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Uimhir 20 de 1940.
ACHT TOGHACHÁIN AN tSEANAID (BAILL AINMLIOSTA) (TOGHACHÁIN CHORRA), 1940.
[An tiontódh oifigeamhail.]
[10adh Iúl, 1940.]
CUID I.
Roimhraiteach agus Generalta.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Féadfar Acht Toghacháin an tSeanaid (Baill Ainmliosta) (Toghacháin Chorra), 1940, do ghairm den Acht so.
An Príomh-Acht.
2.—(1) San Acht so cialluíonn an abairt “an Príomh-Acht” Acht Toghacháin an tSeanaid (Baill Ainmliosta), 1937 (Uimh. 43 de 1937).
(2) Léireofar an tAcht so agus an Príomh-Acht mar éinní amháin agus dá réir sin (lasmuich de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so) gach focal no abairt dá dtugtar brí áirithe tríd an bPríomh-Acht no ann chun crícheanna an Achta san, beidh aige, san Acht so, an bhrí do bheirtear dó amhlaidh.
Mínithe.
3.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “toghachán corr Seanaid” toghachán fén Acht so;
cialluíonn an focal “folúntas” foluntas i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann ar n-a thárlachtaint tré chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, do toghadh fén bPríomh-Acht sa toghachán Seanaid deiridh roimhe sin no do toghadh i dtoghachán corr Seanaid a bhí ann tar éis an toghacháin Seanaid deiridh sin roimhe sin, d'éag no d'eirghe as oifig no do theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht;
cialluíonn an abairt “folúntas fo-ainmliosta chólucht ainmniúcháin” folúntas ar n-a thárlachtaint tré chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, do toghadh sa toghachán Seanaid deiridh roimhe sin as fo-ainmliost cólucht ainmniúcháin no do toghadh i dtoghachán corr Seanaid chun ionad comhalta do toghadh amhlaidh sa toghachán Seanaid sin do líonadh (go díreach no go nea-dhíreach), d'éag no d'eirghe as oifig no do theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht;
cialluíonn an abairt “folúntas fo-ainmliosta Dhála” folúntas ar n-a thárlachtaint tré chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, do toghadh sa toghachán Seanaid deiridh roimhe sin as ainmliost Dála no do toghadh i dtoghachán corr Seanaid chun ionad comhalta do toghadh amhlaidh sa toghachán Seanaid sin do líonadh (go díreach no go nea-dhíreach), d'éag no d'eirghe as oifig no do theacht fé dhícháilíocht.
Feidhm alt áirithe den Phríomh-Acht.
4.—(1) Folóidh an abairt “toghachán Seanaid”, i ngach áit ina bhfuil sí in alt 5 den Phríomh-Acht, toghachán fén Acht so, agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag an alt san dá réir sin.
(2) Folóidh an abairt “an tAcht so”, sna háiteanna ina bhfuil sí in alt 7 agus in alt 8 den Phríomh-Acht, an tAcht so féin, agus léireofar na hailt sin agus beidh éifeacht aca dá réir sin.
Fógra i dtaobh folúntais.
5.—(1) Pé uair a thárlóidh folúntas i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann, déanfaidh Cléireach Sheanad Éireann, ar n-a ordú san do Sheanad Éireann, fógra (dá ngairmtear san Acht so fógra i dtaobh folúntais) do chur i scríbhinn go dtí an tAire i dtaobh an fholúntais sin.
(2) Déarfar i ngach fógra i dtaobh folúntais, maidir leis an gcomhalta gur tré é d'éag no d'eirghe as oifig no do theacht fé dhícháilíocht do thárla an folúntas, cadé an t-ainmliost agus an fo-ainmliost as ar toghadh an comhalta san sa toghachán Seanaid deiridh roimhe sin no, más i dtoghachán corr Seanaid do toghadh an comhalta san, cadé an t-ainmliost agus an fo-ainmliost as ar toghadh, sa toghachán Seanaid deiridh roimhe sin, an comhalta gur chun a ionad do líonadh (go díreach no go nea-dhíreach) do toghadh é amhlaidh.
(3) Gach folúntas do thárla roimh dháta an Achta so do rith i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann tar éis an toghacháin Seanaid deiridh a bhí ann roimh an dáta san, is tuigthe, chun crícheanna an Achta so, é do thárlachtaint díreach tar éis an dáta san,
Orduithe toghacháin chuirr.
6.—(1) Pé uair do gheobhaidh an tAire fógra i dtaobh folúntais o Chléireach Sheanad Éireann, déanfaidh an tAire ordú (dá ngairmtear ordú toghacháin chuirr san Acht so) chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin, agus in aon chás céad is ochtó lá ar a mhéid tar éis an fhógra san d'fháil, agus ordóidh ann toghachán do chomóradh do réir an Achta so, chun an fholúntais sin do líonadh, agus luadhfaidh ann an t-ainmliost agus an fo-ainmliost gur ina dtaobh do thárla an folúntas san, agus ceapfaidh leis, chun crícheanna an toghacháin sin, na tráthanna agus na háiteanna luaidhtear sa cheann san den dá fho-alt díreach ina dhiaidh seo den alt so a bhainfidh leis an gcás.
(2) Más folúntas fo-ainmliosta chólucht ainmniúcháin an folúntas gur ina thaobh a déanfar ordú toghacháin chuirr, ceapfar leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr—
(a) an áit ina mbeidh an cruinniú ainmniúcháin agus an tráth a thosnóidh sé, agus
(b) an lá shuidhfidh agus an áit ina suidhfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid chun breith do thabhairt ar ainmnithe, agus
(c) seoladh an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid.
(3) Más folúntas fo-ainmliosta Dhála an folúntas gur ina thaobh a déanfar ordú toghacháin chuirr, ceapfar leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr—
(a) an lá is lá deiridh chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh, agus
(b) an lá shuidhfidh agus an áit ina suidhfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid chun breith do thabhairt ar ainmnithe, agus
(c) an lá is lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, agus
(d) an lá agus an uair a cuirfear deireadh leis an vótaíocht, agus
(e) seoladh an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid.
(4) Foillseofar gach ordú toghacháin chuirr san Iris Oifigiúil chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta.
A dtiocfaidh de Dháil Éireann do scor.
7.—(1) Pé uair a scuirfear Dáil Éireann tar éis don Aire fógra i dtaobh folúntais d'fháil agus sara ndéanfar ordú toghacháin chuirr alos an fholúntais sin, tiocfaidh an fógra san chun bheith agus beidh ar nea-mbrí de dhruim an scuir sin agus, d'ainneoin éinní atá san Acht so, ní déanfar aon ordú toghacháin chuirr alos an fholúntais sin.
(2 Pé uair a scuirfear Dáil Éireann tar éis ordú toghacháin chuirr do dhéanamh agus sara ndéanfar an toghachán de bhun an orduithe sin do chríochnú, tiocfaidh an t-ordú san chun bheith agus beidh ar nea-mbrí de dhruim an scuir sin agus ní déanfar a thuilleadh alos an orduithe sin, ach ní dhéanfaidh an neambríochaint sin dochar ná deifir do cheart an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid chun íoc d'fháil, fé alt 5 den Phríomh-Acht, ina chuid éilithe agus ina chuid chostaisí réasúnta alos na seirbhísí do rinne agus na gcostaisí fé n-a ndeachaidh, maidir leis an toghachán san, roimh an scur san.
Foráil i gcás breis agus folúntas amháin do bheith ann.
8.—Má thárlann, tráth ar bith, dhá cheann no níos mó d'fhógraí i dtaobh folúntais, ná beidh ar nea-mbrí de dhruim Dáil Éireann do scur agus ná beidh ordú toghacháin chuirr déanta ag an Aire ina dtaobh, do bheith faighte ag an Aire, déanfar ordú toghacháin chuirr fé leith agus comórfar toghachán fé leith alos gach folúntais fé leith le n-a mbainfidh na fógraí sin.
CUID II.
Foluntaisi Fo-ainmliosta Cholucht Ainmniuchain.
Coistí ainmniúcháin.
9.—(1) Bunófar agus cothabhálfar alos gach ainmliosta fé leith buan-choiste ar a dtabharfar, agus dá ngairmtear san Acht so, an coiste ainmniúcháin don ainmliost san.
(2) Gach cólucht ainmniúcháin a bheidh cláruithe de thurus na huaire ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, beid i dteideal trí chomhalta den choiste ainmniúcháin don ainmliost, gur ina thaobh a bheidh an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin cláruithe amhlaidh, do cheapadh.
(3) Bunóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an Achta so do rith, agus cothabhálfaidh as san amach, clár de sna coistí ainmniúcháin uile agus fé seach, agus de chomhaltaí na gcoistí sin fé seach, agus beidh an clár san ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite ar chomhaltas gach coiste den tsórt san.
