As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 12 de 1926.
ACHT STAITISTÍOCHTA, 1926.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála;
cialluíonn an focal “stát-sheirbhís” stát-sheirbhís Shaorstáit Éireann agus foluíonn sé an Gárda Síochána;
foluíonn an focal “staitistíocht” eolas nách féidir a shloinne in uimhreacha ach atá riachtanach chun uimhreacha do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, no do mhíniú a bhaineann le héinní gur féidir staitistíocht ina thaobh do bhailiú fén Acht so;
cialluíonn agus foluíonn an focal “oifigeach staitistíochta” gach oifigeach sa stát-sheirbhís agus gach éinne eile atá ar fostú de thurus na huaire ag bailiú, ag tógaint amach, ag cur le chéile no ag foillsiú staitistíochta fén Acht so no timpal na hoibre sin;
nuair a húsáidtear an focal “go dleathach” i dtaobh oifigigh staitistíochta, cialluíonn sé fén Acht so agus dá réir agus do réir an chúrsa chóir agus chun críche a dhualgaisí agus do réir a údaráis mar oifigeach staitistíochta.
Féadfar staitistíocht do bhailiú, etc.
2.—Féadfidh an tAire staitistíocht do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, do thógaint amach agus (fé réir forálacha an Achta so) d'fhoillsiú i dtaobh éinní a bhaineann le gníomhachtaí agus cor an tsaoil go generálta i gcúrsaí economíochta agus eile i Saorstát Éireann agus go háirithe i dtaobh gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) líonmhaireacht na ndaoine;
(b) cúrsaí buaine beatha, cúrsaí saoil na ndaoine, agus cúrsaí oideachais;
(c) rialtas áitiúil;
(d) fostaíocht agus díomhaointeas;
(e) imirce amach agus imirce isteach;
(f) talmhaíocht;
(g) iascach mara agus intíre;
(h) ceárdas;
(i) tráchtáil;
(j) bancaereacht, árachas agus airgeadas;
(k) bóithre iarainn, trambhealaí, loingseoireacht agus saghsanna eile iompair;
(l) séadchomharthaí ársa.
Airí áirithe do dhéanamh bailiú. etc., ar staitistíocht áirithe.
3.—(1) I dteanta na comhachta agus gan dochar don chomhacht a bronntar ar an Ard-Chomhairle le fo-alt (2) d'alt 12 den Acht Airí agus Rúnaithe, 1924 (Uimh. 16 de 1924), chun seirbhísí agus oifigigh phuiblí d'athroinnt ar na hAirí agus ar na Ranna Stáit uile agus fé seach, féadfidh an Ard-Chomhairle, le hordú, na comhachta agus na dualgaisí a bronntar leis an Acht so ar an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála, i dtaobh aon tsaghas no saghsanna áirithe staitistíochta, d'aistriú chun aon Aire eile agus, in aon chás in ar dineadh aon ordú den tsórt san, féadfid na comhachta agus na dualgaisí sin d'aistriú aon uair chun Aire eile arís no iad d'ath-áistriú chun an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála.
(2) Má dintar, de bhua ordú a déanfar fén alt so, na comhachta agus na dualgaisí a bronntar ar an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála leis an Acht so, maidir le haon tsaghas staitistíochta, do dhílsiú in aon Aire eile, agus faid a bheid dílsithe amhlaidh, beidh an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála freagarthach i gcó-ordú feidhmiú an Achta so ina Roinn féin agus i Ranna uile agus fé seach na nAirí ina mbeidh aon cheann de sna comhachta agus de sna dualgaisí sin dílsithe de thurus na huaire, agus chun an có-ordú san do dhéanamh ní thionnscnóidh aon Aire den tsórt san aon staitistíocht do bhailiú fén Acht so gan dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála roimh ré.
(3) Aon aistriú a déanfar ón Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála chun aon Aire eile fén alt so ar aon chomhachta agus dualgaisí, ní dhéanfa sé dochar ná difir don chomhacht a bheidh ag an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála chun foillseachán do chur le chéile agus do thabhairt amach fén Acht so o am go ham agus staitistíocht bhailithe Shaorstáit Éireann ann agus chun staitistíocht do bhailigh aon Aire eile no a bailíodh fé aon achtachán eile do chur sa bhfoillseachán san chó maith le staitistíocht do bhailigh sé féin fén Acht so.
(4) Má dintar, de bhua ordú a déanfar fén alt so, na comhachta agus na dualgaisí a bronntar agus a cuirtar ar an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála leis an Acht so, maidir le haon tsaghas staitistíochta, do dhílsiú in aon Aire eile, agus faid a bheid dílsithe amhlaidh, beidh ag an Aire eile sin agus féadfa sé feidhmiú do dhéanamh ar gach ceann no aon cheann de sna comhachta, agus cólíonfa sé na dualgaisí, a bronntar no a cuirtar ar an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála leis an Acht so, agus san sa mhéid go mbaineann na comhachta agus na dualgaisí sin leis an saghas san staitistíochta.
Bunú Comhairle Staitistíochta.
4.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis rithte an Achta so féadfidh an Ard-Chomhairle, le hordú, comhairle do bhunú dá ngairmfar an Chomhairle Staitistíochta chun comhairle agus congnamh do thabhairt, maidir le feidhmiú an Achta so agus le héinní eile a bhaineann le staitistíocht, don Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála agus d'aon Aire eile go mbeidh dílsithe ann de thurus na huaire na comhachta agus na dualgaisí a bronntar leis an Acht so ar an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála maidir le haon tsaghas áirithe staitistíochta.
