt nó do mhír is tagairt í don fho-alt nó don mhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(5) Déanfar aon tagairt san Acht seo d'aon achtachán a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú nó arna oiriúnú le haon achtachán dá éis sin.
Orduithe a bhaineann le Coinbhinsiúin.
4.—Más deimhin leis an Aire—
(a) gur ghlac aon stát (seachas an Stát) leis an gCoinbhinsiún ar Dhliteanas nó leis an gCoinbhinsiún ar an gCiste nó le haon Choinbhinsiún nó Prótacal a dhaingnigh an Stát agus a leasaíonn nó a leathnaíonn ceachtar de na Coinbhinsiúin sin, nó gur shéan sé iad, nó
(b) go bhfuil réim ag aon Choinbhinsiún den sórt sin in aon chríoch nó gur scoir sé de réim a bheith aige in aon chríoch,
féadfaidh sé é sin a dhearbhú le hordú.
Orduithe agus Rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
5.—Gach ordú agus 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 ionstraim a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú na hionstraime, beidh an ionstraim ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ionstraim.
Caiteachais an Aire.
6.—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.
CUID II
Dliteanas Sibhialta i leith Damáiste ó Thruailliú
Dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú.
7.—(1) Beidh éifeacht leis na forálacha seo a leanas, faoi réir alt 8, i ndáil le damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát ar long a iompraíonn ola i mbulc mar lasta is cúis leis, cibé acu atá an long sin laistigh nó lasmuigh den Stát, is é sin le rá—
(a) ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt leis an Acht seo, beidh dliteanas i leith an damáiste sin ar úinéir loinge tráth an tarlaithe nó, i gcás gur sraith teagmhas an tarlú, an tráth a tharla an chéad teagmhas de na teagmhais a bhí ina gcúis le damáiste ó thruailliú;
(b) in aon chás ina leanann damáiste ó thruailliú as scaoileadh amach ola ó dhá long nó níos mó, beidh úinéir gach loinge lena mbaineann, ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt leis an Acht seo, faoi dhliteanas go comhpháirteach agus go leithleach i leith gach damáiste den sórt sin a mhéid nach inleithlithe an damáiste sin go réasúnach;
(c) ní thabhóidh úinéir loinge aon dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú seachas faoin alt seo;
(d) ní bheidh seirbhíseach ná gníomhaire úinéara loinge faoi dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú arb í an long sin is cúis leis.
(2) Ní oibreoidh aon ní san Acht seo chun dochar a dhéanamh d'aon cheart chun caingne a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ag úinéir loinge in aghaidh aon tríú páirtí maidir le haon tarlú.
Díolúine ó dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú.
8.—Ní bheidh úinéir loinge a ba chúis le damáiste ó thruailliú faoi dhliteanas i leith an damáiste sin má chruthaíonn sé maidir leis an scaoileadh amach ola ba chúis leis an damáiste—
(a) gur gníomh cogaidh, cogaíocht, cogadh cathartha, éirí amach, nó feiniméan nádúrtha de chineál eisceachtúil, dosheachanta agus dochoiscthe ba thrúig dó; nó
(b) gur ní éigin a rinneadh nó a fágadh gan déanamh ag aon duine eile (seachas seirbhíseach nó gníomhaire de chuid an úinéara sin) a raibh sé ar intinn aige damáiste a dhéanamh ba chiontach leis go hiomlán; nó
(c) gur faillí nó gníomh éagórach de chuid aon rialtais nó údaráis eile atá freagrach as cothabháil soilse nó áiseanna loingseoireachta eile ba chiontach leis go hiomlán agus an fheidhm sin á feidhmiú.
Dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát agus i dtír eile.
9.—Más rud é gur long a iompraíonn ola i mbulc mar lasta is cúis le damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát agus i dTír Choinbhinsiúin amháin nó níos mó, cibé acu atá an long sin laistigh nó lasmuigh den Stát, agus go bhfuil úinéir na loinge sin faoi dhliteanas i leith an damáiste sin de bhun alt 7, agus más rud é go bhfuil úinéir na loinge sin faoi dhliteanas i leith an damáiste sin faoi dhlí aon Tíre Coinbhinsiúin eile lena mbaineann, measfar, maidir leis an dliteanas i leith an damáiste sin, chun críocha an Achta seo agus chun críocha aon imeachtaí dlí faoin Acht seo i ndáil leis an damáiste sin, gur tabhaíodh sa Stát é.
Teorannú ar dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú.
10.—Más rud é, de bhun alt 7, go mbeidh úinéir loinge faoi dhliteanas i leith damáiste arbh é ba chúis leis ná scaoileadh amach ola a tharla d'éagmais faillí ná eolais iarbhír dá chuid, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas—
(a) ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 503 den Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, i ndáil le haon dliteanas den sórt sin;
(b) féadfaidh an t-úinéir áirithe teorainn a chur lena dhliteanas de réir an Achta seo;
(c) i gcás go gcuireann an t-úinéir áirithe teorainn lena dhliteanas de réir an Achta seo, ní rachaidh a dhliteanas i leith aon scaoilte amach amháin thar cheithre mhilliún déag d'aonaid chuntais, nó céad tríocha is trí d'aonaid chuntais an tonna ar gach tonna de thonnáiste na loinge, cibé acu is lú;
(d) i gcás go bhfuil scaoileadh amach ola ina chúis le damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát agus i gcríoch aon Tíre Coinbhinsiúin agus gur chuir úinéir na loinge ónar scaoileadh amach an ola teorainn lena dhliteanas de réir an Achta seo beidh feidhm, maidir le comhiomlán a dhliteanais sa Stát agus in aon Tír Choinbhinsiúin lena mbaineann, ag an teorainn sin ar dhliteanas an úinéara;
(e) más rud é, de réir dlí Tíre Coinbhinsiúin, gur chuir úinéir teorainn lena dhliteanas beidh an chúirt, an binse nó an t-údarás riaracháin sa Tír Choinbhinsiúin sin, a bhfuil an dlínse nó an chumhacht aige dliteanas a chinneadh i leith damáiste ó thruailliú agus cúiteamh a dhámhachtain i leith an chéanna, inniúil go heisiach chun gach ní a chinneadh a bhaineann le ceapadh agus le dáileadh aon airgead a taisceadh leis an gcúirt, leis an mbinse nó leis an údarás riaracháin, de réir mar a bheidh, maidir le dliteanas an úinéara.
Tonnáiste na loinge a ríomh.
11.—Chun dliteanas úinéara loinge a ríomh faoi threoir thonnáiste na loinge sin, fionnfar an tonnáiste ar an tslí seo a leanas:
(a) más sa Stát a cláraíodh an long nó más long í lena mbaineann ordú faoi alt 95 den Acht Loingis Thráchtála, 1955, áireofar gurb é tonnáiste na loinge sin glantonnáiste na loinge arna mhéadú de mhéid aon asbhainte a rinneadh i gcás go ndearnadh asbhaint i leith spáis do sheomra innill le linn an tonnáiste sin a ríomh;
(b) murar cláraíodh an long amhlaidh, nó mura mbaineann aon ordú den sórt sin léi, agus más féidir tonnáiste cláraithe na loinge a fhionnadh amhail is dá mba long í a cláraíodh sa Stát, ríomhfar tonnáiste na loinge, fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá, de réir mhír(a);
(c) murar cláraíodh an long amhlaidh, nó mura mbaineann aon ordú den sórt sin léi, agus más long í d'aicme nó de thuairisc nach bhfuil aon fhoráil déanta ina leith de thuras na huaire le Rialacháin tonnáiste a rinneadh faoin Acht Loingis Thráchtála sin, áireofar gurb é tonnáiste na loinge daichead faoin gcéad den mheáchan (a shloinntear i dtonnaí de dhá mhíle, dhá chéad is daichead punt) ola atá an long ábalta a iompar;
(d) murar féidir tonnáiste na loinge a ríomh de réir na míreanna roimhe seo den alt seo, déanfaidh cigire, má ordaíonn an Chúirt dó dhéanamh amhlaidh, an tonnáiste a dheimhniú a bheadh ina thuairim, ag féachaint don fhianaise a sonraíodh san ordú, ina thonnáiste don long dá ndéanfaí an tonnáiste sin a ríomh de réir na míreanna roimhe seo den alt seo agus áireofar gurb é tonnáiste na loinge sin an tonnáiste mar a dheimhnítear i ndeimhniú an chigire.
An chúirt do chinneadh méid an dliteanais.
12.—(1) I gcás gur thabhaigh nó go líomhnaítear gur thabhaigh úinéir loinge dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú de bhun an Achta seo, féadfaidh sé iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte ar ordú chun a dhliteanas i leith an damáiste sin a chur faoi theorainn méid a ríomhadh de réir fhorálacha alt 10.
(2) Más rud é, ar iarratas a éisteacht faoi fho-alt (1), go gcinnfidh an Chúirt maidir leis an iarratasóir—
(a) gur thabhaigh sé dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú,
agus
(b) go bhfuil sé i dteideal a dhliteanas a theorannú de réir an Achta seo,
déanfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis teorainn dhliteanas an úinéara sin a chinneadh agus tar éis ordú a thabhairt aon mhéid a cinneadh amhlaidh a íoc isteach sa chúirt—
(i) na méideanna (más ann) a chinneadh a bheadh dlite, ar leith ó theorannú an dliteanais, maidir le dliteanas an úinéara sin d'aon duine a dhéanann éileamh in aghaidh an úinéara sin maidir le damáiste ó thruailliú, agus
(ii) faoi réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den alt seo, a ordú go ndéanfar an méid a íocfar isteach sa chúirt a dháileadh i gcoibhneas lena n-éileamh i measc cibé daoine a gcinnfidh an Chúirt éileamh a bheith acu in aghaidh an úinéara sin maidir le damáiste ó thruailliú.
(3) Aon uair a ordóidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas faoi fho-alt (1), aon mhéid a íoc isteach sa chúirt, comhlíonfaidh an t-iarratasóir an t-ordú.
(4) Déanfar méid teorann dliteanais arna chinneadh faoin alt seo a íoc isteach sa chúirt in airgead reatha an Stáit, agus—
(a) chun méid den sórt sin a chomhshó ó chearta tarraingthe speisialta isteach in airgead reatha an Stáit measfar gurb ionann ceart tarraingthe speisialta amháin agus cibé suim in airgead reatha an Stáit a bheidh socraithe ag an gCiste Airgeadaíochta Idirnáisiúnta mar choibhéis do cheart tarraingthe speisialta amháin—
(i) don lá a ndéanfar an cinneadh, nó
(ii) mura mbeidh aon suim socraithe amhlaidh don lá sin, don lá deireanach roimh an lá sin a mbeidh suim socraithe amhlaidh ina leith;
(b) beidh deimhniú a thugann Banc Ceannais na hÉireann nó a thugtar thar a cheann á rá—
(i) gur socraíodh amhlaidh suim áirithe in airgead reatha an Stáit don lá a ndearnadh an cinneadh, nó
(ii) nár socraíodh amhlaidh aon suim don lá sin agus gur socraíodh amhlaidh suim áirithe in airgead reatha an Stáit do lá arb é an lá deireanach é dar socraíodh amhlaidh suim roimh an lá a ndearnadh an cinneadh,
ina fhianaise go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt ar na nithe sin chun críocha an Achta seo;
(c) aon doiciméad a airbheartaíonn gur deimhniú den sórt sin é, glacfar leis mar fhianaise in aon imeachtaí agus, mura gcruthófar a mhalairt, measfar gur deimhniú den sórt sin é.
(5) Ní ghlacfar le héileamh in aon iarratas faoin alt seo mura ndéanfar an t-éileamh sin laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis an dáta ar tharla an damáiste ó thruailliú agus tráth nach déanaí ná sé bliana tar éis dáta an tarlaithe ba chúis leis an damáiste:
Ar choinníoll, i gcás gur sraith teagmhas a bhí sa tarlú ba chúis leis an damáiste, nach nglacfar le héileamh in aon iarratas faoin alt seo mura ndéanfar an t-éileamh sin laistigh de shé bliana ó dháta an chéad teagmhais díobh sin.
(6) Más rud é gur íocadh aon suim do shásamh éilimh, nó mar chabhair do shásamh éilimh, i leith damáiste ó thruailliú, nó costas, a thagann faoi réim dliteanais úinéara loinge agus más rud é—
(a) gur íoc úinéir na loinge nó aon ráthóir aon suim den sórt sin,
(b) gur íoc aon duine aon suim den sórt sin ar duine é a thabhaigh nó a líomhnaítear a thabhaigh dliteanas ar shlí eile seachas de bhua fhorálacha an Achta seo i leith damáiste nó costas den sórt sin, agus atá i dteideal teorainn a chur lena dhliteanas de bhua na nAchtanna Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1983,
beidh ag an duine a d'íoc an tsuim sin an seasamh céanna, go feadh méid na suime sin, in aon dáileadh a dhéanann an Chúirt faoi fho-alt
(2), a bheadh ag an duine ar íocadh an tsuim sin leis dá mba pháirtí sna himeachtaí é.
(7) Aon duine—
(a) a thabhaigh aon dliteanas i ndáil le damáiste ó thruailliú, agus
(b) a rinne aon bhearta réasúnacha, nó a chaith airgead, chun an damáiste ó thruailliú a bhfuil sé faoi dhliteanas ina leith a íoslaghdú nó a chosc,
beidh an seasamh céanna aige in aon dáileadh a dhéanann an Chúirt faoi fho-alt (2) amhail is dá mbeadh éileamh aige sna himeachtaí comhionann le méid aon chaiteachais a thabhaigh sé ag féachaint leis an damáiste a íoslaghdú nó a chosc.
(8) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, más cuí léi, dáileadh cibé cuid den airgead a bheidh le dáileadh aici faoi fho-alt (2) a chur siar de réir mar is iomchuí léi chun freastal d'aon éileamh—
(a) a d'fhéadfaí a chruthú ina dhiaidh sin os comhair cúirte i dTír Choinbhinsiúin, nó
(b) ó úinéir na loinge nó ó aon duine eile, go mb'fhéidir go mbeadh d'iachall air, tráth éigin níos déanaí, cúiteamh a íoc i leith damáiste ó thruailliú a thabharfadh teideal don úinéir sin nó don duine eile faoiseamh a éileamh faoi fho-alt (6), i gcás go mbeadh cúiteamh den sórt sin íoctha aige roimh dháileadh na Cúirte faoi fho-alt (2).