(4) Gach clár, de chomhaltaí coiste ainmniúcháin, a bheidh á chothabháil fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, luadhfar ann, i dtaobh gach comhalta aca san, a sheoladh puist mar a bheidh san luaidhte i scríbhinn a cheaptha no curtha in úil aige féin ina dhiaidh sin fén Acht so, agus gach fógra is gá don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid, do réir an Achta so, do chur go dtí aon chomhalta aca san, cuirfear chuige é tríd an bpost chláruithe roimh-íoctha fé n-a sheoladh puist mar a bheidh san luaidhte sa chlár san amhlaidh
Comhaltaí na gcoistí ainmniúcháin do cheapadh.
10.—(1) Gach cólucht ainmniúcháin atá cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin ar dháta an Achta so do rith, déanfaid, chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an dáta san, triúr do cheapadh chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin don ainmliost gur ina thaobh atá an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin cláruithe amhlaidh.
(2) Gach cólucht a clárófar mar chólucht ainmniúcháin ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin tar éis an Achta so do rith, déanfaid, chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a gcláruithe amhlaidh, triúr do cheapadh chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin don ainmliost gur ina thaobh a bheidh an cólucht san cláruithe amhlaidh.
(3) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach cólucht ainmniúcháin, a bheidh cláruithe de thurus na huaire ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, féachaint chuige go mbeidh trí comhaltaí ceaptha aca de ghnáth chun an choiste ainmniúcháin oiriúnaigh agus, chuige sin, bheirtear de chomhacht do gach cólucht ainmniúcháin den tsórt san, agus cuirtear de cheangal ortha, leis seo gach folúntas a thárlóidh, imeasc na gcomhaltaí bheidh ceaptha aca chun an choiste ainmniúcháin sin, do líonadh chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin.
(4) Gach ceapachán a dhéanfaidh cólucht ainmniúcháin ag ceapadh comhalta de choiste ainmniúcháin, agus gach ceiliúradh dhéanfaid ar cheapachán den tsórt san—
(a) is i scríbhinn a déanfar é, agus
(b) greamófar de, i gcás an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin do bheith ina chólucht chorparuithe, séala an chóluchta san sa tslí sin inar gá, agus gus na contra-shighnithe sin gur gá, do réir bhunreachta no airteagal comhlachais no rialachán eile an chóluchta san, san do ghreamú dhe agus iad san do bheith ag gabháil leis sin no sighneofar é in ainm an chóluchta ainmniúcháin sin, i gcás gan an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin do bheith ina chólucht chorparuithe, agus is duine éigin go n-údarás aige chun sighniú ina n-ainm a dhéanfaidh san, agus
(c) i gcás ceapacháin, luadhfar ann ainm agus seoladh puist agus tuairisc an duine cheaptha agus beidh ráiteas ann, fé láimh an duine cheaptha, á rá go dtoilíonn leis an gceapachán, agus
(d) i ngach cás, cuirfidh an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin go dtí an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid é, agus
(e) beidh éifeacht aige ón uair do gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid é.
(5) Is ceaduithe d'aon chomhalta de choiste ainmniúcháin atharú ar a sheoladh phuist do chur in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid tráth ar bith i scríbhinn agus leis sin cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an seoladh nua sa rolla de chomhaltaí an choiste ainmniúcháin sin.
Sealbhaíocht oifige chomhaltaí na gcoistí ainmniúcháin.
11.—(1) Is ceaduithe ainmniúcháin, a bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, aon cheapachán a bheidh déanta aca, ag ceapadh comhalta de choiste ainmniúcháin, do cheiliúradh tráth ar bith.
(2) Pé uair a thárlóidh do chólucht ainmniúcháin, 'na mbeidh comhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin d'ainmliost ceaptha aca, scur de bheith ina gcólucht ainmniúcháin ar n-a gclárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin alos an ainmliosta san, scuirfidh na comhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin sin, a bheidh ceaptha ag an gcólucht ainmniúcháin sin, de bheith ina gcomhaltaí den choiste sin.
(3) Scuirfidh comhalta de choiste ainmniúcháin de bheith i seilbh oifige mar chomhalta den tsórt san i gcás éinní aca so leanas do thárlachtaint, ach ní hin aon chás eile, sé sin le rá:—
(a) é d'éag, no
(b) a cheapadh ina chomhalta den tsórt san do cheiliúradh fén alt so, no
(c) an cólucht ainmniúcháin do cheap é do scur de bheith cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin alos an ainmliosta dá mbeidh an coiste ainmniúcháin sin a gcothabháil.
E d'oblagáid cruinniú ainmniúcháin do chomóradh.
12.—Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú toghacháin chuirr alos folúntais, i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann, go ndéarfar san ordú san é bheith ina fholúntas alos an fho-ainmliosta chólucht ainmniúcháin d'ainmliost áirithe, déanfar cruinniú (dá ngairmtear cruinniú ainmniúcháin san Acht so) den choiste ainmniúcháin don ainmliost san do chomóradh san áit a bheidh ceaptha chuige sin leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr sin, agus tosnóidh an cruinniú san an uair a bheidh ceaptha amhlaidh, agus déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, fé cheann cúig lá tar éis dáta an orduithe toghacháin chuirr sin, fógra sa bhfuirm orduithe do chur go dtí gach comhalta den choiste ainmniúcháin sin, á chur in úil dó an folúntas san do bheith ann agus é bheith d'oblagáid ar an gcoiste ainmniúcháin sin ainmnithe do dhéanamh chun an fholúntais sin do líonadh, agus fós á chur in úil dó cadé an áit agus cadé an t-am a bheidh ceaptha amhlaidh mar adubhradh leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr sin.
An nós imeachta ag cruinniú ainmniúcháin.
13.—Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach cruinniú ainmniúcháin, sé sin le rá:—
(a) isé an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid a bheidh i gceannas an chruinnithe gus stiúrfaidh seisean imeachta an chéanna;
(b) is ceaduithe don cheann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus dá chongantóirí agus do sna comhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin, agus dóibh sin amháin, bheith i láthair ag an gcruinniú;
(c) ar dhul isteach dó go dtí an cruinniú, no chó luath agus is féidir é ina dhiaidh sin, sighneoidh gach comhalta den choiste ainmniúcháin a ainm i leabhar, no i mbreacachán eile, a dhéanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid a sholáthar agus a choimeád le haghaidh cuntas ar fhreastal na gcomhaltaí ag cruinnithe ainmniúcháin;
(d) soláthróidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid leor-uimhir de sna fuirmeacha ainmniúcháin orduithe agus cuirfidh na fuirmeacha san ar fáil do chomhaltaí an choiste ainmniúcháin;
(e) is ceaduithe d'aon chomhalta den choiste ainmniúcháin duine d'ainmniú, tráth ar bith laistigh d'uair a’ chluig tar éis tosach an chruinnithe, chun a ainmnithe ag an gcoiste ainmniúcháin sin;
(f) is ar fhuirm ainmniúcháin orduithe, ar n-a soláthar ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, a déanfar gach ainmniú den tsórt san, agus sighneoidh an comhalta bheidh ag déanamh an ainmnithe é agus sínfidh chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid é;
(g) cuirfear síos i ngach ainmniú den tsórt san ainm agus seoladh agus tuairisc an duine bheidh á ainmniú leis, agus beidh ráiteas ann ar cháilíochta an duine sin le haghaidh an ainmliosta dar coiste ainmniúcháin an coiste ainmniúcháin sin;
(h) diúltóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid d'aon ainmniú den tsórt san go bhfeicfear dó gan é bheith déanta agus có-lánuithe do réir an ailt seo;
(i) is ceaduithe do chomhalta aon ainmniú den tsórt san a bheidh déanta aige do tharrac siar tráth ar bith laistigh d'uair a chluig tar éis tosach an chruinnithe;
(j) isé slí ina dtarraiceofar ainmniú siar ná tríd an gcomhalta bheidh i gceist do chur ráitis fé n-a láimh, i dtaobh an tarraic siar san, i gcúl-scríbhinn ar an bpáipéar ainmniúcháin, agus chuige sin sínfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an páipéar san chuige;
(k) cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach ainmniú le n-a nglacfaidh, maraon le gach tarrac-siar ar ainmniú, ar fáil chun a n-iniúchta ag na comhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin a bheidh i láthair;
(l) má bhíonn níos mó ná triúr ainmnithe go cuibhe i gcionn uair a chluig o thosach an chruinnithe, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, i gcionn na huaire sin, an cruinniú do chur ar athló go dtí am agus áit a bheidh caothúil (an lá san no lá éigin ina dhiaidh sin) chun vótaíocht do chur ar siúl d'fhonn cinneadh ar an ord inar tuigthe na daoine bheidh ainmnithe amhlaidh do bheith ainmnithe ag an gcoiste ainmniúcháin;
(m) má bhíonn triúr, agus gan ach triúr, ainmnithe go cuibhe i gcionn uair a chluig o thosach an chruinnithe, beidh deireadh leis an gcruinniú i gcionn na huaire sin agus déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid deimhniú ainmnithe amach, agus sighneoidh é, do réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den Chuid seo den Act so;
(n) mara mbeidh duine ar bith ainmnithe go cuibhe no más lugha ná triúr a bheidh ainmhithe go cuibhe i gcionn uair a chluig a thosach an chruinnithe, beidh deireadh leis an gcruinniú i gcionn na huaire sin agus déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an méid sin, agus an chuma ina raibh cúrsaí ag deireadh an chruinnithe sin, do thuairisciú don Aire.
