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Number 16 of 1989
CENTRAL BANK ACT, 1989
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
The Central Bank
Preliminary, Alteration of Penalties and General Offence Provisions
Laying of regulations and orders before Houses of the Oireachtas. | |
General Provisions Relating to the Bank
Winding up of legal tender note fund and transfer of assets to general fund. | |
Licensing and Supervision of Licence Holders
General Provisions Relating to Winding Up
Notices, documents to be sent to Bank relating to winding up. | |
Deposit Protection
Acquiring Transactions
Consent of Minister to certain acquiring transactions required. | |
Requirement on Bank before refusal to approve acquiring transaction. | |
Supervision of Certain Financial Institutions for the purposes of an International Financial Services Centre
Power of Court to prohibit failure to comply with requirement or condition under Chapter VII. | |
Supervision of Financial Futures and Options Exchanges
Chapter IX
Supervision of Moneybrokers
Power of Court to prohibit failure to comply with requirement or condition under Chapter IX. | |
Publication of names of moneybrokers and notices of revocation of authorisations. | |
Chapter X
Codes of Practice
Chapter XI
Legal Tender Notes
Defacement, etc., of legal tender notes and consolidated bank notes. |
Coinage
Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Financial Transactions
Power of Minister to direct suspension of certain business transactions, etc. | |
Deposit with Bank to be an authorised investment for trustees. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Assurance Companies Act, 1909 | 9 Edw. 7, c. 49 |
Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879 | 42 & 43 Vict., c. 11 |
Bankers' Books Evidence (Amendment) Act, 1959 | 1959, No. 21 |
Bills of Exchange Act, 1882 | 45 & 46 Vict., c. 61 |
1976, No. 38 | |
1942, No. 22 | |
1961, No. 8 | |
1964, No. 3 | |
1971, No. 24 | |
1959, No. 19 | |
1963, No. 33 | |
Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986 | |
1927, No. 32 | |
Currency and Central Bank Acts, 1927 to 1971 | |
1969, No. 23 | |
Decimal Currency Acts, 1969 and 1970 | |
1954, No. 30 | |
Finance Act, 1911 | 1 & 2 Geo. 5, c. 48 |
Finance Act, 1917 | 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 31 |
1980, No. 14 | |
1986, No. 13 | |
1987, No. 10 | |
Forgery Act, 1913 | 3 & 4 Geo. 5, c. 27 |
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 | 59 & 60 Vict., c. 25 |
Gaming and Lotteries Acts, 1956 to 1986 | |
1973, No. 25 | |
1933, No. 25 | |
Larceny Act, 1916 | 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 50 |
1978, No. 17 | |
Money-lenders Act, 1900 | 63 & 64 Vict., c. 51 |
National Debt Act, 1870 | 33 & 34 Vict., c. 71 |
Partnership Act, 1890 | 53 & 54 Vict., c. 39 |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict., c. 93 |
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906 | 6 Edw. 7, c. 34 |
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1916 | 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 64 |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 42 & 43 Vict., c. 58 |
1963, No. 34 | |
Superannuation Act, 1892 | 55 & 56 Vict., c. 40 |
Trustee Act, 1893 | 56 & 57 Vict., c. 53 |
1958, No. 8 | |
Trustee Savings Bank Acts, 1863 to 1979 | |
Number 16 of 1989
CENTRAL BANK ACT, 1989
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Central Bank Act, 1989.
Commencement.
2.—This Part and Chapter VII of Part II shall come into operation upon the passing of this Act, and except where otherwise provided for, the other provisions of this Act shall come into operation on such day or days as may be fixed therefor by order or orders of the Minister, either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions of this Act.
Interpretation generally.
3.—(1) In this Act—
“the Bank” means the Central Bank of Ireland;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Finance.
(2) In this Act, a reference to a Part or Chapter, section or Schedule is to a Part or Chapter or section of or Schedule to this Act, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other enactment is intended.
(3) In this Act, a reference to a subsection or paragraph is 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.
Repeals.
4.—The Acts specified in the Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
PART II
The Central Bank
Chapter I
Preliminary, Alteration of Penalties and General Offence Provisions
Definitions (Part II).
5.—In this Part—
“the Act of 1971” means the Central Bank Act, 1971;
“the Principal Act” means the Central Bank Act, 1942.
Construction and collective citation (Part II).
6.—The Principal Act, the Central Bank Act, 1961, the Central Bank Act, 1964, the Act of 1971 and this Part shall be construed together as one Act and may be cited together as the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989.
Laying of regulations and orders before Houses of the Oireachtas.
7.—Every regulation and order (other than regulations under section 15 or to which section 23 (3) relates or an order under section 79) made under this Part shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation or order is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation or order is laid before it, the regulation or order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Alteration of penalties under Principal Act.
8.—The Principal Act is hereby amended—
(a) in section 55, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (1):
“(1) If any person makes, or causes to be made, or uses for any purpose whatsoever, or utters any document purporting to be, or in any way resembling, or so nearly resembling as to be calculated to deceive, a bank note or part of a bank note, he shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.”;
(b) in section 56, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):
“(2) Every person who makes, provides, issues, re-issues, or gives or receives in payment any document in contravention of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.”;
(c) in section 65, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):
“(2) (a) It shall be the duty of every person on whom a notice is served by the Bank under subsection (1) of this section to comply with such notice within the time or on the periodic occasions (as the case may be) specified in such notice, and if he fails so to do, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
(b) Where a person has been convicted of an offence by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection and, after the conviction, the failure to comply continues, the person shall be guilty of contravening this section on every day on which the contravention continues after that conviction and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100.”.
Offences and penalties under Act of 1971.
9.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 58:
“58.—(1) Any person who contravenes section 7, 14, 17, 18 or 27 of this Act and a holder of a licence who—
(a) has obtained a licence through false statements or any other irregular means,
(b) contravenes section 19, 20, 26, 31 or 33 of this Act,
(c) commits by act or omission a breach of a condition duly imposed and which relates to a licence,
(d) fails to comply with a direction under section 11 (3) (c) (inserted by section 34 of the Central Bank Act, 1989), 21 or 22 of this Act, or a requisition under section 23 of this Act, or
(e) contravenes regulations under section 24 or 25 of this Act,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both,
and, if the contravention, breach or failure in respect of which he was convicted is continued after conviction, he shall be guilty of an offence on every day on which the contravention, breach or failure continues after conviction in respect of the original contravention, breach or failure and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
(2) Where there is a contravention in relation to a unit trust scheme of section 14 (2) of this Act, the manager under the scheme shall be deemed to have contravened section 14 of this Act.
(3) In any proceedings for an offence under this section which relates to section 27 of this Act, it shall be a good defence for the accused to prove that he was, at the relevant time, a person whose business it was to publish or arrange for the publication on behalf of some other person of advertisements or other solicitations and that the relevant advertisement or other solicitation was received for publication in the ordinary course of that business and that he did not know and had no reason to suspect that to use it to advertise or otherwise solicit could be an offence.”.
Prosecution of offences by Bank.
10.—An offence under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, which is being tried summarily may be prosecuted by the Bank and a statement made by the person conducting such prosecution that the prosecution has been commenced with the authority of the Bank shall be sufficient evidence that the prosecution was so commenced.
Offences in relation to certain bodies.
11.—Where an offence under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, is committed by a body corporate or by a person purporting to act on behalf of a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons and is proved to have been so committed with the consent or approval of, or to have been facilitated by any wilful neglect on the part of, another person (being a director, manager, secretary, member of any committee of management or other controlling authority of such body or official of such body) that other person shall, as well as the body corporate or the person so purporting to act, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Chapter II
General Provisions Relating to the Bank
Additional powers and functions of Bank.
12.—(1) The repeal of the Currency Act, 1927, by section 4 shall not affect any function, power or duty exercisable by the Bank by virtue of section 6 (1) of the Principal Act.
(2) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the powers and functions exercisable by virtue of section 47 of the Act of 1971 include the powers—
(a) to acquire, hold, sell, assign or otherwise deal in securities or any other property,
(b) to extend loans and advances, and
(c) to give guarantees and make payments on foot of such guarantees.
(3) The Bank shall, for the purpose of—
(a) the protection of the interests of persons, or any class thereof, maintaining deposits with any other person in respect of which the business of that other person is supervised by the Bank, or
(b) the orderly and proper regulation of the business of any person in respect of which he is so supervised,
have the following powers, where they are not already exercisable by the Bank, that is to say the powers—
(i) to acquire, hold, sell, assign or otherwise deal in securities or any other property,
(ii) to extend loans and advances, and
(iii) to give guarantees and make payments on foot of such guarantees.
Fees in respect of supervision by Bank.
13.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may, after consulting the Bank, by regulation prescribe the fee to be paid to the Bank by any person supervised by it under any enactment and different fees may be prescribed for different classes of persons.
(2) Regulations under this section may provide for such incidental or related matters as are, in the opinion of the Minister, necessary to give effect to such fees.
(3) Where the Minister proposes to prescribe a fee under subsection (1), he shall—
(a) notify the persons of the class to which the proposed fee relates of that proposed fee, and
(b) only prescribe the proposed fee or a lesser fee after he has considered any representations made to him within such period, being not less than two months after the date the notification was sent by him to each person concerned, as he shall specify in the notification.
(4) In this section “person” includes a financial futures and options exchange within the meaning assigned to it for the purposes of Chapter VIII.
Composition of Board of Directors.
14.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Principal Act is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3) of section 5:
“(3) The Bank shall be conducted and managed in accordance with this Act by a Board of Directors consisting of—
(a) a Governor, and
(b) such number of other Directors (not exceeding nine and not including at any one time more than two service Directors) as the Minister shall from time to time determine.”;
(b) by the deletion of sections 14 (5), 23 (7) and 29;
(c) by the substitution of the following section for section 24:
“Tenure of office of the Directors.
24.—(1) Every Director (other than a service Director and a Director appointed to fill a casual vacancy) shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified, hold office for five years from the expiration by effluxion of time of the term of office of his predecessor.
(2) Every Director (other than a service Director) who is appointed for a purpose other than filling a vacancy amongst the Directors (other than as aforesaid) shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified, hold office for five years from the day as on and from which he is appointed.
(3) Every service Director shall hold office at the pleasure of the Minister and may be removed by the Minister at any time.
(4) A person appointed to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Director (other than the office of a service Director) shall hold office for the residue of the term for which the Director whose death, resignation, or disqualification created the vacancy would have held office if he had not died, resigned or become disqualified.”;
(d) in section 28 (which relates to notices of vacancies and appointments of certain Directors) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (1):
“(1) This section applies only to Directors who are not service Directors.”.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the deletion of section 53.
(3) (a) Any person who, immediately before the coming into operation of this section, was a banking Director shall, unless his term of office expires on such coming into operation, continue to hold office for the period of 3 months thereafter unless he sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified.
(b) In respect of each Director to whom paragraph (a) applies, the provisions of sections 14 (5), 23 (7) and 29 of the Principal Act and section 53 (3) of the Act of 1971 shall continue to apply to him, until he ceases to be a banking Director in accordance with paragraph (a), as if this section had not been enacted.
Offices and staff of Bank.
15.—(1) The Bank may purchase, take on lease, build or otherwise acquire and may equip and maintain such offices and other premises in such places as it considers necessary for the due performance of its functions under this Act and may sell or let any such premises which it considers to be no longer necessary for that purpose.
(2) The Bank shall appoint a secretary and such other officers and servants as the Bank shall from time to time consider necessary for the due performance of its functions under this Act and every secretary, officer, and servant so appointed shall hold office upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Bank shall determine.
(3) (a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), every appointment under subsection (2) of an officer or servant of the Bank shall be made by competition (including a qualifying or competitive test in Irish) to be conducted according to regulations to be made by the Board and the Board may, in relation to any such competition, impose such conditions of entry, limitations, and safeguards as it thinks proper.
(b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply to appointment to a position in respect of which appointment by competition is, in the opinion of the Board, unsuitable.
(4) There shall be paid to the secretary and the other officers and servants of the Bank such salaries and remuneration as the Bank may determine.
(5) (a) The Bank may, with the approval of the Minister make such further scheme or schemes for granting pensions, allowances and gratuities on retirement or death to or in respect of such of its officers and servants as it thinks proper and may, out of funds available under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, for defrayal of the expenses of the Bank, pay in respect of such persons on retirement or death the pensions, allowances or gratuities in accordance with the relevant scheme and the Minister may determine the said funds to be public funds for the purposes of the Superannuation Act, 1892.
(b) The Bank may from time to time, with the approval of the Minister, make a scheme amending a scheme under paragraph (a).
(c) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, a scheme under this subsection may provide for the granting of superannuation benefits (including pensions, allowances and gratuities) to widows and children of officers and servants of the Bank and for the payment of contributions in respect of such benefits by the officers and servants to whom the scheme applies.
(6) Every scheme made under subsection (4) of section 31 of the Currency Act, 1927, shall, to the extent that it is still in force immediately before the coming into operation of this section, continue in force as if that subsection had not been repealed by this Act.
(7) Subsection (2) of section 54 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the insertion of “(as continued in force by virtue of section 15 (6) of the Central Bank Act, 1989)” after “the Act of 1927” and the said subsection, as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
(8) Every scheme made by the Bank under subsection (5) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and if either such House, within the next subsequent 21 days on which it has sat after such scheme is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling such scheme, such scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
TABLE
(2) The Bank may from time to time, with the approval of the Minister, make a scheme amending a scheme under section 31 (4) of the Act of 1927 (as continued in force by virtue of section 15 (6) of the Central Bank Act, 1989) or section 33 (1) (c) of the Act of 1942 or a scheme under this subsection and a scheme under this subsection may, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, provide for the granting of superannuation benefits (including pensions, allowances and gratuities) to widows and children of persons to whom those schemes apply and for the payment of contributions in respect of such benefits by the persons to whom those schemes apply.
Disclosure of information.
16.—(1) A person, who at the commencement of this section is, or at any time thereafter is appointed, Governor or a Director, officer or servant of the Bank or who is employed by the Bank in any other capacity, shall not disclose, during his term of office or employment or at any time thereafter, any information concerning—
(a) the business of any person or body (whether corporate or unincorporate) which came to his knowledge by virtue of his office or employment, or
(b) the Bank's activities in respect of the protection of the integrity of the currency or the control of credit,
unless such disclosure is to enable the Bank to carry out its functions under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, or under any enactment amending those Acts.
(2) The provisions as to non-disclosure contained in subsection (1) shall not apply to any disclosure—
(a) required by a court in connection with any criminal proceedings,
(b) made with the consent of the person to whom the information relates and, where not the same person, of the person from whom that information was obtained,
(c) where the Bank is acting or has acted in the capacity of an agent for a person, made to the person in respect of that capacity,
(d) where the Bank considers it necessary for the common good, made to any person charged by law with the supervision of financial institutions (whether or not entitled to take money on deposit from the public) and who, in the opinion of the Bank, has obligations concerning that person duly imposed in respect of non-disclosure of information and corresponding to obligations under this section,
(e) made to an authority in a foreign jurisdiction duly authorised to exercise functions in that jurisdiction which correspond to the functions of the Bank under this Part and Part II of the Act of 1971 and which, in the opinion of the Bank, has obligations concerning the authority duly imposed in respect of non-disclosure of information and corresponding to obligations under this section,
(f) made to any institution of the European Communities for the purpose of the State's membership of any of those Communities,
(g) made for the purpose of complying with any requirement, under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, or any other enactment, that a report, statement or other document be laid before a House of the Oireachtas,
and the provisions as to non-disclosure contained in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) shall not apply to any disclosure—
(i) in the case of the said paragraph (a), which, in the opinion of the Bank, is necessary for the protection of depositors of money with any person carrying on the business of banking or any business to which section 7 (4) (a) (ii) of the Act of 1971 (as amended by this Act) or regulations under section 26 relate or to safeguard the interests of the Bank,
(ii) in the case of the said paragraph (b), made with the consent of the Bank or where the disclosure is not prejudicial to—
(I) the operations of the Bank in any financial market, or
(II) the issue by the Bank of legal tender, or
(III) the integrity of the currency.
(3) After the commencement of this section, every person who is appointed Governor or a Director, officer or servant of the Bank, or who is employed by the Bank in any other capacity, shall—
(a) before entering into the office or employment, be informed by the Bank of his obligations under this section, and
(b) acknowledge that he has been so informed and understands his obligations,
in such manner as the Bank shall determine.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £25,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.
(5) In any proceedings for an offence under this section, it shall not be necessary to prove that the provisions of subsection (2) do not apply and the onus of proving that any of those provisions do apply shall be on the person seeking to avail himself thereof.
Prevention of corruption.
17.—With effect from the commencement of this section, the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1916, shall apply to every person to whom section 16 relates and, accordingly—
(a) section 1 (3) of the said Act of 1906 (as adapted by the Prevention of Corruption Acts, 1889 to 1916, Adaptation Order, 1928 (S.R. & O. No. 37 of 1928)) and section 2 of the said Act of 1916 (as so adapted) shall be construed as if there were included, after the reference to a person holding an office remunerated out of the Central Fund or moneys provided by the Oireachtas, a reference to a person to whom section 16 of the Central Bank Act, 1989, relates, and
(b) sections 1 and 2 of the said Act of 1916 (as so adapted) shall be construed as if there were included, after the reference to a statutory body required by law to exercise its functions subject to the direction and control of a Minister who is head of a Department of State, a reference to the Bank.
Keeping of documents.
18.—(1) No provision of the National Debt Act, 1870, or of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, shall be construed as requiring the Bank to preserve any document or other record for a period of more than 6 years after the latest date of the period to which such document or other record relates and no regulation under section 17 of the Finance Act, 1911, or section 37 of the Finance Act, 1917, shall provide for the preservation of such document or other record for a period of more than the said 6 years.
(2) A document or other record to which subsection (1) refers may be kept in whole or in part by recording otherwise than in a legible form so long as the recording is capable of being reproduced in a legible form.
(3) In any legal proceedings, a copy or reproduction in legible form of any entry in a document or other record kept, or formerly kept, by the Bank shall be received as evidence of such entry or of the matters therein recorded where such document or other record has been destroyed or is kept by the Bank otherwise than in a legible form.
Accounts and records of Bank.
19.—(1) The Bank shall keep all proper books of account and other books and records, and shall within 6 months after the end of every year prepare and transmit to the Comptroller and Auditor General a statement of accounts in respect of such year in such form as shall be approved of, from time to time, by the Minister after consulting with the Bank.
(2) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall audit, certify, and report upon every statement of accounts transmitted to him by the Bank under this section and every such report of the Comptroller and Auditor General together with the statement of accounts to which it relates shall be transmitted by him to the Minister who shall cause copies of the documents so transmitted to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Report and returns by Bank.
20.—(1) The Bank shall, within 6 months after the expiration of every year, prepare and send to the Minister a report of its proceedings during such year and the Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as possible after its receipt by him.
(2) The Bank shall furnish to the Minister for publication in the Iris Oifigiúil such periodical returns in respect of the transactions of the Bank as the Minister may from time to time direct.
Exemption of Bank from taxes.
21.—Notwithstanding any provision of the Tax Acts or the Capital Gains Tax Acts, profits, income and chargeable gains of the Bank shall be exempt from corporation tax, income tax and capital gains tax.
Winding up of legal tender note fund and transfer of assets to general fund.
22.—(1) As soon as possible after the date on which this section comes into operation and in any event with effect from a date not later than one month thereafter, the legal tender note fund shall be wound up by the Bank and the assets of that fund shall be transferred to the general fund.
(2) The legal tender notes on issue at any time after the winding up of the legal tender note fund shall be a liability on the general fund.
(3) (a) References to the legal tender note fund in any statute (other than this Act) or instrument made under such statute and in force at the date of the winding up of the legal tender note fund shall, with effect from that date, be construed as references to the general fund unless the context otherwise requires.
(b) The Minister may by regulations make, in respect of any statute or instrument to which paragraph (a) applies and relating to any matter dealt with by this section, any adaptations or modifications which appear to him to be necessary to enable such statute or instrument to have effect in conformity with this section.
(4) As soon as possible after the winding up of the legal tender note fund, the Bank shall cause a notice to that effect to be published in the Iris Oifigiúil which shall state therein the date of the winding up.
General fund.
23.—(1) Notwithstanding the repeal of section 63 of the Currency Act, 1927, the Bank shall continue to keep the fund called the general fund to which it shall carry all receipts and out of which it shall draw all payments.
(2) The Minister may, after consultation with the Bank, make regulations providing for the determination periodically of the surplus income of the Bank and may by such regulations enable provisions to be made for reserves, depreciation, and other like matters before determination of the surplus income.
(3) Any regulations made under section 63 (5) of the Currency Act, 1927, shall, to the extent that they are still in force immediately before the coming into operation of this section, be deemed to have been made under this section.
(4) The Bank shall pay its surplus income as and when determined under this section into the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct and may at any time pending such determination pay into the Exchequer such sums on account of surplus income as may be agreed upon by the Minister and the Bank.
Monetary unit and exchange rate.
24.—(1) The monetary unit of the State shall be the Irish pound which shall be issued in legal tender form.
(2) The Minister may, whenever he considers it necessary after consultation with the Bank, do either or both of the following, that is to say:
(a) vary the general exchange rate arrangements for the time being for the Irish pound in respect of any or all other monetary units,
(b) make specific exchange rate adjustments consistent with those arrangements.
(3) Whenever the Minister varies the general exchange rate arrangements or makes specific exchange rate adjustments under subsection (2), a notice to that effect shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil.
Currency in which contracts, etc., are made.
25.—Every contract, sale, payment, bill, note, instrument, and security for money, and every transaction, dealing, matter, and thing whatever relating to money or involving the payment or the liability to pay any money which is made, executed, entered into, done, or had on or after the coming into operation of this section shall be made, executed, entered into, done and had according to coins or notes which are for the time being legal tender in the State and not otherwise, unless the same be made, executed, entered into, done or had according to a currency other than the currency of the State.
Chapter III
Licensing and Supervision of Licence Holders
Extension of application of licensing and supervisory provisions.
26.—Where, after consulting with the Bank and with such Ministers of the Government (if any) as he considers it appropriate to consult with in the circumstances, the Minister is of the opinion that, in respect of any class of financial business which is not supervised by the Bank under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, it is necessary for—
(a) the protection of the public or any class thereof from financial loss, or
(b) the orderly and proper regulation of financial markets,
that such class of financial business ought to be either or both licensed and supervised by the Bank, he may by regulations apply to the said class all or any of the licensing and supervisory provisions (including those provisions which relate to auditors and liquidators) of Part II of the Act of 1971 or of this Chapter or Chapters I, II and IV with such modifications or adaptations as he considers appropriate.
Investigation of complaints.
27.—(1) The Minister may, by regulations made after consultation with the Bank, require the holder of a licence to establish or join in establishing a scheme or schemes for the investigation of complaints against that holder or an associated company in relation to a prescribed matter of complaint.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may make provision in relation to any one or more of the following—
(a) the establishment and administration of a scheme,
(b) the manner of appointment of an independent adjudicator to conduct investigations,
(c) the matters to be subject to investigation under the scheme,
(d) the grounds on which a complaint must be based,
(e) the powers of, and procedure to be followed in the conduct of investigations by, the adjudicator,
(f) the circumstances in and the extent to which determinations are binding,
(g) the procedures for the making of complaints,
(h) the publication of the adjudicator's findings,
(i) the approval of the scheme by the Bank.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), the reference of a complaint under a scheme established under this section shall not affect the rights of any person to have a dispute determined in any other manner provided by law.
(4) Where on a complaint under a scheme established under this section the parties concerned agree that a determination in accordance with the scheme shall be binding on them and the scheme provides for such an agreement, then the determination shall be binding on the parties.
(5) In this section “associated company” means (where appropriate)—
(a) a holding company or a subsidiary company (within the meanings respectively given to them by section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963),
(b) a company which is a subsidiary of a body corporate, where the holder of the licence concerned is also a subsidiary of the body corporate, but neither is a subsidiary of the other.
Charges, etc., by holders of licences.
28.—(1) Each holder of a licence shall, within two months of the coming into operation of this section (in the case of existing licence holders) or of the grant of a licence (in any other case), notify the Bank of—
(a) all charges imposed by such holder in relation to the provision of any service to the public or to any class of the public, and
(b) any term or condition upon or subject to which such service is provided.
(2) The holder of a licence shall notify the Bank of every proposal—
(a) to change any charge, term or condition which has been previously notified to the Bank for the purposes of this section, or
(b) to impose any charge, term or condition, applying to the provision of a service to the public or to any class of the public, which has not been previously notified to the Bank for the purposes of this section.
(3) The Bank may direct the holder of a licence—
(a) to refrain from imposing or changing a charge, term or condition, applying to the provision of a service to the public or to any class of the public, without the prior approval of the Bank, and
(b) to publish, in such manner as may be specified by the Bank from time to time, information on any charge, term or condition applying to the provision of a service to the public or to any class of the public.
(4) A direction under this section may be expressed to apply—
(a) to every holder of a licence or to the holders of licences carrying on a specified type of banking business,
(b) to all services provided to the public or to any class of the public by the holders of licences concerned or to specified services or to services of a specified kind,
(c) in relation to a specified time or times or during a specified period or periods,
and the direction shall—
(i) be communicated to every holder of a licence concerned,
(ii) where not communicated in writing, be confirmed in writing to every such holder concerned as soon as possible thereafter, and
(iii) have effect in accordance with its terms.
(5) The Bank shall, in exercising its powers under this section, have regard to the promotion of fair competition between—
(a) holders of licences,
(b) holders of licences carrying on a particular type of banking business, and
(c) holders of licences to which paragraph (a) or (b) relates and such other institutions taking money on deposit as the Bank considers appropriate to take into account.
(6) The Bank may amend or revoke a subsisting direction under this section and may amend or revoke a subsisting direction which has been amended.
(7) The Bank may exempt a holder of a licence from the obligation to notify the Bank under this section in respect of—
(a) any charge which has been individually negotiated bona fide with the holder by a customer, or by or on behalf of a group of customers, of the holder, or
(b) a class of term or condition applying to a service provided by the holder, if the Bank is of the opinion that it is not necessary for it to be so notified in order to decide whether or not to issue a direction under subsection (3) in respect of the service.
(8) Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both,
and, if the contravention in respect of which he was convicted is continued after conviction, he shall be guilty of an offence on every day on which the contravention continues after conviction in respect of the original contravention and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
(9) In this section, “charge” and “term or condition” do not include any rate of interest.
Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1971.
29.—Section 2 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution, respectively, of the following definitions for the definitions of “banking business” and “the Court”:
“‘banking business’ means business which consists of—
(a) the business of accepting deposits payable on demand or on notice or at a fixed or determinable future date, or
(b) the business of taking funds, other than deposits, from the public payable on demand or on notice or at a fixed or determinable future date (whether or not involving the issue of securities or other obligations, however described),
but excluding—
(i) deposits with a trader from persons employed by him in his trading business or from his customers in the normal course of his trading business and deposits or instalments in respect of the letting or selling of goods under a hire-purchase agreement or a credit-sale agreement, or
(ii) the taking of other funds by a person from the public where it can be shown that—
(I) no part of the business activities of the person so taking or of any other person is financed wholly or substantially out of those funds, and
(II) such funds are, in the normal course of business, taken on a casual or incidental basis only,
or
(iii) moneys taken solely as a premium in respect of the issue or renewal of a life assurance policy issued by a holder of an authorisation under the European Communities (Life Assurance) Regulations, 1984 (S.I. No. 57 of 1984),
or either or both of the businesses aforesaid and any other business normally carried on by a bank and ‘banking’ and words cognate thereto shall be construed accordingly;
‘the Court’ means, except where the context otherwise requires, the High Court;”;
(b) by the substitution, respectively, of the following definitions for the definitions of “general fund”, “gold bullion”, “issue” and “legal tender note”:
“‘general fund’ means the fund to which section 63 of the Currency Act, 1927, related and which continues to be kept by the Bank by virtue of section 23 of the Central Bank Act, 1989;
‘gold bullion’ includes any gold coins other than gold coins which are for the time being legal tender in the State;
‘issue’, when used in relation to legal tender notes, includes the re-issue of any such note which has ceased to be outstanding;
‘legal tender note’ means a legal tender note provided and issued under and in accordance with the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, and any other enactment amending or extending those Acts or under any Act repealed by the Central Bank Act, 1989;”.
Amendment of section 7 of Act of 1971.
30.—Section 7 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (4):
“(4) (a) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply in relation to—
(i) the central banks in the other states that are members of the European Communities,
(ii) the Agricultural Credit Corporation public limited company, the company formed and registered by virtue of section 2 of the Industrial Credit Act, 1933, the Post Office Savings Bank, a trustee savings bank certified under the Trustee Savings Banks Acts, 1863 to 1979, or
(iii) a building society, an industrial and provident society, a friendly society, a credit union or the manager or trustee under a unit trust or collective investment scheme in respect of the carrying on of the business of the scheme.
(b) Where the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of banking or of any other financial market he may, after consultation with the Bank and with such Minister of the Government or other persons as he may consider appropriate to so consult in the circumstances, by order amend paragraph (a) (ii) so as to add thereto any body or category of persons or to delete therefrom any body or category of persons mentioned therein for the time being.”.
Exemption of persons from section 7 of Act of 1971.
31.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 8:
“8. (1) (a) Where, by reason only of a person's use in a name or title of any of the words ‘bank’, ‘banker’ or ‘banking’ or any word which is a variant, derivative or translation of or is analogous to any of those words, the person would be deemed to be holding himself out as a banker, the Bank may exempt the person from the provisions of section 7 of this Act if, in the opinion of the Bank, the person does not in fact carry on or propose to carry on banking business and does not otherwise hold himself out or represent himself as a banker or as carrying on banking business.
(b) The Bank may at any time revoke an exemption under this subsection where it is of the opinion that at any time after being exempted the person concerned has carried on banking business or otherwise has held himself out or represented himself as a banker or as carrying on a banking business and, upon the exemption being so revoked, that person shall forthwith take all necessary measures to cease using the name or title concerned containing the word to which the revoked exemption related.
(2) (a) The Bank may exempt any class or classes of person from the requirement for each of them to hold a licence where—
(i) the requirement would arise solely out of the issuing of securities or other obligations to which the definition of ‘banking business’ relates, and
(ii) the Bank is of the opinion that the exemption would not conflict with the orderly and proper regulation of banking.
(b) Where any class of persons have been exempted under this subsection from holding a licence and subsequently the Bank is of the opinion that the circumstances relevant to the exemption have changed and are such that that class would not now be so exempted, the Bank shall revoke the exemption.
(c) The Bank shall cause notice of every exemption and revocation under this subsection to be published in the Iris Oifigiúil.”.
Grant of licences, etc.
32.—(1) Section 9 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended:
(a) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1):
“(1A) The Bank shall not grant a licence under this section to a person applying for it unless that person satisfies the Bank that it is—
(a) a company, or
(b) a credit institution within the meaning of Council Directive 77/780/EEC of 12 December, 1977(1), which has been duly authorised for the purposes of that Directive.”;
(b) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
“(3) Whenever the Bank proposes to refuse to grant a licence to a person—
(a) it shall—
(i) within the period of six months after the date of the receipt of the application for the licence, or
(ii) where additional information in relation to the application has been sought by the Bank, within the period of six months after the date of the receipt by the Bank of the additional information or the period of twelve months after the date of the receipt of the application for the licence whichever period first expires,
notify the person in writing that it intends to seek the consent of the Minister to the proposed refusal and of its reasons for the refusal and that the person may, within the period of twenty-one days after the date of the giving of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the proposed refusal,
(b) the person may make such representations in writing to the Minister within the time aforesaid, and
(c) the Minister shall, before deciding to give or withhold his consent, consider any representations duly made to him under this subsection in relation to the proposed refusal.”.
(2) Section 10 (4) of the Act of 1971 shall stand repealed with effect from the coming into operation of subsection (1) (a).
Amendment of section 10 of Act of 1971.
33.—Section 10 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (c) of subsection (3):
“(c) the Bank shall, before deciding to impose the condition or amend or add to the conditions of the licence, as the case may be, consider any representations duly made to it under this subsection in relation to the imposition, amendment or addition, as the case may be, and where, after so considering, the Bank decides on an imposition, amendment or addition, as the case may be, that differs from that specified in the notification concerned, it shall not be necessary to give a new notification under this subsection if the difference results in the condition concerned being no more onerous than would be the case had the Bank decided to impose the condition or amend or add to the conditions of the licence, as the case may be, in accordance with the notification concerned.”.
Revocation of licences.
34.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 11:
“11. (1) The Bank may—
(a) revoke a licence if the holder of the licence so requests,
(b) with the consent of the Minister, revoke a licence if the holder of the licence—
(i) (I) has not commenced to carry on banking business within twelve months of the date on which the licence was granted, or
(II) has ceased to carry on banking business and has not carried it on during a period of more than six months immediately following the cesser,
(ii) being a company, is being wound up,
(iii) is a credit institution to which section 9 (IA) (b) of this Act (as amended by the Central Bank Act, 1989) relates, which is being duly wound up or otherwise dissolved,
(iv) has obtained the licence through false statements or any other irregular means,
(v) becomes unable to meet his obligations to his creditors or suspends payments lawfully due by him or no longer possesses sufficient own funds (being own funds to which Council Directive 77/780/EEC of 12 December, 1977, relates) or can no longer be relied upon to fulfil his obligations towards his creditors, and in particular no longer provides security for the assets entrusted to him,
(vi) fails to maintain a deposit in the Bank of an amount determined in accordance with section 55 of the Central Bank Act, 1989,
(vii) is convicted on indictment of an offence under any provision of this Act or an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust,
(viii) has his head office in another state that is a member of the European Communities and the authority in that state that exercises in that state functions corresponding to those of the Bank under this Chapter has withdrawn authorisation from the institution of which the holder is a branch,
(c) with the consent of the Minister, revoke the licence if, since the grant of the licence, the circumstances relevant to the grant have changed and are such that, if an application for a licence were made in the changed circumstances, it would be refused.
(2) Whenever the Bank proposes to revoke a licence (other than in circumstances to which paragraph (a) or (b) (viii) of subsection (1) of this section relate)—
(a) it shall notify the holder in writing that it intends to seek the consent of the Minister to the revocation and of the reasons for the revocation and that the holder may, within twenty-one days after the date of the giving of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the proposed revocation,
(b) the holder may make such representations in writing to the Minister within the time aforesaid, and
(c) the Minister shall, before deciding to give or withhold his consent, consider any representations duly made to him under this subsection in relation to the proposed revocation.
(3) Where a licence is revoked and the person who was the holder of the licence is not a company which is being wound up—
(a) that person shall continue to be subject to the duties and obligations imposed on him by or under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, until all liabilities of that person in respect of deposits (including deposits on current accounts) or other repayable funds accepted by him from persons (in this subsection referred to as depositors) have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Bank,
(b) that person shall, as soon as possible after the licence is revoked—
(i) notify the Bank and
(ii) as far as is reasonably practicable, notify every depositor concerned,
of the measures he is taking or proposes to take to discharge in full and without undue delay his liabilities in respect of those deposits,
(c) in the case where—
(i) that person has notified the Bank in accordance with paragraph (b) of this subsection and the Bank is of the opinion that the measures being taken or proposed to be taken for the purposes of that paragraph are not satisfactory, or
(ii) that person has not so notified the Bank and the Bank is of the opinion that he has failed to so notify as soon as possible after the licence is revoked, or
(iii) the Bank is of the opinion that that person has not taken all reasonable steps to so notify every depositor concerned,
then the Bank may give a direction in writing to that person for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified therein, prohibiting him from—
(I) dealing with or disposing of any of his assets or specified assets in any manner, or
(II) engaging in any transaction or class of transaction or specified transaction, or
(III) making payments,
without the prior authorisation of the Bank, and the Bank may require that person to prepare and submit to it for its approval within two months of the direction, a scheme for the orderly discharge in full of his liabilities to the depositors concerned,
(d) where a direction to which this subsection relates is given the provisions of section 21 of this Act shall apply with any necessary modifications.
(4) (a) Where a licence is revoked and the holder of the licence is a company which is being wound up, the liquidator of the company shall, in addition to his duties and obligations in respect of the winding up, be subject to the duties and obligations to which the company would be subject were it a company to which subsection (3) of this section relates and that subsection shall, for the purposes of this subsection, be construed accordingly.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Bank may, where it revokes a licence and considers it appropriate in the circumstances, remove in writing the duty and obligation imposed on the liquidator concerned to comply with paragraph (b) (as construed by this subsection) of subsection (3) of this section and may impose in writing on that liquidator such further or other duty and obligation which corresponds to that set out in the said paragraph (b).
(5) If the holder of a licence—
(a) has his head office in another state that is a member of the European Communities, or
(b) carries on banking business through a branch established in another such state,
the Bank shall, before deciding to revoke the licence, consult with the authority in that state that exercises in that state functions corresponding to those of the Bank under this Part:
Provided however that if immediate action by the Bank is called for it shall not be necessary for the Bank to consult as aforesaid but in such a case the Bank shall notify the authority concerned of the revocation of the licence.”.
Amendment of section 12 of Act of 1971.
35.—Section 12 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
“(3) The Bank shall keep each of the following informed of the names of the holders of licences, that is to say:
(a) the Commission of the European Communities;
(b) the Registrar of the Supreme Court;
(c) the officer for the time being managing the Central Office of the High Court;
(d) every County Registrar;
(e) every District Court Clerk.”.
Provisions in relation to books and records of holders of licences.
36.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 17:
“17.—(1) A holder of a licence shall keep at an office or offices within the State such books and records (including accounts) as may be specified from time to time by the Bank in the due discharge by the Bank of its statutory functions and shall notify the Bank of the address of every office at which any such book or record is kept for the purposes of this subsection.
(2) Different books and records may be specified by the Bank for the purposes of this section in relation to different holders of licences.
(3) (a) An appropriate person duly authorised in writing in that behalf by the Governor of the Bank (in this subsection referred to as ‘an authorised person’) may, for the purpose of the performance by the Bank of its statutory functions and upon production of his authorisation, at all reasonable times, inspect and take copies of or extracts from, and make such enquiries as he may consider necessary in relation to—
(i) the books and records kept pursuant to this section by the holder of a licence, and
(ii) any books of account relating to the said holder and kept under the Companies Act, 1963, or under any enactment which is to be construed together as one with that Act, and
(iii) any other documents relating to the business of the said holder,
and for those purposes enter any office to which subsection (1) of this section relates and any other place where he reasonably believes any books, records or other documents as aforesaid are kept.
(b) A person who has in his power, possession or procurement any books, records or other documents aforesaid shall—
(i) produce them at the request of an authorised person and permit him to inspect and take copies of or extracts from them,
(ii) at the request of an authorised person, give any information which may be reasonably required with regard to them, and
(iii) give such other assistance and information to an authorised person as is reasonable in the circumstances.
(c) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection shall apply to every holder of a licence and the provisions of those paragraphs, other than subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a), shall apply to—
(i) every associated enterprise of the holder, and
(ii) any other person,
where an inspection of the books, records or other documents is, in the opinion of the Bank, materially relevant to the proper appraisal of the business of a holder of a licence during any period in respect of which an inspection or proposed inspection of the holder relates.
(4) Books and records kept pursuant to this section shall—
(a) be in addition to any books or other records to be kept by or under any other enactment, and
(b) be retained for at least such period as the Bank may specify in respect of any such book or record.
(5) Where any person from whom production of a book, record or other document is required claims a lien thereon, the production of it shall be without prejudice to the lien.
(6) Nothing in this section shall compel the production by a barrister or solicitor of a book, record or other document containing a privileged communication made by him or to him in that capacity or the furnishing of information contained in a privileged communication so made.
(7) (a) In this section—
‘appropriate person’ means—
(i) an officer of the Bank, or
(ii) in relation to any particular inspection (including a proposed inspection), any other person who in the opinion of the Governor of the Bank possesses appropriate qualifications or experience to carry out the inspection, or any part thereof, to which this section relates;
‘associated enterprise’ means (where appropriate)—
(i) a holding company of the holder of a licence,
(ii) a subsidiary company of the holder of a licence,
(iii) a company which is a subsidiary of a body corporate, where the holder of the licence concerned is also a subsidiary of the body corporate, but neither company is a subsidiary of the other,
(iv) where a company is the holder of a licence, any other body corporate that is not a subsidiary of the company but in respect of which the company is beneficially entitled to more than 20 per cent. in nominal value of either the allotted share capital or of the shares carrying voting rights (other than voting rights which arise only in specified circumstances) in that other body corporate,
(v) a partnership in which the holder of a licence has an interest, and whose business is or, at the relevant time, was, in the opinion of the Bank, materially relevant to any inspection of the holder being carried out or proposed to be carried out under this section;
‘holding company’ has the meaning given to it by section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963;
‘statutory functions’, in relation to the Bank, means its functions—
(i) under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, and any other enactment amending those Acts, or
(ii) imposed by virtue of the European Communities (Consolidated Supervision of Banks) Regulations, 1985 (S.I. No. 302 of 1985), and Council Directive No. 85/354/EEC (1) of 13 June, 1983;
‘subsidiary company’ has the meaning given to it by section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963.
(b) References in this section to books, records or other documents, or to any of them, shall be construed as including any document or information kept in a non-legible form (by the use of electronics or otherwise) which is capable of being reproduced in a legible form and all the electronic or other automatic means, if any, by which such document or information is so capable of being reproduced to which the person, whose books, records or other documents (as so construed) are inspected for the purposes of this section, has access.”.
Furnishing of information to Bank.
37.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 18: (1)
“18. (1) A holder of a licence and any person carrying on a business—
(a) of an associated enterprise to which subsection (3) of this section relates,
(b) in respect of which that person is, by virtue of section 7 (4) (a) (ii) of this Act, exempted from the obligation to hold a licence,
(c) as an investment trust company,
(d) as a moneybroker,
(e) as a financial intermediary, or
(f) of issuing, holding or otherwise participating in any market in financial instruments including those to which Chapter VIII of the Central Bank Act, 1989, applies;
shall each furnish the Bank—
(i) at such times as the Bank may specify from time to time, such information and returns concerning the business to which the licence relates or the carrying on of a business as aforesaid by such person, as the case may be, as the Bank may specify from time to time, being information and returns which the Bank considers it necessary to have for the due performance of its statutory functions;
(ii) within such period as the Bank may specify, any information and returns (not being information or returns specified under paragraph (i) of this subsection) concerning the business to which the licence relates or the carrying on of a business as aforesaid by such person, as the case may be, that the Bank may request in writing, being information and returns which the Bank considers it necessary to have for the due performance of its statutory functions.
(2) A person shall not furnish information or returns under this section which he knows to be false.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall apply to the business of an associated enterprise to the extent only that the information and returns sought by the Bank are, in the opinion of the Bank, materially relevant to the proper appraisal of the business of the holder of the licence to which the associated enterprise relates.
(4) In this section:
‘>associated enterprise’ has the same meaning as it has in section 17 of this Act;
‘information and returns’ and ‘information or returns’ includes audited accounts, audited group accounts and any other documents which are equivalent or correspond to such audited accounts or audited group accounts;
‘moneybroker’ has the meaning assigned to it by section 108 of the Central Bank Act, 1989, for the purposes of Chapter IX of that Act.”.
Directions by Bank to holders of licences.
38.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 21:
“21.—(1) Where the Bank is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, or that the holder of a licence—
(a) has become or is likely to become unable to meet his obligations to his creditors, or
(b) is not maintaining or is unlikely to be in a position to maintain adequate capital resources having regard to the volume and nature of his business, or
(c) has failed to comply with any condition imposed in relation to the licence in accordance with section 10 of this Act and the circumstances are such that the Bank is of the opinion that the stability and soundness of the holder are affected by such failure, or
(d) is conducting business in such a manner as to jeopardise and prejudice the security of deposits taken by him or the rights and interests of persons who made those deposits, or
(e) is under common control with one or more than one other enterprise (whether or not any such other enterprise is the holder of a licence) and the Bank is of the opinion that the common control is not in the interest of persons maintaining deposits with the first mentioned holder of a licence,
the Bank may give a direction in writing to that holder to suspend, for such period, not exceeding six months, as shall be specified in the direction, all or any of the following, that is to say—
(i) the carrying on of banking business,
(ii) the making of payments to which paragraph (i) of this subsection does not relate,
(iii) the acquisition or disposal of other assets or liabilities,
which have not been authorised by the Bank.
(2) The Bank may revoke a direction given under subsection (1) of this section unless an order under subsection (4) of this section has been made in respect of the direction.
(3) The holder of a licence to whom a direction is given under subsection (1) of this section may apply to the Court for, and the Court may grant, an order setting aside the direction.
(4) The Bank may apply to the Court for, and the Court may grant, an order confirming a direction given under subsection (1) of this section or confirming the direction and subject to subsection (5) of this section extending the period of its operation for such time, not exceeding the period of twelve months from the date the direction commenced to have effect, as the Court may, having regard to all the circumstances, consider appropriate.
(5) A direction to which subsection (4) of this section relates shall cease to have effect—
(a) where the direction was confirmed, upon the expiration of the period to which the direction relates,
(b) where the direction was confirmed and the period of its operation was extended, upon the expiration of that extended period,
(c) from such date as the Court by order determines on a subsequent application to it by the Bank,
(d) upon the making of a winding up order in respect of the holder of the licence concerned, or
(e) where the Court is of the opinion that the circumstances which gave rise to the direction have ceased to exist and that it would be unjust and inequitable not to make an order to that effect, from such date as the Court by order determines,
whichever first occurs.
(6) The Court may, in addition to or in lieu of making an order under subsection (3) or (4) of this section, make such other order in relation to the matter as may appear to it to be necessary, including an order directing any person who holds money or other assets for or on behalf of the person to whom the direction relates not to dispose of any of those assets except on such conditions and in such circumstances as are specified in the order.
(7) Where a direction given under this section is a subsisting direction, then—
(a) winding up or bankruptcy proceedings shall not be initiated in relation to the holder of the licence to whom the direction was given,
(b) a receiver over the property of that holder shall not be appointed, and
(c) the property of that holder shall not be attached, sequestered or otherwise distrained,
unless the prior approval of the Court has been obtained.
(8) (a) Where the Bank is of the opinion that, notwithstanding the fact that the holder of the licence to whom the direction was given under this section appears to it to be able to meet his obligations to his creditors, the circumstances which gave rise to the direction are unlikely to be rectified, it shall forthwith apply to the Court for, and the Court may grant, an order directing the holder to prepare, in consultation with the Bank, a scheme for the orderly termination of his banking business and the discharge of his liabilities to persons who have deposits maintained with him under the supervision of the Bank and to submit the scheme to the Court within two months for the Court's approval.
(b) The Court shall not approve the terms of the scheme without hearing the Bank and, in the event of any dispute concerning the terms of the scheme, either or both the Bank and the holder of the licence to whom the direction was given may apply to the Court to adjudicate on the matter.
(c) If the holder of the licence to whom the direction was given fails to comply with the order of the Court or fails to adhere to the scheme approved by the Court, the Bank may apply to the Court for and the Court may make such further order as it considers appropriate, including an order of commital or a winding up order on the ground that it is just and equitable that the holder should be wound up.
(9) Where, in proceedings brought under this section against the holder of a licence to whom a direction was given under this section, a winding up order is made, the law relating to companies (including this Act) shall apply in the same way as if the order had been made on a winding up petition under that law and as if for any reference in that law to the presentation of the winding up petition there were substituted a reference to the making of the winding up order under this section.
(10) Where the Court is satisfied, because of the nature or the circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the whole or any part of proceedings under this section may be heard otherwise than in public.
(11) The Court may by order revoke or amend an order made by it under this section.
