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Uimhir 1 de 1958.
AN tACHT TALMHAÍOCHTA (AN FORAS TALÚNTAIS), 1958.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
Tosach feidhme.
1.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh pé lá a cheapfas an tAire le hordú.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht seo—
folaíonn “talmhaíocht” garnóireacht, foraoiseacht agus beachaireacht, agus folaíonn sé freisin saoráidí, gníomhachtaí agus eolaíochtaí a bhaineas le talmhaíocht nó a chabhraíos le talmhaíocht a chur chun cinn nó d'fheabhsú, agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “an cathaoirleach” cathaoirleach na Comhairle;
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle” Comhairle an Fhorais;
folaíonn “saoráidí le haghaidh taighde thalmhaíochta” talamh agus foirgnimh a húsáidtear le haghaidh nó i leith taighde thalmhaíochta a dhéanamh;
ciallaíonn “an Foras” an Foras Talúntais a bunaítear leis an Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Talmhaíochta;
folaíonn “taighde” fiosrú, tástáil, turgnamh, taifeach agus staidéar.
Bunú an Fhorais.
3.—(1) Bunaítear leis seo Foras ar a dtabharfar agus dá ngairmfear An Foras Talúntais chun na feidhmeanna a bheirtear dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh an Foras ina chomhlucht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha faoina ainm chorpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aige chun talamh a thógaint, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt.
Feidhmeanna an Fhorais.
4.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Fhorais taighde talmhaíochta d'athbhreithniú, d'urasú, a spreagadh, a chomheagrú, a chur chun cinn, a ghabháil de láimh agus cabhrú leis.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fo-ailt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Foras gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) deontais a thabhairt, faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis d'fhorchur, do dhaoine a bheas ag gabháil do thaighde talmhaíochta chun a saoráidí le haghaidh taighde thalmhaíochta a leathnú agus d'fhorbairt.
(b) pé nua-shaoráidí le haghaidh taighde thalmhaíochta a chur ar fáil a mheasfar sé is inmhianuithe agus foráil a dhéanamh dá n-úsáid, dá rialú agus dá riaradh ag an bhForas nó thar a cheann nó ar shlí eile,
(c) foráil a dhéanamh le haghaidh an Foras d'úsáid, do rialú agus do riaradh pé saoráidí le haghaidh taighde thalmhaíochta a haistreofar chun an Fhorais, le toiliú an Fhorais,
(d) dul i gcomhairle le daoine a bheas ag gabháil do thaighde talmhaíochta, agus comhairle a thabhairt dóibh, i dtaobh a gclár taighde thalmhaíochta,
(e) deontais a thabhairt, faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis d'fhorchur, chun cabhrú le cláir shonracha thaighde thalmhaíochta, nó le taighde sonrach talmhaíochta, a chur i gcrích,
(f) scoláireachtaí agus dámhachtana eile a chur ar fáil chun taighde talmhaíochta iarchéime a dhéanamh,
(g) céimeanna ánra a thabhairt, faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis d'fhorchur, do dhaoine a bhfuil saothar thar barr déanta acu maidir le heolaíocht talmhaíochta nó le taighde talmhaíochta,
(h) cúrsaí staidéir a chur ar fáil agus d'eagrú do mhic léinn ardchúrsa a bheas ag gabháil do thaighde talmhaíochta agus d'ábhair ghaolmhara,
(i) seimináir, comhchomhairlí, léachtaí agus taispeántais maidir le taighde talmhaíochta agus ábhair ghaolmhara agus maidir le fadhbanna sonracha agus cláir ina leith a chur ar fáil agus d'eagrú,
(j) toradh taighde thalmhaíochta a chur amach, nó a thabhairt go gcuirfear amach é, go dtí daoine leasmhara, lena n-áiritear, go háirithe, daoine a bhíos ag cur seirbhisí comhairlitheacha ar fáil i ndáil le talmhaíocht,
(k) toradh taighde thalmhaíochta d'fhoilsiú nó a thabhairt go bhfoilseofar é.
(3) Bhéarfaidh an Foras comhairle don Aire i dtaobh aon ní maidir le taighde talmhaíochta nó eolaíocht talmhaíochta a n-iarrfaidh sé comhairle an Fhorais ina thaobh.
Comhairle an Fhorais.
5.—(1) Beidh comhairle ann, ar a dtabharfar Comhairle an Fhorais Thalúntais, chun rialú ginearálta an Fhorais a dhéanamh agus a chúrsaí a riaradh.
(2) Cathaoirleach agus dáréag gnáth-chomhaltaí a bheas ar an gComhairle.