Cumhacht chun long a stopadh nó a choinneáil.
13.—(1) Gan dochar d'aon chumhacht atá in aon achtachán chun long a choinneáil, féadfaidh cigire long a stopadh nó a choinneáil in aon chuan sa Stát nó cibé áit a mbeidh an long sin sa Stát, nó féadfaidh máistir cuain long a choinneáil ina chuan, má fheictear don chigire nó, de réir mar a bheidh, don mháistir cuain gur thabhaigh úinéir na loinge dliteanas faoi alt 7 i leith damáiste ó thruailliú arb aon long dá chuid ba chúis leis.
(2) I gcás gur chinn an Chúirt go bhfuil duine, a thabhaigh dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú faoi alt 7, i dteideal teorainn a chur lena dhliteanas agus gur íoc an duine sin isteach sa chúirt suim nach lú ná an méid ar chinn an Chúirt gurb é teorainn a dhliteanais é, ansin—
(a) déanfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón úinéir nó thar a cheann, a ordú go ndéanfar aon long a bheidh á coinneáil faoin alt seo mar gheall ar aon dliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú a scaoileadh saor, nó, de réir mar a bheidh, a ordú go ndéanfar aon urrús a fhuascailt a bheidh tugtha chun gabháil den sórt sin a chosc nó chun scaoileadh ón ngabháil sin a chur i gcrích, agus
(b) ní dhéanfar breithiúnas nó foraithne i ndáil le haon éileamh ar dhamáistí i leith damáiste ó thruailliú a fhorghníomhú ach amháin a mhéid a bhaineann an breithiúnas nó an fhoraithne sin le costais:
Ar choinníoll, maidir leis an tsuim a íoctar amhlaidh isteach sa chúirt nó cibé cuid di a bheidh ag freagairt d'aon éileamh ar dhamáistí i leith damáiste ó thruailliú, go mbeidh sí ar fáil lena dáileadh ar an éilitheoir, nó go mbeadh sí ar fáil amhlaidh i gcás gur chomhlíon an t-éilitheoir forálacha alt 12.
(3) Má fhágann long a bhí á coinneáil de bhun an ailt seo aon chuan, suiteáil chríochfoirt, críochfort amach ón gcósta nó aon áit eile sa Stát, nó má fhéachann sí lena bhfágáil, ar shlí seachas de réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, beidh úinéir agus máistir na loinge araon ciontach i gcion agus féadfaidh cigire in aon áit sa Stát nó máistir cuain ina chuan an long a choinneáil nó a choinneáil níos faide, gan dochar d'fho-alt (1).
Feidhm alt 13 den Acht i gcás go mbeidh dliteanas i gceist in dhá thír nó níos mó.
14.—I gcás go mbeidh aon duine faoi dhliteanas faoi alt 7 i leith damáiste ó thruailliú agus go mbeidh sé, i ndáil leis an tarlú céanna, faoi dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú faoi dhlí aon Tíre Coinbhinsiúin eile, beidh feidhm ag alt 13 amhail is dá mba thagairt do dhlí comhréire aon Tíre Coinbhinsiúin eile lena mbaineann na tagairtí san alt sin d'ailt 7 agus 12 agus amhail is dá mba thagairt d'aon suim a urraíodh faoi dhlí comhréire na Tíre Coinbhinsiúin sin an tagairt san alt sin 13 d'aon suim a íocadh isteach sa chúirt.
Teorannú ar imeachtaí in aghaidh tríú páirtithe.
15.—Más rud é, de dheasca ola a scaoileadh amach as long, go mbeidh úinéir na loinge faoi dhliteanas faoi alt 7 i leith damáiste ó thruailliú agus go dtabhóidh aon duine eile dliteanas, ar shlí seachas faoin alt sin, i leith an damáiste sin, ansin—
(a) má cinneadh in aon imeachtaí faoi alt 12 go raibh úinéir na loinge i dteideal a dhliteanas a chur faoi theorainn méid áirithe agus má d'íoc sé suim nach lú ná an méid sin isteach sa chúirt, agus
(b) má tá an duine eile sin i dteideal teorainn a chur lena dhliteanas i ndáil leis an long de bhua na nAchtanna Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1983,
ní thionscnófar imeachtaí in aghaidh an duine eile sin i leith a dhliteanais agus má tosaíodh aon imeachtaí den sórt sin sular íoc an t-úinéir sin an méid ar cinneadh gurb é teorainn a dhliteanais é isteach sa chúirt ní dhéanfar aon bheart eile sna himeachtaí ach amháin i ndáil le costais.
Árachas long.
16.—(1) Ní iompróidh long a cláraíodh sa Stát lasta dhá mhíle tona nó níos mó d'ola i mbulc mura mbeidh conradh árachais nó urrús airgeadais eile, a shásóidh cibé ceanglais a bheidh forordaithe, i bhfeidhm maidir leis an long.
(2) Déanfaidh an tAire, ar é bheith deimhnithe dó ag úinéir na loinge gur comhlíonadh fo-alt (1), a dheimhniú go gcomhlíonann an long forálacha fho-alt (1) i leith cibé tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe sa deimhniú.
(3) Faoi réir aon díolúine a dheonóidh an tAire faoi alt 44, ní iompróidh long (seachas long a cláraíodh sa Stát) lasta dhá mhíle tona nó níos mó d'ola i mbulc chuig cuan, suiteáil chríochfoirt nó críochfort amach ón gcósta ná uathu—
(a) mura rud é, i gcás gur i dTír Choinbhinsiúin eile a cláraíodh an long, go n-iomprófar deimhniú ar bord na loinge, a bheidh arna eisiúint ag údarás na tíre inar cláraíodh an long nó faoin údarás sin, a thaispeánfaidh go bhfuil conradh árachais nó urrús airgeadais eile i bhfeidhm maidir leis an long a shásaíonn ceanglais dhlí na tíre sin maidir le hola a iompar i mbulc, nó
(b) mura rud é, i gcás nach i dTír Choinbhinsiúin eile ná sa Stát a cláraíodh an long, go n-iomprófar deimhniú ar bord—
(i) a d'eisigh údarás Tíre Coinbhinsiúin eile nó a eisíodh faoin údarás sin, nó
(ii) a bheidh deimhnithe ag an Aire go sásaíonn an long cibé ceanglais a bheidh forordaithe,
agus a thaispeánfaidh go bhfuil, maidir leis an long, conradh árachais nó urrús airgeadais eile i bhfeidhm, a shásaíonn dlí na Tíre Coinbhinsiúin sin lena mbaineann nó an Stát, de réir mar a bheidh, maidir le hola a iompar i mbulc.
(4) Déanfar aon deimhniú, a cheanglaítear leis an alt seo i ndáil le conradh árachais nó urrús airgeadais eile a bheith ann maidir le long, a iompar ar an long, agus tabharfaidh máistir na loinge ar aird é d'aon chigire nó d'aon mháistir cuain ar é á éileamh.
(5) Má théann long isteach i gcuan nó má fhágann sí é nó má fhéachann sí le dul isteach i gcuan nó é a fhágáil, nó má shroicheann sí suiteáil chríochfoirt nó críochfort amach ón gcósta sa Stát nó má fhágann sí iad nó má fhéachann sí le suiteáil chríochfoirt nó críochfort amach ón gcósta sa Stát a shroicheadh nó a fhágáil de shárú ar an alt seo, beidh úinéir agus máistir na loinge araon ciontach i gcion.
(6) Má mhainnítear deimhniú a iompar ar bord loinge mar a cheanglaítear leis an alt seo nó má mhainníonn máistir na loinge an deimhniú sin a thabhairt ar aird ar é a éileamh ag cigire nó ag máistir cuain, beidh máistir na loinge ciontach i gcion.
(7) Má fhéachann long le cuan, suiteáil chríochfoirt nó críochfort amach ón gcósta sa Stát a fhágáil de shárú ar an alt seo, féadfaidh cigire nó an máistir cuain lena mbaineann, an long a stopadh agus a choinneáil.
(8) Má dhéanann long a bhí á coinneáil ag cigire nó, de réir mar a bheidh, ag máistir cuain, de bhun fho-alt (7) cuan, suiteáil chríochfoirt nó críochfort amach ón gcósta a fhágáil nó féachaint lena bhfágáil ar shlí seachas de réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, beidh máistir na loinge ciontach i gcion.
Dliteanas an ráthóra.
17.—(1) Má líomhnaítear go bhfuil úinéir loinge faoi dhliteanas faoi alt 7 i leith damáiste ó thruailliú mar gheall ar aon scaoileadh amach ola agus go mbeidh, an tráth sin, conradh árachais nó urrús eile lena mbaineann deimhniú dá dtagraítear in alt 16 i bhfeidhm maidir leis an long sin, féadfar imeachtaí a thionscnamh in aghaidh an ráthóra chun éileamh a fhorghníomhú i leith aon damáiste arbh é an scaoileadh amach ola ba chúis leis.
(2) In aon imeachtaí a thionscnófar in aghaidh ráthóra faoin alt seo, beidh sé ina chosaint don ráthóir, i dteannta aon chosanta a dhéanann difear do dhliteanas an úinéara, a shuíomh gur mí-iompar toiliúil ar thaobh úinéir na loinge ba chúis leis an scaoileadh amach ola ar ina leith a tionscnaíodh na himeachtaí.
(3) Féadfaidh ráthóir teorainn a chur lena dhliteanas faoin alt seo sa dóigh chéanna agus go feadh an méid céanna a bhféadfaidh úinéir teorainn a chur lena dhliteanas cibé acu is d'éagmais faillí nó eolas iarbhír úinéir na loinge nó nach ea a tharla an scaoileadh amach ola ar ina leith a tionscnaíodh na himeachtaí.
(4) Más rud é go ndéanfaidh úinéir loinge agus a ráthóir iarratas chun na Cúirte chun teorainn a chur lena ndliteanas, measfar, maidir le haon airgead a íocadh isteach sa chúirt de bhun ceachtar iarratais, gur íocadh é freisin de bhun an iarratais eile.
Feidhm alt 503 (1) (d) den Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
18.—Measfar go mbeidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 503 (1) (d) den Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, maidir le haon dliteanas i leith costais chun damáiste ó thruailliú nach dtagann faoi réim an Achta seo a chosc nó a mhaolú.
CUID III
An Ciste Cúitimh Idirnáisiúnta um Ola-Thruailliú
Tuairisceáin faoin méid ola a iompraítear de mhuir.
19.—(1) Is é dualgas cibé daoine a bheidh forordaithe tuairisceán faoin méid amhola agus ola bhreosla a iompraítear i ngach long ar leis an duine sin í agus a ghlactar i gcuanta, i suiteálacha críochfoirt agus i gcríochfoirt amach ón gcósta sa Stát a chur faoi bhráid an Aire go bliantúil i cibé slí agus ar nó roimh cibé dáta a bheidh forordaithe.
(2) Is é dualgas cibé daoine a bheidh forordaithe cibé suimeanna a chinnfidh Tionól an Choinbhinsiúin ar an gCiste, agus a bheidh deimhnithe ag Stiúrthóir an Chiste, a íoc gach bliain isteach sa Chiste Cúitimh Idirnáisiúnta um Ola-Thruailliú arna bhunú faoin gCoinbhinsiún ar an gCiste (dá ngairtear “an Ciste” san Acht seo) i cibé slí agus ar nó roimh cibé dáta a bheidh forordaithe, agus déanfar aon suim den sórt sin a chinneadh de réir na dtuairisceán a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire faoi fho-alt (1) nó, i gcás go mainneoidh nó go bhfailleoidh an duine lena mbaineann a thuairisceán a chur faoina bhráid ar nó roimh an dáta forordaithe, cibé suim a íoc leis an gCiste a ríomhfar ar mheastachán de thuairisceáin an duine sin le haghaidh na bliana sin.
(3) Má mhainníonn aon duine aon suim, a dhlífidh sé a íoc agus is iníoctha aige faoi fho-alt (2), a íoc leis an gCiste, féadfaidh Stiúrthóir an Chiste an tsuim sin mar aon le haon ús uirthi ón dáta ar tháinig an tsuim sin chun bheith iníoctha, agus an t-ús sin a bheith de réir cibé ráta a chinnfidh Tionól an Choinbhinsiúin ar an gCiste, ó am go ham, a ghnóthú ón duine a raibh sé iníoctha aige in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla, mar fhiach conartha shimplí.
(4) Aon duine—
(a) a mhainníonn na tuairisceáin a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) a chur faoi bhráid an Aire, laistigh den tráth forordaithe, nó
(b) a chuireann tuairisceán bréige faoi bhráid an Aire, nó
(c) a mhainníonn an íocaíocht a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (2) a dhéanamh leis an gCiste,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(5) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Tionól an Choinbhinsiúin ar an gCiste” an Tionól a shonraítear in Airteagal 17 den Choinbhinsiún ar an gCiste;
ciallaíonn “amhola” aon mheascán hidreacarbóin leachtach arb ann dó go nádúrtha sa talamh cibé acu a chóireáiltear é nó nach gcóireáiltear chun é a dhéanamh oiriúnach lena iompar agus folaíonn sé olaí (ar a dtugtar “amholaí barrdhriogtha”) ar baineadh roinnt codánra driogáite astu agus olaí (ar a dtugtar “amholaí spíceáilte” nó “amholaí athchomhdhéanta”) ar cuireadh roinnt codánra driogáite leo;
ciallaíonn “ola bhreosla” driogáití nó iarmhair throma ó amhola nó ó chumaisc d'olaí den sórt sin a bheartaítear a úsáid mar bhreosla chun teas nó cumhacht a tháirgeadh de cháilíocht is ionann agus, nó is troime ná, sonraíocht an Chumainn Mheiriceánaigh um Thástáil agus Ábhair le haghaidh ola bhreosla uimhir a ceathair (Sainiú D396/69).
