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Uimhir 19 de 1970
AN tACHT UM THIONSCAL NA gCAPALL, 1970
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Thionscal na gCapall, 1970, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “an Bord” Bord na gCapall a bhunaítear leis an Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an lá bunaithe” an lá a cheapfar mar lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo faoi alt 4 den Acht seo;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais, agus folaíonn tagairtí d'fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh tagairtí do chumhachtaí a fheidhmiú;
folaíonn “capall” aon láir, capall coillte, capaillín, searach, bromach, cliobóg nó stail agus, freisin, aon asal, múille nó ránach;
ciallaíonn “ceadúnas” ceadúnas atá i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire agus a deonaíodh faoi alt 28 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh;
folaíonn “áitreabh” táilte.
Caiteachas.
3.—Déanfar aon chaiteachas a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
An lá bunaithe.
4.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oideachais.
5.—Leagfar gach ordú agus rialachán faoin Acht seo faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an 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 faoin ordú nó faoin rialachán.
CUID II
Bord na gCapall
Bord a bhunú.
6.—(1) Déanfar, de bhua an ailt seo, Bord ar a dtabharfar Bord na gCapall (dá ngairtear an Bord san Acht seo) a bhunú an lá bunaithe chun na feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo.
(2) Beidh an Bord ina chomhlacht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha ina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Bhoird.
7.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Bhoird—
(a) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire—
(i) maidir le pórú, díol agus onnmhairiú capall agus gníomhaíochtaí gaolmhara,
(ii) maidir leis na coinníollacha a chuirfear ag gabháil le ceadúnais,
(iii) maidir leis na hábhair a shonraítear i míreanna (b) go (k) den fho-alt seo agus aon fheidhmeanna a aistreofar chun an Bhoird faoi alt 33 den Acht seo,
(b) obair eagraíochtaí nó grúpaí ar porú capall nó eachaíocht nó ábhair a bhaineann leis na hábhair réamhraite iomlán nó formhór a gcúraim a chomhoirdniú (le toiliú na n-eagraíocht nó na ngrúpaí lena mbainfidh);
(c) lárionad náisiúnta nó lárionaid náisiúnta le hoiliúint a thabhairt san eachaíocht a bhunú, a threalmhú agus a oibriú nó a chur faoi deara larionad nó lárionaid den sórt sin a oibriú thar a cheann;
(d) dul i gcomhairle leis na heagrais eachraíochta iomchuí (má iarrann siad sin) i dtaobh na gcomórtas eachraíochta idirnáisiúnta a roghnú a gcuirfear foirne náisiúnta Éireannacha nó comhaltaí d'fhoirne den sórt sin isteach orthu agus, i gcás ina gceadóidh an Bord foirne nó comhaltaí den sórt sin agus na comórtais a mbeidh siad curtha agus, i gcás ina gceadóidh an Bord foirne nó comhaltaí de réir mar a bheidh i gceachtar slí acu seo a leanas nó sa dá shlí sin, is é sin le rá, airgead a sholáthar chun íoc, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, as na costais a bhainfidh le cur isteach ar na comórtais nó bheith páirteach iontu nó capaill a sholáthar le haghaidh úsáide na bhfoireann nó na gcomhaltaí, de réir mar a bheidh, sna comórtais;
(e) gríosadh le comórtais eachraíochta idirnáisiúnta a chomóradh sa Stát agus cabhrú, trí airgead a sholáthrar nó ar shlí eile, le comórtais den sórt sin a chomóradh agus a sheoladh;
(f) socrú a dhéanamh chun daoine a oiliúint le heachraíocht a theagasc;
(g) poiblíocht ar chapaill a chomhoirdniú agus a ghabháil de láimh;
(h) eagrú díol capall seachas capaill fholaíochta a chur chun cinn;
(i) onnmhairiú capall seachas capaill fholaíochta a chur chun cinn agus a fhorbairt;
(j) seirbhís eolais de cibé cineál is dóigh leis is iomchuí maidir le capaill a chur ar fáil do dhaoine lasmuigh den Stát;
(k) scéim phrintísteachta le crúdóireacht capall a bhunú agus a riaradh;
(l) cibé feidhmeanna eile a aistreofar chun an Bhoird nó a shannfar don Bhord faoi alt 33 den Acht seo a ghabháil de láimh.
(2) Beidh ag an mBord na cumhachtaí sin go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh nó a bhaineann lena gcomhlíonadh.
Comhaltaí an Bhoird.
8.—(1) Ceapfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, de réir mar a theastóidh, comhaltaí an Bhoird ach ní mó ná aon chomhalta déag an líon díobh a bheidh ann.
(2) Sula gceapfaidh an tAire comhalta den Bhord, rachaidh sé i gcomhairle le cibé eagrais (más ann) is dóigh leis is iomchuí maidir leis an gceapadh.
(3) Is í tréimhse oifige comhalta den Bhord cibé tréimhse nach faide ná cúig bliana a chinnfidh an tAire nuair a cheapfaidh sé é.
(4) Beidh comhalta den Bhord a rachaidh a théarma oifige in éag trí imeacht aimsire inathcheaptha.
(5) Féadfaidh comhalta den Bhord éirí as a oifig mar chomhalta trí litir a chuirfear chun an Aire, agus beidh éifeacht ag an éirí-as nuair a gheofar an litir.
(6) I gcás ina ndéanfar comhalta den Bhord nó de choiste a bhunaigh an Bord a ainmniú mar iarrthóir le toghadh chun ceachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina chomhalta den Bhord nó den choiste, de réir mar a bheidh.
(7) Aon duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin beidh sé, an fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta den Bhord nó de choiste a bhunaigh an Bord.
(8) Sealbhóidh comhalta den Bhord oifig ar cibé téarmaí a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(9) Íocfar le comhalta den Bhord nó d'aon choiste a bhunaigh an Bord, as cistí a bheidh faoina réir ag an mBord, cibé liúntais le haghaidh caiteachas a mheasfaidh an tAire, le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais, a bheith réasúnach.
(10) Beidh comhalta den Bhord dícháilithe chun oifig a shealbhú agus scoirfidh sé d'oifig a shealbhú má bhreithnítear ina fhéimheach é nó má dhéanann sé imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht le creidiúnaithe nó má thugann cúirt dlínse inniúla pianbhreith phríosúnachta nó phianseirbhíse air nó má scoireann sé de ghnáthchónaí a bheith air sa Stát.
(11) Féadfaidh an tAire aon tráth comhalta den Bhord a chur as oifig.
Cathaoirleach an Bhoird.
9.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, de réir mar a theastóidh, comhalta den Bhord a cheapadh ina chathaoirleach ar an mBord.