(12) For the purpose of subsection (1) (e) of this section, the holder of a licence and one or more than one other enterprise shall be deemed to be under common control if the decision as to how or by whom each shall be managed can be made by the same person or is made by the same group of persons acting in concert.”.
Amendment of section 22 of Act of 1971.
39.—Section 22 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended:
(a) by the substitution of the following subsections for subsection (2):
“(2) The Bank may give a direction to a holder of a licence to refrain from—
(a) publishing or continuing to publish, or
(b) causing to be published or to be continued to be published,
during such period as shall be specified in the direction an advertisement inviting deposits from the public.
(2A) The Bank may give a direction to a holder of a licence to refrain from—
(a) publishing or continuing to publish, or
(b) causing to be published or to be continued to be published,
an advertisement containing information in respect of any service provided or to be provided to the public or any charge, term or condition upon which a service is so provided (or to be so provided) which, in the opinion of the Bank is false, misleading or calculated to deceive.”;
(b) by the addition of the following subsection after subsection (3):
“(4) In this section:
‘advertisement’ includes every form of recommendation of any matter to which this section relates including, in particular, the display or publication of any such matter by way of notice, leaflet, circular, pamphlet, brochure, photograph, film, video, sound broadcasting, television, electronic communication or personal canvassing;
‘deposits’ includes any funds taken from the public and payable on demand or on notice or at a fixed or determinable future date.”.
Amendment of section 23 of Act of 1971.
40.—Section 23 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (4):
“(4) In this section—
‘liabilities’ include such contingent liabilities as may be specified by the Bank from time to time for the purposes of this section;
‘specified’ means specified by the Bank in a requisition under this section.”.
Composition of assets and liabilities.
41.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 23:
“23A. The Bank may, from time to time, specify as respects a holder of a licence requirements as to the composition of its assets and requirements as to the composition of its liabilities.”.
Amendment of section 26 of Act of 1971.
42.—Section 26 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the addition of the following subsection—
“(7) The Minister may, after consultation with the Bank and where he is of the opinion that it would not be against the orderly and proper regulation of banking, by order—
(a) in the case of either or both subsections (2) and (3) of this section, apply those subsections or restrict their application to any person or class of persons, and
(b) in the case of subsection (6) of this section, amend that subsection by the addition thereto or deletion therefrom, of any instrument specified in that subsection,
and, in the case of each subsection, whether or not previously affected by virtue of this subsection.”.
Amendment of section 27 of Act of 1971.
43.—Section 27 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended:
(a) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (2):
“(2A) If an advertisement or other solicitation for deposits is published and it does not include the name and address of the person who arranged with the publisher for the advertisement or solicitation, then the Bank may, at any time within the period of twelve months after any publication of the advertisement, request the publisher to supply the name and address of that person to the Bank and the publisher shall forthwith comply with that request.”;
(b) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
“(3) (a) In this section ‘deposits’ does not include deposits with a trader by persons employed by him in his trading business or by his customers in the normal course of his trading business or deposits in respect of the letting or selling of goods under a hire-purchase agreement or a credit-sale agreement.
(b) Reference in this section or section 58 (3) of this Act (as amended by section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1989) to the solicitation of deposits, however expressed, includes every form of solicitation for deposits including, in particular, the display or publication of any such matter by way of notice, leaflet, circular, pamphlet, brochure, photograph, film, video, sound broadcasting, television, electronic communication or personal canvassing.”.
Power of Court to prohibit certain contraventions of, or failure to comply with, Act of 1971.
44.—The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 28:
“28A. (1) Where, on an application made in a summary manner by the Bank, the Court is of the opinion that there has occurred or is occurring—
(a) a contravention of section 17 or 18 of this Act, or
(b) a failure to comply with a condition imposed in relation to a licence by virtue of section 10, or with a direction under section 22, of this Act,
the Court may, by order, prohibit the continuance of the contravention or failure by the person or persons concerned.
(2) The Court when considering the matter may make such interim or interlocutory order as it considers appropriate.
(3) Where the Court is satisfied, because of the nature or the circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the whole or any part of proceedings under this section may be heard otherwise than in public.”.
Amendment of section 31 of Act of 1971.
45.—Section 31 of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (1):
“(1) Where a holder of a licence ceases to carry on banking business in circumstances to which section 57 of the Central Bank Act, 1989, applies, he shall, as soon as may be, notify all persons having deposits (including deposits on current accounts) with him of such cesser and he shall, if any such person so demands, pay to that person forthwith the amount of his deposit together with the amount of any interest accrued thereon.”.
Appointment of auditor.
46.—(1) The Bank may, in writing require any holder of a licence—
(a) to notify the Bank at least 15 days—
(i) before notices are sent to the shareholders concerning the proposed appointment or reappointment of a person to the office of auditor of the holder for the purposes of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986, or
(ii) before the directors of the holder fill any casual vacancy in the office of auditor by virtue of section 160 (7) of the Companies Act, 1963,
of the name of the person to be so proposed, to be reappointed or to fill that vacancy,
(b) to supply, within such period of time as the Bank shall state, such information as it may request concerning the person named for the purpose of paragraph (a).
(2) Where the Bank is of the opinion that it would not be in the interest of persons maintaining deposits with the holder of a licence or of the orderly and proper regulation of banking, it may direct, as the circumstances require, that holder not to appoint or not to reappoint to the office of auditor, or the directors not to fill a casual vacancy in that office with, a named person and the direction shall be complied with.
(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.
Duties of auditor.
47.—(1) If the auditor of a holder of a licence—
(a) has reason to believe that there exist circumstances which are likely to affect materially the holder's ability to fulfil his obligations to persons maintaining deposits with him or meet any of his financial obligations under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, or
(b) has reason to believe that there are material defects in the financial systems and controls or accounting records of the holder, or
(c) has reason to believe that there are material inaccuracies in or omissions from any returns of a financial nature made by the holder to the Bank, or
(d) proposes to qualify any certificate which he is to provide in relation to financial statements or returns of the holder under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986, or the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, or
(e) decides to resign or not seek re-election as auditor,
he shall report the matter to the Bank in writing without delay.
(2) The auditor of the holder of a licence shall, if requested by the Bank, furnish to the Bank a report stating whether in his opinion and to the best of his knowledge the holder has or has not complied with a specified obligation of a financial nature under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989.
(3) Where the auditor of a holder of a licence so requests, the Bank shall provide to the auditor in writing details of such returns of a financial nature to the Bank by the holder as the auditor requests for the purpose of enabling him to comply with subsection (1) (c) or (2).
(4) The auditor of a holder of a licence shall send to the holder a copy of any report made by him to the Bank under subsection (1) or (2).
(5) (a) Whenever the Bank is of the opinion that the exercise of its functions under the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, or the protection of the interests of depositors so requires, it may require the auditor of a holder of a licence to supply it with such information as it may specify in relation to the audit of the business of the holder and the auditor shall comply with the requirement.
(b) The Bank may require that, in supplying information for the purposes of this subsection, the auditor shall act independently of the holder of the licence.
(6) No duty to which the auditor of a holder of a licence may be subject shall be regarded as contravened, and no liability to the holder, or to its shareholders, creditors or other interested parties, shall attach to the auditor, by reason of his compliance with any obligation imposed on him by or under this section.
Chapter IV
General Provisions Relating to Winding Up
Grounds for winding up on application of Bank.
48.—(1) Notwithstanding section 215 of the Companies Act, 1963, the Bank may, by presenting a petition, apply to the Court to have the holder of a licence wound up on any of the following grounds:
(a) that the holder is or, in the opinion of the Bank, may be unable to meet its obligations to its creditors;
(b) that the holder has failed to comply with a direction of the Bank under section 21 of the Act of 1971 and the Court has not set aside the direction;
(c) that the licence has been revoked and the holder has ceased to carry on the business of banking;
(d) that the Bank considers that it is in the interest of persons having deposits (including deposits on current accounts) with the holder that the holder be wound up.
(2) Where a petition for the winding up of the holder of a licence is presented by a person other than the Bank, a copy of the petition shall be served on the Bank which shall be entitled to be heard on the petition.
(3) Where the holder of a licence is being wound up voluntarily and the Bank has reason to believe that any of the grounds set out in subsection (1) apply, then the Bank may apply to the Court to have the licence holder wound up by the Court.
Notices, documents to be sent to Bank relating to winding up.
49.—Where the holder of a licence or former holder of a licence is being wound up and the Bank is not a creditor, any notice or document, by whatever name called, which is required to be sent to a creditor of the holder or former holder shall be sent also to the Bank.
Right of Bank to be represented at meetings, etc.
50.—(1) An officer of the Bank, or any other person, duly authorised in writing in that behalf by the Governor of the Bank may attend any meeting of creditors of a holder or former holder of a licence.
(2) (a) The Governor of the Bank may appoint in writing an officer of the Bank or any other person to be a member of any committee of inspection appointed under section 233 or 268 of the Companies Act, 1963, in respect of the holder or former holder of a licence.
(b) A person duly appointed under paragraph (a) shall neither be counted in computing the minimum or maximum numbers of members of such a committee prescribed under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986, nor be removed from membership of the committee without the consent of the Bank.
Construing of references to winding up, etc.
51.—Where the context so admits and the circumstances may so require, references in the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, to the winding up of a holder or former holder of a licence or to any provision of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986, which relates to winding up shall, where a holder or former holder of a licence is a company incorporated outside the State or is an institution to which section 9(1A) (as amended by this Part) of the Act of 1971 relates, be construed as references to the corresponding provisions in the law of the foreign jurisdiction concerned and, accordingly, the provisions of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, shall apply to the winding up or dissolution concerned and, where necessary, with such modifications as the Court may order.
Rules of Court.
52.—The rules of court relating to the winding up of companies shall, pending the making of rules of court for the purposes of this Part, apply for such purposes with such adaptations as may be necessary.
Chapter V
Deposit Protection
Interpretation (Chapter V).
53.—In this Chapter—
“child” includes a person of full age;
“connected person” in relation to another person, means a person maintaining deposits (including deposits, if any, on current accounts) with the holder or former holder of a licence which has become insolvent and is being wound up and where the person is—
(a) the spouse of that other person,
(b) the child or grandchild of that other person or the child or grandchild of the spouse of that other person,
(c) the parent or grandparent of that other person,
(d) the brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister of that other person,
(e) a partner of that other person to whom, together, the Partnership Act, 1890, applies (whether or not with any other persons),
(f) the spouse of a connected person to whom paragraph (b), (d) or (e) applies and in relation to the appropriate other person to whom the relevant paragraph relates,
(g) a body corporate and that other person is a chief officer, secretary or member of any board or other committee of management, by whatever name called, of the body corporate,
(h) a body corporate and that other person is a relevant beneficial owner of the body corporate, or
(i) a body corporate and that person is, together with any person to whom paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) applies, a relevant beneficial owner of the body corporate;
“deposit protection account” means the account established and maintained by virtue of section 54;
“eligible deposits” has the meaning assigned to it by section 62;
“excluded depositor” means a person maintaining deposits (including deposits, if any, on current accounts) with the holder or former holder of a licence which has become insolvent and is being wound up and, in relation to that holder or former holder of the licence where the person is—
(a) a chief officer, secretary or member of any board or other committee of management, by whatever name called,
(b) a relevant beneficial owner of that holder or former holder of the licence,
(c) together with connected persons, a relevant beneficial owner of that holder or former holder of the licence,
(d) subject to section 64, a connected person to a person specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c),
(e) subject to section 64, a trustee of a trust for the benefit of a person specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d),
(f) a holding company, a subsidiary company, another subsidiary company of the same holding company or a company (not being a subsidiary company) in respect of which the holder or former holder is a relevant beneficial owner, or
(g) a person excluded by virtue of section 63;
“interbank deposits” means deposits with a holder of a licence by any of the following, that is to say—
(a) another holder of a licence;
(b) any person, not being the holder of a licence, established outside the State who, in the opinion of the Bank, is duly authorised outside the State to carry on the business of banking;
(c) the Bank;
(d) the Agricultural Credit Corporation public limited company;
(e) the company formed and registered by virtue of section 2 of the Industrial Credit Act, 1933;
(f) a trustee savings bank certified under the Trustee Savings Banks Acts, 1863 to 1979;
(g) a building society;
(h) such other persons as may be specified by regulations under section 72;
and deposits with the holder of a licence by any of its offices outside the State shall be deemed to be interbank deposits;
“relevant beneficial owner”, in relation to a body corporate, means a person who is beneficially entitled (either directly or indirectly) to 20 per cent. or more in nominal value of either the allotted share capital or the shares carrying voting rights (other than voting rights which arise only in specified circumstances) in the body corporate.
Deposit protection account.
54.—The Bank shall establish and maintain in the general fund an account to be known as the deposit protection account.
Deposits by holders of licences.
55.—(1) Upon the establishment of the deposit protection account, the deposit standing maintained with the Bank immediately before the coming into operation of this section by each holder of a licence and calculated in accordance with section 13 of the Act of 1971 shall be transferred to that account in respect of that holder and, accordingly, that section shall cease to have effect upon such coming into operation.
(2) The amount of a deposit maintained by a holder of a licence in the Bank pursuant to section 7 of the Act of 1971 (in this section referred to as the deposit) shall, subject to subsection (5), be 0.2 per cent., or such other proportion as may be specified by regulations under section 72 (2), of the total—
(a) Irish pound deposits (including deposits on current accounts but, subject to paragraph (b), excluding interbank deposits and deposits represented by negotiable certificates of deposit), and
(b) such other deposits as may be specified by regulations under section 72 (2) in respect of all or any class or category of holders of licences,
at offices in the State of the holder, but shall not be less than £20,000 and, accordingly, the reference in the said section 7 to section 13 of the Act of 1971 shall be construed as a reference to this section.
(3) The amount of the deposit shall be calculated by the Bank as soon as is practicable after the coming into operation of this section (in this section referred to as “the relevant date”) or at the time of the issue of the licence as may be appropriate and shall be recalculated in respect of every holder of a licence every 12 months (or as close thereto as is reasonably practicable) after the relevant date by reference to returns made by each holder to the Bank under section 18 of the Act of 1971.
(4) The amount of the deposit shall, where necessary, be increased to the appropriate amount recalculated under subsection (3) by the holder of the licence concerned not later than 7 days, or such longer period as the Bank may agree to in writing, after the date of the receipt by him of notification from the Bank of the amount required to effect the increase.
(5) The Bank may settle the amount of the deposit at the nearest round figure in hundreds of pounds and by rounding up to such a figure where the amount calculated under subsection (2) is divisible in pounds by £50.
(6) The deposit shall carry interest at such a rate or rates and payable in such manner and at such times as may be determined by the Bank from time to time.
(7) Any charge purported to be created on the deposit other than by the Bank shall be void.
(8) The deposit shall not be subject to any form of execution in satisfaction of any claim of, or any judgement, order or decree of any court in the State in favour of, any creditor, otherwise than under and in accordance with the provisions of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989.
(9) (a) Except with the prior written consent of the Bank, a holder of a licence shall not advertise, cause to be advertised or otherwise represent or cause to be represented the fact (however expressed) that deposits or funds placed with the holder are protected by or through the deposit protection account.
(b) Any person who contravenes paragraph (a) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.
Review of operation of deposit protection account.
56.—The Bank shall keep the operation of the deposit protection account under review and may, if it considers it expedient to do so after having regard to such factors as it considers relevant, from time to time make recommendations to the Minister in relation to all or any of the following, that is to say:
(a) the making of regulations under section 72 (2) for the purposes of section 55 (2);
(b) the making of regulations under section 72 (2) for the purposes of section 62 (1) (b);
(c) the making of an order under section 59 (4) for the purposes set out therein.
Deposit protection account and cesser of banking business where solvent.
57.—(1) Where the holder of a licence or a former holder of a licence ceases to carry on banking business in circumstances other than those provided for by section 58 (1), the Bank may retain the full amount, or such lesser amount as the Bank considers appropriate, of the holder's deposit in the deposit protection account until it is satisfied that all liability of that holder in respect of every person maintaining deposits with him have been or will be discharged in full.
(2) Every payment to which this section relates shall be charged on the deposit protection account in the general fund.
Vesting in liquidator of deposited amount.
58.—(1) Where a holder of a licence or a former holder of a licence is unable to pay his debts and is being wound up, either voluntarily or by the Court, the Court may, on the application of the liquidator concerned, order that the amount standing deposited by the holder or former holder in the deposit protection account shall, together with any interest accrued and interest that may accrue and subject to the other provisions of this Chapter, vest in the liquidator by his official name.
(2) Where, after payment of all eligible deposits, any balance of the amount vested in the liquidator by virtue of subsection (1) remains, it shall be treated for the purposes of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986, as an asset of the holder or former holder of the licence (as the case may be) vesting in the liquidator by his official name.
Statement of affairs and calculation of payments from deposit protection account, etc. on insolvency.
59.—(1) This section applies to the holder or former holder of a licence which is unable to pay its debts and is being wound up either voluntarily or by the Court.
(2) The liquidator shall deliver to the Bank within one month of the date of his appointment, or such extended period as the Court may order—
(a) a copy of the statement of the affairs of the holder or former holder made out and filed in accordance with section 224 of the Companies Act, 1963, or, where the holder is being wound up voluntarily, a statement which would be so filed if the holder or former holder were being wound up by the Court,
(b) an estimate of the amount (excluding any amount in the deposit protection account) likely to be available for the payment of amounts due to persons maintaining deposits, and
(c) a statement of when he expects to be in a position to make those payments.
(3) (a) The amount payable out of the amount vesting in the liquidator in accordance with section 58 to each person maintaining eligible deposits with the holder or former holder concerned shall, subject to paragraph (b), be calculated in accordance with the formula—
where—
A is any amount of eligible deposits up to £5,000,
B is any excess of eligible deposits over £5,000 but not over £10,000,
C is any excess of eligible deposits over £10,000 but not over £15,000, and
D is the amount paid or to be paid to that person in respect of eligible deposits maintained by that person otherwise than out of funds so vesting.
(b) Where the aggregate amount so payable would be greater than the amount vesting in the liquidator in accordance with section 58 then the amount payable to each person concerned shall be calculated in accordance with the formula—
X ___ Y | ( | 4 ___ 5 | A + | 7 ___ 10 | B + | 1 ___ 2 | C | ) | − | X ___ Y | D |
where A, B, C and D have respectively the same meanings as they have in paragraph (a) and—
X is the amount so vesting, and
Y is the said aggregate amount.
(c) Reference in this subsection or in section 60 to the amount vesting in the liquidator in accordance with section 58 shall be construed as the amount so vesting after the deduction for any remuneration or expenses permitted, by virtue of section 70 (2), to be paid out of the amount so vesting in the liquidator.
(4) Where the Bank has made a recommendation to the Minister in accordance with section 56 in respect of the monetary amounts represented by the letters A, B and C in subsection (3), the Minister may, where he is of the opinion that it would be in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of banking or the provision of financial services generally, by order amend that subsection by altering those monetary amounts, whether or not previously amended by virtue of this subsection:
Provided that no such amendment shall have any effect in relation to a holder or former holder of a licence which, at the time the relevant provision in the order under this subsection comes into operation, is unable to pay its debts and is being wound up.
Payment out of deposit protection account on winding up.
60.—(1) There shall be paid, out of the amount vesting in a liquidator under section 58 (1), to each person maintaining an eligible deposit with the holder or former holder of the licence concerned—
(a) the amount calculated in accordance with section 59 (3) (a), or
(b) if the amount so vesting is insufficient for such purpose, a proportion of that person's eligible deposits which is calculated in accordance with section 59 (3) (b).
(2) Where the provisions of subsection (1) apply, every person with eligible deposits concerned may, subject to section 61, claim as an ordinary creditor of the holder or former holder of the licence in respect of so much of those deposits as remains unpaid.
(3) Where it appears to the Bank that the amount available, or likely to become available, to the liquidator concerned (including the amount vesting in the liquidator in accordance with section 58) will be insufficient to enable each person maintaining eligible deposits with the holder or former holder to be paid in respect of such deposits—
(a) the amount calculated in accordance with section 59 (3) (a), or
(b) within such period of time as the Bank considers reasonable in the circumstances, the amount so calculated,
then, there shall be provided by the Bank out of the deposit protection account a sum sufficient to pay in respect of each such person—
(i) where paragraph (a) of this subsection applies, the difference between the amounts calculated in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 59 (3),
(ii) where paragraph (b) of this subsection applies, the difference between the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (a) of section 59 (3) and the amount paid or payable by the liquidator within that period of time.
(4) The manner and mode of making payments for the purposes of subsection (1) from the moneys vesting in the liquidator concerned by virtue of section 58 shall be as agreed to between the liquidator and the Bank or, in the event of a disagreement, as the Court shall order on an application by either or both the liquidator and the Bank.
(5) For the purposes of subsections (3) and (4), the Bank shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that payments to which this section relates are paid as expeditiously and with the least expense to the Bank as is possible consistently with the orderly winding up.
(6) Where moneys have been provided by the Bank for the payment of persons maintaining eligible deposits, proof of those payments shall be given to the Bank by the person to whom the moneys were so provided.
(7) Every payment to which this section relates shall be charged on the deposit protection account in the general fund.
Effect of payment by Bank under section 60.
61.—(1) Where the Bank has made or becomes liable to make a payment under section 60 to persons maintaining eligible deposits, then as regards the amount of the payment in respect of each such person that amount shall be admitted by the Court (or, in the case of a voluntary winding up, by the liquidator) as a proved debt due to the Bank and the Bank shall have the same priority as would be enjoyed by the person were no such amount paid or payable.
(2) In distributing any relevant assets, the liquidator concerned shall pay to the Bank any dividend which would have been payable to a person to whom subsection (1) relates and, accordingly, the person concerned shall not be entitled to such a dividend or any part thereof until the Bank has been paid by the liquidator the full amount paid to that person by the Bank and to which subsection (1) relates.
Eligible deposits.
62.—(1) In this Chapter “eligible deposits”, in relation to every person maintaining deposits (including deposits on current accounts) with the holder or former holder of a licence which is being wound up, means the amount of the total liability of the holder or former holder remaining due to every such person in respect of—
(a) deposits denominated in Irish pounds, and
(b) any deposits denominated otherwise than in Irish pounds as may be specified (either generally or in particular) by regulations under section 72 (2),
at offices in the State of the holder or former holder, together with any interest or other premium accrued thereon up to and including the day of the commencement of the winding up but does not include—
(i) any amount to which subsection (2) relates,
(ii) any deposit maintained by an excluded depositor,
(iii) any deposit which relates to moneys due to the Bank,
(iv) interbank deposits,
(v) deposits represented by negotiable certificates of deposit,
(vi) any deposit which relates to moneys due to any body or category of persons to whom section 7(4) (as amended by this Part) of the Act of 1971 applies, other than a credit union or a friendly society, and
(vii) any deposit to which paragraph (b) relates where the relevant provisions of the regulations concerned came into operation after the commencement of the winding up.
(2) In calculating the amount of an eligible deposit—
(a) there shall be deducted from the total liability of the holder or former holder to the person maintaining a deposit to which subsection (1) relates, the amount of any liability of that person to that holder or former holder in respect of which a right of set-off against the said deposit existed immediately before the commencement of winding up or in respect of which such a right would have existed had—
(i) the said deposit been repayable on demand, and
(ii) such liability fallen due,
immediately before such winding up, and
(b) no account shall be taken of any debt—
(i) of the holder or former holder of the licence concerned unless it has been proved in accordance with sections 283 and 284 of the Companies Act, 1963, and
(ii) where the holder's licence has been revoked, for any sum deposited by a person with that former holder after such revocation where the Bank is satisfied that, at the time the deposit was made, the person knew or could reasonably be expected to have known that the licence had been revoked.
(3) In this section “commencement of winding up” shall, where appropriate in the circumstances, be construed in accordance with section 220 or 253 of the Companies Act, 1963.
Certain additional persons to be excluded depositors.
63.—Where the Bank is satisfied that a person maintaining deposits (including deposits, if any, on current accounts) with the holder or former holder of a licence which has become insolvent and is being wound up has directly or indirectly any responsibility for the circumstances giving rise to, or has profited or attempted to profit from, the insolvency, the person shall, unless an excluded depositor by virtue of any other provision of this Chapter, be an excluded depositor by virtue of this section.
Provisions applicable to excluded depositors, etc.
64.—(1) Where the Bank is of the opinion that a person is an excluded depositor by virtue of—
(a) being a connected person to whom paragraph (c) or (d) of the definition of “excluded depositor” in section 53 applies, or
(b) being a trustee of a trust for the benefit of a connected person to whom paragraph (e) of the definition of “excluded depositor” in section 53 applies, or
(c) section 63,
or that a person is a person to whom section 62 (2) relates, then the Bank shall, except where subsection (2) (b) of this section applies, give notice in writing to the person of that opinion, the reasons therefor and the steps that may be taken by that person under subsection (2).
(2) (a) A person to whom a notice under subsection (1) has been given in accordance with this section may, within 21 days of being so given, apply to the Court to have the relevant exclusion or deduction to which the notice relates set aside.
(b) Where the Bank is of the opinion that a person is an excluded depositor by virtue of paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) but is satisfied that, in the circumstances, it would be just and equitable to have his exclusion as an eligible depositor set aside, the Bank may apply to the Court to have the exclusion set aside.
(c) Where, on an application under paragraph (a) or (b), the Court is satisfied that, in the circumstances, it would be just and equitable to do so, it shall set aside the exclusion or deduction, as the case may be, but only for the purposes of any relevant deposit maintained by that person.
(3) Notice of any application to the Court under subsection (2) (a) shall be given to the Bank and to the liquidator concerned by the person making the application and notice of any application to the Court under subsection (2) (b) shall be given by the Bank to both the liquidator and the person concerned.
(4) For the purposes of this section, notice shall be duly given by the Bank if the notice is—
(a) sent by prepaid post to the last known address of the person concerned as ascertained by the Bank directly from that person or from the liquidator, or
(b) otherwise given in accordance with any direction of the Court upon application being made to it by the Bank for the purposes of this subsection.
Calculation of certain payments relating to trustee deposits and joint accounts.
65.—(1) Where—
(a) a person maintaining deposits (including, if any, deposits on current accounts) with the holder or former holder of a licence which has become insolvent and is being wound up does so as trustee, and
(b) any beneficiary of the trust concerned is beneficially entitled against the trustees to any identifiable part of that amount, either absolutely or jointly with a fixed number of other beneficiaries,
then, the amount the beneficiary is so entitled to shall be treated, but only for the purpose of ascertaining an appropriate calculation—
(i) where the beneficiary is entitled absolutely, as if it were deposited in a separate account maintained by the beneficiary and legal ownership had passed to the beneficiary,
(ii) where the beneficiary is entitled jointly with a fixed number of other beneficiaries, as if it were deposited in a separate account in the nature of a joint account maintained by the beneficiaries and legal and joint ownership had passed to the beneficiaries concerned.
(2) Where persons (being persons other than trustees or persons to whom subsection (3) applies) maintaining, or treated by virtue of subsection (1) as maintaining, deposits in a joint account (whether a joint deposit account or otherwise with the holder or former holder of a licence which has become insolvent and is being wound up) are entitled to the deposit by virtue of their joint ownership of the moneys on deposit, then they shall each be treated, but only for the purpose of ascertaining an appropriate calculation, as having a separate deposit equal to the amount that would be produced by dividing the moneys concerned by the number of persons to whom the joint account relates.
(3) A deposit to which two or more persons are entitled as members of a partnership (whether or not in equal shares) shall be treated as a single deposit.
(4) The Bank and, where necessary for the purposes of ascertaining an appropriate calculation, the liquidator concerned may require any person maintaining a deposit to which this section may relate to supply sufficient information to enable a determination to be made as to whether the provisions of this section apply to such a deposit.
(5) Where, in a case to which subsection (1) or (2) applies, there are other eligible deposits in relation to the person concerned, those other deposits shall, for the purpose of ascertaining the appropriate calculation, be aggregated with any amount treated as deposits maintained by that person for the purpose of either or both subsection (1) and (2) and the amount so ascertained shall be divided and duly paid to the person concerned and either or both (as the circumstances may require) the trustees concerned and the said person jointly with others, in the same proportion or proportions as the amounts so aggregated bear to each other.
(6) In this section “appropriate calculation” means a calculation for the purposes of subsection (1) or (3) of section 60.
Treatment of certain payments out of general fund.
66.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) and whether or not payments have been made to which section 60 relates, the Bank may, at its discretion and to such extent as it may deem proper from time to time charge on the deposit protection account any other payment out of the general fund which, in the opinion of the Bank, was applied—
(a) to protect the interests of persons or any class of persons maintaining deposits with one or more holders or former holders of licences, or
(b) to promote the orderly and proper regulation of banking.
(2) The Bank shall, from time to time, keep the Minister and every holder of a licence informed of the general principles which guide the Bank in respect of the exercise of its discretion and shall consider any representations which may be made on those principles by any holder of a licence.
Reconstitution of deposit protection account.
67.—(1) Subject to section 68, the Bank shall from time to time apportion among the holders of licences, in proportion to the amounts of their respective deposits required to be maintained at the time of such apportionment in the deposit protection account, any payments charged on that account (other than any repayment or any part thereof for the purposes of this Chapter) in accordance with section 60 or section 66 together with any moneys due but not paid to the holders in accordance with section 69 and the amount so ascertained in respect of each holder shall, subject to subsection (2) be debited against, or credited to, as the case may be, that holder's deposit in the said account.
(2) (a) The aggregate of the amounts debited by virtue of subsection (1) in any period (being a period between a calculation or recalculation under section 55 and the first or subsequent recalculation, respectively, thereunder) in respect of a holder of a licence shall not exceed the amount of the holder's deposit maintained in accordance with this Chapter in the deposit protection account during that period.
(b) Where amounts which, but for paragraph (a), would have been debited against the holders of licences in the deposit protection account are not so debited because of that paragraph, then the total of the amounts not so debited shall be aggregated and apportioned in the next following year or, where necessary, the succeeding years in accordance with subsection (1) in proportion to the amounts of the relevant deposits at the time it is so apportioned.
(3) Each holder of a licence shall lodge with the Bank for the purpose of maintaining his calculated deposit, or where recalculated as last recalculated, in the deposit protection account, an amount to maintain that deposit and that holder shall comply with such requirement within 7 days or such longer period as the Bank may agree to in writing.
Exclusion from reconstitution.
68.—Where the Bank is satisfied that a reconstitution of the deposit protection account by apportionment solely in accordance with section 67 would have a material and detrimental effect on the financial position or viability of a holder of a licence, the Bank may, in its discretion but only to such extent or for such period and subject to such conditions as it considers appropriate, exclude the holder from such a reconstitution in which case the amount involved may be apportioned among the other holders of licences.
Crediting of moneys to deposit protection account, distributions, etc.
69.—(1) In addition to amounts representing deposits maintained under section 55 (including amounts duly lodged for the purpose of section 67 (3)) there shall be credited to the deposit protection account any sum paid to the Bank,
(a) by a liquidator for the purposes of section 61, or
(b) in respect of the repayment of the principal of any moneys provided by virtue of section 66 or of any interest thereon,
or
(c) which, in its opinion, ought to be lodged to that account.
(2) Where any sum has been credited to the deposit protection account in accordance with subsection (1) it shall—
(a) in the first instance be applied towards repayment of any liability to the Bank charged or chargeable to that account, and
(b) subject to subsection (3), thereafter be distributed (whether by way of payment or by reducing the amount to be lodged on a reconstitution of that account under section 67) among the holders of licences in proportion to the amounts by which each of their deposits were affected by the liability to which the said sum so relates.
(3) Where any sum distributable under subsection (2) relates to a deposit (at any time) in the deposit protection account by a former holder of a licence which has been wound up, then such sum shall—
(a) accrue to the Bank unless, upon ceasing to carry on that business, that former holder's banking business was amalgamated with or transferred to another holder of a licence, in which case it shall accrue to that other holder, or
(b) where the provisions of this subsection also primarily apply to that other holder (being also a former holder at the time of the relevant distribution), be traced through that other former holder and any other former holders until it accrues to either the Bank or a holder of a licence at that said time.
(4) Whenever any sum accrues to the Bank by virtue of subsection (3), the Bank may, if it thinks proper so to do, waive, in whole or in part and in favour of such person and upon such terms as it thinks proper having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the right of the Bank to such sum or such part thereof.
Expenses and remuneration of liquidator under this Chapter.
70.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), no deduction shall be made from assets vesting in the liquidator by virtue of section 58 for expenses incurred or remuneration claimed by the liquidator in respect of matters to which this Chapter relates and, accordingly, such expenses and remuneration shall be dealt with as if they related to the winding up of the holder or former holder of the licence under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1986.
(2) Where, on the application of a liquidator to whom this Chapter relates, the Bank is satisfied that there are insufficient assets out of which expenses and remuneration can be paid in accordance with subsection (1), then the Bank may permit all reasonable expenses properly incurred and such remuneration to the liquidator as the Bank considers appropriate to be paid out of the amount vesting in the liquidator under section 58, or otherwise out of the deposit protection account, but only to the extent of that insufficiency.
Limitation of time.
71.—Where any amounts payable by the Bank and to which section 60 relates have not been paid and such non-payment is not due to any wilful neglect or default of the Bank to make those payments then, upon the completion of the winding up of the holder or former holder of the licence concerned, the Bank shall be under no obligation to make any payments in respect of those amounts.
Regulations (Chapter V).
72.—(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Bank, make regulations for the purpose of specifying persons for the purpose of paragraph (h) of the definition of “interbank deposits” in section 53.
(2) The Minister may, to such extent as he sees fit, make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to any recommendations made to him by the Bank in accordance with section 56 for the purposes of section 55 (2) or 62 (1) (b).
(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may contain such incidental, transitional, consequential and supplementary provisions as are considered necessary by the Minister after consultation with the Bank.
Extension of application of Chapter V.
73.—(1) Where, after consulting with the Bank and with such Ministers of the Government (if any) as he considers it appropriate to consult with in the circumstances, the Minister is of the opinion that—
(a) a class of business which involves or includes the maintaining of deposits or savings by persons with a member of the class who is not required to be the holder of a licence granted under section 9 of the Act of 1971, but whose business (in so far as it relates to deposits or savings maintained by persons with him) is similar to the business of such a holder or a building society duly incorporated in the State, and
(b) a system of deposit or savings protection, similar to the deposit protection provided by this Chapter in respect of persons maintaining deposits with the holders of licences so granted, would be in the public interest to be provided in respect of the class,
then the Minister may by regulation require the Bank to establish and maintain in the general fund an account for that purpose and, accordingly, the provisions of section 53, subsections (2) to (7) of section 55 and sections 56 to 72 shall apply with such modifications as the Minister by regulation considers necessary to give effect to each such account so established.
(2) Notwithstanding section 7 (4) of the Act of 1971 (as amended by this Act) and without prejudice to subsection (1) where, after consulting with the Bank and with such Ministers of the Government (if any) as he considers it appropriate to consult with in the circumstances, the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest so to do, he may by regulation require any institution to which section 7 (4) (a) (ii) of the Act of 1971 relates to maintain a deposit in the deposit protection account established under section 54 and for that purpose the provisions of section 53, subsections (2) to (7) of section 55 and sections 56 to 72 shall apply with such modifications as are necessary to give effect to the regulation.
Chapter VI
Acquiring Transactions
Interpretation (Chapter VI).
74.—In this Chapter,
“acquiring transactions” shall be construed in accordance with section 75;
“prescribed percentage” means 10 per cent. of the total shares or of the total voting rights attaching to shares.
Application (Chapter VI).
75.—(1) This Chapter applies to the following transactions (in this Part referred to as “acquiring transactions”):
(a) any acquisition by a person or more than one person acting in concert of shares or other interest in a holder of a licence but does not apply to an acquisition where—
(i) if after the proposed acquisition the proportion of shares would not exceed the prescribed percentage, and
(ii) if the holder of the licence concerned is a body incorporated in the State, the acquisition, together with any other interest already held or controlled (either directly or indirectly) by the acquiring person or persons, would not confer a right to appoint or remove some or all of the board of directors or committee of management of the holder of that licence;
(b) any acquisition by the holder of a licence of shares or other interest in any other undertaking or business (whether or not the undertaking or business is controlled by another holder of a licence) but does not apply to an acquisition where either—
(i) the acquisition relates to an undertaking or business outside the State and is made by a holder of a licence which is incorporated outside the State, or
(ii) after such acquisition, the proportion of shares in the undertaking or business concerned would not exceed the prescribed percentage and the acquisition, together with any other interest already held or controlled (either directly or indirectly) by the holder of the licence so acquiring, would not confer a right to appoint or remove some or all of the board of directors or committee of management of that undertaking or business.
(2) The Bank may, subject to such conditions as it sees fit, exempt an acquiring transaction, or any class of acquiring transaction, from the requirements of this Chapter where it is satisfied that—
(a) the acquiring transaction is being, or has been entered into, by a holder of a licence as part of the bona fide underwriting of a share issue, or
(b) the interest in shares is not being beneficially acquired by a holder of a licence or is being acquired only in the course of its normal business to secure the issue of a loan to be made by the holder to the undertaking or business concerned.
Limitation on validity of acquiring transactions.
76.—An acquiring transaction shall only be valid where it is entered into within 12 months after—
(a) the Bank has given its approval in writing to the transaction, or
(b) the relevant period within the meaning of section 83 has elapsed without the Bank refusing its approval to the transaction,
and, accordingly, any purported acquiring transaction which does not comply with either paragraph (a) or (b) shall be invalid and—
(i) title to any shares or other interest concerned shall not pass, and
(ii) any consequential purported exercise of powers shall be void.
Consent of Minister to certain acquiring transactions required.
77.—(1) Where—
(a) the holder of a licence proposes to participate in an acquiring transaction and that holder controls, or would control as a consequence of the proposed transaction, whether alone or with any subsidiary or associated company, not less than 20 per cent. of the total assets in the State of all holders of licences, or
(b) a person proposes to participate in an acquiring transaction which involves the acquisition of shares or other interest in a holder of a licence which controls, whether alone or with any subsidiary or associated company, not less than 20 per cent. of the total assets in the State of all holders of licences,
then the Bank shall neither give nor refuse to give its approval without the prior consent of the Minister.
(2) The Minister shall not give his consent under subsection (1) unless—
(a) he is satisfied that the Bank's proposal to give or refuse to give its approval, as the case may be, would be in the interests of the orderly and proper regulation of banking, and
(b) where the proposed acquiring transaction is of such a nature that the provisions of the Mergers, Take-overs and Monopolies (Control) Act, 1978, apply, he has consulted with—
(i) the Minister for Industry and Commerce, and
(ii) such other Minister of the Government appearing to the Minister to be concerned,
and he shall refuse to give his consent where he considers that the exigencies of the common good so warrant.
(3) A consent by the Minister to a proposal of the Bank to approve a proposed acquiring transaction shall be subject to the imposition by the Bank of conditions (being such conditions, if any, which in the opinion of the Minister are necessary for the orderly and proper regulation of banking) as the Minister may specify in the consent.
Requirement on Bank before refusal to approve acquiring transaction.
78.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Bank shall not refuse its approval to a proposed acquiring transaction unless it is satisfied that the transaction would not be in the interests of the orderly and proper regulation of banking.
(2) In the case of a proposed acquiring transaction to which section 77 relates, the Bank shall refuse its approval—
(a) where the proposal of the Bank is to refuse to give its approval and the Minister consents to that proposal, or
(b) where the proposal of the Bank is to give its approval and the Minister refuses to consent to that proposal.
Alteration of prescribed percentage.
79.—(1) The Minister may, where he is satisfied after consultation with the Bank that it would be in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of banking, by order amend the definition of “prescribed percentage” in section 74 by altering the percentage amount therein specified including an amount for the time being so specified by virtue of this section.
(2) Whenever an order is proposed to be made under subsection (1) a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.
Conditions on approval of proposed acquiring transaction.
80.—(1) An approval given by the Bank to a proposed acquiring transaction shall be subject to such conditions, if any, as the Bank—
(a) may impose (being conditions which in the opinion of the Bank are necessary for the orderly and proper regulation of banking), and
(b) shall impose (being conditions specified by the Minister under section 77).
(2) The Bank may, at any time, amend or revoke a condition with, in the case of a condition to which subsection (1) (b) relates, the consent of the Minister.
Right of purported vendor to damages.
81.—Where a purported acquiring transaction is rendered invalid under section 76, the purported vendor of shares shall be entitled, in any court of competent jurisdiction, to recover from the purported purchaser any damages the purported vendor suffers by reason only of the invalidity, unless the purported purchaser satisfies such court that before the purported transaction he had notified the purported vendor of circumstances relating to the purported transaction which gave rise to the possibility of such an invalidity.
Notification of proposed acquiring transactions to Bank.
82.—(1) Where an acquiring transaction is proposed, each of the undertakings involved and having knowledge of the existence of the proposal shall notify the Bank in writing of the proposal as soon as may be.
(2) Where, having received a notification under this section from any of the undertakings involved, the Bank is of opinion that in order to consider for the purposes of this Chapter a proposed acquiring transaction it requires further information it may, within one month of the date of receipt by it of a notification, request such further information in writing from any one or more of the undertakings concerned.
(3) (a) Where there is a contravention of subsection (1) the person in control of an undertaking failing to notify the Bank shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection the person in control of the undertaking shall, in the case of an incorporated body or an unincorporated body, be any officer of the body concerned who knowingly and willingly authorises or permits the contravention.
Relevant period for purpose of sections 76, 86 and 88.
83.—For the purpose of sections 76, 86 and 88, the relevant period in relation to a particular acquiring transaction shall, subject to section 86 (2), be—
(a) where the Minister's consent is required by virtue of section 77 to a proposal of the Bank to approve or not to approve the transaction, the period of 6 months, and
(b) in every other case, the period of 3 months,
such period beginning on the date on which the Bank first receives a notification under section 82 or, where the Bank requests further information from an undertaking concerned under section 82, the date of receipt by the Bank of such information.
Inquiries by Bank.
84.—(1) The Bank may carry out such inquiries and obtain such information as it considers necessary to enable it to consider the proposed acquiring transaction.
(2) Where the provisions of section 77 apply, the Minister may require the Bank to carry out such inquiries and provide him with such information as he considers necessary to enable him to decide to give or not to give his consent for the purposes of that section.
(3) Any person who wilfully and knowingly impedes the Bank's inquiries under this section or provides false or misleading information shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.
Communication of Bank's approval or refusal to approve.
85.—(1) Where the Bank approves or approves subject to conditions or refuses to approve a proposed acquiring transaction, it shall communicate the approval and conditions (if any) or the refusal, as the case may be, to the undertakings concerned which had notified the Bank of the proposal under section 82 and, where such a communication is not in writing, the Bank shall confirm in writing the approval or refusal to approve, as the case may be, as soon as possible thereafter.
(2) Where the Bank refuses to approve the proposed acquiring transaction, it shall state its reasons in writing and, subject to section 16, shall send them to the persons concerned as soon as possible thereafter.
Appeal to High Court against refusal, etc., of Bank.
86.—(1) Where the Bank communicates with an undertaking concerned in accordance with section 85 that it—
(a) refuses to give its approval, or
(b) gives its approval subject to conditions,
an appeal on a point of law may be made by the undertaking to the Court against the refusal or approval, as the case may be, within one month of that refusal or approval being so communicated.
(2) Where the Court allows the appeal it shall direct the Bank to make a new decision in accordance with the Court's determination and the Bank shall make its decision within the relevant period beginning on the date of the Court's determination and, in a case to which section 77 relates, consult with the Minister before making its decision.
(3) Where on an appeal under this section the Minister requests to be made a party to the proceedings, the Court shall order that he shall be added as a party.
(4) Where any costs are incurred by the Minister in connection with an appeal under this section, the Court may make such order as it considers just as to the payment of those costs by other parties to the proceedings.
(5) Where the Court is satisfied, because of the nature or the circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the whole or any part of proceedings under this section may be heard otherwise than in public.
(6) An appeal against a decision of the Court under this section shall not lie to the Supreme Court.
(7) In this section “the Court” means the High Court.
Contravention of approval, etc.
87.—(1) Where an acquiring transaction is entered into subsequent to approval being given by the Bank, any person who contravenes (whether by act or omission) the approval or any condition of the approval shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.
(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section by reason of his failure, neglect or refusal to comply with a condition of the approval requiring him to perform a specified act within a specified period or before a specified date, and the act remains, after the date of the conviction, unperformed by him, the person shall be guilty of contravening this section on every day on which the contravention continues after that conviction and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
(3) Notwithstanding the paragraph numbered 4 of section 10 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this section may be instituted within 12 months from—
(a) in the case of an offence to which subsection (1) (a) relates, the latest day on which the offence was committed, and
(b) in the case of an offence to which subsection (2) relates, the day on which the offence was committed.
Application of certain other enactments.
88.—(1) Nothing in any other enactment shall be construed as relieving a holder of a licence or other person of any obligation of his to comply with section 82.
(2) An order under section 201 or 203 of the Companies Act, 1963, in respect of a proposed amalgamation or under section 33 of the Act of 1971 in respect of a proposed transfer of business of a holder of a licence (being in each case an acquiring transaction) shall not be made until the Bank has given its approval to the acquiring transaction or the relevant period referred to in section 83 has elapsed without the Bank having given or refused to give such approval.
Chapter VII
Supervision of Certain Financial Institutions for the purposes of an International Financial Services Centre
Definitions (Chapter VII).
89.—In this Chapter—
“the Area” means the Customs House Docks Area, as defined in section 41 of the Finance Act, 1986;
“enactment” includes any act of the European Communities which has the force of law in the State;
“financial institution” has the meaning assigned to it by section 90;
“self-regulatory body” has the meaning assigned to it in section 94 (1).
Application (Chapter VII).
90.—This Chapter shall apply to every company to which a certificate has been given by the Minister under section 39B (inserted by the Finance Act, 1987) of the Finance Act, 1980 (in this Chapter referred to as a “financial institution”) other than every financial institution which is the holder of a licence under section 9 of the Act of 1971 or a moneybroker for the purposes of Chapter IX or is subject to supervision or is capable of being inspected by virtue of—
(a) the Building Societies Act, 1976, and every other Act which is to be construed together with that Act as one Act,
(b) the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, and every other Act which is to be construed together with that Act as one Act,
(c) the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, and every other Act which is to be construed together with that Act as one Act, or
(d) any other enactment which for the time being stands specified by order under section 91.
Orders (Chapter VII).
91.—(1) Where the Minister is of the opinion, after consulting the Bank and such other Ministers (if any) as he considers it appropriate to consult with, that there are adequate supervisory and inspection provisions contained in any enactment relating to a financial institution or a class or type of institution to which, but for an order under this section for the purposes of section 90 (d), the provisions of this Chapter would apply, then the Minister may by order specify the enactment concerned and, where necessary in the context of that enactment, the institution or class or type of institution to which the order relates and, accordingly, those provisions shall not apply to an institution to which the order relates.
(2) The Minister may, after consulting the Bank and such other Ministers (if any) as he considers it appropriate to consult with, by order revoke an order under subsection (1).
Supervision, etc. of financial institutions by Bank.
92.—(1) Every financial institution to which this Chapter applies shall comply with such supervisory and reporting requirements or conditions relating to its business which the Bank considers prudent to impose on it from time to time for the purposes and in the interest of the proper and orderly regulation of the institution or a group of institutions (including the institution) or for the purpose of the development of the Area as an International Financial Services Centre.
(2) The imposition of prudential, supervisory and reporting requirements and conditions by the Central Bank shall not constitute a warranty as to the solvency of entities covered by this section or entities forming part of groups covered by this section and the Bank shall not be liable in respect of any loss incurred through the insolvency or default of any of those parties.
Application of sections 17 and 18 of Act of 1971.