(2) Má bunuítear agus nuair a bunófar an Chomhairle Staitistíochta beidh sé có-dhéanta de pé méid daoine, eadhon, naonúr ar a mhéid agus ceathrar ar a luíod, is dó leis an Ard-Chomhairle o am go ham a bheith ceart.
(3) San ordú agus leis an ordú le n-a mbunófar an Chomhairle Staitistíochta ceapfidh an Ard-Chomhairle céad-bhaill na Comhairle agus isí an Ard-Chomhairle a cheapfidh gach ball den Chomhairle ina dhiaidh sin agus beidh gach ball den Chomhairle Staitistíochta, mara gcailltear é no mara n-eirighe sé as roimhe sin, ina bhall den tsórt san go ceann dhá bhliain o dháta a cheaptha agus ní níos sia ná san ach beidh sé i gcomhnaí ionathcheaptha.
(4) Tiocfidh an Chomhairle Staitistíochta le chéile aon uair a ghairmfidh an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála chuige sin iad ar a chomhairle féin no ar iarratas aon Aire go mbeidh aon chomhachta no dualgaisí fén Acht so dílsithe ann de thurus na huaire agus ar pé ócáidí eile ar a socróidh an Chomhairle o am go ham.
Féadfidh an tAire socrú do dhéanamh chun go mbaileodh aon stát-sheirbhísigh staitistíocht.
5.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire socrú do dhéanamh le haon Aire eile no le haon bhord, cólucht no oifigeach a bheidh i gcúram aon bhrainse den stát-sheirbhís chun go ndéanfadh oifigigh an Aire sin no na daoine a bheidh ag seirbhís sa bhrainse sin den stát-sheirbhís aon staitistíocht no eolas staitistíochta do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, do thógaint amach no d'fhoillsiú fén Acht so no chun go gcólíonfadh na hoifigigh no na daoine sin aon dualgaisí no seirbhísí a bhaineann leis na dualgaisí agus leis na comhachta a cuirtar agus a bronntar ar an Aire leis an Acht so.
(2) Gach oifigeach no duine eile sa stát-sheirbhís a bheidh ag cólíona aon dualgaisí no seirbhísí fén alt so, beidh sé ina oifigeach staitistíochta do réir bhrí an Achta so faid a bheidh sé ag cólíona na ndualgaisí no na seirbhísí sin.
Airí i gcomhairle le n-a chéile.
6.—Aon uair a bheidh an tAire chun aon staitistíocht do bhailiú fén Acht so i dtaobh éinní atá mar chuid de sheirbhísí puiblí aon Roinne Stáit seachas an Roinn ar ar ceann é raghaidh an tAire i gcomhairle leis an Aire atá i gcúram na Roinne Stáit sin i dtaobh bailiú na staitistíochta san sara dtosnóidh sé ar an staitistíocht do bhailiú agus, má bhailíonn sé an staitistíocht san, ragha sé i gcomhairle leis an Aire sin o am go ham fé mar is gá le linn an staitistíocht san do bheith á bailiú, á tógaint amach, á cur le chéile agus á foillsiú.
Oblagáid ar dhaoine cuntaisí do dhéanamh agus eolas do thabhairt uatha.
7.—(1) Gach duine ar a n-éileofar go cuibhe fén Acht so agus dá réir aon sceideal, fuirm no scríbhinn eile do líona no do chríochnú ar aon tslí eile déanfa sé, chó fada le n-a eolas, le n-a chumas no le n-a thuairim (pe'ca aca é), an scríbhinn sin do líona no do chríochnú ar an slí eile sin go cuibhe agus go cóir do réir na dtreoracha atá sa scríbhinn no a cuireadh in úil do ar aon tslí eile fén Acht so agus ansan tabharfa sé an scríbhinn sin thar n-ais no deighleálfa sé léi ar shlí eile do réir na dtreoracha san, agus má dhineann sé faillí no diúltú maidir leis an scríbhinn sin do líona no do chríochnú ar an slí eile sin amhlaidh no do thabhairt thar n-ais no deighleáil léi ar an slí eile sin amhlaidh beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so.
(2) Gach duine ar a n-éileoidh oifigeach staitistíochta go dleathach aon eolas do thabhairt no do fhreastal do i scríbhinn no tré bhréithre béil no aon cheist a chuirfidh an t-oifigeach san chuige do fhreagairt, déanfa sé, chó fada le n-a eolas, le n-a chumas no le n-a thuairim (pe'ca aca é), an t-eolas san do thabhairt no do fhreastal no an cheist sin do fhreagairt, agus mara ndine sé amhlaidh no má dhiúltuíonn sé d'é dhéanamh, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so.
(3) Gach duine a gheobhfar ciontach ag cúirt údaráis achmair i gcionta fén alt so, dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air no, más toil leis an gcúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná ráithe no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile.
Is leor mar éileamh ar dhuine fén Acht so na scríbhinní d'fhágaint ina chóir.
8.—(1) Má fhágann oifigeach staitistíochta in aon tigh no foirgint eile no in aon oifig, úrlár comhnaithe no cuid áirithe eile de thigh no d'fhoirgint eile no má chuireann aon oifigeach den tsórt san tríd an bpost roimh-íoctha go dtí aon tigh, foirgint, no cuid áirithe de thigh no d'fhoirgint, den tsórt san, aon sceideal, fuirm, treoir no scríbhinn eile den tsórt san, do hullamhuíodh agus do tugadh amach fén Acht so agus ina bhfuil fógra le n-a n-éilítear ar shealbhaire (gan a ainm do thabhairt air) an tighe no na foirginte sin no na coda áirithe sin den chéanna an scríbhinn do líona no do chríochnú ar shlí eile laistigh d'aimsir áirithe is leor san, i gcoinnibh an té is sealbhaire amhlaidh, mar éileamh fén Acht so ar an duine sin an scríbhinn sin do líona no do chríochnú ar shlí eile agus do thabhairt thar n-ais no deighleáil léi ar shlí eile do réir na dtreoracha atá inti in ainneoin gan a ainm do bheith tugtha ar an sealbhaire sin sa scríbhinn sin no nár seirbheáladh air go pearsanta í mara gcuiridh an sealbhaire sin ina luighe ar an gcúirt ná fuair sé an scríbhinn.