Dliteanas an Chiste.
20.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, beidh an Ciste faoi dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát de dheasca ola a scaoileadh amach as long a iompraíonn ola i mbulc mar lasta, cibé acu atá an long sin laistigh den Stát nó lasmuigh de.
(2) Beidh an Ciste faoi dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú in aon chás—
(a) nach mbíonn dliteanas i leith damáistí i gceist faoi alt 7, nó
(b) nach mbíonn an duine ar tharla an damáiste dó in ann sásamh iomlán a fháil faoin méid cúitimh a bheidh dlite dó faoi alt 7 nó 9, tar éis dó gach beart réasúnach a dhéanamh chun gach leigheas dlíthiúil a lorg atá ar fáil dó, nó
(c) inar chuir úinéir na loinge áirithe teorainn lena dhliteanas faoin Acht seo agus inar mó an méid cúitimh atá dlite ná an teorainn sin.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag alt 12 (7) maidir le haon dáileadh a dhéanfar de bhun an ailt seo ar an tslí chéanna a bhfuil feidhm aige maidir le haon dáileadh a dhéantar faoi alt 12.
(4) Ní bheidh an Ciste faoi dhliteanas i leith damáiste ó thruailliú má chruthaítear gur gníomh cogaidh, cogaíocht, cogadh cathartha nó éirí amach ba thrúig don scaoileadh amach ola a bhí ina chúis leis an damáiste ó thruailliú nó gurb é ba chúis leis ola a d'éalaigh nó a scaoileadh amach as long chogaidh nó as long eile de chuid an Stáit nó Tíre Coinbhinsiúin nó a oibríonn an Stát nó Tír Choinbhinsiúin agus nach raibh á húsáid, tráth an tarlaithe, ach amháin ar sheirbhís rialtais neamhthráchtála.
(5) Féadfar faoiseamh ó dhliteanas a thabhairt go hiomlán nó go páirteach don Chiste i leith damáiste ó thruailliú má shuitear gurb é ba thrúig go hiomlán nó go páirteach don scaoileadh amach ola a ba chúis leis an damáiste ó thruailliú—
(a) aon ní a rinne an duine dár bhain an damáiste ó thruailliú nó a d'fhág sé gan déanamh le hintinn damáiste a dhéanamh;
nó
(b) faillí ag an duine dár bhain an damáiste ó thruailliú:
Ar choinníoll nach mbeidh feidhm ag an bhfo-alt seo maidir le costas aon bhearta réasúnacha a dhéanfar tar éis tarlaithe chun damáiste ó thruailliú a chosc nó a íoslaghdú.
(6) Faoi réir fho-ailt (7) agus (8), déanfaidh an Ciste, de réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, úinéir loinge nó a ráthóir a shlánú in aghaidh a dhliteanais faoi alt 7 nó 10.
(7) Ní fhorchuirfear dliteanas ar an gCiste faoi fho-alt (6) in aon chás ina suífear gurb é mí-iompar toiliúil úinéir na loinge ba chúis leis an damáiste ó thruailliú.
(8) Féadfar faoiseamh óna dhliteanas a thabhairt go hiomlán nó go páirteach don Chiste faoi fho-alt (6) má shuitear, mar gheall ar fhaillí nó eolas iarbhír de chuid úinéir na loinge, gurb é is cionsiocair le damáiste ó thruailliú go hiomlán nó go páirteach nár comhlíonadh forálacha aon Choinbhinsiúin i ndáil le—
(a) Sábháilteacht ar Muir, nó
(b) Truailliú na Farraige,
a bheidh sonraithe sa Choinbhinsiún ar an gCiste nó dá réir.
(9) Sa Chuid seo ciallaíonn “ola” aon ola mhianra hidreacarbóin mharthanach.
Méid dhliteanas an Chiste.
21.—(1) Más rud é go dtabhóidh an Ciste dliteanas faoin Acht seo mar gheall ar scaoileadh amach ola is cúis le damáiste ó thruailliú i gcríoch an Stáit, ní bheidh méid comhiomlán an chúitimh is iníoctha maidir le haon tarlú amháin níos mó ná seasca milliún aonad cuntais.
(2) Má dhéanann an Ciste úinéir loinge nó a ráthóir a shlánú de réir alt 20 (6), ní bheidh aon slánaíocht den sórt sin níos mó ná an chuid sin de dhliteanas an úinéara sin nó a ráthóra faoin Acht seo—
(a) is mó ná méid is ionann agus céad aonad cuntais in aghaidh gach tonna de thonnáiste na loinge, nó méid iomlán d'ocht milliún, trí chéad tríocha is trí mhíle aonad cuntais, cibé acu is lú, agus
(b) nach mó ná méid is ionann agus céad tríocha is trí aonad cuntais in aghaidh gach tonna den tonnáiste sin, nó méid iomlán ceithre mhilliún déag aonad cuntais, cibé acu is lú.
(3) Chun críocha an ailt seo ciallaíonn “méid comhiomlán an chúitimh” uasmhéid an chúitimh is iníoctha ag an gCiste mar gheall ar dhamáiste ó thruailliú ar tarlú amháin ar bith ba chionsiocair leis cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil an cúiteamh sin iníoctha mar gheall ar cheann amháin nó níos mó díobh seo a leanas, is é sin le rá—
(a) forálacha an Achta seo,
(b) forálacha aon dlí in aon Tír Choinbhinsiúin, nó
(c) forálacha an Choinbhinsiúin ar an gCiste.
(4) Más mó iomlán gach éileamh in aghaidh an Chiste in aon chás áirithe ná méid comhiomlán an chúitimh is iníoctha faoi fho-alt (1), dáilfear méid comhiomlán an chúitimh i measc gach éilitheoir ar chúiteamh sa tslí go mbeidh an chomhréir idir aon éileamh agus méid an chúitimh a ghnóthófar maidir leis an éileamh sin mar an gcéanna i gcás gach éilitheora.
(5) Faoi réir fhorálacha fho-alt (2), gheobhaidh an Ciste le seachaíocht, maidir le haon mhéid cúitimh i leith damáiste ó thruailliú a d'íoc an Ciste faoin Acht seo, aon chearta a theachtfaidh an duine a cúitíodh amhlaidh faoin Acht seo in aghaidh úinéara loinge nó a ráthóra.
Teorannú ar chaingne in aghaidh an Chiste.
22.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), ní thionscnófar caingean in aghaidh an Chiste—
(a) tar éis trí bliana ón dáta ar tharla an damáiste ó thruailliú mura mbeidh caingean le haghaidh cúitimh tosaithe cheana féin faoin Acht seo in aghaidh úinéara loinge nó a ráthóra agus murar thug aon pháirtí i gcaingean scéala faoin gcaingean don Chiste de bhun rialacha cúirte, nó
(b) tar éis sé bliana ó dháta an tarlaithe ba chúis leis an damáiste ó thruailliú: Ar choinníoll, i gcás gur sraith teagmhas a bhí sa tarlú ba chúis leis an damáiste ó thruailliú, go measfar gur thosaigh an tréimhse sé bliana a shonraítear sa mhír seo an tráth a tharla an chéad cheann de na teagmhais sin.
(2) An ceart atá ag úinéir loinge nó ag a ráthóir slánú a lorg ón gCiste de bhun alt 20 (6), ní mhúchfar é, in aon chás, roimh dheireadh tréimhse sé mhí tar éis an dáta ar cuireadh in iúl don úinéir nó dá ráthóir ar dtús gur tionscnaíodh éileamh ar dhamáistí faoin Acht seo ina aghaidh nó ina n-aghaidh.
Damáiste ó thruailliú in dhá thír.
23.—I gcás tarlaithe a mbeidh an Ciste faoi dhliteanas i leith cúitimh nó slánaíochta dá dheasca faoi alt 20 a bheith ina chúis le damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát agus i dTír Choinbhinsiúin amháin eile nó níos mó, féadfar imeachtaí a thionscnamh faoin Acht seo, agus féadfar déileáil leis an tarlú, chun gach críoch teagmhasach, mar tharlú a tharla, in aon áit sa Stát.
Éilimh ón Stát.
24.—(1) Féadfaidh an Stát a bheith ina pháirtí in aon éileamh ar chúiteamh i leith damáiste ó thruailliú in aghaidh úinéara loinge nó a ráthóra nó in aghaidh an Chiste faoin Acht seo nó faoin dlí comhréire in aon Tír Choinbhinsiúin.
(2) Aon éileamh a thionscnófar thar ceann an Stáit faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo féadfaidh an tAire é a thionscnamh agus a thabhairt ar aghaidh.
(3) Féadfar a áireamh in aon éileamh a thionscnófar thar ceann an Stáit faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, éileamh ar aon mhéid a d'íoc an Stát le haon duine ar bhain damáiste ó thruailliú dó sa Stát de dheasca tarlaithe a bhfuil an Stát ag déanamh éilimh ina leith.
CUID IV
Cinntí i dTíortha Coinbhinsiúin a Aithint agus a Fhorghníomhú
Infhorghníomhaitheacht agus aitheantas ag cinneadh a rinneadh i dTír Choinbhinsiúin.
25.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, aon chinneadh a rinne údarás iomchuí i dTír Choinbhinsiúin beidh sé infhorghníomhaithe, nó, de réir mar a bheidh, aitheanta sa Stát.
(2) Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn “cinneadh” breith ó údarás iomchuí a dhéantar faoi aon fhoráil a fhreagraíonn don Acht seo lena ndéantar cúiteamh a dhámhachtain d'aon duine i leith damáiste ó thruailliú;
ciallaíonn “údarás iomchuí”, i ndáil le Tír Choinbhinsiúin—
(a) aon chúirt nó binse ag a bhfuil dlínse, faoi dhlíthe an stáit sin, chun an dliteanas maidir le damáiste ó thruailliú a chinneadh agus cúiteamh a dhámhachtain i leith an damáiste sin;
(b) aon údarás riaracháin ag a bhfuil an chumhacht, faoi dhlíthe an stáit sin, cinneadh a dhéanamh maidir leis an dliteanas sin agus leis an gcúiteamh sin, ar cinneadh é atá faoi réir achomhairc nó athbhreithnithe sa stát sin ag cúirt nó binse;
(c) aon chúirt nó binse ag a bhfuil dlínse, faoi dhlíthe an stáit sin, chun cinneadh a dhéanamh ar aon achomharc i gcoinne cinneadh a rinne údarás iomchuí eile maidir leis an dliteanas nó leis an gcúiteamh sin, nó chun aon athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcinneadh.
Iarratas chun cinneadh a rinneadh i dTír Choinbhinsiúin a fhorghníomhú.
26.—(1) Is chun na Cúirte a dhéanfar gach iarratas chun cinneadh a rinne údarás iomchuí i dTír Choinbhinsiúin a fhorghníomhú.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chúirt ordú (ar iarratas a éisteacht chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú), murar diúltaíodh an cinneadh a fhorghníomhú de bhun alt 28, ar ordú é chun an cinneadh a fhorghníomhú a mhéid nár sásaíodh méid an chúitimh lenar bhain an cinneadh.
(3) Ní dhéanfar, in aon iarratas chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú faoin alt seo, an cinneadh a athbhreithniú maidir lena shubstaint.
Éifeacht an ordaithe chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú.
27.—(1) Aon uair a dhéanfar ordú chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú de bhun alt 26, beidh an fheidhm agus an éifeacht chéanna ag an gcinneadh, a mhéid a údarófar a fhorghníomhú de bhun ordú na cúirte, amhail is dá mba í an Chúirt a rinne an cinneadh agus féadfar imeachtaí chun é a fhorghníomhú nó maidir lena fhorghníomhú a thionscnamh dá réir sin.
(2) Aon uair a dhéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú ar scór iarratais arna dhéanamh de bhun alt 26 chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú, féadfaidh an t-ordú foráil a dhéanamh chun costais réasúnacha an iarratais agus na costais a ghabhann leis an iarratas a íoc agus beidh na costais sin inghnóthaithe amhail is dá mba shuimeanna iad is inghnóthaithe faoin gcinneadh.
(3) Más rud é, maidir le hiarratas de bhun alt 26 chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú, go léirítear, de réir dhlíthe na Tíre Coinbhinsiúin ina ndearnadh an cinneadh, go bhfuil ús inghnóthaithe faoin gcinneadh ó dháta nó am áirithe, déanfar an ráta úis agus an dáta nó an t-am óna mbeidh sé inghnóthaithe a bhreacadh ar an ordú chun an cinneadh a fhorghníomhú, má dhéantar ordú den sórt sin, agus beidh ús, de réir na sonraí a bheidh breactha, ag gabháil leis an tsuim a bheidh dlite ar scór an chinnidh, seachas aon suim a bheidh dlite de bhun fho-alt (2).
(4) Aon ús ar aon suim a bheidh dlite ar scór cinnidh a mbeidh ordú forghníomhaithe déanta ina leith is de bhun an ailt seo amháin a bheidh sé inghnóthaithe.
Gan aitheantas a thabhairt do chinneadh nó gan é a fhorghníomhú.
28.—(1) Ní dhéanfar cinneadh ó údarás iomchuí i dTír Choinbhinsiúin a aithint ná a fhorghníomhú sa Stát—
(a) mura cinneadh críochnaitheach an cinneadh; nó
(b) má bhíonn an cinneadh contrártha go follasach do bheartas poiblí sa Stát; nó
(c) más rud é, maidir leis an duine ar tionscnaíodh na himeachtaí ina aghaidh as ar tháinig an cinneadh, nach bhfuair sé fógra sách luath, d'ainneoin go bhféadfadh gur seirbheáladh mar is cuí fógra cuí faoi na himeachtaí air sa Tír Choinbhinsiúin lena mbaineann, chun a chumasú dó na himeachtaí a chosaint nó, de réir mar a bheidh, iarratas a dhéanamh go ndéanfaí na himeachtaí a athbhreithniú; nó
(d) mura bhfuil an cinneadh ag luí le breithiúnas aon chúirte sa Stát.