(3) Is é an tUachtarán a cheapfas an Cathaoirleach agus beidh sé i seilbh oifige ar feadh pé téarma (nach sia ná trí bliana) agus ar pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear téarmaí luach saothair) a chinnfeas an Rialtas tráth a cheaptha.
(4) Ceapfar an chéad chathaoirleach a luaithe is caothúil tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo.
(5) Féadfaidh an cathaoirleach tráth ar bith éirí as a oifig trí litir a cuirfear leis an bpost chun an Uachtaráin agus beidh éifeacht ag an éirí as amhail ar agus ón dáta a chuirfeas an tUachtarán in iúl gur ghlac sé leis an éirí as.
(6) Féadfaidh an tUachtarán tráth ar bith an cathaoirleach a chur as oifig.
(7) Is é an Rialtas a cheapfas gnáth-chomhaltaí na Comhairle, agus beidh naonúr orthu sin a hainmneofar faoi fho-ailt (8) agus (9) den alt seo, agus déanfaidh an Rialtas na céad cheapacháin a luaithe is caothúil tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo.
(8) Ainmneofar cúigear daoine ina ngnáth-chomhaltaí den Chomhairle ag pé eagrais thalmhaíochta agus tuaithe, agus i pé slí, a chinnfeas an Rialtas le hordú.
(9) Ainmneoidh gach ceann acu seo a leanas duine amháin chun bheith ina ghnáth-chomhalta den Chomhairle:
Comhlucht Rialuithe an Choláiste Ollscoile, Baile Atha Cliath,
Comhlucht Rialuithe an Choláiste Ollscoile, Corcaigh,
Comhlucht Rialuithe an Choláiste Ollscoile, Gaillimh, agus
Bord Choláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Atha Cliath.
(10) Bainfidh forála an Sceidil a ghabhas leis an Acht seo leis an gComhairle.
(11) Féadfaidh an Rialtas le hordú aon ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear an fo-alt seo) a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
Costas chomhaltaí na Comhairle.
6.—Féadfar pé costas taistil agus cothuithe a chinnfeas an Chomhairle d'íoc, as ioncam an Fhorais, le comhaltaí na Comhairle.
Stiúrthóir an Fhorais.
7.—(1) Beidh stiúrthóir (dá ngairmtear an Stiúrthóir san Acht seo) ar an bhForas.
(2) Is é an Stiúrthóir príomh-oifigeach an Fhorais agus déanfaidh sé gníomhachtaí agus foireann an Fhorais a rialú agus a stiúradh faoi réir treoruithe na Comhairle.
(3) Déanfaidh an Rialtas an chéad Stiúrthoir a cheapadh a luaithe is fėidir tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo agus beidh sé i seilbh oifige go ceann pé tréimhse agus ar pé tearmaí agus coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear téarmaí luach saothair) a chinnfeas an Rialtas.
(4) Dá éis sin, is í an Chomhairle a cheapfas an Stiúrthóir agus beidh sé i seilbh oifige go ceann pé tréimhse agus ar pé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear téarmaí luach saothair) a chinnfeas an Chomhairle.
(5) (a) Féadfaidh an Rialtas le hordú socrú a dhéanamh le haghaidh aoisliúntais i bhfoirm pinsin nó aisce, nó pinsin agus aisce, d'íoc leis an gcéad Stiúrthóir i pé slí agus faoi réir pé coinníollacha agus tóranta a sonrófar san ordú.
(b) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle socrú a dhéanamh le haghaidh aoisliúntais i bhfoirm pinsin nó aisce, nó pinsin agus aisce, d'íoc le Stiúrthóirí ina dhiaidh sin i pé slí agus faoi réir pé coinníollacha agus tóranta a chinnfeas an Chomhairle.
(6) Bhéarfaidh an Stiúrthóir a chuid ama go léir dá dhualgais mar Stiúrthóir agus ní shealbhóidh sé aon oifig ná post eile gan toiliú na Comhairle.
(7) Féadfaidh an Stiúrthóir tograí a chur os comhair na Comhairle i dtaobh aon ní a bhainfeas le gníomhachtaí an Fhorais.
(8) Ní bheidh an Stiúrthóir ina chomhalta den Chomhairle.
(9) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle, le toiliú an Rialtais, an Stiúrthóir a chur as oifig tráth ar bith.
(10) Féadfaidh an Rialtas tráth ar bith aon ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear an fo-alt seo) a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
Coistí an Fhorais.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh Comhairle an Fhorais coistí a cheapadh chun cúnamh agus comhairle a thabhairt don Chomhairle maidir le haon cheann dá feidhmeanna.