(2) Má fhágann oifigeach staitistíochta i gcóir aon duine ag á áit chomhnaithe no ag á áit ghnótha, no má chuireann aon oifigeach den tsórt san, tríd an bpost roimh-íoctha, chun duine ag á áit chomhnaithe no ag á áit ghnótha, aon sceideal, fuirm, treoir no scríbhinn eile den tsórt san, do hullamhuíodh agus do tugadh amach fén Acht so agus ina bhfuil, no go bhfuil ag gabháil leis, fógra atá dírithe chun an duine sin, á éileamh air an scríbhinn do líona no do chríochnú ar shlí eile laistigh d'aimsir áirithe is leor san, i gcoinnibh an duine sin, mar éileamh fén Acht so ar an duine sin an scríbhinn sin do líona no do chríochnú ar shlí eile agus do thabhairt thar n-ais no deighleáil léi ar shlí eile do réir na dtreoracha atá inti no a fágadh ina teanta no a cuireadh chun siúil léi.
(3) Chun crícheanna an ailt seo foluíonn áit ghnótha duine aon áit ina mbíonn gnó ar siúl aige agus, i gcás cóluchta ionchorparuithe, foluíonn sé a oifig chláruithe.
Féadfidh oifigigh staitistíochta breacacháin phuiblí, etc., do scrúdú.
9.—Gach oifigeach staitistíochta go dteastóidh uaidh go dleathach aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn eile atá i gcimeád no fé chúram aon oifigigh den stát-sheirbhís do scrúdú, beidh teideal aige, in ainneoin aon fhorála reachtúla eile, dul do bheith aige ar an mbreacachán no ar an scríbhinn sin, é do scrúdú agus cóipeanna do dhéanamh de gan aon táille d'íoc agus fós, má theastuíonn cóip den bhreacachán no den scríbhinn sin no d'aon chuid de uaidh go dleathach, ar a iarraidh do beidh teideal aige chun cóip den bhreacachán no den scríbhinn sin no d'aon chuid áirithe dhe d'fháil in aisce ón oifigeach go bhfuil an céanna ina chimeád no fé n-a chúram.
Féadfidh oifigeach staitistíochta breacacháin eile, etc., do scrúdú.
10.—Gach éinne go bhfuil aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn ina chimeád no fé n-a chúram (seachas breacachán no scríbhinn eile atá i gcimeád no fé chúram oifigigh den stát-sheirbhís) leigfe sé d'aon oifigeach staitistíochta go dteastóidh san uaidh go dleathach dul do bheith aige ar an mbreacachán no ar an scríbhinn sin, é do scrúdú, agus cóipeanna do dhéanamh de gan íoc as agus fós, má éilíonn an t-oifigeach san air é go dleathach, tabharfa sé don oifigeach san cóip den bhreacachán no den scríbhinn sin no d'aon chuid de adéarfidh an t-oifigeach san no, más rogha leis an duine sin é, tabharfa sé an breacachán no an scríbhinn sin ar iasacht don oifigeach san.
(2) Gach duine a dhéanfidh faillí no diúltú maidir le haon ghníomh no ní do dhéanamh a héilítear air leis an alt so do dhéanamh beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so, agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air.
Beidh údarás i scríbhinn ag oifigigh staitistíochta agus beidh ortha é do thaisbeáint.
11.—(1) Do gach oifigeach staitistíochta go ndéanfidh a dhualgas no a údarás mar oifigeach staitistíochta a chur air no a údarú dho gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas do dhéanamh fén Acht so no chun críche an Achta so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) aon eolas d'iarraidh ar éinne, no
(b) a iarraidh ar éinne aon sceideal, fuirm, no scríbhinn eile do líona, do chríochnú no do thabhairt thar n-ais, no deighleáil no rud do dhéanamh leis ar shlí eile do réir an Achta so, no
(c) aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn eile do scrúdú, do chóipeáil, sleachta do bhaint as no cóipeanna dhe d'fháil, no
(d) aon sceideal, fuirm no scríbhinn eile do bhailiú no do ghlaca o éinne,
tabharfar, fé réir na n-eisceacht a luaidhtear ina dhiaidh seo anso, ceapachán do réir an ailt seo á cheapa chun bheith ina oifigeach staitistíochta do réir bhrí agus chun crícheanna an Achta so.
(2) Is i scríbhinn, i pé fuirm a hordófar le rialacháin a déanfar fén Acht so, a bheidh gach ceapachán oifigigh staitistíochta den tsórt san agus, i gcás oifigigh don Aire no duine nách oifigeach sa stát-sheirbhís, isé an tAire no rúnaí no rúnaí conganta a Roinne sin a shighneoidh é, no an príomh-oifigeach ina Roinn le n-a mbaineann feidhmiú an Achta so, agus, i gcás aon oifigigh sa stát-sheirbhís nách oifigeach don Aire, isé duine a shighneoidh é ná éinne de sna daoine roimhráite no príomh-oifigeach no príomh-oifigeach conganta na brainse den stát-sheirbhís darb oifigeach é.