An vótaíocht ag cruinniú ainmniúcháin.
14.—Nuair a bheidh cruinniú ainmniúcháin curtha ar athló chun vótaíocht do chur ar siúl, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an vótaíocht san ar siúl do réir na bhforálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) cuirfear an vótaíocht san ar siúl san am gur chuige, agus san áit gur chuige, do cuireadh an cruinniú san ar athló, agus is tuigthe gur ag leanúint den chruinniú san a beifear;
(b) cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar fáil san áit sin seomra oiriúnach chun na vótaíochta do chur ar siúl ann, agus soláthróidh sa tseomra san na boscaí ballóide agus na deisceanna san, agus an troscán eile sin, is dóich leis is gá, agus soláthróidh freisin leoruimhir de pháipéirí ballóide;
(c) is ceaduithe don cheann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus dá chongantóirí agus do sna comhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin, agus dóibh sin amháin, bheith i láthair nuair a bheidh an vótaíocht ar siúl no na vótaí á gcóimhreamh;
(d) cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an vótaíocht ar siúl ar an am san gur chuige do cuireadh an cruinniú ainmniúcháin ar athló agus cuirfe sé deireadh leis an vótaíocht i gcionn uair a chluig ón am san;
(e) beidh gach comhalta den choiste ainmniúcháin i dteideal vótáil sa vótaíocht, pé aca bhí sé i láthair ag an gcruinniú ainmniúcháin sarar cuireadh ar athló é no ná raibh, ach ní bheidh aon chomhalta den tsórt san i dteideal páipéar ballóide d'fháil mara ndearna sé ag an gcruinniú ainmniúcháin sarar cuireadh ar athló é, no mara ndeinidh le linn na vótaíochta bheith ar siúl, a ainm do shighniú i leabhar no i mbreacachán eile a dhéanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid a sholáthar agus a choimeád le haghaidh cuntas ar fhreastal na gcomhaltaí ag cruinnithe ainmniúcháin;
(f) beidh gach comhalta fé leith den choiste ainmniúcháin i dteideal vótáil tré aon pháipéar ballóide amháin ach is ceaduithe dhó vótáil, tríd an bpáipéar ballóide sin, le duine amháin no le beirt no le triúr (ach ní le níos mó ná triúr) de sna hiarrthóirí;
(g) déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach ní mheasfaidh bheith ceart no oiriúnach chun na vótála sa vótaíocht do choimeád fé rún;
(h) gach ceist eireoidh le linn na vótaíochta bheith ar siúl, no maidir le n-a cur ar siúl, isé an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid do bhéarfaidh breith uirthi agus ní bheidh dul thar a bhreith san ar aon cheist den tsórt san ná ní bheidh athchomharc ionsuidhte ina coinnibh;
(i) nuair a bheidh deireadh leis an vótaíocht, cóimhreoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na vótaí agus déanfaidh amach toradh na vótaíochta agus, má bhíonn aon chomhaltaí den choiste ainmniúcháin i láthair an tráth san, craolfaidh an toradh san do sna comhaltaí sin.
An deimhniú ainmnithe.
15.—(1) I gcás triúr, agus gan níos mó ná triúr, do bheith ainmnithe go cuibhe i gcionn uair a chluig o thosach chruinnithe ainmniúcháin, déanfaidh agus sighneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid deimhniú (dá ngairmtear deimhniú ainmnithe san Acht so), sa bhfuirm orduithe, ina gcuirfear síos ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí an trír sin in ord aibítre a sloinnte agus, i gcás cóionannas sloinnte, in ord aibítre a n-aimneacha eile.
(2) Má cuirtear cruinniú ainmniúcháin ar athló chun vótaíocht do chur ar siúl, déanfaidh agus sighneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, ar chóimhreamh na vótaí bheidh tugtha sa vótaíocht san do bheith críochnuithe, deimhniú (agus gairmtear deimhniú ainmnithe de sin freisin san Acht so), sa bhfuirm orduithe, ina gcuirfear síos ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na ndaoine do hainmníodh ag an gcruinniú san agus ina dtaisbeánfar an t-ord, ar n-a dhéanamh amach sa vótaíocht san, inar tuigthe iad do bheith ainmnithe amhlaidh.
(3) Foillseoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid san Iris Oifigiúil gach deimhniú ainmnithe a dhéanfaidh agus a shighneoidh de bhun an ailt seo, agus san am gcéanna foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil fógra ag luadh an lae agus na háite bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach chun breith do thabhairt ar ainmnithe.
(4) Beidh deimhniú ainmnithe, ar n-a dhéanamh agus ar n-a shighniú agus ar n-a fhoillsiú de bhun an ailt seo, ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite ar na hainmnithe do rinneadh ag an gcruinniú ainmniúcháin le n-a mbainfidh an deimhniú san agus, i gcás an cruinniú san do chur ar athló chun vótaíocht do chur ar siúl, beidh an deimhniú san ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite freisin ar an vótaíocht san do chur ar siúl go cuibhe agus sa cheart agus ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite ar thoradh na vótaíochta san.
An breithiúnú ainmnithe agus an ráiteas deiridh ar ainmnithe.
16.—(1) I gcás ordú toghacháin chuirr do bhaint le folúntas fo-ainmliosta chólucht ainmniúcháin, raghaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, ar a haondéag a chlog ar maidin an lá bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr sin chun breith do thabhairt ar ainmnithe, chun na háite bheidh ceaptha sa tslí chéanna chun an ghnótha san agus comórfaidh san am agus san áit sin suidhe (dá ngairmtear an breithiúnú ainmnithe san Acht so) ag á dtabharfaidh breith ar na hainmnithe bheidh curtha síos sa deimhniú ainmnithe agus ag á n-ullmhóidh an ráiteas deiridh ar ainmnithe.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach breithiúnú ainmnithe comórfar de bhun an ailt seo, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéirí ainmniúcháin fé seach na ndaoine uile agus fé seach a bheidh ainmnithe sa deimhniú ainmnithe, agus is cinn do síneadh chuige ag an gcruinniú ainmniúcháin, do thabhairt ar áird;
(b) breithneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar ainmniúcháin gach duine bheidh ainmnithe sa deimhniú ainmnithe agus an t-ainmniú do bhéarfaidh an páipéar san le tuigsint do bheith á dhéanamh leis, agus bhéarfaidh breith ar bhailíocht an pháipéir agus an ainmnithe sin, agus is i ndiaidh a chéile, san ord ina mbeidh ainmneacha na ndaoine go mbéarfaidh na páipéirí sin le tuigsint iad do bheith á n-ainmniú leo curtha síos sa deimhniú ainmnithe, a bhreithneoidh na páipéirí agus na hainmnithe sin agus a bhéarfaidh breith ar an gcéanna;
(c) diúltóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid d'ainmniú dhuine ar bith, mar ainmniú nea-mbailidhe, i gcás é thabhairt mar bhreith i dtaobh an duine sin a pháipéar ainmniúcháin, no an t-ainmniú do bhéarfaidh an céanna le tuigsint do bheith á dhéanamh leis, do bheith neambailidhe, no i gcás nach deimhin leis i dtaobh an duine sin na cáilíochta do bheith aige atá curtha síos i bhfo-alt 1° d'alt 7 d'Airteagal 18 den Bhunreacht alos an ainmliosta bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach;
(d) nuair a bheidh breith tugtha ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar ainmniú dhuine, déanfaidh, mara mbeidh diúltuithe aige don aimnniú san mar ainmniú neambailidhe, ainm an duine sin d'iontráil i liost dá ngairmtear an liost sealadach san Acht so;
(e) nuair a bheidh ainmneacha trír iontrálta sa liost sealadach beidh an liost san iomlán agus ní bhreithneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainmnithe dhaoine ar bith ná ní thabharfaidh breith ar an gcéanna;
(f) nuair a bheidh an liost sealadach iomlán ullmhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, do réir an chéad fho-ailt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, agus sighneoidh an liost deiridh d'ainmnithe;
(g) i gcás gan ainm dhuine ar bith, no gan ach ainm no ainmneacha níos lugha ná triúr, do bheith iontrálta sa liost sealadach, ar bhreith do bheith tugtha ar na hainmnithe uile bheidh curtha síos sa deimhniú ainmnithe, beidh deireadh leis na himeachta ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe agus déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an méid sin, agus an chuma ina raibh cúrsaí ag deireadh na n-imeacht san, do thuairisciú don Aire.