(2) Féadfaidh daoine nach comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheith ar choiste.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle duine a cheapadh chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar choiste a ceapfar faoin alt seo.
(4) Féadfar pé costais taistil agus cothuithe a chinnfeas an Chomhairle d'íoc, as ioncam an Fhorais, le comhaltaí choiste a ceapfar go cuí faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo.
Séala an Fhorais.
9.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo soláthróidh an Chomhairle agus coimeádfaidh sí ina seilbh séala don Fhoras, agus fíordheimhneofar an séala sin le síniú an chathaoirligh nó chomhalta éigin eile den Chomhairle a mbeidh údarás aige ón gComhairle gníomhú chuige sin maraon le síniú an Stiúrthóra nó dhuine d'fhoirinn an Fhorais a bheas údaraithe ag an gComhairle gníomhú chuige sin.
(2) Bhéarfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala an Fhorais, agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartós a bheith ina ionstraim a rinne an Foras agus a bheith séalaithe le séala an Fhorais (á airbheartú gur fíordheimhníodh do réir an ailt seo é) agus measfar gurb í an ionstraim sin í gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais mura suítear a mhalairt.
Ciste Caipitil.
10.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, nuair a iarrfas an Chomhairle air é, ocht gcéad agus daichead míle punt d'íoc leis an bhForas as an airgead atá sa Chuntas Speisialta Contrapháirteach, agus, ar an tsuim sin a bheith íoctha leis an bhForas, bhéarfar Ciste Caipitil an Fhorais Thalúntais uirthi, agus an Ciste Caipitil a gairmtear di san Acht seo.
(2) Ní bhainfidh an Foras úsáid as an gCiste Caipitil ach amháin—
(a) chun deontais a thabhairt do dhaoine a bheas ag gabháil do thaighde talmhaíochta i leith an chostais chaipitil a bhainfeas lena saoráidí le haghaidh taighde thalmhaíochta a leathnú agus d'fhorbairt,
(b) chun an costas caipitil a ghlanadh a bhainfeas le soláthar pé nua-shaoráidí le haghaidh taighde thalmhaíochta a dhéanamh, pé acu le haghaidh nó faoi rialú an Fhorais nó eile, is inmhianuithe leis an bhForas,
(c) chun an costas caipitil a ghlanadh a bhainfeas le hoifigí agus áitribh a sholáthar agus a threalamhú don Fhoras.
(3) Aon chuid den Chiste Caipitil nó aon iarmhéid de a bheas gan caitheamh agus nach mbeidh ag teastáil le haghaidh caiteachais reatha maidir leis na deontais agus na costais chaipitil a sonraítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo coimeádfaidh an Foras infheistithe é i pé urrúis a bheas ceadaithe ó am go ham ag an Aire Airgeadais.
(4) Faibhreoidh an t-ús ar an gCiste Caipitil, nó ar aon iarmhéid gan caitheamh de, chun an Fhorais mar ioncam.
(5) San alt seo agus sa chéad alt eile ina dhiaidh, ciallaíonn “an Cuntas Speisialta Contrapháirteach” Cuntas Speisialta Contrapháirteach an Deontais Mheiriceánaigh a bhunaigh an tAire Airgeadais i mBanc Ceannais na hÉireann de bhun Airteagail IV den Chomhaontú um Chomhar Eacnamaíochta idir an Rialtas agus Rialtas Stát Aontaithe Mheiriceá, dar dáta an 28ú lá de Mheitheamh, 1948.
An Ciste Dearlaice.
11.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, nuair a iarrfas an Chomhairle air é, suim milliún punt d'íoc leis an bhForas as an airgead atá sa Chuntas Speisialta Contrapháirteach agus, ar an tsuim sin a bheith íoctha leis an bhForas, bhéarfar Ciste Dearlaice an Fhorais Thalúntais air agus an Ciste Dearlaice a gairmtear de san Acht seo.
(2) Coimeádfaidh an Foras an Ciste Dearlaice infheistithe i pé urrúis a bheas ceadaithe ag an Aire Airgeadais ó am go ham.
(3) Faibhreoidh an t-ús ar an gCiste Dearlaice chun an Fhorais mar ioncam.
Dearlaic Stáit don Fhoras.
12.—(1) D'fhonn cabhrú leis an bhForas chun a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh go héifeachtúil, íocfar leis an bhForas gach bliain airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, deontas i leith costas an Fhorais de mhéid a chinnfeas an tAire Airgeadais ar é do ghlacadh comhairle leis an Aire agus leis an gComhairle tar éis breithniú cuí a bheith déanta ar aon eolas a tugadh faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo.