(2) Chun críocha fho-alt (1) (a) measfar gur cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh ó údarás iomchuí i dTír Choinbhinsiúin—
(a) más rud é nach bhfuil achomharc i gcoinne an chinnidh ná iarratas chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcinneadh sin ar feitheamh sa stát sin, agus
(b) mura féidir achomharc den sórt sin a thionscnamh ná iarratas den sórt sin a dhéanamh mar gheall ar aon cheann de na cúiseanna a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (3).
(3) Is iad na cúiseanna dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) (b)—
(a) nach ndéantar foráil leis an dlí is infheidhme sa Tír Choinbhinsiúin lena mbaineann le haghaidh achomhairc i gcoinne an chinnidh ná athbhreithniú ar an gcinneadh, ar cinneadh é a rinne cúirt nó binse; nó
(b) go bhfuil an tréimhse ar laistigh di nach foláir achomharc a thionscnamh, nó iarratas ar athbhreithniú a dhéanamh, imithe in éag; nó
(c) gur tarraingíodh siar achomharc a tionscnaíodh nó iarratas ar athbhreithniú a rinneadh; nó
(d) gur daingníodh an cinneadh le cinneadh, nó go ndearnadh é de bhun ordaithe atá le fáil i gcinneadh, a rinne údarás iomchuí agus ar cinneadh críochnaitheach gan achomharc é.
(4) Más rud é, ar achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne breithe chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú, go ndeimhneoidh an t-achomharcóir don chúirt nach bhfuil an cinneadh críochnaitheach, féadfaidh an chúirt ar cibé téarmaí is cuí léi—
(a) an t-ordú forghníomhaithe a chur ar ceal, nó
(b) an t-achomharc a chur ar atráth go dtí cibé tráth a dtiocfaidh an cinneadh chun bheith críochnaitheach.
(5) Ní cheanglófar le haon ní i bhfo-alt (4) ar an gcúirt ordú forghníomhaithe a chur ar ceal nó achomharc a chur ar atráth in aon chás—
(a) ar deimhin leis an gcúirt nach bhfuil aon fhoras eile ar ar cheart an t-ordú forghníomhaithe a chur ar ceal, agus
(b) nach deimhin leis an gcúirt go bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an iarratasóir leanúint le hachomharc nó le hiarratas ar athbhreithniú atá ar feitheamh nó, de réir mar a bheidh, aon achomharc a thionscnamh nó aon iarratas den sórt sin a dhéanamh a fhéadfaidh sé a thionscnamh nó a dhéanamh maidir leis an gcinneadh.
Doiciméid nach foláir a bheith leis an iarratas chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú.
29.—(1) Beidh na doiciméid seo a leanas ag gabháil le gach iarratas chun cinneadh a fhorghníomhú de bhun an Achta seo, is é sin le rá—
(a) cóip dheimhnithe den chinneadh;
(b) i gcás cinnidh ó údarás iomchuí (ar cúirt nó binse é) is cinneadh a dhéantar trí mhainneachtain, an bhunchóip nó cóip dheimhnithe de dhoiciméad a shuíonn gur seirbheáladh go cuí fógra faoi na himeachtaí ar an duine a bhfuil forghníomhú á lorg ina aghaidh;
(c) i gcás cinnidh ó údarás iomchuí ar údarás riaracháin é, doiciméad a shuíonn go raibh an cinneadh faoi réir athbhreithnithe ag cúirt nó binse ach nach bhfuil sé faoi réir athbhreithnithe amhlaidh níos mó mar go ndearna an chúirt nó an binse sin breith chríochnaitheach agus gur dhíbh siad an t-achomharc nó mar gur tarraingíodh siar an t-achomharc nó mar go bhfuil an t-am caite ar cheart achomharc a thaisceadh laistigh de; agus
(d) doiciméid a shuíonn go bhfuil an cinneadh infhorghníomhaithe sa Tír Choinbhinsiúin agus go bhfuair an duine a bhfuil forghníomhú á lorg ina aghaidh fógra faoin gcinneadh in am cuí.
(2) Má iarrann an chúirt amhlaidh cuirfear aistriúchán ar fáil ar na doiciméid a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1): deimhneoidh duine a bheidh inniúil chun déanamh amhlaidh go bhfuil an t-aistriúchán ceart.
(3) Chun críocha na Coda seo—
(a) measfar, maidir le doiciméad, arna dheimhniú go cuí, a airbheartaíonn gur cóip de chinneadh é ó údarás iomchuí i dTír Choinbhinsiúin, gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, gur cóip dhílis é den chinneadh sin, mura suífear a mhalairt;
(b) an bhunchóip, nó aon chóip, d'aon doiciméad a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) (b), (1) (c) nó (1) (d), is fianaise í ar aon ábhar lena mbaineann an doiciméad sin; agus
(c) measfar, maidir le doiciméad a airbheartaíonn gur aistriúchán é ar dhoiciméad a chuirtear ar fáil de bhun fho-alt (2) agus a dheimhneofar a bheith ceart ag duine a bheidh inniúil chun déanamh amhlaidh, gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, gurb é an t-aistriúchán sin é mura suífear a mhalairt.
(4) Aon doiciméad a airbheartaíonn gur cóip de chinneadh é a thug údarás iomchuí measfar go mbeidh sé deimhnithe go cuí—
(a) má airbheartaíonn sé, i gcás cinnidh ó chúirt, go bhfuil séala na cúirte sin air nó a bheith deimhnithe ag aon duine ina cháil mar bhreitheamh nó oifigeach de chuid na cúirte sin mar chóip dhílis de chinneadh arna dhéanamh ag an gCúirt sin, nó
(b) i gcás cinnidh ó údarás iomchuí seachas cúirt, má airbheartaíonn sé a bheith deimhnithe ag duine ina cháil mar oifigeach de chuid an údaráis sin mar chóip dhílis de chinneadh arna dhéanamh ag an údarás sin.
CUID V
Ilghnéitheach
Dlínse na Cúirte.
30.—(1) I gcás caingean le haghaidh cúitimh mar gheall ar dhamái ste ó thruailliú a bheith tionscanta in aghaidh úinéara loinge nó a ráthóra os comhair na Cúirte, beidh dlínse eisiatach ag an gCúirt in aon chaingean le haghaidh cúitimh nó slánaíochta a thosófar in aghaidh an Chiste maidir leis an damáiste céanna.
(2) Beidh dlínse ag an gCúirt in aon chaingean a thosófar in aghaidh an Chiste maidir le damáiste ó thruailliú sa Stát in aon chás inar tionscnaíodh caingean in aghaidh úinéara loinge nó a ráthóra i dtír is páirtí sa Choinbhinsiún ar Dhliteanas ach nach páirtí sa Choinbhinsiún ar an gCiste.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt faoiseamh a thabhairt go hiomlán nó go páirteach d'úinéir loinge, dá ráthóir nó don Chiste, ó dhliteanas i leith duine mar gheall ar dhamáiste ó thruailliú má chruthaítear gurbh é faillí an duine sin ba chúis go hiomlán nó go páirteach leis an damáiste nó gur gníomh nó neamhghníomh dá chuid ba chionchúis leis an damáiste, ar gníomh nó neamhghníomh é a raibh sé ceaptha dó a bheith ina chúis le damáiste.
Cigirí a cheapadh.
31.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le barántas, duine a cheapadh ina chigire chun feidhmeanna cigire a chomhlíonadh faoin Acht seo.
(2) Gach duine a cheapfaidh an tAire de bhun fho-alt (1) tabharfar deimhniú faoina cheapachán dó agus nuair a bheidh sé ag feidhmiú cumhachta a thugtar do chigire faoin Acht seo, déanfaidh sé, má iarrann aon duine dá ndéanann sin difear air é, an deimhniú sin a thabhairt ar aird lena iniúchadh ag an duine sin.
Cumhachtaí cigire.
32.—(1) Féadfaidh cigire, chun a chuid feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú faoin Acht seo, gach ní a dhéanamh is dóigh leis a bheith riachtanach chun a chuid feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh faoin Acht seo.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), féadfaidh cigire gach ní nó aon ní díobh seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) long a stopadh nó a choinneáil thar ceann an Aire;
(b) dul ar bord aon loinge agus an long agus aon doiciméad ar bord na loinge a iniúchadh;
(c) a cheangal ar aon duine ar bord loinge a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt dó;
(d) a cheangal ar mháistir na loinge an deimhniú a cheanglaítear a iompar ar bord le halt 16 den Acht seo a thabhairt ar aird lena iniúchadh;
(e) dul isteach in aon áitreabh agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh air agus ar aon ghaireas chun ola a aistriú;
(f) trí thoghairm faoina láimh, a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith teacht ina láthair agus an duine sin a scrúdú faoi mhionn (agus údaraítear leis seo don chigire daoine a chur faoi mhionn);
(g) a cheangal ar fhinné dearbhú a dhéanamh gur fíor aon ráitis a rinne sé faoi scrúdú agus an dearbhú sin a shíniú;
(h) a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith aon doiciméad faoina chumhacht nó faoina urláimh a thabhairt ar aird dó nó freagra a thabhairt ar aon fhiosrúchán;
(i) cóip a dhéanamh d'aon taifead in aon doiciméad a cheanglaítear leis an Acht seo nó leis na hAchtanna um Ola-Thruailliú na Farraige, 1956 go 1977, a choimeád agus a cheangal ar an duine a choimeádann an doiciméad a dheimhniú gur cóip dhílis den taifead sin an chóip sin;
(j) samplaí d'ola a thógáil ó aon long;
(k) ordú a thabhairt, ó bhéal nó i scríbhinn, d'úinéir nó do mháistir loinge nó d'aon fhostaí nó gníomhaire de chuid an úinéara, i ndáil leis an long.
(3) Beidh finné i láthair cigire i dteideal na ndíolúintí agus na bpribhléidí céanna a gheobhadh sé dá mba fhinné os comhair na Cúirte é agus lamhálfar cibé caiteachais dó a lamhálfaí d'fhinné a bheadh ag freastal na Cúirte ar sub poena: agus cuirfear aon díospóid i dtaobh méid na gcaiteachas sin faoi bhráid Mháistir Fómhais agus déanfaidh seisean méid na gcaiteachas a chinntiú agus a dheimhniú, ar iarratas a dhéanamh chuige faoi láimh an chigire.
(4) Duine ar bith—
(a) a mhainneoidh freastal a dhéanamh ar é a thoghairm mar fhinné os comhair cigire agus ar na caiteachais a bhfuil teideal aige chucu faoin alt seo a thairiscint dó, nó a dhiúltóidh mionn a ghlacadh a gceanglóidh an cigire go dleathach air é a ghlacadh, nó
(b) a dhiúltóidh nó a fhailleoidh aon fhreagra nó aon tuairisceán a thabhairt nó aon doiciméad a thabhairt ar aird, nó aon dearbhú a dhéanamh nó a shíniú, nó cóip d'aon taifead a dheimhniú, i gcás ina bhfuil teideal ag an gcigire a cheangal air sin a dhéanamh,
beidh sé ciontach i gción.
(5) Duine ar bith—
(a) a chuirfidh bac go toiliúil ar chigire agus an cigire sin ag feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo, nó
(b) nuair a iarrfaidh cigire air a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt, go mainníonn sé nó go ndiúltaíonn sé sin a dhéanamh, nó nuair a iarrtar sin air a thugann ainm nó seoladh atá bréagach nó míthreorach,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Cumhachtaí máistrí cuain.
33.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha ailt 13 agus 16 agus gan dochar do na cumhachtaí a thugtar do chigire le halt 32, féadfaidh máistir cuain, i gcás aon loinge atá sa chuan ar máistir cuain ar an gcuan sin é—
(a) dul ar bord aon loinge den sórt sin agus an long agus aon doiciméid ar bord a iniúchadh;
(b) a cheangal go dtabharfar ar aird aon doiciméad a cheanglaítear a choimeád faoin Acht seo nó faoi na hAchtanna um Ola-Thruailliú na Farraige, 1956 go 1977;
(c) cóip a dhéanamh d'aon taifead in aon doiciméad den sórt sin agus a cheangal ar an duine a choimeádann an doiciméad a dheimhniú gur cóip dhílis den taifead an chóip sin:
Ar choinníoll nach gcoinneoidh an máistir cuain ná nach moilleoidh sé an long ó dhul ar a turas, i bhfeidhmiú a chuid cumhachtaí faoin Acht seo, mura gá sin.
(2) Duine ar bith—
(a) nach ndéanfaidh de réir aon cheanglais de chuid mháistir cuain faoin alt seo, nó
(b) a chuirfidh bac go toiliúil ar mháistir cuain agus é ag feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Forálacha a bhaineann le longa a choinneáil.
34.—Aon uair a choinneoidh cigire nó máistir cuain long i bhfeidhmiú na gcumhachtaí a thugtar le halt 13 (3) nó le halt 16, beidh éifeacht leis na forálacha seo a leanas—
(a) déanfaidh an cigire, nó, de réir mar a bheidh, an máistir cuain, iarratas a luaithe is féidir chun Breithimh Dúiche ar ordú ag údarú go leanfaí ag coinneáil na loinge agus féadfaidh an Breitheamh Dúiche ordú a dheonú ag údarú na coinneála sin ar feadh tréimhse 48 n-uaire an chloig más deimhin leis go bhfuil forais réasúnacha ag an gcigire nó ag an máistir cuain, de réir mar a bheidh, lena chreidiúint go ndearnadh sárú ar an Acht seo i ndáil leis an long agus, ar an tréimhse 48 n-uaire an chloig a bheith caite, scaoilfear an long saor mura bhfuil ordú lena bhforáiltear í a choinneáil níos faide déanta de réir mhír (b);
(b) i gcás gur choinnigh cigire nó máistir cuain long, i bhfeidhmiú na gcumhachtaí a thugtar dó faoin Acht seo, déanfaidh sé a luaithe is féidir máistir na loinge a bhfuil imeachtaí maidir le cion faoin Acht seo tionscanta nó ar tí a dtionscanta ina aghaidh a thabhairt os comhair Breithimh Dúiche agus air sin déanfaidh an Breitheamh Dúiche más deimhin leis go bhfuil na himeachtaí sin eisithe nó ar tí a n-eisithe in aghaidh mháistir na loinge, le hordú atá dírithe ar chigire nó, de réir mar a bheidh, ar mháistir cuain, a cheangal ar an gcigire nó ar an máistir cuain an long a choinneáil ag áit shonraithe sa Stát go dtí go mbeidh na himeachtaí sin breithnithe ag cúirt i bhfeidhmiú a dlínse coiriúla.