(2) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach an Bhoird éirí as a oifig mar chathaoirleach trí litir a chuirfear chun an Aire, agus beidh éifeacht ag an éirí-as, mura dtarraingeofar siar roimhe sin é, nuair a thosóidh an chéad chruinniú den Bhord a thionólfar tar éis don Aire an t-éirí-as a chur in iúl don Bhord.
(3) Má scoireann cathaoirleach an Bhoird de bheith ina chomhalta den Bhord le linn a théarma oifige mar chathaoirleach scoirfidh sé freisin ansin de bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an mBord.
Séala an Bhoird.
10.—(1) Soláthróidh an Bord séala dó féin a luaithe is féidir tar éis a bhunaithe.
(2) Fíordheimhneofar séala an Bhoird le síniú chathaoirleach an Bhoird nó comhalta éigin eile den Bhord a bheidh údaraithe ag an mBord gníomhú chuige sin mar aon le síniú oifigigh don Bhord a bheidh údaraithe ag an mBord gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala an Bhoird, agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ionstraim é a rinne an Bord agus a bheith séalaithe le séala (a airbheartóidh gur fíordheimhníodh é de réir an ailt seo) an Bhoird agus measfar gurb é an ionstraim sin é gan chruthúnas eile mura suífear a mhalairt.
Comhalta den Bhord do nochtadh leasa i gconradh a bheartaítear a dhéanamh.
11.—Aon chomhalta den Bhord—
(a) a bhfuil leas ar bith aige in aon chuideachta a mbeartaíonn an Bord aon chonradh a dhéanamh léi, nó
(b) a bhfuil aon leas aige in aon chonradh a bheartaíonn an Bord a dhéanamh,
nochtfaidh sé don Bhord go bhfuil an leas sin aige cad é an leas é agus ní ghlacfaidh sé páirt in aon bhreithniú nó cinneadh ag an mBord maidir leis an gconradh, agus taifeadfar i miontuairiscí an Bhoird gur chuir sé sin in iúl.
Cruinnithe agus nós imeachta an Bhoird.
12.—(1) Tionólfaidh an Bord cibé cruinnithe agus cibé méid cruinnithe is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhalladh go cuí.
(2) Tionólfar an chéad chruinniú den Bhord a luaithe is caothúil tar éis an lá bunaithe.
(3) Ag cruinniú den Bhord—
(a) is é cathaoirleach an Bhoird a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú má bhíonn sé i láthair,
(b) mura mbeidh agus an fad nach mbeidh cathaoirleach an Bhoird i láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, roghnóidh na comhaltaí a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
(4) Cinnfear gach ceist a éireoidh ag cruinniú den Bhord le tromlach na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist, agus i gcás comhionannas vótaí beidh an dara vóta nó vóta cinniúna ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
(5) Féadfaidh an Bord gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais i measc a chomhaltaí.
(6) Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, rialálfaidh an Bord a nós imeachta le rialacha nó ar shlí eile.
(7) Cúigear an córam do chruinniú den Bhord mura n-oróidh an tAire a mhalairt.
Deontais don Bhord.
13.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfar, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, más ann, is cuí leis an Aire, deontas nó deontais a íoc leis an mBord gach bliain airgeadais as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas agus cibé méid sa deontas sin nó cibé méideanna sna deontais sin a shocróidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBord, maidir le clár caiteachais an Bhoird don bhliain sin.
(2) Nuair a bheifear ag socrú méid deontais faoin alt seo i leith aon bhliana áirithe tabharfar aird ar mhéid ioncaim an Bhoird (gan ioncam faoin alt seo nó faoi alt 14 (c) den Acht seo a áireamh) an bhliain sin, agus, más mó méid an ioncaim ná cibé méid a chinnfidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, méadófar méid an deontais cibé méid (más ann) a shocróidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Cumhachtaí ilghnéitheacha an Bhoird.
14.—Chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú go cuí féadfaidh an Bord—
(a) oifigí agus áitribh eile a sholáthar, a threalmhú agus a chothabháil;
(b) capaill a cheannach, a thógáil, nó a ligean, ar léas nó a dhíol;
(c) airgead a fháil ar iasacht, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, chun críocha caipitiúla nó críocha reatha.
Caiteachas an Bhoird.
15.—Féadfar cistí an Bhoird a úsáid—
(a) chun caiteachais a íoc a thabhaigh sé ag feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna dó, agus
(b) chun íocaíochtaí a dhéanamh nó deontais nó iasachtaí a thabhairt chun aon chríche a chabhródh, i dtuairim an Bhoird, le honnmhairiú capall (gan capaill fholaíochta a áireamh) a chur ar aghaidh agus a fhorbairt.
An Bord d'infheistiú cistí.
16.—Féadfaidh an Bord aon chistí dá chuid (nach cistí lena mbaineann alt 24 (3) den Acht seo) a infheistiú in aon slí a dtugann an dlí cumhacht d'iontaobhaí cistí iontaobhais a infheistiú.
Talamh a fháil agus a dhiúscairt.
17.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord aon talamh nó aon éasúint, cead slí nó ceart eile i leith talún a fháil trí chomhaontú.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord aon talamh atá dílsithe dó agus nach bhfuil ag teastáil uaidh níos mó a dhiúscairt.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
18.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Bord, i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnáth ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh an Bord nó a chaithfidh sé, lena n-áirítear cuntas caiteachais agus clár comhardaithe, agus, go háirithe, coimeádfaidh sé, san fhoirm sin a dúradh na cuntais speisialta sin go léir a ordóidh an tAire as a chonlán féin nó ar iarratas ón Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Déanfaidh an Bord cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur gach bliain faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste lena n-iniúchadh agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfar cóip den chuntas caiteachais agus den chlár comhardaithe agus den chuid eile sin (más ann) de na cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo a ordóidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais agus cóip de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais a thíolacadh don Aire agus cuirfidh seisean faoi deara cóipeanna díobh a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Tuarascáil bhliantúil agus eolas don Aire.
19.—(1) Tabharfaidh an Bord, laistigh de nócha lá tar éis deireadh gach tréimhse cuntasaíochta de chuid an Bhoird nó cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin a cheadóidh an tAire in aon chás áirithe, tuarascáil don Aire ar imeachtaí an Bhoird faoin Acht seo i gcaitheamh na tréimhse, agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Tabharfaidh an Bord don Aire cibé eolas a iarrfaidh an tAire ó am go ham i dtaobh feidhmiú feidhmeanna an Bhoird.
Oifigigh agus seirbhísigh an Bhoird.