(3) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir leis an liost deiridh d'ainmnithe, sé sin le rá:—
(a) beidh sa liost deiridh d'ainmnithe ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na ndaoine go mbeidh a n-ainmneacha iontrálta sa liost sealadach;
(b) déanfar ainm agus seoladh agus tuairisc gach duine den tsórt san do chur síos sa liost deiridh d'ainmnithe fé mar a bheidh curtha síos sa pháipéar ainmniúcháin don duine sin do síneadh chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid ag an gcruinniú ainmniúcháin;
(c) beidh sa liost deiridh d'ainmnithe freisin, maidir le gach duine go mbeidh a ainm curtha síos ann, ráiteas, sa bhfuirm sin is ceart dar leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, ar na cáilíochta chinnfe sé do bheith ag an duine sin alos an ainmliosta bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr;
(d) na daoine go mbeidh a n-ainmneacha curtha síos sa liost deiridh d'ainmnithe, beid socair sa liost san in ord aibítre a sloinnte agus, i gcás có-ionannas sloinnte, in ord aibítre a n-ainmneacha eile.
An duine bheidh le togha do roghnú.
17.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis bheith críochnuithe do bhreithiúnú ainmnithe, ar n-a chomóradh fén gCuid seo den Acht so, ina ndéanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid liost deiridh d'ainmnithe d'ullmhú agus do shighniú, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an liost deiridh d'ainmnithe d'ullmhuigh agus do shighnigh amhlaidh do chur go dtí an Taoiseach, agus leis sin déanfaidh an Taoiseach duine dá mbeidh ainmnithe sa liost deiridh sin d'ainmnithe do roghnú chun an fholúntais i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann a bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach do líonadh, agus is tuigthe leis sin an duine sin do bheith toghtha chun an fholúntais sin do líonadh.
(2) Nuair is tuigthe, fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, duine do bheith toghtha chun an fholúntais i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann a bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach do líonadh, cuirfidh an Taoiseach fé ndeár go gcuirfear in úil do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann ainm agus seoladh agus tuairisc an duine sin, mar a bheid curtha síos sa liost deiridh d'ainmnithe, agus fós gur toghadh an duine sin chun an fholúntais a bheidh luaidhte sa bhfógra folúntais oiriúnach do líonadh.
An nós imeachta i gcás gan trí hainmnithe d'fháil.
18.—(1) Pé uair a thuairisceoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid don Aire go dtáinig deireadh le cruinniú ainmniúcháin gan duine ar bith, no gan ach níos lugha ná triúr, do bheith ainmnithe go cuibhe ag an gcruinniú san no go dtáinig deireadh leis na himeachta ag breithiúnú ainmnithe, ar n-a chomóradh fén gCuid seo den Acht so, gan ainm dhuine ar bith, no gan ach ainm no ainmneacha níos lugha ná triúr, do bheith iontrálta sa liost sealadach, tiocfaidh an t-ordú toghacháin chuirr gur dá bhun do comóradh an cruinniú ainmniúcháin sin no an breithiúnú ainmnithe sin (do réir mar a bheidh), agus na himeachta uile bhí ann de bhun an orduithe sin, chun bheith, agus beid, gan bhrí gan éifeacht agus, chun crícheanna an Achta so, is tuigthe, i dtaobh an orduithe sin, ná dearnadh riamh é agus déanfaidh an tAire ordú toghacháin chuirr nua in ionad an orduithe thoghacháin chuirr a bheidh tar éis teacht chun bheith gan bhrí gan éifeacht amhlaidh.
(2) Beidh ordú toghacháin chuirr nua, ar n-a dhéanamh fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, ina ordú toghacháin chuirr do réir bhrí agus chun crícheanna an Achta so, agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag an Acht so (le n-a n-áirmhítear an t-alt so) maidir leis an gcéanna, ach isí tréimhse gur laistigh di dhéanfaidh an tAire an t-ordú toghacháin chuirr nua san ná an tréimhse sin aca so leanas is déanaí críoch, sé sin le rá, céad agus ochtó lá tar éis dó an fógra folúntais oiriúnach d'fháil o Chléireach Sheanad Éireann no seasca lá tar éis dó an tuarasgabháil a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so d'fháil ón gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid.
(3) Ní thiocfaidh d'ordú toghacháin chuirr do chur ar nea-mbrí de bhuadh an ailt seo dochar ná deifir do dhéanamh do cheart an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid chun a chuid éilithe agus costaisí réasúnta, alos na seirbhísí do rinne agus ná gcaiteachaisí fé n-a ndeachaidh de bhun an orduithe toghacháin chuirr sin, d'fháil fé alt 5 den Phríomh-Acht.
CUID III.
Foluntaisi Fo-ainmliosta Dhála.
E d'oblagáid toghachán do chomóradh chun folúntas fo-ainmliosta Dhála do líonadh.
19.—Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú toghacháin chuirr, alos folúntais i gcomhaltas Sheanad Éireann adéarfar san ordú san do bheith ina fholúntas alos an fho-ainmliosta Dhála d'ainmliost áirithe, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid toghachán do chomóradh, do réir na Coda so den Acht so, chun an fholúntais sin do líonadh agus, chuige sin, déanfaidh cóip den ordú toghacháin chuirr sin, maraon leis an méid sin fuirmeacha páipéir ainmniúcháin a theastóidh do réir réasúin o Chléireach Dháil Éireann, do chur go dtí an Cléireach san.
Iarrthóirí d'ainmniú.
20.—(1) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, maidir le hiarrthóirí d'ainmniú i dtoghachán chun folúntas fo-ainmliosta Dhála do líonadh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is i scríbhinn, ar pháipéar ainmniúcháin a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe, a déanfar gach ainmniú den tsórt san;
(b) beidh i ngach páipéar ainmniúcháin den tsórt san na mioninnste is gá, do réir fuirm orduithe an pháipéir ainmniúcháin, do chur síos ann agus, go sonnrách, déarfar sa chéanna, maidir leis an duine bheidh á ainmniú leis, cadiad cáilíochta an duine sin le haghaidh an ainmliosta bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach;
(c) caithfidh gach páipéar ainmniúcháin den tsórt san bheith fé láimh chomhalta de Dháil Éireann mar thairgtheoir agus fé láimh ocht gcomhaltaí eile de Dháil Éireann mar chomhaltaí bheidh ag aontú leis an ainmniú;
(d) déanfar gach páipéar ainmniúcháin den tsórt san do sheachadadh don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no do chur chuige tríd an bpost.
(2) Pé uair do gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar ainmniúcháin roimh a ceathair a chlog tráthnóna an lá roimh an lá bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach chun bheith ina lá dheiridh chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid láithreach ráiteas i scríbhinn do chur go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann, á innsint dó go bhfuarthas an páipéar ainmniúcháin sin amhlaidh agus á chur in úil dó, maidir leis an iarrthóir a bheidh á ainmniú leis an bpáipéar ainmniúcháin sin agus do réir mar a bheid curtha síos sa chéanna, cad is ainm don iarrthóir sin agus cadé a sheoladh agus cadé an tuairisc a bheidh tugtha ina thaobh agus cad is ainm do thairgtheoir an iarrthóra san.
(3) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dó dhéag a chlog meán lae an lá bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach chun bheith ina lá dheiridh chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann liost ina gcuirfear síos (in ord aibítre a sloinnte agus, i gcás có-ionannas sloinnte, in ord aibítre a n-ainmneacha eile), mar a bheid curtha síos ina bpáipéirí ainmniúcháin fé seach, ainmneacha agus seolta na n-iarrthóirí, agus na tuairiscí bheidh tugtha alos na n-iarrthóirí, gur ina dtaobh do fuair sé páipéirí ainmniúcháin roimh a dó dhéag a chlog meán lae an lá adubhradh agus ina gcuirfear síos freisin, maidir le gach iarrthóir aca san, ainm a thairgtheora mar a bheidh curtha síos sa pháipéar ainmniúcháin.
(4) Gach páipéar ainmniúcháin do gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid tar éis a dó dhéag a chlog meán lae an lá bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach chun bheith ina lá dheiridh chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh, beidh sé gan bhrí.
(5) Má chuireann comhalta de Dháil Éireann a lámh le dhá pháipéar ainmniúcháin no níos mó mar thairgtheoir no mar aontuitheoir (pé aca chuirfidh a lámh le gach ceann den dá pháipéar ainmniúcháin sin no níos mó san aon cháil amháin no chuirfidh a lámh le cinn deifriúla dhíobh i gcáilí deifriúla) beidh gach ceann den dá pháipéar ainmniúcháin sin no níos mó gan bhrí ar bith.