Longa a choinneáil go dtí go ndéanfar cinneadh ar imeachtaí (lena n-áirítear achomhairc) faoin Acht.
35.—(1) I gcas go gciontófar duine i gcion faoin Acht seo, nó go ndéanfar imeachtaí i ndáil le cion a dhíbhe, agus go mbeidh an long a ndearnadh an cion ina leith á coinneáil faoin Acht seo, déanfaidh an Breitheamh nó, de réir mar a bheidh, an Breitheamh Dúiche lena mbaineann, le hordú a bheidh dírithe ar chigire nó ar mháistir cuain, a cheangal ar an gcigire nó ar an máistir cuain, i gcás achomhairc i gcoinne ordú na cúirte a éisteann an t-ábhar, nó i gcás imeachtaí eile i ndáil leis an ordú sin, an long a choinneáil níos faide ag áit shonraithe sa Stát fad a bheidh cinneadh maidir leis an achomharc nó leis na himeachtaí eile (agus aon imeachtaí de dhroim an achomhairc nó na n-imeachtaí eile) ar feitheamh.
(2) Más rud é, maidir le cion faoin Acht seo, go ndéanfar ordú faoin alt seo nó faoi alt 34 chun long a choinneáil, féadfaidh Breitheamh Dúiche, dá rogha féin, le hordú a bheidh dírithe ar chigire nó ar mháistir cuain, de réir mar a bheidh, a cheangal an long a scaoileadh saor má thugtar urrús a bheidh, i dtuairim an Bhreithimh Dúiche, sásúil chun suim a íoc, i gcás an cosantóir a chiontú i leith an chiona nó na gcionta a bhfuil sé cúisithe maidir leo nó i gcás go mainneoidh sé freastal os comhair aon chúirte nuair is gá an freastal sin chun críocha aon réamhscrúduithe faoin Acht um Nós Imeachta Coiriúil, 1967, i ndáil leis an gcion nó leis na cionta nó le haon trialacha, achomhairc nó imeachtaí eile i ndáil leis an gcion nó leis na cionta, ar suim í atá, i dtuairim an Bhreithimh Dúiche, leordhóthanach—
(a) chun an uasfhíneáil nó na huasfhíneálacha a íoc a ordaitear a íoc maidir leis an gcion nó leis na cionta nó a d'fhéadfaí a ordú a íoc maidir leo,
(b) chun íoc as méid measta na gcostas (más ann) a bhaineann le haon trialacha, achomhairc nó imeachtaí eile i ndáil leis an gcion nó leis na cionta a dhámhtar nó a d'fhéadfaí a dhámhachtain in aghaidh an chosantóra lena mbaineann.
(3) An t-urrús dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (2) is urrús é i dteannta, agus ní in ionad, aon bhanna nó cúirtbhanna eile a d'fhéadfadh an Breitheamh nó, de réir mar a bheidh, an Breitheamh Dúiche lena mbaineann a cheangal ar an gcosantóir lena mbaineann dul faoi i ndáil le haon trialacha, achomhairc nó imeachtaí eile i leith an chiona lena mbaineann.
(4) I gcás go ndéanfar ordú faoin alt seo chun long a choinneáil nó a scaoileadh saor, coinneofar nó scaoilfear saor an long, de réir mar a bheidh, de réir théarmaí an ordaithe.
Urrús dá bhforáiltear in alt 35 a íoc amach.
36.—Aon uair a thabharfaidh cosantóir urrús de bhun alt 35 chun an uasfhíneáil nó aon fhíneáil a fhorchuirtear i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a íoc agus le haghaidh na gcostas measta a bhaineann le haon trialacha, achomhairc nó imeachtaí eile i leith ciona den sórt sin, féadfaidh an chúirt, nuair a bheidh cinneadh críochnaitheach déanta ar an triail, ar an achomharc nó ar na himeachtaí eile, de réir mar a bheidh, má chinneann sí gur cuí déanamh amhlaidh, ar iarratas ón Aire, a ordú go ndéanfar méid iomlán an urrúis, nó cibé cuid den chéanna is gá chun méid na fíneála a ghlanadh a fhorchuirtear maidir leis an gcion mar aon le méid aon chostas a dhámhfar maidir le haon triail, achomharc nó imeacht eile, a íoc amach leis an Aire.
Ionchúiseamh i gcionta.
37.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire imeachtaí achoimre i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh agus a ionchúiseamh.
(2) D'ainneoin alt 10 (4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachtaí achoimre i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh—
(a) i ngach cás, laistigh de dhá bhliain ó dháta an chiona, agus
(b) i gcás an duine atá le cúiseamh a bheith lasmuigh den Stát ar dhul in éag don tréimhse sin, laistigh de dhá mhí ón gcéad dáta a dtiocfaidh sé isteach sa Stát ina dhiaidh sin.
(3) Gan dochar d'aon dlínse eile, féadfar imeachtaí i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh i gcoinne duine in aon áit a mbeidh sé de thuras na huaire.
Cionta ag comhlachtaí corpraithe.
38.—I gcás comhlacht corpraithe nó duine a bheidh ag gníomhú thar ceann comhlachta chorpraithe do dhéanamh ciona faoin Acht seo agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh an cion amhlaidh le toiliú, le cúlcheadú nó le ceadú nó gur urasaíodh a dhéanamh le haon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine is stiúrthóir, bainisteoir, rúnaí nó oifigeach eile de chuid an chomhlachta sin, beidh an duine sin freisin ciontach i gcion.
Comhlacht corpraithe a dhíotáil.
39.—(1) Féadfar comhlacht corpraithe a chur ar aghaidh chun a thrialach ar díotáil i leith ciona faoin Acht seo le cúirtbhannaí nó dá n-éagmais.
(2) Ar é a dhíotchúiseamh os comhair na Príomh-Chúirte Coiriúla nó na Cúirte Cuarda, féadfaidh an comhlacht corpraithe pléadáil chiontach nó neamhchiontach a thaifeadadh i scríbhinn trína ionadaí agus mura láithreoidh sé trí ionadaí arna cheapadh aige chuige sin, nó, cé go láithreoidh sé amhlaidh, mura dtaifeadfaidh sé pléadáil ar bith, ordóidh an chúirt pléadáil neamhchiontach a thaifeadadh agus rachaidh an triail ar aghaidh amhail is dá mbeadh an comhlacht corpraithe tar éis an phléadáil sin a thaifeadadh go cuí.
(3) Aon ráiteas i scríbhinn a airbheartóidh a bheith sínithe ag rúnaí an chomhlachta chorpraithe á rá go bhfuil an duine a ainmnítear sa ráiteas ceaptha mar ionadaí don chomhlacht chun críocha an ailt seo, beidh sé inghlactha gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais gur ceapadh an duine sin amhlaidh.
(4) Aon toghairm nó doiciméad eile is gá a sheirbheáil, chun críche nó i gcúrsa imeachtaí faoin alt seo, ar chomhlacht corpraithe, féadfar é a sheirbheáil trína fhágáil ag oifig chláraithe an chomhlachta sin nó trína chur go dtí an oifig sin leis an bpost cláraithe nó, mura bhfuil aon oifig den sórt sin sa Stát, trína fhágáil ag an gcomhlacht, nó trína chur leis an bpost cláraithe go dtí an comhlacht, in aon áit sa Stát ina bhfuil a ghnó á sheoladh aige.
Pionóis.
40.—(1) Aon duine a chiontófar i gcion faoi alt 13 (3), 16 (5), 16 (6), 16 (8) nó 19 dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000, nó príosúnacht ar feadh aon téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó, de rogha na cúirte, an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000,000, nó príosúnacht ar feadh aon téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó, de rogha na cúirte, an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air.
(2) Aon duine a chiontófar i gcion faoi alt 32 nó 33, dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000, nó príosúnacht ar feadh aon téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó, de rogha na cúirte, an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fínéail nach mó ná £10,000, nó príosúnacht ar feadh aon téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó, de rogha na cúirte, an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air.
Fíneálacha i leith cionta faoin Acht a ghnóthú.
41.—Beidh éifeacht leis na forálacha seo a leanas i ndáil le fíneáil i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a ghnóthú agus leis na costais (más ann) a ordófar don duine a chiontófar sa chion sin a íoc:—
(a) socróidh an chúirt am ar laistigh de a íocfar an fhíneáil sin agus na costais sin (más ann);
(b) i gcás an long lena mbaineann an duine sin a bheith á coinneáil faoin Acht seo, an tráth a n-éistfear na himeachtaí i leith an chiona sin, déanfaidh an chúirt le hordú a bheidh dírithe ar chigire nó ar mháistir cuain, de réir mar a bheidh, a cheangal ar an gcigire nó ar an máistir cuain sin an long sin a choinneáil níos faide ag áit shonraithe sa Stát go dtí go n-íocfar an fhíneáil agus na costais sin (más ann), agus coinneofar an long sin dá réir sin;
(c) i gcás nach n-íocfar an fhíneáil ná na costais sin (más ann), laistigh den am sin féadfar an fhíneáil agus na costais sin a ghnóthú tríd an long sin, a tácla, a troscán agus a feisteas a thochsal agus a dhíol;
(d) ní choiscfidh aon ní sna míreanna sin roimhe seo den alt seo an fhíneáil agus na costais sin (más ann) a ghnóthú ón duine sin trí ghnáthphróis dlí.
Fíneálacha a chur chun feidhme.
42.—Más dóigh leis an gcúirt a ghearrann fíneáil i leith ciona faoin Acht seo gur thabhaigh nó go dtabhóidh duine caiteachas ag aistriú aon truaillithe nó ag slánú aon damáiste is inchurtha i leith an chiona, féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú go n-íocfar an fhíneáil go léir nó cuid di leis an duine sin chun an caiteachas sin nó cuid de a ghlanadh.
Taifid a bheith inghlactha mar fhianaise.
43.—Gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh—
(a) a bheith á choimeád de bhun an Achta seo, na nAchtanna um Ola-Thruailliú na Farraige, 1956 go 1977, an Choinbhinsiúin ar Dhliteanas nó an Choinbhinsiúin ar an gCiste nó aon Choinbhinsiúin nó Prótacail ag leasú nó ag leathnú ceachtar de na Coinbhinsiúin sin, nó
(b) a bheith ina chóip dhílis, arna dheimhniú amhlaidh ag an duine a choimeádann an doiciméad, de dhoiciméad nó de thaifead ann,
measfar, mura suífear a mhalairt, gurb é an doiciméad nó an chóip sin é, agus beidh sé inghlactha, gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, mar fhianaise ar na nithe atá ann.
Díolúine ón Acht.
44.—(1) Ní bhainfidh an tAcht seo le haon long chogaidh ná le haon long a bheidh de thuras na huaire á húsáid ag rialtas aon stáit chun críocha seachas críocha tráchtála.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, más deimhin leis nach dtiocfadh de thoradh díolúine go laghdófaí dliteanas i leith truaillithe nó go laghdófaí acmhainní chun freastal ar aon dliteanas den sórt sin, aon long a cláraíodh sa Stát, nó aon aicme long arna clárú amhlaidh, a dhíolmhú ó gach foráil nó ó aon fhoráil d'fhorálacha an Achta seo nó d'aon ordú nó Rialachán a dhéantar faoin Acht seo, go hiomlán nó faoi réir cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis.
Táillí le haghaidh deimhnithe, díolúintí etc.
45.—Muirearófar cibé táille a fhorordóidh an tAire ar aon deimhniú a thabharfar, aon díolúine a dheonófar nó aon seirbhís a sholáthrófar faoin Acht seo d'úinéir aon loinge.
Táillí a bhailiú
46.—(1) Déanfar táillí faoin Acht seo a ghlacadh agus a bhailiú i cibé slí a ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham agus íocfar isteach sa Státchiste nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Státchiste iad de réir orduithe an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, maidir le táillí faoin Acht seo.
Number 11 of 1988
OIL POLLUTION OF THE SEA (CIVIL LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION) ACT, 1988
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Laying of orders and Regulations before Houses of Oireachtas. | |
Civil Liability for Pollution Damage
The International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund
Recognition and Enforcement of Determinations in Convention Countries
Miscellaneous
Detention of ships pending determination of proceedings (including appeals) under Act. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict. c. 93 |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 42 & 43 Vict. c. 58 |
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 | 57 & 58 Vict. c. 60 |
Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1983 | |
1946, No. 9 | |
1955, No. 29 | |
Oil Pollution of the Sea Acts, 1956 to 1977 | |
1959, No. 14 | |
1967, No. 12 | |
1968, No. 18 | |
Number 11 of 1988
OIL POLLUTION OF THE SEA (CIVIL LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION) ACT, 1988
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) Act, 1988.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister shall by order appoint and different days may be appointed for different provisions.
Interpretation.