(2) Bhéarfaidh an Chomhairle don Aire pé eolas maidir lena hioncam agus a caiteachas a iarrfas sé ó am go ham.
(3) San alt seo agus sa chéad alt eile ina dhiaidh ní fholaíonn “costas” costais faoina ndeachaigh an Foras maidir leis na deontais nó an costas caipitil a sonraítear i bhfo-alt (2) d'alt 10 den Acht seo.
Costas an Fhorais.
13.—Úsáidfidh an Foras ioncam an Fhorais ag íoc costais an Fhorais lena n-áirítear, go sonrach:
(a) eisíocaíochtaí agus costas bliantúil i leith oifigí, áitreabh agus trealaimh an Fhorais,
(b) luach saothair agus costas Chathaoirligh, Stiúrthóra agus foirinne an Fhorais, costas chomhaltaí na Comhairle agus chomhaltaí coistí arna gceapadh faoi alt 8 den Acht seo agus aoisliúntais Stiúrthóra agus foirinne an Fhorais,
(c) an méid a chosnós aon taighde talmhaíochta a dhéanfas an Foras nó a déanfar thar a cheann,
(d) an méid a chosnós deontais chun an méid d'íoc a chosnós cláir shonracha thaighde thalmhaíochta nó taighde sonrach talmhaíochta,
(e) an méid a chosnós sé scoláireachtaí agus dámhachtana eile a chur ar fáil chun taighde talmhaíochta iarchéime a dhéanamh,
(f) an méid a chosnós sé cúrsaí staidéir, seimináir, comhchomhairlí, léachtaí agus taispeántais a chur ar fáil agus d'eagrú,
(g) an méid a chosnós sé toradh taighde thalmhaíochta d'fhoilsiú agus a chur amach, agus
(h) an méid a chosnós pé gníomhachtaí eile de chuid an Fhorais a bheas do réir a fheidhmeanna agus a cheadós an Chomhairle ó am go ham.
Oifigí agus áitribh.
14.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo, soláthróidh an Foras dó féin oifigí agus áitreabh is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Chun críocha fo-ailt (1) den alt seo féadfaidh an Foras—
(a) aon talamh, oifigí nó áitribh a cheannach nó a thógaint ar léas, agus
(b) oifigí agus áitribh a thógáil, a threalamhú agus a chothabháil.
(3) Féadfaidh an Foras aon talamh, oifigí nó áitribh a bheas ar teachtadh aige agus nach mbeidh ag teastáil uaidh a thuilleadh chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh a dhíol nó a ligean ar léas.
Táillí.
15.—Féadfaidh an Foras táillí a ghearradh, a ghlacadh agus a ghnóthú i leith taighde thalmhaíochta a dhéanamh thar ceann duine ar bith agus i leith cúrsaí staidéir, seimináir, léachtaí agus taispeántais a sholáthrós nó a eagrós sé.
Tabhartais.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an Foras bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ar pé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha, más ann, a shonrós an duine a bhéarfas an bronntanas.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an Foras bronntanas má bhíonn na coinníollacha a chuirfeas an deontóir lena ghlacadh ar neamhréir le feidhmeanna an Fhorais.
(3) Aon bhronntanais lena nglacfaidh an Foras faoin alt seo tógfaidh agus úsáidfidh an Chomhairle iad.
Foireann.
17.—(1) Fostóidh an Foras pé foireann is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Faoi réir forál an chéad fho-ailt eile ina dhiaidh seo, is le húdarás nó faoi údarás na Comhairle a déanfar comhaltaí foirinne an Fhorais a cheapadh agus a chur as oifig.
(3) Sara ndéanfaidh sí duine a cheapadh chun oifige ar fhoirinn taighde an Fhorais, ceapfaidh an Chomhairle bord, arb iad a bheas air daoine a mheasfas an Chomhairle a bheith oiriúnach inniúil chuige, d'fhonn na hiarratais ar lorg na hoifige a scrúdú, agus duine a mholadh lena cheapadh chun na hoifige agus breithneoidh an Chomhairle moladh an bhoird.
(4) Cinnfidh an Chomhairle ó am go ham an méid comhaltaí a bheas ar fhoirinn an Fhorais maraon lena ngráid, a luach saothair, a sealbhaíocht oifige agus a gcoinníollacha seirbhíse.
Aoisliúntas.