93.—Without prejudice to the provisions of section 92, the provisions of section 17 (which relates to books and records of holders of licences) and section 18 (which relates to furnishing of information to the Bank) of the Act of 1971 (as amended by this Part) shall apply to every financial institution to which this Chapter relates and to every associated enterprise (within the meaning of those sections) of such an institution as if each such institution were the holder of a licence for the purposes of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989.
Establishment of self-regulatory bodies.
94.—(1) The Bank may, in writing and after consulting the Minister, direct any group of financial institutions to which this Chapter applies and which are specified in the direction to establish a body (in this Chapter referred to as “a self-regulatory body”) of such legal character as the Bank may specify to regulate the business conduct, or any aspect of the business conduct as may be specified, of the financial institutions to which the direction relates.
(2) The rules (including management and future membership) of a self-regulatory body shall be submitted jointly by the financial institutions concerned to the Bank for its approval.
(3) The approval of the rules of a self-regulatory body under this section is without prejudice to the power of the Bank to impose requirements or conditions by virtue of section 92, or further direction under subsection (1), on any of the financial institutions concerned.
(4) Where a self-regulatory body has been established for the purposes of this section, the provisions of sections 92, 93, 95, and 96 shall apply to the body as if it were, and in the same manner as they apply to, a financial institution to which this Chapter applies.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing any financial institution from being a member of any organisation which supervises or controls business conduct otherwise than by virtue of this section.
Power of Court to prohibit failure to comply with requirement or condition under Chapter VII.
95.—(1) Where, on an application made in a summary manner by the Bank, the Court is of the opinion that there has occurred or is occurring a failure by a financial institution or institutions to comply with a requirement or condition imposed by virtue of section 92 or with a direction under section 94, the Court may, by order, prohibit the continuance of the failure by the institution or institutions concerned.
(2) The Court when considering the matter may make such interim or interlocutory order as it considers appropriate.
(3) Where the Court is satisfied, because of the nature or the circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the whole or any part of proceedings under this section may be heard otherwise than in public.
(4) In this section “the Court” means the High Court.
Report of non-compliance to Minister.
96.—Where the Bank—
(a) is satisfied that a financial institution to which this Chapter applies is not complying with any obligation imposed on it by or under this Chapter (including any rule of a self-regulatory body of which the institution is a member), and
(b) is of the opinion that the nature of the non-compliance is such that it requires notification to the Minister,
then the Bank shall notify the Minister of that non-compliance.
Chapter VIII
Supervision of Financial Futures and Options Exchanges
Definitions (Chapter VIII).
97.—In this Chapter—
“an exchange” means a financial futures and options exchange and, where the context so permits or requires, includes an existing exchange or a proposed exchange;
“an existing exchange” has the meaning assigned to it by section 100;
“financial futures and options exchange” means a market of a financial nature where, in an organised manner and under agreed rules, members of that market trade, by way of electronic, written, oral or any other form of communication—
(a) in rights under contract for the sale or purchase of a financial product, commodity or property of any other description under which delivery is to be made, or measures equivalent to delivery are to be implemented, at a future date at a price agreed or determinable when the contract is made, or
(b) by way of option on a contract to which paragraph (a) relates or on a financial product, commodity or property of any other description, including an option to buy, sell or vary the price or quantity concerned;
“a proposed exchange” has the meaning assigned to it by section 99;
“rules” in relation to an existing exchange or a proposed exchange, means, respectively, the rules governing or proposed to govern the membership and operation of the exchange.
Gaming and Lotteries Acts.
98.—For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that no contract or option to which this Chapter relates shall be void or unenforceable by reason of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, 1956 to 1986.
Establishment of exchanges.
99.—After the passing of this Act, no financial futures and options exchange shall be established unless the persons who propose to establish the exchange (in this Chapter referred to as “a proposed exchange”) have submitted the rules for such a proposed exchange to the Bank for approval and the Bank has approved those rules.
Existing exchanges.
100.—(1) Within 3 months of the passing of this Act every exchange which was established before such passing (in this Chapter referred to as “an existing exchange”) shall—
(a) submit its rules to the Bank for approval, or
(b) disestablish itself.
(2) Pending a decision by the Bank to approve or not to approve of the rules of an existing exchange submitted to it under subsection (1) (a), the Bank may—
(a) subject, where appropriate, to the other provisions of this section, impose on the exchange such conditions or requirements as it considers appropriate to impose, or
(b) issue a direction under section 105 as if the existing exchange were an exchange whose rules had been approved by the Bank.
(3) Where dealings concerning securities created by the Minister could be carried on on an existing exchange to which subsection (2) relates, the Minister may direct the Bank to impose under paragraph (a) of that subsection, and the Bank shall so impose, conditions or requirements specified in his direction (being conditions or requirements which relate to such dealings and which the Minister is satisfied, after consultation with the Bank, do not constrain the prudent regulation of the exchange).
(4) The Bank shall not impose on an existing exchange by virtue of this section a condition or requirement which relates to dealings concerning securities created by the Minister unless either—
(a) subsection (3) applies to the condition or requirement, or
(b) the Bank has notified the Minister of its intention to impose the condition or requirement on the exchange.
Approval of rules by Bank, conditions, etc.
101.—(1) (a) Where the Bank approves the rules of an existing exchange or for a proposed exchange, it may—
(i) make its approval subject to conditions or requirements, and
(ii) at any time after approval, impose conditions or requirements on the exchange or amend or revoke any condition or requirement to which this subsection relates, whether or not previously amended by virtue of this subparagraph.
(b) Every condition or requirement imposed to which this subsection relates and every amendment thereto or revocation thereof shall be as the Bank sees fit to impose, amend or revoke in the interest of the prudent regulation of the exchange concerned and every such condition or requirement may be imposed on either or both—
(i) that exchange, and
(ii) the members of that exchange (either collectively or individually).
(c) In respect of any condition or requirement to which paragraph (a) (ii) relates, a condition or requirement shall not be imposed, amended or revoked until—
(i) the Bank has notified the exchange concerned of its intention to so impose, amend or revoke, and
(ii) the Bank has heard any representations made by that exchange or any member thereof within such time limit as the Bank may specify when notifying the exchange.
(d) Where dealings concerning securities created by the Minister could be carried on on an exchange, any condition or requirement which relates to such dealings shall not be imposed by virtue of this subsection unless the Bank has notified the Minister of its intention to so impose.
(2) (a) Where—
(i) the Bank intends to approve the rules of an existing exchange or for a proposed exchange, and
(ii) dealings concerning securities created by the Minister could be carried on on the exchange,
the Minister may direct the Bank to make its approval subject to the imposition by it of conditions or requirements specified in his direction (being conditions or requirements which relate to such dealings and which the Minister is satisfied, after consultation with the Bank, do not constrain the prudent regulation of the exchange) and, accordingly, the Bank shall make its approval subject to every condition or requirement so specified.
(b) At any time after the approval of the rules of an existing exchange or for a proposed exchange, the Minister may, in respect of dealings concerning securities created by him, direct the Bank to impose conditions or requirements on the exchange (being conditions or requirements which relate to such dealings and which the Minister is satisfied, after consultation with the Bank, do not constrain the prudent regulation of the exchange) or amend or revoke any condition or requirement to which this subsection relates, whether or not previously amended by virtue of this paragraph and, accordingly, the Bank shall so impose, amend or revoke the condition or requirement.
(3) The approval by the Bank of the rules of or for an exchange shall not constitute a warranty as to the solvency of the exchange or of any member of the exchange and the Bank shall not be liable in respect of any losses incurred through the insolvency or default of the exchange or any of its members.
(4) An application for approval of the rules of an existing exchange or for a proposed exchange shall be in such form and contain such particulars as the Bank may from time to time determine.
Refusal of Bank to approve rules.
102.—(1) The Bank shall not refuse to approve the rules of an existing exchange or for a proposed exchange without the consent of the Minister and unless it is satisfied that the approval would not be in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of such an exchange, and the Minister shall not consent to the refusal unless he is satisfied that the approval would not be in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of such an exchange.
(2) Whenever the Bank proposes to refuse to approve the rules of an existing exchange or for a proposed exchange—
(a) it shall notify the exchange or (in the case of a proposed exchange) the promoter of the exchange in writing that it intends to seek the consent of the Minister to the refusal and of its reasons for the refusal and that the person may, within 21 days after the date of the giving of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the proposed refusal,
(b) the exchange or the promoter may make such representations in writing to the Minister within the time aforesaid, and
(c) the Minister shall, before deciding to give or withhold his consent, consider any representations duly made to him under this subsection in relation to the proposed refusal.
Application of section 17 of Act of 1971.
103.—Without prejudice to the provisions of section 101 the provisions of section 17 (which relate to books and records of holders of licences) of the Act of 1971 (as amended by this Part) shall apply as if every exchange to which this Chapter applies and every member of that exchange were the holder of a licence for the purpose of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989.
Restriction on advertising.
104.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not advertise or cause to be advertised the services of an exchange or make any other solicitation in respect of those services unless the Bank has approved the rules of the exchange.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply—
(a) subject to any condition or requirement to the contrary imposed by the Bank under section 100 (2), to an existing exchange, or to any person acting on behalf of the exchange, during the period commencing with the submission of its rules to the Bank for approval and ending with approval or refusal to approve, or
(b) to any prospectus or other document published by or on behalf of persons who propose to establish such an exchange, where such prospectus or other document is published solely for the purpose of such a proposal.
(3) If an advertisement or other solicitation to which this section relates is published and it does not include the name and address of the person who arranged with the publisher for the advertisement or solicitation, then the Bank may, at any time within the period of 12 months after any publication of the advertisement or solicitation, request the publisher to supply the name and address of that person to the Bank and the publisher shall forthwith comply with that request.
Directions by Bank to suspend trading, dealing.
105.—(1) Where the Bank is satisfied that an exchange or any member thereof has failed or is failing to comply with a condition or requirement under section 100 (2) (a) or 101 the Bank may give a direction to either or both—
(a) the exchange to suspend trading, and
(b) any or all of the members of the exchange to suspend trading or dealing thereon,
for a specified period or until further notice by the Bank.
(2) (a) The exchange or member or members thereof to whom the direction was given under subsection (1) may apply in a summary manner to the Court for, and the Court may grant, an order setting aside the direction.
(b) The Bank may apply in a summary manner to the Court to have a direction by it under this section confirmed by the Court.
(3) The Court when considering the matter may make such interim or interlocutory order as it considers appropriate.
(4) Where the Court is satisfied, because of the nature or the circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the whole or any part of proceedings under this section may be heard otherwise than in public.
(5) In this section “the Court” means the High Court.
Revocation of approval of rules.
106.—(1) The Bank may—
(a) revoke an approval of the rules of an exchange if the exchange to whom it was granted so requests,
(b) with the consent of the Minister, revoke an approval of the rules of an exchange if—
(i) the exchange—
(I) has not commenced to operate within 12 months of the date on which the approval was granted, or
(II) has ceased operating and no trading or dealing has been carried on on the exchange during a period of more than 6 months immediately following the cesser,
(ii) being a company, the exchange is being wound up,
(iii) the exchange (being an existing exchange) or the promoter of a proposed exchange has obtained the approval of the Bank through false statements or any other irregular means,
(iv) the exchange becomes unable to meet its obligations to creditors or suspends payment lawfully due by the exchange or by any member thereof,
(c) with the consent of the Minister revoke the approval if, since the grant of the approval, the circumstances relevant to the grant have changed and are such that, if an application for an approval were made in the changed circumstances, it would be refused.
(2) Whenever the Bank proposes to revoke an approval (other than in pursuance of a request by the exchange to whom it was granted to do so)—
(a) it shall notify the exchange concerned that it intends to seek the consent of the Minister to the revocation and of the reasons for the revocation and that the exchange may, within 21 days after the date of the giving of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the proposed revocation,
(b) the exchange may make such representations in writing to the Minister within the time aforesaid, and
(c) the Minister shall, before deciding to give or withhold his consent, consider any representations duly made to him under this subsection in relation to the proposed revocation.
(3) Where an approval of the rules of an exchange is revoked and the exchange is not a company which is being wound up—
(a) the exchange and the members thereof shall continue to be subject to the duties and obligations imposed by or under this Chapter or section 18 of the Act of 1971 until all liabilities of the exchange and its members have been discharged to the satisfaction of the Bank,
(b) the exchange shall, as soon as possible after the approval is revoked, notify the Bank and such other persons (if any) as the Bank indicates are to be notified of the measures being taken or proposed to be taken to discharge in full and without undue delay the liabilities of the exchange and the members thereof,
(c) in the case where—
(i) that exchange has notified the Bank in accordance with paragraph (b) and the Bank is of the opinion that the measures being taken or proposed to be taken for the purposes of that paragraph are not satisfactory, or
(ii) that exchange has not so notified the Bank and the Bank is of the opinion that the exchange has failed to so notify as soon as possible after the approval is revoked, or
(iii) the Bank is of the opinion that that exchange has failed to take all reasonable steps to notify persons which the Bank has indicated, under paragraph (b), are to be notified,
then the Bank may give a direction in writing to that exchange or to any of its members thereof for such period, not exceeding 6 months, as may be specified therein, prohibiting the exchange or the members thereof so directed from—
(I) dealing with or disposing of any assets or specified assets of the exchange or of its members in any manner, or
(II) engaging in any transaction or class of transaction or specified transaction, or
(III) making payments,
without the prior authorisation of the Bank, and the Bank may require that exchange or any of its members to prepare and submit to it for its approval within two months of the direction, a scheme for the orderly discharge in full of the liabilities concerned.
(4) (a) Where the approval of the rules of an exchange is revoked and the exchange is a company which is being wound up, the liquidator of the company shall, in addition to his duties and obligations in respect of the winding up, be subject to the duties and obligations to which the exchange would be subject were it an exchange to which subsection (3) relates and that subsection shall, for the purpose of this subsection, be construed accordingly.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the Bank may, where it revokes an approval and considers it appropriate in the circumstances, remove in writing the duty and obligation imposed on the liquidator concerned to comply with paragraph (b) (as construed by this subsection) of subsection (3) and may impose in writing on that liquidator such further or other duty and obligation which corresponds to that set out in the said paragraph (b).
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as affecting any duty or obligation under this Chapter of the members of the exchange concerned.
(5) The Bank shall as soon as may be after the revocation of an approval of the rules of an exchange publish a notice of the revocation in such manner as it thinks fit.
Offences and penalties (Chapter VIII).
107.—(1) Any person who contravenes section 99, 100 or 104 and an exchange or a member thereof who—
(a) commits by act or omission a breach of a condition or requirement duly imposed and which relates to the approval given by the Bank to the rules of the exchange, or
(b) fails to comply with a direction under section 105 or 106,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both,
and, if the contravention, breach or failure in respect of which he was convicted is continued after conviction, he shall be guilty of an offence on every day on which the contravention, breach or failure continues after conviction in respect of the original contravention, breach or failure and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
(2) In any proceedings for an offence under this section which relates to section 104, it shall be a good defence for the accused to prove that he was, at the relevant time, a person whose business it was to publish or arrange for the publication on behalf of some other person of advertisements or other solicitations and that the relevant advertisement or other solicitation was received for publication in the ordinary course of that business and that he did not know and had no reason to suspect that to use it to advertise, or otherwise solicit could be an offence.
Chapter IX
Supervision of Moneybrokers
Interpretation (Chapter IX).
108.—In this Chapter—
“authorisation” means an authorisation granted to a person by the Bank under this Chapter to carry on the business of moneybroking;
“financial institution” has the same meaning that it has in Chapter VII;
“moneybroker” means a person carrying on a moneybroking business;
“moneybroking business” means any business which consists of the business of arranging all or any of the following, that is to say:
(a) loans or borrowings of money,
(b) purchases or sales of foreign exchange,
(c) transactions of a type which for the time being stand prescribed by order under section 109, and
(d) other transactions which are similar in effect to any of those to which paragraph (a), (b) or (c) relate,
between any two or more persons being a holder of a licence under section 9 of the Act of 1971, a building society, or a financial institution, and “moneybroking” shall be construed accordingly.
Orders (Chapter IX).
109.—(1) Where both the Minister and the Bank are of the opinion that it is necessary in the context of developments in the financial markets or the orderly and proper regulation of moneybroking business that certain types of transactions be prescribed for the purpose of the definition of “moneybroking business”, then the Minister may, at the request of the Bank, by order so prescribe.
(2) The Minister may, at the request of the Bank, by order revoke an order under subsection (1).
Authorisation to carry on moneybroking business.
110.—(1) A person shall not carry on moneybroking business at any time after this section has been in operation for 3 months unless the person has been granted an authorisation for the purposes of this section and the authorisation has not been revoked.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Bank may grant or refuse to grant to any person applying to it an authorisation to carry on moneybroking business.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a person shall not, at the same time, be the holder of a licence under section 9 of the Act of 1971 and a person to whom a subsisting authorisation under this section relates.
(4) The Bank shall not refuse an authorisation without the consent of the Minister and unless it is satisfied that the authorisation would not be in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of moneybroking or banking, and the Minister shall not grant his consent to the refusal unless he is satisfied that the authorisation would not be in the interest of the orderly and proper regulation of moneybroking or banking.
(5) Whenever the Bank proposes to refuse an authorisation to a person—
(a) it shall notify the person in writing that it intends to seek the consent of the Minister to the refusal and of its reasons for the refusal and that the person may, within 21 days after the date of the giving of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the proposed refusal,
(b) the person may make such representations in writing to the Minister within the time aforesaid, and
(c) the Minister shall, before deciding to give or withhold his consent, consider any representations duly made to him under this subsection in relation to the proposed refusal.
(6) An application for an authorisation shall be in such form and contain such particulars as the Bank may from time to time determine.
(7) The authorisation of a person under this section shall not constitute a warranty as to the solvency of the person to carry on a moneybroking business and the Bank shall not be liable in respect of any losses incurred through the insolvency or default of the person.
Supervision, etc. of moneybrokers by Bank.
111.—Every person carrying on moneybroking business shall each comply with such supervisory and reporting requirements or conditions relating to his business which the Bank considers prudent to impose on him from time to time for the purposes and in the interest of the proper and orderly regulation of moneybroking.
Application of section 17 of Act of 1971.
112.—Without prejudice to the provisions of section 111, the provisions of section 17 (which relates to books and records of holders of licences) of the Act of 1971 (as amended by this Part) shall apply as if every person authorised by the Bank to carry on moneybroking business were the holder of a licence for the purposes of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989.
Power of Court to prohibit failure to comply with requirement or condition under Chapter IX.
113.—(1) Where, on an application made in a summary manner by the Bank, the Court is of the opinion that there has occurred or is occurring a failure by a moneybroker to comply with a requirement or condition imposed by virtue of section 111, the Court may, by order, prohibit the continuance of the failure by the moneybroker concerned.
(2) The Court when considering the matter may make such interim or interlocutory order as it considers appropriate.
(3) Where the Court is satisfied, because of the nature or the circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the whole or any part of proceedings under this section may be heard otherwise than in public.
(4) In this section “the Court” means the High Court.
Revocation of authorisations.
114.—(1) The Bank may—
(a) revoke an authorisation if the person to whom it was granted so requests,
(b) with the consent of the Minister, revoke an authorisation if the person to whom it was granted—
(i) (I) has not commenced to carry on moneybroking business within 12 months of the date on which the authorisation was granted, or
(II) has ceased to carry on moneybroking business and has not carried it on during a period of more than 6 months immediately following the cesser,
(ii) is adjudicated bankrupt,
(iii) being a partnership, the partnership is dissolved by death or bankruptcy of any partner, or otherwise under the law of partnership,
(iv) being a company, is being wound up,
(v) has obtained the authorisation through false statements or any other irregular means,
(vi) becomes unable to meet his obligations to his creditors or suspends payments lawfully due by him or can no longer be relied upon to fulfil his obligations towards his creditors and in particular no longer provides security for the assets entrusted to him,
(vii) is convicted on indictment of an offence under any provision of the Central Bank Acts, 1942 to 1989, or an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust,
(viii) has his head office in another state that is a member of the European Communities and the authority in that state that exercises in that state functions corresponding to those of the Bank under this Chapter has withdrawn authorisation from the institution of which the holder is a branch,
(c) with the consent of the Minister, revoke the authorisation if, since the grant of the authorisation, the circumstances relevant to the grant have changed and are such that, if an application for an authorisation were made in the changed circumstances, it would be refused.
(2) Whenever the Bank proposes to revoke an authorisation (other than in circumstances to which paragraph (a) or (b) (viii) of subsection (1) relate)—
(a) the person to whom it was granted shall be notified in writing that the Bank intends to seek the consent of the Minister to the revocation and of the reasons for the revocation and that the person may, within 21 days after the date of the giving of the notification, make representations in writing to the Minister in relation to the proposed revocation,
(b) the said person may make such representations in writing to the Minister within the time aforesaid, and
(c) the Minister shall, before deciding to give or withhold his consent, consider any representations duly made to him under this subsection in relation to the proposed revocation.
Publication of names of moneybrokers and notices of revocation of authorisations.
115.—(1) The Bank shall publish from time to time, but not less frequently than once a year, in such manner as it thinks fit the names of persons authorised to carry on moneybroking business.
(2) The Bank shall as soon as may be after the revocation of an authorisation publish a notice of the revocation in such manner as it thinks fit.
Offences and penalties (Chapter IX).
116.—A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) of section 110 or a moneybroker who fails by act or omission to comply with a requirement or condition imposed on him under section 111 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both,
and, if the contravention or breach in respect of which he was convicted is continued after conviction, he shall be guilty of an offence on every day on which the contravention or breach continues after conviction in respect of the original contravention or breach and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
Chapter X
Codes of Practice
Codes of practice.
117.—(1) The Bank may, after consultation with the Minister, from time to time draw up, amend or revoke, in relation to any class or classes of licence holders or other persons supervised by the Bank under this or any other enactment, one or more than one code of practice concerning dealings with any class or classes of persons and every such code shall be observed by the licence holders, or other persons so supervised, to whom they relate.
(2) In drawing up codes of practice the Bank shall have regard to—
(a) the interest of customers and the general public, and
(b) the promotion of fair competition in financial markets in the State.
(3) The Bank may—
(a) require any licence holder or other person supervised by it to provide all relevant information to the Bank to enable the Bank to satisfy itself as to compliance with the code by such licence holder or other person,
(b) issue a direction in writing to such licence holder or other person to comply with practices specified in the direction where this is necessary, in the opinion of the Bank, to secure observance of the code.
(4) (a) Any licence holder or other person supervised by the Bank who fails to provide information in accordance with subsection (3) (a) or to comply with a direction under subsection (3) (b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £25,000.
(b) Where a person has been convicted of an offence by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection and, after the conviction, the failure to provide information or to comply with the direction, as the case may be, continues, the person shall be guilty of contravening this section on every day on which the contravention continues after that conviction and for each such offence he shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £2,500.
(5) In this section “practices” includes procedures.
Chapter XI
Legal Tender Notes
Provision of legal tender notes.
118.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Bank to provide and issue in accordance with this Part notes to be known and in this Part referred to as legal tender notes for the following denominations, namely, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100 and any other monetary denominations in respect of which the Minister has made an order under subsection (4) and such notes shall be current in the State and shall be legal tender in the State for the payment of any amount.
(2) Every legal tender note shall be of such form, size and design and printed in such a manner and on such paper and numbered and authenticated in such manner as stood prescribed before the commencement of this section or as may be prescribed thereafter from time to time for the purpose of this section.
(3) Any legal tender note of any denomination provided and issued at any time under the Currency Act, 1927, or any subsequent Act shall continue to be current in the State and shall continue to be legal tender in the State for the payment of any amount.
(4) The Minister may, from time to time, by order specify for the purposes of subsection (1) any monetary denomination which is not already specified either in that subsection or by virtue of this subsection.
(5) In this section—
“paper” includes any material capable of being printed upon;
“prescribed” means prescribed by the Bank with the sanction of the Minister.
Application of certain enactments.
119.—Legal tender notes issued under this Act or under the Currency and Central Bank Acts, 1927 to 1971, or any of those Acts shall be deemed to be bank notes within the meaning of the Forgery Act, 1913, and any other enactment relating to offences in respect of bank notes which is for the time being in force in the State and to be valuable securities within the meaning of the Larceny Act, 1916, and any other law relating to stealing which is for the time being in force in the State and to be current coin of the State for the purpose of the Acts relating to payment of wages in cash and any other like enactment.
Issue of legal tender notes by Bank.
120.—(1) The Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 44:
“44. It shall be lawful for the Bank to issue legal tender notes—
(a) to itself or any other person against—
(i) gold bullion, or
(ii) any currency, security or other form of asset which may be held by the Bank, which, in the case of such other person, is delivered to the Bank in such manner and subject to such conditions as it may prescribe, or
(b) to such other person against an authorisation to charge that person's account with the Bank.”.
(2) This section shall come into operation with effect from the date the legal tender note fund is wound up under section 22.
Redemption of legal tender notes.
121.—(1) The holder of a legal tender note of any denomination shall be entitled, on demand made by him during office hours at the principal office of the Bank in Dublin, to receive in exchange for the note—
(a) either or both one or more legal tender notes and coins which would be legal tender, or
(b) where the Bank has determined that payment by any other means is appropriate and the holder of the legal tender note so requests or consents, payment by that means, or
(c) (i) either or both one or more legal tender notes and coins which would be legal tender, and
(ii) part-payment in accordance with paragraph (b),
to the same total value.
(2) The Bank may refuse to exchange in accordance with subsection (1) any legal tender note which is so worn or damaged that it is in the opinion of the Bank not identifiable as a particular legal tender note or that the portion of such note forthcoming is not sufficient in the opinion of the Bank to exclude the possibility of the residue of such note being so exchanged on another occasion.
(3) The Bank may make such arrangements as it thinks proper for the cancellation and destruction by it or on its behalf of such legal tender notes exchanged in accordance with subsection (1) as it does not think proper to preserve for re-issue.
Calling in of legal tender notes.
122.—The Bank may, subject to such conditions as to time, place, manner and order of presentation as it thinks fit, call in any legal tender notes issued under this Act, or under the Currency and Central Bank Acts, 1927 to 1971, or any of those Acts, on the terms of paying for such notes on presentation in the same manner as if they were being redeemed under section 121.
Defacement, etc., of legal tender notes and consolidated bank notes.
123.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person to do any of the following things, that is to say—
(a) to cut, tear, or otherwise mutilate, or to interfere with any security device on or contained in, a legal tender note or a consolidated bank note, or
(b) to write, print, draw, stamp, emboss, or in any other way impress on a legal tender note or a consolidated bank note any letter, figure, design, or other mark, or
(c) to perforate a legal tender note or a consolidated bank note, whether the perforations do or do not form or represent any letter, figure, or other design, or
(d) to attach or affix to a legal tender note or a consolidated bank note any memorandum, advertisement or other writing.
(2) Every person who commits any act in relation to a legal tender note or a consolidated bank note which is a contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
(3) The fact that a legal tender note has been the subject of an act which is a contravention of this section shall not prejudice or affect any obligation imposed or power conferred on the Bank by sections 121 and 122 of this Act to pay or exchange such note nor prejudice or affect any power so conferred on the Bank to refuse to exchange such note.
(4) The fact that a consolidated bank note has been the subject of an act which is a contravention of this section shall not prejudice or affect the obligation imposed on the Bank by section 36 (3) of the Principal Act in respect of payment on presentation of the note at its principal office in Dublin.
(5) This section shall not apply to anything done by or on behalf of the Bank for the purpose of the cancellation of a legal tender note or the retirement or cancellation of a consolidated bank note.
PART III
Coinage
Definition (Part III).
124.—In this Part “the Act of 1969” means the Decimal Currency Act, 1969.
Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1969.
125.—(1) Section 3 of the Act of 1969 is hereby amended—
(a) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (3):
“(3A) The Minister may, in respect of any cupronickel or bronze coins of a particular denomination provided under this section, by order amend the said First Schedule by substituting, for the standard weight and remedy allowance relating to that weight which are specified therein in respect of those coins, such other standard weight and remedy allowance relating to that weight as he thinks fit and specifies in the order and the said First Schedule shall have effect accordingly.”;
(b) in subsection (5), by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (c):
“(c) Whenever an order is proposed to be made under this subsection, other than only for the purpose of amending—
(i) the standard weight and standard composition of any coins and the remedy (or variation from the standard weight and standard composition) to be allowed in respect thereof, or
(ii) any such weight or composition or remedy (or variation from either such weight or composition),
a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.”.
(2) Any order made in whole or in part under section 3 (5) of the Act of 1969 and in force immediately before the commencement of this section shall continue in force as if it had been made to the like extent under and in accordance with the said section 3(5) as amended by subsection (1) (b).
Amendment of section 4 of Act of 1969.
126.—(1) Section 4 of the Act of 1969 is hereby amended—
(a) by the deletion of subsection (1), and
(b) in subsection (2)—
(i) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (a):
“(a) The Minister may, whenever and so often as he thinks fit, by order (in this section referred to as a new coinage order) declare that it is expedient to provide coins of a specified metal or a specified mixture of metals, other than as provided for by or under section 3 of this Act, of any specified denomination of coin which the Minister is authorised by or under the said section 3 to provide.”,
and
(ii) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (d):
“(d) Whenever an order is proposed to be made under this subsection, a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.”.
(2) Any order made in whole or in part under section 4(2) of the Act of 1969 and in force immediately before the commencement of this section shall continue in force as if it had been made to the like extent under and in accordance with the said section 4 (2) as amended by subsection (1).
Legal tender (coinage).
127.—The Act of 1969 is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 8:
“8. (1) A tender of money if made in coins which are issued or deemed to be issued under any provision of the Decimal Currency Acts, 1969 to 1989, shall, in respect of each denomination tendered, be legal tender for the payment of an amount not exceeding twenty times their face value but for no greater amount.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to coins called in under section 12 of this Act from the relevant operative date for the purposes of subsection (2) of that section.”.
Alteration of penalties under Act of 1969.
128.—The Act of 1969 is hereby amended—
(a) in section 14, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
“(3) Every person who makes or issues any piece of metal or mixed metal in contravention of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or at the discretion of the court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000 or at the discretion of the court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”,
(b) in section 15, by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):
“(2) If any person—
(a) acts in contravention of this section, or
(b) fails to comply with any condition attached to a licence under this section,
he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or at the discretion of the court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000 or at the discretion of the court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment and, in addition, the court may order the articles in respect of which the offence was committed to be forfeited.”.
Amendment of section 17 of Act of 1969.
129.—Section 17 of the Act of 1969 is hereby amended by the substitution of “(other than an order under section 3 (5) or 4 of this Act which is required to be confirmed by resolution of each House of the Oireachtas before coming into force, or an order under section 12 of this Act)” for “(other than an order under section 3 (5), 4 or 12 of this Act)”, and the said section 17, as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
17. Every order and regulation under this Act (other than an order under section 3 (5) or 4 of this Act which is required to be laid in draft before each House of the Oireachtas, or an order under section 12 of this Act) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Collective citation (Part III).
130.—The Decimal Currency Acts, 1969 and 1970, and this Part may be cited together as the Decimal Currency Acts, 1969 to 1989.
PART IV
Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Financial Transactions
Amendment of Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879.
131.—The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879, is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of the following section for section 5:
“5. (1) A copy of an entry in a banker's book shall not be received in evidence under this Act unless it is further proved that—
(a) in the case where the copy sought to be received in evidence has been reproduced in a legible form directly by either or both mechanical and electronic means from a banker's book maintained in a non-legible form, it has been so reproduced;
(b) in the case where the copy sought to be received in evidence has been made (either directly or indirectly) from a copy to which paragraph (a) of this section would apply:
(i) the copy sought to be so received has been examined with a copy so reproduced and is a correct copy, and
(ii) the copy so reproduced is a copy to which the said paragraph (a) would apply if it were sought to have it received in evidence;
(c) in any other case, the copy has been examined with the original entry and is correct.
(2) Proof to which subsection (1) of this section relates shall be given—
(a) in respect of paragraph (a) or (b) (ii) of that subsection, by some person who has been in charge of the reproduction concerned,
(b) in respect of paragraph (b) (i) of that subsection, by some person who has examined the copy with the reproduction concerned,
(c) in respect of paragraph (c) of that subsection, by some person who has examined the copy with the original entry concerned,
and may be given either orally or by an affidavit sworn before any commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits.”,
(b) by the deletion in section 6 after “legal proceeding” of the words “to which the bank is not a party”,
(c) by the insertion of the following section after section 7:
“Extension of section 7.
7A. If, on an application made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Superintendent, a court or a judge is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing—
(a) that an indictable offence has been committed; and
(b) that there is material in the possession of a bank specified in the application which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence;
a court or judge may make an order that the applicant or another member of the Garda Síochána designated by him be at liberty to inspect and take copies of any entries in a banker's book for the purposes of investigation of the offence.”,
(d) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 9 (as amended by the Bankers' Books Evidence (Amendment) Act, 1959):
“(a) include any records used in the ordinary business of a bank, or used in the transfer department of a bank acting as registrar of securities, whether—
(i) comprised in bound volume, loose-leaf binders or other loose-leaf filing systems, loose-leaf ledger sheets, pages, folios or cards, or
(ii) kept on microfilm, magnetic tape or in any non-legible form (by the use of electronics or otherwise) which is capable of being reproduced in a permanent legible form, and”
and
(e) by the substitution of the following section for section 11:
“11. Days which are non-business days for the purposes of, and to the extent provided by the Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, shall be excluded from the computation of time under this Act.”.
Amendment of Bills of Exchange Act, 1882.
132.—(1) The Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, is hereby amended:
(a) in section 2:
(i) by the insertion of the following definition after the definition of “Bill”:
“‘Business days’ means those days which are not non-business days.”,
(ii) by the insertion of the following definition after the definition of “Issue”:
“‘Non-business days’ means—
(a) Saturday, except in a case and to the extent to which the proviso to the paragraph numbered (1) of section 14 of this Act applies,
(b) Sunday,
(c) such days as are public holidays, and
(d) where and to the extent that any direction under section 134 of the Central Bank Act, 1989, provides, such other day or days as so provided.”,
and
(iii) by the insertion of the following definition after the definition of “Person”:
“‘Public holiday’ has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973.”,
(b) in section 14, by the substitution of the following paragraph for the paragraph numbered (1):
“(1) The bill is due and payable in all cases on the last day of the time of payment as fixed by the bill or, if that is a non-business day, on the succeeding business day:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall operate to prevent a bill being paid by the drawee on a Saturday (other than a Saturday that is a public holiday or to which paragraph (d) of the definition of ‘non-business days’ in section 2 of this Act relates) or cause him to incur any liability thereby, where—
(a) the drawee is a banker, and
(b) the Saturday concerned is the last day fixed by the bill as the time of payment, and
(c) the drawee is normally open for business on a Saturday at his address given in or ascertainable from the bill,
and, accordingly, presentation and payment of such a bill on the Saturday shall be valid and shall discharge it as fully as if it had been presented and paid on the next succeeding business day: but this provision shall not be construed as compelling the person entitled to payment on the bill to accept such payment on the Saturday.”,
(c) by the insertion of the following section after section 45:
“Additional rules as to presentment of cheques and other documents.
45A. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, presentment for payment of a cheque may be made by a banker (in this section referred to as the ‘collecting banker’) on his own behalf or on behalf of a customer or any other person to the banker on whom it is drawn (in this section referred to as the ‘drawee banker’) by notification to the drawee banker of the essential features of the cheque other than by its physical presentment, whether by the transmission of an electronic message or by any other means.
(2) A drawee banker to whom a cheque is presented by notification in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of this section may, before the close of business on the next business day following receipt of such notification, request the collecting banker that the cheque be physically presented to him.
(3) A request by the drawee banker for physical presentment of a cheque in accordance with subsection (2) of this section shall not constitute dishonour of the cheque by non-payment.
(4) A cheque paid upon presentment in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed to have been paid in the ordinary course of business.
(5) Where a cheque is presented for payment by notification in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of this section, nothing in this section shall be taken to relieve the collecting banker or the drawee banker from any liability in relation to the collection or payment of the cheque to which the collecting banker or the drawee banker would have been subject if the cheque had been physically presented for payment.
(6) This section shall apply to—
(a) any document issued by a customer of a banker which, though not a bill of exchange, is intended to enable a person to obtain payment from that banker of the sum mentioned in the document,
(b) any document issued by a public officer which is intended to enable a person to obtain payment from the Paymaster General of the sum mentioned in the document but is not a bill of exchange, and
(c) any draft payable on demand drawn by a banker upon himself, whether payable at the head office or some other office of his bank,
as it applies to cheques.
(7) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires—
‘the essential features of the cheque’ includes—
(a) the serial number of the cheque,
(b) the identification code number of the drawee banker,
(c) the account number of the drawer of the cheque,
(d) the amount of the cheque as entered by the drawer of the cheque,
and any such particulars as may be given in the form of letters or figures or any other code which as between bankers represent those particulars;
‘physical presentment’ means presentment of a cheque for payment in accordance with banking practice other than as provided for in subsection (1).”.
(2) Nothing in the other provisions of this section shall apply to any bill drawn or, by virtue of section 89 of the Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, to any note made before the coming into operation of this section.
(3) This section shall come into operation one month after the passing of this Act.
Supplementary provision to section 3 of Cheques Act, 1959.
133.—The Cheques Act, 1959, is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 3:
“3A. Where a cheque is paid upon presentment in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of section 45A (inserted by section 132 of the Central Bank Act, 1989) of the Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, the collecting banker (within the meaning of the said section 45A) shall, for the purpose of section 3 of this Act, be deemed to be the banker on whom the cheque is drawn.”.
Power of Minister to direct suspension of certain business transactions, etc.
134.—(1) Whenever the Minister considers it necessary in the national interest or for the purpose of safeguarding the currency of the State, he may, after consulting the Bank, give a direction that in respect of a specified day or days a person to whom the direction relates shall not effect in the course of business any transaction, or any transaction of such a kind, as may be specified in the direction.
(2) The Minister may after consulting the Bank grant an exemption from all or part of a direction under this section to any person to whom it relates where he is satisfied that such an exemption would not adversely affect the national interest or the integrity of the currency of the State.
(3) In respect of every direction or exemption under this section, it shall be—
(a) in writing or put in writing as soon as possible after the direction has been given or the exemption has been granted, as the case may be, and
(b) either—
(i) sent in writing or, where notified orally, confirmed in writing to the person or persons concerned, or
(ii) published in the Iris Oifigiúil,
as soon as possible after having been so given or so granted, as the case may be:
Provided that failure to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate a direction duly given, or an exemption duly granted, under this section.
(4) Every direction under this section shall be in such form and manner as the Minister considers necessary and appropriate and may be given to all or any of the following persons, that is to say:
(a) the holder of a licence under the Central Bank Act, 1971, or a person exempted from holding such a licence by virtue of section 7 (4) of that Act;
(b) a person dealing in foreign currencies;
(c) a person dealing in gold coin or bullion;
(d) a person dealing in silver coin or bullion;
(e) a person dealing in financial futures;
(f) a person dealing in futures in any commodity;
(g) a member of the Stock Exchange Irish in respect of any transaction on that exchange;
(h) such other person or persons as appears to the Minister to be necessary to give a direction to under subsection (1).
(5) An obligation on a person to do or carry out something on a day on which he is prevented, by virtue of a direction under this section, from so doing or carrying out, shall be deemed to be complied with if he does it or carries it out as soon as practicable thereafter.
(6) (a) A person who contravenes a direction under this section or who knowingly or recklessly gives either directly or indirectly misleading information to the Minister or the Bank for the purpose of assisting any person to obtain an exemption from such a direction shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or to both.
(b) Where a person has been convicted under paragraph (a) of a contravention of a direction and the contravention is continued after conviction, he shall be guilty of an offence on every day on which the contravention continues after conviction in respect of the original contravention and for each such offence he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
(7) In this section “foreign currency” has the same meaning as it has in the Exchange Control Act, 1954.
Payments on public holidays not compellable.
135.—(1) No person shall be compellable to make any payment or do any act on a public holiday which he would not be compellable to make or do on Christmas Day or Good Friday by virtue of any rule of law.
(2) Where a person would, apart from this section, be compellable to make any payment or to do any act on a public holiday, his obligation to make such payment or to do such act shall be deemed to be complied with if he makes or does it on the next following day on which he is compellable to make or do it.
(3) In this section “public holiday” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973.
Amendment of Money-lenders Act, 1900.
136.—The Money-lenders Act, 1900, is hereby amended:
(a) in section 6—
(i) by the substitution in paragraph (d) of “the holder of a licence for the time being in force granted under section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1971, or any person bonâ fide and otherwise carrying on the business of banking, or” for “any person”, and
(ii) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (d):
“(dd) a company to which a certificate has been given by the Minister for Finance under Section 39B of the Finance Act, 1980 (inserted by the Finance Act, 1987), and which has not been revoked; or”,
(iii) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (e):
“(e) any class or classes of body corporate in respect of which the Minister for Industry and Commerce, by order made from time to time declares that, from such date as he may specify in such order, this Act does not apply; or”,
(b) by the insertion of the following section after section 6:
“6A. The date specified for the purposes of an order under section 6 (e) of this Act may be a date earlier than the date upon which the order is made if, but only if—
(a) the Minister for Finance consents to the date being specified, and
(b) such date is not a date earlier than the 1st day of September, 1971.”,
and the said section 6 (other than paragraphs (a) to (c) and paragraphs (dd) to (f)) as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
6. The expression “money-lender” in this Act shall include every person whose business is that of money-lending, or who advertises or announces himself or holds himself out in any way as carrying on that business; but shall not include—
(d) the holder of a licence for the time being in force granted under section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1971, or any person bonâ fide and otherwise carrying on the business of banking, or bonâ fide carrying on the business of insurance or bonâ fide carrying on any business not having for its primary object the lending of money, in the course of which and for the purposes whereof he lends money; or
Deposit with Bank to be an authorised investment for trustees.
137.—(1) Section 1 (which specifies the investments which trustees may invest in) of the Trustee Act, 1893 (as amended by the Trustee (Authorised Investments) Act, 1958) is hereby amended by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (i):
“(ii) subject to section 137 (2) of the Central Bank Act, 1989, in an interest bearing deposit account with the Central Bank of Ireland;”.
(2) The provision in section 1 of the Trustee Act, 1893, which authorises a trustee to invest in an interest bearing deposit account with the Bank shall not be construed as imposing an obligation on the Bank to accept trust funds for deposit with it.
Amendment of Trustee (Authorised Investments) Act, 1958.
138.—(1) Where—
(a) the Minister proposes to make an order under section 2 of the Trustee (Authorised Investments) Act, 1958, for the purpose of varying the investments specified in section 1 of the Trustee Act, 1893 (as amended by or under the said Act of 1958) by the deletion therefrom of an interest bearing deposit account with any body (whether incorporated or not) specified therein (hereinafter in this section referred to as “the relevant body”), and
(b) the Minister has, if relevant, consulted and received the consent to the making of an order of any supervisory authority concerned, and
(c) at least one of the events specified in subsection (2) has occurred in respect of the relevant body,
then the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of section 2 of the said Act of 1958 shall not apply.
(2) The events to which subsection (1) (c) relates are that in respect of a relevant body—
(a) where the carrying on of any business involving interest bearing deposit accounts requires the relevant body to be licensed by, registered with or the holder of some other form of authorisation from a supervisory authority, and the licence, registration or other authorisation has been revoked, withdrawn or otherwise ceases to subsist,
(b) it has become insolvent or suspends any payments lawfully due,
(c) it is being wound up,
(d) it has become subject to an order of a court concerning—
(i) the taking of deposits,
(ii) the making of payments,
(iii) its management, or
(iv) the control of its management,
(e) it has been convicted on indictment of an offence under the Acts regulating it or of an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust,
(f) where the relevant body is not a body corporate, any of its officers have—
(i) become subject to an order of a court concerning the taking of deposits or the making of payments in respect of, or relating to the management or control of the management of, the relevant body, or
(ii) been convicted on indictment of an offence under the Acts regulating the relevant body or of an offence concerning it involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust,
(g) where the relevant body is incorporated outside the State, then in respect of that body any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) or any event in the place of incorporation which, in the opinion of the Minister, corresponds to an event so specified.
(3) Every order made, by virtue of this section, under subsection (1) of section 2 of the Trustee (Authorised Investments) Act, 1958, shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and if either such House, within the next subsequent 21 days on which it has sat after such order is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling such order, such order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
(4) In this section “supervisory authority” means, in respect of a relevant body—
(a) where the carrying on of any business, involving (either in whole or in part) interest bearing deposit accounts, requires the relevant body to be licensed by, registered with or the holder of some other form of authorisation from—
(i) the Government,
(ii) a Minister of the Government or his Department, or
(iii) any other person,
by virtue of any enactment, the Government or such Minister of the Government or his Department or other person, as the case may be, or
(b) where the carrying on of any business by or in respect of the relevant body includes business relating to interest bearing deposit accounts which is subject to supervision by—
(i) the Government,
(ii) a Minister of the Government or his Department, or
(iii) any other person,
by virtue of any enactment, the Government or such Minister of the Government or his Department or other person, as the case may be.
Electronic transfer of certain securities.
139.—(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any enactment, or in any prospectus or other document, relating to the terms of issue, holding or transfer of designated securities, a transfer of such securities may be made and shall be effective if made through a computerised system established by the Bank.
(2) (a) In subsection (1) “designated securities” means securities which have been designated by the Minister for the purposes of that subsection either—
(i) by particular reference to a security of a named type, or
(ii) generally by reference to a class or classes of securities (including, where so designated, future issues of a class or classes of securities).
(b) A designation for the purposes of subsection (1) shall not be effective until communicated in writing to the Bank.
(3) Section 1 of the Stock Transfer Act, 1963, is hereby amended by the addition of the following subsection:
“(2) References in this Act to ‘a stock transfer’ shall, in addition to applying to an instrument under hand in a form set out in the First Schedule to this Act, be construed, where the context so allows, as including a transfer to which section 139 of the Central Bank Act, 1989, applies as if it were a transfer in a form so set out and in respect of which no brokers transfer is necessary.”.
Retention of certain information in non-legible form.
140.—(1) A requirement imposed on any person by any enactment to retain for a specified period any voucher (by whatever name called) relating to an entry in the books of account of a holder of a licence under section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1971 (as amended by this Act), in respect of any matter, transaction or account between such person and the holder of the licence shall be satisfied if such person or the holder of the licence retains a complete record of the information on such voucher by recording it on microfilm, magnetic tape or in any non-legible form (by use of electronics or otherwise) which is capable of being reproduced in a permanent legible form.
(2) Where information on a voucher to which subsection (1) relates is retained by the person concerned or by the holder of the licence under section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1971 (as amended by this Act), by recording it in accordance with that subsection, then any duty imposed on that person or that holder by any enactment to allow inspection of, or furnish the original or a copy of, the voucher shall be treated as a like duty in the alternative to allow inspection of, or furnish a reproduction of, the information so retained, or of the relevant part of it, in a legible form.
Construction and collective citations.
141.—(1) The Bankers' Books Evidence Acts, 1879 and 1959, section 131 and this subsection may be cited together as the Bankers' Books Evidence Acts, 1879 to 1989.
(2) The Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, the Cheques Act, 1959, section 132 and this subsection shall be construed together as one and be cited together as the Bills of Exchange Acts, 1882 to 1989.
(3) The Moneylenders Acts, 1900 and 1933, section 136 and this subsection may be cited together as the Moneylenders Acts, 1900 to 1989.
(4) The Trustee Acts, 1888 to 1958, sections 137 and 138 and this subsection may be cited together as the Trustee Acts, 1888 to 1989.
SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
34 & 35 Vict., c. 17. | Bank Holidays Act, 1871. | The whole Act. |
38 & 39 Vict., c. 13. | Holidays Extension Act, 1875. | The whole Act. |
3 Edw. 7, c. 1. | Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act, 1903. | The whole Act. |
No. 56 of 1924. | The whole Act. | |
No. 32 of 1927. | The whole Act. | |
No. 4 (Private) of 1929. | Paragraphs (i) and (j) of section 2 (1). | |
No. 30 of 1930. | The whole Act. | |
No. 1 (Private) of 1935. | ||
No. 22 of 1942. | Sections 16, 31, 55 (3) and (4), 62 (4), 63 and 64. | |
No. 33 of 1963. | ||
No. 23 of 1969. | ||
No. 24 of 1971. | Sections 29, 30, 43, and 52 (2). | |
No. 25 of 1973. |
Uimhir 16 de 1989
ACHT AN BHAINC CEANNAIS, 1989
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. |
An Banc Ceannais
Réamhráiteach, Athrú ar Phionóis agus Forálacha Ginearálta maidir le Cionta
5. | |
6. | |
7. | Rialacháin agus orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais. |
8. | |
9. | |
10. | |
11. |
Forálacha Ginearálta i ndáil leis an mBanc
12. | |
13. | |
14. | |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | |
18. | |
19. | |
20. | |
21. | |
22. | Ciste na nótaí dlíthairgthe a fhoirceannadh agus sócmhainní a aistriú chuig an gciste ginearálta. |
23. | |
24. | |
25. |
Ceadúnú agus Maoirsiú Sealbhóirí Ceadúnas
26. | |
27. | |
28. | |
29. | |
30. | |
31. | |
32. | |
33. | |
34. | |
35. | |
36. | Forálacha i ndáil le leabhair agus taifid sealbhóirí ceadúnas. |
37. | |
38. | |
39. | |
40. | |
41. | |
42. | |
43. | |
44. | |
45. | |
46. | |
47. |
Forálacha Ginearálta i ndáil le Foirceannadh
48. | |
49. | Fógraí, doiciméid a bheidh le cur chuig an mBanc i ndáil le foirceannadh. |
50. | |
51. | |
52. |
Cosaint Taiscí
Idirbhearta Fála
Forais Airgeadais Áirithe a Mhaoirsiú chun críocha Lárionaid Seirbhísí Airgeadais Idirnáisiúnta
89. | |
90. | |
91. | |
92. | |
93. | |
94. | |
95. | |
96. |
Maoirsiú ar Mhalartáin Todhchaíochtaí agus Roghanna Airgeadais
97. | |
98. | |
99. | |
100. | |
101. | |
102. | |
103. | |
104. | |
105. | |
106. | |
107. |
Maoirsiú Bróicéirí Airgid
108. | |
109. | |
110. | |
111. | |
112. | |
113. | |
114. | |
115. | Ainmneacha bróicéirí airgid agus fógraí faoi chúlghairm údaruithe a fhoilsiú. |
116. |
Cóid Chleachtais
117. |
Nótaí Dlíthairgthe
118. | |
119. | |
120. | |
121. | |
122. | |
123. | Nótaí dlíthairgthe agus nótaí bainc comhdhlúite a aghlot, etc. |
Monaíocht
124. | |
125. | |
126. | |
127. | |
128. | |
129. | |
130. |
Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha i ndáil le hIdirbhearta Airgeadais
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Assurance Companies Act, 1909 | 9 Edw. 7, c. 49 |
Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879 | 42 & 43 Vict., c. 11 |
Bills of Exchange Act, 1882 | 45 & 46 Vict., c. 61 |
Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986 | |
Achtanna an Airgid Reatha agus an Bhainc Ceannais, 1927 go 1971 | |
Na hAchtanna um Airgead Reatha Deachúil, 1969 agus 1970 | |
Finance Act, 1911 | 1 & 2 Geo. 5, c. 48 |
Finance Act, 1917 | 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 31 |
Forgery Act, 1913 | 3 & 4 Geo. 5, c. 27 |
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 | 59 & 60 Vict., c. 25 |
Na hAchtanna um Chearrbhachas agus Crannchuir, 1956 go 1986 | |
An tAcht Cáirde Tionscail, 1933 | |
Larceny Act, 1916 | 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 50 |
An tAcht um Chumaisc, Táthcheangail agus Monaplachtaí (Rialú), 1978 | |
Money-lenders Act, 1900 | 63 & 64 Vict., c. 51 |
National Debt Act, 1870 | 33 & 34 Vict., c. 71 |
Partnership Act, 1890 | 53 & 54 Vict., c. 39 |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict., c. 93 |
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906 | 6 Edw. 7, c. 34 |
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1916 | 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 64 |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 42 & 43 Vict., c. 58 |
Superannuation Act, 1892 | 55 & 56 Vict., c. 40 |
Trustee Act, 1893 | 56 & 57 Vict., c. 53 |
Na hAchtanna um Bainc Thaisce Iontaobhais, 1863 go 1979 | |
Uimhir 16 de 1989
ACHT AN BHAINC CEANNAIS, 1989
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an Chuid seo agus Caibidil VII de Chuid II i ngníomh ar dháta rite an Achta seo agus, ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt, tiocfaidh na forálacha eile den Acht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocrófar chuige sin le hordú nó le horduithe ón Aire, i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe, agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú amhlaidh chun críocha éagsúla agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla den Acht seo.
Léiriú i gcoitinne.
3.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “an Banc” Banc Ceannais na hÉireann;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Airgeadais.
(2) San Acht seo, aon tagairt do Chuid nó do Chaibidil, d'alt nó do Sceideal is tagairt í do Chuid nó do Chaibidil nó d'alt den Acht seo nó do Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, mura léirítear gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(3) San Acht seo, aon tagairt d'fho-alt nó do mhír is tagairt í don fho-alt nó don mhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura léirítear gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
Aisghairm.
4.—Déantar leis seo na hAchtanna a shonraítear sa Sceideal a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.
CUID II
An Banc Ceannais
Caibidil I
Réamhráiteach, Athrú ar Phionóis agus Forálacha Ginearálta maidir le Cionta
Mínithe (Cuid II).
5.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1971” Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1971;
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” Acht an Bhainc Cheannais, 1942.
Forléiriú agus comhlua (Cuid II).
6.—Déanfar an Príomh-Acht, Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1961, Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1964, Acht 1971 agus an Chuid seo a fhorléiriú le chéile mar aon Acht amháin agus féadfar Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, a ghairm díobh le chéile.
Rialacháin agus orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
7.—Déanfar gach rialachán agus ordú (seachas rialacháin faoi alt 15 nó rialacháin lena mbaineann alt 23 (3) nó ordú faoi alt 79) a dhéanfar faoin gCuid seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán nó an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin nó an ordaithe, beidh an rialachán nó an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán nó faoin ordú.
Athrú ar phionóis faoin bPríomh-Acht.
8.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht—
(a) in alt 55, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1):
“(1) Má dhéanann aon duine nó má chuireann sé faoi deara go ndéanfar, nó má úsáideann sé chun aon chríche ar bith, nóta bainc nó cuid de nóta bainc nó má ritheann sé aon doiciméad a airbheartaíonn gur nóta bainc nó cuid de nóta bainc é nó atá cosúil in aon tslí leis an gcéanna nó chomh cosúil sin leis an gcéanna gur dóigh dó daoine a mheabhlú, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin bhfo-alt seo agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £10,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.”;
(b) in alt 56, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Gach duine a dhéanfaidh, a chuirfidh ar fáil, a eiseoidh, a atheiseoidh, nó a thabharfaidh nó a ghlacfaidh mar íocaíocht, aon doiciméad de shárú ar fho-alt (1) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £10,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná cúig bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.”;
(c) in alt 65, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) (a) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach duine ar a seirbheálfaidh an Banc fógra faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo déanamh de réir an fhógra sin laistigh den tréimhse ama nó ar na hócáidí tréimhsiúla (de réir mar a bheidh) a bheidh sonraithe san fhógra sin agus má mhainníonn sé déanamh amhlaidh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 a chur air.
(b) I gcás duine a chiontú i gcion de bhua mhír (a) den fho-alt seo agus go leanfar den mhainneachtain tar éis an chiontaithe, beidh an duine ciontach i sárú an ailt seo ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú tar éis an chiontaithe sin agus maidir le gach cion den sórt sin dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 a chur air.”.
Cionta agus pionóis faoi Acht 1971.
9.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 58:
“58.—(1) Aon duine a sháróidh alt 7, 14, 17, 18 nó 27 den Acht seo agus sealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) a fuair ceadúnas trí ráitis bhréagacha nó ar aon mhodh mí-rialta eile,
(b) a sháróidh alt 19, 20, 26, 31 nó 33 den Acht seo,
(c) a dhéanfaidh, trí ghníomh nó neamhghníomh, sárú ar choinníoll a bheidh forchurtha go cuí agus a bhaineann le ceadúnas,
(d) a mhainneoidh déanamh de réir treorach faoi alt 11 (3) (c) (arna chur isteach le halt 34 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989), 21 nó 22 den Acht seo, nó de réir ceanglais faoi alt 23 den Acht seo, nó
(e) a sháróidh rialacháin faoi alt 24 nó 25 den Acht seo,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air,
agus má leantar, tar éis an chiontaithe, den sárú nó den mhainneachtain ar ina leith a ciontaíodh é, beidh sé ciontach i gcion ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú nó den mhainneachtain tar éis an chiontaithe maidir leis an sárú nó mainneachtain bunaidh agus, maidir le gach cion den sórt sin, dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 nó, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000, a chur air.
(2) I gcás alt 14 (2) den Acht seo a shárú maidir le scéim iontaobhais aonad, measfar alt 14 den Acht seo a bheith sáraithe ag an mbainisteoir faoin scéim.
(3) In aon imeachtaí mar gheall ar chion faoin alt seo a bhaineann le halt 27 den Acht seo, is cosaint mhaith don chúisí a chruthú go mba dhuine é, an tráth ábhartha, a raibh sé de ghnó aige fógráin nó sirtheoireachtaí eile a fhoilsiú nó socrú a dhéanamh dá bhfoilsiú thar ceann duine éigin eile agus go bhfuarthas an fógrán nó an tsirtheoireacht eile ábhartha chun a fhoilsithe i ngnáthchúrsa an ghnó sin agus nárbh eol dó, agus nach raibh cúis ar bith aige le go mbeadh amhras air, gur cion a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ann é a úsáid chun fógairt nó sireadh ar shlí eile a dhéanamh.”.
An Banc d'ionchúiseamh cionta.
10.—Féadfaidh an Banc cion faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, a bheidh á thriail go hachomair, a ionchúiseamh agus má thugann an duine a bheidh ag stiúradh an ionchúisimh sin ráiteas á rá gur tosaíodh an t-ionchúiseamh le húdarás ón mBanc is fianaise leordhóthanach é sin gur tosaíodh an t-ionchúiseamh amhlaidh.
Cionta i ndáil le comhlachtaí áirithe.
11.—I gcás cion faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe nó ag duine a d'airbheartaigh a bheith ag gníomhú thar ceann comhlachta chorpraithe nó comhlachta neamhchorpraithe daoine agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh amhlaidh é le toiliú nó le ceadú, nó gur éascaíodh a dhéanamh trí aon fhaillí toiliúil ar thaobh, duine eile (is stiúrthóir, bainisteoir, rúnaí, ball d'aon choiste bainistíochta nó údarás rialaithe eile de chuid an chomhlachta sin nó is oifigeach dá chuid) beidh an duine eile sin, chomh maith leis an gcomhlacht corpraithe nó leis an duine a d'airbheartaigh a bheith ag gníomhú amhlaidh, ciontach i gcion agus dlífear imeachtaí a shaothrú ina choinne agus é a phionósú dá réir sin.
Caibidil II
Forálacha Ginearálta i ndáil leis an mBanc
Cumhachtaí agus feidhmeanna breise an Bhainc.
12.—(1) An aisghairm a dhéantar, le halt 4, ar an Acht Airgid Reatha, 1927, ní dhéanfaidh sí difear d'aon fheidhm, cumhacht nó dualgas is infheidhmithe ag an mBanc de bhua alt 6 (1) den Phríomh-Acht.
(2) Dearbhaítear leis seo d'fhonn amhras a sheachaint go bhfolaíonn na cumhachtaí agus na feidhmeanna is infheidhmithe de bhua alt 47 d'Acht 1971 na cumhachtaí—
(a) chun urrúis nó aon mhaoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú, a dhíol nó a shannadh nó chun déileáil iontu ar shlí eile,
(b) chun iasachtaí agus airleacain a thabhairt, agus
(c) chun ráthaíochtaí a thabhairt agus chun íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh ar scór na ráthaíochtaí sin.
(3) Beidh ag an mBanc—
(a) chun cosaint a thabhairt do leasanna daoine, nó aon aicme daoine, a choinníonn taiscí le haon duine eile ar taiscí iad a ndéanann an Banc maoirseacht ar ghnó an duine eile sin ina leith, nó
(b) chun rialáil ordúil chuí a dhéanamh ar ghnó aon duine a ndéantar maoirseacht den sórt sin air ina leith,
na cumhachtaí seo a leanas i gcás nach bhfuil siad infheidhmithe cheana féin ag an mBanc, is é sin le rá, na cumhachtaí—
(i) chun urrúis nó aon mhaoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú, a dhíol nó a shannadh nó chun déileáil iontu ar shlí eile,
(ii) chun iasachtaí agus airleacain a thabhairt, agus
(iii) chun ráthaíochtaí a thabhairt agus chun íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh ar scór na ráthaíochtaí sin.
Táillí maidir le maoirseacht ag an mBanc.
13.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (3), féadfaidh an tAire le rialachán, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, an táille a fhorordú a bheidh le híoc leis an mBanc ag aon duine ar a ndéanann an Banc maoirseacht faoi achtachán ar bith agus féadfar táillí éagsúla a fhorordú maidir le haicmí éagsúla daoine.
(2) Féadfar socrú a dhéanamh i rialacháin faoin alt seo maidir le cibé nithe teagmhasacha nó gaolmhara is gá, i dtuairim an Aire, chun éifeacht a thabhairt do na táillí sin.
(3) I gcás go mbeartóidh an tAire táille a fhorordú faoi fho-alt (1)—
(a) tabharfaidh sé fógra i dtaobh na táille beartaithe sin do na daoine den aicme lena mbaineann an táille bheartaithe, agus
(b) ní fhorordóidh sé an táille bheartaithe, nó táille níos lú, ach amháin tar éis dó aon uiríll a bhreithniú a bheidh déanta chuige laistigh de cibé tréimhse a shonróidh sé san fhógra, is tréimhse nach lú ná dhá mhí tar éis an dáta ar ar chuir sé fógra chuig gach duine lena mbaineann.
(4) San alt seo folaíonn “duine” malartán todhchaíochtaí agus roghanna airgeadais de réir na brí a shanntar dó chun críocha Chaibidil VIII.
Comhdhéanamh an Bhoird Stiúrthóirí.
14.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (3), leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht—
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3) d'alt 5:
“(3) Déanfar an Banc a sheoladh agus a bhainistí de réir an Achta seo ag Bord Stiúrthóirí arb é a bheidh ann—
(a) Gobharnóir, agus
(b) cibé líon Stiúrthóirí eile (nach mó ná naonúr agus nach mbeidh níos mó ná beirt Stiúrthóirí seirbhíse ar áireamh ina measc tráth ar bith) a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham.”;
(b) trí ailt 14 (5), 23 (7) agus 29 a scriosadh;
(c) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 24:
“Seilbh oifige na Stiúrthóirí. | 24.—(1) Beidh gach Stiúrthóir (seachas Stiúrthóir seirbhíse agus Stiúrthóir a cheapfar chun corrfholúntas a líonadh) i seilbh oifige, mura túisce a gheobhaidh sé bás, a éireoidh sé as nó a thiocfaidh sé chun bheith dícháilithe, go ceann cúig bliana ón uair a rachaidh téarma oifige a réamhtheachtaí in éag trí imeacht aimsire. |
(2) Gach Stiúrthóir (seachas Stiúrthóir seirbhíse) a cheapfar chun críche seachas folúntas i measc na Stiúrthóirí (seachas mar a dúradh) a líonadh, beidh sé i seilbh oifige, mura túisce a gheobhaidh sé bás, a éireoidh sé as nó a thiocfaidh sé chun bheith dícháilithe, go ceann cúig bliana ón lá ar amhail air agus uaidh a cheapfar é. | |
(3) Beidh gach Stiúrthóir seirbhíse i seilbh oifige fad is toil leis an Aire agus féadfaidh an tAire é a chur as oifig tráth ar bith. | |
(4) Aon duine a cheapfar chun corrfholúntas a líonadh in oifig Stiúrthóra (seachas oifig Stiúrthóra sheirbhíse) beidh sé i seilbh oifige go ceann a mbeidh fágtha den téarma a mbeadh an Stiúrthóir arbh é a bhás, a éirí as nó a dhícháiliú ba bhun leis an bhfolúntas, i seilbh oifige murach go bhfuair sé bás, gur éirigh sé as nó gur tháinig sé chun bheith dícháilithe.”; |
(d) in alt 28 (a bhaineann le fógraí i dtaobh folúntas agus i dtaobh Stiúrthóirí áirithe a cheapadh), tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1):
“(1) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo ach amháin le Stiúrthóirí nach Stiúrthóirí seirbhíse.”.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3), leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 trí alt 53 a scriosadh.
(3) (a) Aon duine a bhí, díreach roimh theacht i ngníomh don alt seo, ina Stiúrthóir baincéireachta leanfaidh sé, mura rachaidh a théarma oifige in éag ar an teacht i ngníomh sin, de bheith i seilbh oifige ar feadh na tréimhse 3 mhí dá éis sin mura túisce a gheobhaidh sé bás, a éireoidh sé as nó a thiocfaidh sé chun bheith dícháilithe.
(b) Maidir le gach Stiúrthóir lena mbaineann mír (a), leanfaidh forálacha ailt 14 (5), 23 (7) agus 29 den Phríomh-Acht agus alt 53 (3) d'Acht 1971 d'fheidhm a bheith acu ina leith, go dtí go scoirfidh sé de bheith ina Stiúrthóir baincéireachta de réir mhír (a), ionann is dá mba nár achtaíodh an t-alt seo.
Oifigí agus foireann an Bhainc.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc cibé oifigí agus áitribh eile i cibé áiteanna is dóigh leis is gá le haghaidh chomhlíonádh cuí a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo a cheannach, a thógáil ar léas, a fhoirgniú nó a fháil ar shlí eile agus iad a threalmhú agus a chothabháil agus féadfaidh sé aon áitribh den sórt sin ar dóigh leis nach gá a thuilleadh iad chun na críche sin a dhíol nó a ligean ar léas.
(2) Ceapfaidh an Banc rúnaí agus cibé oifigigh agus seirbhísigh eile is dóigh leis an mBanc is gá ó am go ham le haghaidh chomhlíonadh cuí a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo agus beidh gach rúnaí, oifigeach agus seirbhíseach a cheapfar amhlaidh i seilbh oifige ar cibé téarmaí agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Banc.
(3) (a) Faoi réir fhorálacha mhír (b), gach ceapachán oifigigh nó seirbhísigh don Bhanc a dhéanfar faoi fho-alt (2) déanfar é trí chomórtas (lena n-áirítear scrúdú cáilitheach nó iomaíoch sa Ghaeilge) a sheolfar de réir rialachán a bheidh le déanamh ag an mBord agus féadfaidh an Bord, i ndáil le haon chomórtas den sórt sin, cibé coinníollacha iontrála, cibé teorainneacha agus cibé cosaintí a fhorchur is dóigh leis is cuí.
(b) Ní bhainfidh mír (a) le ceapachán chun poist a bhfuil sé míoiriúnach, i dtuairim an Bhoird, ceapachán a dhéanamh ina leith trí chomórtas.
(4) Íocfar le rúnaí an Bhainc agus le hoifigigh agus seirbhísigh eile an Bhainc cibé tuarastail agus cibé luach saothair a chinnfidh an Banc.
(5) (a) Féadfaidh an Banc, le ceadú an Aire, cibé scéim nó scéimeanna breise a dhéanamh chun pinsin, liúntais agus aiscí a dheonú, tráth scoir nó báis, do cibé oifigigh agus seirbhísigh dá chuid, nó ina leith, is cuí leis agus féadfaidh sé, as cistí a bheidh ar fáil faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, chun íoc as caiteachais an Bhainc, na pinsin, na liúntais nó na haiscí a íoc i leith na ndaoine sin, tráth scoir nó báis, de réir na scéime iomchuí agus féadfaidh an tAire a chinneadh gur cistí poiblí na cistí sin chun críocha an Superannuation Act, 1892.
(b) Féadfaidh an Banc ó am go ham, le ceadú an Aire, scéim a dhéanamh ag leasú scéime faoi mhír (a).
(c) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht a bhfuil anseo roimhe seo. féadfar socrú a dhéanamh i scéim faoin bhfo-alt seo chun sochair aoisliúntais (lena n-áirítear pinsin, liúntais agus aiscí) a dheonú do bhaintreacha agus do leanaí oifigigh agus seirbhísigh de chuid an Bhainc agus chun na hoifigigh agus na seirbhísigh lena mbaineann an scéim d'íoc ranníocaí i leith na sochar sin.
(6) Gach scéim a rinneadh faoi fho-alt (4) d'alt 31 den Acht Airgid Reatha, 1927, leanfaidh sí i bhfeidhm, a mhéid a bhí sí fós i bhfeidhm díreach roimh theacht i ngníomh don alt seo, ionann is dá mba nár aisghaireadh an fo-alt sin leis an Acht seo.
(7) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (2) d'alt 54 d'Acht 1971 trí “(arna choinneáil i bhfeidhm de bhua alt 15 (6) d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989)” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “d'Acht 1927” agus tá an fo-alt sin, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
(8) Gach scéim a dhéanfaidh an Banc faoi fho-alt (5) leagfar í faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a déanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an scéim sin a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime sin, beidh an scéim sin ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
AN TÁBLA (2) Féadfaidh an Banc ó am go ham le ceadú an Aire, scéim a dhéanamh do leasú scéime faoi alt 31 (4) d'Acht 1927 (arna choinneáil i bhfeidhm de bhua alt 15 (6) d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989) nó faoi alt 33 (1) (c) d'Acht 1942 nó scéime faoin bhfo-alt seo agus, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo, féadfaidh socrú a bheith i scéim faoin bhfo-alt seo chun sochair aoisliúntais (lena n-áirítear pinsin, liúntais agus aiscí) a dheonú do bhaintreacha agus do leanaí daoine lena mbaineann na scéimeanna sin agus chun na daoine lena mbaineann na scéimeanna sin d'íoc ranníocaí i leith na sochar sin. |
Faisnéis a nochtadh.
16.—(1) Aon duine atá, tráth thosach feidhme an ailt seo, nó a cheapfar aon tráth dá éis sin, mar Rialtóir nó ina Stiúrthóir ar an mBanc, nó ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach don Bhanc, nó atá fostaithe in aon cháil eile ag an mBanc, ní dhéanfaidh sé, le linn a théarma oifige nó fostaíochta nó aon tráth dá éis sin, aon fhaisnéis a nochtadh—
(a) i dtaobh ghnó aon duine nó comhlachta (corpraithe nó neamhchorpraithe) a tháinig ar a iúl de bhua a oifige nó a fhostaíochta, nó
(b) i dtaobh ghníomhaíochtaí an Bhainc chun sláine an airgeadra a chosaint nó chun creidmheas a rialú,
mura ndéanfar an nochtadh sin chun a chumasú don Bhanc a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó faoi aon achtachán ag leasú na nAchtanna sin.
(2) Na forálacha maidir le neamhnochtadh atá i bhfo-alt (1), ní bhainfidh siad le haon nochtadh—
(a) a cheanglaíonn cúirt a dhéanamh i ndáil le haon imeachtaí coiriúla,
(b) a dhéanfar le toiliú an duine lena mbaineann an fhaisnéis agus, murab é an duine céanna é, le toiliú an duine óna bhfuarthas an fhaisnéis sin,
(c) i gcás go mbeidh nó go raibh an Banc ag gníomhú i gcáil gníomhaire thar ceann duine, a dhéanfar leis an duine maidir leis an gcáil sin,
(d) i gcás gur dóigh leis an mBanc gur gá é ar mhaithe le leas an phobail, a dhéanfar le haon duine ar a bhfuil an cúram faoin dlí maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar fhorais airgeadais (bíodh nó ná bíodh siad i dteideal airgead a ghlacadh ar taisceadh ón bpobal) agus a bhfuil oibleagáidí i ndáil leis an duine sin air, i dtuairim an Bhainc, a forchuireadh go cuí i leith neamhnochtadh faisnéise agus a fhreagraíonn d'oibleagáidí faoin alt seo,
(e) a dhéanfar le húdarás i ndlínse choigríche a bheidh údaraithe go cuí feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú sa dlínse sin a fhreagraíonn d'fheidhmeanna an Bhainc faoin gCuid seo agus faoi Chuid II d'Acht 1971 agus a bhfuil oibleagáidí i ndáil leis an údarás air, i dtuairim an Bhainc, a forchuireadh go cuí i leith neamhnochtadh faisnéise agus a fhreagraíonn d'oibleagáidí faoin alt seo,
(f) a dhéanfar le haon fhoras de chuid na gComhphobal Eorpach chun críche bhallraíocht an Stáit d'aon Chomhphobal acu sin,
(g) a dhéanfar chun déanamh de réir aon cheanglais, faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó faoi aon achtachán eile, go ndéanfar tuarascáil, ráiteas nó doiciméad eile a leagan faoi bhráid Tí den Oireachtas,
agus na forálacha maidir le neamhnochtadh atá i míreanna (a) agus (b) d'fho-alt (1) ní bhainfidh siad le haon nochtadh—
(i) i gcás na míre sin (a), is gá a dhéanamh, i dtuairim an Bhainc, chun cosaint a thabhairt do dhaoine a thaisceann airgead le haon duine a sheolann gnó baincéireachta nó aon ghnó lena mbaineann alt 7 (4) (a) (ii) d'Acht 1971 (arna leasú leis an Acht seo) nó rialacháin faoi alt 26 nó chun leasanna an Bhainc a chosaint,
(ii) i gcás na míre sin (b), a dhéanfar le toiliú an Bhainc nó a dhéanfar i gcás nach dochar an nochtadh—
(I) d'oibríochtaí an Bhainc in aon mhargadh airgeadais, nó
(II) d'eisiúint dlíthairisceana ag an mBanc, nó
(III) do shláine an airgeadra.
(3) Tar éis thosach feidhme an ailt seo, maidir le gach duine a cheapfar mar Rialtóir nó ina Stiúrthóir ar an mBanc, nó ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach don Bhanc, nó a bheidh fostaithe ag an mBanc in aon cháil eile—
(a) cuirfidh an Banc in iúl dó, sula rachaidh sé i gcúram na hoifige nó na fostaíochta, cad iad na hoibleagáidí a bheidh air faoin alt seo, agus
(b) admhóidh sé gur cuireadh in iúl dó amhlaidh agus go dtuigeann sé na hoibleagáidí a bheidh air,
i cibé caoi a chinnfidh an Banc.
(4) Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £25,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná cúig bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(5) In aon imeachtaí mar gheall ar chion faoin alt seo, ní gá a chruthú nach bhfuil feidhm ag forálacha fho-alt (2) agus is faoin duine a bheidh ag iarraidh leas a bhaint as aon cheann de na forálacha sin a bheidh sé a chruthú go bhfuil feidhm ag an gcéanna.
Éillitheacht a chosc.
17.—Le héifeacht ó thráth thosach feidhme an ailt seo, beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, agus an Prevention of Corruption Act, 1916, maidir le gach duine lena mbaineann alt 16 agus, dá réir sin—
(a) déanfar alt 1 (3) den Acht sin 1906 (arna oiriúnú leis an Ordú chun na Prevention of Corruption Acts, 1889 go 1916, d'Oiriúnú, 1928 (R. & O.R. Uimh. 37 de 1928)) agus alt 2 den Acht sin 1916 (arna oiriúnú amhlaidh) a fhorléiriú ionann is dá mbeadh iontu, i ndiaidh na tagartha do dhuine a shealbhaíonn oifig a n-íoctar an luach saothair ina leith as an bPríomh-Chiste nó as airgead a sholáthraíonn an tOireachtas, tagairt do dhuine lena mbaineann alt 16 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989, agus
(b) déanfar ailt 1 agus 2 den Acht sin 1916 (arna oiriúnú amhlaidh) a fhorléiriú ionann is dá mbeadh iontu, tar éis na tagartha do chomhlacht reachtúil ar a gceanglaítear le dlí a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú faoi réir stiúradh agus rialú Aire is ceann Roinne Stáit, tagairt don Bhanc.
Doiciméid a choimeád.
18.—(1) Ní fhorléireofar aon fhoráil den National Debt Act, 1870, nó d'Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, mar fhoráil a cheanglaíonn ar an mBanc aon doiciméad nó taifead eile a chaomhnú go ceann tréimhse is faide ná 6 bliana tar éis an dáta is déanaí den tréimhse lena mbaineann an doiciméad nó an taifead eile sin agus ní fhorálfar in aon rialachán faoi alt 17 den Finance Act, 1911, nó faoi alt 37 den Finance Act, 1917, go gcaomhnófar doiciméad nó taifead eile den sórt sin go ceann tréimhse is faide ná na 6 bliana sin.
(2) Féadfar doiciméad nó taifead eile lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) a choimeád go hiomlán nó go páirteach trína thaifeadadh ar shlí seachas i bhfoirm inléite fad is gur féidir an taifeadadh a atáirgeadh i bhfoirm inléite.
(3) In aon imeachtaí dlí, aon chóip nó atáirgeadh i bhfoirm inléite d'aon iontráil i ndoiciméad nó taifead eile atá, nó a bhíodh cheana, á choimeád ag an mBanc glacfar leis nó léi mar fhianaise ar an iontráil sin nó ar na nithe a bhí taifeadta inti i gcás an doiciméad nó an taifead eile sin a bheith díothaithe nó i gcás é a bheith á choimeád ag an mBanc ar shlí seachas i bhfoirm inléite.
Cuntais agus taifid an Bhainc.
19.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Banc na leabhair chuntais agus na leabhair agus na taifid eile go léir is cuí agus déanfaidh sé, laistigh de 6 mhí tar éis dheireadh gach bliana, ráiteas cuntas maidir leis an mbliain sin a ullmhú agus a chur chuig an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste agus é i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire ó am go ham tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc.
(2) Déanfaidh an tArd-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste gach ráiteas cuntas a chuir an Banc chuige faoin alt seo a iniúchadh agus a dheimhniú agus tabharfaidh sé tuarascáil air, agus déanfaidh sé gach tuarascáil den sórt sin ón Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste mar aon leis an ráiteas cuntas lena mbaineann sí a chur chuig an Aire agus cuirfidh seisean faoi deara cóipeanna de na doiciméid a cuireadh chuige amhlaidh a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Tuarascáil agus tuairisceáin ón mBanc.
20.—(1) Déanfaidh an Banc, laistigh de 6 mhí tar éis deireadh gach bliana, tuarascáil ar a imeachtaí i rith na bliana sin a ullmhú agus a chur chuig an Aire agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis dó í a fháil.
(2) Cuirfidh an Banc ar fáil don Aire, lena bhfoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil, cibé tuairisceáin thréimhsiúla maidir le hidirbhearta an Bhainc a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham.
An Banc a bheith díolmhaithe ó chánacha.
21.—D'ainneoin aon fhorála de chuid na nAchtanna Cánach nó na nAchtanna um Cháin Ghnóchan Caipitiúil, beidh brabúis, ioncam agus gnóchain inmhuirearaithe an Bhainc díolmhaithe ó cháin chorparáide, cáin ioncaim agus cáin ghnóchan caipitiúil.
Ciste na nótaí dlíthairgthe a fhoirceannadh agus sócmhainní a aistriú chuig an gciste ginearálta.
22.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an dáta a dtiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh agus i gcás ar bith le héifeacht ó dháta nach déanaí ná mí amháin tar éis an dáta sin, foirceannfaidh an Banc ciste na nótaí dlíthairgthe agus déanfar sócmhainní an chiste sin a aistriú chuig an gciste ginearálta.
(2) Beidh na nótaí dlíthairgthe a bheidh eisithe tráth ar bith tar éis foirceannadh chiste na nótaí dlíthairgthe ina ndliteanas ar an gciste ginearálta.
(3) (a) Déanfar tagairtí do chiste na nótaí dlíthairgthe in aon reacht (seachas an tAcht seo) nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoin reacht sin a bheidh i bhfeidhm ar dháta foirceanta chiste na nótaí dlíthairgthe a fhorléiriú, le héifeacht ón dáta sin, mar thagairtí don chiste ginearálta mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt.
(b) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin, maidir le haon reacht nó ionstraim lena mbaineann mír (a) agus a bhaineann le haon ní a ndéileáiltear leis san alt seo, aon choigeartuithe nó modhnuithe a dhéanamh ar an gcéanna is dóigh leis is gá chun go mbeidh éifeacht leis an reacht nó leis an ionstraim sin i gcomhréir leis an alt seo.
(4) A luaithe is féidir tar éis foirceannadh chiste na nótaí dlíthairgthe, cuirfidh an Banc faoi deara go ndéanfar fógra á rá sin a fhoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil agus luafar san fhógra sin dáta an fhoirceanta.
An ciste ginearálta.
23.—(1) D'ainneoin aisghairm alt 63 den Acht Airgid Reatha, 1927, leanfaidh an Banc de bheith ag coinneáil an chiste ar a dtugtar an ciste ginearálta agus is chuig an gciste sin a chuirfidh sé gach fáltas agus is as a tharraingeoidh sé gach íocaíocht.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, rialacháin a dhéanamh ina ndéanfar socrú maidir le hioncam barrachais an Bhainc a chinneadh go tréimhsiúil agus féadfaidh sé a chumasú, leis na rialacháin sin, forálacha a dhéanamh le haghaidh cúlchistí, díluachála agus nithe eile dá samhail sula gcinnfear an t-ioncam barrachais.
(3) Aon rialacháin a rinneadh faoi alt 63 (5) den Acht Airgid Reatha, 1927, measfar iad a bheith déanta faoin alt seo a mhéid a bheidh siad fós i bhfeidhm díreach roimh theacht i ngníomh don alt seo.
(4) Déanfaidh an Banc a ioncam barrachais, amhail mar a chinnfear agus nuair a chinnfear é faoin alt seo, a íoc isteach sa Státchiste i cibé caoi a ordóidh an tAire agus féadfaidh sé tráth ar bith go dtí go ndéanfar an cinneadh sin cibé suimeanna ar cuntas ioncaim bharrachais a íoc isteach sa Státchiste de réir mar a chomhaontóidh an tAire agus an Banc.
Aonad airgeadaíochta agus ráta malairte.
24.—(1) Is é an punt Éireannach, a eiseofar i bhfoirm dlíthairgthe, aonad airgeadaíochta an Stáit.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, aon uair is dóigh leis is gá tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, ceachtar de na nithe seo a leanas nó iad araon a dhéanamh, is é sin le rá:
(a) athrú a dhéanamh ar na socruithe ginearálta um ráta malairte a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire don phunt Éireannach i leith aon aonaid airgeadaíochta eile nó gach aonaid airgeadaíochta eile,
(b) coigeartuithe sonracha a dhéanamh ar an ráta malairte i gcomhréir leis na socruithe sin.
(3) Aon uair a athróidh an tAire na socruithe ginearálta um ráta malairte nó a dhéanfaidh sé coigeartuithe sonracha ar an ráta malairte faoi fho-alt (2), foilseofar fógra á rá sin san Iris Oifigiúil.
Airgeadra ina ndéanfar conarthaí, etc.
25.—Gach conradh, díol, íocaíocht, bille, nóta, ionstraim agus urrús i leith airgid, agus gach idirbheart, déileáil, ní agus rud ar bith a bhaineann le hairgead nó lena ngabhann íocaíocht aon airgid, nó dliteanas aon airgid a íoc, a dhéanfar, a fhorghníomhófar, ina rachfar nó a shealbhófar ar theacht i ngníomh don alt seo nó dá éis, is de réir monaí nó nótaí ar dlíthairiscint iad sa Stát de thuras na huaire, agus ní ar shlí eile, a dhéanfar, a fhorghníomhófar agus a shealbhófar iad, agus a rachfar iontu, mura ndéanfar, mura bhforghníomhófar nó mura sealbhófar an céanna, nó mura rachfar iontu, de réir airgeadra seachas airgeadra an Stáit.
Caibidil III
Ceadúnú agus Maoirsiú Sealbhóirí Ceadúnas
Feidhm forálacha ceadúnúcháin agus maoirseachta a leathnú.
26.—Más rud é, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus le cibé Airí den Rialtas (más ann) ar cuí leis dul i gcomhairle leo sna himthosca, gurb é tuairim an Aire, i leith aon aicme gnó airgeadais nach ndéanann an Banc maoirseacht air faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, gur gá—
(a) chun an pobal nó aon aicme den phobal a chosaint ar chaillteanas airgeadais, nó
(b) chun rialáil ordúil chuí a dhéanamh ar mhargaí airgeadais,
go ndéanfadh an Banc an aicme sin gnó airgeadais a cheadúnú nó a mhaoirsiú, nó a cheadúnú agus a mhaoirsiú, féadfaidh sé le rialacháin gach ceann nó aon cheann de na forálacha ceadúnúcháin agus maoirseachta (lena n-áirítear na forálacha sin a bhaineann le hiniúchóirí agus leachtaitheoirí) atá i gCuid II d'Acht 1971 nó sa Chaibidil seo nó i gCaibidlí I, II agus IV, fara cibé modhnuithe nó oiriúnuithe is dóigh leis is cuí, a chur i mbaint leis an aicme sin.
Gearáin a imscrúdú.
27.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin arna ndéanamh tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, a cheangal ar shealbhóir ceadúnais scéim nó scéimeanna a bhunú, nó páirt a ghlacadh ina mbunú, chun imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar ghearáin i gcoinne an tsealbhóra sin, nó i gcoinne cuideachta comhlachaithe, i ndáil le hábhar gearáin forordaithe.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), féadfar socrú a dhéanamh i rialacháin faoin alt seo i ndáil le haon cheann amháin nó níos mó de na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) scéim a bhunú agus a riaradh,
(b) an modh ina gceapfar breithneoir neamhspleách chun imscrúduithe a sheoladh,
(c) na nithe a bheidh faoi réir a n-imscrúdaithe faoin scéim,
(d) na forais nach mór gearán a bheith bunaithe orthu,
(e) cumhachtaí an bhreithneora agus an nós imeachta a bheidh le leanúint aige agus é ag seoladh imscrúduithe,
(f) na himthosca ina mbeidh, agus a mhéid a bheidh, cinntí ina gcinntí ceangailteacha,
(g) na nósanna imeachta chun gearáin a dhéanamh,
(h) breitheanna an bhreithneora a fhoilsiú,
(i) ceadú na scéime ag an mBanc.
(3) Faoi réir fho-alt (4), má chuirtear gearán faoi bhráid breithneora faoi scéim arna bunú faoin alt seo ní dhéanfaidh sé sin difear do chearta aon duine díospóid a chur á chinneadh ar aon chaoi eile dá bhforáiltear faoin dlí.
(4) Más rud é, i gcás gearán faoi scéim arna bunú faoin alt seo, go gcomhaontóidh na páirtithe lena mbaineann go mbeidh cinneadh a dhéanfar de réir na scéime ina cheangal orthu agus go mbeidh socrú sa scéim le haghaidh comhaontú den sórt sin, ansin beidh an cinneadh ina cheangal ar na páirtithe.
(5) San alt seo ciallaíonn “cuideachta chomhlachaithe” (más cuí)—
(a) cuideachta shealbhaíochta nó fochuideachta (de réir na mbríonna faoi seach a thugtar dóibh le halt 155 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963),
(b) cuideachta is fochuideachta do chomhlacht corpraithe, i gcás gur fochuideachta don chomhlacht corpraithe sealbhóir an cheadúnais lena mbaineann freisin, ach nach fochuideachta ceachtar cuideachta don chuideachta eile.
Muirir, etc., ag sealbhóirí ceadúnas.
28.—(1) Déanfaidh gach sealbhóir ceadúnais, laistigh de dhá mhí ó theacht i ngníomh den alt seo (i gcás sealbhóirí ceadúnas láithreacha) nó ó cheadúnas a dheonú (in aon chás eile), fógra a thabhairt don Bhanc—
(a) i dtaobh na muirear go léir a fhorchuireann an sealbhóir sin i ndáil le haon seirbhís a thabhairt don phobal nó d'aon aicme den phobal, agus
(b) i dtaobh aon téarma nó coinníoll ar dá réir nó faoina réir a thugtar an tseirbhís sin.
(2) Tabharfaidh sealbhóir ceadúnais fógra don Bhanc i dtaobh gach togra—
(a) chun athrú a dhéanamh ar aon mhuirear, téarma nó coinníoll a mbeidh fógra ina thaobh tugtha cheana féin don Bhanc chun críocha an ailt seo, nó
(b) chun aon mhuirear, téarma nó coinníoll a fhorchur i ndáil le seirbhís a thabhairt don phobal nó d'aon aicme den phobal, is muirear, téarma nó coinníoll nach mbeidh fógra ina thaobh tugtha cheana féin don Bhanc chun críocha an ailt seo.
(3) Féadfaidh an Banc treoir a thabhairt do shealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) staonadh ó aon mhuirear, téarma nó coinníoll i ndáil le seirbhís a thabhairt don phobal nó d'aon aicme den phobal, a fhorchur nó a athrú gan ceadú a fháil roimh ré ón mBanc, agus
(b) faisnéis faoi aon mhuirear, téarma nó coinníoll i ndáil le seirbhís a thabhairt don phobal nó d'aon aicme den phobal, a fhoilsiú ar cibé caoi a shonróidh an Banc ó am go ham.
(4) Beidh sé sainráite i dtreoir faoin alt seo go bhfuil feidhm aici—
(a) maidir le gach sealbhóir ceadúnais nó le sealbhóirí ceadúnas a sheolann gnó baincéireachta de chineál sonraithe,
(b) maidir leis na seirbhísí go léir a thugann na sealbhóirí ceadúnas lena mbaineann don phobal nó d'aon aicme den phobal nó le seirbhísí sonraithe nó le seirbhísí de chineál sonraithe,
(c) i ndáil le huair nó le huaireanta sonraithe nó le linn tréimhse nó tréimhsí sonraithe,
agus, maidir leis an treoir—
(i) cuirfear in iúl í do gach sealbhóir ceadúnais lena mbaineann,
(ii) i gcás nach gcuirfear in iúl i scríbhinn í, deimhneofar i scríbhinn í do gach sealbhóir den sórt sin lena mbaineann a luaithe is féidir dá éis sin, agus
(iii) beidh éifeacht léi de réir a téarmaí.
(5) Beidh aird ag an mBanc, agus a chumhachtaí á bhfeidhmiú aige faoin alt seo, ar iomaíocht chóir a chothú idir—
(a) sealbhóirí ceadúnas,
(b) sealbhóirí ceadúnas a sheolann gnó baincéireachta de chineál áirithe, agus
(c) sealbhóirí ceadúnas lena mbaineann mír (a) nó (b) agus cibé forais eile a ghlacann airgead ar taisce is dóigh leis an mBanc is cuí a chur san áireamh.
(6) Féadfaidh an Banc treoir láithreach faoin alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm agus féadfaidh sé treoir láithreach a bheidh leasaithe a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(7) Féadfaidh an Banc sealbhóir ceadúnais a dhíolmhú ón oibleagáid fógra a thabhairt don Bhanc faoin alt seo—
(a) maidir le haon mhuirear a bheidh caibidlithe ar leithligh, bona fide, leis an sealbhóir ag custaiméir, nó ag nó thar ceann grúpa custaiméirí, de chuid an tsealbhóra, nó
(b) maidir le téarma nó coinníoll d'aicme áirithe i ndáil le seirbhís a thugann an sealbhóir, más é tuairim an Bhainc nach gá dó fógra a fháil amhlaidh le go gcinnfidh sé ar chóir dó treoir a eisiúint faoi fho-alt (3) i leith na seirbhíse.
(8) Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1), (2), (3) nó (4) beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air,
agus má leantar tar éis an chiontaithe den sárú ar ina leith a ciontaíodh é, beidh sé ciontach i gcion ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú tar éis é a chiontú i leith an tsáraithe bhunaidh agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 nó, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000, a chur air i leith gach ciona den sórt sin.
(9) San alt seo ní fholaíonn “muirear” agus “téarma nó coinníoll,” aon ráta úis.
Leasú ar alt 2 d'Acht 1971.
29.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 2 d'Acht 1971—
(a) trí na mínithe seo a leanas, faoi seach, a chur in ionad na mínithe ar “gnó baincéireachta” agus “an Chúirt”:
“ciallaíonn ‘gnó baincéireachta’ gnó arb é atá ann—
(a) gnó ag glacadh taiscí is iníoctha ar éileamh nó ar fhógra nó ar dháta todhchaí socair nó inchinnte, nó
(b) gnó ag glacadh cistí, seachas taiscí, ón bpobal, ar cistí iad is iníoctha ar éileamh nó ar fhógra nó ar dháta todhchaí socair nó inchinnte (cibé acu a bhíonn nó nach mbíonn eisiúint urrús nó oibleagáidí eile de thuairisc ar bith i gceist leo),
ach gan áireamh a dhéanamh—
(i) ar thaiscí arna dtaisceadh le trádálaí ag daoine atá fostaithe aige ina ghnó trádála nó ag a chustaiméirí i ngnáthchúrsa a ghnó trádála agus taiscí nó tráthchodanna i leith earraí a ligean nó a dhíol faoi chomhaontú fruilcheannaigh nó faoi chomhaontú díola creidmheasa, nó
(ii) ar ghlacadh cistí eile ag duine ón bpobal i gcás inar féidir a shuíomh—
(I) nach ndéantar aon chuid de ghníomhaíochtaí gnó an duine a ghlacann leo amhlaidh ná gníomhaíochtaí gnó aon duine eile a mhaoiniú go hiomlán nó go substaintiúil as na cistí sin, agus
(II) gur ar bhonn fánach nó teagmhasach agus ar an mbonn sin amháin a ghlactar na cistí sin i ngnáthchúrsa gnó,
nó
(iii) ar airgead a ghlactar d'aontoisc mar phréimh i leith eisiúint nó athnuachan pholasaí árachais saoil a d'eisigh sealbhóir ar údarú faoi Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Árachas Saoil), 1984 (I.R. Uimh. 57 de 1984),
nó ceachtar de na gnóthaí a luadh, nó iad araon, mar aon le haon ghnó eile a sheolann banc de ghnáth agus forléireofar dá réir sin ‘baincéireacht’ agus focail ghaolmhara dó;
ciallaíonn ‘an Chúirt’, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, an Ard-Chúirt;”;
(b) trí na mínithe seo a leanas, faoi seach, a chur in ionad na mínithe ar “ciste ginearálta”, “buillean óir”, “eisiúint” agus “nóta dlíthairgthe”:
“ciallaíonn ‘ciste ginearálta’ an ciste lenar bhain alt 63 den Acht Airgid Reatha, 1927, agus a leanfaidh an Banc dá choimeád de bhua alt 23 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989;
folaíonn ‘buillean óir’ aon mhonaí óir seachas monaí óir atá de thuras na huaire ina ndlíthairiscint sa Stát;
folaíonn ‘eisiúint’, nuair a úsáidtear é i ndáil le nótaí dlíthairgthe, atheisiúint aon nóta den sórt sin atá scortha de bheith amuigh;
ciallaíonn ‘nóta dlíthairgthe’ nóta dlíthairgthe arna sholáthar agus arna eisiúint faoi réim agus de réir Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, agus aon achtachán eile ag leasú nó ag leathnú na nAchtanna sin nó faoi aon Acht a aisghairtear le hAcht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989;”.