20.—(1) Ceapfaidh an Bord cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine is cuí leis ó am go ham chun bheith ina n-oifigigh agus ina seirbhísigh don Bhord.
(2) Sealbhóidh oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Bhord a oifig nó a fhostaíocht ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Bord ó am go ham.
(3) Íocfaidh an Bord lena oifigigh agus lena sheirbhísigh, as airgead a bheidh faoina réir, cibé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfidh an Bord ó am go ham le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(4) Féadfaidh an Bord tráth ar bith aon oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Bhord a chur as bheith ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach dó.
Oifigigh nó seirbhísigh don Bhord d'fheidhmiú feidhmeanna an Bhoird.
21.—Féadfaidh an Bord aon fheidhm dá chuid a fheidhmiú trí aon duine dá oifigigh nó dá sheirbhísigh a bheidh údaraithe go cuí ag an mBord chuige.
Aoisliúntas d'oifigigh agus do sheirbhísigh an Bhoird.
22.—(1) A luaithe is caothúil tar éis an lae bhunaithe, ullmhóidh an Bord, agus cuirfidh faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais chun a cheadú a fháil scéim ranníocach nó scéimeanna ranníocacha chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais a dheonú, ar iad scor nó ar iad d'fháil bháis, do cibé oifigigh lánaimsire nó seirbhísigh lánaimsire is cuí leis an mBord nó i leith na n-oifigeach nó na serbhíseach sin.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord, tráth ar bith, scéim do leasú scéime faoin alt seo a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire.
(3) Déanfaidh an Bord aon scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais faoin alt seo a chur chun feidhme de réir a téarmaí má cheadaíonn an tAire Airgeadais í.
(4) Socróidh aon scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais agus a cheadóidh sé faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo tráth agus coinníollacha scoir do na daoine go léir lenarb iníoctha pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais eile faoin scéim, agus féadfar tráthanna agus coinníollacha éagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(5) Má éiríonn aon díospóid i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ag éileamh, nó i dtaobh méid, aon phinsin, aisce nó liúntais eile is iníoctha de bhun scéime faoin alt seo, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach a bheidh ina chinneadh.
(6) Déanfar gach scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire Airgeadais agus a cheadóidh sé faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir lar éis a cheadaithe agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin ar éis an scéim a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime, beidh an scéim ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
Oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Bhord a bheith ina chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas.
23.—(1) I gcás duine is oifigeach nó seirbhíseach i bhfostaíocht faoin mBord teacht chun bheith ina chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas—
(a) beidh sé ar iasacht ón bhfostaíocht sin i gcaitheamh na tréimhse (dá ngairtear tréimhse na hiasachta san alt seo) dar tosach an tráth a thiocfaidh sé i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe an Tí sin suí sa Teach sin agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin nó, más túisce a tharlóidh, a éireoidh sé as an bhfostaíocht sin, a scoirfidh sé di nó a fhoirceannfaidh an Bord an fhostaíocht sin,
(b) ní íocfaidh an Bord leis, ná ní bheidh sé i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé ón mBord, aon luach saothair ná liúntais i leith tréimhse na hiasachta,
(c) ní bheidh sé i dteideal tréimhse na hiasachta go léir ná aon chuid di a áireamh le haghaidh aon sochair aoisliúntais is iníoctha faoin Acht seo.
(2) Aon duine atá de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin beidh sé, an fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun teacht chun bheith ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach don Bhord.
An Bord do ghlacadh bronntanas.
24.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ar cibé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha, más ann, a shonróidh an deontóir.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an Bord bronntanas má bhíonn na coinníollacha a bheidh curtha ag gabháil leis ag an deontóir ar neamhréir le feidhmeanna an Bhoird.
(3) Féadfaidh an Bord aon chistí de chuid an Bhoird, is bronntanas nó na fáltais ó aon bhronntanas, a infheistiú, faoi réir aon téarmaí nó coinniollacha a bheidh ag gabháil leis an mbronntanas, in aon slí a dtugann an dlí cumhacht d'iontaobhaí cistí iontaobhais a infheistiú.
Coistí de chuid an Bhoird.
25.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord ó am go ham coistí a bhunú chun na feidhmeanna sin (más ann) de chuid an Bhoird a fheidhmú is fearr agus is caothúla a d'fhéadfaí, i dtuairim an Bhoird, a fheidhmiú ag coiste, agus a shannfaidh an Bord do choiste.
(2) Féadfaidh daoine nach comhaltaí den Bhord a bheith, más oiriúnach leis an mBord, ina gcomhaltaí de choiste a bheidh arna bhunú faoin alt seo.
(3) Beidh ceapadh duine chun gníomhú mar chomhalta de choiste a bheidh arna bhunú faoin alt seo faoi réir cibé coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear coinníollacha maidir le téarma agus seilbh oifige an chomhalta) is oiriúnach leis an mBord a fhorchur le linn é a cheapadh.
(4) Féadfaidh an Bord comhalta de choiste a bheidh arna bhunú faoin alt seo a chur as oifig aon tráth.
(5) Féadfaidh an Bord aon tráth coiste a ceapadh faoin alt seo a dhíscaoileadh.
(6) Beidh gníomhartha coiste a bheidh arna bhunú faoin alt seo faoi réir a ndaingnithe ag an mBord mura scaoilfidh an Bord leis an daingniú sin a bheith riachtanach.
(7) Féadfaidh an Bord nós imeachta coistí a bheidh arna mbunú faoin alt a rialáil, ach, faoi réir aon rialála den sórt sin, féadfaidh coistí a bheidh arna mbunú faoin alt seo a nós imeachta féin a rialáil.
CUID III
Bunachais Mharcaíochta a Cheadúnú
Cumhacht chun feidhm Chuid III a shrianadh.
26.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin faoin alt seo, a fhoráil nach mbeidh feidhm ag an gCuid seo maidir le haon aicme bunachas marcaíochta a shonrófar sna rialacháin (faoi threoir cibé ábhar, lena n-áirítear na méideanna capall a choimeádfar, is dóigh leis an Aire is iomchuí), agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag an gCuid seo de réir forálacha aon rialacháin a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire faoin alt seo.
Léiriú (Cuid III).
27.—(1) Déanfar tagairtí sa Chuid seo den Acht seo do bhunachas marcaíochta a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí do ghnó a sheoladh ag coimeád capall chun ceachtar críche nó an dá chríoch acu seo a leanas, is é sin le rá, iad a ligean ar fruiliú le haghaidh marcaíochta nó iad a úsáid, i gcomaoin íocaíochta, chun teagasc ar mharcaíocht a thabhairt.