18.—(1) A luaithe is caothúil tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo, ullmhóidh an Chomhairle, agus cuirfidh faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais, scéim nó scéimeanna chun aoisliúntais i bhfoirm pinsin nó aisce nó iad araon a dheonadh dá buan-fhoirinn.
(2) Déanfaidh an Foras scéim a cuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais faoin alt seo, má cheadaíonn an tAire Airgeadais í, a chur i gcrích do réir a téarmaí.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle tráth ar bith le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais scéim faoin alt seo a leasú.
(4) Socróidh scéim a cuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais agus a ceadófar faoin alt seo an tráth scortha agus na coinníollacha scortha do na daoine uile a mbeidh liúntais iníoctha leo faoin scéim, agus féadfar trátha agus coinníollacha éagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(5) Má tharlaíonn aon díospóid maidir le héileamh aon duine chun, nó maidir le méid, aon liúntais is iníoctha de bhun scéime faoin alt seo, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais lena cinneadh.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
19.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Foras, i pé foirm a cheadós an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnáth ar an airgead go léir a gheobhfas sé nó a chaithfeas sé.
(2) Cuirfidh an Chomhairle na cuntais a coimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Chuntas agus Ciste in aghaidh na bliana lena n-iniúchadh pé trátha a ordós an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus déanfar na cuntais sin, ar iad a bheith iniúchta amhlaidh, maraon le tuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Chuntas agus Ciste orthu, a thíolacadh don Aire agus bhéarfaidh seisean go leagfar cóipeanna dhíobh faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Tuarascáil bhliantúil an Fhorais.
20.—(1) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle, a luaithe is caothúil tar éis deireadh gach bliana airgeadais, tuarascáil ar shaothar an Fhorais sa bhliain airgeadais sin d'ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire.
(2) Gach tuarascáil a chuirfeas an Chomhairle faoi bhráid an Aire faoin alt seo déanfar, laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis í d'fháil ón gComhairle, cóip di a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais agus a leagadh faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Caiteachas.
21.—Íocfar as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais é, an caiteachas faoina raghaidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo.
Gearrtheideal:
22.—Féadfar an tAcht Talmhaíochta (An Foras Talúntais), 1958, a ghairm den Acht seo.
AN SCEIDEAL.
Forála maidir leis an gComhairle.
1. Trí bliana téarma oifige ghnáth-chomhalta den Chomhairle.
2. Féadfar comhalta den Chomhairle d'athcheapadh ar a théarma oifige a dhul in éag le himeacht aimsire.
3. Féadfaidh gnáth-chomhalta den Chomhairle éirí as a oifig mar chomhalta den Chomhairle trí litir a seolfar leis an bpost chun na Comhairle, agus beidh éifeacht ag an éirí as amhail ar agus ón dáta a bheas mí tar éis dáta na litreach d'fháil, mura dtarraingtear siar an éirí as i scríbhinn roimhe sin.
4. Féadfaidh an Rialtas tráth ar bith, ar chomhairle na Comhairle, gnáth-chomhalta den Chomhairle a chur as oifig.
5. (1) Má tharlaíonn corrfholúntas i measc gnáth-chomhaltaí na Comhairle, líonfaidh an Rialtas é trí dhuine a cheapadh ina chomhalta agus, más i measc na gcomhaltaí a hainmníodh faoi fho-alt (8) nó fo-alt (9) d'alt 5 den Acht seo a tharlós an folúntas, ceapfar duine a ainmneos an t-eagras nó an comhlucht d'ainmnigh an duine ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas.
(2) Aon duine a ceapfar faoin mír seo sealbhóidh sé oifig go ceann téarma a réamhtheachtaí.
6. (1) Beidh trí chruinniú ar a laghad ag an gComhairle gach bliain a thosnós tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo.
(2) Beidh cruinnithe speisialta ag an gComhairle tráth ar bith ar an gcathaoirleach nó cúigear gnáth-chomhaltaí den Chomhairle dá iarraidh sin.
7. (1) Cúigear is córam do chruinniú den Chomhairle.
(2) Ag cruinniú den Chomhairle—
(a) is é an cathaoirleach, má bhíonn sé i láthair, a bheas ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(b) má bhíonn agus fad a bheas cathaoirleach na Comhairle as láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, déanfaidh na comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheas i láthair duine dá líon a roghnú chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
(3) Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Chomhairle a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheas i láthair agus a vótálfas ar an gceist agus, i gcás comhionannais vótaí, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais ina comhaltas.
(5) Faoi réir forál an Achta seo, rialóidh an Chomhairle, le buan-orduithe nó ar shlí eile, nós imeachta agus gnó na Comhairle agus na gcoistí a ceapfar faoi alt 8 den Acht seo.