Leasú ar alt 7 d'Acht 1971.
30.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 7 d'Acht 1971 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (4):
“(4) (a) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) den alt seo—
(i) i ndáil leis na bainc cheannais sna stáit eile is baill de na Comhphobail Eorpacha,
(ii) i ndáil le Corparáid an Chairde Talmhaíochta cuideachta phoiblí theoranta, leis an gcuideachta atá bunaithe agus cláraithe de bhua alt 2 den Acht Cáirde Tionscail, 1933, le Banc Taisce an Phoist, le banc taisce iontaobhais atá deimhnithe faoi na hAchtanna um Bainc Thaisce Iontaobhais, 1863 go 1979, ná
(iii) i ndáil le cumann foirgníochta, le cumann tionscail agus coigiltis, le cara-chumann, le comhar creidmheasa ná i ndáil leis an mbainisteoir nó leis an iontaobhaí faoi scéim iontaobhais aonad nó scéim chomhinfheistíochta i leith gnó na scéime a sheoladh.
(b) Más é tuairim an Aire gur cóir déanamh amhlaidh ar mhaithe le rialáil ordúil chuí a dhéanamh ar an mbaincéireacht nó ar aon mhargadh airgeadais eile féadfaidh sé, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus le cibé Aire den Rialtas nó cibé daoine eile ar dóigh leis gur cuí sna himthosca dul i gcomhairle amhlaidh leo, mír (a) (ii) a leasú le hordú chun aon chomhlacht nó earnáil daoine a chur léi nó chun aon chomhlacht nó earnáil daoine atá luaite inti de thuras na huaire a scriosadh aisti.”.
Daoine a dhíolmhú ó alt 7 d'Acht 1971.
31.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 8:
“8. (1) (a) I gcás go measfaí, de bhrí amháin go n-úsáideann duine, in ainm nó i dteideal, aon cheann de na focail ‘bank’, ‘banker’ nó ‘banking’ nó aon fhocal is malairt leagain nó tiontú ar aon fhocal acu sin nó a dhíorthaíonn uaidh nó is analach dó, go bhfuil an duine á thabhairt le tuiscint gur baincéir é, féadfaidh an Banc an duine a dhíolmhú ó fhorálacha alt 7 den Acht seo más rud é, i dtuairim an Bhainc, nach bhfuil sé iarbhír ag seoladh gnó baincéireachta nó nach mbeartaíonn sé gnó baincéireachta a sheoladh agus nach dtugann sé le tuiscint ná le fios ar shlí eile gur baincéir é nó go seolann sé gnó baincéireachta.
(b) Féadfaidh an Banc tráth ar bith díolúine faoin bhfo-alt seo a chúlghairm más dóigh leis go ndearna an duine lena mbaineann, tráth ar bith tar éis é a dhíolmhú, gnó baincéireachta a sheoladh nó a thabhairt le tuiscint nó le fios ar shlí eile gur bhaincéir é nó gur sheol sé gnó baincéireachta agus, ar an díolúine a chúlghairm amhlaidh, déanfaidh an duine sin láithreach gach beart is gá chun scor d'úsáid a bhaint as an ainm nó an teideal lena mbaineann ina bhfuil an focal lenar bhain an díolúine a cúlghaireadh.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an Banc aon aicme nó aicmí daoine a dhíolmhú ón gceanglas ceadúnas a bheith ag gach duine acu más rud é—
(i) nach dtiocfadh an ceanglas i gceist ach amháin de bharr eisiúint urrús nó oibleagáidí eile lena mbaineann an míniú ar ‘gnó baincéireachta’, agus
(ii) gur dóigh leis an mBanc nach mbeadh an díolúine contrártha do rialáil ordúil chuí a dhéanamh ar an mbaincéireacht.
(b) I gcás aon aicme daoine a bheith díolmhaithe faoin bhfo-alt seo ó cheadúnas a shealbhú agus go mbeidh an Banc den tuairim dá éis sin go bhfuil athrú tagtha ar na himthosca a bhaineann leis an díolúine agus gurb amhlaidh dóibh anois nach mbeadh an aicme sin díolmhaithe amhlaidh, cúlghairfidh an Banc an díolúine.
(c) Cuirfidh an Banc faoi deara go ndéanfar fógra i dtaobh gach díolúine agus cúlghairme faoin bhfo-alt seo a fhoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil.”.
Ceadúnais a dheonú, etc.
32.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 9 d'Acht 1971:
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (1):
“(1A) Ní dheonóidh an Banc ceadúnas faoin alt seo do dhuine a iarrfaidh é mura ndeimhneoidh an duine sin don Bhanc—
(a) gur cuideachta é, nó
(b) gur foras creidmheasa é de réir bhrí Threoir 77/780/CEE ón gComhairle dar dáta 12 Nollaig, 1977(1), atá údaraithe go cuí chun críocha na Treorach sin.”;
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) Aon uair a bheartóidh an Banc diúltú ceadúnas a dheonú do dhuine—
(a) déanfaidh sé—
(i) laistigh den tréimhse sé mhí tar éis an dáta a bhfuair sé an t-iarratas ar an gceadúnas, nó
(ii) i gcás faisnéis bhreise i ndáil leis an iarratas a bheith iarrtha ag an mBanc, laistigh den tréimhse sé mhí tar éis an dáta a bhfuair an Banc an fhaisnéis bhreise nó laistigh den tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag tar éis an dáta a bhfuair sé an t-iarratas ar an gceadúnas, cibé tréimhse acu is túisce a chríochnóidh,
fógra a thabhairt i scríbhinn don duine go bhfuil ar intinn aige a iarraidh ar an Aire toiliú leis an diúltú atá beartaithe agus cad iad na cúiseanna a bheidh ag an mBanc leis an diúltú agus go bhféadfaidh an duine, laistigh den tréimhse lá is fiche tar éis dháta an fhógra a thabhairt, uiríll a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire i ndáil leis an diúltú atá beartaithe,
(b) féadfaidh an duine uiríll den sórt sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse ama réamhráite, agus
(c) sula gcinnfidh an tAire a thoiliú a thabhairt, nó gan é a thabhairt, breithneoidh sé aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an diúltú atá beartaithe.”.
(2) Beidh alt 10 (4) d'Acht 1971 arna aisghairm le héifeacht ó theacht i ngníomh d'fho-alt (1) (a).
Leasú ar alt 10 d'Acht 1971.
33.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 10 d'Acht 1971 tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (c) d'fho-alt (3):
“(c) sula gcinnfidh an Banc an coinníoll a fhorchur nó coinníollacha an cheadúnais a leasú nó cur leo, de réir mar a bheidh, breithneoidh sé aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an bhforchur, leis an leasú nó leis an gcur le coinníollacha, de réir mar a bheidh, agus más rud é, tar éis dó an breithniú sin a dhéanamh, go gcinnfidh an Banc ar a mhalairt d'fhorchur, de leasú nó de chur le coinníollacha, de réir mar a bheidh, seachas mar a sonraíodh san fhógra lena mbaineann, ní gá dó fógra nua a thabhairt faoin bhfo-alt seo má fhágtar dá bharr sin nach dochraidí an coinníoll lena mbaineann ná mar a bheadh sé dá gcinnfeadh an Banc an coinníoll a fhorchur, nó coinníollacha an cheadúnais a leasú nó cur leo, de réir mar a bheidh, de réir an fhógra lena mbaineann.”.
Ceadúnais a chúlghairm.
34.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 11:
“11. (1) Féadfaidh an Banc—
(a) ceadúnas a chúlghairm má iarrann sealbhóir an cheadúnais amhlaidh,
(b) le toiliú an Aire ceadúnas a chúlghairm más rud é, maidir le sealbhóir an cheadúnais—
(i) (I) nach mbeidh sé tosaithe de bheith ag seoladh gnó baincéireachta laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag ón dáta ar ar deonaíodh an ceadúnas, nó
(II) go mbeidh sé scortha de bheith ag seoladh gnó baincéireachta agus nár sheol sé é le linn tréimhse is faide ná sé mhí díreach tar éis an scoir,
(ii) gur cuideachta é atá á fhoirceannadh,
(iii) gur foras creidmheasa é lena mbaineann alt 9 (IA) (b) den Acht seo (arna leasú le hAcht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989) agus atá á fhoirceannadh go cuí nó á dhíscaoileadh ar shlí eile,
(iv) go bhfuair sé an ceadúnas trí ráitis bhréagacha nó ar aon mhodh mírialta eile,
(v) go n-éiríonn sé neamhábalta freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe nó go bhfionraíonn sé íocaíochtaí atá dlite go dleathach de nó nach bhfuil dóthain cistí dílse aige a thuilleadh (is cistí dílse lena mbaineann Treoir 77/780/CEE ón gComhairle dár dáta 12 Nollaig, 1977) nó nach féidir brath air a thuilleadh chun freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe, agus go háirithe nach gcuireann sé urrús ar fáil a thuilleadh i leith na sócmhainní atá faoina chúram,
(vi) go mainníonn sé taisce, de mhéid a chinnfear de réir alt 55 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989, a choimeád sa Bhanc,
(vii) go gciontaítear ar díotáil é i gcion faoi aon fhoráil den Acht seo nó i gcion lena ngabhann calaois, mímhacántacht nó sárú iontaobhais,
(viii) gur i stát eile is ballstát de na Comhphobail Eorpacha atá a phríomh-oifig agus go mbeidh an t-údarás sa stát sin, a fheidhmíonn feidhmeanna sa stát sin a fhreagraíonn d'fheidhmeanna an Bhainc faoin gCaibidil seo, tar éis údarú a tharraingt siar ón bhforas ar brainse de an sealbhóir,
(c) le toiliú an Aire, an ceadúnas a chúlghairm má bhíonn athrú tagtha, ó deonaíodh an ceadúnas, ar na himthosca a bhaineann leis an deonú agus gurb amhlaidh dóibh, dá ndéanfaí iarratas ar cheadúnas sna himthosca athraithe, go ndiúltófaí é a dheonú.
(2) Aon uair a bheartóidh an Banc ceadúnas a chúlghairm (seachas in imthosca lena mbaineann mír (a) nó (b) (viii) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo)—
(a) tabharfaidh sé fógra i scríbhinn don sealbhóir á rá go bhfuil sé chun toiliú an Aire leis an gcúlghairm a lorg agus ag tabhairt na gcúiseanna a bheidh leis an gcúlghairm agus á rá leis go bhféadfaidh an sealbhóir, laistigh de lá is fiche tar éis dáta an fhógra a thabhairt, uiríll a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire i ndáil leis an gcúlghairm bheartaithe,
(b) féadfaidh an sealbhóir uiríll den sórt sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse ama réamhrálte, agus
(c) sula gcinnfidh an tAire a thoiliú a thabhairt, nó gan é a thabhairt, breithneoidh sé aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an gcúlghairm bheartaithe.
(3) I gcás ina gcúlghairfear ceadúnas agus nach cuideachta atá á foirceannadh an duine ba shealbhóir ar an gceadúnas—
(a) leanfaidh an duine sin de bheith faoi réir na ndualgas agus na n-oibleagáidí a forchuireadh air le hAchtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó fúthu, go dtí go mbeidh dliteanais uile an duine sin i leith taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí ar chuntais reatha) nó cistí inaisíoctha eile a ghlac sé ó dhaoine (dá ngairtear taisceoirí san fho-alt seo) urscaoilte chun sástacht an Bhainc,
(b) déanfaidh an duine sin, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an ceadúnas a chúlghairm—
(i) fógra a thabhairt don Bhanc agus
(ii) fógra a thabhairt, a mhéid is indéanta sin le réasún, do gach taisceoir lena mbaineann,
maidir leis na bearta atá á ndéanamh aige, nó a bheartaíonn sé a dhéanamh, chun a dhliteanais i leith na dtaiscí sin a urscaoileadh go hiomlán gan mhoill mhíchuí,
(c) i gcás—
(i) go mbeidh fógra tugtha ag an duine sin don Bhanc de réir mhír (b) den fho-alt seo agus gurb é tuairim an Bhainc nach bearta sásúla na bearta atá á ndéanamh nó a bheartaítear a dhéanamh chun críocha na míre sin, nó
(ii) nach mbeidh fógra tugtha ag an duine sin don Bhanc agus gurb é tuairim an Bhainc gur mhainnigh sé fógra a thabhairt amhlaidh a luaithe is féidir tar éis an ceadúnas a chúlghairm, nó
(iii) gurb é tuairim an Bhainc nach bhfuil gach dícheall réasúnach déanta ag an duine sin chun fógra a thabhairt amhlaidh do gach taisceoir lena mbaineann,
ansin féadfaidh an Banc treoir a thabhairt i scríbhinn don duine sin go ceann cibé tréimhse, nach faide ná sé mhí, a bheidh sonraithe ann, á thoirmeasc air—
(I) déileáil in aon sócmhainní nó i sócmhainní sonraithe dá chuid, nó iad a dhiúscairt, ar chaoi ar bith, nó
(II) gabháil d'aon idirbheart nó d'aicme idirbhirt nó d'idirbheart sonraithe, nó
(III) íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh,
gan údarú a fháil roimh ré ón mBanc, agus féadfaidh an Banc a cheangal ar an duine sin scéim chun a dhliteanas i leith na dtaisceoirí lena mbaineann a urscaoileadh go hordúil agus go hiomlán a ullmhú agus a chur faoina bhráid lena cheadú laistigh de dhá mhí ón treoir,
(d) i gcás ina dtabharfar treoir lena mbaineann an fo-alt seo beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 21 den Acht seo fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá.
(4) (a) I gcás ina gcúlghairfear ceadúnas agus inar cuideachta atá á foirceannadh sealbhóir an cheadúnais, beidh leachtaitheoir na cuideachta, i dteannta é a bheith faoi réir a dhualgas agus a oibleagáidí i leith an fhoirceanta, faoi réir na ndualgas agus na n-oibleagáidí a mbeadh an chuideachta faoina réir dá mba chuideachta í lena mbaineann fo-alt (3) den alt seo agus déanfar an fo-alt sin a fhorléiriú, chun críocha an fho-ailt seo, dá réir sin.
(b) D'ainneoin mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, féadfaidh an Banc, i gcás ina gcúlghairfidh sé ceadúnas agus inar dóigh leis gur cuí é sna himthosca, an dualgas agus an oibleagáid a fhorchuirtear ar an leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann déanamh de réir mhír (b) (arna fhorléiriú leis an bhfo-alt seo) d'fho-alt (3) den alt seo a bhaint i scríbhinn den leachtaitheoir agus féadfaidh sé cibé dualgas agus oibleagáid, breise nó eile, a fhreagraíonn don cheann atá leagtha amach sa mhír sin (b), a fhorchur i scríbhinn ar an leachtaitheoir sin.
(5) Más amhlaidh do shealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) gur i stát eile is ball de na Comhphobail Eorpacha atá a phríomh-oifig, nó
(b) gur trí bhrainse atá bunaithe i stát eile den sórt sin a sheolann sé gnó baincéireachta,
ansin, sula gcinnfidh an Banc an ceadúnas a chúlghairm, rachaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an údarás sa stát sin a fheidhmíonn sa stát sin feidhmeanna a fhreagraíonn d'fheidhmeanna an Bhainc faoin gCuid seo:
Ar choinníoll áfach, má bhíonn gá le gníomhaíocht láithreach ón mBanc, nach gá don Bhanc dul i gcomhairle mar a dúradh ach i gcás den sórt sin tabharfaidh an Banc fógra don údarás lena mbaineann i dtaobh chúlghairm an cheadúnais.”.
Leasú ar alt 12 d'Acht 1971.
35.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 12 d'Acht 1971 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) Coimeádfaidh an Banc iad seo a leanas ar an eolas maidir le hainmneacha sealbhóirí ceadúnas, is é sin le rá:
(a) Coimisiún na gComhphobal Eorpach;
(b) Cláraitheoir na Cúirte Uachtaraí;
(c) an t-oifigeach a bheidh de thuras na huaire ag bainistí Phríomh-Oifig na hArd-Chúirte;
(d) gach Cláraitheoir Contae;
(e) gach Cléireach Cúirte Dúiche.”.
Forálacha i ndáil le leabhair agus taifid sealbhóirí ceadúnas.
36.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 17:
“17.—(1) Coimeádfaidh sealbhóir ceadúnais, in oifig nó in oifigí sa Stát, cibé leabhair agus taifid (lena n-áirítear cuntais) a shonróidh an Banc ó am go ham i gcomhlíonadh cuí a fheidhmeanna reachtúla ag an mBanc agus tabharfaidh sé fógra don Bhanc maidir le seoladh gach oifige ina gcoimeádtar aon leabhar nó taifead den sórt sin chun críocha an fho-ailt seo.
(2) Féadfaidh an Banc leabhair agus taifid éagsúla a shonrú, chun críocha an ailt seo, i ndáil le sealbhóirí éagsúla ceadúnas.
(3) (a) Aon duine iomchuí a bheidh údaraithe go cuí i scríbhinn chuige sin ag Rialtóir an Bhainc (dá ngairtear ‘duine údaraithe’ san fho-alt seo) féadfaidh sé, gach tráth réasúnach d'fhonn go bhfeidhmeoidh an Banc a fheidhmeanna reachtúla, agus ar a údarás a bheith tugtha ar aird ag an duine sin—
(i) na leabhair agus na taifid a bheidh á gcoimeád ag sealbhóir ceadúnais de bhun an ailt seo, agus
(ii) aon leabhair chuntais a bhaineann leis an sealbhóir sin agus a bheidh á gcoimeád faoi Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, nó faoi aon achtachán atá le forléiriú mar aon ní amháin leis an Acht sin, agus
(iii) aon doiciméid eile a bhaineann le gnó an tsealbhóra sin,
a iniúchadh agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh díobh nó sleachta a thógáil astu, agus cibé fiosruithe a dhéanamh is dóigh leis is gá i ndáil leo, agus féadfaidh sé, chun na gcríoch sin, dul isteach in aon oifig lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) den alt seo agus in aon áit eile a gcreideann sé le réasún go bhfuil aon leabhair, taifid nó doiciméid eile den chineál a dúradh á gcoimeád ann.
(b) Aon duine a mbeidh aon leabhair, taifid nó doiciméid eile mar a dúradh faoina chumhacht, ina sheilbh nó ar fáil aige—
(i) tabharfaidh sé ar aird iad ar dhuine údaraithe dá iarraidh sin air agus ceadóidh sé dó iad a iniúchadh agus cóipeanna a dhéanamh díobh nó sleachta a thógáil astu,
(ii) tabharfaidh sé, ar dhuine údaraithe dá iarraidh sin air, aon fhaisnéis a iarrfar le réasún i ndáil leo, agus
(iii) tabharfaidh sé do dhuine údaraithe cibé cúnamh agus faisnéis eile a bheidh réasúnach sna himthosca.
(c) Beidh feidhm ag forálacha mhíreanna (a) agus (b) den fho-alt seo maidir le gach sealbhóir ceadúnais agus beidh feidhm ag forálacha na míreanna sin, cé is moite d'fhomhír (i) de mhír (a),—
(i) maidir le gach fiontraíocht chomhlachaithe de chuid an tsealbhóra, agus
(ii) maidir le haon duine eile,
i gcás gurb iomchuí agus gurb ábhartha, i dtuairim an Bhainc, iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar na leabhair, na taifid nó na doiciméid eile chun meastóireacht cheart a dhéanamh ar ghnó sealbhóra ceadúnais le linn aon tréimhse lena mbaineann iniúchadh nó iniúchadh beartaithe ar an sealbhóir.
(4) Na leabhair agus na taifid a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo—
(a) is leabhair agus taifid iad i dteannta aon leabhar nó taifead eile a cheanglaítear a choimeád le haon achtachán eile nó faoi aon achtachán eile, agus
(b) coinneofar iad go ceann cibé tréimhse, ar a laghad, a shonróidh an Banc maidir le haon leabhar nó taifead den sórt sin.
(5) I gcás aon duine a gceanglófar air leabhar, taifead nó doiciméad eile a thabhairt ar aird d'éileamh liain ar an gcéanna, is gan dochar don lian a thabharfar ar aird é.
(6) Ní chuirfidh aon ní san alt seo iallach ar abhcóide nó ar aturnae leabhar, taifead nó doiciméad eile a thabhairt ar aird ina bhfuil aon chumarsáid phribhléide a rinne sé, nó a rinneadh chuige, sa cháil sin, ná aon fhaisnéis a thabhairt atá i gcumarsáid phribhléide a rinneadh amhlaidh.
(7) (a) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn‘duine iomchuí'—
(i) oifigeach don Bhanc, nó
(ii) i ndáil le haon iniúchadh áirithe (lena n-áirítear iniúchadh beartaithe), aon duine eile a bhfuil, i dtuairim Rialtóir an Bhainc, na cáilíochtaí agus an taithí aige is cuí chun an t-iniúchadh, nó aon chuid de, lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, a dhéanamh;
ciallaíonn ‘fiontraíocht chomhlachaithe’ (más cuí)—
(i) cuideachta shealbhaíochta de chuid an tsealbhóra ceadúnais,
(ii) fochuideachta de chuid an tsealbhóra ceadúnais,
(iii) cuideachta is fochuideachta do chomhlacht corpraithe i gcás inar fochuideachta don chomhlacht corpraithe an sealbhóir ceadúnais áirithe freisin ach nach fochuideachta ceachtar cuideachta don chuideachta eile,
(iv) i gcás inar sealbhóir ceadúnais cuideachta, aon chomhlacht corpraithe eile nach fochuideachta don chuideachta ach a bhfuil teideal tairbhiúil ag an gcuideachta chun breis agus 20 faoin gcéad, de réir luacha ainmniúil, den scairchaipiteal leithroinnte nó de na scaireanna lena ngabhann cearta vótála (seachas cearta vótála nach dtagann i gceist ach amháin in imthosca sonraithe) sa chomhlacht corpraithe eile sin,
(v) comhpháirtíocht ina bhfuil leas ag an sealbhóir ceadúnais agus a bhfuil nó, an tráth ábhartha, a raibh baint ábhartha, i dtuairim an Bhainc, ag a gnó le haon iniúchadh ar an sealbhóir atá á dhéanamh nó a bheartaítear a dhéanamh faoin alt seo;
tá le ‘cuideachta shealbhaíochta’ an bhrí a thugtar dó le halt 155 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963;
ciallaíonn ‘feidhmeanna reachtúla’, i ndáil leis an mBanc, feidhmeanna an Bhainc—
(i) faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, agus aon achtachán eile ag leasú na nAchtanna sin, nó
(ii) a fhorchuirtear de bhua Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Maoirseacht Chomhdhlúite ar Bhainc), 1985 (I.R. Uimh. 302 de 1985) agus Threoir Uimh. 85/354/CEE ón gComhairle(1) dar dáta 13 Meitheamh, 1983;
tá le ‘fochuideachta’ an bhrí a thugtar dó le halt 155 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963.
(b) Tagairtí san alt seo do leabhair, do thaifid nó do dhoiciméid eile, nó d'aon cheann acu, forléireofar iad mar thagairtí a fholaíonn aon doiciméad nó faisnéis a choimeádtar i bhfoirm neamhinléite (trí úsáid leictreonaice nó ar shlí eile) a fhéadfar a atáirgeadh i bhfoirm inléite agus na modhanna leictreonacha agus na modhanna uathoibríocha eile go léir, más ann, lenar féidir an doiciméad nó an fhaisnéis sin a atáirgeadh amhlaidh agus ar a bhfuil teacht ag an duine arb iad a chuid leabhar, taifead nó doiciméad eile (mar atá forléirithe amhlaidh) atá á n-iniúchadh chun críocha an ailt seo.”.
Faisnéis a thabhairt don Bhanc.
37.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 18:
“18. (1) Aon sealbhóir ceadúnais agus aon duine a sheolann gnó—
(a) mar fhiontraíocht chomhlachaithe lena mbaineann fo-alt (3) den alt seo,
(b) a mbeidh an duine sin, de bhua alt 7 (4) (a) (ii) den Acht seo, díolmhaithe ina leith ón oibleagáid ceadúnas a shealbhú,
(c) mar chuideachta iontaobhais infheistíochta,
(d) mar bhróicéir airgid,
(e) mar idirghabhálaí airgeadais, nó
(f) ag eisiúint nó ag sealbhú ionstraimí airgeadais, nó ag rannpháirtiú thairis sin in aon mhargadh in ionstraimí airgeadais, lena n-áirítear ionstraimí den sórt lena mbaineann Caibidil VIII d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989;
tabharfaidh sé don Bhanc—
(i) cibé tráthanna a shonróidh an Banc ó am go ham, cibé faisnéis agus tuairisceáin maidir leis an ngnó lena mbaineann an ceadúnas nó le seoladh gnó mar a dúradh ag an duine sin, de réir mar a bheidh, a shonróidh an Banc ó am go ham, is faisnéis agus tuairisceáin a mheasfaidh an Banc is gá a bheith aige chun a fheidhmeanna reachtúla a chomhlíonadh go cuí;
(ii) laistigh de cibé tréimhse a shonróidh an Banc, aon fhaisnéis agus tuairisceáin (nach faisnéis ná tuairisceáin atá sonraithe faoi mhír (i) den fho-alt seo) maidir leis an ngnó lena mbaineann an ceadúnas nó le seoladh gnó mar a dúradh ag an duine sin, de réir mar a bheidh, a iarrfaidh an Banc i scríbhinn, is faisnéis agus tuairisceáin is mheasfaidh an Banc is gá a bheith aige chun a fheidhmeanna reachtúla a chomhlíonadh go cuí.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh aon duine faisnéis ná tuairisceáin is eol dó a bheith bréagach a thabhairt faoin alt seo.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo maidir le gnó fiontraíochta comhlachaithe ach amháin a mhéid a bheidh baint ábhartha, i dtuairim an Bhainc, ag an bhfaisnéis agus na tuairisceáin atá á n-iarraidh ag an mBanc le meastóireacht cheart a dhéanamh ar ghnó an tsealbhóra ceadúnais lena mbaineann an fhiontraíocht chomhlachaithe.
(4) San alt seo:
tá le ‘fiontraíocht chomhlachaithe’ an bhrí chéanna atá leis in alt 17 den Acht seo;
folaíonn ‘faisnéis agus tuairisceáin’ agus ‘faisnéis nó tuairisceáin' cuntais iniúchta, grúpchuntais iniúchta agus aon doiciméid eile is ionann agus na cuntais iniúchta nó na grúpchuntais iniúchta sin nó a fhreagraíonn dóibh;
tá le ‘bróicéir airgid’ an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 108 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989, chun críocha Chaibidil IX den Acht sin.”.
Treoracha ón mBanc do shealbhóirí ceadúnas.
38.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 21:
“21.—(1) Aon uair is dóigh leis an mBanc gurb é leas an phobail déanamh amhlaidh nó gurb amhlaidh, maidir le sealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) go bhfuil sé éirithe neamhábalta, nó gur dóigh dó éirí neamhábalta, freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe, nó
(b) nach bhfuil acmhainní caipitiúla leordhóthanacha, ag féachaint don mhéid agus don chineál gnó a sheolann sé, á gcothabháil aige nó gur dóigh nach mbeidh ar a chumas iad a chothabháil, nó
(c) gur mhainnigh sé déanamh de réir aon choinníll a forchuireadh i ndáil leis an gceadúnas de réir alt 10 den Acht seo agus sin in imthosca gur dóigh leis an mBanc go gcuireann an mhainneachtain sin as do chobhsaíocht agus d'fhóntacht an tsealbhóra, nó
(d) go bhfuil sé ag seoladh gnó ar chaoi a chuireann sábháilteacht na dtaiscí a ghlacann sé, nó cearta agus leasanna na ndaoine a rinne na taiscí sin, i mbaol agus a dhéanann dochar dóibh, nó
(e) go bhfuil sé féin, mar aon le fiontraíocht amháin eile nó níos mó (bíodh nó ná bíodh aon fhiontraíocht eile den sórt sin ina sealbhóir ceadúnais), faoi rialú comhchoiteann agus gurb é tuairim an Bhainc nach é leas na ndaoine a choinníonn taiscí leis an gcéad sealbhóir ceadúnais a luaitear iad a bheith faoi rialú comhchoiteann,
féadfaidh an Banc treoir a thabhairt i scríbhinn don sealbhóir sin á ordú dó aon ní nó gach ní acu seo a leanas a fhionraí go ceann cibé tréimhse, nach faide ná sé mhí, a bheidh sonraithe sa treoir, is é sin le rá—
(i) seoladh gnó baincéireachta,
(ii) déanamh íocaíochtaí nach mbaineann mír (i) den fho-alt seo leo,
(iii) fáil nó diúscairt sócmhainní nó dliteanas eile,
nach mbeidh údaraithe ag an mBanc.
(2) Féadfaidh an Banc treoir a tugadh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo a chúlghairm mura mbeidh ordú faoi fho-alt (4) den alt seo déanta i leith na treorach.
(3) Féadfaidh sealbhóir ceadúnais dá dtabharfar treoir faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte ar ordú ag cur na treorach ar ceal agus féadfaidh an Chúirt an t-ordú sin a dheonú.
(4) Féadfaidh an Banc a iarraidh ar an gCúirt, agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, ordú a dhéanamh ag daingniú treorach a tugadh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo nó ag daingniú na treorach agus, faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, ag fadú a tréimhse oibrithe go ceann cibé tréimhse ama, nach faide ná an tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag ón dáta ar tháinig an treoir in éifeacht, is cuí leis an gCúirt ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir.
(5) Scoirfidh treoir lena mbaineann fo-alt (4) den alt seo d'éifeacht a bheith léi—
(a) i gcás inar daingníodh an treoir, ar an tréimhse lena mbaineann an treoir a bheith caite,
(b) i gcás inar daingníodh an treoir agus inar fadaíodh a tréimhse oibrithe, ar an tréimhse fhadaithe sin a bheith caite,
(c) ó cibé dáta a chinnfidh an Chúirt le hordú ar iarratas a bheith déanta ag an mBanc chuici dá éis sin,
(d) ar ordú foirceanta a bheith déanta maidir leis an sealbhóir ceadúnais lena mbaineann, nó
(e) más dóigh leis an gCúirt nach ann a thuilleadh do na himthosca ba bhun leis an treoir a dhéanamh agus go mbeadh sé éagórach agus éagothrom gan ordú á rá sin a dhéanamh, ó cibé dáta a chinnfidh an Chúirt le hordú,
cibé acu is túisce a tharlóidh.
(6) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, i dteannta nó in ionad ordú a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (3) nó (4) den alt seo, cibé ordú eile a dhéanamh i ndáil leis an ábhar is dóigh léi is gá, lena n-áirítear ordú á ordú d'aon duine a bhfuil airgead nó sócmhainní eile á sealbhú aige don duine, nó thar ceann an duine, lena mbaineann an treoir, gan aon cheann de na sócmhainní sin a dhiúscairt ach amháin ar cibé coinníollacha, agus i cibé imthosca, a bheidh sonraithe san ordú.
(7) I gcás inar treoir atá ar marthain treoir a thabharfar faoin alt seo, ansin—
(a) ní thionscnófar imeachtaí foirceanta ná féimheachta i ndáil leis an sealbhóir ceadúnais dár tugadh an treoir,
(b) ní cheapfar glacadóir i ndáil le maoin an tsealbhóra sin, agus
(c) ní dhéanfar maoin an tsealbhóra sin a astú, a fhorlámhú ná a thochsal ar shlí eile,
mura mbeidh ceadú faighte roimh ré ón gCúirt.
(8) (a) I gcás inarb é tuairim an Bhainc, d'ainneoin gur dealraitheach dó go bhfuil an sealbhóir ceadúnais dár tugadh an treoir faoin alt seo ábalta freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe, nach dóigh go réiteofar na himthosca ba bhun leis an treoir a thabhairt, iarrfaidh sé láithreach ar an gCúirt, agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, ordú a dhéanamh á ordú don sealbhóir scéim a ullmhú, i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, chun a ghnó baincéireachta a fhoirceannnadh go hordúil agus chun a dhliteanais i leith daoine a bhfuil taiscí á gcoinneáil acu leis a urscaoileadh faoi mhaoirseacht an Bhainc agus á ordú dó an scéim a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte laistigh de dhá mhí chun ceadú na Cúirte a fháil.
(b) Ní cheadóidh an Chúirt téarmaí na scéime gan éisteacht a thabhairt don Bhanc agus, i gcás aon díospóid a bheith ann faoi théarmaí na scéime, féadfaidh an Banc nó an sealbhóir ceadúnais dár tugadh an treoir, nó féadfaidh siad araon, a iarraidh ar an gCúirt an t-ábhar a bhreithniú.
(c) Má mhainníonn an sealbhóir ceadúnais dár tugadh an treoir déanamh de réir ordú na Cúirte nó má mhainníonn sé gníomhú de réir na scéime a cheadaigh an Chúirt, féadfaidh an Banc a iarraidh ar an gCúirt, agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, cibé ordú breise a dhéanamh is dóigh leis is cuí, lena n-áirítear ordú cimithe nó ordú foirceanta ar an bhforas go bhfuil sé cóir agus cothrom an sealbhóir a fhoirceannadh.
(9) Más rud é, in imeachtaí faoin alt seo i gcoinne sealbhóra ceadúnais dár tugadh treoir faoin alt seo, go ndéanfar ordú foirceanta, beidh feidhm ag an dlí a bhaineann le cuideachtaí (lena n-airitear an tAcht seo) ar an gcaoi céanna a mbeadh feidhm acu dá mba ar achainí foirceanta faoin dlí sin a rinneadh an t-ordú agus ionann is dá ndéanfaí tagairt don ordú foirceanta a dhéanamh faoin alt seo a chur in ionad aon tagartha sa dlí sin don achainí foirceanta a thíolacadh.
(10) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar chineál nó imthosca an cháis nó thairis sin ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfar an himeachtaí go léir nó aon chuid d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.
(11) Féadfaidh an Chúirt le hordú ordú a rinne sí faoin alt seo a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
(12) Chun críocha fho-alt (1) (e) den alt seo measfar an sealbhóir ceadúnais agus fiontraíocht amháin eile nó níos mó a bheith faoi rialú comhchoiteann más féidir leis an duine céanna a chinneadh, nó más é an grúpa céanna daoine ag gníomhú de chomhbheart a chinneann, conas a bhainisteofar, agus cé a bhainisteoidh, gach ceann acu.”.
Leasú ar alt 22 d'Acht 1971.
39.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 22 d'Acht 1971:
(a) trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Féadfaidh an Banc treoir a thabhairt do shealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) gan fógrán ag lorg taiscí ón bpobal a fhoilsiú nó gan leanúint dá fhoilsiú, nó
(b) gan a chur faoi deara go bhfoilseofar fógrán den sórt sin nó go leanfar dá fhoilsiú,
le linn cibé tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe sa treoir.
(2A) Féadfaidh an Banc treoir a thabhairt do shealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) gan fógrán a fhoilsiú nó gan leanúint dá fhoilsiú, nó
(b) gan a chur faoi deara go bhfoilseofar fógrán nó go leanfar dá fhoilsiú,
más fógrán é ina bhfuil faisnéis maidir le haon seirbhís a chuirtear nó a chuirfear ar fáil don phobal, nó maidir le haon mhuirear, téarma nó coinníoll ar faoina réir a chuirtear (nó a chuirfear) seirbhís ar fáil amhlaidh ar faisnéis í atá, i dtuairim an Bhainc, bréagach nó míthreorach nó a bhfuil sé ceaptha di daoine a mheabhlú.”;
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur leis i ndiaidh fho-alt (3):
“(4) San alt seo:
folaíonn ‘fógrán’ aon ní lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a mholadh i bhfoirm ar bith lena n-áirítear, go háirithe, aon ní den sórt sin a chur ar taispeáint nó a fhoilsiú trí fhógra, bileoigín, ciorclán, paimfléad, bróisiúr, grianghraf, scannán, fístaifead, craolachán fuaime, teilifís, cumarsáid leictreonach nó canbhasáil phearsanta;
folaíonn ‘taiscí’ aon chistí a ghlactar ón bpobal agus is iníoctha ar éileamh nó ar fhógra nó ar dháta todhchaí socair nó inchinnte.”.
Leasú ar alt 23 d'Acht 1971.
40.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 23 d'Acht 1971 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (4):
“(4) San alt seo—
folaíonn ‘dliteanais’ cibé dliteanais theagmhasacha a shonróidh an Banc ó am go ham chun críocha an ailt seo;
ciallaíonn ‘sonraithe’ sonraithe ag an mBanc i gceanglas faoin alt seo.”.
Comhdhéanamh sócmhainní agus dliteanas.
41.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 23:
“23A. Féadfaidh an Banc, ó am go ham, maidir le sealbhóir ceadúnais, ceanglais a shonrú ó thaobh comhdhéanamh a shócmhainní agus comhdhéanamh a dhliteanas.”.
Leasú ar alt 26 d'Acht 1971.
42.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 26 d'Acht 1971 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur leis—
“(7) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus i gcás gurb é a thuairim nach mbeadh sé i gcoinne rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta—
(a) i gcás fho-alt (2) nó (3) den alt seo, nó i gcás an dá fho-ailt sin, feidhm a thabhairt do na fo-ailt sin, nó a bhfeidhm a shrianadh, maidir le haon duine nó le haon aicme daoine, agus
(b) i gcás fho-alt (6) den alt seo, an fo-alt sin a leasú trí aon ionstraim a bheidh sonraithe san fho-alt sin a chur leis nó a scriosadh as,
agus, i gcás gach fo-ailt acu, cibé acu a rinneadh nó nach ndearnadh difear dó cheana de bhua an fho-ailt seo.”.
Leasú ar alt 27 d'Acht 1971.
43.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 27 d'Acht 1971:
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (2):
“(2A) Má dhéantar fógrán nó sirtheoireacht eile le haghaidh taiscí a fhoilsiú agus gan ainm agus seoladh an duine a rinne socrú don fhógrán nó don tsirtheoireacht leis an bhfoilsitheoir ar áireamh ann, ansin féadfaidh an Banc, tráth ar bith i gcaitheamh na tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag tar éis an fógrán a fhoilsiú, a iarraidh ar an bhfoilsitheoir ainm agus seoladh an duine sin a thabhairt don Bhanc agus air sin déanfaidh an foilsitheoir de réir an iarratais sin.”;
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) (a) San alt seo ní fholaíonn ‘taiscí’ taiscí arna dtaisceadh le trádálaí ag daoine atá fostaithe aige ina ghnó trádála nó ag a chustaiméirí i ngnáthchúrsa a ghnó trádála ná taiscí i leith earraí a ligean nó a dhíol faoi chomhaontú fruilcheannaigh nó faoi chomhaontú díola creidmheasa.
(b) Aon tagairt san alt seo nó in alt 58 (3) den Acht seo (arna leasú le halt 9 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989) do thaiscí a shireadh, cibé caoi a shainítear é, folaíonn sé gach cineál sirtheoireachta le haghaidh taiscí lena n-áirítear, go háirithe, aon ní den sórt sin a chur ar taispeáint nó a fhoilsiú trí fhógra, bileoigín, ciorclán, paimfléad, bróisiúr, grianghraf, scannán, fístaifead, craolachán fuaime, teilifís, cumarsáid leictreonach nó canbhasáil phearsanta.”.
Cumhacht na Cúirte chun sáruithe áirithe ar Acht 1971, nó mainneachtain déanamh dá réir, a thoirmeasc.
44.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 28:
“28A. (1) Más rud é, ar iarratas arna dhéanamh ar bhealach achomair ag an mBanc, go mbeidh an Chúirt den tuairim go bhfuil—
(a) sárú ar alt 17 nó 18 den Acht seo, nó
(b) mainneachtain déanamh de réir coinníll a forchuireadh i ndáil le ceadúnas de bhua alt 10, nó de réir treorach faoi alt 22, den Acht seo,
déanta nó á dhéanamh, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a thoirmeasc ar an duine nó ar na daoine lena mbaineann leanúint den sárú nó den mhainneachtain.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, le linn di an t-ábhar a bhreithniú, cibé ordú eatramhach nó idirbhreitheach a dhéanamh is dóigh léi is cuí.
(3) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar chineál nó imthosca an cháis nó thairis sin ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfar na himeachtaí go léir nó aon chuid d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.”.
Leasú ar alt 31 d'Acht 1971.
45.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 31 d'Acht 1971 tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1):
“(1) I gcás ina scoirfidh sealbhóir ceadúnais de ghnó baincéireachta a sheoladh in imthosca lena mbaineann alt 57 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989, tabharfaidh sé, a luaithe is féidir, fógra faoin scor sin do na daoine go léir a mbeidh taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí ar chuntais reatha) ar taisceadh acu leis agus déanfaidh sé, má éilíonn aon duine den sórt sin air é, méid taisce an duine sin a íoc leis láithreach mar aon le méid aon úis a bheidh fabhraithe ar an taisce sin.”.
Iniúchóir a cheapadh.
46.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc, i scríbhinn, a cheangal ar aon sealbhóir ceadúnais—
(a) fógra a thabhairt don Bhanc 15 lá ar a laghad—
(i) sula gcuirfear fógraí chuig na scairshealbhóirí maidir le ceapachán beartaithe nó athcheapachán beartaithe duine mar iniúchóir an tsealbhóra chun críocha Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986, nó
(ii) sula líonfaidh stiúrthóirí an tsealbhóra aon chorrfholúntas in oifig an iniúchóra de bhua alt 160 (7) d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963,
maidir le hainm an duine a bheartaítear a cheapadh nó atá le hathcheapadh nó leis an bhfolúntas sin a líonadh amhlaidh,
(b) laistigh de cibé tréimhse ama a shonróidh an Banc, cibé faisnéis a thabhairt a iarrfaidh an Banc maidir leis an duine a ainmníodh chun críche mhír (a).
(2) I gcás inar dóigh leis an mBanc nach rachadh sé chun leasa do dhaoine a choinníonn taiscí le sealbhóir ceadúnais ná do rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta, féadfaidh sé treoir a thabhairt don sealbhóir sin, de réir mar is gá sna himthosca, gan duine ainmnithe a cheapadh nó a athcheapadh chun oifig iniúchóra, nó treoir a thabhairt do na stiúrthóirí gan corrfholúntas a líonadh trí dhuine ainmnithe a cheapadh, agus déanfar de réir na treorach sin.
(3) Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) nó (2) beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Dualgais iniúchóra.
47.—(1) Más rud é, maidir le hiniúchóir sealbhóra céadúnais—
(a) go mbeidh cúis aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil imthosca ann ar dóigh dóibh difear ábhartha a dhéanamh do chumas an tsealbhóra freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith daoine a choinníonn taiscí leis nó freastal d'aon oibleagáidí airgeadais dá chuid faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó
(b) go mbeidh cúis aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil lochtanna ábhartha i gcórais agus rialuithe airgeadais, nó i dtaifid chuntasaíochta, an tsealbhóra, nó
(c) go mbeidh cúis aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil míchruinnis ábhartha in aon tuairisceáin de chineál airgeadais a thug an sealbhóir don Bhanc nó gur fágadh nithe ábhartha amach astu, nó
(d) go mbeartóidh sé coinníoll a chur ag gabháil le haon deimhniú atá le cur ar fáil aige i ndáil le ráitis nó tuairisceáin airgeadais de chuid an tsealbhóra faoi Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986, nó faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó
(e) go gcinnfidh sé éirí as nó gan dul ar aghaidh lena atoghadh mar iniúchóir,
tuairisceoidh sé an méid sin i scríbhinn don Bhanc gan mhoill.
(2) Déanfaidh iniúchóir sealbhóra ceadúnais, má iarrann an Banc air é, tuarascáil a thabhairt don Bhanc á rá cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil, ina thuairim agus de réir mar is fearr is eol dó, oibleagáid shonraithe de cineál airgeadais faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, comhlíonta ag an sealbhóir.
(3) Déanfaidh an Banc, má iarrann iniúchóir sealbhóra ceadúnais air é, mionsonraí a thabhairt i scríbhinn don iniúchóir maidir le cibé tuairisceáin de chineál airgeadais, a bheidh tugtha ag an sealbhóir don Bhanc, a iarrfaidh an t-iniúchóir chun a chumasú dó déanamh de réir fho-alt (1) (c) nó (2).
(4) Déanfaidh iniúchóir sealbhóra ceadúnais cóip d'aon tuarascáil a thug sé don Bhanc faoi fho-alt (1) nó (2) a chur chuig an sealbhóir.
(5) (a) Aon uair is dóigh leis an mBanc gur gá déanamh amhlaidh ar mhaithe le feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoi Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó chun leasanna taisceoirí a chosaint, féadfaidh sé a cheangal ar iniúchóir sealbhóra ceadúnais cibé faisnéis a shonróidh sé a thabhairt dó i ndáil leis an iniúchadh ar ghnó an tsealbhóra agus déanfaidh an t-iniúchóir de réir an cheanglais.
(b) Féadfaidh an Banc a cheangal go ngníomhóidh an t-iniúchóir go neamhspleách ar an sealbhóir ceadúnais agus faisnéis á tabhairt aige chun críocha an fho-ailt seo.
(6) Ní mheasfar aon dualgas a mbeidh iniúchóir sealbhóra ceadúnais faoina réir a bheith sáraithe, ná ní bheidh an t-iniúchóir faoi dhliteanas ar bith i leith an tsealbhóra, ná i leith scairshealbhóirí, creidiúnaithe nó páirtithe leasmhara eile de chuid an tsealbhóra, mar gheall ar é do chomhlíonadh aon oibleagáide a fhorchuirtear air leis an alt seo nó faoin alt seo.
Caibidil IV
Forálacha Ginearálta i ndáil le Foirceannadh
Forais le foirceannadh ar iarratas ón mBanc.
48.—(1) D'ainneoin alt 215 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, féadfaidh an Banc, trí achainí a thíolacadh, iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte go bhfoirceannfaí sealbhóir ceadúnais ar aon fhoras díobh seo a leanas:
(a) go bhfuil nó, i dtuairim an Bhainc, go bhféadfadh go mbeidh, an sealbhóir neamhábalta freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe;
(b) go bhfuil mainnithe ag an sealbhóir déanamh de réir treorach ón mBanc faoi alt 21 d'Acht 1971 agus nach bhfuil an treoir curtha ar ceal ag an gCúirt;
(c) go bhfuil cúlghairm déanta ar an gceadúnas agus go bhfuil scortha ag an sealbhóir de bheith ag seoladh gnó baincéireachta;
(d) gur dóigh leis an mBanc gurb é leas na ndaoine a bhfuil taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí ar chuntais reatha) ar taisceadh acu leis an sealbhóir go ndéanfaí an sealbhóir a fhoirceannadh.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh duine seachas an Banc achainí a thíolacadh chun sealbhóir ceadúnais a fhoirceannadh, seirbheálfar cóip den achainí ar an mBanc agus beidh an Banc i dteideal éisteacht a fháil ar an achainí.
(3) I gcás sealbhóir ceadúnais a bheith á fhoirceannadh go toilteanach agus go mbeidh cúis ag an mBanc chun a chreidiúint go mbaineann aon cheann de na forais atá leagtha amach i bhfo-alt (1) leis, ansin féadfaidh an Banc iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte go ndéanfaidh an Chúirt an sealbhóir ceadúnais a fhoirceannadh.
Fógraí, doiciméid a bheidh le cur chuig an mBanc i ndáil le foirceannadh.
49.—I gcás sealbhóir ceadúnais nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais a bheith á fhoirceannadh agus nach creidiúnaí an Banc, déanfar aon fhógra nó doiciméad, cibé ainm a thabharfar air, a cheanglaítear a chur chuig creidiúnaí de chuid an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra a chur freisin chuig an mBanc.