(3) Ag déanamh éinní dá luaidhtear sa chéad fho-alt den alt so dho, tabharfidh gach oifigeach staitistíochta i láthair agus taisbeánfa sé a cheapachán fén alt so nuair a héileofar san air.
(4) Aon scríbhinn a thabharfidh oifigeach staitistíochta i láthair do réir an ailt seo agus go gcuirfe sé in úil gurb í a cheapachán fén alt so í agus go dtuigfí le féachaint uirthi gurb í an ceapachán san í agus go bhfuil sí sighnithe go cuibhe do réir an ailt seo, tuigfar, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, gurb í an ceapachán san í agus go bhfuil sí dleathach agus regleálta.
(5) Ní bhainfidh an t-alt so le hoifigeach staitistíochta ná dineann ach sceidil, fuirmeacha no scríbhinní eile fén Acht so d'fhágaint no do sheachada ag daoine no in áiteanna.
(6) Ní bhainfidh an t-alt so le ball den Ghárda Síochána in éide, agus aon bhall den tsórt san a thabharfidh i láthair le linn é bheith in éide mar bhall den tsórt san deimhniú i scríbhinn, fé láimh cheannphuirt den Ghárda Síochána, go bhfuil sé ag gníomhú mar oifigeach staitistíochta, tuigfar, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, go bhfuil údaruithe dho go cuibhe chun gníomhú mar oifigeach staitistíochta.
(7) I ngach ceapachán agus i ngach deimhniú a shighneoidh ceannphort den Ghárda Síochána fén alt so beidh tagairt don chosc ar nochta eolais a forchuirtar le halt 14 den Acht so.
Déanfar talamh slán de go bhfuil scríbhinní áirithe údarásach.
12.—Gach scríbhinn scríbhte go mbeidh a dheabhramh uirthi gur sceideal, fuirm, treoir, no scríbhinn eile í a hullamhuíodh agus a tugadh amach fén Acht so, má dhineann agus nuair a dhéanfidh oifigeach staitistíochta í do thíolaca d'éinne no í d'fhágaint in aon áit, déanfar talamh slán de, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, gur hullamhuíodh agus gur tugadh amach go cuibhe fén Acht so í agus gur soláthruíodh don oifigeach san go dleathach í.
Ní nochtfar eolas ná cuntaisí.
13.—(1) Aon sceideal, fuirm no scríbhinn eile, fé leith, do líon éinne no do chríochnuigh sé ar aon tslí eile do réir aon éilimh a dineadh fén Acht so no aon chuid d'aon scríbhinn den tsórt san no aon eolas no freagra de bhréithre béil a tugadh i dtaobh aon duine, gnótha no cúraim, fé leith, ní foillseofar é gan cead an duine sin ná ní déanfar, gan cead an duine sin, é do thaisbeáint ná do chur in úil, ach amháin chun crícheanna cúisimh fén Acht so, d'éinne nách oifigeach staitistíochta go mbeidh baint aige leis agus é ag cólíona a dhualgais mar oifigeach den tsórt san.
(2) Sa mhéid gur féidir é do réir réasúin, ní bheidh in aon tuarasgabháil, suimiú, ná achmaireacht ná in aon fhoillseachán eile a déanfar fén Acht so mion-innste aon eolais a thug éinne ar aon tslí in aon chor do réir an Achta so d'aon oifigeach staitistíochta agus iad socruithe i slí is go bhféadfadh éinne iad d'aithint mar mhion-innste a bhaineann le haon duine, gnó no cúram, fé leith, mara mbeidh cead fachta chuige sin i scríbhinn ón duine sin no ón té gur leis an gnó no an cúram san.
(3) Aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn eile no aon chuid d'aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn eile a bheidh ina chimeád no fé n-a chúram ag oifigeach den stát-sheirbhís no ag éinne eile agus nách ceaduithe don phuiblíocht scrúdú do dhéanamh air agus gur dhin oifigeach staitistíochta scrúdú air no go bhfuair no gur dhin sé cóip de fé chomhacht a bronntar air chuige sin leis an Acht so, ní dhéanfidh oifigeach staitistíochta é d'fhoillsiú ná do thaisbeáint ná do chur in úil d'éinne ach d'oifigeach eile staitistíochta go mbeidh baint aige leis agus é ag cólíona a dhualgais mar oifigeach staitistíochta ná (sa mhéid gur féidir é do réir réasúin) ní bheidh in aon tuarasgabháil, suimiú, ná achmaireacht ná in aon fhoillseachán eile a déanfar fén Acht so mion-innste aon eolais a fuarthas as aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn den tsórt san agus iad socruithe i slí is go bhféadfadh éinne iad d'aithint mar mhioninnste a bhaineann le haon duine, gnó no cúram, fé leith, mara mbeidh cead fachta chuige sin i scríbhinn ón duine sin no ón té gur leis an gnó no an cúram san.
Ní nochtfidh oifigigh eolas.
14.—(1) Ach amháin chun críche cúisimh mar gheall ar chionta fén Acht so, ní fhoillseoidh ná ní nochtfidh aon oifigeach staitistíochta d'éinne, ach d'oifigeach eile staitistíochta go mbeidh baint aige leis an scéal agus é ag cólíona a dhualgaisí mar oifigeach staitistíochta, a bhfuil ná aon chuid dá bhfuil in aon sceideal, fuirm, no scríbhinn eile, fé leith, do líon éinne no do chríochnuigh sé ar aon tslí eile do réir éilimh a dineadh fén Acht so, ná a bhfuil ná aon chuid dá bhfuil in aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn (nách breacachán ná scríbhinn gur ceaduithe don phuiblíocht í scrúdú) gur dhin oifigeach staitistíochta é scrúdú no go bhfuair no gur dhin sé cóip de i bhfeidhmiú aon chomhachta dá mbronntar air chuige sin leis an Acht so, ná aon eolas ná freagra tré bhréithre béil a tugadh i dtaobh aon duine, gnótha no cúraim, fé leith.