(2) Chun críocha na Coda seo measfar faoi aon duine a choimeádann bunachas marcaíochta gur san áitreabh ina gcoimeádtar na capaill a úsáidtear chun críocha an ghnó iomchuí a choimeádtar é.
Ceadúnais.
1879, c. 58.
28.—(1) (a) Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, ní choimeádfaidh duine bunachas marcaíochta ach amháin faoi réim agus de réir cheadúnais.
(b) Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (a) den fho-alt seo—
(i) maidir le duine a choimeád bunachas marcaíochta díreach roimh thosach feidhme na Coda seo, ar feadh na tréimhse trí mhí dar tosach dáta an tosach feidhme sin,
(ii) maidir le duine a gheobhaidh, trína cheannach nó ar shlí eile, bunachas marcaíochta is ábhar ceadúnais, ar feadh na tréimhse trí mhí dar tosach an dáta ar a bhfaighidh sé é, nó
(iii) maidir le hionadaí pearsanta sealbhóra ceadúnais, ar feadh na tréimhse sé mhí dar tosach dáta báis an tsealbhóra.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, ar iarratas a dhéanamh chuige á iarraidh agus ar aon táille iomchuí (a chuirfear leis an iarratas) a bheidh forordaithe de thuras na huaire faoi fho-alt (4) den alt seo a bheith íoctha leis, ceadúnas a dheonú, nó diúltú ceadúnas a dheonú, do duine á údarú bunachas marcaíochta a choimeád san áitreabh a shonrófar sa cheadúnas.
(3) (a) Beidh ceadúnas faoi réir cibé coinníollacha (más ann) is dóigh leis an Aire is gá nó is foirsteanach chun cuspóirí na Coda seo a bhaint amach agus a fhorchuirfidh sé nuair a dheonófar an ceadúnas nó aon tráth dá éis sin agus a shonróidh sé sa cheadúnas agus déanfaidh an duine a mbeidh bunachas marcaíochta á choimeád aige aon choinníollacha a chomhlíonadh a shonrófar sa cheadúnas a bhainfidh leis an mbunachas.
(b) Féadfaidh an tAire, más oiriúnach leis, coinníoll a bheidh ag gabháil le ceadúnas a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, táille a fhorordú ó am go ham a íocfar leis an Aire ar iarratas ar cheadúnas.
(5) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, i leith aon táillí a íocfar faoin alt seo.
(6) Beidh aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) nó fo-alt (3) den alt seo ciontach i gcion.
Forálacha maidir le ceadúnais.
29.—(1) Nuair a bheidh an tAire a chinneadh cibé acu a dheonóidh sé ceadúnus nó a dhiúltóidh sé ceadúnas a dheonú, de réir mar a bheidh, chun bunachas marcaíochta a choimeád in aon áitreabh, beidh aird aige go háirithe an bhfuil an duine, i dtuairim an Aire, atá nó a bheidh ag coimeád an bhunachais oiriúnach agus cáilithe ó thaithí ar bhainistíocht capall nó ar shlí eile chun bheith ina choimeádaí bunachais den sórt sin agus, freisin, ar é bheith riachtanach a áirithiú—
(a) go mbeidh ar fáil i gcónaí do chapaill, cóiríocht a bheidh oiriúnach maidir le foirgniú, méid, an uimhir áititheoirí, soilsiú, aerú, siltean agus glaineacht,
(b) go ndéanfar, i gcás capaill a bheidh á gcothabháil ar féarach, leordhóthain féaraigh agus fothaine a chothabháil dóibh i gcónaí le linn dóibh a bheith á gcothabháil amhlaidh,
(c) go gcoimeádfar leordhóthain beatha, uisce agus (ach amháin, i gcás capaill a bheidh á gcothabháil ar féarach, an fad a bheidh siad á gcothabháil amhlaidh) easair le capaill, agus go dtabharfar leordhóthain lúthaíochta agus scíthe dóibh agus (a mhéid is gá sin) go mbreathnófar orthu i gceann tréimhsí oiriúnacha,
(d) go nglacfar gach réamhchúram réasúnach chun galair aicídeacha nó thógálacha a thoirmeasc, agus a chosc ó leathadh, i measc capall,
(e) go ndéanfar bearta iomchuí chun capaill a chosaint i gcás toiteáin,
(f) go gcoimeádfar capaill i ndeá-shláinte agus go mbeidh, i gcás capall a bheidh á choimeád chun é a ligean ar fruiliú chun marcaíochta nó capall a bheidh á choimeád lena úsáid chun teagasc a thabhairt ar mharcaíocht, an capall agus aon trealamh a thabharfar leis oiriúnach chun na críche dá mbeidh sé sa chás sin á choimeád,
(g) go mbeidh leorchóiríocht ar fáil le haghaidh farae, easrach, trealamh cró agus diallatra,
(h) go mbeidh, i gcás ina n-úsáidfear capaill chun teagasc ar mharcaíocht a thabhairt i gcomaoin íocaíochta, an oilteacht agus an cumas is gá chuige sin ag an duine a bheidh ag thabhairt an teagaisc,
agus sonróidh an tAire cibé coinníollacha sa cheadúnas, má dheonaíonn sé é, a fheicfear dó is gá nó is foirsteanach sa chás áirithe chun na cuspóirí go léir a shonraítear i míreanna (a) go (h) den fho-alt seo a bhaint amach.
(2) Féadfar ceadúnas a dheonú faoi réir nó d'éagmais teorann le tréimhse a bhailíochta.
(3) (a) Aon uair a bheartóidh an tAire diúltú ceadúnas a dheonú, tabharfaidh sé, sula ndéanfaidh sé sin, fógra d'iarratasóir an cheadúnais go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige agus a chúiseanna leis sin, agus, má chuireann an t-iarratasóir aon uiríolla faoi bhráid an Aire laistigh de sheacht lá tár éis an dáta a thabharfar an fógra, breithneoidh an tAire iad.
(b) Aon uair a bheartóidh an tAire ceadúnas a chúlghairm, tabharfaidh sé, sula ndéanfaidh sé sin, fógra don duine a mbeidh an bunachas marcaíochta lena mbainfidh an ceadúnais á choimeád aige go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige agus a chúiseanna leis sin, agus
(i) má dhéanann an duine aon uiríolla laistigh de thríocha lá tar éis an dáta a thabharfar an fógra, breithneoidh an tAire iad, agus
(ii) má iarrann an duine ar an Aire, laistigh de sheacht lá tar éis an dáta a thabharfar an fógra, go ndéanfar fiosrúchán faoin ábhar,
cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara fiosrúchán a dhéanamh (mura mbeidh cinnte ag an Aire, de bharr uiríolla a cuireadh faoina bhráid a bhreithniú, an ceadúnas a chúlghairm).