An breithiúnú ainmnithe.
21.—(1) I gcás ordú toghacháin chuirr do bhaint le folúntas fo-ainmliosta Dhála, raghaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, ar a haondéag a chlog ar maidin an lá bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr sin chun breith do thabhairt ar ainmnithe, chun na háite bheidh ceaptha sa tslí chéanna chun an ghnótha san agus comórfaidh san am agus san áit sin suidhe (dá ngairmtear an breithiúnú ainmnithe san Acht so) ag á dtabharfaidh breith ar na hainmnithe gur ina dtaobh do fuair páipéirí ainmniúcháin roimh a dó dhéag a chlog meán lae an lá bheidh ceaptha leis an ordú toghacháin chuirr sin chun bheith ina lá dheiridh chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach breithiúnú ainmnithe comórfar de bhun an ailt seo, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na páipéirí ainmniúcháin uile agus fé seach, do fuair roimh a dó dhéag meán lae an lá deiridh chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh, do thabhairt ar áird, agus breithneoidh gach páipéar ainmniúcháin fé leith aca san agus an t-ainmniú do bhéarfaidh an páipéar san le tuigsint do bheith á dhéanamh leis, agus bhéarfaidh breith ar bhailíocht an pháipéir agus an ainmnithe sin;
(b) diúltóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid d'ainmniú dhuine ar bith, mar ainmniú nea-mbailidhe, i gcás é thabhairt mar bhreith i dtaobh an duine sin a pháipéar ainmniúcháin no an t-ainmniú bheidh á dhéanamh leis sin do bheith nea-mbailidhe, no i gcás nach deimhin leis i dtaobh an duine sin na cáilíochta do bheith aige atá curtha síos i bhfo-alt 1° d'alt 7 d'Airteagal 18 den Bhunreacht alos an ainmliosta bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach;
(c) gach ainmniú ná diúltóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid dó de bhun na míre deiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so, bhéarfaidh de bhreith air gur ainmniú bailidhe é;
(d) nuair a bhéarfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid de bhreith ar ainmniú dhuine ar bith gur ainmniú bailidhe é, iontrálfaidh láithreach i liost (dá ngairmtear san Acht so an t-ainmliost d'iarrthóirí) ainm agus seoladh an duine sin, agus an tuairisc a bheidh tugtha ina thaobh, mar a bheid curtha síos ina pháipéar ainmniúcháin agus ainm a thairgtheora mar a bheidh curtha síos sa pháipéar chéanna agus cuirfidh ráiteas sa liost san, sa bhfuirm sin is ceart dar leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, ar na cáilíochta go gcinnfidh gurb iad cáilíochta an duine sin iad chun bheith ar an ainmliost a bheidh luaidhte san ordú toghacháin chuirr oiriúnach;
(e) mara mbeidh ach duine amháin ainmnithe go bailidhe nuair a bheidh breithniú déanta agus breith tugtha ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar na páipéirí ainmniúcháin sin uile agus ar na hainmnithe bheidh á ndéanamh leo, dearbhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, agus cuirfidh in úil do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann, an duine sin do bheith toghtha, ach má bhíonn beirt no níos mó ainmnithe go bailidhe nuair a bheidh an breithniú san déanta agus an bhreith sin tugtha, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an toghachán ar athló agus cuirfidh vótaíocht ar siúl do réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den Chuid seo den Acht so.
(3) Díreach ar an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe do bheith críochnuithe, sighneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an t-ainmliost d'iarrthóirí agus beidh an t-ainmliost san, ar n-a shighniú amhlaidh, ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite ar cé hé an duine, no cé hiad na daoine, bheidh ainmnithe go bailidhe.
An rolla toghacháin.
22.—(1) Pé uair a chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid toghachán ar athló fén gCuid seo den Acht so chun vótaíocht do chur ar siúl, cuirfidh san in úil láithreach do Chléireach Dháil Éireann i scríbhinn agus cuirfidh cóip den ainmliost d'iarrthóirí chuige, agus bhéarfaidh an Cléireach san don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid, fé cheann ceithre lá tar éis an eolais sin d'fháil amhlaidh, ráiteas ar ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na gcomhaltaí uile de Dháil Éireann a bheidh i dteideal suidhe agus vótáil sa Tigh sin an uair sin.
(2) An ráiteas do bhéarfaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid de bhun an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so, isé is rolla toghacháin don toghachán agus ní bheidh dul thairis.
(3) Beidh na daoine uile agus fé seach a bheidh ainmnithe i rolla toghacháin ar n-a bhunú fén alt so, agus ní bheidh éinne eile, i dteideal vótáil sa vótaíocht sa toghachán gur ina thaobh a bheidh an rolla toghacháin sin bunuithe amhlaidh.
(4) Ní thiocfaidh de dhuine d'éag a bheidh ainmnithe i rolla toghacháin ar n-a bhunú fén alt so (pé aca roimh Chléireach Dháil Éireann do chur an ráitis gurb é an rolla toghacháin sin é chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid éagfaidh an duine sin no dá éis sin) dochar ná deifir do dhéanamh do bhailíocht ná d'oibriú an rolla thoghacháin sin.
An modh chun na vótaíochta do chur ar siúl.
23.—Gach vótaíocht a cuirfear ar siúl i dtoghachán fén gCuid seo den Acht so, cuirfear ar siúl í sa tslí chéanna, sa mhéid gur féidir é, ina gcuirtear vótaíocht ar siúl i dtoghachán fén bPríomh-Acht, agus chuige sin beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag ailt 40 go 43 agus ag ailt 45 go 49 den Phríomh-Acht, agus fós ag an gCéad Sceideal agus ag an Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht san, maidir le gach toghachán a comórfar fén gCuid seo den Acht so agus ina gcuirfear vótaíocht ar siúl, ach san gus na hatharuithe agus fé réir na n-atharuithe go gciallóidh an abairt “toghachán Seanaid”, i ngach áit ina bhfuil sí in aon alt no Sceideal aca san, toghachán fén gCuid seo den Acht so agus go léireofar fo-alt (1) den alt san 45 agus go mbeidh éifeacht aige mar fho-alt a chuireann mar cheangal ar an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid toradh an toghacháin do dhéanamh amach, agus fós a dhearbhú an t-iarrthóir sin do bheith toghtha a déanfar amach amhlaidh do bheith toghtha, san am agus sa tslí luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san.
CUID IV.
Foralacha Generalta Maidir le Gach Breithiunu Ainmnithe.
An réiteoir breithiúntais.
24.—(1) Beidh Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, no breitheamh éigin eile den Ard-Chúirt ar n-a ainmniú aige-sean, i láthair ag gach breithiúnú ainmnithe a comórfar fén Acht so, agus suidhfidh agus gníomhóidh san áit sin mar réiteoir bhreithiúntais chun na gcrícheanna luaidhtear san Acht so.
(2) Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, uaidh féin, agus déanfaidh, ar n-a iarraidh san air do dhuine ar bith a bheidh ainmnithe sa deimhniú ainmnithe oiriúnach no gur gá do réir an Achta so breith do thabhairt ar a ainmniú ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe no do ghníomhaire dhuine ar bith den tsórt san, aon cheist do chur fé bhráid an réiteora bhreithiúntais eireoidh le linn an bhreithiúnuithe ainmnithe maidir le haon pháipéar ainmniúcháin, le hainmniú dhuine ar bith, le cáilíochta dhuine ar bith le haghaidh an ainmliosta oiriúnaigh, le ráiteas an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid ar na cáilíochta san, no le héinní eile bhainfidh le hainmniú dhuine ar bith.
(3) Déanfaidh an réiteoir breithiúntais, san am agus san áit sin, breith do thabhairt, agus a bhreith do chraoladh, ar gach ceist a chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid fé n-a bhráid fén alt so.
(4) Ní bheidh dul thar breith an réiteora bhreithiúntais ar aon cheist a chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid fé n-a bhráid fén alt so ná ní bheidh sí ion-athscrúduithe ag cúirt ar bith.
(5) Is ceaduithe ceist do chur fé bhráid an réiteora bhreithiúntais fén alt so pé aca bheidh breith tugtha ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid féin uirthi no ná beidh.
Ceisteanna is iontairgthe anuas ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe.
25.—(1) Ag aon bhreithiúnú ainmnithe comórfar fén Acht so, is ceaduithe don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no do dhuine ar bith a bheidh ainmnithe sa deimhniú ainmnithe oiriúnach no gur gá do réir an Achta so breith do thabhairt ar a ainmniú ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe sin no do ghníomhaire dhuine ar bith den tsórt san gach ceist do tharrac anuas a bhainfidh le hainmniú dhuine ar bith, le n-a n-áirmhítear bailíocht pháipéirí ainmniúcháin, maraon le dóthanacht no cruinneas aon ráitis áirithe i bpáipéar ainmniúcháin, le bailíocht aon ainmnithe áirithe, agus le cáilíochta aon duine áirithe le haghaidh an ainmliosta oiriúnaigh.