Ceart an Bhainc ionadaí a bheith aige ag cruinnithe, etc.
50.—(1) Féadfaidh oifigeach don Bhanc, nó aon duine eile, a bheidh údaraithe go cuí i scríbhinn chuige sin ag Rialtóir an Bhainc, freastal ar aon chruinniú de chreidiúnaithe sealbhóra nó iarshealbhóra ceadúnais.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh Rialtóir an Bhainc oifigeach don Bhanc nó aon duine eile a cheapadh i scríbhinn chun bheith ina chomhalta de choiste iniúchta arna cheapadh faoi alt 233 nó 268 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, maidir le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais.
(b) Ní dhéanfar aon duine a bheidh ceaptha go cuí faoi mhír (a) a chomhaireamh le linn líon íosta nó uasta na gcomhaltaí den choiste sin, mar a forordaíodh faoi Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986, a bheith á ríomh, ná a chur as oifig mar chomhalta den choiste, gan toiliú an Bhainc.
Tagairtí d'fhoirceannadh, etc., a fhorléiriú.
51.—I gcás inar féidir sa chomhthéacs, agus inar gá sna himthosca, déanamh amhlaidh, déanfar aon tagairtí in Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, do shealbhóir ceadúnais nó d'iarshealbhóir ceadúnais a fhoirceannadh, nó d'aon fhoráil d'Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986, a bhaineann le foirceannadh, a fhorléiriú, i gcás gur cuideachta atá corpraithe lasmuigh den Stát nó gur foras lena mbaineann alt 9 (1A) (arna leasú leis an gCuid seo) d'Acht 1971 sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais, mar thagairtí do na forálacha comhréire i ndlí na dlínse coigríche lena mbaineann agus, dá réir sin, beidh feidhm ag forálacha Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, maidir leis an bhfoirceannadh nó leis an díscaoileadh lena mbaineann agus sin, más gá, fara cibé modhnuithe a ordóidh an Chúirt.
Rialacha Cúirte.
52.—Go dtí go ndéanfar rialacha cúirte chun críocha na Coda seo beidh feidhm chun na gcríoch sin, fara cibé oiriúnuithe is gá, ag na rialacha cúirte a bhaineann le cuideachtaí a fhoirceannadh.
Caibidil V
Cosaint Taiscí
Léiriú (Caibidil V).
53.—Sa Chaibidil seo—
folaíonn “leanbh” duine lánaoise;
ciallaíonn “duine bainteach”, i ndáil le duine eile, duine a choinníonn taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí, más ann, ar chuntais reatha) ar taisceadh le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá tagtha chun bheith dócmhainneach agus atá á fhoirceannadh, agus i gcás gurb é atá sa duine sin—
(a) céile an duine eile sin,
(b) leanbh nó garleanbh an duine eile sin nó leanbh nó garleanbh chéile an duine eile sin,
(c) tuismitheoir, seanathair nó seanmháthair an duine eile sin,
(d) deartháir, deirfiúr, leasdeartháir nó leasdeirfiúr leis an duine eile sin,
(e) comhpháirtí de chuid an duine eile a mbaineann an Partnership Act, 1890, leis an mbeirt acu le chéile (cibé acu i dteannta aon daoine eile nó nach ea),
(f) céile duine bhaintigh lena mbaineann mír (b), (d) nó (e) agus a mbaineann an mhír iomchuí leis nó léi i ndáil leis an duine eile cuí,
(g) comhlacht corpraithe agus gur príomhoifigeach, rúnaí nó comhalta d'aon bhord nó coiste eile bainistíochta, cibé ainm a thugtar air, don chomhlacht corpraithe an duine eile sin,
(h) comhlacht corpraithe agus gur úinéir tairbhiúil iomchuí de chuid an chomhlachta chorpraithe an duine eile sin, nó
(i) comhlacht corpraithe agus gur úinéir tairbhiúil iomchuí de chuid an chomhlachta chorpraithe an duine sin mar aon le haon duine lena mbaineann mír (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) nó (g);
ciallaíonn “cuntas cosanta taiscí” an cuntas a bhunaítear agus a chothabháiltear de bhua alt 54;
tá le “taiscí cáilithe” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 62;
ciallaíonn “taisceoir eisiata” duine a choinníonn taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí, más ann, ar chuntais reatha) ar taisceadh le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá tagtha chun bheith dócmhainneach agus atá á fhoirceannadh agus i gcás gurb é atá sa duine sin, i ndáil leis an sealbhóir nó an iarshealbhóir ceadúnais sin—
(a) príomhoifigeach, rúnaí nó comhalta d'aon bhord nó coiste eile bainistíochta, cibé ainm a thugtar air,
(b) úinéir tairbhiúil iomchuí de chuid an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra ceadúnais sin,
(c) i dteannta daoine bainteacha, úinéir tairbhiúil iomchuí de chuid an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra ceadúnais sin,
(d) faoi réir alt 64, duine atá bainteach le duine a shonraítear i mír (a), (b) nó (c),
(e) faoi réir alt 64, iontaobhaí iontaobhais chun sochair do dhuine a shonraítear i mír (a), (b), (c) nó (d),
(f) cuideachta shealbhaíochta, fochuideachta, fochuideachta eile don chuideachta shealbhaíochta chéanna nó cuideachta (nach fochuideachta) ar úinéir tairbhiúil iomchuí uirthi an sealbhóir nó an t-iarshealbhóir ceadúnais, nó
(g) duine atá eisiata de bhua alt 63;
ciallaíonn “taiscí idirbhainc” taiscí arna dtaisceadh le sealbhóir ceadúnais ag aon cheann acu seo a leanas, is é sin le rá—
(a) sealbhóir ceadúnais eile;
(b) aon duine, nach sealbhóir ceadúnais, atá bunaithe lasmuigh den Stát agus atá, i dtuairim an Bhainc, údaraithe go cuí lasmuigh den Stát chun gnó baincéireachta a sheoladh;
(c) an Banc;
(d) Corparáid an Chairde Talmhaíochta cuideachta phoiblí theoranta;
(e) an chuideachta atá bunaithe agus cláraithe de bhua alt 2 den Acht Cáirde Tionscail, 1933;
(f) banc taisce iontaobhais atá deimhnithe faoi na hAchtanna um Bainc Thaisce Iontaobhais, 1863 go 1979;
(g) cumann foirgníochta;
(h) cibé daoine eile a bheidh sonraithe le rialacháin faoi alt 72;
agus aon taiscí arna dtaisceadh le sealbhóir ceadúnais ag aon oifig dá chuid lasmuigh den Stát, measfar gur taiscí idirbhainc iad;
ciallaíonn “úinéir tairbhiúil iomchuí”, i ndáil le comhlacht corpraithe, duine a bhfuil teideal tairbhiúil aige (go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach) chuig 20 faoin gcéad nó níos mó, de réir luacha ainmniúil, de scairchaipiteal leithroinnte an chomhlachta chorpraithe nó de na scaireanna sa chomhlacht corpraithe lena ngabhann cearta vótála (seachas cearta vótála nach dtagann i gceist ach in imthosca sonraithe).
An cuntas cosanta taiscí.
54.—Déanfaidh an Banc cuntas ar a dtabharfar an cuntas cosanta taiscí a bhunú agus a chothabháil sa chiste ginearálta.
Taiscí ag sealbhóirí ceadúnas.
55.—(1) Ar an gcuntas cosanta taiscí a bheith bunaithe, déanfar an taisce a bhí, díreach roimh theacht i ngníomh don alt seo, á coinneáil ar taisceadh ag gach sealbhóir ceadúnais leis an mBanc, agus sin á ríomh de réir alt 13 d'Acht 1971, a aistriú chuig an gcuntas sin i leith an tsealbhóra sin agus, dá réir sin, scoirfidh an t-alt sin d'éifeacht a bheith leis ar an teacht i ngníomh sin.
(2) Maidir le méid taisce arna coinneáil ag sealbhóir ceadúnais sa Bhanc de bhun alt 7 d'Acht 1971 (dá ngairtear an taisce san alt seo) is é a bheidh ann, faoi réir fho-alt (5), 0.2 faoin gcéad, nó cibé cion eile a bheidh sonraithe le rialacháin faoi alt 72 (2), de mhéid iomlán—
(a) na dtaiscí i bpuint Éireannacha (lena n-áirítear taiscí ar chuntais reatha ach, faoi réir mhír (b), gan taiscí idirbhainc agus taiscí arb ionannas dóibh deimhnithe inaistrithe ar thaiscí a áireamh), agus
(b) cibé taiscí eile a bheidh sonraithe i rialacháín faoi alt 72 (2) i leith gach sealbhóra ceadúnais nó i leith sealbhóirí ceadúnas d'aon aicme nó earnáil,
in oifigí de chuid an tsealbhóra sa Stát, ach ní bheidh siad níos lú ná £20,000 agus, dá réir sin, déanfar an tagairt san alt sin 7 d'alt 13 d'Acht 1971 a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don alt seo.
(3) Déanfaidh an Banc méid na taisce a ríomh a luaithe is féidir tar éis don alt seo teacht i ngníomh (dá ngairtear “an dáta iomchuí” san alt seo) nó an tráth a eiseofar an ceadúnas, de réir mar is cuí, agus athríomhfar é, maidir le gach sealbhóir ceadúnais, gach 12 mhí (nó chomh gar dó sin agus is féidir le réasún) tar éis an dáta iomchuí faoi threoir na dtuairisceán a bheidh tugtha ag gach sealbhóir don Bhanc faoi alt 18 d'Acht 1971.
(4) Déanfaidh an sealbhóir ceadúnais áirithe méid na taisce a mhéadú, más gá, go dtí an méid cuí arna athríomh faoi fho-alt (3) tráth nach déanaí ná 7 lá, nó cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin lena n-aontóidh an Banc i scríbhinn, tar éis an dáta a bhfaighidh sé fógra ón mBanc faoin méid atá ag teastáil chun an méadú a chur in éifeacht.
(5) Féadfaidh an Banc méid na taisce a shocrú ag an slán-uimhir is gaire is iolrú ar chéad punt agus trína shlánú suas go dtí an uimhir sin i gcás an méid a ríomhadh faoi fho-alt (2) a bheith inroinnte, i bpuint, ar £50.
(6) Béarfaidh an taisce ús de réir cibé ráta nó rátaí, agus beidh sé iníoctha i cibé modh agus ag cibé tráthanna, a chinnfidh an Banc ó am go ham.
(7) Aon mhuirear a airbheartófar a chruthú ar an taisce, seachas ag an mBanc, beidh sé ar neamhní.
(8) Ní bheidh an taisce faoi réir a forghníomhaithe ar bhealach ar bith mar shásamh ar aon éileamh ag aon chreidiúnaí, nó ar aon bhreithiúnas, ordú nó foraithne ó aon chúirt sa Stát i bhfabhar aon chreidiúnaí, seachas faoi réim agus de réir fhorálacha Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989.
(9) (a) Ach amháin i gcás ceadú a bheith faighte i scríbhinn roimh ré ón mBanc, ní fhógróidh sealbhóir ceadúnais ná ní chuirfidh sé faoi deara go bhfógrófar, ná ní thabharfaidh sé le tuiscint ar shlí eile ná ní chuirfidh sé faoi deara go dtabharfar le tuiscint (cibé caoi a shainítear é) go bhfuil taiscí nó cistí, a chuirfear leis an sealbhóir, cosanta ag an gcuntas cosanta taiscí nó dá bharr.
(b) Aon duine a sháróidh mír (a) beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Oibriú an chuntais cosanta taiscí a athbhreithniú.
56.—Coimeádfaidh an Banc oibriú an chuntais cosanta taiscí faoi athbhreithniú agus féadfaidh sé, más dóigh leis gur fóirsteanach déanamh amhlaidh tar éis dó féachaint do cibé tosca is dóigh leis is iomchuí, moltaí a dhéanamh ó am go ham don Aire i ndáil le gach ceann nó aon cheann díobh seo a leanas, is é sin le rá:
(a) rialacháin a dhéanamh faoi alt 72 (2) chun críocha alt 55 (2);
(b) rialacháin a dhéanamh faoi alt 72 (2) chun críocha alt 62 (1) (b);
(c) ordú a dhéanamh faoi alt 59 (4) chun na gcríoch atá leagtha amach ansin.
An cuntas cosanta taiscí agus scor de ghnó baincéireachta i gcás sócmhainneachta.
57.—(1) I gcás ina scoirfidh sealbhóir ceadúnais nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais de ghnó baincéireachta a sheoladh in imthosca seachas na himthosca dá bhforáiltear le halt 58 (1), féadfaidh an Banc an méid iomlán, nó cibé méid is lú ná sin is dóigh leis an mBanc is cuí, de thaisce an tsealbhóra a choinneáil sa chuntas cosanta taiscí go dtí gur deimhin leis go bhfuil dliteanais uile an tsealbhóra sin i leith gach duine a choinníonn taiscí ar taisceadh leis urscaoilte, nó le hurscaoileadh, go hiomlán.
(2) Déanfar gach íocaíocht lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a mhuirearú ar an gcuntas cosanta taiscí sa chiste ginearálta.
An méid taiscthe a dhílsiú don leachtaitheoir.
58.—(1) I gcás sealbhóir ceadúnais nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais a bheith neamhábalta a fhiacha a íoc agus a bheith á fhoirceannadh, go toilteanach nó ag an gCúirt, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann, a ordú go ndéanfar an méid a bheidh ar taisceadh ag an sealbhóir nó ag an iarshealbhóir sa chuntas cosanta taiscí, mar aon le haon ús a bheidh fabhraithe agus ús a fhabhróidh. agus faoi réir fhorálacha eile na Caibidle seo, a dhílsiú don leachtaitheoir faoina ainm oifigiúil.
(2) Más rud é, tar éis na taiscí cáilithe go léir a íoc, go mbeidh aon fhuílleach fágtha den mhéid a dílsíodh don leachtaitheoir de bhua fho-alt (1), déileálfar leis, chun críocha Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986, mar shócmhainn de chuid shealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir an cheadúnais (de réir mar a bheidh) a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir faoina ainm oifigiúil.
Ráiteas faoi chúrsaí, agus íocaíochtaí as an gcuntas cosanta taiscí a ríomh, etc., tráth dócmhainneachta.
59.—(1) Tá feidhm ag an alt seo maidir le sealbhóir nó le hiarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá neamhábalta a fhiacha a íoc agus atá á fhoirceannadh go toilteanach nó ag an gCúirt.
(2) Seachadfaidh an leachtaitheoir ar an mBanc, laistigh de mhí amháin ó dháta a cheaptha, nó cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin a ordóidh an Chúirt—
(a) cóip den ráiteas faoi chúrsaí an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra arna dhéanamh amach agus arna chomhdú de réir alt 224 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, nó, i gcás an sealbhóir a bheith á fhoirceannadh go toilteanach, ráiteas a chomhdófaí amhlaidh dá mbeadh an sealbhóir nó an t-iarshealbhóir á fhoirceannadh ag an gCúirt,
(b) meastachán den mhéid (gan aon mhéid sa chuntas cosanta taiscí a áireamh) is dóigh a bheidh ar fáil chun méideanna atá dlite do dhaoine a choinníonn taiscí a íoc, agus
(c) ráiteas i dtaobh cathain is dóigh leis a bheidh sé in ann na híocaíochtaí sin a dhéanamh.
(3) (a) Déanfar an méid is iníoctha, as an méid a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir de réir alt 58, le gach duine a choinníonn taiscí cáilithe leis an sealbhóir nó an iarshealbhóir lena mbaineann, a ríomh, faoi réir mhír (b), de réir na foirmle—
( | 4 _ | A + | 7 __ | B + | 1 _ | C ) - D |
5 | 10 | 2 |
i gcás—
gurb é A aon mhéid de thaiscí cáilithe suas go £5,000,
gurb é B aon bharrachas de thaiscí cáilithe is mó ná £5,000 ach nach mó ná £10,000,
gurb é C aon bharrachas de thaiscí cáilithe is mó ná £10,000 ach nach mó ná £15,000, agus
gurb é D an méid a íocadh nó atá le híoc leis an duine sin, i leith taiscí cáilithe a choinníonn an duine sin, ar shlí seachas as cistí a bheidh dílsithe amhlaidh.
(b) I gcás gur mhó an méid comhiomlán is iníoctha amhlaidh ná an méid a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir de réir alt 58 ansin déanfar an méid is iníoctha le gach duine lena mbaineann a ríomh de réir na foirmle—
X __ | ( | 4 __ | A + | 7 __ | B + | 1 __ | C ) - | X __ | D |
Y | 5 | 10 | 2 | Y |
i gcás na bríonna céanna faoi seach a bheith le A, B, C agus D atá leo i mír (a) agus—
gurb é X an méid a bheidh dílsithe amhlaidh, agus
gurb é Y an méid comhiomlán sin.
(c) Déanfar aon tagairt san fho-alt seo nó in alt 60 don mhéid a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir de réir alt 58 a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don mhéid a bheidh dílsithe amhlaidh tar éis aon luach saothair nó caiteachais a cheadaítear, de bhua alt 70 (2), a íoc as an méid a bheidh dílsithe amhlaidh don leachtaitheoir a asbhaint.
(4) I gcás moladh a bheith déanta ag an mBanc don Aire de réir alt 56 maidir leis na méideanna airgid dá seasann na litreacha A, B agus C i bhfo-alt (3), féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, más dóigh leis gur chóir déanamh amhlaidh ar mhaithe le rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta nó le seirbhísí airgeadais i gcoitinne a chur ar fáil, an fo-alt sin a leasú trí na méideanna airgid sin a athrú, bíodh nó ná bíodh sé leasaithe cheana féin de bhua an fho-ailt seo:
Ar choinníoll nach mbeidh aon éifeacht le haon leasú den sórt sin i ndáil le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá, an tráth a thagann an fhoráil iomchuí san ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo i ngníomh, neamhábalta a fhiacha a íoc agus atá á fhoirceannadh.
Íocaíocht as an gcuntas cosanta taiscí tráth foirceanta.
60.—(1) Íocfar, as an méid a bheidh dílsithe do leachtaitheoir faoi alt 58 (1), le gach duine a choinníonn taisce cháilithe le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir an cheadúnais lena mbaineann—
(a) an méid a ríomhfar de réir alt 59 (3) (a), nó
(b) mura mbeidh an méid a bheidh dílsithe amhlaidh leordhóthanach chun na críche sin, cion de thaiscí cáilithe an duine sin arna ríomh de réir alt 59 (3) (b).
(2) I gcás feidhm a bheith ag forálacha fho-alt (1), féadfaidh gach duine ag a bhfuil taiscí cáilithe lena mbaineann, faoi réir alt 61, éileamh a dhéanamh mar ghnáthchreidiúnaí de chuid shealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir an cheadúnais i leith an oiread sin de na taiscí sin a bheidh gan íoc.
(3) I gcás inar dealraitheach don Bhanc nach mbeidh an méid atá ar fáil, nó is dóigh a bheidh ar fáil, don leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann (lena n-áirítear an méid a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir de réir alt 58) leordhóthanach chun go n-íocfaí le gach duine a choinníonn taiscí cáilithe leis an sealbhóir nó an iarshealbhóir, i leith na dtaiscí sin—
(a) an méid a ríomhfar de réir alt 59 (3) (a), nó
(b) laistigh de cibé tréimhse ama is dóigh leis an mBanc is réasúnach sna himthosca, an méid a ríomhfar amhlaidh,
ansin cuirfidh an Banc ar fáil, as an gcuntas cosanta taiscí, suim is leor chun go n-íocfaí i leith gach duine den sórt sin—
(i) i gcás feidhm a bheith ag mír (a) den fho-alt seo, an difríocht idir na méideanna a ríomhfar de réir mhíreanna (a) agus (b) d'alt 59 (3),
(ii) i gcás feidhm a bheith ag mír (b) den fho-alt seo, an difríocht idir an méid a ríomhfar de réir mhír (a) d'alt 59 (3) agus an méid a d'íoc an leachtaitheoir, nó ab iníoctha aige, laistigh den tréimhse ama sin.
(4) Is sa chaoi agus ar an modh ar a gcomhaontófar idir an leachtaitheoir agus an Banc nó, i gcás easaontú mar a ordóidh an Chúirt ar iarratas chuici ón leachtaitheoir nó ón mBanc, nó uathu araon, a dhéanfar íocaíochtaí chun críocha fho-alt (1) as an airgead a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann de bhua alt 58.
(5) Chun críocha fho-ailt (3) agus (4), déanfaidh an Banc gach beart réasúnach chun a áirithiú go ndéanfar íocaíochtaí lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a íoc chomh tapa agus is féidir agus sin ar an gcostas don Bhanc is lú is féidir i gcomhréir le foirceannadh ordúil a dhéanamh.
(6) I gcás airgead a bheith curtha ar fáil ag an mBanc lena íoc le daoine a choinníonn taiscí cáilithe, déanfaidh an duine dár cuireadh an t-airgead ar fáil amhlaidh cruthúnas maidir leis na híocaíochtaí sin a thabhairt don Bhanc.
(7) Déanfar gach íocaíocht lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a mhuirearú ar an gcuntas cosanta taiscí sa chiste ginearálta.
Éifeacht íocaíochta ag an mBanc faoi alt 60.
61.—(1) I gcás íocaíocht a bheith déanta ag an mBanc, nó go dtiocfaidh sé chun bheith faoi dhliteanas íocaíocht a dhéanamh, faoi alt 60 le daoine a choinníonn taiscí cáilithe, ansin, maidir le méid na híocaíochta i leith gach duine den sórt sin, glacfaidh an Chúirt (nó, i gcás foirceannadh toilteanach, glacfaidh an leachtaitheoir) leis an méid sin mar fhiach cruthaithe a bheidh dlite don Bhanc agus beidh ag an mBanc an tosaíocht chéanna a theachtfadh an duine sin mura mbeadh méid den sórt sin íoctha nó iníoctha.
(2) Le linn dó bheith ag dáileadh aon sócmhainní iomchuí, íocfaidh an leachtaitheoir áirithe leis an mBanc aon díbhinn a bheadh iníoctha le duine lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) agus, dá réir sin, ní bheidh an duine lena mbaineann i dteideal an díbhinn sin nó aon chuid de a fháil go dtí go mbeidh an méid go léir a d'íoc an Banc leis an duine sin, is méid lena mbaineann fo-alt (1), íoctha ag an leachtaitheoir leis an mBanc.
Taiscí cáilithe.
62.—(1) Sa Chaibidil seo ciallaíonn “taiscí cáilithe”, i ndáil le gach duine a choinníonn taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí ar chuntais reatha) le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá á fhoirceannadh, an méid de dhliteanas iomlán an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra a bheidh dlite fós do gach duine den sórt sin—
(a) i leith taiscí atá ainmnithe i bpuint Éireannacha, agus
(b) i leith aon taiscí atá ainmnithe ar shlí seachas i bpuint Éireannacha de réir mar a bheidh sonraithe (i gcoitinne nó go háirithe) le rialacháin faoi alt 72 (2),
in oifigí sa Stát de chuid an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra, mar aon le haon ús nó préimh eile a bheidh fabhraithe ar an méid sin anuas go dtí an lá a dtosófar ar an bhfoirceannadh agus an lá sin san áireamh, ach ní fholaíonn sé—
(i) aon mhéid lena mbaineann fo-alt (2),
(ii) aon taisce arna coinneáil ag taisceoir eisiata.
(iii) aon taisce a bhaineann le hairgead a bheidh-dlite don Bhanc,
(iv) taiscí idirbhainc,
(v) taiscí arb ionannas dóibh deimhnithe inaistrithe ar thaiscí,
(vi) aon taisce a bhaineann le hairgead a bheidh dlite do chomhlacht nó earnáil daoine ar bith lena mbaineann alt 7 (4) (arna leasú leis an gCuid seo) d'Acht 1971, seachas do chomhar creidmheasa nó do chara-chumann, agus
(vii) aon taisce lena mbaineann mír (b) i gcás gur tháinig na forálacha iomchuí de na rialacháin áirithe i ngníomh tar éis an foirceannadh a bheith tosaithe.
(2) Le linn méid taisce cáilithe a bheith á ríomh—
(a) asbhainfear ó dhliteanas iomlán an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra i leith an duine a choinníonn taisce lena mbaineann fo-alt (1), méid aon dliteanais de chuid an duine sin i leith an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra sin a raibh ceart fritháirimh ann maidir leis, in aghaidh na taisce sin, díreach sular tosaíodh ar an bhfoirceannadh nó a mbeadh ceart den sórt sin ann maidir leis dá mba rud é—
(i) go raibh an taisce sin inaisíoctha ar éileamh, agus
(ii) go raibh an dliteanas sin tagtha chun bheith dlite,
díreach roimh an bhfoirceannadh sin, agus
(b) ní chuirfear i gcuntas aon fhiach—
(i) de chuid an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra ceadúnais lena mbaineann mura mbeidh sé cruthaithe de réir ailt 283 agus 284 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, agus
(ii) i gcás ceadúnas an tsealbhóra a bheith cúlghairthe, maidir le haon suim a thaisc duine leis an iarshealbhóir sin tar éis na cúlghairme sin más deimhin leis an mBanc gurbh amhlaidh, an tráth a ndearnadh an taisce, go raibh a fhios ag an duine, nó go bhféadfaí bheith ag súil le réasún go mbeadh a fhios aige, go raibh an ceadúnas cúlghairthe.
(3) San alt seo déanfar “foirceannadh a thosú” a fhorléiriú, más cuí é sna himthosca, de réir alt 220 nó 253 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963.
Daoine breise áirithe a bheith ina dtaisceoirí eisiata.
63.—I gcás inar deimhin leis an mBanc, maidir le duine a choinníonn taiscí (lena n-áirítear taiscí, más ann, ar chuntais reatha) le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá éirithe dócmhainneach agus atá á fhoirceannadh, go bhfuil freagracht ar bith, díreach nó neamhdhíreach, ar an duine sin as na himthosca ba bhun leis an dócmhainneacht, nó go ndearna sé brabús nó gur fhéach sé le brabús a dhéanamh as an dócmhainneacht, beidh an duine sin, mura taisceoir eisiata é de bhua aon fhorála eile den Chaibidil seo, ina thaisceoir eisiata de bhua an ailt seo.
Forálacha is infheidhme maidir le taisceoirí eisiata, etc.
64.—(1) I gcás gurb é tuairim an Bhainc gur taisceoir eisiata duine—
(a) de bhrí gur duine bainteach é lena mbaineann mír (c) nó (d) den mhíniú ar “taisceoir eisiata” in alt 53, nó
(b) de bhrí gur iontaobhaí é d'iontaobhas chun sochair do dhuine bainteach lena mbaineann mír (e) den mhíniú ar “taisceoir eisiata” in alt 53, nó
(c) de bhua alt 63,
nó gur duine lena mbaineann alt 62 (2) duine, ansin déanfaidh an Banc, ach amháin i gcás feidhm a bheith ag fo-alt (2) (b) den alt seo, fógra i scríbhinn a thabhairt don duine i dtaobh na tuairime atá aige, na fáthanna atá léi agus na bearta is féidir leis an duine sin a ghlacadh faoi fho-alt (2).
(2) (a) Aon duine a mbeidh fógra faoi fho-alt (1) tugtha dó de réir an ailt seo féadfaidh sé, laistigh de 21 lá ón dáta ar tugadh an fógra dó, a iarraidh ar an gCúirt an t-eisiamh nó an asbhaint iomchuí lena mbaineann an fógra a chur ar ceal.
(b) I gcás gurb é tuairim an Bhainc gur taisceoir eisiata duine de bhua mhír (a) nó (b) d'fho-alt (1) ach gur deimhin leis go mbeadh sé cóir agus cothrom, sna himthosca, eisiamh an duine sin mar thaisceoir cáilithe a chur ar ceal, féadfaidh an Banc a iarraidh ar an gCúirt an t-eisiamh a chur ar ceal.
(c) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, ar iarratas faoi mhír (a) nó (b), go mbeadh sé cóir agus cothrom, sna himthosca, sin a dhéanamh, cuirfidh sí an t-eisiamh nó an asbhaint, de réir mar a bheidh, ar ceal, ach is chun críocha aon taisce iomchuí a choinníonn an duine sin, agus chun na gcríoch sin amháin, a dhéanfar amhlaidh.
(3) Aon iarratas a dhéanfar chun na Cúirte faoi fho-alt (2) (a) tabharfaidh an duine a bheidh á dhéanamh fógra ina thaobh don Bhanc agus don leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann agus aon iarratas a dhéanfar chun na Cúirte faoi fho-alt (2) (b) tabharfaidh an Banc fógra ina thaobh don leachtaitheoir agus don duine lena mbaineann.
(4) Chun críocha an ailt seo beidh fógra tugtha go cuí ag an mBanc—
(a) má chuirtear leis an bpost réamhíoctha é chuig an seoladh is deireanaí is eol a bheith ag an duine lena mbaineann, arna fhionnadh ag an mBanc go díreach ón duine sin nó ón leachtaitheoir, nó
(b) má thugtar ar shlí eile é de réir aon treorach ón gCúirt ar iarratas a bheith déanta chuici ag an mBanc chun críocha an fho-ailt seo.
Íocaíochtaí áirithe i ndáil le taiscí iontaobhaithe agus comhchuntais a ríomh.
65.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) gur i gcáil iontaobhaí a choinníonn duine taiscí (lena n-áirítear, más ann, taiscí ar chuntais reatha) le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá éirithe dócmhainneach agus atá á fhoirceannadh, agus
(b) go mbeidh teideal tairbhiúil ag aon tairbhí de chuid an iontaobhais sin, amhail i gcoinne na n-iontaobhaithe, chuig aon chuid inaitheanta den mhéid sin, cibé acu go hiomlán nó i gcomhpháirt le líon socair de thairbhithe eile,
ansin déileálfar leis an méid a bhfuil teideal ag an tairbhí chuige amhlaidh, ach sin chun ríomh cuí a fhionnadh agus chuige sin amháin—
(i) i gcás teideal iomlán a bheith ag an tairbhí, ionann is dá mbeadh sé taiscthe i gcuntas ar leithligh a bhí á choinneáil ag an tairbhí agus go raibh an úinéireacht dhlíthiúil aistrithe chuig an tairbhí,
(ii) i gcás teideal a bheith ag an tairbhí i gcomhpháirt le líon socair de thairbhithe eile, ionann is dá mbeadh sé taiscthe i gcuntas ar leithligh de chineál comhchuntais atá á choinneáil ag na tairbhithe agus go raibh an úinéireacht dhlíthiúil agus an chomhúinéireacht aistrithe chuig na tairbhithe lena mbaineann.
(2) I gcás go mbeidh daoine (is daoine seachas iontaobhaithe nó daoine lena mbaineann fo-alt (3)) a choinníonn, nó a ndéileálfar leo de bhua fho-alt (1) mar dhaoine a choinníonn, taiscí i gcomhchuntas (cibé acu is comhchuntas taisce nó comhchuntas eile é i gcomhpháirt le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá éirithe dócmhainneach agus atá á fhoirceannadh) i dteideal an taisce a fháil de bhua a gcomhúinéireachta ar an airgead atá ar taisceadh, ansin déileálfar leo, ach sin chun ríomh cuí a fhionnadh agus chuige sin amháin, mar dhaoine a bhfuil taisce ar leithligh ag gach duine acu arb ionann méid di agus an méid a gheofaí tríd an airgead atá i gceist a roinnt ar an líon daoine lena mbaineann an comhchuntas.
(3) Measfar gur taisce amháin taisce a bhfuil teideal ag beirt nó níos mó chuici mar bhaill de chomhpháirtíocht (bíodh nó ná bíodh scaireanna comhionanna acu inti).
(4) Féadfaidh an Banc agus, más gá é chun ríomh cuí a fhionnadh, féadfaidh an leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann, a cheangal ar aon duine a choinníonn taisce a bhféadfaidh feidhm a bheith ag an alt seo maidir léi faisnéis leordhóthanach a thabhairt chun gur féidir a chinneadh an bhfuil feidhm ag forálacha an ailt seo maidir le taisce den sórt sin.
(5) Más rud é, i gcás lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) nó (2), go mbeidh taiscí cáilithe eile ann i ndáil leis an duine lena mbaineann déanfar, chun an ríomh cuí a fhionnadh, na taiscí sin a chomhiomlánú le haon mhéid a ndéileáiltear leis mar thaiscí arna gcoinneáil ag an duine sin chun críche fho-alt (1) nó (2) nó chun críche na bhfo-alt sin araon, agus déanfar an méid a fhionnfar amhlaidh a roinnt agus a íoc go cuí leis an duine lena mbaineann, agus leis an hiontaobhaithe lena mbaineann nó leis an duine sin i gcomhpháirt le daoine eile nó leo araon (de réir mar is gá sna himthosca), sa chomhréir chéanna nó sna comhréireachtaí céanna a bheidh idir na méideanna a comhiomlánaíodh amhlaidh.
(6) San alt seo ciallaíonn “ríomh cuí” ríomh chun críocha fho-alt (1) nó (3) d'alt 60.
Mar a dhéileálfar le híocaíochtaí áirithe as an gciste ginearálta.
66.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) agus bíodh nó ná bíodh íocaíochtaí déanta lena mbaineann alt 60, féadfaidh an Banc, dá rogha féin agus a mhéid a mheasfaidh sé is cuí ó am go ham, aon íocaíocht eile as an gciste ginearálta a mhuirearú ar an gcuntas cosanta taiscí más íocaíocht í a cuireadh chun feidhme, i dtuairim an Bhainc—
(a) chun leasanna daoine, nó aon aicme daoine, a choinníonn taiscí le sealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais amháin nó níos mó, a chosaint, nó
(b) chun rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta a chur chun cinn.
(2) Déanfaidh an Banc, ó am go ham, an tAire agus gach sealbhóir ceadúnais a choinneáil ar an eolas maidir leis na prionsabail ghinearálta a bhíonn mar threoir ag an mBanc agus é ag feidhmiú a lánrogha féin agus breithneoidh sé aon uiríll a dhéanfaidh aon sealbhóir ceadúnais i ndáil leis na prionsabail sin.
An cuntas cosanta taiscí a athchomhdhéanamh.
67.—(1) Faoi réir alt 68, cionroinnfidh an Banc ó am go ham idir sealbhóirí ceadúnas, i gcomhréir le méideanna a dtaiscí faoi seach a cheanglaítear a choinneáil, tráth na cionroinnte sin, sa chuntas cosanta taiscí, aon íocaíochtaí a mhuirearófar ar an gcuntas sin (seachas aon aisíocaíocht nó aon chuid d'aisíocaíocht chun críocha na Caibidle seo) de réir alt 60 nó alt 66 mar aon le haon airgead a bheidh dlite ach gan íoc leis na sealbhóirí de réir alt 69 agus déanfar, faoi réir fho-alt (2), an méid a bheidh fionnta amhlaidh i leith gach sealbhóra a fhéichiúnú i gcoinne taisce an tsealbhóra sin, nó, de réir mar a bheidh, a chreidiúnú don taisce sin, sa chuntas sin.
(2) (a) Ní bheidh comhiomlán na méideanna a fhéichiúnófar de bhua fho-alt (1) in aon tréimhse (is tréimhse idir ríomh nó athríomh faoi alt 55 agus an chéad athríomh eile, nó athríomh dá éis sin, faoi seach, faoin alt sin) i leith sealbhóra ceadúnais níos mó ná méid taisce an tsealbhóra arna choinneáil de réir na Caibidle seo sa chuntas cosanta taiscí le linn na tréimhse sin.
(b) Más rud é, maidir le méideanna a bheadh, murach mír (a), féichiúnaithe i gcoinne sealbhóirí ceadúnas sa chuntas cosanta taiscí, nach bhféichiúnaítear amhlaidh iad mar gheall ar an mír sin, ansin déanfar iomlán na méideanna nach bhféichiúnaítear amhlaidh a chomhiomlánú agus a chionroinnt sa chéad bhliain eile ina dhiaidh sin nó, más gá, sna blianta dá éis sin, de réir fho-alt (1), i gcomhréir le méideanna na dtaisci iomchuí an tráth a chionroinnfear amhlaidh é.
(3) Lóisteálfaidh gach sealbhóir ceadúnais leis an mBanc, chun a thaisce mar a ríomhadh é, nó i gcás é a bheith athríofa, mar a athríomhadh go deireannach é, a choinneáil sa chuntas cosanta taiscí, méid chun an taisce sin a choinneáil agus déanfaidh an sealbhóir sin de réir an cheanglais sin laistigh de 7 lá nó cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin ar a gcomhaontóidh an Banc i scríbhinn.
Eisiamh ó athchomhdhéanamh.
68.—I gcás inar deimhin leis an mBanc go mbeadh éifeacht dhochrach ábhartha aige ar staid nó ar inmharthanacht airgeadais sealbhóra ceadúnais dá ndéanfaí an cuntas cosanta taiscí a athchomhdhéanamh trí chionroinnt de réir alt 67, agus de réir an ailt sin amháin, féadfaidh an Banc, dá rogha féin ach sin a mhéid amháin nó go ceann cibé tréimhse agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis, an sealbhóir a eisiamh ó athchomhdhéanamh den sórt sin agus sa chás sin féadfar an méid a bheidh i gceist a chionroinnt idir na sealbhóirí ceadúnas eile.
Airgead a chreidiúnú don chuntas cosanta taiscí, dáiltí, etc.
69.—(1) I dteannta na méideanna in ionannas taiscí atá á gcoinneáil faoi alt 55 (lena n-áirítear méideanna a bheidh lóisteáilte go cuí chun críche alt 67 (3)), creidiúnófar don chuntas cosanta taiscí aon suim a bheidh íoctha leis an mBanc,
(a) ag leachtaitheoir chun críocha alt 61, nó
(b) maidir le príomhshuim aon airgid a cuireadh ar fáil de bhua alt 66, nó aon ús ar an airgead sin, a aisíoc,
nó
(c) is dóigh leis is cóir a lóisteáil sa chuntas sin.
(2) I gcás aon suim a bheith creidiúnaithe don chuntas cosanta taiscí de réir fho-alt (1), déanfar—
(a) sa chéad ásc, í a chur chun feidhme faoi chomhair aon dliteanas i leith an Bhainc, a bheidh muirearaithe nó is inmhuirearaithe ar an gcuntas sin, a aisíoc, agus
(b) faoi réir fho-alt (3), í a dháileadh dá éis sin (cibé acu trí íocaíocht nó trí laghdú a dhéanamh ar an méid a bheidh le lóisteáil ar an gcuntas sin a athchomhdhéanamh faoi alt 67) i measc na sealbhóirí ceadúnas i gcomhréir leis na méideanna dá ndearnadh difear do gach taisce dá gcuid de bharr an dliteanais lena mbaineann an tsuim sin amhlaidh.
(3) I gcás ina mbaineann aon suim is indáilte faoi fho-alt (2) le taisce (tráth ar bith) sa chuntas cosanta taiscí ó iarshealbhóir ceadúnais atá foirceanta, ansin—
(a) fabhróidh an tsuim sin chuig an mBanc mura rud é, ar é do scor den ghnó sin a sheoladh, go ndearnadh gnó baincéireachta an iarshealbhóra sin a chónascadh le sealbhóir ceadúnais eile nó a aistriú chuige, agus sa chás sin is chuig an sealbhóir eile sin a fhabhróidh sí, nó
(b) i gcás ina mbaineann forálacha an fho-ailt seo go príomha freisin leis an sealbhóir eile sin (ar iarshealbhóir é freisin tráth an dáilte iomchuí), déanfar í a rianú tríd an iarshealbhóir eile sin agus trí aon iarshealbhóirí eile go dtí go bhfabhróidh sí chuig an mBanc nó chuig sealbhóir ceadúnais an tráth sin a dúradh.
(4) Aon uair a fhabhroidh aon suim chuig an mBanc de bhua fho-alt (3), féadfaidh an Banc, más dóigh leis gur cuí déanamh amhlaidh, ceart an Bhainc chun na suime sin nó chun na coda sin de a tharscaoileadh, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, i bhfabhar cibé duine, agus ar cibé téarmaí, is dóigh leis is cuí ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis.
Caiteachais agus luach saothair leachtaitheora faoin gCaibidil seo.
70.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), ní dhéanfar aon asbhaint as sócmhainní a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir de bhua alt 58 maidir leis na caiteachais a thabhaigh, nó an luach saothair a éileoidh, an leachtaitheoir i leith nithe lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo agus, dá réir sin, déileálfar leis na caiteachais agus leis an luach saothair sin ionann is dá mba gur bhain siad le foirceannadh an tsealbhóra nó an iarshealbhóra ceadúnais faoi Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1986.
(2) Más rud é, ar iarratas ó leachtaitheoir lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo, gur deimhin leis an mBanc nach bhfuil dóthain sócmhainní ann as ar féidir caiteachais agus luach saothair a íoc de réir fho-alt (1), ansin féadfaidh an Banc a cheadú go ndéanfaí na caiteachais réasúnacha go léir a tabhaíodh go cuí agus cibé luach saothair is dóigh leis an mBanc is cuí, a íoc leis an leachtaitheoir as an méid a bheidh dílsithe don leachtaitheoir faoi alt 58, nó thairis sin as an gcuntas cosanta taiscí, ach sin go feadh méid na neamhdhóthanachta amháin.
Teorainn ama.
71.—I gcás aon mhéideanna is iníoctha ag an mBanc, agus lena mbaineann alt 60, a bheith gan íoc agus nach bhfuil an neamhíoc sin inchurtha síos d'aon fhaillí nó mainneachtain thoiliúil ag an mBanc na híocaíochtaí sin a dhéanamh, ansin, ar críoch a bheith curtha le foirceannadh shealbhóir nó iarshealbhóir an cheadúnais lena mbaineann, ní bheidh an Banc faoi oibleagáid ar bith aon íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh i leith na méideanna sin.
Rialacháin (Caibidil V).
72.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, rialacháin a dhéanamh chun daoine a shonrú chun críche mhír (h) den mhíniú ar “taiscí idirbhainc” in alt 53.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, a mhéid is cuí leis, rialacháin a dhéanamh chun éifeacht a thabhairt d'aon mholtaí a rinne an Banc dó de réir alt 56 chun críocha alt 55 (2) nó 62 (1) (b).
(3) Féadfaidh cibé forálacha teagmhasacha, idirlinne, iarmhartacha agus forlíontacha a bheith i rialacháin faoi fho-alt (2) is dóigh leis an Aire is gá tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc.
Feidhm Chaibidil V a leathnú.
73.—(1) Más rud é, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus le cibé Airí den Rialtas (más ann) ar dóigh leis gur cuí sna himthosca dul i gcomhairle leo, gurb é tuairim an Aire—
(a) go bhfuil aicme gnó ann arb éard é nó ar cuid de daoine do choinneáil taiscí nó coigilteas le ball den aicme sin nach gceanglaítear air bheith ina shealbhóir ar cheadúnas a deonaíodh faoi alt 9 d'Acht 1971 ach a bhfuil an gnó atá ar siúl aige (sa mhéid go mbaineann sé le taiscí nó coigiltis a choinníonn daoine leis) ar aon dul le gnó de chuid sealbhóra den sórt sin nó de chuid cumainn fhoirgníochta atá corpraithe go cuí sa Stát, agus
(b) gurbh é leas an phobail é dá gcuirfí ar fáil, maidir leis an aicme, córas cosanta taiscí nó coigilteas ar aon dul leis an gcosaint taiscí a chuirtear ar fáil leis an gCaibidil seo maidir le daoine a choinníonn taiscí le sealbhóirí ar cheadúnais a deonaíodh amhlaidh,
ansin féadfaidh an tAire, le rialachán, a cheangal ar an mBanc cuntas a bhunú agus a chothabháil sa chiste ginearálta chun na críche sin agus, dá réir sin, beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 53, ag fo-ailt (2) go (7) d'alt 55 agus ag ailt 56 go 72 ach sin fara cibé modhnuithe is dóigh leis an Aire is gá a dhéanamh le rialachán chun éifeacht a thabhairt do gach cuntas den sórt sin arna bhunú amhlaidh.
(2) D'ainneoin alt 7 (4) d'Acht 1971 (arna leasú leis an Acht seo) agus gan dochar d'fho-alt (1), más rud é, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus le cibé Airí den Rialtas (más ann) ar dóigh leis gur cuí sna himthosca dul i gcomhairle leo, gurb é tuairim an Aire gurb é leas an phobail déanamh amhlaidh, féadfaidh sé, le rialachán, a cheangal ar aon fhoras lena mbaineann alt 7 (4) (a) (ii) d'Acht 1971 taisce a choinneáil sa chuntas cosanta taiscí a bhunaítear faoi alt 54 agus chun na críche sin beidh feidhm, fara cibé modhnuithe is gá chun éifeacht a thabhairt don rialachán, ag forálacha alt 53, ag fo-ailt (2) go (7) d'alt 55 agus ag ailt 56 go 72.
Caibidil VI
Idirbhearta Fála
Léiriú (Caibidil VI).
74.—Sa Chaibidil seo,
forléireofar “idirbhearta fála” de réir alt 75;
ciallaíonn “céatadán forordaithe” 10 faoin gcéad de na scaireanna go léir nó de na cearta vótála go léir a ghabhann le scaireanna.
Feidhm (Caibidil VI).
75.—(1) Baineann an Chaibidil seo leis na hidirbhearta seo a leanas (dá ngairtear “idirbhearta fála” sa Chuid seo):
(a) aon duine, nó níos mó ná duine amháin ag gníomhú dóibh i gcomhar, d'fháil scaireanna nó leasa eile i sealbhóir ceadúnais ach ní bhaineann sí le fáil—
(i) i gcás nach mbeadh, tar éis na fála beartaithe, an cion de na scaireanna níos mó ná an céatadán forordaithe, agus
(ii) i gcás gur comhlacht atá corpraithe sa Stát an sealbhóir ceadúnais lena mbaineann, mura dtabharfadh an fháil, mar aon le haon leas eile atá á shealbhú nó faoina rialú (go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach) ag an duine nó na daoine fála cheana féin, ceart chun cuid de bhord stiúrthóirí nó de choiste bainistíochta an tsealbhóra ceadúnais sin, nó iad go léir, a cheapadh nó a chur as oifig;
(b) aon sealbhóir ceadúnais d'fháil scaireanna nó leasa eile in aon ghnóthas nó gnó eile (bíodh nó ná bíodh an gnóthas nó an gnó faoi rialú sealbhóra eile ceadúnais) ach ní bhaineann sí le fáil—
(i) más le gnóthas nó gnó lasmuigh den Stát a bhaineann an fháil agus más sealbhóir ceadúnais atá corpraithe lasmuigh den Stát a dhéanann í, nó
(ii) tar éis fála den sórt sin, murar mhó an cion de na scaireanna sa ghnóthas nó sa ghnó lena mbaineann ná an céatadán forordaithe agus nach dtabharfadh an fháil, mar aon le haon leas eile atá á shealbhú nó faoina rialú (go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach) cheana féin ag an sealbhóir ceadúnais a dhéanann an fháil sin, ceart chun cuid de bhord stiúrthóirí nó de choiste bainistíochta an ghnóthais nó an ghnó sin, nó iad go léir, a cheapadh nó a chur as oifig.
(2) Féadfaidh an Banc, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis, idirbheart fála, nó idirbheart fála d'aicme ar bith, a eisiamh ó cheanglais na Caibidle seo i gcás gur deimhin leis—
(a) go bhfuil an t-idirbheart fála á dhéanamh, nó déanta, ag sealbhóir ceadúnais mar chuid de fhrithghealladh bona fide ar eisiúint scaireanna, nó
(b) nach bhfuil an leas i scaireanna á fháil go tairbhiúil ag sealbhóir ceadúnais nó nach bhfuil sé á fháil ach amháin i gcúrsa a ghnáthghnó chun urrú a dhéanamh ar eisiúint iasachta atá le tabhairt ag an sealbhóir don ghnóthas nó don ghnó lena mbaineann.