(2) Gach oifigeach staitistíochta a fhoillseoidh no a nochtfidh, i gcoinnibh an ailt seo, a bhfuil no aon chuid dá bhfuil in aon sceideal, fuirm, no scríbhinn eile, fé leith, den tsórt san roimhráite no in aon bhreacachán no scríbhinn den tsórt san roimhráite no aon eolas no freagra tré bhréithre béil a tugadh i dtaobh aon duine, gnótha no cúraim, fé leith, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air, no, más toil leis an gcúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná sé mhí no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile.
Mí-úsáid á dhéanamh dá oifig ag oifigeach staitistíochta.
15.—Gach oifigeach staitistíochta a gheobhaidh ar aon tslí o aon duine ar aon ócáid aon eolas ná fuil teideal aige go dleathach chun é d'fháil ar an slí sin ón duine sin ar an ócáid sin, no a thabharfidh fé, agus gur ar scáth bheith ag cólíona a dhualgaisí mar oifigeach staitistíochta a dhéanfa sé amhlaidh, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga púnt do chur air no, más toil leis an gcúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná sé mhí no an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile.
Féadfidh an tAire nithe áirithe d'ordú agus rialacháin do dhéanamh.
16.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) a ordú cad is abhar, nádúr, carachtar agus tréimhsiúlacht don staitistíocht atá le bailiú fén Acht so agus caithin a déanfar no cadé an ócáid ar a ndéanfar í do bhailiú;
(b) a ordú, fé réir forálacha an ailt seo, cadiad na daoine no na haicmí daoine a thabharfidh cuntaisí no eolas uatha chun críche aon staitistíochta a baileofar fén Acht so;
(c) rialacháin do dhéanamh chun staitistíocht i gcoitinne no aon tsaghas no saghsanna áirithe staitistíochta do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, do thógaint amach no d'fhoillsiú fén Acht so;
(d) a ordú cadiad na sceidil, na fuirmeacha, na treoracha agus na scríbhinní eile a húsáidfar chun staitistíochta i gcoitinne no aon tsaghas no saghsanna áirithe staitistíochta do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, do thógaint amach no d'fhoillsiú fén Acht so;
(e) éinní no aon rud d'ordú dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud a horduíodh no a hordófar le rialacháin a déanfar fén Acht so.
(2) Nuair a bheidh an tAire á ordú cadiad na daoine no na haicmí daoine a thabharfidh cuntaisí no eolas uatha fén Acht so, féadfa sé na daoine no na haicmí daoine sin do luadh no do dheighilt amach tré thagairt d'éinní no d'aon rud a bhaineann no atá i gcó-cheangal díreach leis an staitistíocht go dteastuíonn na cuntaisí no an t-eolas ina cóir ach ní har aon tslí eile, ach amháin, más dó leis an Aire go bhfuil sé nea-phraiticiúil no nea-riachtanach, mar gheall ar an ró-chostas no ar aon chúis eile, cuntaisí d'fháil ón uile dhuine no o gach ball d'aicme daoine, no o iomlán Shaorstáit Éireann no o iomlán aon choda áirithe de Shaorstát Éireann, go bhféadfidh an tAire a éileamh go ndéanfadh daoine áirithe no aicmí áirithe daoine na cuntaisí do thabhairt uatha no an t-eolas do sholáthar no go ndéanfí é i dtaobh líomatáiste no líomatáistí áirithe fé mar a thoghfidh an tAire amach iad toisc gur leor iad chun na críche atá ina aigne aige.
Leagfar orduithe ar an mBord i dhá dTigh an Oireachtais.
17.—Aon ordú a déanfar fé fho-alt (1) d'alt 16 den Acht so leagfar é ar an mBord i dhá dTigh an Oireachtais chó luath agus is féidir é.
Forálacha i dtaobh seanachomhachtanna a bhaineann le staitistíocht.
18.—(1) Beidh forálacha an Achta so i dteanta agus ní hin ionad aon chomhachta atá dílsithe anois do réir dlí (ar shlí eile seachas de bhua Achta a hathghairmtear leis an Acht so) in aon Aire, no in aon bhord, cólucht, no oifigeach atá i gcúram aon bhrainse den tseirbhís phuiblí, chun staitistíocht do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, do thógaint amach, no d'fhoillsiú, ach féadfidh an Ard-Chomhairle, le hordú, gach comhacht no aon chomhacht acu san d'aistriú chun an Aire agus má dintar aon ordú den tsórt san déanfidh an tAire as san amach na comhachta a haistreofar leis an ordú san d'fheidhmiú fén Acht so agus dá réir.
(2) Go dtí go n-aistreofar chun an Aire fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo gach comhacht dá luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san beidh an tAire freagarthach i gcó-ordú na hoibre a bhaineann le staitistíocht do bhailiú, do chur le chéile, do thógaint amach agus d'fhoillsiú fé sna comhachta san agus fén Acht so fé seach, agus chuige sin ní dhéanfidh éinne ina mbeidh aon chomhacht den tsórt san dílsithe de thurus na huaire bailiú aon staitistíochta fén gcomhacht san do thionnscain gan dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire roimh ré.
Sriantachtaí maidir le heolas is féidir a fháil.