(2) I gcás gan amhras ar bith do bheith ann i dtaobh cé hé an duine do bhéarfaidh páipéar ainmniúcháin le tuigsint do bheith á ainmniú leis, ní diúltófar don pháipéar ainmniúcháin sin ná ní dearbhófar é bheith nea-mbailidhe de bhíthin ainm no seoladh an duine sin no an tuairisc a bheidh tugtha ina thaobh, mar a bheid curtha síos ann, do bheith earráideach no neamh-iomlán, agus dá bhíthin sin amháin.
(3) Chun breith do thabhairt ar aon cheist a tarraiceofar anuas le linn bhreithiúnuithe ainmnithe comórfar fén Acht so, féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus an réiteoir breithiúntais, gach duine fé leith aca, fianaise o bhéal no i scríbhinn, a tairgfear dó ag éinne no thar ceann éinne le n-a mbainfidh an cheist sin, do ghlacadh agus breith do thabhairt dá réir, agus féadfaidh, más ceart san dar leis, a chur mar cheangal an fhianaise sin do thabhairt fé mhionn agus féadfaidh chuige sin duine no daoine do chur fé mhionn.
Na daoine dar ceaduithe bheith i láthair ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe.
26.—Is ceaduithe do sna daoine seo leanas, agus ní ceaduithe d'aon daoine eile, bheith i láthair ag breithiúnú ainmnithe comórfar fén Acht so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus a chongantóirí;
(b) an réiteoir breithiúntais agus duine amháin do bhéarfaidh leis chun freastal air;
(c) duine ar bith a bheidh ainmnithe sa deimhniú ainmnithe oiriúnach no gur gá do réir an Achta so breith do thabhairt ar a ainmniú ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe;
(d) gníomhaire amháin do gach duine fé leith dá luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so;
(e) fínnéithe bheidh ag tabhairt fianaise o bhéal, faid a bheid ag tabhairt na fianaise sin uatha agus an fhaid sin amháin;
(f) na daoine eile sin go leigfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid dóibh bheith i láthair.
Na himeachta ag an mbreithiúnú ainmnithe do bheith leanúnach.
27.—(1) Sa mhéid gur féidir é, raghfar ar aghaidh go leanúnach leis na himeachta ag breithiúnú ainmnithe comórfar fén Acht so, ach féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid iad do chur ar fiunraoi tráth ar bith le toiliú an réiteora bhreithiúntais, go ceann na tréimhse sin is ceart dar leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, chun bia no deoch do chaitheamh no i gcóir sos na hoíche no mar gheall ar chúis eile chífear dó is leor.
(2) Pé uair a déanfar na himeachta ag breithiúnú ainmnithe do chur ar fiunraoi fén alt so, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach ní is ceart chun na bpáipéirí ainmniúcháin agus na scríbhinní eile bhainfidh leis an scéal do choimeád sábhálta.
Number 20 of 1940.
SEANAD ELECTORAL (PANEL MEMBERS) (BYE-ELECTIONS) ACT, 1940.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General.
Section | |
Nominating Bodies Sub-panel Vacancies.
The ruling upon nominations and the final statement of nominations. | |
Dáil Sub-panel Vacancies.
Obligation to hold an election to fill a Dáil sub-panel vacancy. | |
General Provisions in Respect of Every Ruling Upon Nominations.
Act Referred to | |
No. 43 of 1937 | |
Number 20 of 1940.
SEANAD ELECTORAL (PANEL MEMBERS) (BYE-ELECTIONS) ACT, 1940.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Bye-Elections) Act, 1940.
The Principal Act.
2.—(1) In this Act the expression “the Principal Act” means the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act, 1937 (No. 43 of 1937).
(2) This Act shall be construed as one with the Principal Act and accordingly (save as is otherwise provided by this Act) every word or expression to which a particular meaning is assigned by or in the Principal Act for the purposes of that Act shall, in this Act, have the meaning so assigned to it.
Definitions.
3.—In this Act—
the expression “Seanad bye-election” means an election under this Act;
the word “vacancy” means a vacancy in the membership of Seanad Eireann occasioned by the death, resignation, or disqualification of a member of Seanad Eireann who was elected under the Principal Act at the next preceding Seanad election or was elected at a Seanad bye-election since such next preceding Seanad election;
the expression “nominating bodies sub-panel vacancy” means a vacancy occasioned by the death, resignation, or disqualification of a member of Seanad Eireann who was elected at the next preceding Seanad election from a nominating bodies sub-panel or who was elected at a Seanad bye-election to fill (whether directly or indirectly) the place of a member who was so elected at such Seanad election;
the expression “Dáil sub-panel vacancy” means a vacancy occasioned by the death, resignation, or disqualification of a member of Seanad Eireann who was elected at the next preceding Seanad election from a Dáil sub-panel or who was elected at a Seanad bye-election to fill (whether directly or indirectly) the place of a member who was so elected at such Seanad election.
Application of certain sections of the Principal Act.
4.—(1) The expression “Seanad election” wherever it occurs in section 5 of the Principal Act shall include an election under this Act, and that section shall apply and have effect accordingly.
(2) The expression “this Act” where it occurs in section 7 or in section 8 of the Principal Act shall include this present Act, and those sections shall be construed and have effect accordingly.
Notice of a vacancy.
5.—(1) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the membership of Seanad Eireann, the Clerk of Seanad Eireann shall, on the direction of Seanad Eireann, send to the Minister notice (in this Act referred to as notice of a vacancy) in writing of such vacancy.
(2) Every notice of a vacancy shall state, in respect of the member whose death, resignation, or disqualification occasioned the vacancy, the panel and sub-panel from which such member was elected at the next preceding Seanad election or, if such member was elected at a Seanad bye-election, the panel and sub-panel from which the member whose place he was so elected to fill (whether directly or indirectly) was elected at the next preceding Seanad election.
(3) Every vacancy which occurred in the membership of Seanad Eireann after the Seanad election next preceding the passing of this Act and before such passing shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to have occurred immediately after such passing.
Bye-election orders.
6.—(1) Whenever the Minister receives from the Clerk of Seanad Eireann a notice of a vacancy, the Minister shall, as soon as conveniently may be and in any case not more than one hundred and eighty days after receiving such notice, make an order (in this Act referred to as a bye-election order) directing an election to be held in accordance with this Act to fill such vacancy and stating the panel and sub-panel in respect of which such vacancy occurred and appointing for the purposes of such election the times and places mentioned in whichever of the two next following sub-sections of this section is applicable.
(2) Where the vacancy in respect of which a bye-election order is made is a nominating bodies sub-panel vacancy, the bye-election order shall appoint—
(a) the place at which the nominating meeting will be held and the time at which it will commence, and
(b) the day on which and the place at which the Seanad returning officer will sit for the ruling upon nominations, and
(c) the address of the Seanad returning officer.
(3) Where the vacancy in respect of which a bye-election order is made is a Dáil sub-panel vacancy, the bye-election order shall appoint—
(a) the day which will be the last day for receiving nominations, and
(b) the day on which and the place at which the Seanad returning officer will sit for the ruling upon nominations, and
(c) the day which will be the day of issue of ballot papers, and
(d) the day and hour of the close of the poll, and
(e) the address of the Seanad returning officer.
(4) Every bye-election order shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.
Effect of a dissolution of Dáil Eireann.
7.—(1) Whenever a dissolution of Dáil Eireann takes place after a notice of a vacancy has been received by the Minister and before a bye-election order has been made in respect of such vacancy, such notice shall become and be annulled by such dissolution and, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, no bye-election order shall be made in respect of such vacancy.
(2) Whenever a dissolution of Dáil Eireann takes place after a bye-election order has been made and before the election in pursuance of such order has been completed, such order shall become and be annulled by such dissolution and no further steps shall be taken in respect of such order, but such annulment shall not prejudice or affect the right of the Seanad returning officer to be paid under section 5 of the Principal Act his reasonable charges and expenses in respect of his services rendered and expenses incurred in relation to such election before such dissolution.
Provision applicable where more than one vacancy.
8.—If at any time the Minister has received two or more notices of a vacancy which have not been annulled by a dissolution of Dáil Eireann and in respect of which he has not made a bye-election order, separate bye-election orders shall be made and separate elections shall be held in respect of each of the vacancies to which such notices relate.
PART II.
Nominating Bodies Sub-panel Vacancies.
Nominating committees.
9.—(1) There shall be formed and maintained in respect of each panel a standing committee to be known and in this Act referred to as the nominating committee for that panel.
(2) Every nominating body which is for the time being registered in the register of nominating bodies shall be entitled to appoint three members of the nominating committee for the panel in respect of which such nominating body is so registered.