Number 1 of 1958.
AGRICULTURE (AN FORAS TALUNTAIS) ACT, 1958.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Provisions Relating to the Council
Number 1 of 1958.
AGRICULTURE (AN FORAS TALUNTAIS) ACT, 1958.
Commencement.
1.—This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may by order appoint.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
“agriculture” includes horticulture, forestry and bee-keeping, and also includes facilities, activities and sciences which relate to or tend to promote or improve agriculture, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“the chairman” means the chairman of the Council;
“the Council” means the Council of the Institute;
“facilities for carrying out agricultural research” includes land and buildings used for or in, connection with the carrying out of agricultural research;
“the Institute” means An Foras Talúntais established by this Act;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Agriculture;
“research” includes investigation, test, experiment, analysis and study.
Establishment of the Institute.
3.—(1) There is hereby established an Institute to be styled and known as An Foras Talúntais to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Institute shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land.
Functions of the Institute.
4.—(1) The functions of the Institute are to review, facilitate, encourage, assist, co-ordinate, promote and undertake agricultural research.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Institute may do all or any of the following:
(a) make grants, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, to persons engaged in carrying out agricultural research for the extension and development of their facilities for carrying out agricultural research,
(b) provide such new facilities for carrying out agricultural research as it considers desirable and provide for their use, control and administration by or on behalf of the Institute or otherwise,
(c) provide for the use, control and administration by the Institute of such facilities for carrying out agricultural research as may be transferred to the Institute, with its consent,
(d) consult with and advise persons engaged in carrying out agricultural research in relation to their programmes of agricultural research,
(e) make grants, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, to assist the carrying out of specific programmes of agricultural research or specific agricultural research,
(f) provide scholarships and other awards for the carrying out of post-graduate agricultural research,
(g) award fellowships, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, to persons who have done outstanding work in relation to agricultural science or agricultural research,
(h) provide and organise courses of study for advanced students in agricultural research and related subjects,
(i) provide and organise seminars, conferences, lectures and demonstrations on agricultural research and related subjects and on specific problems and programmes in relation thereto,
(j) disseminate, or procure the dissemination of, the results of agricultural research to interested persons, including, in particular, persons engaged in providing advisory services in relation to agriculture,
(k) publish, or procure the publication of, the results of agricultural research.
(3) The Institute shall advise the Minister on any matter relating to agricultural research or agricultural science on which its advice is requested by him.
Council of the Institute.
5.—(1) There shall be a council, to be known as the Council of An Foras Talúntais, to carry out the general government of the Institute and the administration of its affairs.
(2) The Council shall consist of a chairman and twelve ordinary members.
(3) The chairman shall be appointed by the President and shall hold office for such term (not exceeding three years) and on such terms and conditions (including terms of remuneration) as may be determined by the Government at the time of his appointment.
(4) The first chairman shall be appointed as soon as conveniently may be after the commencement of this Act.
(5) The chairman may at any time resign his office by letter sent by post to the President and the resignation shall take effect as on and from the date on which the President signifies his acceptance of the resignation.
(6) The President may at any time remove the chairman from office.
(7) The ordinary members of the Council, of whom nine shall be persons nominated under subsections (8) and (9) of this section, shall be appointed by the Government and the first appointments shall be made by the Government as soon as conveniently may be after the commencement of this Act.
(8) Five persons shall be nominated by such agricultural and rural organisations and in such manner as may be determined by the Government by order to be ordinary members of the Council.
(9) One person shall be nominated to be an ordinary member of the Council by each of the following:
the Governing Body of University College, Dublin,
the Governing Body of University College, Cork,
the Governing Body of University College, Galway, and
the Board of Trinity College, Dublin.
(10) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall apply in respect of the Council.
(11) The Government may by order revoke or amend an order under this section (including this subsection).
Expenses of members of the Council.
6.—There may be paid, out of the income of the Institute, to members of the Council such expenses of travel and subsistence as the Council may determine.
Director of the Institute.
7.—(1) There shall be a director of the Institute (in this Act referred to as the Director).
(2) The Director shall be the chief officer of the Institute and shall control and direct the activities and staff of the Institute subject to the direction of the Council.
(3) The first Director shall be appointed by the Government as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act and shall hold office for such term and on such terms and conditions (including terms of remuneration) as may be determined by the Government.
(4) Subsequently, the Director shall be appointed by the Council and shall hold office for such term and on such terms and conditions (including terms of remuneration) as may be determined by the Council.