(c) I gcás ina ndéanfar fiosrúchán faoin bhfo-alt seo, ní chúlghairfidh an tAire an ceadúnas nó go mbeidh tuarascáil ón duine a dhéanfaidh an fiosrúchán breithnithe aige.
(d) Déanfaidh an tAire duine is abhcóide cleachtach a bhfuil seasamh deich mbliana ar a laghad ag an mbarra aige a cheapadh chun fiosrúchán a dhéanamh faoin alt seo agus beidh cumhacht ag an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh chun fianaise a ghlacadh faoi mhionn agus údraítear leis seo dó daoine a chur faoi mhionn agus tabharfaidh sé tuarascáil don Aire ar a chinntí de bharr an fhiosrúcháin.
(e) Tabharfaidh an tAire don duine a d'iarr go ndéanfaí an fiosrúchán fógra i dtaobh an trátha agus na háite a ndéanfar an fiosrúchán agus beidh an duine i dteideal láithriú ag an bhfiosrúchán go pearsanta nó trí abhcóide nó aturnae agus fianaise a thabhairt ar aird.
(f) Íocfar le duine a dhéanfaidh fiosrúchán faoin bhfo-alt seo cibé luach saothair a shocróidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(4) Aon uair a chúlghairfidh an tAire ceadúnas cuirfidh sé faoi deara ráiteas ar a chúiseanna leis sin a dhéanamh a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Dul isteach in áitribh agus iad a iniúchadh.
30.—(1) Féadfaidh oifigeach don Aire a bheidh údaraithe go cuí chuige sin ag an Aire nó comhalta den Gharda Síochána, gach tráth réasúnach, dul isteach agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh—
(a) ar aon áitreabh a bhfuil cúis aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil bunachas marcaíochta á choimeád ag duine ann,
(b) ar aon áitreabh lena mbaineann ceadúnas, agus
(c) ar aon áitreabh a bhfuil iarratas ar cheadúnas déanta ina leith agus nach bhfuil ceadúnas deonta ag an Aire nó nach bhfuil diúltaithe ag an Aire ceadúnas a dheonú maidir leis,
agus
(i) féadfaidh sé aon chapaill nó aon ní ann a scrúdú,
(ii) féadfaidh sé a cheangal ar aon duine a mbeidh ina sheilbh nó faoina rialú aon taifid nó doiciméid a bhainfidh leis an áitreabh nó leis an ngnó a dhéantar ann na taifid nó na doiciméid eile sin a thabhairt ar aird,
(iii) féadfaidh sé iad a iniúchadh agus a scrúdú, cóip a dhéanamh díobh nó sleachta a thógáil astu.
(2) Aon duine a bhacfaidh nó a mhoilleoidh go toiliúil aon duine agus é ag feidhmiú a chumhachtaí faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(3) Tabharfar d'oifigeach don Aire a bheidh ag feidhmiú cumhachtaí faoin Acht seo deimhniú ar a údarás na feidhmeanna sin a fheidhmiú, agus nuair a bheidh sé ag dul isteach in áitreabh ag feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin tabharfaidh sé ar aird, má iarrtar sin air, an deimhniú don duine a bhfuil bunachas marcaíochta á choimeád aige nó a bheartaíonn bunachas marcaíochta a choimeád san áitreabh nó d'aon duine eile ag a bhfuil post freagrach bainistíochta san áitreabh.
Ilchionta.
31.—Aon duine—
(a) a dhéanfaidh, tráth a bheidh capall i riocht gur dhóigh gur chúis fulaingthe don chapall an capall sin a mharcaíocht, an capall a ligean ar fruiliú nó a úsáid chun teagasc ar mharcaíocht a thabhairt i gcomaoin íocaíochta nó chun taispeánadh a thabhairt ar mharcaíocht,
(b) a thabharfaidh, le haghaidh capall a ligfidh sé ar fruiliú le haghaidh marcaíochta, trealamh a úsáidfear le linn na marcaíochta agus ar a mbeidh, le linn é a thabhairt, locht de shórt gur léir é ó iniúchadh agus gur dóigh dó bheith ina chúis fulaingthe don chapall nó ina chúis tionóisce don mharcach,
(c) a mhainneoidh cibé aireachas leighis is oiriúnach, más ann, a sholáthar le haghaidh capall tinn nó capall gortaithe a bheidh á choimeád aige d'fhonn é a ligean ar fruiliú nó a úsáid chun críche a luaitear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo,
(d) a chuirfidh i bhfolach, nó a chuirfidh faoi deara go gcuirfear i bhfolach, d'intinn iniúchadh faoi alt 30 den Acht seo a sheachaint, aon chapall a bheidh á choiméad san áitreabh lena mbainfidh an t-iniúchadh
beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin Acht seo.
(2) Aon duine, d'fhonn go ndeonfaí deontas dó, a thabharfaidh aon eolas is eol dó a bheith bréagach (a chiallaíonn, san fho-alt seo, bréagach i bponc ábhartha), nó a dhéanfaidh ráiteas is eol dó a bheith bréagach nó a thabharfaidh go meargánta aon eolas bréagach nó a dhéanfaidh go meargánta aon ráiteas bréagach beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin Acht seo.
Pionóis.
32.—Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin Acht seo dlífear ar é a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air agus ina theannta sin, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise deich bpunt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion.
Feidhmeanna an Aire a aistriú chun an Bhoird.
33.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, más oiriúnach leis, le hordú aon chumhacht a thugtar dó leis an gCuid seo den Acht seo a aistriú chun an Bhoird nó cibé feidhmeanna (i dteannta na bhfeidhmeanna thugtar don Bhord leis an Acht seo) maidir le pórú, díol agus onnmhairiú capall, eachaíocht agus nithe a bhaineann leis na nithe réamhráite, a shannadh don Bhord, mar is oiriúnach leis.
(2) An fheidhm maidir le hoifigigh an Aire a thugtar don Aire le halt 30 den Acht seo, measfar, má aistrítear í chun an Bhoird faoin alt seo, gur feidhm i maidir le hoifigigh an Bhoird.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire cibé forálacha a chur in ordú faoin alt seo is dóigh leis is inmhianaithe nó is gá maidir le hábhair atá coimhdeach i ndáil le feidhmeanna nó a éiríonn as feidhmeanna a aistriú chun an Bhoird nó a shannadh don Bhord faoin alt seo nó na feidhmeanna sin a chomhlíonadh ag an mBord, lena n-áirítear forálacha do dhéanamh aon mhodhnuithe nó oiriúnuithe ar an gCuid seo is gá mar gheall ar fheidhmeanna a aistriú faoin alt seo.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
Tosach feidhme (Cuid III).