(3) The Seanad returning officer shall establish as soon as may be after the passing of this Act and shall thereafter maintain a register of the several nominating committees and of the members thereof respectively and such register shall be conclusive evidence of the membership of every such committee.
(4) Every register maintained under the next preceding sub-section of this section of the members of a nominating committee shall state, in respect of every such member, his postal address as stated in his appointment or as subsequently communicated by him under this Act, and every notice required by this Act to be sent by the Seanad returning officer to any such member shall be sent by prepaid post addressed to him at his postal address as so stated in such register.
Appointment of members of nominating committees.
10.—(1) Every nominating body which is registered in the register of nominating bodies at the passing of this Act shall, as soon as may be after such passing, appoint three persons to be members of the nominating committee for the panel in respect of which such nominating body is so registered.
(2) Every body which becomes, after the passing of this Act, registered as a nominating body in the register of nominating bodies shall, as soon as may be after it becomes so registered, appoint three persons to be members of the nominating committee for the panel in respect of which such body is so registered.
(3) It shall be the duty of every nominating body for the time being registered in the register of nominating bodies to maintain at three the number of members appointed by it to the appropriate nominating committee, and for that purpose every such nominating body is hereby empowered and required to fill with all convenient speed every vacancy which occurs amongst the members appointed by it to such nominating committee.
(4) Every appointment and every revocation of the appointment of a member of a nominating committee by a nominating body shall—
(a) be made in writing, and
(b) if such nominating body is a body corporate, have the seal of such body affixed thereto in the manner and with the countersignatures required by the constitution, articles of association, or other regulations of such body or, if such nominating body is not a body corporate, be signed in the name of such nominating body by some person having authority to sign in that name, and
(c) in the case of an appointment, state the name, postal address, and description of the appointee and contain a statement, signed by the appointee, that he assents to the appointment, and
(d) in every case, be sent to the Seanad returning officer by such nominating body, and
(e) have effect as from the time at which it is received by the Seanad returning officer.
(5) Any member of a nominating committee may at any time inform the Seanad returning officer in writing of a change in his postal address and thereupon the Seanad returning officer shall enter such change of address in the register of the members of such nominating committee.
Tenure of office of members of nominating committees.
11.—(1) A nominating body registered in the register of nominating bodies may at any time revoke any appointment made by it of a member of a nominating committee.
(2) Whenever a nominating body which has appointed members of the nominating committee for a panel ceases to be a nominating body registered in the register of nominating bodies in respect of that panel, the members of the said nominating committee appointed by such nominating body shall cease to be members of that committee.
(3) A member of a nominating committee shall cease to hold office as such member on the happening of any of the following events, and in no other circumstances, that is to say:—
(a) his death, or
(b) the revocation under this section of his appointment as such member, or
(c) the nominating body by which he was appointed ceasing to be registered in the register of nominating bodies in respect of the panel for which such nominating committee is maintained.
Obligation to hold a nominating meeting.
12.—Whenever the Minister has made a bye-election order in respect of a vacancy in the membership of Seanad Eireann which is stated in such order to be a vacancy in respect of the nominating bodies sub-panel of a particular panel, a meeting (in this Act referred to as a nominating meeting) of the nominating committee for the said panel shall be held at the place appointed in that behalf by such bye-election order and shall commence at the time similarly appointed, and the Seanad returning officer shall, not later than five days after the date of such bye-election order, send to every member of such nominating committee a notice in the prescribed form informing him of the said vacancy and of the obligation of such nominating committee to make nominations for filling such vacancy, and also informing him of the place and time so appointed as aforesaid by such bye-election order.
Procedure at a nominating meeting.
13.—The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every nominating meeting, that is to say:—
(a) the Seanad returning officer shall preside at the meeting and shall conduct the proceedings thereof;
(b) the Seanad returning officer and his assistants and the members of the nominating committee and no other person may be present at the meeting;
(c) each member of the nominating committee shall, when or as soon as may be after he enters the meeting, sign his name in a book or other record (to be provided and kept by the Seanad returning officer) of attendances at nominating meetings;
(d) the Seanad returning officer shall provide a sufficient number of the prescribed nomination forms and shall make such forms available to the members of the nominating committee;
(e) any member of the nominating committee may, at any time within one hour after the commencement of the meeting, nominate a person for nomination by such nominating committee;
(f) every such nomination shall be made on a prescribed nomination form supplied by the Seanad returning officer and shall be signed by the member making the nomination and shall be handed by him to the Seanad returning officer;
(g) every such nomination shall state the name, address, and description of the person thereby nominated and a statement of the qualifications of such person for the panel for which such nominating committee is the nominating committee;
(h) the Seanad returning officer shall reject any such nomination which appears to him not to be made and completed in accordance with this section;
(i) any such nomination may, at any time within one hour after the commencement of the meeting, be withdrawn by the member who made the same;
(j) the withdrawal of a nomination shall be effected by the member concerned endorsing on the nomination paper (which shall be handed to him for the purpose by the Seanad returning officer) a signed statement of such withdrawal;
(k) the Seanad returning officer shall make every nomination accepted by him and every withdrawal of a nomination available for the inspection of the members of the nominating committee present;
(l) if, at the expiration of one hour from the commencement of the meeting, more than three persons have been duly nominated, the Seanad returning officer shall, at such expiration, adjourn the meeting to a convenient time and place (whether on the same or a subsequent day) for the purpose of taking a poll to determine the order in which the persons so nominated shall be deemed to have been nominated by the nominating committee;
(m) if, at the expiration of one hour from the commencement of the meeting, three persons and no more have been duly nominated, the meeting shall terminate at the expiration of the said hour and the Seanad returning officer shall make and sign a certificate of nominations in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this Part of this Act;
(n) if, at the expiration of one hour from the commencement of the meeting, no persons or less than three persons have been duly nominated, the meeting shall terminate at the expiration of the said hour and the Seanad returning officer shall report the fact and the circumstances of such termination to the Minister.
The poll at a nominating meeting.
14.—When a nominating meeting has been adjourned for the purpose of taking a poll, the Seanad returning officer shall take such poll in accordance with the following provisions, that is to say:—
(a) such poll shall be taken at the time and place to which such meeting was adjourned, and shall be deemed to be a continuation of such meeting;
(b) the Seanad returning officer shall make available at the said place a suitable room for taking the poll and shall provide therein such ballot boxes, desks, and other furniture as he shall consider necessary and shall also provide a sufficient number of ballot papers;
(c) the Seanad returning officer and his assistants and the members of the nominating committee and no other person may be present at the taking of the poll or the counting of the votes;
(d) at the said time to which the nominating meeting was adjourned the Seanad returning officer shall open the poll and at the expiration of one hour from that time he shall close the poll;
(e) every member of the nominating committee shall be entitled to vote at the poll, whether he was or was not present at the nominating meeting before the adjournment thereof, but no such member shall be entitled to receive a ballot paper unless or until he has, either at the nominating meeting before the adjournment thereof or at the taking of the poll, signed his name in a book or other record (to be provided and kept by the Seanad returning officer) of attendances at nominating meetings;
(f) each member of the nominating committee shall be entitled to vote by one ballot paper only, but may vote by such ballot paper for one, two, or three (but not more than three) candidates;
(g) the Seanad returning officer shall take all such steps as he considers proper or expedient for preserving the secrecy of the voting at the poll;
(h) every question which shall arise at or in relation to the taking of the poll shall be decided by the Seanad returning officer and his decision on any such question shall be final and unappealable;
(i) at the close of the poll the Seanad returning officer shall count the votes and ascertain the result of the poll and shall announce such result to the members (if any) of the nominating committee then present.
The certificate of nominations.
15.—(1) If, at the expiration of one hour from the commencement of a nominating meeting, three persons and no more have been duly nominated, the Seanad returning officer shall make and sign a certificate (in this Act referred to as a certificate of nominations) in the prescribed form stating the names, addresses, and descriptions of the said three persons in the alphabetical order of their surnames and, in case of identity of surname, of their other names.
(2) If a nominating meeting is adjourned for the purpose of taking a poll, the Seanad returning officer shall, when the counting of the votes given at such poll has been completed, make and sign a certificate (in this Act also referred to as a certificate of nominations) in the prescribed form stating the names, addresses, and descriptions of the persons who were nominated at the said meeting and showing the order, as ascertained at the said poll in which they are to be deemed to have been so nominated.
(3) The Seanad returning officer shall publish in the Iris Oifigiúil every certificate of nominations made and signed by him in pursuance of this section and shall at the same time publish in the Iris Oifigiúil a notice stating the day and place appointed by the relevant bye-election order for the ruling upon nominations.
(4) A certificate of nominations made, signed and published in pursuance of this section shall be conclusive evidence of the nominations made at the nominating meeting to which such certificate relates and, if such meeting was adjourned for the purpose of taking a poll, such certificate shall also be conclusive evidence that such poll was duly and properly taken and conclusive evidence of the result of such poll.