Teorainn le bailíocht idirbheart fála.
76.—Ní bheidh idirbheart fála bailí ach amháin sa chás go ndéanfar é laistigh de 12 mhí—
(a) tar éis don Bhanc a cheadú a thabhairt i scríbhinn maidir leis an idirbheart, nó
(b) tar éis an tréimhse iomchuí, de réir bhrí alt 83, a bheith caite agus nach mbeidh an Banc tar éis diúltú a cheadú a thabhairt maidir leis an idirbheart,
agus, dá réir sin, ní bheidh aon idirbheart fála airbheartaithe bailí nach gcomhlíonann mír (a) nó (b) agus—
(i) ní aistreoidh teideal chuig aon scaireanna nó leas eile lena mbaineann, agus
(ii) beidh aon fheidhmiú airbheartaithe cumhachtaí iarmhartach ar neamhní.
Ní mór toiliú an Aire a fháil le haghaidh idirbheart fála áirithe.
77.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) go mbeartóidh sealbhóir ceadúnais bheith rannpháirteach in idirbheart fála agus go bhfuil, nó go mbeadh de thoradh an idirbhirt bheartaithe, 20 faoin gcéad ar a laghad de na sócmhainní uile sa Stát de chuid na sealbhóirí ceadúnas go léir faoina rialú aige, cibé acu ina aonar nó i dteannta aon fhochuideachta nó cuideachta comhlachaithe, nó
(b) go mbeartóidh duine bheith rannpháirteach in idirbheart fála agus gur cuid den idirbheart sin scaireanna nó leas eile a fháil i sealbhóir ceadúnais a bhfuil 20 faoin gcéad ar a laghad de na sócmhainní uile sa Stát de chuid na sealbhóirí ceadúnas go léir faoina rialú aige, cibé ina aonar nó i dteannta aon fhochuideachta nó cuideachta comhlachaithe,
ansin ní thabharfaidh an Banc a cheadú, ná ní dhiúltóidh sé a cheadú a thabhairt, gan toiliú a fháil roimh ré ón Aire.
(2) Ní thabharfaidh an tAire a thoiliú faoi fho-alt (1)—
(a) mura deimhin leis go rachadh togra an Bhainc a cheadú a thabhairt, nó diúltú é a thabhairt, de réir mar a bheidh, chun leasa do rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta, agus
(b) i gcás gur de chineál é an t-idirbheart fála beartaithe go bhfuil feidhm ag forálacha an Achta um Chumaisc, Táthcheangail agus Monaplachtaí (Rialú), 1978, mura ndeachaigh sé i gcomhairle—
(i) leis an Aire Tionscail agus Tráchtála, agus
(ii) le cibé Aire eile den Rialtas ar dóigh leis an Aire go mbaineann sé leis,
agus diúltóidh sé a thoiliú a thabhairt i gcás inar dóigh leis gur cóir déanamh amhlaidh ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.
(3) Má thoilíonn an tAire le togra de chuid an Bhainc chun idirbheart fála beartaithe a cheadú, beidh an toiliú sin faoi réir an Banc d'fhorchur cibé coinníollacha (ar coinníollacha iad, más ann, is gá, i dtuairim an Aire, ar mhaithe le rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta) a shonróidh an tAire sa toiliú.
Ceanglas ar an mBanc sula ndiúltóidh sé idirbheart fála a cheadú.
78.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), ní dhiúltóidh an Banc idirbheart fála beartaithe a cheadú mura deimhin leis nach rachadh an t-idirbheart chun leasa do rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta.
(2) I gcás idirbheart fála beartaithe lena mbaineann alt 77, diúltóidh an Banc a cheadú a thabhairt—
(a) i gcás inarb é togra an Bhainc diúltú a cheadú a thabhairt agus go dtoileoidh an tAire leis an togra sin, nó
(b) inarb é togra an Bhainc a cheadú a thabhairt agus go ndiúltóidh an tAire toiliú leis an togra sin.
An céatadán forordaithe a athrú.
79.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, más deimhin leis, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, gur chóir déanamh amhlaidh ar mhaithe le rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta, an míniú ar “céatadán forordaithe” in alt 74 a leasú tríd an méid faoin gcéad atá sonraithe ann, lena n-áirítear méid atá sonraithe ann de thuras na huaire de bhua an ailt seo, a athrú.
(2) Aon uair a bheartaítear ordú a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) leagfar dréacht den ordú faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach acu sin.
Coinníollacha le ceadú idirbhirt fála bheartaithe.
80.—(1) Aon uair a cheadóidh an Banc idirbheart fála beartaithe beidh an ceadú sin faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, más ann—
(a) a fhéadfaidh an Banc a fhorchur (is coinníollacha is gá a dhéanamh, i dtuairim an Bhainc, ar mhaithe le rialáil ordúil chuí na baincéireachta), agus
(b) a fhorchuirfidh an Banc (is coinníollacha a shonróidh an tAire faoi alt 77).
(2) Féadfaidh an Banc, tráth ar bith, coinníoll a leasú nó a chúlghairm agus sin le toiliú an Aire i gcás coinníll lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) (b).
Ceart díoltóra airbheartaithe damáistí a fháil.
81.—I gcás idirbheart fála airbheartaithe a bheith curtha ó bhailíocht faoi alt 76, beidh díoltóir airbheartaithe na scaireanna i dteideal aon damáistí a fhulaingeoidh sé mar gheall ar an neamhbhailíocht, agus mar gheall air sin amháin, a ghnóthú ón gceannaitheoir airbheartaithe in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla, mura sásóidh an ceannaitheoir airbheartaithe an chúirt sin gur chuir sé in iúl don díoltóir airbheartaithe, roimh an idirbheart airbheartaithe, go raibh imthosca ann i ndáil leis an idirbheart airbheartaithe a d'fhág go bhféadfadh sé bheith neamhbhailí amhlaidh.
Fógra don Bhanc i dtaobh idirbheart fála beartaithe.
82.—(1) I gcás ina mbeartaítear idirbheart fála a dhéanamh, déanfaidh gach ceann de na gnóthais lena mbaineann sé agus arb eol dóibh an togra atá beartaithe, fógra i scríbhinn a thabhairt don Bhanc, a luaithe is féidir, faoin togra.
(2) Más rud é, tar éis dó fógra a fháil faoin alt seó ó aon cheann de na gnóthais lena mbaineann, gur dóigh leis an mBanc go bhfuil faisnéis bhreise ag teastáil uaidh le go ndéanfaidh sé breithniú, chun críocha na Caibidle seo, ar idirbheart fála beartaithe, féadfaidh sé, laistigh de mhí tar éis dó fógra a fháil, a iarraidh ar aon ghnóthas amháin nó níos mó de na gnóthais lena mbaineann, an fhaisnéis bhreise sin a chur chuige i scríbhinn.
(3) (a) I gcás ina ndéanfar sárú ar fho-alt (1) beidh an duine atá i gceannas ar ghnóthas a mhainníonn fógra a thabhairt don Bhanc ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(b) Chun críocha an fho-ailt seo is é an duine atá i gceannas ar an ngnóthas, i gcás comhlachta chorpraithe nó comhlachta neamhchorpraithe, ná aon oifigeach de chuid an chomhlachta lena mbaineann a údaraíonn nó a cheadaíonn an sárú go feasach agus go toiliúil.
An tréimhse iomchuí chun críche ailt 76, 86 agus 88.
83.—Chun críche ailt 76, 86 agus 88, is é an tréimhse iomchuí i ndáil le hidirbheart fála áirithe, faoi réir alt 86 (2)—
(a) i gcás inar gá, de bhua alt 77, toiliú an Aire a fháil le togra de chuid an Bhainc chun an t-idirbheart a cheadú nó gan é a cheadú, an tréimhse 6 mhí, agus
(b) i ngach cás eile, an tréimhse 3 mhí,
is tréimhse dar tosach an dáta a bhfaighidh an Banc, den chéad uair, fógra faoi alt 82 nó, i gcás ina n-iarrfaidh an Banc faisnéis bhreise ó ghnóthas lena mbaineann faoi alt 82, dar tosach an dáta a bhfaighidh an Banc an fhaisnéis sin.
Fiosruithe ag an mBanc.
84.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc cibé fiosruithe a sheoladh agus cibé faisnéis a fháil is dóigh leis is gá chun a chumasú dó breithniú a dhéanamh ar an idirbheart fála beartaithe.
(2) I gcás feidhm a bheith ag forálacha alt 77, féadfaidh an tAire a cheangal ar an mBanc cibé fiosruithe a sheoladh agus cibé faisnéis a thabhairt dó is dóigh leis is gá chun a chumasú dó a chinneadh an dtabharfaidh sé nó nach dtabharfaidh sé a thoiliú chun críocha an ailt sin.
(3) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh, go toiliúil agus go feasach, treampán a chur ar fhiosruithe an Bhainc faoin alt seo nó faisnéis bhréagach nó mhíthreorach a thabhairt, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Ceadú an Bhainc, nó diúltú an Bhainc ceadú a thabhairt, a chur in iúl.
85.—(1) I gcás ina gceadóidh an Banc idirbheart fála beartaithe, nó ina gceadóidh sé idirbheart den sórt sin faoi réir coinníollacha, nó ina ndiúltóidh sé ceadú a thabhairt d'idirbheart den sórt sin, cuirfidh sé an ceadú agus na coinníollacha (más ann) nó an diúltú, de réir mar a bheidh, in iúl do na gnóthais lena mbaineann a raibh fógra tugtha acu don Bhanc i dtaobh an togra faoi alt 82 agus, i gcás nach i scríbhinn a chuirtear an méid sin in iúl, déanfaidh an Banc an ceadú nó an diúltú ceadú, de réir mar a bheidh, a dheimhniú i scríbhinn a luaithe is féidir dá éis sin.
(2) I gcás ina ndiúltóidh an Banc an t-idirbheart fála beartaithe a cheadú, luafaidh sé i scríbhinn na cúiseanna a bhí leis an diúltú agus, faoi réir alt 16, seolfaidh sé na cúiseanna chuig na daoine lena mbaineann a luaithe is féidir dá éis sin.
Achomharc chun na hArd-Chúirte i gcoinne diúltú, etc., an Bhainc.
86.—(1) I gcás ina gcuirfidh an Banc in iúl do ghnóthas lena mbaineann, de réir alt 85, go bhfuil sé—
(a) ag diúltú a cheadú a thabhairt, nó
(b) ag tabhairt ceadú faoi réir coinníollacha,
féadfaidh an gnóthas achomharc a dhéanamh ar phonc dlí chun na Cúirte i gcoinne an diúltaithe nó an cheadaithe, de réir mar a bheidh, laistigh de mhí amháin ón diúltú sin nó ón gceadú sin a bheith curtha in iúl amhlaidh.
(2) I gcás ina gceadóidh an Chúirt an t-achomharc ordóidh sí don Bhanc cinneadh nua a dhéanamh i gcomhréir le breith na Cúirte agus déanfaidh an Banc a chinneadh laistigh den tréimhse iomchuí dar tosach dáta bhreith na Cúirte agus, i gcás lena mbaineann alt 77, rachaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an Aire sula ndéanfaidh sé a chinneadh.
(3) Más rud é, ar achomharc faoin alt seo, go n-iarrfaidh an tAire go ndéanfaí páirtí sna himeachtaí de, ordóidh an Chúirt go gcuirfí leis na páirtithe é.
(4) I gcás ina dtabhóidh an tAire aon chostais i ndáil le hachomharc faoin alt seo, déanfaidh an Chúirt cibé ordú is dóigh léi is cóir maidir leis na páirtithe eile sna himeachtaí d'íoc na gcostas sin.
(5) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar chineál nó imthosca an cháis nó thairis sin ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfar na himeachtaí go léir nó aon chuid d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.
(6) Ní bheidh aon ábhar achomhairc chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí ann i gcoinne chinneadh na Cúirte faoin alt seo.
(7) San alt seo ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt.
Sárú ar cheadú, etc.
87.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar idirbheart fála tar éis don Bhanc ceadú a thabhairt lena aghaidh, aon duine a sháróidh (cibé acu trí ghníomh nó trí neamhghníomh) an ceadú nó aon choinníoll a ghabhann leis an gceadú beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(2) I gcás ina gciontófar duine i gcion faoin alt seo mar gheall ar é do mhainneachtain, d'fhaillí nó do dhiúltú déanamh de réir coinníll, a ghabhann leis an gceadú, á cheangal air gníomh áirithe a dhéanamh laistigh de thréimhse shonraithe nó roimh dháta sonraithe, agus go mbeidh an gníomh fós gan déanamh aige tar éis dháta an chiontaithe, beidh an duine ciontach i sárú an ailt seo ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú tar éis an chiontaithe sin agus in aghaidh gach ciona den sórt sin dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 nó, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000, a chur air.
(3) D'ainneoin an mhír ar a bhfuil an uimhir 4 d'alt 10 den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachtaí achoimre i leith ciona faoin alt seo a thionscnamh laistigh de 12 mhí—
(a) i gcás ciona lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) (a), ón lá is déanaí ar a ndearnadh an cion, agus
(b) i gcás ciona lena mbaineann fo-alt (2), ón lá ar a ndearnadh an cion.
Feidhm achtachán áirithe eile.
88.—(1) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní in aon achtachán eile mar ní a shaorann sealbhóir ceadúnais nó duine eile ó aon oibleagáid a bheidh air déanamh de réir alt 82.
(2) Ní dhéanfar ordú faoi alt 201 ná 203 d'Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963, maidir le cónascadh beartaithe, ná faoi alt 33 d'Acht 1971 maidir le haistriú beartaithe gnó sealbhóra ceadúnais (ar idirbheart fála iad araon) go dtí go mbeidh ceadú tugtha ag an mBanc don idirbheart fála nó go dtí go mbeidh an tréimhse iomchuí dá dtagraítear in alt 83 caite gan an ceadú sin a bheith tugtha ag an mBanc nó an ceadú sin a bheith diúltaithe aige.
Caibidil VII
Forais Airgeadais Áirithe a Mhaoirsiú chun críocha Lárionaid Seirbhísí Airgeadais Idirnáisiúnta
Mínithe (Caibidil VII).
89.—Sa Chaibidil seo—
ciallaíonn “an Limistéar” Limistéar Duganna Theach an Chustaim, mar a mhínítear sin in alt 41 den Acht Airgeadais, 1986;
folaíonn “achtachán” aon ionstraim de chuid na gComhphobal Eorpach a bhfuil feidhm dlí aici sa Stát;
tá le “foras airgeadais” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 90;
tá le “comhlacht féin-rialaitheach” an bhrí a shanntar dó in alt 94 (1).
Feidhm (Caibidil VII).
90.—Beidh feidhm ag an gCaibidil seo maidir le gach cuideachta dá mbeidh deimhniú tugtha ag an Aire faoi alt 39B (a cuireadh isteach leis an Acht Airgeadais, 1987) den Acht Airgeadais, 1980 (dá ngairtear “foras airgeadais” sa Chaibidil seo) seachas gach foras airgeadais is sealbhóir ar cheadúnas faoi alt 9 d'Acht 1971 nó bróicéir airgid chun críocha Chaibidil IX nó atá faoi réir a mhaoirsithe nó is féidir a iniúchadh—
(a) de bhua an Achta Cumann Foirgníochta, 1976, agus gach Achta eile atá le forléiriú i dteannta an Achta sin mar aon Acht amháin,
(b) de bhua an Friendly Societies Act, 1896, agus gach Achta eile atá le forléiriú i dteannta an Achta sin mar aon Acht amháin,
(c) de bhua an Assurance Companies Act, 1909, agus gach Achta eile atá le forléiriú i dteannta an Achta sin mar aon Acht amháin, nó
(d) de bhua aon achtacháin eile a bheidh sonraithe de thuras na huaire le hordú faoi alt 91.
Orduithe (Caibidil VII).
91.—(1) Más é tuairim an Aire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus le cibé Airí eile (más ann) ar dóigh leis gur cuí dul i gcomhairle leo, go bhfuil forálacha leordhóthanacha i dtaobh maoirsiú agus iniúchadh in aon achtachán a bhaineann le foras airgeadais nó le foras d'aicme nó de chineál a mbeadh, murach ordú faoin alt seo chun críocha alt 90 (d), feidhm ag forálacha na Caibidle seo ina leith, ansin féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, an t-achtachán lena mbaineann a shonrú agus, más gá i gcomhthéacs an achtacháin sin, an foras nó an aicme nó an cineál forais lena mbaineann an t-ordú a shonrú agus, dá réir sin, ní bheidh feidhm ag na forálacha sin maidir le foras lena mbaineann an t-ordú.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc agus le cibé Airí eile (más ann) ar dóigh leis gur cuí dul i gcomhairle leo, ordú faoi fho-alt (1) a chúlghairm.
Maoirsiú etc., foras airgeadais ag an mBanc.
92.—(1) Déanfaidh gach foras airgeadais lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo de réir cibé ceanglas nó coinníollacha maoirseachta agus tuairiscithe i ndáil lena ghnó is dóigh leis an mBanc is críonna a fhorchur air ó am go ham chun rialáil ordúil chuí a dhéanamh ar an bhforas nó ar ghrúpa foras (lena n-áirítear an foras) nó ar mhaithe leis an gcéanna nó chun an Limistéar a fhorbairt mar Lárionad Seirbhísí Airgeadais Idirnáisiúnta.
(2) Má fhorchuireann an Banc Ceannais ceanglais agus coinníollacha críonna maoirseachta agus tuairiscithe ní bheidh an forchur sin ann féin ina bharánta maidir le sócmhainneacht eintiteas a thagann faoi réim an ailt seo ná eintiteas is cuid de ghrúpaí a thagann faoi réim an ailt seo agus ní bheidh an Banc faoi dhliteanas maidir le haon chaillteanas a thabhófar trí dhócmhainneacht nó mainneachtain aon pháirtí acu sin.
Feidhm ailt 17 agus 18 d'Acht 1971.
93.—Gan dochar d'fhorálacha alt 92, beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 17 (a bhaineann le leabhair agus taifid sealbhóirí ceadúnas) agus alt 18 (a bhaineann le faisnéis a thabhairt don Bhanc) d'Acht 1971 (arna leasú leis an gCuid seo) maidir le gach foras airgeadais lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo agus maidir le gach fiontar comhlachaithe (de réir bhrí na n-alt sin) de chuid forais den sórt sin ionann is dá mba shealbhóir ceadúnais gach foras den sórt sin chun críocha Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989.
Comhlachtaí féinrialaitheacha a bhunú.
94.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc i scríbhinn, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, a ordú d'aon ghrúpa foras airgeadais lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo agus a bheidh sonraithe san ordachán, comhlacht a bhunú (dá ngairtear “comhlacht féin-rialaitheach” sa Chaibidil seo) is de cibé gné dhlithiúil a shonróidh an Banc chun rialáil a dhéanamh ar sheoladh gnó, nó ar aon ghné a bheidh sonraithe de sheoladh gnó, na bhforas airgeadais lena mbaineann an t-ordachán.
(2) Déanfaidh na forais airgeadais lena mbaineann, i gcomhar, rialacha comhlachta féin-rialaithigh (lena n-áirítear bainistíocht an chomhlachta sin agus a bhallraíocht sa todhchaí) a chur faoi bhráid an Bhainc lena cheadú a fháil dóibh.
(3) Ceadófar rialacha comhlachta féin-rialaithigh faoin alt seo gan dochar do chumhacht an Bhainc ceanglais nó coinníollacha de bhua alt 92, nó ordachán breise faoi fho-alt (1), a fhorchur ar aon cheann de na forais airgeadais lena mbaineann.
(4) I gcás comhlacht féin-rialaitheach a bheith bunaithe chun críocha an ailt seo, beidh feidhm ag forálacha ailt 92, 93, 95 agus 96 maidir leis an gcomhlacht ionann is dá mba fhoras airgeadais é, agus ar an gcaoi céanna a bhfuil feidhm acu maidir le foras airgeadais, lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo.
(5) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a choisceann ar aon fhoras airgeadais bheith ina bhall d'aon eagraíocht a dhéanann maoirsiú nó rialú ar sheoladh gnó ar shlí seachas de bhua an ailt seo.
Cumhacht na Cúirte mainneachtain déanamh de réir ceanglais nó coinníll faoi Chaibidil VII a thoirmeasc.
95.—(1) Más rud é, ar iarratas a bheith déanta ag an mBanc ar an tslí achomair, gur dóigh leis an gCúirt go bhfuil foras nó forais airgeadais tar éis mainneachtain, nó ag mainneachtain, déanamh de réir ceanglais nó coinníll a forchuireadh de bhua alt 92 nó de réir ordacháin faoi alt 94, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a thoirmeasc ar an bhforas nó ar na forais lena mbaineann leanacht den mhainneachtain.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, agus an t-ábhar á bhreithniú aici, cibé ordú eatramhach nó idirbhreitheach a dhéanamh is dóigh léi is cuí.
(3) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar chineál nó imthosca an cháis nó thairis sin ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfar na himeachtaí go léir nó aon chuid d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.
(4) San alt seo ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt.
Neamhchomhlíonadh a thuairisciú don Aire.
96.—Más amhlaidh—
(a) gur deimhin leis an mBanc nach bhfuil foras airgeadais lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo ag comhlíonadh aon oibleagáide a forchuireadh air leis an gCaibidil seo nó faoi (lena n-áirítear aon riail de chuid comhlachta féinrialaithigh ar ball de an foras), agus
(b) gur dóigh leis an mBanc gur neamhchomhlíonadh é de chineál is gá a chur in iúl don Aire,
ansin cuirfidh an Banc an neamhchomhlíonadh sin in iúl don Aire.
Caibidil VIII
Maoirsiú ar Mhalartáin Todhchaíochtaí agus Roghanna Airgeadais
Mínithe (Caibidil VIII)
97.—Sa Chaibidil seo—
ciallaíonn “malartán” malartán todhchaíochtaí agus roghanna airgeadais agus folaíonn sé, má cheadaíonn nó má éilíonn an comhthéacs amhlaidh, malartán láithreach nó malartán beartaithe;
tá le “malartán láithreach” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 100;
ciallaíonn “malartán todhchaíochtaí agus roghanna airgeadais” margadh de chineál airgeadais ina ndéanann baill den mhargadh sin, ar bhealach eagraithe agus faoi rialacha comhaontaithe, trádáil, trí chumarsáid leictreonach, scríofa, de bhéal nó in aon fhoirm eile—
(a) i gcearta faoi chonradh le haghaidh díol nó ceannach táirge airgeadais, tráchtearra airgeadais nó maoin airgeadais d'aon tuairisc eile faoina mbeidh seachadadh le déanamh, nó faoina mbeidh bearta is ionann agus seachadadh le cur i bhfeidhm, ar dháta sa todhchaí agus sin de réir praghais arna chomhaontú nó is inchinnte tráth an chonartha a dhéanamh, nó
(b) trí bhíthin rogha ar chonradh lena mbaineann mír (a) nó ar tháirge airgeadais, tráchtearra airgeadais nó maoin airgeadais d'aon tuairisc eile, lena n-áirítear rogha ceannaigh nó díola nó rogha an praghas nó an chainníocht lena mbaineann a athrú;
tá le “malartán beartaithe” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 99;
ciallaíonn “rialacha”, i ndáil le malartán láithreach nó malartán beartaithe, na rialacha a rialaíonn ballraíocht agus oibriú an mhalartáin nó lena mbeartaítear iad a rialú, faoi seach.
Na hAchtanna um Chearrbhachas agus Crannchuir.
98.—Dearbhaítear leis seo chun amhras a sheachaint nach mbeidh aon chonradh nó rogha lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo ar neamhní nó neamh-infheidhmithe mar gheall ar na hAchtanna um Chearrbhachas agus Crannchuir, 1956 go 1986.
Malartáin a bhunú.
99.—Ní dhéanfar, tar éis an tAcht seo a rith, aon mhalartán todhchaíochtaí agus roghanna airgeadais a bhunú mura mbeidh na daoine a bheartaíonn an malartán (dá ngairtear “malartán beartaithe” sa Chaibidil seo) a bhunú tar éis na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe den sórt sin a chur faoi bhráid an Bhainc lena gceadú agus mura mbeidh na rialacha sin ceadaithe ag an mBanc.
Malartáin láithreacha.
100.—(1) Laistigh de 3 mhí tar éis an tAcht seo a rith déanfaidh gach malartán a bhí bunaithe roimh an rith sin (dá ngairtear “malartán láithreach” sa Chaibidil seo)—
(a) a chuid rialacha a chur faoi bhráid an Bhainc lena gceadú, nó
(b) é féin a dhíbhunú.
(2) Go dtí go gcinnfidh an Banc rialacha malartáin láithrigh a bheidh curtha faoina bhráid faoi fho-alt (1) (a) a cheadú nó gan iad a cheadú, féadfaidh an Banc—
(a) faoi réir fhorálacha eile an ailt seo más cuí sin, cibé coinníollacha nó ceanglais a fhorchur ar an malartán is dóigh leis is cuí a fhorchur air, nó
(b) treoir a eisiúint faoi alt 105 ionann is dá mba é a bhí sa mhalartán láithreach malartán a raibh a rialacha ceadaithe ag an mBanc.
(3) I gcás ina bhféadfaí déileálacha lena mbaineann urrúis arna mbunú ag an Aire a sheoladh ar mhalartán láithreach lena mbaineann fo-alt (2), féadfaidh an tAire a ordú don Bhanc coinníollacha nó ceanglais a bheidh sonraithe sa treoir uaidh a fhorchur faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt sin agus forchuirfidh an Banc amhlaidh na coinníollacha nó na ceanglais sin (ar coinníollacha nó ceanglais iad a bhaineann leis na déileálacha sin agus a mbeidh an tAire sásta maidir leo, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, nach gcuireann siad srian le rialáil chríonna an mhalartáin).
(4) Ní dhéanfaidh an Banc coinníoll nó ceanglas i ndáil le déileálacha lena mbaineann urrúis arna mbunú ag an Aire a fhorchur ar mhalartán láithreach, de bhua an ailt seo, mura rud é—
(a) go bhfuil feidhm ag fo-alt (3) maidir leis an gcoinníoll nó leis an gceanglas, nó
(b) go mbeidh an Banc tar éis fógra a thabhairt don Aire á rá go bhfuil sé ar intinn aige an coinníoll nó an ceanglas a fhorchur ar an malartán.
Ceadú rialacha ag an mBanc, coinníollacha, etc.
101.—(1) (a) Aon uair a cheadóidh an Banc rialacha malartáin láithrigh, nó na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe, féadfaidh sé—
(i) an ceadú uaidh a chur faoi réir coinníollacha nó ceanglas, agus
(ii) tráth ar bith tar éis an cheadaithe, coinníollacha nó ceanglais a fhorchur ar an malartán nó coinníoll nó ceanglas ar bith lena mbaineann an fo-alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm, bíodh nó ná bíodh sé leasaithe roimhe sin de bhua na fomhíre seo.
(b) Gach coinníoll nó ceanglas a fhorchuirfear agus a mbaineann an fo-alt seo leis, agus gach leasú nó cúlghairm ar an gcéanna, is de chineál é is cuí leis an mBanc a fhorchur, a leasú nó a chúlghairm ar mhaithe le rialáil chríonna an mhalartáin lena mbaineann agus féadfar gach coinníoll nó ceanglas den sórt sin a fhorchur ar cheachtar díobh seo a leanas nó orthu araon, eadhon,—
(i) an malartán sin, agus
(ii) baill an mhalartáin sin (i dteannta a chéile nó ina nduine is ina nduine).
(c) Maidir le haon choinníoll nó ceanglas lena mbaineann mír (a) (ii), ní dhéanfar coinníoll nó ceanglas a fhorchur, a leasú nó a chúlghairm go dtí—
(i) go mbeidh an Banc tar éis fógra a thabhairt don mhalartán lena mbaineann á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige an forchur, an leasú nó an chúlghairm sin a dhéanamh, agus
(ii) go mbeidh an Banc tar éis éisteacht a thabhairt d'aon uiríll a rinne an malartán sin, nó aon bhall de, laistigh de cibé teorainn ama a bheidh sonraithe ag an mBanc tráth an fhógra a thabhairt don mhalartán.
(d) I gcás ina bhféadfaí déileálacha lena mbaineann urrúis arna mbunú ag an Aire a sheoladh ar mhalartán, ní dhéanfar aon choinníoll nó ceanglas a bhaineann leis na déileálacha sin a fhorchur de bhua an fho-ailt seo mura mbeidh fógra tugtha ag an mBanc don Aire á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige an forchur sin a dhéanamh.
(2) (a) Más rud é—
(i) go mbeidh ar intinn ag an mBanc rialacha malartáin láithrigh nó na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe a cheadú, agus
(ii) go bhféadfaí déileálacha lena mbaineann urrúis arna mbunú ag an Aire a sheoladh ar an malartán,
féadfaidh an tAire a ordú don Bhanc an ceadú uaidh a chur faoi réir coinníollacha nó ceanglas a fhorchuirfidh an Banc agus a bheidh sonraithe sa treoir ón Aire (ar coinníollacha nó ceanglais iad a bhaineann leis na déileálacha sin agus a mbeidh an tAire sásta maidir leo, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, nach gcuireann siad srian le rialáil chríonna an mhalartáin) agus déanfaidh an Banc, dá réir sin, a cheadú a chur faoi réir gach coinníll nó ceanglais a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh.
(b) Tráth ar bith tar éis rialacha malartáin láithrigh nó na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe a bheith ceadaithe, féadfaidh an tAire, maidir le déileálacha lena mbaineann urrúis arna mbunú aige, a ordú don Bhanc coinníollacha nó ceanglais a fhorchur ar an malartán (ar coinníollacha nó ceanglais iad a bhaineann leis na déileálacha sin agus a mbeidh an tAire sásta maidir leo, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, nach gcuireann siad srian le rialáil chríonna an mhalartáin) nó aon choinníoll nó ceanglas lena mbaineann an fo-alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm, bíodh nó ná bíodh sé leasaithe roimhe sin de bhua na míre seo agus, dá réir sin, déanfaidh an Banc an coinníoll nó an ceanglas a fhorchur, a leasú nó a chúlghairm amhlaidh.
(3) Má cheadaíonn an Banc rialacha malartáin nó na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin ní bheidh an ceadú sin ann féin ina bharánta maidir le sócmhainneacht an mhalartáin ná aon bhaill den mhalartán agus ní bheidh an Banc faoi dhliteanas maidir le haon chaillteanais a thabhófar trí dhócmhainneacht nó mainneachtain an mhalartáin nó aon bhaill dá chuid.
(4) Aon iarratas go gceadófar rialacha malartáin láithrigh nó na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe is i cibé foirm a bheidh sé, agus beidh cibé sonraí ann, a chinnfidh an Banc ó am go ham.
Diúltú ag an mBanc rialacha a cheadú.
102.—(1) Ní dhiúltóidh an Banc rialacha malartáin láithrigh ná na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe a cheadú gan toiliú an Aire agus mura deimhin leis nach rachadh an ceadú chun leasa do rialáil ordúil chuí malartáin den sórt sin, agus ní thoileoidh an tAire leis an diúltú mura deimhin leis nach rachadh an ceadú chun leasa do rialáil ordúil chuí malartáin den sórt sin.
(2) Aon uair a bheartaíonn an Banc diúltú rialacha malartáin láithrigh nó na rialacha le haghaidh malartáin bheartaithe a cheadú—
(a) cuirfidh sé in iúl i scríbhinn don mhalartán nó (i gcás malartáin bheartaithe) do thionscnóir an mhalartáin go bhfuil ar intinn aige toiliú an Aire leis an diúltú a lorg agus cad iad na cúiseanna atá aige leis an diúltú agus go bhféadfaidh an duine, laistigh de 21 lá tar éis an dáta a gcuirtear sin in iúl dó, uiríll a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire i ndáil leis an diúltú beartaithe,
(b) féadfaidh an malartán nó an tionscnóir na huiríll sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse ama a dúradh, agus
(c) déanfaidh an tAire breithniú, sula gcinnfidh sé ar a thoiliú a thabhairt nó gan é a thabhairt, ar aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an diúltú beartaithe.
Feidhm alt 17 d'Acht 1971.
103.—Gan dochar d'fhorálacha alt 101 beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 17 (a bhaineann le leabhair agus taifid sealbhóirí ceadúnas) d'Acht 1971 (arna leasú leis an gCuid seo) ionann is dá mba shealbhóir ceadúnais chun críche Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, gach malartán lena mbaineann an Chaibidil seo agus gach ball den mhalartán sin.
Srian le fógraíocht.
104.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), ní dhéanfaidh duine seirbhísí malartáin a fhógairt, nó a chur á bhfógairt, ná ní dhéanfaidh sé aon sirtheoireacht eile i leith na seirbhísí sin mura mbeidh rialacha an mhalartáin ceadaithe ag an mBanc.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1)—
(a) faoi réir aon choinníll nó ceanglais dá mhalairt arna fhorchur ag an mBanc faoi alt 100 (2), maidir le malartán láithreach, ná le haon duine a bheidh ag gníomhú thar ceann an mhalartáin, le linn na tréimhse dar tosach an tráth a gcuireann sé a chuid rialacha faoi bhráid an Bhainc lena gceadú agus dar críoch an tráth a gceadaítear iad nó a ndiúltaítear iad a cheadú, nó
(b) maidir le haon réamheolaire nó doiciméad eile arna fhoilsiú ag nó thar ceann daoine a bheartaíonn malartán den sórt sin a bhunú, i gcás gur chun críche an togra sin, agus chun na críche sin amháin, a fhoilsítear an réamheolaire nó an doiciméad eile sin.
(3) Má fhoilsítear fógrán nó sirtheoireacht eile lena mbaineann an t-alt seo agus mura mbeidh ar áireamh ann ainm agus seoladh an duine a shocraigh leis an bhfoilsitheoir go bhfoilseofaí an fógrán nó an tsirtheoireacht sin, ansin féadfaidh an Banc, tráth ar bith le linn na tréimhse 12 mhí tar éis aon fhoilsiú a bheith déanta ar an bhfógrán nó ar an tsirtheoireacht, a iarraidh ar an bhfoilsitheoir ainm agus seoladh an duine sin a thabhairt don Bhanc agus déanfaidh an foilsitheoir láithreach de réir na hiarrata sin.
Treoracha ón mBanc trádáil, déileáil, a fhionraí.
105.—(1) I gcás inar deimhin leis an mBanc go bhfuil malartán, nó aon bhall de mhalartán, tar éis mainneachtain nó ag mainneachtain déanamh de réir coinníll nó ceanglais faoi alt 100 (2) (a) nó 101, féadfaidh an Banc treoir a thabhairt—
(a) don mhalartán trádáil a chur ar fionraí, nó
(b) d'aon bhall den mhalartán nó do na baill go léir trádáil nó déileáil ar an gcéanna a chur ar fionraí,
go ceann tréimhse sonraithe nó go dtí go bhfaighfear fógra eile ón mBanc, nó féadfaidh sé na treoracha sin a thabhairt dóibh araon.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an malartán, nó ball nó baill de, dár tugadh an treoir faoi fho-alt (1) iarratas a dhéanamh ar an tslí achomair chun na Cúirte ar ordú ag cur na treorach ar ceal agus féadfaidh an Chúirt an t-ordú sin a dheonú.
(b) Féadfaidh an Banc iarratas a dhéanamh ar an tslí achomair chun na Cúirte á iarraidh go ndéanfaidh an Chúirt treoir uaidh faoin alt seo a dhaingniú.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, agus an t-ábhar á bhreithniú aici, cibé ordú eatramhach nó idirbhreitheach a dhéanamh is dóigh léi is cuí.
(4) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar chineál nó imthosca an cháis nó thairis sin ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfar na himeachtaí go léir nó aon chuid d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.
(5) San alt seo ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt.
Ceadú rialacha a chúlghairm.
106.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc—
(a) ceadú rialacha malartáin a chúlghairm má iarrann an malartán dár deonaíodh é amhlaidh,
(b) le toiliú an Aire, ceadú rialacha malartáin a chúlghairm más rud é—
(i) maidir leis an malartán—
(I) nach mbeidh sé tosaithe de bheith ag oibriú laistigh de 12 mhí ón dáta ar ar deonaíodh an ceadú, nó
(II) go mbeidh scortha aige de bheith ag oibriú agus nach bhfuil aon trádáil nó déileáil déanta ar an malartán le linn tréimhse is faide ná 6 mhí díreach tar éis scor dó,
(ii) go bhfuil an malartán, ós cuideachta é, á fhoirceannadh.
(iii) go bhfuil ceadú an Bhainc faighte ag an malartán (is malartán láithreach) nó ag tionscnóir malartáin bheartaithe trí ráitis bhréagacha nó ar aon mhodh mírialta eile,
(iv) go dtiocfaidh an malartán chun bheith neamhábalta freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith creidiúnaithe nó go bhfionróidh sé íocaíochtaí atá dlite go dleathach den mhalartán nó d'aon bhall de,
(c) le toiliú an Aire, an ceadú a chúlghairm má tá athrú tagtha, ón uair a deonaíodh an ceadú, ar na himthosca a bhaineann leis an deonú agus gur imthosca iad de chineál go ndiúltófaí d'iarratas ar cheadú dá ndéanfaí é sna himthosca athraithe.
(2) Aon uair a bheartaíonn an Banc ceadú a chúlghairm (seachas de bhun iarrata sin a dhéanamh ón malartán dár deonaíodh é)—
(a) cuirfidh sé in iúl don mhalartán lena mbaineann go bhfuil ar intinn aige toiliú an Aire leis an gcúlghairm a lorg agus cad iad na cúiseanna atá leis an gcúlghairm agus go bhféadfaidh an malartán, laistigh de 21 lá tar éis an dáta a gcuirtear sin in iúl dó, uiríll a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire i ndáil leis an gcúlghairm bheartaithe,
(b) féadfaidh an malartán na huiríll sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse ama a dúradh, agus
(c) déanfaidh an tAire breithniú, sula gcinnfidh sé ar a thoiliú a thabhairt nó gan é a thabhairt, ar aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an gcúlghairm bheartaithe.
(3) I gcás ina gcúlghairfear ceadú rialacha malartáin agus nach é atá sa mhalartán cuideachta atá á foirceannadh—
(a) leanfaidh an malartán agus baill an mhalartáin de bheith faoi réir na ndualgas agus na n-oibleagáidí a fhorchuirtear leis an gCaibidil seo nó le halt 18 d'Acht 1971, nó faoin gcéanna, go dtí go mbeidh dliteanais uile an mhalartáin agus a chuid ball urscaoilte chun sástacht an Bhainc,
(b) déanfaidh an malartán, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an ceadú a chúlghairm, scéala a chur chuig an mBanc agus chuig cibé daoine eile (más ann) a ndéarfaidh an Banc leis scéala a chur chucu maidir leis na bearta atá á ndéanamh nó a bheartaítear a dhéanamh chun dliteanais an mhalartáin agus a chuid ball a urscaoileadh go hiomlán gan mhoill mhíchuí,
(c) i gcás—
(i) ina mbeidh scéala curtha ag an malartán chuig an mBanc de réir mhír (b) agus gurb é tuairim an Bhainc nach bearta sásúla na bearta atá á ndéanamh nó a bheartaítear a dhéanamh chun críocha na míre sin, nó
(ii) nach mbeidh scéala curtha amhlaidh ag an malartán chuig an mBanc agus gurb é tuairim an Bhainc go bhfuil mainnithe ag an malartán scéala a chur amhlaidh a luaithe is féidir tar éis an ceadú a chúlghairm, nó
(iii) gurb é tuairim an Bhainc go bhfuil mainnithe ag an malartán gach beart réasúnach a dhéanamh chun scéala a chur chuig daoine a mbeidh sé ráite ag an mBanc leis, faoi mhír (b), scéala a chur chucu,
ansin féadfaidh an Banc treoir i scríbhinn a thabhairt don mhalartán sin nó d'aon bhall de, go ceann cibé tréimhse nach faide ná 6 mhí a bheidh sonraithe inti, á thoirmeasc ar an malartán nó ar na baill den mhalartán a mbeidh treoir tugtha amhlaidh dó nó dóibh—
(I) déileáil le haon sócmhainní nó le sócmhainní sonraithe de chuid an mhalartáin nó de chuid a bhall, nó diúscairt a dhéanamh orthu ar shlí ar bith, nó
(II) gabháil d'aon idirbheart nó d'aon aicme idirbhirt nó d'idirbheart sonraithe, nó
(III) íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh,
gan údarú a fháil roimh ré ón mBanc, agus féadfaidh an Banc a cheangal ar an malartán sin nó ar aon bhall dá chuid scéim chun na dliteanais a bheidh i gceist a urscaoileadh, go hiomlán agus go hordúil, a ullmhú agus a chur faoina bhráid, lena cheadú a fháil di, laistigh de dhá mhí ó dháta na treorach.
(4) (a) I gcás ina gcúlghairfear ceadú rialacha malartáin agus gurb é atá sa mhalartán cuideachta atá á foirceannadh, beidh leachtaitheoir na cuideachta, i dteannta na ndualgas agus na n-oibleagáidí a bheidh air i ndáil leis an bhfoirceannadh, faoi réir na ndualgas agus na n-oibleagáidí a mbeadh an malartán faoina réir dá mba mhalartán é lena mbain-eann fo-alt (3) agus déanfar an fo-alt sin, chun críche an fho-ailt seo, a fhorléiriú dá réir sin.
(b) D'ainneoin mhír (a), féadfaidh an Banc, i gcás ina gcúlghairfidh sé ceadú agus inar dóigh leis gur cuí é sna himthosca, an dualgas agus an oibleagáid a fhorchuirtear ar an leachtaitheoir áirithe déanamh de réir mhír (b) (mar a fhorléirítear í leis an bhfo-alt seo) d'fho-alt (3) a bhaint de i scríbhinn agus féadfaidh sé cibé dualgas agus oibleagáid, breise nó eile, atá ar aon dul leis an gceann atá leagtha amach sa mhír sin (b), a fhorchur i scríbhinn ar an leachtaitheoir sin.
(c) Ní dhéanfar aon ní san fho-alt seo a fhorléiriú mar ní a dhéanann difear d'aon dualgas nó oibleagáid a bheidh, faoin gCaibidil seo, ar bhaill an mhalartáin lena mbaineann.
(5) Déanfaidh an Banc, a luaithe is féidir tar éis ceadú rialacha malartáin a bheith cúlghairthe, fógra faoin gcúlghairm a fhoilsiú ar cibé caoi is cuí leis.
Cionta agus pionóis (Caibidil VIII).
107.—(1) Aon duine a sháróidh alt 99, 100 nó 104 agus aon mhalartán nó ball de mhalartán—
(a) a dhéanfaidh sárú, trí ghníomh nó neamhghníomh, ar choinníoll nó ceanglas a bheidh forchurtha go cuí agus a bhaineann leis an gceadú a thug an Banc le haghaidh rialacha an mhalartáin, nó
(b) a mhainneoidh déanamh de réir treorach faoi alt 105 nó 106,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air,
agus má leantar, tar éis an chiontaithe, den sárú nó den mhainneachtain ar ina leith a ciontaíodh é, beidh sé ciontach i gcion ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú nó den mhainneachtain tar éis an chiontaithe i leith an tsáraithe nó na mainneachtana bunaidh agus, maidir le gach cion den sórt sin, dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100, nó, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000, a chur air.
(2) In aon imeachtaí mar gheall ar chion faoin alt seo a bhaineann le halt 104, is cosaint mhaith é don chúisí a chruthú go mba dhuine é, an tráth iomchuí, a raibh sé de ghnó aige fógráin nó sirtheoireachtaí eile a fhoilsiú nó socrú a dhéanamh dá bhfoilsiú thar ceann duine éigin eile agus go bhfuarthas an fógrán nó an tsirtheoireacht eile iomchuí chun a fhoilsithe i ngnáthchúrsa an ghnó sin agus nárbh eol dó, agus nach raibh cúis ar bith aige le go mbeadh amhras air, go bhféadfadh cion a bheith i gceist dá n-úsáidfí é chun fógairt nó sireadh ar shlí eile a dhéanamh.
Caibidil IX
Maoirsiú Bróicéirí Airgid
Léiriú (Caibidil IX).
108.—Sa Chaibidil seo—
ciallaíonn “údarú” údarú arna dheonú do dhuine ag an mBanc faoin gCaibidil seo chun gnó bróicéireachta airgid a sheoladh;
tá le “foras airgeadais” an bhrí chéanna atá leis i gCaibidil VII;
ciallaíonn “bróicéir airgid” duine a sheolann gnó bróicéireachta airgid;
ciallaíonn “gnó bróicéireachta airgid” aon ghnó arb é atá ann na nithe seo a leanas go léir nó aon ní acu a shocrú, eadhon:
(a) iasachtaí airgid a thabhairt nó a fháil,
(b) malairt eachtrach a cheannach nó a dhíol,
(c) idirbhearta de chineál a bheidh forordaithe de thuras na huaire le hordú faoi alt 109, agus
(d) idirbhearta eile a bhfuil éifeacht den chineál céanna leo is atá le haon idirbheart lena mbaineann mír (a), (b) nó (c),
idir beirt nó níos mó arb é atá iontu sealbhóir ceadúnais faoi alt 9 d'Acht 1971, cumann foirgníochta, nó foras airgeadais, agus déanfar “bróicéireacht airgid” a fhorléiriú dá réir sin.
Orduithe (Caibidil IX).
109.—(1) I gcás inarb é tuairim an Aire agus an Bhainc gur gá, i gcomhthéacs forbairtí sna margaí airgeadais nó i rialáil ordúil chuí an ghnó bróicéireachta airgid, go ndéanfaí cineálacha áirithe idirbheart a fhorordú chun críche an mhínithe ar “gnó bróicéireachta airgid”, ansin féadfaidh an tAire, ar iarratas ón mBanc, iad a fhorordú amhlaidh le hordú.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, ar iarratas ón mBanc, ordú faoi fho-alt (1) a chúlghairm le hordú.
Údarú chun gnó bróicéireachta airgid a sheoladh.
110.—(1) Ní sheolfaidh duine gnó bróicéireachta airgid tráth ar bith tar éis an t-alt seo a bheith i ngníomh ar feadh 3 mhí mura mbeidh údarú chun críocha an ailt seo deonaithe don duine agus nach mbeidh an t-údarú sin cúlghairthe.
(2) Faoi réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, féadfaidh an Banc údarú chun gnó bróicéireachta airgid a sheoladh a dheonú do dhuine ar bith, nó diúltú é a dheonú do dhuine ar bith, a dhéanfaidh iarratas chuige.
(3) D'ainneoin fho-alt (2), ní cead do dhuine a bheith, an tráth céanna, ina shealbhóir ceadúnais faoi alt 9 d'Acht 1971 agus ina dhuine lena mbaineann údarú marthanach faoin alt seo.
(4) Ní dhiúltóidh an Banc údarú a dheonú gan toiliú an Aire agus mura deimhin leis nach rachadh an t-údarú chun leasa do rialáil ordúil chuí na bróicéireachta airgid nó na baincéireachta, agus ní thabharfaidh an tAire a thoiliú leis an diúltú mura deimhin leis nach rachadh an t-údarú chun leasa do rialáil orduil chuí na bróicéireachta airgid nó na baincéireachta.