34.—Tiocfaidh an Chuid seo den Acht seo i ngníomh cibé lá a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú.
Number 19 of 1970
HORSE INDUSTRY ACT, 1970
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas. |
Bord na gCapall
Disclosure by member of Board of interest in proposed contract. | |
Membership of either House of Oireachtas by officer or servant of Board. | |
Licensing of Riding Establishments
Act Referred to | |
Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 | 1879, c. 58 |
Number 19 of 1970
HORSE INDUSTRY ACT, 1970
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Horse Industry Act, 1970.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
“the Board” means Bord na gCapall established by this Act;
“the establishment day” means the day appointed to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act under section 4 of this Act;
“functions” includes powers and duties, and references to the performance of functions include references to the exercise of powers;
“horse” includes any mare, gelding, pony, foal, colt, filly or stallion and also any ass, mule or jennet;
“licence” means a licence for the time being in force granted under section 28 of this Act;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries;
“premises” includes lands.
Expenses.
3.—Any expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act, shall to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Establishment day.
4.—The Minister may by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
5.—Every order and regulation under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such 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 under the order or regulation.
PART II
Bord Na gCapall
Establishment of Board.
6.—(1) There shall, by virtue of this section, be established on the establishment day a board to be known as Bord na gCapall (in this Act referred to as the Board) to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name.
Functions of Board.
7.—(1) The functions of the Board shall be—
(a) to advise the Minister—
(i) in relation to the breeding, sale and export of horses and associated activities,
(ii) in relation to the conditions to be attached to licences,
(iii) in relation to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) to (k) of this subsection and any functions transferred to the Board under section 33 of this Act,
(b) to co-ordinate (with the consent of the organisations or groups affected) the work of organisations or groups wholly or mainly concerned with the breeding of horses or equitation or matters connected with the matters aforesaid;
(c) to establish, equip and operate or cause to be operated on its behalf a national centre or national centres for training in equitation;
(d) to consult with the relevant equestrian organisations (if requested by them) about the choice of international equestrian competitions in which to enter Irish national teams or members thereof and, where such teams or members and the competitions for which they are entered are approved of by the Board, to assist the teams, or members, as the case may be in either or both of the following ways, that is to say, the provision of money to meet, in whole or in part, the costs of entering and taking part in the competitions or the provision of horses for use by the teams or members, as the case may be, in the competitions;
(e) to encourage the holding of international equestrian competitions in the State and to assist, whether by the provision of money or otherwise, in the holding and running of such competitions;
(f) to provide for the training of persons in the giving of instruction in equitation:
(g) to co-ordinate and undertake publicity on horses;
(h) to promote the organisation of sales of horses other than thoroughbred horses;
(i) to promote and develop the export trade in horses other than thoroughbred horses;
(j) to provide for persons outside the State an information service of such kind as it considers appropriate in relation to horses;
(k) to establish and administer a scheme of apprenticeship in farriery;
(l) to undertake such other functions as may be transferred or assigned to the Board under section 33 of this Act.
(2) The Board shall have all such powers as are necessary for or incidental to the performance of its functions.
Members of Board.
8.—(1) The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister from time to time as occasion requires but shall not exceed eleven in number.
(2) Before appointing a member of the Board, the Minister shall consult with such organisations (if any) as he thinks appropriate in relation to the appointment.
(3) The period of office of a member of the Board shall be such period, not exceeding five years, as the Minister may determine when appointing him.
(4) A member of the Board whose term of office expires by effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(5) A member of the Board may at any time resign his office as member by letter sent to the Minister, and the resignation shall take effect on receipt of the letter.
(6) Where a member of the Board or of a committee established by the Board is nominated either as a candidate for election to either House of the Oireachtas or as a member of Seanad Éireann, he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Board or of the committee, as the case may be.
(7) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming a member of the Board or of a committee established by the Board.
(8) A member of the Board shall hold office on such terms as the Minister may determine from time to time.
(9) A member of the Board or of any committee established by the Board shall be paid, out of funds at the disposal of the Board, such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, considers reasonable.
(10) A member of the Board shall be disqualified from holding and shall cease to hold office if he is adjudicated a bankrupt or makes a composition or arrangement with creditors or is sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction to suffer imprisonment or penal servitude or ceases to be ordinarily resident in the State.
(11) The Minister may at any time remove a member of the Board from office.
Chairman of Board.
9.—(1) The Minister may from time to time as occasion requires appoint a member of the Board to be chairman thereof.
(2) The chairman of the Board may at any time resign his office as chairman by letter sent to the Minister, and the resignation shall, unless it is previously withdrawn in writing, take effect at the commencement of the meeting of the Board held next after the Board has been informed by the Minister of the resignation.
(3) Where the chairman of the Board ceases during his term of office as chairman to be a member of the Board, he shall also then cease to be chairman of the Board.
Seal of Board.
10.—(1) The Board shall as soon as may be after its establishment provide itself with a seal.
(2) The seal of the Board shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman of the Board or some other member thereof authorised by the Board to act in that behalf and the signature of an officer of the Board authorised by the Board to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Board, and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Board and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this section) of the Board shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without further proof unless the contrary is shown.
Disclosure by member of Board of interest in proposed contract.
11.—A member of the Board who has—
(a) any interest in any company with which the Board proposes to make any contract, or
(b) any interest in any contract which the Board proposes to make,
shall disclose to the Board the fact of the interest and the nature thereof, and shall take no part in any deliberation or decision of the Board relating to the contract, and the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board.
Meetings and procedure of Board.
12.—(1) The Board shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the due fulfilment of its functions.
(2) The first meeting of the Board shall be held on or as soon as conveniently may be after the establishment day.
(3) At a meeting of the Board—
(a) the chairman of the Board shall, if present, be chairman of the meeting,
(b) if and so long as the chairman of the Board is not present or if the office of chairman is vacant, the members of the Board who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
(4) Every question at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question, and in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
(5) The Board may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies among its members.
(6) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall regulate its procedure by rules or otherwise.
(7) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall, unless the Minister otherwise directs, be five.
Grants to Board.
13.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, there may, subject to such conditions, if any, as the Minister thinks proper, be paid to the Board in each financial year out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas a grant or grants of such amount or amounts as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and after consultation with the Board in relation to its programme of expenditure for that year, may fix.
(2) In fixing the amount of a grant under this section in respect of any year regard shall be had to the amount of the Board's income (excluding any income under this section or section 14 (c) of this Act) in that year, and, if the amount of the income exceeds such amount as may be determined by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, the amount of the grant shall be increased by such amount (if any) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may fix.