19.—Ní léireofar éinní san Acht so mar ní atá á éileamh ar éinne eolas do thabhairt ar ní ar a bhfuair sé a chuid eolais ar shlí a thabharfadh teideal do chun diúltú don eolas san do thabhairt uaidh in imeacht shíbhialta i gCúirt Dlí ar scór príbhléide no á éileamh ar aon bhanc no corparáid go mbíonn gnó bancaereachta ar siúl acu, no ar aon oifigeach dóibh, aon mhion-innste do thabhairt uatha a chuirfadh ar chumas éinne na mion-innste sin d'aithint mar mhion-innste a bhaineann le haon duine, gnó no cúram, fé leith, mara mbeidh cead fachta chuige sin i scríbhinn ón duine sin no ón té gur leis an gnó no an cúram san.
Costaisí.
20.—Is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é, a híocfar gach costas a bhainfidh leis an Acht so do chur in éifeacht.
Athghairmeanna.
21.—Athghairmtear leis seo na Census of Production Acts, 1906 and 1917.
Gearr-theideal.
22.—Féadfar an tAcht Staitistíochta, 1926, do ghairm den Acht so.
Number 12 of 1926.
STATISTICS ACT, 1926.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Act Referred to | |
No. 16 of 1924 | |
Number 12 of 1926.
STATISTICS ACT, 1926.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the expression “civil service” means the civil service of Saorstát Eireann and includes the Gárda Síochána;
the word “statistics” includes information not expressible numerically but which is necessary for the collection, compilation or interpretation of numbers relating to any matter in respect of which statistics can be collected under this Act;
the expression “officer of statistics” means and includes every officer in the civil service and every other person who is for the time being employed in or about the collection, abstraction, compilation or publication of statistics under this Act;
the word “lawfully” when used in relation to an officer of statistics means under and in accordance with this Act and in the proper course and for the purpose of his duties and within his authority as such officer.
Statistics may be collected etc.
2.—The Minister may collect, compile, abstract and (subject to the provisions of this Act) publish statistics relating to any matter affecting the general economic and other activities and conditions in Saorstát Eireann and in particular all or any of the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) population;
(b) vital, social and educational matters;
(c) local government;
(d) employment and unemployment;
(e) emigration and immigration;
(f) agriculture;
(g) sea and inland fisheries;
(h) industry;
(i) commerce;
(j) banking, insurance and finance;
(k) railways, tramways, shipping and other forms of transport;
(l) ancient monuments.
Collection etc., of particular statistics by particular Ministers.
3.—(1) In addition and without prejudice to the power conferred on the Executive Council by sub-section (2) of section 12 of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924 (No. 16 of 1924) of redistributing public services and officers amongst the several Ministers and Departments of State, the Executive Council may by order transfer the powers and duties conferred by this Act on the Minister for Industry and Commerce in relation to any particular class or classes of statistics to any other Minister, and, where any such order has been made, may at any time transfer such powers and duties to a different Minister or retransfer the same to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
(2) If and so long as the powers and duties conferred on the Minister for Industry and Commerce by this Act in relation to any class of statistics are vested by virtue of an order made under this section in any other Minister the Minister for Industry and Commerce shall be responsible for the co-ordination of the execution of this Act in his own Department and the several Departments of the Ministers in whom any of the said powers and duties are for the time being vested, and with a view to such co-ordination no such Minister shall initiate the collection of any statistics under this Act without previous consultation with the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
(3) No transfer under this section of any powers and duties from the Minister for Industry and Commerce to any other Minister shall prejudice or affect the power of the Minister for Industry and Commerce to compile and issue under this Act from time to time a publication containing the collected statistics of Saorstát Eireann and to include in such publication, in addition to statistics collected by him under this Act, statistics collected by any other Minister or under any other enactment.
(4) If and so long as the powers and duties conferred and imposed on the Minister for Industry and Commerce by this Act in relation to any class of statistics are vested by virtue of an order made under this section in any other Minister, such other Minister shall have and may exercise all or any of the powers and shall perform the duties conferred or imposed by this Act on the Minister for Industry and Commerce so far as such powers and duties relate to such class of statistics.
Establishment of Statistical Council.
4.—(1) As soon as may be after the passing of this Act the Executive Council may by order establish a council to be called the Statistical Council to give advice and assistance in regard to the execution of this Act and any other matter relating to statistics to the Minister for Industry and Commerce and to any other Minister in whom the powers and duties conferred by this Act on the Minister for Industry and Commerce are for the time being vested in relation to any particular class of statistics.
(2) The Statistical Council, if and when established, shall consist of such number of persons, not being more than nine nor less than four, as the Executive Council shall from time to time think proper.
(3) The first members of the Statistical Council shall be appointed by the Executive Council in and by the order establishing the Council and the subsequent members of the Council shall be appointed by the Executive Council, and every member of the Statistical Council shall, unless he previously dies or resigns, retain his membership of the Council for two years only from the date of his appointment but shall always be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) The Statistical Council shall meet whenever summoned by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on his own motion or at the request of any Minister in whom any powers or duties under this Act are for the time being vested and on such other occasions as the Council may from time to time determine.
Minister may arrange for collection of statistics by any civil servants.
5.—(1) The Minister may arrange with any other Minister or with any board, body or officer in charge of any branch of the civil service for the collection, compilation, abstraction or publication by the officers of that Minister or the persons serving in that branch of the civil service of any statistics or statistical information under this Act or for the performance by such officers or persons of any duties or services relating to the duties and powers imposed and conferred on the Minister by this Act.
(2) Every officer or other person in the civil service performing any duties or services under this section shall, while he is engaged on such duties or services, be an officer of statistics within the meaning of this Act.