(5) Aon uair a bheartóidh an Banc diúltú údarú a dheonú do dhuine—
(a) cuirfidh sé in iúl i scríbhinn don duine go bhfuil ar intinn aige toiliú an Aire leis an diúltú a lorg agus cad iad na cúiseanna atá aige leis an diúltú agus go bhféadfaidh an duine, laistigh de 21 lá tar éis an dáta a gcuirtear sin in iúl dó, uiríll a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire i ndáil leis an diúltú beartaithe,
(b) féadfaidh an duine na huiríll sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse ama a dúradh, agus
(c) déanfaidh an tAire breithniú, sula gcinnfidh sé ar a thoiliú a thabhairt nó gan é a thabhairt, ar aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an diúltú beartaithe.
(6) Aon iarratas a dhéanfar ar údarú is i cibé foirm a bheidh sé, agus beidh cibé sonraí ann, a chinnfidh an Banc ó am go ham.
(7) Má dheonaítear údarú do dhuine faoin alt seo ní bheidh an t-údarú sin ann féin ina bharánta maidir le sócmhainneacht an duine chun gnó bróicéireachta airgid a sheoladh agus ní bheidh an Banc faoi dhliteanas maidir le haon chaillteanais a thabhófar trí dhócmhainneacht nó mainneachtain an duine.
Maoirsiú, etc. bróicéirí airgid ag an mBanc.
111.—Déanfaidh gach duine ar leith a sheolann gnó bróicéireachta airgid de réir cibé ceanglas nó coinníollacha maoirseachta agus tuairiscithe i ndáil lena ghnó is dóigh leis an mBanc is críonna a fhorchur air ó am go ham chun críocha rialáil ordúil chuí na bróicéireachta airgid agus ar mhaithe leis an gcéanna.
Feidhm alt 17 d'Acht 1971.
112.—Gan dochar d'fhorálacha alt 111, beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 17 (a bhaineann le leabhair agus taifid sealbhóirí ceadúnas) d'Acht 1971 (arna leasú leis an gCuid seo) ionann is dá mba shealbhóir ceadúnais chun críocha Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, gach duine atá údaraithe ag an mBanc chun gnó bróicéireachta airgid a sheoladh.
Cumhacht na Cúirte mainneachtain déanamh de réir ceanglais nó coinníll faoi Chaibidil IX a thoirmeasc.
113.—(1) Más rud é, ar iarratas a bheith déanta ag an mBanc ar an tslí achomair, gur dóigh leis an gCúirt go bhfuil bróicéir airgid tar éis mainneachtain, nó ag mainneachtain, déanamh de réir ceanglais nó coinníll a forchuireadh de bhua alt 111, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a thoirmeasc ar an mbróicéir airgid lena mbaineann leanacht den mhainneachtain.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, agus an t-ábhar á bhreithniú aici, cibé ordú eatramhach nó idirbhreitheach a dhéanamh is dóigh léi is cuí.
(3) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar chineál nó imthosca an cháis nó thairis sin ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe déanamh amhlaidh, féadfar na himeachtaí go léir nó aon chuid d'imeachtaí faoin alt seo a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.
(4) San alt seo ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt.
Údaruithe a chúlghairm.
114.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc—
(a) údarú a chúlghairm má iarrann an duine dár deonaíodh é amhlaidh,
(b) le toiliú an Aire, údarú a chúlghairm más rud é, maidir leis an duine dár deonaíodh é—
(i) (I) nach mbeidh sé tosaithe de bheith ag seoladh gnó bróicéireachta airgid laistigh de 12 mhí ón dáta ar ar deonaíodh an t-údarú, nó
(II) go mbeidh scortha aige de bheith ag seoladh gnó bróicéireachta airgid agus nach raibh sé á sheoladh aige le linn tréimhse is faide ná 6 mhí díreach tar éis scor dó,
(ii) go mbreithnítear ina fhéimheach é,
(iii) ós comhpháirtíocht é, go ndíscaoiltear an chomhpháirtíocht trí bhás nó féimheacht aon chomhpháirtí, nó thairis sin faoi dhlí na comhpháirtíochta,
(iv) go bhfuil sé, ós cuideachta é, á fhoirceannadh,
(v) go bhfuil an t-údarú faighte aige trí ráitis bhréagacha nó ar aon mhodh mírialta eile,
(vi) go dtiocfaidh sé chun bheith neamhábalta freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe nó go bhfionróidh sé íocaíochtaí atá dlite go dleathach de, nó nach féidir brath air a thuilleadh chun freastal dá oibleagáidí i leith a chreidiúnaithe agus, go háirithe, nach dtugann sé urrús a thuilleadh le haghaidh na sócmhainní atá faoina chúram,
(vii) go gciontaítear ar díotáil é i gcion faoi aon fhoráil de chuid Achtanna an Bhainc Ceannais, 1942 go 1989, nó i gcion lena ngabhann calaois, mímhacántacht nó sárú iontaobhais,
(viii) gur i stát eile is ball de na Comhphobail Eorpacha, atá a phríomh-oifig agus go mbeidh an t-údarás sa stát sin, a fheidhmíonn feidhmeanna sa stát sin atá ar aon dul le feidhmeanna an Bhainc faoin gCaibidil seo, tar éis údarú a tharraingt siar ón bhforas ar brainse de an sealbhóir,
(c) le toiliú an Aire, an t-údarú a chúlghairm má tá athrú tagtha, ón uair a deonaíodh an t-údarú, ar na himthosca a bhaineann leis an deonú agus gur imthosca de chineál iad go ndiúltófaí d'iarratas ar údarú dá ndéanfaí é sna himthosca athraithe.
(2) Aon uair a bheartaíonn an Banc údarú a chúlghairm (seachas in imthosca lena mbaineann mír (a) nó (b) (viii) d'fho-alt (1))—
(a) cuirfear in iúl i scríbhinn don duine dár deonaíodh é go bhfuil ar intinn ag an mBanc toiliú an Aire leis an gcúlghairm a lorg agus cad iad na cúiseanna atá leis an gcúlghairm agus go bhféadfaidh an duine, laistigh de 21 lá tar éis an dáta a gcuirtear sin in iúl dó, uiríll a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire i ndáil leis an gcúlghairm bheartaithe,
(b) féadfaidh an duine sin na huiríll sin a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse ama a dúradh, agus
(c) déanfaidh an tAire breithniú, sula gcinnfidh sé ar a thoiliú a thabhairt nó gan é a thabhairt, ar aon uiríll a bheidh déanta go cuí chuige faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an gcúlghairm bheartaithe.
Ainmneacha bróicéirí airgid agus fógraí faoi chúlghairm údaruithe a fhoilsiú.
115.—(1) Déanfaidh an Banc ó am go ham, ach ar a laghad uair sa bhliain, ainmneacha daoine atá údaraithe le gnó bróicéireachta airgid a sheoladh, a fhoilsiú i cibé caoi is cuí leis.
(2) Déanfaidh an Banc, a luaithe is féidir tar éis cúlghairm a bheith déanta ar údarú, fógra faoin gcúlghairm a fhoilsiú i cibé caoi is cuí leis.
Cionta agus pionóis (Caibidil IX).
116.—Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 110 nó aon bhróicéir airgid a mhainneoidh, trí ghníomh nó neamhghníomh, déanamh de réir ceanglais nó coinníll a bheidh forchurtha air faoi alt 111, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air,
agus má leantar, tar éis an chiontaithe, den sárú ar ina leith a ciontaíodh é, beidh sé ciontach i gcion ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú tar éis an chiontaithe i leith an tsáraithe bhunaidh agus, maidir le gach cion den sórt sin, dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100, nó, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000, a chur air.
Caibidil X
Cóid Chleachtais
Cóid chleachtais.
117.—(1) Féadfaidh an Banc, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, cód cleachtais amháin nó níos mó a bhaineann le déileálacha le haon aicme nó aicmí daoine a tharraingt suas, a leasú nó a chúlghairm ó am go ham i ndáil le sealbhóirí ceadúnas d'aicme nó d'aicmí ar bith nó le daoine eile a ndéanann an Banc maoirsiú orthu faoin achtachán seo nó faoi aon achtachán eile agus déanfaidh na sealbhóirí ceadúnas, nó na daoine eile atá faoi mhaoirsiú amhlaidh, a mbaineann na cóid sin leo, gach cód den sórt sin a urramú.
(2) Le linn cóid chleachtais a bheith á dtarraingt suas aige beidh aird ag an mBanc—
(a) ar leas custaiméirí agus an phobail i gcoitinne, agus
(b) ar iomaíocht chóir a chur ar aghaidh i margaí airgeadais sa Stát.
(3) Féadfaidh an Banc—
(a) a cheangal ar aon sealbhóir ceadúnais nó duine eile atá á mhaoirsiú aige an fhaisnéis ábhartha go léir a thabhairt don Bhanc chun a chumasú don Bhanc a dheimhniú dó féin go bhfuil an cód á chomhlíonadh ag an sealbhóir ceadúnais sin nó ag an duine eile sin,
(b) treoir i scríbhinn a eisiúint don sealbhóir ceadúnais nó don duine eile sin á ordú dó na cleachtais a bheidh sonraithe sa treoir a urramú i gcás inar gá sin a dhéanamh, i dtuairim an Bhainc, chun a áirithiú go gcomhlíonfaí an cód.
(4) (a) Aon sealbhóir ceadúnais nó duine eile atá á mhaoirsiú ag an mBanc agus a mhainneoidh faisnéis a thabhairt de réir fho-alt (3) (a) nó déanamh de réir treorach faoi fho-alt (3) (b) beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £25,000 a chur air.
(b) I gcás duine a bheith ciontaithe i gcion de bhua mhír (a) den fho-alt seo agus go leanfar, tar éis an chiontaithe, den mhainneachtain faisnéis a thabhairt nó déanamh de réir na treorach, de réir mar a bheidh, beidh an duine ciontach i sárú ar an alt seo ar gach lá a leanfar den sárú tar éis an chiontaithe sin agus, maidir le gach cion den sórt sin, dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £2,500 a chur air.
(5) San alt seo folaíonn “cleachtais” nósanna imeachta.
Caibidil XI
Nótaí Dlíthairgthe
Nótaí dlíthairgthe a sholáthar.
118.—(1) Is dleathach don Bhanc nótaí ar a dtabharfar, agus dá ngairtear sa Chuid seo, nótaí dlíthairgthe a sholáthar agus a eisiúint, de réir na Coda seo, sna hainmluachanna seo a leanas, eadhon, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100 agus aon ainmluach airgid eile a mbeidh ordú déanta ag an Aire faoi fho-alt (4) maidir leis, agus beidh na nótaí sin i gcúrsaíocht sa Stát agus is dlíthairiscint a bheidh iontu sa Stát chun aon mhéid a íoc.
(2) Maidir le gach nóta dlíthairgthe, beidh sé i cibé foirm agus beidh cibé méid ann agus cibé dearadh air, agus beidh sé clóite i cibé caoi agus ar cibé páipéar, agus uimhrithe agus fíordheimhnithe i cibé caoi, a bhí forordaithe roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo nó a fhorordófar ó am go ham tar éis an tosach feidhme sin chun críche an ailt seo.
(3) Aon nóta dlíthairgthe d'ainmluach ar bith a soláthraíodh agus a eisíodh tráth ar bith faoin Acht Airgid Reatha, 1927, nó faoi aon Acht dá éis sin, leanfaidh sé de bheith i gcúrsaíocht sa Stát agus beidh sé ina dlíthairiscint fós sa Stát chun aon mhéid a íoc.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, aon ainmluach airgid nach mbeidh sonraithe cheana féin i bhfo-alt (1) nó de bhua an fho-ailt seo a shonrú, le hordú, chun críocha an fho-ailt sin (1).
(5) San alt seo—
folaíonn “páipéar” aon ábhar ar féidir cló air;
ciallaíonn “forordaithe” forordaithe ag an mBanc le cead an Aire.
Feidhm achtachán áirithe.
119.—Aon nótaí dlíthairgthe arna n-eisiúint faoin Acht seo nó faoi Achtanna an Airgid Reatha agus an Bhainc Ceannais, 1927 go 1971, nó faoi aon Acht acu sin, measfar gur nótaí bainc iad de réir bhrí an Forgery Act, 1913, agus aon achtacháin eile a bhaineann le cionta i leith nótaí bainc agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire sa Stát, agus gur urrúis luachmhara iad de réir bhrí an Larceny Act, 1916, agus aon dlí eile a bhaineann le goid agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire sa Stát, agus gurb iad mona reatha an Stáit iad chun críche na nAchtanna a bhaineann le pá a íoc in airgead tirim agus aon achtacháin eile dá samhail.
An Banc d'eisiúint nótaí dlíthairgthe.
120.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1971 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 44:
“44. Is dleathach don Bhanc nótaí dlíthairgthe a eisiúint—
(a) chuige féin nó chuig aon duine eile—
(i) in aghaidh buillin óir, nó
(ii) in aghaidh aon airgead reatha, urrús nó foirm eile sócmhainne a bheidh á shealbhú ag an mBanc,
a sheachadfar, i gcás an duine eile sin, ar an mBanc i cibé caoi agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a fhorordóidh sé, nó
(b) chuig an duine eile sin in aghaidh údarú muirearú a dhéanamh ar chuntas an duine sin leis an mBanc.”.
(2) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh le héifeacht ón dáta a ndéanfar ciste na nótaí dlíthairgthe a fhoirceannadh faoi alt 22.
Nótaí dlíthairgthe a fhuascailt.
121.—(1) Beidh sealbhóir nóta dlíthairgthe d'ainmluach ar bith i dteideal, ar éileamh arna dhéanamh aige le linn uaireanta oifige i bpríomhoifig an Bhainc i mBaile Átha Cliath, go bhfaighidh sé mar mhalairt ar an nóta—
(a) nóta dlíthairgthe amháin nó níos mó, nó monaí a bheadh ina ndlíthairiscint, nó iad araon, nó
(b) i gcás ina mbeidh cinnte ag an mBanc gur cuí íocaíocht a dhéanamh i slí éigin eile agus go n-iarrann sealbhóir an nóta dlíthairgthe amhlaidh nó go dtoilíonn sé leis, íocaíocht sa tslí sin, nó
(c) (i) nóta dlíthairgthe amháin nó níos mó, nó monaí a bheadh ina ndlíthairiscint, nó iad araon, agus
(ii) páirt-íocaíocht de réir mhír (b),
ina mbeidh an luach iomlán céanna.
(2) Féadfaidh an Banc diúltú malartú a dhéanamh de réir fho-alt (1) ar aon nóta dlíthairgthe atá chomh seanchaite nó chomh damáistithe sin nach féidir, i dtuairim an Bhainc, é a aithint mar nóta dlíthairgthe áirithe nó nach leor, i dtuairim an Bhainc, an chuid den nóta sin a chuirtear i láthair lena chinntiú nach bhféadfaí an chuid eile den nóta sin a mhalartú amhlaidh uair éigin eile.
(3) Féadfaidh an Banc cibé socruithe a dhéanamh is dóigh leis is cuí chun go gcealófar agus go ndíothófar, aige féin nó thar a cheann, cibé nótaí dlíthairgthe, arna malartú de réir fho-alt (1), is dóigh leis nach cuí a chaomhnú lena n-atheisiúint.
Nótaí dlíthairgthe a ghlaoch isteach.
122.—Féadfaidh an Banc, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha maidir le ham, áit, modh agus ord tíolactha is cuí leis, aon nótaí dlíthairgthe a bheidh eisithe faoin Acht seo nó faoi Achtanna an Airgid Reatha agus an Bhainc Ceannais, 1927 go 1971, nó faoi aon Acht acu sin, a ghlaoch isteach ar théarmaí go n-íocfaidh sé as na nótaí sin, ar iad a thíolacadh, ar an gcaoi chéanna a n-íocfaí astu dá mbeidís á bhfuascailt faoi alt 121.
Nótaí dlíthairgthe agus nótaí bainc comhdhlúite a aghlot, etc.
123.—(1) Ní dleathach d'aon duine aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh, is é sin le rá—
(a) nóta dlíthairgthe nó nóta bainc comhdhlúite a ghearradh, a sracadh nó a lot ar shlí eile, nó baint d'aon fheiste slándála a bheidh air nó ann, nó
(b) aon litir, figiúr, dearadh nó marc eile a scríobh, a chló, a tharraingt, a stampáil, a chabhradh nó a bhualadh anuas ar aon slí eile ar nóta dlíthairgthe nó ar nóta bainc comhdhlúite, nó
(c) nóta dlíthairgthe nó nóta bainc comhdhlúite a bhréifniú, bíodh ná ná bíodh na bréifní i bhfoirm aon litreach, figiúir nó dearaidh eile nó ag seasamh dóibh, nó
(d) aon mheamram, fógrán nó scríbhinn eile a chur i gceangal le haon nóta dlíthairgthe nó nóta bainc comhdhlúite nó a ghreamú de.
(2) Gach duine a dhéanfaidh aon ghníomh i ndáil le nóta dlíthairgthe nó nóta bainc comhdhlúite ar sárú é ar an alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 a chur air.
(3) Má bhíonn gníomh is sárú ar an alt seo déanta maidir le nóta dlíthairgthe, ní dhéanfaidh sé sin dochar ná difear d'aon oibleagáid a fhorchuirtear ar an mBanc, ná d'aon chumhacht a thugtar dó, le halt 121 agus 122 den Acht seo íoc as an nóta sin nó é a mhalartú ná ní dhéanfaidh sé dochar ná difear d'aon chumhacht a thugtar amhlaidh don Bhanc diúltú an nóta sin a mhalartú.
(4) Má bhíonn gníomh is sárú ar an alt seo déanta maidir le nóta bainc comhdhlúite, ní dhéanfaidh sé sin dochar ná difear don oibleagáid a fhorchuirtear ar an mBanc le halt 36 (3) den Phríomh-Acht i leith íocaíocht a dhéanamh ar thíolacadh an nóta ina phríomhoifig i mBaile Átha Cliath.
(5) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt seo maidir le haon ní a dhéanfaidh an Banc, nó a dhéanfar thar a cheann, chun nóta dlíthairgthe a chealú nó chun nóta bainc comhdhlúite a aistarraingt nó a chealú.
CUID III
Monaíocht
Míniú (Cuid III).
124.—Sa Chuid seo ciallaíonn “Acht 1969” an tAcht um Airgead Reatha Deachúil, 1969.
Leasú ar alt 3 d'Acht 1969.
125.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 3 d'Acht 1969—
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (3):
“(3A) Féadfaidh an tAire, maidir le haon mhonaí cupra-nicile nó monaí cré-umha d'ainmluach ar bith arna soláthar faoin alt seo, an Chéad Sceideal sin a leasú le hordú trí cibé meáchan caighdeánach eile agus cibé liúntas tualainge i ndáil leis an meáchan sin is cuí leis agus a shonróidh sé san ordú a chur in ionad an mheáchain chaighdeánaigh agus an liúntais tualainge i ndáil leis an meáchan sin a bheidh sonraithe sa Sceideal sin maidir leis na monaí sin, agus beidh éifeacht dá réir sin leis an gCéad Sceideal sin.”;
(b) i bhfo-alt (5), tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (c):
“(c) Aon uair a bheartaítear ordú a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo, seachas chun leasú a dhéanamh—
(i) ar mheáchan caighdeánach agus ar chomhshuíomh caighdeánach aon mhonaí agus ar an tualaing (nó ar an gclaonadh ón meáchan caighdeánach agus ón gcomhshuíomh caighdeánach) a bheidh le lamháil ina leith, nó
(ii) ar aon mheáchan nó comhshuíomh nó tualaing den sórt sin (nó ar an gclaonadh ón meáchan nó ón gcomhshuíomh sin),
agus chuige sin amháin, déanfar dréacht den ordú a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach acu sin.”.
(2) Aon ordú a rinneadh go hiomlán nó go páirteach faoi alt 3 (5) d'Acht 1969 agus a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo leanfaidh sé de bheith i bhfeidhm ionann is dá mbeadh sé déanta, a mhéid céanna, faoi réim agus de réir an ailt sin 3 (5) arna leasú le fo-alt (1) (b).
Leasú ar alt d'Acht 1969.
126.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 4 d'Acht 1969—
(a) trí fho-alt (1) a scriosadh, agus
(b) i bhfo-alt (2)—
(i) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (a):
“(a) Féadfaidh an tAire, aon uair agus a mhinice is cuí leis, a dhearbhú le hordú (dá ngairtear ordú monaíochta nua san alt seo) gur fóirsteanach go soláthrófaí monaí de mhiotal sonraithe nó de mheascán sonraithe miotal, seachas mar a fhoráiltear le halt 3 den Acht seo nó faoi, d'aon ainmluach sonraithe monaí a údaraítear don Aire a sholáthar leis an alt sin 3 nó faoin alt sin 3.”,
agus
(ii) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (d):
“(d) Aon uair a bheartaítear ordú a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo, déanfar dréacht den ordú a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach acu sin.”.
(2) Aon ordú a rinneadh go hiomlán nó go páirteach faoi alt 4 (2) d'Acht 1969 agus a bhí i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo leanfaidh sé de bheith i bhfeidhm ionann is dá mbeadh sé déanta, a mhéid céanna, faoi réim agus de réir an ailt sin 4 (2) arna leasú le fo-alt (1).
Dlíthairiscint (monaíocht).
127.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1969 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 8:
“8. (1) Má dhéantar airgead a thairiscint i monaí a eisíodh nó a meastar a bheith eisithe faoi aon fhoráil de chuid na nAchtanna um Airgead Reatha Deachúil, 1969 go 1989, beidh an tairiscint sin, maidir le gach ainmluach a thairgfear, ina dhlíthairiscint chun suim a íoc nach mó ná fiche oiread a n-aghaidhluacha ach ní bheidh i gcás aon suim is mó ná sin.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le monaí a ghlaofar isteach faoi alt 12 den Acht seo amhail ón dáta feidhme iomchuí chun críocha fho-alt (2) den alt sin.”.
Athrú ar phionóis faoi Acht 1969.
128.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1969—
(a) in alt 14, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) Gach duine a dhéanfaidh nó a eiseoidh aon phíosa miotail nó miotail mheasctha contrártha d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná bliain nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air.”,
(b) in alt 15, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Aon duine—
(a) a dhéanfaidh gníomh contrártha don alt seo, nó
(b) a mhainneoidh déanamh de réir aon choinníll a bheidh ag gabháil le ceadúnas faoin alt seo,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná bliain, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air agus, ina theannta sin, féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú go bhforghéillfear na hearraí a ndearnadh an cion ina leith.”.
Leasú ar alt 17 d'Acht 1969.
129.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 17 d'Acht 1969 trí “(seachas ordú faoi alt 3 (5) nó 4 den Acht seo a cheanglaítear a dhaingniú le rún ó gach Teach den Oireachtas sula dtiocfaidh sé i bhfeidhm, nó ordú faoi alt 12 den Acht seo)” a chur in ionad “(seachas ordú faoi alt 3 (5), 4 nó 12 den Acht seo)”, agus tá an t-alt sin 17, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA 17. Déanfar gach ordú agus rialachán faoin Acht seo (seachas ordú faoi alt 3 (5) nó 4 den Acht seo a cheanglaítear a leagan ina dhréacht faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas, nó ordú faoi alt 12 den Acht seo) a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú nó an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe nó an rialacháin beidh an t-ordú nó an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar d'aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoi. |
Comhlua (Cuid III).
130.—Féadfar na hAchtanna um Airgead Reatha Deachúil, 1969 go 1989, a ghairm de na hAchtanna um Airgead Reatha Deachúil, 1969 agus 1970, agus den Chuid seo, le chéile.
CUID IV
Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha i ndáil le hIdirbhearta Airgeadais
Leasú ar an Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879.
131.—Leasaítear leis seo an Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1879—
(a) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 5:
“5. (1) A copy of an entry in a banker's book shall not be received in evidence under this Act unless it is further proved that—
(a) in the case where the copy sought to be received in evidence has been reproduced in a legible form directly by either or both mechanical and electronic means from a banker's book maintained in a non-legible form, it has been so reproduced;
(b) in the case where the copy sought to be received in evidence has been made (either directly or indirectly) from a copy to which paragraph (a) of this section would apply:
(i) the copy sought to be so received has been examined with a copy so reproduced and is a correct copy, and
(ii) the copy so reproduced is a copy to which the said paragraph (a) would apply if it were sought to have it received in evidence:
(c) in any other case, the copy has been examined with the original entry and is correct.
(2) Proof to which subsection (1) of this section relates shall be given—
(a) in respect of paragraph (a) or (b) (ii) of that subsection, by some person who has been in charge of the reproduction concerned,
(b) in respect of paragraph (b) (i) of that subsection, by some person who has examined the copy with the reproduction concerned,
(c) in respect of paragraph (c) of that subsection, by some person who has examined the copy with the original entry concerned,
and may be given either orally or by an affidavit sworn before any commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits.”,
(b) trí na focail “to which the bank is not a party” atá i ndiaidh na bhfocal “legal proceeding” in alt 6 a scriosadh,
(c) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 7:
“Extension of section 7. | 7A. If, on an application made by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Superintendent, a court or a judge is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing— |
(a) that an indictable offence has been committed; and | |
(b) that there is material in the possession of a bank specified in the application which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence; | |
a court or judge may make an order that the applicant or another member of the Garda Síochána designated by him be at liberty to inspect and take copies of any entries in a banker's book for the purposes of investigation of the offence.”, |
(d) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (a) d'fho-alt (2) d'alt 9 (arna leasú leis an Acht um Fhianaise Leabhar Baincéirí (Leasú), 1959):
“(a) include any records used in the ordinary business of a bank, or used in the transfer department of a bank acting as registrar of securities, whether—
(i) comprised in bound volume, loose-leaf binders or other loose-leaf filing systems, loose-leaf ledger sheets, pages, folios or cards, or
(ii) kept on microfilm, magnetic tape or in any non-legible form (by the use of electronics or otherwise) which is capable of being reproduced in a permanent legible form, and”
agus
(e) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 11:
“11. Days which are non-business days for the purposes of, and to the extent provided by the Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, shall be excluded from the computation of time under this Act.”.
Leasú ar an Bills of Exchange Act, 1882.
132.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Bills of Exchange Act, 1882:
(a) in alt 2:
(i) tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh an mhínithe ar “Bill”:
“ ‘Business days’ means those days which are not non-business days.”,
(ii) tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh an mhínithe ar “Issue”:
“ ‘Non-business days’ means—
(a) Saturday, except in a case and to the extent to which the proviso to the paragraph numbered (1) of section 14 of this Act applies,
(b) Sunday,
(c) such days as are public holidays, and
(d) where and to the extent that any direction under section 134 of the Central Bank Act, 1989, provides, such other day or days as so provided.”,
agus
(iii) tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh an mhínithe ar “Person”:
“ ‘Public holiday’ has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973.”,
(b) in alt 14, tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad na míre a bhfuil an uimhir (1) léi:
“(1) The bill is due and payable in all cases on the last day of the time of payment as fixed by the bill or, if that is a non-business day, on the succeeding business day:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall operate to prevent a bill being paid by the drawee on a Saturday (other than a Saturday that is a public holiday or to which paragraph (d) of the definition of ‘non-business days’ in section 2 of this Act relates) or cause him to incur any liability thereby, where—
(a) the drawee is a banker, and
(b) the Saturday concerned is the last day fixed by the bill as the time of payment, and
(c) the drawee is normally open for business on a Saturday at his address given in or ascertainable from the bill,
and, accordingly, presentation and payment of such a bill on the Saturday shall be valid and shall discharge it as fully as if it had been presented and paid on the next succeeding business day: but this provision shall not be construed as compelling the person entitled to payment on the bill to accept such payment on the Saturday.”,
(c) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 45:
“Additional rules as to presentment of cheques and other documents. | 45A. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, presentment for payment of a cheque may be made by a banker (in this section referred to as the ‘collecting banker’) on his own behalf or on behalf of a customer or any other person to the banker on whom it is drawn (in this section referred to as the ‘drawee banker') by notification to the drawee banker of the essential features of the cheque other than by its physical presentment, whether by the transmission of an electronic message or by any other means. |
(2) A drawee banker to whom a cheque is presented by notification in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of this section may, before the close of business on the next business day following receipt of such notification, request the collecting banker that the cheque be physically presented to him. | |
(3) A request by the drawee banker for physical presentment of a cheque in accordance with subsection (2) of this section shall not constitute dis-honour of the cheque by non-payment. | |
(4) A cheque paid upon presentment in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed to have been paid in the ordinary course of business. | |
(5) Where a cheque is presented for payment by notification in the manner provided for in subsection (1) of this section, nothing in this section shall be taken to relieve the collecting banker or the drawee banker from any liability in relation to the collection or payment of the cheque to which the collecting banker or the drawee banker would have been subject if the cheque had been physically presented for payment. | |
(6) This section shall apply to— | |
(a) any document issued by a customer of a banker which, though not a bill of exchange, is intended to enable a person to obtain payment from that banker of the sum mentioned in the document, | |
(b) any document issued by a public officer which is intended to enable a person to obtain payment from the Paymaster General of the sum mentioned in the document but is not a bill of exchange, and | |
(c) any draft payable on demand drawn by a banker upon himself, whether payable at the head office or some other office of his bank, | |
as it applies to cheques. | |
(7) In this section, unless the context otherwise requires— | |
‘the essential features of the cheque’ includes— | |
(a) the serial number of the cheque, | |
(b) the identification code number of the drawee banker, | |
(c) the account number of the drawer of the cheque, | |
(d) the amount of the cheque as entered by the drawer of the cheque, | |
and any such particulars as may be given in the form of letters or figures or any other code which as between bankers represent those particulars; | |
‘physical presentment’ means presentment of a cheque for payment in accordance with banking practice other than as provided for in subsection (1).”. |
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag aon ní sna forálacha eile den alt seo maidir le haon bhille a tarraingíodh nó, de bhua alt 89 den Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, le haon nóta a rinneadh, roimh theacht i ngníomh don alt seo.
(3) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh mí amháin tar éis an tAcht seo a rith.
Foráil fhorlíontach le halt 3 den Acht Seiceanna, 1959.
133.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht Seiceanna, 1959, tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 3:
“3A. I gcás ina n-íocfar seic ar tíolacadh sa chaoi dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (1) d'alt 45A (arna chur isteach le halt 132 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989) den Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, measfar, chun críche alt 3 den Acht seo, gurb é an baincéir is bailitheoir (de réir bhrí an ailt sin 45A), an baincéir ar ar tarraingíodh an seic.”.
Cumhacht an Aire a ordú go bhfionrófar idirbhearta gnó áirithe, etc.
134.—(1) Aon uair is dóigh leis an Aire gur gá déanamh amhlaidh ar mhaithe leis an leas náisiúnta nó chun airgead reatha an Stáit a chosaint, féadfaidh sé, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, ordachán a thabhairt á ordú do dhuine lena mbaineann an t-ordachán gan aon idirbheart, nó gan aon idirbheart de chineál, a bheidh sonraithe san ordachán a chur i gcrích i gcúrsa gnó maidir le lá nó laethanta sonraithe.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mBanc, díolúine maidir le hordachán iomlán nó le haon chuid d'ordachán faoin alt seo a dheonú d'aon duine lena mbaineann sé i gcás inar deimhin leis nach rachadh díolúine den sórt sin chun dochair don leas náisiúnta ná do shláine airgead reatha an Stáit.
(3) Maidir le gach ordachán nó díolúine faoin alt seo—
(a) is i scríbhinn a bheidh sé nó cuirfear i scríbhinn é a luaithe is féidir tar éis an t-ordachán a bheith tugtha nó an díolúine a bheith deonaithe, de réir mar a bheidh, agus
(b) déanfar—
(i) é a sheoladh i scríbhinn chuig an duine nó na daoine lena mbaineann sé nó, i gcás é a bheith curtha in iúl de bhéal, é a dheimhniú i scríbhinn dó nó dóibh, nó
(ii) é a fhoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil,
a luaithe is féidir tar éis é a bheith tugtha nó deonaithe amhlaidh, de réir mar a bheidh:
Ar choinníoll nach gcuirfear ó bhail ordachán a thabharfar go cuí, nó díolúine a dheonófar go cuí, faoin alt seo, de bharr mainneachtana déanamh de réir an fho-ailt seo.
(4) Gach ordachán faoin alt seo beidh sé i cibé foirm agus modh is dóigh leis an Aire is gá agus is iomchuí agus féadfar é a thabhairt do na daoine seo a leanas go léir nó d'aon duine acu, is é sin le rá:
(a) sealbhóir ar cheadúnas faoi Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1971, nó duine a bheidh díolmhaithe ó cheadúnas den sórt sin a shealbhú de bhua alt 7 (4) den Acht sin;
(b) duine a bhíonn ag déileáil in airgeadraí coigríche;
(c) duine a bhíonn ag déileáil i monaí nó i mbuillean óir;
(d) duine a bhíonn ag déileáil i monaí nó i mbuillean airgid;
(e) duine a bhíonn ag déileáil i dtodhchaíochtaí airgeadais;
(f) duine a bhíonn ag déileáil i dtodhchaíochtaí in aon tráchtearra;
(g) ball de Stocmhalartán na hÉireann maidir le haon idirbheart ar an malartán sin;
(h) cibé duine nó daoine eile ar dóigh leis an Aire gur gá ordachán a thabhairt dó nó dóibh faoi fho-alt (1).
(5) Aon oibleagáid a bheidh ar dhuine rud éigin a dhéanamh nó a chur i gcrích ar lá ar a mbeidh cosc air, de bhua ordacháin faoin alt seo, é a dhéanamh nó a chur i gcrích, measfar an oibleagáid sin a bheith comhlíonta má dhéanann sé nó má chuireann sé i gcrích é a luaithe is féidir dá éis sin.
(6) (a) Aon duine a sháróidh ordachán faoin alt seo nó a dhéanfaidh, go feasach nó go meargánta, faisnéis mhíthreorach a thabhairt, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, don Aire nó don Bhanc chun cabhrú le haon duine díolúine ó ordachán den sórt sin a fháil beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(ii) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £50,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(b) I gcás ina mbeidh duine ciontaithe faoi mhír (a) i sárú ordacháin agus go leanfar den sárú tar éis an chiontaithe, beidh sé ciontach i gcion ar gach lá a leanfar den chion tar éis an chiontaithe i leith an tsáraithe bhunaidh agus, maidir le gach cion den sórt sin, dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 nó, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000, a chur air.
(7) San alt seo tá le “airgeadra coigríche” an bhrí chéanna atá leis san Acht um Rialú Iomlaoide, 1954.
Ní inordaithe íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh ar laethanta saoire poiblí.
135.—(1) Ní bheidh aon duine inordaithe aon íocaíocht a dhéanamh nó aon ghníomh a dhéanamh ar lá saoire poiblí nach mbeadh sé inordaithe a dhéanamh Lá Nollag nó Aoine an Chéasta de bhua aon riail dlí.
(2) I gcás ina mbeadh duine, ar leith ón alt seo, inordaithe aon íocaíocht a dhéanamh nó aon ghníomh a dhéanamh ar lá saoire poiblí, measfar an oibleagáid atá air an íocaíocht nó an gníomh sin a dhéanamh a bheith comhlíonta má dhéanann sé í nó é ar an gcéad lá eile ina dhiaidh sin ar arb inordaithe dó í nó é a dhéanamh.
(3) San alt seo tá le “lá saoire poiblí” an bhrí chéanna atá leis chun críocha an Achta um Laethanta Saoire (Fostaithe). 1973.
Leasú ar an Money-lenders Act, 1900.
136.—Leasaítear leis seo an Money-lenders Act, 1900:
(a) in alt 6—
(i) trí “the holder of a licence for the time being in force granted under section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1971, or any person bonâ fide and otherwise carrying on the business of banking, or” a chur in ionad “any person” i mír (d), agus
(ii) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír (d):
“(dd) a company to which a certificate has been given by the Minister for Finance under section 39B of the Finance Act, 1980 (inserted by the Finance Act, 1987), and which has not been revoked; or”,
(iii) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (e):
“(e) any class or classes of body corporate in respect of which the Minister for Industry and Commerce, by order made from time to time declares that, from such date as he may specify in such order, this Act does not apply; or”,
(b) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 6:
“6A. The date specified for the purposes of an order under section 6 (e) of this Act may be a date earlier than the date upon which the order is made if, but only if—
(a) the Minister for Finance consents to the date being specified, and
(b) such date is not a date earlier than the 1st day of September, 1971.”,
agus tá an t-alt sin 6 (seachas míreanna (a) go (c) agus míreanna (dd) go (f)), arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA 6. The expression “money-lender” in this Act shall include every person whose business is that of money-lending, or who advertises or announces himself or holds himself out in any way as carrying on that business; but shall not include— (d) the holder of a licence for the time being in force granted under section 9 of the Central Bank Act, 1971, or any person bonâ fide and otherwise carrying on the business of banking, or bonâ fide carrying on the business of insurance or bonâ fide carrying on any business not having for its primary object the lending of money, in the course of which and for the purposes whereof he lends money; or |
Taisce leis an mBanc a bheith ina hinfheistíocht údaraithe d'iontaobhaithe.
137.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 1 (ina sonraítear na hinfheistíochtaí a bhféadfaidh iontaobhaithe infheistiú iontu) den Trustee Act, 1893 (arna leasú leis an Acht Iontaobhaithe (Infheistíochtaí Údaraithe), 1958) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír (i):
“(ii) subject to section 137 (2) of the Central Bank Act, 1989, in an interest bearing deposit account with the Central Bank of Ireland;”.
(2) Ní dhéanfar an fhoráil in alt 1 den Trustee Act, 1893, a údaraíonn d'iontaobhaí infheistiú i gcuntas taisce úsmhar leis an mBanc, a fhorléiriú mar fhoráil a chuireann d'oibleagáid ar an mBanc glacadh le cistí iontaobhais lena dtaisceadh ann.
Leasú ar an Acht Iontaobhaithe (Infheistíochtaí Údaraithe), 1958.
138.—(1) I gcás—
(a) ina mbeartóidh an tAire ordú a dhéanamh faoi alt 2 den Acht Iontaobhaithe (Infheistíochtaí Údaraithe), 1958, chun athrú a dhéanamh ar na hinfheistíochtaí a shonraítear in alt 1 den Trustee Act, 1893 (arna leasú leis an Acht sin 1958 nó faoi) trí chuntas taisce úsmhar le haon chomhlacht (cibé acu corpraithe nó nach ea) a bheidh sonraithe ann (dá ngairtear “an comhlacht iomchuí” feasta san alt seo) a scriosadh astu, agus
(b) go mbeidh an tAire, más iomchuí, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le haon údarás maoirseachta lena mbaineann agus tar éis a dtoiliú a fháil le hordú a dhéanamh, agus
(c) go mbeidh teagmhas amháin ar a laghad de na teagmhais a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (2) tar éis tarlú maidir leis an gcomhlacht iomchuí,
ansin ní bheidh feidhm ag forálacha fho-ailt (2) agus (3) d'alt 2 den Acht sin 1958.
(2) Is iad na teagmhais lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) (c), maidir leis an gcomhlacht iomchuí—
(a) i gcás ina seoltar aon ghnó lena mbaineann cuntais taisce úsmhara agus go gceanglaítear dá bharr sin ar an gcomhlacht iomchuí a bheith ceadúnaithe ag údarás maoirseachta nó cláraithe leis nó ina shealbhóir ar údarú de chineál éigin eile uaidh, agus go mbeidh cúlghairm nó aistarraingt déanta ar an gceadúnas, ar an gclárú nó ar an údarú eile nó thairis sin nach ann dó a thuilleadh,
(b) go mbeidh sé éirithe dócmhainneach nó go bhfionróidh sé aon íocaíochtaí atá dlite go dleathach,
(c) go mbeidh sé á fhoirceannadh,
(d) go mbeidh sé tagtha faoi réir ordú ó chúirt i dtaobh—
(i) taiscí a ghlacadh,
(ii) íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh,
(iii) a bhainistíochta, nó
(iv) rialú a bhainistíochta,
(e) go mbeidh sé ciontaithe ar díotáil i gcion faoi na hAchtanna a rialálann é nó i gcion lena ngabhann calaois, mímhacántacht nó sárú iontaobhais,
(f) i gcás nach comhlacht corpraithe an comhlacht iomchuí, go mbeidh aon oifigeach dá chuid—
(i) tagtha faoi réir ordú ó chúirt i dtaobh taiscí a ghlacadh nó íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh i leith an chomhlachta iomchuí, nó i ndáil le bainistíocht nó rialú bainistíochta an chomhlachta sin, nó
(ii) ciontaithe ar díotáil i gcion faoi na hAchtanna a rialálann an comhlacht iomchuí nó i gcion a bhaineann leis lena ngabhann calaois, mímhacántacht nó sárú iontaobhais,
(g) i gcás an comhlacht iomchuí a bheith corpraithe lasmuigh den Stát, ansin, maidir leis an gcomhlacht sin, aon teagmhas díobh siúd a shonraítear i míreanna (a) go (e) nó aon teagmhas in áit a chorpraithe atá, i dtuairim an Aire, ar aon dul le teagmhas atá sonraithe amhlaidh.
(3) Gach ordú a dhéanfar, de bhua an ailt seo, faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 2 den Acht Iontaobhaithe (Infheistíochtaí Údaraithe), 1958, leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú sin a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe sin, beidh an t-ordú sin ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú sin.
(4) San alt seo ciallaíonn “údarás maoirseachta”, maidir le comhlacht iomchuí—
(a) i gcás ina seoltar aon ghnó lena mbaineann (go hiomlán nó go páirteach) cuntais taisce úsmhara, agus go gceanglaítear dá bharr sin ar an gcomhlacht iomchuí, de bhua aon achtacháin, a bheith ceadúnaithe ag aon cheann acu seo a leanas nó a bheith cláraithe leis nó ina shealbhóir ar údarú de chineál éigin eile uaidh, eadhon—
(i) an Rialtas,
(ii) Aire den Rialtas nó a Roinn, nó
(iii) aon duine eile,
an Rialtas nó an tAire sin den Rialtas nó a Roinn nó an duine eile sin, de réir mar a bheidh, nó
(b) i gcás ina n-áirítear ar aon ghnó a sheolann an comhlacht iomchuí, nó a sheoltar ina leith, gnó a bhaineann le cuntais taisce úsmhara agus atá, de bhua aon achtacháin, faoi réir a mhaoirsithe ag—
(i) an Rialtas,
(ii) Aire den Rialtas nó a Roinn, nó
(iii) aon duine eile,
an Rialtas nó an tAire sin den Rialtas nó a Roinn nó an duine eile sin, de réir mar a bheidh.
Urrúis áirithe a aistriú go leictreonach.
139.—(1) D'ainneoin aon ní dá mhalairt in aon achtachán, nó in aon réamheolaire nó doiciméad eile, a bhaineann le téarmaí eisiúna, sealbhaithe nó aistrithe urrús ainmnithe, féadfar aistriú a dhéanamh ar urrúis den sórt sin, agus beidh éifeacht leis, má dhéantar é trí chóras ríomhairithe a bheidh bunaithe ag an mBanc.
(2) (a) I bhfo-alt (1) ciallaíonn “urrúis ainmnithe” urrúis a bheidh ainmnithe ag an Aire chun críocha an fho-ailt sin—
(i) trí thagairt go sonrach d'urrús de chineál ainmnithe, nó
(ii) trí thagairt i gcoitinne d'aicme nó d'aicmí urrús (lena n-áirítear, i gcás iad a bheith ainmnithe amhlaidh, eisiúintí todhchaí d'aicme nó d'aicmí urrús).
(b) Ní bheidh éifeacht le hainmniú chun críocha fho-alt (1) go dtí go gcuirfear in iúl i scríbhinn é don Bhanc.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 1 den Acht um Aistriú Stoic, 1963, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur leis:
“(2) Aon tagairtí san Acht seo do ‘aistriú stoic’ déanfar, i dteannta feidhm a bheith acu maidir le hionstraim faoi láimh i bhfoirm atá leagtha amach sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, iad a fhorléiriú, i gcás ina gceadaítear sin sa chomhthéacs, mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí d'aistriú lena mbaineann alt 139 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1989, ionann is dá mba aistriú é i bhfoirm atá leagtha amach amhlaidh agus nach gá aon aistriú bróicéara ina leith.”.
Faisnéis áirithe a choinneáil i bhfoirm neamh-inléite.
140.—(1) Aon cheanglas a fhorchuirtear ar aon duine le haon achtachán aon dearbhán (cibé ainm a thugtar air) a choinneáil go ceann tréimhse sonraithe, is dearbhán i ndáil le hiontráil i leabhair chuntais de chuid sealbhóra ar cheadúnas faoi alt 9 d'Acht an Bhainc Ceannais, 1971 (arna leasú leis an Acht seo) maidir le haon ní, idirbheart nó cuntas idir an duine sin agus sealbhóir an cheadúnais, beidh sé comhlíonta má choinníonn an duine sin nó sealbhóir an cheadúnais taifead iomlán den fhaisnéis atá ar an dearbhán sin trína taifeadadh ar mhicreascannán, ar théip mhaighnéadach nó in aon fhoirm neamh-inléite (trí leictreonaic a úsáid nó ar shlí eile) is féidir a atáirgeadh i bhfoirm bhuan inléite.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an duine lena mbaineann nó an sealbhóir ar an gceadúnas faoi alt 9 d'Acht an Bhainc Cheannais, 1971 (arna leasú leis an Acht seo) an fhaisnéis ar dhearbhán lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) a choinneáil trína taifeadadh de réir an fho-ailt sin, ansin aon dualgas a fhorchuirtear, le haon achtachán, ar an duine sin nó ar an sealbhóir sin iniúchadh ar an dearbhú sin a cheadú, nó an bhunchóip nó cóip de a thabhairt ar aird, déileálfar leis mar dhualgas dá shamhail maidir leis an malairt ó thaobh iniúchadh ar an bhfaisnéis a choinnítear amhlaidh, nó ar an gcuid ábhartha de, i bhfoirm inléite, a cheadú, nó ó thaobh atáirgeadh ar an gcéanna a thabhairt ar aird i bhfoirm inléite.
Forléiriú agus comhlua.
141.—(1) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Fhianaise Leabhar Baincéirí, 1879 go 1989, a ghairm de na hAchtanna um Fhianaise Leabhar Baincéirí, 1879 agus 1959, d'alt 131 agus den fho-alt seo le chéile.
(2) Déanfar an Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, an tAcht Seiceanna, 1959, alt 132 agus an fo-alt seo a fhorléiriú le chéile mar aon ní amháin agus na hAchtanna um Billí Malairte, 1882 go 1989, a ghairfear díobh le chéile.
(3) Féadfar Achtanna na nIasachtaithe Airgid, 1900 go 1989, a ghairm d'Achtanna na nIasachtaithe Airgid, 1900 agus 1933, d'alt 136 agus den fho-alt seo le chéile.
(4) Féadfar na hAchtanna Iontaobhaithe, 1888 go 1989, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Iontaobhaithe, 1888 go 1958, d'ailt 137 agus 138 agus den fho-alt seo le chéile.
AN SCEIDEAL
Na hAchtacháin a Aisghairtear
Seisiún agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
34 & 35 Vict., c. 17. | Bank Holidays Act, 1871. | An tAcht iomlán. |
38 & 39 Vict., c. 13. | Holidays Extension Act, 1875. | An tAcht iomlán. |
3 Edw. 7, c. 1. | Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act, 1903. | An tAcht iomlán. |
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
Uimh. 4 (Príobháideach) de 1929. | Míreanna (i) agus (j) d'alt 2 (1). | |
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
Uimh. 1 (Príobháideach) de 1935. | Alt 3. | |
Ailt 16, 31, 55 (3) agus (4), 62 (4), 63 agus 64. | ||
Alt 374. | ||
Alt 4 (1). | ||
Ailt 29, 30, 43, agus 52 (2). | ||
Alt 17. |