Miscellaneous powers of Board.
14.—For the purpose of the due performance of its functions the Board may—
(a) provide, equip and maintain offices and other premises,
(b) purchase, take or let on lease or sell horses,
(c) with the consent of the Minister, borrow money for capital or current purposes.
Expenditure by Board.
15.—The funds of the Board may be used—
(a) for the payment of expenses incurred by it in the performance of its functions, and
(b) for the making of payments, grants or loans for any purpose that, in the opinion of the Board, is conducive to the promotion and development of the export of horses (excluding thoroughbred horses).
Investment by Board.
16.—The Board may invest any of its funds (not being funds to which section 24 (3) of this Act applies) in any manner in which a trustee is empowered by law to invest trust funds.
Acquisition and disposal of land.
17.—(1) The Board may acquire by agreement any land or any easement, wayleave or other right in respect of land.
(2) The Board may dispose of any land vested in it which it no longer requires.
Accounts and audits.
18.—(1) The Board shall keep in such form as may be approved by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expended by it, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet, and, in particular, shall keep in such form as aforesaid all such special accounts as the Minister, on his own motion, or at the request of the Minister for Finance, shall from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the income and expenditure account and of the balance sheet and of such other (if any) of the accounts kept pursuant to subsection (1) of this section as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, may direct and a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the accounts shall be presented to the Minister who shall cause copies thereof to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Annual report and information to the Minister.
19.—(1) The Board shall within ninety days after the end of each accounting period of the Board or such longer time as the Minister shall in any particular case allow, make a report to the Minister of its proceedings under this Act during the period, and the Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) The Board shall supply the Minister with such information regarding the performance of its functions as he may from time to time require.
Officers and servants of Board.
20.—(1) The Board shall appoint such and so many persons to be officers and servants of the Board as the Board from time to time thinks proper.
(2) An officer or servant of the Board shall hold his office or employment on such terms and conditions as the Board from time to time determines.
(3) There shall be paid by the Board to its officers and servants out of moneys at its disposal such remuneration and allowances as the Board, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, from time to time determines.
(4) The Board may at any time remove any officer or servant of the Board from being its officer or servant.
Performance of functions of Board by officers or servants.
21.—The Board may perform any of its functions through or by any of its officers or servants duly authorised by the Board in that behalf.
Superannuation of officers and servants of Board.
22.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the establishment day, the Board shall prepare and submit to the Minister for Finance for his approval, a contributory scheme or contributory schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on retirement or death to or in respect of such wholetime officers or wholetime servants of the Board as it may think fit.
(2) The Board may at any time, prepare and submit to the Minister for Finance, a scheme amending a scheme under this section.
(3) A scheme submitted to the Minister for Finance under this section shall, if approved of by the Minister for Finance, be carried out by the Board in accordance with its terms.
(4) A scheme submitted and approved of under subsection (1) of this section shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to whom pensions, gratuities or other allowances are payable under the scheme, and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(5) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any pension, gratuity or other allowance payable in pursuance of a scheme under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister for Finance whose decision shall be final.
(6) Every scheme submitted and approved of under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is approved of and if either House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the scheme, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Membership of either House of Oireachtas by officer or servant of Board.
23.—(1) Where a person who is either an officer or a servant in the employment of the Board becomes a member of either House of the Oireachtas—
(a) he shall during the period (in this section referred to as the secondment period) commencing upon his becoming entitled under the Standing Orders of that House to sit therein and ending either when he ceases to be a member of that House or, if it should sooner happen, upon his resignation or retirement from such employment or upon the termination of such employment by the Board, stand seconded from such employment,
(b) he shall not be paid by, or entitled to receive from, the Board any remuneration or allowances in respect of the secondment period,
(c) he shall not be entitled to reckon the whole or any part of the secondment period for any superannuation benefits payable under this Act.
(2) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming an officer or servant of the Board.
Acceptance of gifts by Board.
24.—(1) The Board may accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donor.
(2) The Board shall not accept a gift if the conditions attached to the acceptance by the donor are inconsistent with the functions of the Board.
(3) Any funds of the Board, being a gift or the proceeds of a gift to it, may, subject to any terms or conditions of the gift, be invested by the Board in any manner in which a trustee is empowered by law to invest trust funds.
Committees of Board.
25.—(1) The Board may from time to time establish committees to perform such (if any) of the functions of the Board as, in the opinion of the Board, may be better or more conveniently performed by a committee, and are assigned to a committee by the Board.
(2) A committee established under this section may, if the Board thinks fit, include in its membership persons who are not members of the Board.
(3) The appointment of a person to act as a member of a committee established under this section shall be subject to such conditions (including conditions in relation to the term and tenure of office of the member) as the Board may think fit to impose when making the appointment.
(4) A member of a committee established under this section may be removed from office at any time by the Board.
(5) The Board may at any time dissolve a committee appointed under this section.
(6) The acts of a committee established under this section shall be subject to confirmation by the Board unless the Board dispenses with the necessity for such confirmation.
(7) The Board may regulate the procedure of committees established under this section, but, subject to any such regulation, committees established under this section may regulate their own procedure.
PART III
Licensing of Riding Establishments
Power to restrict application of Part III.
26.—The Minister may by regulations under this section provide that this Part shall not apply to any class of riding establishment specified in the regulations (by reference to such matters, including the numbers of horses kept, as the Minister may consider appropriate), and this Part shall apply and have effect in accordance with the provisions of any regulations for the time being in force under this section.
Interpretation (Part III).
27.—(1) References in this Part to the keeping of a riding establishment shall be construed as references to the carrying on of a business of keeping horses for either or both of the following purposes, that is to say, the purpose of their being let out on hire for riding or the purpose of their being used in providing, in return for payment, instruction in riding.
(2) For the purposes of this Part a person keeping a riding establishment shall be taken to keep it at the premises where the horses employed for the purposes of the business concerned are kept.
Licences.
28.—(1) (a) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person shall not keep a riding establishment except under and in accordance with a licence.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply—
(i) in relation to a person who kept a riding establishment immediately before the commencement of this Part, during the period of three months beginning on such commencement,
(ii) in relation to a person who acquires, by purchase or otherwise, a riding establishment the subject of a licence, during the period of three months beginning on the date of such acquisition, or
(iii) in relation to the personal representative of the holder of a licence, during the period of six months beginning on the date of the death of the holder.
(2) The Minister may, on application being made to him in that behalf and on payment to him of any appropriate fee (which shall accompany the application) for the time being standing prescribed under subsection (4) of this section grant or refuse to grant a licence to a person authorising the keeping of a riding establishment at the premises specified in the licence.