Consultations between Ministers.
6.—Whenever the Minister proposes to collect under this Act any statistics relating to any matter which is comprised in the public services of any Department of State other than the Department of which he is the head, the Minister shall before commencing the collection of such statistics consult the Minister in charge of such Department of State in regard thereto and shall, in the event of his collecting such statistics, consult such Minister from time to time as occasion requires during the collection, abstraction, compilation and publication of such statistics.
Obligation to make returns and give information.
7.—(1) Every person who is duly required under and in accordance with this Act to fill up or otherwise complete any schedule, form or other document shall to the best of his knowledge, ability, or belief (as the case may require) duly and correctly fill up or otherwise complete such document according to the instructions contained therein or otherwise communicated to him under this Act and shall then return or otherwise dispose of such document in accordance with such instructions, and if he shall fail or refuse so to fill up or otherwise complete or so to return or otherwise dispose of such document he shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(2) Every person who is lawfully required by an officer of statistics to give or furnish to such officer any written or verbal information or to answer any question asked of him by such officer shall to the best of his knowledge, ability or belief (as the case may require) give or furnish such information or answer such question, and if he fails or refuses so to do shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(3) Every person who is found guilty by a court of summary jurisdiction of an offence under this section shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Leaving of documents to be a sufficient requisition under this Act.
8.—(1) The leaving by an officer of statistics at any house or other building or any office, flat or other defined part of a house or other building or the sending by any such officer by prepaid post to any such house, building or defined part of a house or building of any schedule, form, instruction or other like document prepared and issued under this Act and containing a notice requiring the occupier (without naming him) of such house or building or such defined part thereof to fill in or otherwise complete the document within a specified time shall, as against the person who is such occupier, be a sufficient requisition under this Act on such person to fill up or otherwise complete and to return or otherwise dispose of such document in accordance with the directions contained therein notwithstanding that such occupier is not named in such document or personally served therewith unless such occupier shall satisfy the court that the document was not received by him.
(2) The leaving by an officer of statistics for any person at his place of residence or his place of business or the sending by any such officer by prepaid post to a person at his place of residence or his place of business of any schedule, form, instruction or other like document prepared and issued under this Act and containing or accompanied by a notice addressed to such person requiring him to fill in or otherwise complete the document within a specified time shall, as against such person, be a sufficient requisition under this Act on such person to fill up or otherwise complete and to return or otherwise dispose of such document in accordance with the directions contained therein or left or sent therewith.
(3) For the purposes of this section the place of business of a person includes any place at which he carries on business and, in the case of an incorporated body, includes his registered office.
Officers of statistics may inspect public records etc.
9.—Notwithstanding any other statutory provision every officer of statistics who lawfully requires to inspect any record or other document in the custody or charge of any officer of the civil service shall be entitled to have access to, inspect and take copies of such record or document without the payment of any fee and shall also, if he lawfully requires a copy of such record or document or any part thereof, be entitled to be furnished on demand and free of charge with a copy of such record or document or of any particular part thereof by the officer having the custody or charge thereof.
Officer of statistics may inspect other records, etc.
10.—(1) Every person who has the custody or charge of any record or document (other than a record or other document in the custody or charge of an officer of the civil service) shall permit any officer of statistics who lawfully so requires to have access to, inspect and take copies of such record or document free of any charge and shall also, if lawfully so required by such officer, either furnish to such officer a copy of such record or document or any part thereof specified by such officer or, at the option of such person, lend such record or document to such officer.
(2) Every person who shall fail or refuse to do any act or thing which he is required by this section to do shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Officers of statistics to have and produce written authority.
11.—(1) Subject to the exceptions hereinafter mentioned, every officer of statistics whose duty or authority as such officer requires or authorises him to do all or any of the following things under or for the purpose of this Act, that is to say:—
(a) to demand of any person any information, or
(b) to require any person to fill up, complete, return, or otherwise deal with or dispose of any schedule, form or other document in pursuance of this Act, or
(c) to inspect, copy, take extracts from, or obtain copies of any record or other document, or
(d) to collect or receive from any person any schedule, form or other document,
shall be supplied with an appointment in accordance with this section appointing him to be an officer of statistics within the meaning and for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Every such appointment of an officer of statistics shall be in writing in such form as shall be prescribed by regulations made under this Act and, in the case of an officer of the Minister or of a person who is not an officer in the civil service, shall be signed by the Minister or the secretary or assistant secretary of his Department or the principal officer of his Department concerned with the execution of this Act and, in the case of any officer in the civil service who is not an officer of the Minister shall be signed by any of the persons aforesaid or the principal or assistant principal officer of the branch of the civil service of which he is an officer.
(3) Every officer of statistics when doing any of the things mentioned in the first sub-section of this section shall on demand produce and show his appointment under this section.
(4) Any document produced by an officer of statistics in pursuance of this section and represented by him to be his appointment under this section and purporting on its face to be such appointment and to be duly signed in accordance with this section shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be such appointment and to be valid and regular.
(5) This section shall not apply to an officer of statistics engaged only in delivering or leaving schedules, forms or other documents under this Act with persons or at places.
(6) This section shall not apply to a member of the Gárda Síochána in uniform, and any such member who, while wearing his uniform as such member, produces a certificate in writing signed by a superintendent of the Gárda Síochána that he is acting as an officer of statistics shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be duly authorised to act as such officer.
(7) Every appointment and every certificate signed by a superintendent of the Gárda Síochána under this section shall contain a reference to the prohibition on the disclosure of information imposed by section 14 of this Act.
Presumption of authenticity of documents.