(5) (a) The Government may provide by order for the payment, in such manner and subject to such conditions and limitations as may be specified in the order, of superannuation allowances by way of pension or gratuity or both for the first Director.
(b) The Council may provide for the payment, in such manner and subject to such conditions and limitations as it may determine, of superannuation allowances by way of pension or gratuity or both for subsequent Directors.
(6) The Director shall devote the whole of his time to his duties as Director and shall not hold any other office or position without the consent of the Council.
(7) The Director may make proposals to the Council on any matter relating to the activities of the Institute.
(8) The Director shall not be a member of the Council.
(9) The Council may, with the consent of the Government, at any time remove the Director from office.
(10) The Government may at any time revoke or amend an order under this section (including this subsection).
Committees of the Institute.
8.—(1) The Council of the Institute may appoint committees to assist and advise the Council in relation to any of its functions.
(2) A committee may include persons who are not members of the Council.
(3) The Council may appoint a person to be chairman of a committee appointed under this section.
(4) There may be paid, out of the income of the Institute, to members of a committee duly appointed under subsection (1) of this section such expenses of travel and subsistence as the Council may determine.
Seal of the Institute.
9.—(1) As soon as may be after the commencement of this Act the Council shall provide and retain in its possession a seal for the Institute, and such seal shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman or of some other member thereof authorised by the Council to act in that behalf and the signature of the Director or of a member of the staff of the Institute authorised by the Council to act in that behalf.
(2) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Institute, and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Institute and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this section) of the Institute shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without further proof unless the contrary is shown.
Capital Fund.
10.—(1) The Minister for Finance shall, when requested by the Council to do so, pay to the Institute, out of the monies held in the Counterpart Special Account, a sum of eight hundred and forty thousand pounds and that sum, when paid to the Institute, shall be known as the Capital Fund of An Foras Talúntais and is in this Act referred to as the Capital Fund.
(2) The Capital Fund shall be used by the Institute solely for—
(a) making grants to persons engaged in carrying out agricultural research in respect of the capital cost of the extension and development of their facilities for carrying out agricultural research,
(b) defraying the capital cost of providing such new facilities for carrying out agricultural research, whether for and under the control of the Institute or otherwise, as the Institute considers desirable,
(c) defraying the capital cost of providing and equipping offices and premises for the Institute.
(3) Such part of the Capital Fund or any unexpended balance thereof as is not required for the purpose of meeting current expenditure in relation to the grants and capital costs specified in subsection (2) of this section shall be kept invested by the Institute in such securities as may be approved from time to time by the Minister for Finance.
(4) The interest on the Capital Fund or any unexpended balance thereof shall accrue to the Institute as income.
(5) In this and the next following section “the Counterpart Special Account” means the American Grant Counterpart Special Account established by the Minister for Finance in the Central Bank of Ireland pursuant to Article IV of the Economic Co-operation Agreement between the Government and the Government of the United States of America, dated the 28th day of June, 1948.
Endowment Fund.
11.—(1) The Minister for Finance shall, when requested by the Council to do so, pay to the Institute, out of the monies held in the Counterpart Special Account, a sum of one million pounds and that sum, when paid to the Institute, shall be known as the Endowment Fund of An Foras Talúntais and is in this Act referred to as the Endowment Fund.
(2) The Endowment Fund shall be kept invested by the Institute in such securities as may be approved from time to time by the Minister for Finance.
(3) The interest on the Endowment Fund shall accrue to the Institute as income.
State endowment of the Institute.
12.—(1) For the purpose of assisting the Institute to carry out effectively its functions under this Act, there shall be paid to the Institute in every financial year, out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, a grant towards the expenses of the Institute the amount of which shall be determined by the Minister for Finance in consultation with the Minister and the Council after due consideration of any information furnished under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The Council shall furnish to the Minister such information regarding its income and expenditure as he may from time to time require.
(3) In this and the next following section “expenses” does not include expenses incurred by the Institute in relation to the grants or capital costs specified in subsection (2) of section 10 of this Act.
Expenses of the Institute.
13.—The income of the Institute shall be applied by the Institute in payment of the expenses of the Institute including, in particular:
(a) the annual outgoings and expenses in respect of the offices, premises and equipment of the Institute,
(b) the remuneration and expenses of the chairman, the Director and staff of the Institute, the expenses of members of the Council and of members of committees appointed under section 8 of this Act and the superannuation allowances of the Director and staff of the Institute,
(c) the cost of any agricultural research carried out by or on behalf of the Institute,
(d) the cost of grants to defray the cost of specific programmes of agricultural research or specific agricultural research,
(e) the cost of the provision of scholarships and other awards for the carrying out of post-graduate agricultural research,
(f) the cost of providing and organising courses of study, seminars, conferences, lectures and demonstrations,
(g) the cost of publication and dissemination of the results of agricultural research, and
(h) the cost of such other activities of the Institute, consistent with its functions, as may be approved by the Council from time to time.