(3) (a) A licence shall be subject to such conditions (if any) as the Minister may think necessary or expedient for securing the objects of this Part and may impose at the time of the grant thereof or at any time thereafter and specify in the licence and the person who keeps a riding establishment shall comply with any conditions specified in the licence relating to the establishment.
(b) The Minister may, if he so thinks fit, amend or revoke a condition attached to a licence.
(4) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, from time to time prescribe a fee which shall be paid to the Minister on an application for a licence.
(5) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect of any fees paid under this section.
(6) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or subsection (3) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
Provisions in relation to licences.
29.—(1) In determining whether to grant or refuse to grant or revoke, as the case may be, a licence for the keeping of a riding establishment at any premises, the Minister shall in particular have regard to whether the person who is or will be keeping the establishment is, in the opinion of the Minister, suitable and qualified either by experience in the management of horses or otherwise to be the keeper of such an establishment and to the need for securing—
(a) that there will be available at all times, for horses, accommodation suitable as respects construction, size, number of occupants, lighting, ventilation, drainage, and cleanliness,
(b) that, in the case of horses maintained at grass, there will be maintained for them at all times during which they are so maintained adequate pasture and shelter,
(c) that horses will be adequately supplied with food, drink and (except, in the case of horses maintained at grass, so long as they are so maintained) bedding material, and will be adequately exercised and rested and (so far as necessary) visited at suitable intervals,
(d) that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread among horses of infectious or contagious diseases,
(e) that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of horses in case of fire,
(f) that horses will be maintained in a good state of health and that, in the case of a horse kept for the purpose of its being let out on hire for riding or a horse kept for the purpose of its being used in providing instruction in riding, the horse and any equipment to be supplied with it will be suitable for the purpose for which in that case it is kept,
(g) that adequate accommodation will be provided for forage, bedding, stable equipment and saddlery,
(h) that where horses are used for the purpose of providing in return for payment instruction in riding, the person giving the instruction shall have the necessary skill and ability for the purpose,
and shall specify such conditions in the licence, if granted by him, as appear to the Minister necessary or expedient in the particular case for securing all the objects specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) of this subsection.
(2) A licence may be granted with or without limitation on its period of validity.
(3) (a) Whenever the Minister proposes to refuse to grant a licence, he shall, before doing so, notify in writing the applicant for the licence of his intention and of the reasons therefor, and, if any representations are made by the applicant to the Minister within fourteen days after the date of the giving of the notification the Minister shall consider them.
(b) Whenever the Minister proposes to revoke a licence, he shall, before doing so, notify the person keeping the riding establishment to which it relates of his intention and of the reasons therefor, and
(i) if any representations are made by the person within thirty days after the date of the giving of the notification the Minister shall consider them, and
(ii) if the person makes a request to the Minister, within seven days after the date of the giving of the notification, for the holding of an inquiry in relation to the matter,
the Minister shall cause an inquiry to be held (unless, as a result of the consideration of representations made to him, the Minister has decided not to revoke the licence).
(c) Where an inquiry is held under this subsection, the Minister shall not revoke the licence until he has considered the report of the person holding the inquiry.
(d) The Minister shall appoint a person who is a practising barrister of at least ten years' standing to hold any inquiry under this subsection and the person so appointed shall have power to take evidence on oath which he is hereby authorised to administer and shall make a report to the Minister of his findings at the inquiry.
(e) The Minister shall give to the person who requested the holding of the inquiry notice of the time and place of the holding of the inquiry and the person shall be entitled to appear at the inquiry personally or by counsel or solicitor and to adduce evidence.
(f) There shall be paid to a person holding an inquiry under this subsection such remuneration as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may fix.
(4) Whenever the Minister revokes a licence, he shall cause a statement of his reasons for doing so to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Entry and inspection of premises.
30.—(1) An officer of the Minister duly authorised in that behalf by the Minister or a member of the Garda Síochána may enter and inspect at all reasonable times—
(a) premises where he has reason to believe a person is keeping a riding establishment,
(b) premises to which a licence relates, and
(c) premises in respect of which an application for a licence has been made and in relation to which the Minister has neither granted nor refused to grant the licence,
and
(i) may examine any horses thereon or any thing therein,
(ii) may require any person having in his possession or control any records or documents relating to the premises or the business carried on there to produce such records or other documents, and
(iii) may inspect, examine, copy or take extracts from them.
(2) Any person who wilfully obstructs or delays any person in the exercise of his powers under subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) An officer of the Minister performing functions under this Act shall be furnished with a certificate of his authorisation to perform those functions, and when entering on premises in the performance of those functions, shall, if so required, produce the certificate to the person who is keeping or proposes to keep a riding establishment at the premises or any other person holding a responsible position of management at the premises.
Miscellaneous offences.
31.—(1) If a person—
(a) at a time when a horse is in such a condition that its riding would be likely to cause suffering to the horse, lets out the horse on hire or uses it for the purpose of providing, in return for payment, instruction in riding or for the purpose of demonstrating riding,
(b) supplies for a horse which is let out on hire by him for riding, equipment which is used in the course of the hiring and suffers, at the time it is supplied, from a defect of such a nature as to be apparent on inspection and as to be likely to cause suffering to the horse or an accident to the rider,
(c) fails to provide such curative care as may be suitable, if any, for a sick or injured horse which is kept by him with a view to its being let out on hire or used for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection,
(d) with intent to avoid inspection under section 30 of this Act, conceals, or causes to be concealed, any horse maintained on the premises to which the inspection relates,
he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(2) A person who for the purpose of obtaining the grant of a licence gives any information which he knows to be false (which in this subsection means false in a material particular) or makes a statement which he knows to be false or recklessly gives any information which is false or recklessly makes any statement which is false shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
Penalties.
32.—A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of ten pounds for each day on which the offence is continued.
Transfer of functions of Minister to Board.
33.—(1) The Minister may from time to time, if he so thinks fit, by order transfer to the Board any function conferred on him by this Part or assign to the Board such functions (in addition to the functions conferred on it by this Act) in relation to the breeding, sale and export of horses, equitation and matters connected with the matters aforesaid as he thinks fit.
(2) The function in relation to officers of the Minister conferred on the Minister by section 30 of this Act shall, if it is transferred to the Board under this section, be deemed to be a function in relation to officers of the Board.
(3) The Minister may include in an order under this section such provisions as he thinks desirable or necessary in relation to matters ancillary to or arising out of the transfer or assignment to the Board under this section of functions or the performance by the Board of those functions, including provisions making any modifications or adaptations of this Part that are necessitated by a transfer of functions under this section.
(4) The Minister may by order revoke or amend an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).
Commencement. (Part III).
34.—This Part of this Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.