12.—Every written document which purports to be a schedule, form, instruction, or other document prepared and issued under this Act shall, if and when presented to any person or left at any place by an officer of statistics, be presumed until the contrary is proved to have been duly prepared and issued under this Act and to have been lawfully supplied to such officer.
Information and returns not to be disclosed.
13.—(1) No individual schedule, form, or other document filled in or otherwise completed by any person in pursuance of any requisition made under this Act and no part of any such document and no verbal information or answer given relating to any individual person, business or concern shall without the consent of such person be published or, except for the purposes of a prosecution under this Act, be shown or communicated to any person other than an officer of statistics concerned therewith in the course of his duty as such officer.
(2) So far as is reasonably practicable, no report, abstract, summary, or other publication made under this Act shall contain the particulars of any information supplied in any manner whatsoever in pursuance of this Act by any person to any officer of statistics so arranged as to enable any person to identify such particulars as being particulars relating to any individual person, business, or concern without the consent in writing of that person or of the proprietor of that business or concern.
(3) No record or other document nor any part of any record or other document in the custody or charge of an officer of the civil service or of any other person and not open to public inspection which is inspected or of which a copy is obtained or taken by an officer of statistics under a power in that behalf conferred on him by this Act shall be published or shown or communicated by an officer of statistics to any person other than another officer of statistics concerned therewith in the course of his duty as such officer nor (so far as is reasonably practicable) shall any report, abstract, summary, or other publication made under this Act contain the particulars of any information obtained from any such record or document so arranged as to enable any person to identify such particulars as being particulars relating to any individual person, business, or concern without the consent in writing of that person or the proprietor of that business or concern.
Officers not to disclose information.
14.—(1) Save for the purpose of a prosecution for an offence under this Act, no officer of statistics shall publish or disclose to any person, other than another officer of statistics concerned with the matter in the course of his duties as such officer the contents or any part of the contents of any individual schedule, form, or other document filled in or otherwise completed by any person in pursuance of a requisition made under this Act or the contents or any part of the contents of any record or document (not being a record or document open to public inspection) which was inspected or of which a copy was taken or obtained by an officer of statistics in exercise of any power in that behalf conferred on him by this Act or any verbal information or answer given relating to any individual person, business or concern.
(2) Every officer of statistics who shall publish or disclose the contents or any part of the contents of any such individual schedule, form, or other document as aforesaid or any such record or document as aforesaid or any verbal information or answer given relating to any individual person, business or concern in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Abuse of office by officer of statistics.
15.—Every officer of statistics who in the pretended performance of his duties as such officer obtains or attempts to obtain by any means from any person on any occasion any information which he is not lawfully entitled to obtain by that means from that person on that occasion shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Minister may prescribe certain matters and make regulations.
16.—(1) The Minister may by order do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) prescribe the subject-matter, nature, character and periodicity of the statistics to be collected under this Act, and the time at or the occasion on which the same are to be collected;
(b) prescribe, subject to the provisions of this section, the persons or classes of persons by whom returns are to be made or information is to be given for the purpose of any statistics collected under this Act;
(c) make regulations for the collection, compilation, abstraction, or publication of statistics generally or any particular class or classes of statistics under this Act;
(d) prescribe the schedules, forms, instructions and other documents to be used in the collection, compilation, abstraction, or publication of statistics generally or of any particular class or classes of statistics under this Act;
(e) prescribe any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
(2) When prescribing the persons or classes of persons by whom returns are to be made or information is to be given under this Act, the Minister may define or delimit such persons or classes of persons by reference to any matter or thing connected with or having direct reference to the statistics for the purpose of which the returns or information are or is required but not otherwise, save that, where owing to the prohibitive cost or for any other reason it is in the opinion of the Minister impracticable or unnecessary to obtain returns from all persons or every member of a class of persons, or from the whole of Saorstát Eireann or the whole of any particular part of Saorstát Eireann, the Minister may require the returns to be made or the information to be supplied by particular persons or particular classes of persons or in respect of a particular area or areas selected by the Minister as being sufficient for the purpose in view.
Orders to be laid on the Table of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
17.—Any order made under sub-section (1) of section 16 of this Act shall be laid as soon as may be on the Table of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Provisions as to existing powers in relation to statistics.
18.—(1) The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any power of collecting, compiling, abstracting, or publishing statistics now vested by law (otherwise than by virtue of an Act repealed by this Act) in any Minister or in any board, body, or officer in charge of any branch of the public service, but the Executive Council may by order transfer all or any of such powers to the Minister and whenever any such order is made the powers thereby transferred shall thenceforward be exercised by the Minister under and in accordance with this Act.
(2) Until all such powers as are mentioned in the foregoing sub-section are transferred under that sub-section to the Minister, the Minister shall be responsible for the co-ordination of the collection, compilation, abstraction and publication of statistics under those powers and this Act respectively, and with a view to such co-ordination no person in whom any such power is for the time being vested shall initiate the collection of any statistics under such power without previous consultation with the Minister.
Restrictions as to information obtainable.
19.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require any person to give information in relation to a matter as to which his knowledge was acquired in circumstances that would entitle him to decline to give such information in a civil proceeding in a Court of Law on the ground of privilege or to require any bank or corporation carrying on the business of banking or any official thereof to furnish any particulars which would enable any person to identify such particulars as relating to any individual person, business or concern without the consent in writing of that person or of the proprietor of that business or concern.
Expenses.
20.—All expenses of carrying this Act into effect shall, to such extent as shall be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys to be provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals.
21.—The Census of Production Acts, 1906 and 1917, are hereby repealed.
Short title.
22.—This Act may be cited as the Statistics Act, 1926.