Offices and premises.
14.—(1) The Institute shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, provide itself with offices and premises necessary for the performance of its functions.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section the Institute may—
(a) purchase or take on lease any land, offices or premises, and
(b) build, equip and maintain offices and premises.
(3) The Institute may sell or lease any land, offices or premises held by it and no longer required for the performance of its functions.
Fees.
15.—The Institute may charge, receive and recover fees for agricultural research undertaken on behalf of any person and for courses of study, seminars, lectures and demonstrations provided or organised by it.
Donations.
16.—(1) The Institute may accept gifts of money, land or other property, upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the person making the gift.
(2) The Institute shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the donor to the acceptance thereof are inconsistent with the functions of the Institute.
(3) Gifts accepted by the Institute under this section shall be received and applied by the Council.
Staff.
17.—(1) The Institute may employ such staff as is necessary for the performance of its functions.
(2) Subject to the provisions of the next following subsection, the members of the staff of the Institute shall be appointed and removed by or under the authority of the Council.
(3) Before making an appointment to an office on the research staff of the Institute, the Council shall appoint a board, composed of persons who, in the opinion of the Council, are suitable and competent for the purpose, to examine the applications, and to recommend a person, for appointment to the office and the Council shall consider the recommendation of the board.
(4) The numbers, grades, remuneration, tenure of office and conditions of service of the members of the staff of the Institute shall be determined from time to time by the Council.
Superannuation.
18.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the commencement of this Act, the Council shall prepare and submit to the Minister for Finance a scheme or schemes for the granting of superannuation allowances by way of pension or gratuity or both for its permanent staff.
(2) A scheme submitted to the Minister for Finance under this section shall, if approved of by the Minister for Finance, be carried out by the Institute in accordance with its terms.
(3) The Council may at any time, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, amend a scheme under this section.
(4) A scheme submitted and approved of under this section shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to whom allowances are payable under the scheme, and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(5) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any allowance payable in pursuance of a scheme under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister for Finance for determination by him.
Accounts and audits.
19.—(1) The Institute shall keep, in such form as may be approved by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts of all monies received or expended by it.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the Council to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit at such times as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, directs and the accounts when so audited shall, together with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, be presented to the Minister who shall cause copies thereof to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Annual report of the Institute.
20.—(1) The Council shall, as soon as conveniently may be after the end of every financial year, prepare and submit to the Minister a report of the work of the Institute in that financial year.
(2) A copy of every report submitted by the Council to the Minister under this section shall, within two months after its receipt from the Council, be submitted to the Government and laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Expenses.
21.—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 monies provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title.
22.—This Act may be cited as the Agriculture (An Foras Talúntais) Act, 1958.
SCHEDULE.
Provisions Relating to the Council.
Term of Office.
1. The term of office of an ordinary member of the Council shall be three years.
Eligibility of outgoing members.
2. A member of the Council whose term of office expires by effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.
Resignation.
3. An ordinary member of the Council may resign his office as member of the Council by letter sent by post to the Council, and the resignation shall take effect as on and from the date which is one month after the date of the receipt of the letter, if the resignation is not previously withdrawn in writing.
Removal.
4. The Government may at any time, on the advice of the Council, remove an ordinary member of the Council from office.
Casual vacancies.
5. (1) A casual vacancy occurring among the ordinary members of the Council shall be filled by appointment by the Government and, where the vacancy occurs among the members nominated under subsection (8) or subsection (9) of section 5 of this Act, the appointment shall be of a person nominated by the organisation or body which nominated the member occasioning the vacancy.
(2) A person appointed under this paragraph shall hold office for the remainder of his predecessor's term.
Meetings.
6. (1) The Council shall hold at least three meetings in every year which commences after the commencement of this Act.
(2) The Council shall hold special meetings at any time at the request of the chairman or five ordinary members of the Council.
Procedure.
7. (1) The quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be five.
(2) At a meeting of the Council—
(a) the chairman shall, if present, be chairman of the meeting,
(b) if and so long as the chairman is not present or if the office of chairman is vacant, the members of the Council who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
(3) Every question at a meeting of the Council shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question, and in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
(4) The Council may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies among its members.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, the procedure and business of the Council and of the committees appointed under section 8 of this Act.