3.—(1) In this Act—
“aggregate amount of compensation” has the meaning specified in section 21; “Convention Country” means, as the context may require, a state (other than the State) which has been declared by order under section 4 to have accepted the Liability Convention or the Fund Convention or any Convention or Protocol amending or extending those Conventions and which has not been subsequently declared to have denounced either of those Conventions;
“the Court” means the High Court or a judge thereof;
“crude oil” has the meaning specified in section 19;
“discharge”, in relation to oil, means any discharge or escape of oil however caused;
“the Fund” has the meaning specified in section 19;
“fuel oil” has the meaning specified in section 19;
“the Fund Convention” means the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971, done at Brussels on the 18th day of December, 1971, and includes any Convention or Protocol which has been ratified by the State and which amends or extends that Convention;
“guarantor” means any person providing insurance or other financial security to cover the liability of the owner of a ship under section 16;
“harbour authority” means—
(a) in the case of a harbour to which the Harbours Act, 1946, applies, a harbour authority within the meaning of that Act; or
(b) in the case of a harbour under the control of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, the Commissioners; or
(c) in the case of a fishery harbour centre to which the Fishery Harbour Centres Act, 1968, applies, the Minister for the Marine; or
(d) in the case of a harbour under the control of a local authority, the local authority concerned; or
(e) in the case of a harbour under the management of Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail, Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail;
“harbour-master” means a person appointed by a harbour authority to be a harbour-master and includes a person appointed by a harbour authority to enforce the provisions of this Act;
“incident” means any occurrence, or series of occurrences having the same origin, which causes pollution damage;
“inspector” means—
(a) a person appointed to be an inspector by warrant of the Minister under section 31, or
(b) a person appointed to be a surveyor of ships by warrant of the Minister under section 724 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, or
(c) a sea fisheries protection officer;
“the Liability Convention” means the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, done at Brussels on the 29th day of November, 1969, and includes any Convention or Protocol which has been ratified by the State and which amends or extends that Convention;
“master”, in relation to a ship, means the person having, for the time being, the command or charge of the ship;
“the Minister” means the Minister for the Marine;
“oil” (other than in Part III) means any persistent oil including crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil, lubricating oil and whale oil whether carried on board a ship as cargo or in the bunkers of such a ship;
“owner”, in relation to a ship, means the person registered as its owner or, if no person is registered as owner of the ship, the person who owns the ship, and, in the case of a ship which is owned by a state and is operated by a person who in that state is registered as the ship's operator, “owner” means the person registered as such operator;
“prescribed” means prescribed by Regulations made by the Minister under this Act;
“pollution damage” means a loss or damage outside a ship carrying oil in bulk as cargo arising from the escape or discharge of oil from a ship, wherever such escape or discharge may occur, and includes the cost of measures taken to prevent or minimise pollution damage and any further loss or damage caused by such measures: and pollution damage within the State or within any Convention Country includes measures taken outside the State or, as the case may be, such Convention Country to prevent or minimise pollution damage within the State or within that Convention Country;
“sea fisheries protection officer” means a person declared by section 220 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, to be a sea fisheries protection officer;
“terminal installation” means any site in the State for the storage of oil in bulk which is capable of receiving oil from water borne transportation and includes any facility situated offshore and linked to such site;
“unit of account” means the unit of account of Special Drawing Rights of the International Monetary Fund.
(2) A reference in this Act to the State or to any other country includes the territorial seas and inland waters of the State or, as the case may be, the territorial seas and inland waters of that other country.
(3) A reference in this Act to a section is a reference to a section of this Act unless it is indicated that a reference to some other enactment is intended.
(4) A reference in this Act to a subsection or to a paragraph is a reference to the subsection or paragraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended.
(5) A reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or adapted by any subsequent enactment.
Orders concerning Conventions.
4.—The Minister may, if he is satisfied that—
(a) any state (other than the State) has accepted or denounced the Liability Convention or the Fund Convention or any Convention or Protocol which has been ratified by the State and which amends or extends either of those Conventions, or
(b) that any such Convention extends, or has ceased to extend, to any territory,
by order so declare.
Laying of orders and Regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
5.—Every order and 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 it is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the instrument has been laid before it, the instrument shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under it.
Expenses of Minister.
6.—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.
PART II
Civil Liability for Pollution Damage
Liability for pollution damage.
7.—(1) The following provisions shall, subject to section 8, have effect in relation to pollution damage in the State which is caused by a ship carrying oil in bulk as cargo, whether such ship is within or without the State, that is to say—
(a) save as is otherwise provided by this Act, the owner of a ship at the time of the incident, or, where the incident consists of a series of occurrences, at the time of the first of the occurrences, which caused pollution damage, shall be liable for such damage;
(b) in any case where pollution damage results from the discharge of oil from two or more ships, the owner of each ship concerned shall, save as is otherwise provided by this Act, be jointly and severally liable for all such damage in so far as such damage is not reasonably severable;
(c) an owner of a ship shall not incur any liability for pollution damage otherwise than under this section;
(d) the servant or agent of the owner of a ship shall not be liable for pollution damage caused by that ship.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall operate so as to prejudice any right of action the owner of a ship may have in respect of an incident against any third party.
Exemption from liability for pollution damage.
8.—The owner of a ship which has caused pollution damage shall not be liable for such damage if he proves that the discharge of oil which caused the damage—
(a) resulted from an act of war, hostilities, civil war, insurrection or a natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; or
(b) was due wholly to anything done, or left undone, by any other person (other than a servant or agent of such owner) with intent to do damage; or
(c) was due wholly to the negligence or wrongful act of any government or other authority responsible for the maintenance of lights or other navigational aids in the exercise of that function.
Liability for pollution damage in State and another country.
9.—Where pollution damage is caused in the State and in one or more Convention Countries by a ship carrying oil in bulk as cargo, whether such ship is within or without the State, and the owner of such ship is liable for such damage pursuant to section 7, and where the owner of such ship is liable for such damage under the law of any other Convention Country concerned, the liability for such damage shall be regarded, for the purposes of this Act and for the purposes of any legal proceedings under this Act in relation to such damage, as having been incurred in the State.
Limitation on liability for pollution damage.
10.—Where the owner of a ship is liable, pursuant to section 7, for damage caused by a discharge of oil which occurred without his actual fault or privity, the following provisions shall apply—
(a) section 503 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, shall not apply in relation to any such liability;
(b) the owner concerned may limit his liability in accordance with this Act;
(c) where the owner concerned limits his liability in accordance with this Act, his liability for any one discharge shall not exceed fourteen million units of account, or one hundred and thirty-three units of account per ton for each ton of the ship's tonnage, whichever is the lesser;
(d) where a discharge of oil causes pollution damage both in the State and in the territory of any Convention Country, and the owner of the ship from which the oil was discharged has limited his liability in accordance with this Act, the limitation on the liability of the owner shall apply to the aggregate of his liability in the State and in any Convention Country concerned;
(e) where, in accordance with the law of a Convention Country, an owner has limited his liability, the court, tribunal or administrative authority in that Convention Country that has the jurisdiction or power to determine liability for pollution damage and to award compensation therefor shall be exclusively competent to determine all matters relating to the appointment and distribution of any monies lodged with the court, tribunal or administrative authority, as the case may be, in respect of the owner's liability.
Calculation of tonnage of ship.
11.—For the purposes of calculating the liability of the owner of a ship by reference to the tonnage of that ship, the tonnage shall be ascertained in the following manner:
(a) if the ship is registered in the State, or is a ship to which a direction under section 95 of the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955, applies, the tonnage of that ship shall be reckoned to be its nett tonnage increased, in any case where a deduction has been made for engine room space in calculating that tonnage, by the amount of that deduction;
(b) if the ship is not so registered, or if no such direction applies to her, and it is possible to ascertain the registered tonnage of the ship as if it were a ship registered in the State, the tonnage of the ship shall be calculated, with any necessary modifications, in accordance with paragraph (a);
(c) if the ship is not so registered, or if no such direction applies to her, and she is a ship of a class or description in relation to which no provision is for the time being made by tonnage Regulations made under the said Mercantile Marine Act, the tonnage of the ship shall be reckoned to be forty per cent. of the weight (expressed in tons of two thousand two hundred and forty pounds) of oil which the ship is capable of carrying;
(d) if the tonnage of the ship cannot be calculated in accordance with the preceding paragraphs of this section, an inspector shall, if so directed by a Court, certify the tonnage which, in his opinion and having regard to the evidence specified in the direction, would be the tonnage of the ship if such tonnage were calculated in accordance with the preceding paragraphs of this section, and the tonnage as certified in the certificate of the inspector shall be reckoned to be the tonnage of that ship.
Determination by court of amount of liability.
12.—(1) Where the owner of a ship has, or is alleged to have, incurred liability for pollution damage pursuant to this Act, he may apply to the Court for an order limiting his liability for such damage to an amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 10.
(2) If, on the hearing of an application under subsection (1), the Court finds that the applicant—
(a) has incurred liability for pollution damage,
and
(b) is entitled to limit his liability in accordance with this Act,
the Court, after determining the limit of the liability of such owner and after ordering the payment into court of any amount so determined, shall—
(i) determine the amounts (if any) that would, apart from the limitation of liability, be due in respect of such owner's liability to any person making a claim against such owner in respect of pollution damage, and
(ii) direct, subject to the subsequent provisions of this section, that the amount paid into court be distributed in proportion to their claim amongst such persons as the Court determines as having a claim against such owner in respect of pollution damage.
(3) Whenever the Court, on an application under subsection (1), orders the payment into court of any amount, the applicant shall comply with the order.
(4) A payment into Court of the amount of a limit of liability determined under this section shall be made in the currency of the State, and—
(a) for the purpose of converting such an amount from special drawing rights into the currency of the State one special drawing right shall be treated as equal to such a sum in the currency of the State as the International Monetary Fund have fixed as being the equivalent of one special drawing right for—
(i) the day on which the determination is made, or
(ii) if no sum has been so fixed for that day, the last day before that day for which a sum has been so fixed;
(b) a certificate given by or on behalf of the Central Bank of Ireland stating that—
(i) a particular sum in the currency of the State has been so fixed for the day on which the determination was made, or
(ii) no sum has been so fixed for that day and that a particular sum in the currency of the State has been so fixed for a day which is the last day for which a sum had been so fixed before the day on which the determination was made,
shall be evidence until the contrary is proved of those matters for the purposes of this Act;
(c) a document purporting to be such a certificate shall, in any proceedings, be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be such a certificate.
(5) A claim shall not be admitted in any application under this section unless such claim is made within three years after the date on which the pollution damage occurred and not later than six years after the date of the incident which occasioned the damage:
Provided that, where the incident occasioning the damage consists of a series of occurrences, a claim shall not be admitted in any application under this section unless such claim is made within six years from the date of the first of those occurrences.
(6) Where any sum has been paid in, or towards, satisfaction of a claim in respect of pollution damage, or costs, to which the liability of the owner of a ship extends and such sum has been paid by—
(a) the owner of the ship or any guarantor,
(b) any person who has, or is alleged to have, incurred a liability, otherwise than by virtue of the provisions of this Act, for such damage or costs, and who is entitled by virtue of the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1983, to limit his liability,
the person who paid that sum shall, to the extent of that sum, stand in the same position in any distribution made by the Court under subsection (2) as the person to whom such sum has been paid would stand if he were a party to the proceedings.
(7) Any person who has—
(a) incurred any liability in relation to pollution damage, and
(b) taken any reasonable steps, or expended money, to minimise or prevent the pollution damage in respect of which he is liable,
shall stand in the same position in any distribution made by the Court under subsection (2) as if he had a claim in the proceedings equal to the extent of any expenditure he has incurred in seeking to minimise or prevent the damage.
(8) The Court may, if it thinks fit, postpone the distribution of such part of the money to be distributed by it under subsection (2) as it deems appropriate to meet any claim—
(a) which might subsequently be established before a court in a Convention Country, or
(b) by the owner of the ship, or by any other person, that he might, at some later date, be compelled to pay compensation in respect of pollution damage which, if he had paid such compensation before the Court made a distribution under subsection (2), would have entitled such owner or other person to claim relief under subsection (6).
Power to stop or detain ship.
13.—(1) Without prejudice to any power to detain a ship contained in any enactment, an inspector may stop or detain a ship in any harbour in the State or wherever such ship may be in the State, or a harbour-master may detain a ship in his harbour, if it appears to the inspector or, as the case may be, the harbour-master, that the owner of the ship has incurred a liability under section 7 for pollution damage caused by any ship which he owns.
(2) Where the Court has determined that a person, who has incurred a liability for pollution damage under section 7, is entitled to limit his liability, and such person has paid into court a sum of not less than the amount determined by the Court to be the limit of his liability, then—
(a) the Court shall, on application by or on behalf of the owner, order the release of any ship detained under this section in respect of any liability for pollution damage, or, as the case may be, the release of any security given to prevent, or obtain release from, such arrest, and
(b) a judgment or decree in relation to any claim for damages for pollution damage shall not be enforced, except in so far as such judgment or decree relates to costs:
Provided that the sum so paid into court, or such part thereof as corresponds to any claim for damages for pollution damage, is available for distribution to the claimant, or would have been so available if the claimant had complied with the provisions of section 12.
(3) If a ship which has been detained pursuant to this section leaves, or attempts to leave, any harbour, terminal installation, offshore terminal or any other place in the State otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the owner and the master of the ship shall each be guilty of an offence and the ship may, without prejudice to subsection (1), be detained, or be further detained, by an inspector anywhere in the State, or by a harbour-master in his harbour.
Application of section 13 of Act where liability arises in two or more countries.
14.—Where any person is liable under section 7 for pollution damage and, in relation to the same incident, is liable for pollution damage under the law of any other Convention Country, section 13 shall apply as if the references therein to sections 7 and 12 were a reference to the corresponding law of any other Convention Country concerned and the reference in the said section 13 to any sum paid into court were a reference to any sum secured under the corresponding law of such Convention Country.
Limitation on proceedings against third parties.
15.—Where, as a result of a discharge of oil from a ship, the owner of the ship is liable under section 7 for pollution damage and any other person incurs a liability, otherwise than under that section, for such damage, then if—
(a) the owner of the ship has been found in any proceedings under section 12 to be entitled to limit his liability to a particular amount and has paid into court a sum of not less than that amount, and
(b) such other person is entitled to limit his liability in connection with the ship by virtue of the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1983,
proceedings shall not be taken against such other person in respect of his liability and, if any such proceedings were commenced before such owner paid the amount determined to be the limit of his liability into court, no further step shall be taken in the proceedings except in relation to costs.
Insurance of ships.
16.—(1) A ship registered in the State shall not carry in bulk a cargo of two thousand tonnes or more of oil unless there is in force in respect of the ship a contract of insurance, or other financial security, satisfying such requirements as may be prescribed.
(2) The Minister shall, on being satisfied by the owner of a ship that subsection (1) has been complied with, certify that the ship, in respect of such period as may be specified in the certificate, complies with the provisions of subsection (1).
(3) Subject to any exemption which may be granted by the Minister under section 44, a ship (other than a ship registered in the State) shall not carry to or from a harbour, terminal installation or offshore terminal in the State a cargo of two thousand tonnes or more of oil in bulk unless—
(a) if the ship is registered in another Convention Country, there is carried on board the ship a certificate issued by or under the authority of the country in which the ship is registered showing that there is in force, in respect of the ship, a contract of insurance or other financial security which satisfies the requirements of the law of that country relating to the bulk carriage of oil, or
(b) if the ship is not registered in another Convention Country or the State, there is carried on board a certificate—
(i) issued by or under the authority of another Convention Country, or
(ii) which has been certified by the Minister that the ship satisfies such requirements as may be prescribed,
and showing that there is in force, in respect of the ship, a contract of insurance or other financial security which satisfies the law of that Convention Country concerned or the State, as the case may be, relating to the bulk carriage of oil.
(4) Any certificate required by this section in relation to the existence of a contract of insurance or other financial security in respect of a ship shall be carried on the ship and shall, on demand, be produced by the master of the ship to any inspector or harbourmaster.
(5) If a ship enters or leaves, or attempts to enter or leave, a harbour, or arrives at or leaves, or attempts to arrive at or leave, a terminal installation or offshore terminal in the State in contravention of this section, the owner and master of the ship shall each be guilty of an offence.
(6) If a ship fails to carry a certificate on board as required by this section or if the master of the ship fails to produce such certificate on demand by an inspector or a harbour-master, the master of the ship shall be guilty of an offence.
(7) If a ship attempts to leave a harbour, terminal installation or offshore terminal in the State in contravention of this section, the ship may be stopped and detained by an inspector or by the harbourmaster concerned.
(8) If a ship which has been detained by an inspector or, as the case may be, a harbour-master, pursuant to subsection (7) leaves or attempts to leave a harbour, terminal installation or offshore terminal otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the master of the ship shall be guilty of an offence.
Liability of guarantor.
17.—(1) Where it is alleged that the owner of a ship is liable under section 7 for pollution damage as a result of any discharge of oil, and there is, at that time, in force in respect of that ship a contract of insurance or other security to which a certificate referred to in section 16 relates, proceedings to enforce a claim in respect of any damage caused by the discharge of oil may be brought against the guarantor.
(2) In any proceedings brought against a guarantor under this section, it shall be a defence, in addition to any defence affecting the liability of the owner, for the guarantor to establish that the discharge of oil in respect of which the proceedings are brought was due to the wilful misconduct of the owner of the ship.
(3) A guarantor may limit his liability under this section in like manner and to the same extent as an owner may limit his liability whether or not the discharge of oil in respect of which the proceedings are brought occurred without the actual fault or privity of the owner of the ship.
(4) Where both the owner of a ship and his guarantor each apply to the Court to limit his liability, any money paid into court in pursuance of either application shall be deemed to have been paid in also in pursuance of the other application.
Application of section 503 (1) (d) of Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
18.—The provisions of section 503 (1) (d) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, shall be deemed to apply to any liability for the cost of preventing or mitigating pollution damage which is not covered by this Act.
PART III
The International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund
Returns of volume of oil carried by sea.
19.—(1) It shall be the duty of such persons as may be prescribed to submit annually to the Minister in such manner and on or before such date as may be prescribed a return of the volume of crude oil and fuel oil carried in each ship owned by such person and received in harbours, terminal installations and offshore terminals in the State.
(2) It shall be the duty of such persons as may be prescribed to pay each year into the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund established under the Fund Convention (in this Act referred to as “the Fund”) in such manner and on or before such date as may be prescribed such sums as may be determined by the Assembly of the Fund Convention and certified by the Director of the Fund, any such sum to be determined in accordance with the returns submitted to the Minister under subsection (1) or, where the person concerned fails or neglects to submit his return on or before the prescribed date, to pay to the Fund such sum as may be calculated on an estimate of that person's returns for that year.
(3) If any person fails to pay to the Fund any sum due and payable by him under subsection (2), the Director of the Fund may recover from the person by whom it was payable in any court of competent jurisdiction, as a simple contract debt, such sum together with interest thereon from the date on which such sum became payable, such interest to be at such rate as may, from time to time, be determined by the Assembly of the Fund Convention.
(4) Any person who—
(a) fails to submit, within the prescribed time, to the Minister the returns specified in subsection (1), or
(b) submits a false return to the Minister, or
(c) fails to make the payment specified in subsection (2) to the Fund,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) In this Act—
“the Assembly of the Fund Convention” means the Assembly specified in Article 17 of the Fund Convention;
“crude oil” means any liquid hydrocarbon mixture occurring naturally in the earth whether or not treated to render it suitable for transportation and includes oils (known as “topped crudes”) from which some distillate fractions have been removed and oils (known as “spiked crudes” or “reconstituted crudes”) to which some distillate fractions have been added;
“fuel oil” means heavy distillages or residues from crude oil or blends of such oils intended for use as a fuel for the production of heat or power of a quality equivalent to, or heavier than, the American Society for Testing and Materials' specification for number four fuel oil (Designation D396/69).
Liability of Fund.
20.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Fund shall be liable for pollution damage in the State caused by the discharge of oil from a ship carrying oil in bulk as cargo, whether such ship is within or without the State.
(2) The Fund shall be liable for pollution damage in any case where—
(a) a liability for damages does not arise under section 7, or
(b) the person who suffered the damage has been unable, after taking all reasonable steps to pursue every legal remedy available to him, to obtain full satisfaction of the amount of compensation due to him under section 7 or 9, or
(c) the owner of the ship concerned has limited his liability under this Act and the amount of compensation due exceeds such limit.
(3) Section 12 (7) applies to any distribution made pursuant to this section in the same manner as it applies to any distribution made under section 12.
(4) The Fund shall not be liable for pollution damage if it is proved that the discharge of oil which caused the pollution damage resulted from an act of war, hostilities, civil war or insurrection or was caused by oil which has escaped or been discharged from a warship or other ship owned or operated by the State or by a Convention Country and used, at the time of the incident, only on government non-commercial service.
(5) The Fund may be wholly or partly relieved from liability for pollution damage if it is established that the discharge of oil which caused the pollution damage was due wholly or partly to—
(a) anything done or left undone by the person who suffered the pollution damage with intent to cause damage;
or
(b) the negligence of the person who suffered the pollution damage:
Provided that this subsection shall not apply to the cost of any reasonable measures taken after an incident has occurred to prevent or to minimise pollution damage.
(6) Subject to subsections (7) and (8), the Fund shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, indemnify the owner of a ship or his guarantor against his liability under section 7 or 10.
(7) A liability shall not be imposed on the Fund under subsection (6) in any case where it is established that the pollution damage resulted from the wilful misconduct of the owner of the ship.
(8) The Fund may be wholly or partly relieved from its liability under subsection (6) if it is established that, because of the actual fault or privity of the owner of the ship, the pollution damage was wholly or partly occasioned by the non-compliance with the provisions of any Convention in relation to—
(a) Safety at Sea, or
(b) Pollution of the Sea,
which may be specified by, or in accordance with, the Fund Convention.
(9) In this Part “oil” means any persistent hydrocarbon mineral oil.
Extent of liability of Fund.
21.—(1) Where the Fund incurs a liability under this Act by reason of a discharge of oil which causes pollution damage in the territory of the State, the aggregate amount of compensation payable in respect of any one incident shall not exceed sixty million units of account.
(2) Where the Fund in accordance with section 20 (6) indemnifies the owner of a ship or his guarantor, any such indemnity shall not exceed that part of such owner's, or his guarantor's, liability under this Act which is—
(a) in excess of an amount equivalent to one hundred units of account for each ton of the ship's tonnage, or of a total amount of eight million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand units of account, whichever is the lesser, and
(b) not in excess of an amount equivalent to one hundred and thirty-three units of account for each ton of the said tonnage or a total amount of fourteen million units of account, whichever is the lesser.
(3) For the purposes of this section “the aggregate amount of compensation” means the maximum amount of compensation payable by the Fund by reason of pollution damage occasioned by any one incident whether such compensation is payable by reason of any one or more of the following, that is to say—
(a) the provisions of this Act,
(b) the provisions of any law in any Convention Country, or
(c) the provisions of the Fund Convention.
(4) Where the total of all claims against the Fund in any particular case exceeds the aggregate amount of compensation payable under subsection (1), the aggregate amount of compensation shall be distributed amongst all claimants for compensation in such a manner that the proportion between any claim and the amount of compensation recovered in respect of that claim shall be the same for all claimants.
(5) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the Fund shall, in respect of any amount of compensation for pollution damage paid by the Fund under this Act, acquire by subrogation any rights that the person so compensated may enjoy under this Act against the owner of a ship or his guarantor.
Limitation on actions against Fund.
22.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), an action shall not be brought against the Fund—
(a) after three years from the date on which the pollution damage occurred unless an action for compensation has already been commenced under this Act against the owner of a ship or his guarantor and the Fund has been notified pursuant to rules of court of the action by any party thereto, or
(b) after six years from the date of the incident which caused the pollution damage: Provided that, where the incident causing the pollution damage consists of a series of occurrences, the period of six years specified in this paragraph shall be deemed to commence on the happening of the first of those occurrences.
(2) The right of the owner of a ship or his guarantor to seek indemnification from the Fund pursuant to section 20 (6) shall not, in any case, be extinguished before the expiry of a period of six months after the date on which such owner or his guarantor first became aware that a claim for damages under this Act was brought against him or them.
Pollution damage in two countries.
23.—Where an incident which results in the Fund being liable for compensation or indemnity under section 20 occasions pollution damage in the State and in one or more other Convention Countries, proceedings under this Act may be taken, and the incident may for all incidental purposes be treated as having occurred, in any place in the State.
Claims by State.
24.—(1) The State may be a party to any claim for compensation for pollution damage against the owner of a ship or his guarantor or against the Fund either under this Act or under the corresponding law in any Convention Country.
(2) Any claim brought on behalf of the State under subsection (1) of this section may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister.
(3) Any claim brought on behalf of the State under subsection (1) of this section may include a claim for any amount paid by the State to any person who has suffered pollution damage in the State as a result of an incident in respect of which the State is making a claim.
PART IV
Recognition and Enforcement of Determinations in Convention Countries
Enforceability and recognition of determination made in Convention Country.
25.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, where a relevant authority in a Convention Country has made a determination, that determination shall be enforceable or, as the case may be, recognised in the State.
(2) In this Part—
“determination” means a decision of a relevant authority made under any provision corresponding to this Act awarding compensation to any person for pollution damage;
“relevant authority”, in relation to a Convention Country, means—
(a) any court or tribunal which, under the laws of that state, has jurisdiction to determine the liability for pollution damage and to award compensation for such damage;
(b) any administrative authority which, under the laws of that state, has the power to make a determination in respect of such liability and such compensation, being a determination which, in that state, is subject to appeal to, or review by, a court or tribunal;
(c) any court or tribunal which, under the laws of that state, has jurisdiction to determine any appeal from, or to carry out any review of, a determination made in respect of such liability or such compensation by another relevant authority.
Application for enforcement of determination made in Convention Country.
26.—(1) Every application for the enforcement of a determination made by a relevant authority in a Convention Country shall be made to the Court.
(2) The Court shall (on the hearing of an application for the enforcement of a determination), unless the enforcement of the determination is refused pursuant to section 28, make an order for the enforcement of the determination to the extent that the amount of the compensation to which the determination relates has not been satisfied.
(3) In any application for the enforcement of a determination under this section, the determination may not be reviewed as to its substance.
Effect of order for enforcement of determination.
27.—(1) Whenever an order for the enforcement of a determination has been made pursuant to section 26, the determination shall, to the extent to which its enforcement is authorised pursuant to the order of the court, have the same force and effect as if the determination had been made by the Court and proceedings for or in respect of its enforcement may be taken accordingly.
(2) Whenever the Court makes an order on foot of an application made pursuant to section 26 for the enforcement of a determination, the order may provide for the payment of the reasonable costs of and incidental to the application and such costs shall be recoverable as if they were sums recoverable under the determination.
(3) Where, on an application pursuant to section 26 for the enforcement of a determination, it is shown that, in accordance with the laws of the Convention Country in which the determination was made, interest is recoverable under the determination from a particular date or time, the rate of interest and the date or time from which it is recoverable shall be noted on the order for enforcement, if such order is made, and the sum due on foot of the determination, other than any sum due pursuant to subsection (2), shall carry interest in accordance with the noted particulars.
(4) Interest on any sum due on foot of a determination in respect of which an order of enforcement has been made shall be recoverable only pursuant to this section.
Non-recognition or non-enforcement of determination.
28.—(1) A determination by a relevant authority in a Convention Country shall not be recognised or enforced in the State if—
(a) the determination is not final; or
(b) the determination is manifestly contrary to public policy in the State; or
(c) the person against whom the proceedings which resulted in the determination were brought did not, notwithstanding that due notice of the proceedings may have been duly served on him in the Convention Country concerned, receive notice in sufficient time to enable him to defend the proceedings or, as the case may be, to apply for the proceedings to be reviewed; or
(d) the determination is incompatible with the judgment of any court in the State.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) (a), a determination by a relevant authority in a Convention Country shall be deemed to be final if—
(a) neither an appeal from, nor an application for review of, that determination is pending in that state, and
(b) it is not possible for any of the reasons specified in subsection (3) for such an appeal to be brought or such an application to be made.
(3) The reasons referred to in subsection (2) (b) are—
(a) the law applicable in the Convention Country concerned does not provide for an appeal from, or review of, the determination, being a determination made by either a court or a tribunal; or
(b) the time within which an appeal must be brought, or an application for review must be made, has expired; or
(c) an appeal which has been brought, or an application for review which has been made, has been withdrawn; or
(d) the determination has been confirmed by, or made in pursuance of a direction contained in, a determination which was made by a relevant authority and is final and without appeal.
(4) If, on an appeal against a decision to enforce a determination, the appellant satisfies the court that the determination is not final, the court may, on such terms as it thinks fit—
(a) set aside the enforcement order, or
(b) adjourn the appeal until such time as the determination has become final.
(5) Nothing in subsection (4) shall require the court either to set aside an enforcement order or to adjourn an appeal in any case where—
(a) the court is satisfied that there is no other ground on which the enforcement order should be set aside, and
(b) the court is not satisfied that the applicant intends to continue with an appeal or application for review which is pending or, as the case may be, to bring any appeal, or make any such application, which is open to him to bring or make in respect of the determination.
Documents required to accompany request for enforcement of determination.
29.—(1) The following documents shall be attached to every application for the enforcement of a determination pursuant to this Act, that is to say—
(a) a certified copy of the determination;
(b) in the case of a determination by a relevant authority (being a court or a tribunal) which is made by default, the original or a certified copy of a document establishing that notice of the proceedings was duly served on the person against whom enforcement is sought;
(c) in the case of a determination by a relevant authority which is an administrative authority, a document establishing that the determination was subject to review by a court or tribunal but is no longer so subject because that court or tribunal has made a final decision and has dismissed the appeal or because the appeal has been withdrawn or because the time within which an appeal should be lodged has expired; and
(d) documents establishing that the determination is enforceable in the Convention Country and that the person against whom enforcement is sought has received notice of the determination in due time.
(2) If the court so requires, a translation of the documents specified in subsection (1) shall be produced: the translation shall be certified as correct by a person competent so to do.
(3) For the purposes of this Part—
(a) a document, duly certified, which purports to be a copy of a determination of a relevant authority in a Convention Country shall, without further proof, be deemed to be a true copy of that determination, unless the contrary is shown;
(b) the original, or a copy, of any document specified in subsection (1) (b), (1)(c) or (1)(d) shall be evidence of any matter to which such document relates; and
(c) a document which purports to be a translation of a document which is provided pursuant to subsection (2) and to be certified as correct by a person competent so to do shall, without further proof, be deemed to be such translation, unless the contrary is shown.
(4) A document purporting to be a copy of a determination given by a relevant authority shall be deemed to be duly certified if—
(a) in the case of a determination by a court, it purports to bear the seal of that court or to be certified by any person in his capacity as a judge or officer of that court to be a true copy of a determination made by that Court, or
(b) in the case of a determination by a relevant authority other than a court, it purports to be certified by a person in his capacity as an officer of that authority to be a true copy of a determination made by that authority.
PART V
Miscellaneous
Jurisdiction of Court.
30.—(1) Where an action for compensation for pollution damage against the owner of a ship or his guarantor has been brought before the Court, the Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction in any action for compensation or indemnity which may be commenced against the Fund in respect of the same damage.
(2) The Court shall have jurisdiction in any action commenced against the Fund in respect of pollution damage in the State in any case where an action has been brought against the owner of a ship or his guarantor in a country which is a party to the Liability Convention but is not a party to the Fund Convention.
(3) The Court may relieve the owner of a ship, his guarantor or the Fund wholly or partially from liability to a person for pollution damage if it is proved that the damage resulted wholly or partially from the negligence of that person or that the damage was contributed to by any act or omission of such person which was calculated to cause damage.
Appointment of inspectors.
31.—(1) The Minister may, by warrant, appoint a person to be an inspector to carry out the functions of an inspector under this Act.
(2) Every person appointed by the Minister pursuant to subsection (1) shall be furnished with a certificate of his appointment and when exercising a power conferred on an inspector under this Act shall, if requested by any person thereby affected, produce such certificate for inspection by that person.
Powers of inspector.
32.—(1) For the purpose of the exercise of his functions under this Act, an inspector may do all such things as may appear to him to be necessary for the purposes of carrying out his functions under this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), an inspector may do all or any of the following things:
(a) stop or detain a ship on behalf of the Minister;
(b) go on board any ship and inspect the ship and any document on board the ship;
(c) require any person on board a ship to furnish him with his name and address;
(d) require the master of the ship to produce for inspection the certificate required to be carried on board by section 16 of this Act;
(e) enter and inspect any premises and any apparatus for the transfer of oil;
(f) by summons under his hand require any person to attend before him and examine him on oath (which the inspector is hereby authorised to administer);
(g) require a witness to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of any statements made by him at his examination;
(h) require any person to produce to him any document in his power or control or make return to any inquiry;
(i) copy any entry in any document required by this Act or by the Oil Pollution of the Sea Acts, 1956 to 1977, to be kept and require the person by whom the document is kept to certify the copy as a true copy of the entry;
(j) take samples of oil from any ship;
(k) give a direction, either orally or in writing to the owner or master of a ship, or to any employee or agent of the owner, in relation to the ship.
(3) A witness before an inspector shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the Court and shall be allowed such expenses as would be allowed to a witness attending the Court on a sub poena: and any dispute as to the amount of those expenses shall be referred to a Taxing Master who shall, on request made to him under the hand of the inspector, ascertain and certify the amount of the expenses.
(4) Any person who—
(a) on being summoned as a witness before an inspector and tendered the expenses to which he is entitled under this section, makes default in attending or refuses to take an oath legally required by the inspector to be taken, or
(b) refuses or neglects to make any answer or to give any return or to produce any document or to make or subscribe any declaration, or to certify a copy of any entry which the inspector is entitled to require,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) Any person who—
(a) wilfully impedes an inspector in the exercise of his functions under this Act, or
(b) when requested by an inspector to furnish his name and address, fails or refuses so to do, or who, when so requested, furnishes a name or address which is false or misleading, shall be guilty of an offence.
Powers of harbour-masters.
33.—(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 13 and 16 and without prejudice to the powers conferred on an inspector by section 32, a harbour-master, in the case of any ship which is in the harbour of which he is harbour-master, may—
(a) go on board any such ship and inspect the ship and any documents on board;
(b) require the production of any document required to be kept under this Act or under the Oil Pollution of the Sea Acts, 1956 to 1977;
(c) copy any entry in any such document and require the person by whom the document is kept to certify the copy as a true copy of the entry:
Provided that the harbour-master does not, in the exercise of his powers under this Act, unnecessarily detain or delay the ship from proceeding on its voyage.
(2) Any person who—
(a) fails to comply with any requirement of a harbour-master under this section, or
(b) wilfully impedes a harbour-master in the exercise of his functions under this Act,
shall be guilty of an offence.
Provisions relating to detention of ships.
34.—Whenever an inspector or a harbour-master, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 13 (3) or section 16, detains a ship, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the inspector, or as the case may be, the harbour-master, shall, as soon as may be apply to a District Justice for an order authorising the continued detention of the ship and the District Justice may grant an order authorising such detention for a period of 48 hours if he is satisfied that the inspector or harbour-master, as the case may be, has reasonable grounds for believing that there has been, in relation to the ship, a contravention of this Act, and upon the expiration of the period of 48 hours, the ship shall be released unless an order providing for its further detention has been made in accordance with paragraph (b);
(b) where an inspector or harbour-master has, in exercise of the powers conferred on him under this Act, detained a ship, he shall, as soon as may be, bring the master of the ship against whom proceedings for an offence under this Act have been, or are about to be, instituted before a District Justice and thereupon the District Justice shall, if he is satisfied that such proceedings have been or are about to be issued against the master of the ship by order directed to an inspector or, as the case may be, harbour-master require the inspector or harbour-master to detain at a specified place in the State the ship until such proceedings have been adjudicated upon by a court in exercise of its criminal jurisdiction.
Detention of ships pending determination of proceedings (including appeals) under Act.
35.—(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act, or proceedings in relation to an offence are dismissed, and the ship in relation to which the offence has been committed has been detained under this Act, the Judge or, as the case may be, the District Justice, concerned shall, by order directed to an inspector or harbour-master, require the inspector or harbour-master, in the event of an appeal from, or other proceedings in relation to, the order of the court hearing the matter, to detain the ship further pending the determination of the appeal or other proceedings (and any proceedings consequent on the appeal or other proceedings) at a specified place in the State.
(2) Where, in respect of an offence under this Act, an order is made under this section or under section 34 for the detention of a ship, a District Justice may, at his discretion, by order directed to an inspector or harbour-master, as the case may be, require the ship to be released if security which, in the opinion of the District Justice, is satisfactory is given for the payment, in the event of conviction of the defendant in respect of the offence or offences with which he is charged or in the event of his failure to attend before any court when such attendance is required for the purposes of any preliminary examinations under the Criminal Procedure Act, 1967, in relation to the offence or offences or any trials, appeals or other proceedings in relation to the offence or offences, of a sum that, in the opinion of the District Justice, is sufficient to provide for—
(a) payment of the maximum fine or fines ordered, or which may be ordered, to be paid in respect of the offence or offences,
(b) the estimated amount of the costs (if any) of any trials, appeals or other proceedings in relation to the offence or offences awarded, or which may be awarded, against the defendant concerned.
(3) The security provided for in subsection (2) is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other bond or recognisance which the defendant concerned may be required to enter into by the Judge or, as the case may be, the District Justice, concerned in relation to any trials, appeals or other proceedings in respect of the offence concerned.
(4) Where an order is made under this section for the detention or release of a ship, the ship shall be detained or released, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of the order.
Payment out of security provided for in section 35.
36.—Whenever security is given by a defendant pursuant to section 35 for the payment of the maximum or any fine imposed in respect of an offence under this Act and for the estimated costs of any trials, appeals or other proceedings in respect of such an offence, the court may, when the trial, appeal or other proceedings, as the case may, has or have been finally determined, if it decides that it is proper so to do, on application from the Minister, direct that the whole of the amount of the security, or such part thereof as may be necessary to discharge the amount of the fine imposed in respect of the offence together with the amount of any costs awarded in respect of any trial, appeal or other proceeding, be paid out to the Minister.
Prosecution of offences.
37.—(1) Summary proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister.
(2) Notwithstanding section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted—
(a) in every case, within two years from the date of the offence, and
(b) if, at the expiry of that period, the person to be charged is outside the State, within two months of the date on which he next enters the State.
(3) Without prejudice to any other jurisdiction, proceedings for an offence under this Act may be taken against a person at any place where he may, for the time being, be.
Offences by bodies corporate.
38.—Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate or by a person acting on behalf of a body corporate and is proved to have been so committed with the consent, connivance or approval of, or to have been facilitated by any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other official of such body, such person shall also be guilty of an offence.
Indictment of body corporate.
39.—(1) A body corporate may be sent forward for trial on indictment for an offence under this Act with or without recognisances.
(2) On arraignment before the Central Criminal Court or the Circuit Court, the body corporate may enter in writing by its representative a plea of guilty or not guilty and if it does not appear by a representative appointed by it for the purpose or, though it does so appear, fails to enter any plea, the court shall order a plea of not guilty to be entered and the trial shall proceed as though the body corporate had duly entered that plea.
(3) A statement in writing purporting to be signed by the secretary of the body corporate to the effect that the person named in the statement has been appointed as the representative of the body for the purposes of this section shall be admissible without further proof that the person has been so appointed.
(4) Any summons or other document required to be served for the purpose, or in the course, of proceedings under this section on a body corporate may be served by leaving it at, or sending it by registered post to, the registered office of that body or, if there be no such office in the State, by leaving it at, or by sending it by registered post to, the body at any place in the State at which it conducts its business.
Penalties.
40.—(1) A person who is convicted of an offence under section 13 (3), 16 (5), 16 (6), 16 (8) or 19 shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000, or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months, or, at the discretion of the court, to both such fine and such imprisonment, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £1,000,000, or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding 5 years, or, at the discretion of the court, to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(2) A person, who is convicted of an offence under section 32 or 33, shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000, or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months, or, at the discretion of the court, to both such fine and such imprisonment, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000, or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years, or, at the discretion of the court, to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Recovery of fines for offences under Act.
41.—The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the recovery of a fine for an offence under this Act and the costs (if any) ordered to be paid by the person convicted of such offence:—
(a) the court shall fix a time within which such fine and costs (if any) are to be paid;
(b) where the ship to which such person belongs is, at the time of the hearing of the proceedings for such offence, detained under this Act, the court shall by order directed to an inspector or harbour-master, as the case may be, require such inspector or harbour-master to detain further, until such fine and costs (if any) are paid, at a specified place in the State such ship, and such ship shall be detained accordingly;
(c) in the event of such fine and costs (if any) not being paid within the said time, such fine and costs may be recovered by the distress and sale of such ship, her tackle, furniture and apparel;
(d) nothing in the foregoing paragraphs of this section shall prevent such fine and costs (if any) being recovered from such person by ordinary process of law.
Application of fines.
42.—Where it appears to the court imposing a fine for an offence under this Act that a person has incurred, or will incur, expense in removing any pollution or making good any damage attributable to the offence, the court may order that the whole or part of the fine be paid to that person for, or towards, defraying that expense.
Admissibility of records as evidence.
43.—Every document purporting—
(a) to be kept in pursuance of this Act, the Oil Pollution of the Sea Acts, 1956 to 1977, the Liability Convention or the Fund Convention or any Convention or Protocol amending or extending either of those Conventions, or
(b) to be a true copy, certified as such by the person by whom the document is kept, of a document or of an entry therein,
shall, unless the contrary is shown, be presumed to be such and shall be admissible, without further proof, as evidence of the facts therein.
Exemption from Act.
44.—(1) This Act shall not apply to any warship or to any ship for the time being used by the government of any state for purposes other than commercial purposes.
(2) The Minister may, where he is satisfied that an exemption would not result in a reduced liability for pollution, or in reduced means for meeting any such liability, exempt any ship registered in the State, or any class of ships so registered, from all or any of the provisions of this Act or of any order or Regulation made thereunder either absolutely or subject to such conditions as he thinks fit.
Fees for certificates, exemptions etc.
45.—There shall be charged for any certification given, exemption granted or service rendered, under this Act to the owner of any ship such fee as the Minister may prescribe.
Collection of fees.
46.—(1) Fees under this Act shall be taken and collected in such manner as the Minister for Finance may, from time to time, direct and shall be paid into, or disposed of for the benefit of, the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance.
(2) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in relation to fees under this Act.