The ruling upon nominations and the final statement of nominations.
16.—(1) Where a bye-election order relates to a nominating bodies sub-panel vacancy, the Seanad returning officer shall, at eleven o'clock in the morning on the day appointed by such bye-election order for the ruling upon nominations, attend at the place similarly appointed and then and there hold a sitting (in this Act referred to as the ruling upon nominations) at which he shall rule upon the nominations stated in the certificate of nominations and shall prepare the final statement of nominations.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every ruling upon nominations held in pursuance of this section, that is to say:—
(a) the Seanad returning officer shall produce the respective nomination papers handed to him at the nominating meeting of the several persons named in the certificate of nominations;
(b) the Seanad returning officer shall consider and rule upon the validity of the nomination paper, and the nomination purported to be made thereby, of every person named in the certificate of nominations, and shall consider and rule upon the said papers and nominations successively in the order in which the names of the persons purported to be nominated thereby are stated in the certificate of nominations;
(c) the Seanad returning officer shall reject as invalid the nomination of any person in respect of whom he rules that the nomination paper of such person or the nomination purported to be made thereby is invalid or in respect of whom he is not satisfied that such person possesses the qualifications stated in sub-section 1° of section 7 of Article 18 of the Constitution in respect of the panel mentioned in the relevant bye-election order;
(d) when the Seanad returning officer has ruled upon the nomination of a person, he shall, unless he rejects such nomination as invalid, enter the name of that person in a list which is in this Act referred to as the provisional list;
(e) when the names of three persons have been entered in the provisional list such list shall be complete and the Seanad returning officer shall not consider or rule upon the nominations of any persons;
(f) when the provisional list is complete, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare, in accordance with the next following sub-section of this section, and sign the final list of nominations;
(g) if, when all the nominations stated in the certificate of nominations have been ruled upon, no name of any person or the name or names of less than three persons has or have been entered in the provisional list, the proceedings at the ruling upon nominations shall terminate and the Seanad returning officer shall report the fact and the circumstances of such termination to the Minister.
(3) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the final list of nominations, that is to say:—
(a) the final list of nominations shall contain the names, addresses, and descriptions of the persons whose names are entered in the provisional list;
(b) the name, address, and description of every such person shall be stated in the final list of nominations in the like manner as it is stated in the nomination paper of such person handed to the Seanad returning officer at the nominating meeting;
(c) the final list of nominations shall also contain, in respect of every person whose name is stated therein, a statement, in such form as the Seanad returning officer thinks proper, of the qualifications in respect of the panel mentioned in the bye-election order which he determines to be in fact possessed by such person;
(d) the persons whose names are stated in the final list of nominations shall be arranged in that list in the alphabetical order of their surnames and, in case of identity of surname, of their other names.
Final selection of the person to be elected.
17.—(1) As soon as may be after the close of a ruling upon nominations held under this Part of this Act at which a final list of nominations was prepared and signed by the Seanad returning officer, the Seanad returning officer shall send to the Taoiseach the final list of nominations so prepared and signed by him, and thereupon the Taoiseach shall select one of the persons named in such final list of nominations to fill the vacancy in the membership of Seanad Eireann mentioned in the relevant bye-election order and that person shall thereupon be deemed to have been elected to fill the said vacancy.
(2) When a person has been deemed, under the foregoing sub-section of this section, to have been elected to fill the vacancy in the membership of Seanad Eireann mentioned in the relevant bye-election order, the Taoiseach shall cause the Clerk of Seanad Eireann to be informed of the name, address, and description of such person as stated in the final list of nominations and of the fact that such person has been elected to fill the vacancy mentioned in the relevant notice of a vacancy.
Procedure on failure to obtain three nominations.
18.—(1) Whenever the Seanad returning officer reports to the Minister that a nominating meeting has terminated because no persons or less than three persons had been duly nominated thereat or that the proceedings at a ruling upon nominations held under this Part of this Act terminated because no name of any person or the name or names of less than three persons had been entered in the provisional list, the bye-election order in pursuance of which such nominating meeting or such ruling upon nominations (as the case may be) was held and all proceedings had in pursuance of such order shall become and be null and void and such order shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, never to have been made, and the Minister shall make a new bye-election order in lieu of the bye-election order so becoming null and void.
(2) A new bye-election order made under the foregoing sub-section of this section shall be a bye-election order within the meaning and for the purposes of this Act and this Act (including this section) shall apply and have effect in relation thereto, save that the time within which the Minister shall make such new bye-election order shall be whichever of the following periods later expires, that is to say, one hundred and eighty days after he receives the relevant notice of a vacancy from the Clerk of Seanad Eireann or sixty days after he receives the report mentioned in the said foregoing sub-section from the Seanad returning officer.
(3) The annulment of a bye-election order by virtue of this section shall not prejudice or affect the right of the Seanad returning officer to be paid under section 5 of the Principal Act his reasonable charges and expenses in respect of his services rendered and expenses incurred in pursuance of such bye-election order.
PART III.
Dáil Sub-panel Vacancies.
Obligation to hold an election to fill a Dáil sub-panel vacancy.
19.—Whenever the Minister has made a bye-election order in respect of a vacancy in the membership of Seanad Eireann which is stated in such order to be a vacancy in respect of the Dáil sub-panel of a particular panel, the Seanad returning officer shall hold, in accordance with this Part of this Act, an election to fill such vacancy and shall for that purpose send to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann a copy of the said bye-election order together with such number of forms of nomination paper as such Clerk shall reasonably require.
Nomination of candidates.
20.—(1) The following provisions shall, apply and have effect in relation to the nomination of candidates at an election to fill a Dáil sub-panel vacancy, that is to say:—
(a) every such nomination shall be made in writing on a nomination paper in the prescribed form;
(b) every such nomination paper shall contain the particulars required by the prescribed form of nomination paper to be stated therein, and in particular, a statement of the qualifications of the person thereby nominated for the panel mentioned in the relevant bye-election order;
(c) every such nomination paper shall be signed by one member of Dáil Eireann as proposer and by eight other members of Dáil Eireann as assenting to the nomination;
(d) every such nomination paper shall be delivered or sent by post to the Seanad returning officer.
(2) Whenever the Seanad returning officer receives a nomination paper before four o'clock in the afternoon on the day before the day which is appointed by the relevant bye-election order to be the last day for receiving nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall forthwith communicate in writing to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann the fact of such nomination paper having been so received and the name, address, and description, as stated in such nomination paper, of the candidate thereby nominated and the name, as similarly stated, of the proposer of such candidate.
(3) As soon as may be after twelve o'clock noon on the day which is appointed by the relevant bye-election order to be the last day for receiving nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall send to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann a list stating (in the alphabetical order of their surnames and, in case of identity of surname, their other names) the names, addresses, and descriptions, as stated in their respective nomination papers, of the candidates in respect of whom he had received nomination papers before twelve o'clock noon aforesaid and also stating, in respect of every such candidate, the name, as similarly stated, of his proposer.
(4) Every nomination paper received by the Seanad returning officer after twelve o'clock noon on the day which is appointed by the relevant bye-election order to be the last day for receiving nominations shall be void.
(5) If a member of Dáil Eireann signs two or more nomination papers as proposer or as assenting (whether he signs both or all of such nomination papers in the same or in different capacities), both or all of such nomination papers shall be wholly void.
The ruling upon nominations.
21.—(1) Where a bye-election order relates to a Dáil sub-panel vacancy, the Seanad returning officer shall, at eleven o'clock in the morning on the day appointed by such bye-election order for the ruling upon nominations, attend at the place similarly appointed and then and there hold a sitting (in this Act referred to as the ruling upon nominations) at which he shall rule upon the nominations in respect of which nomination papers were received by him before twelve o'clock noon on the day appointed by the said bye-election order to be the last day for receiving nominations.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every ruling upon nominations held in pursuance of this section, that is to say:—
(a) the Seanad returning officer shall produce the several nomination papers received by him before twelve o'clock noon on the last day for receiving nominations and shall consider and rule upon the validity of each such nomination paper and of the nomination purported to be made thereby;
(b) the Seanad returning officer shall reject as invalid the nomination of any person in respect of whom he rules that the nomination paper of such person or the nomination thereby made is invalid or in respect of whom he is not satisfied that such person possesses the qualifications stated in sub-section 1° of section 7 of Article 18 of the Constitution in respect of the panel mentioned in the relevant bye-election order;
(c) the Seanad returning officer shall rule as valid every nomination which he does not reject in pursuance of the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section;
(d) when the Seanad returning officer rules as valid the nomination of any person, he shall forthwith enter in a list (in this Act referred to as the panel of candidates) the name, address, and description of such person as stated in his nomination paper and the name of his proposer as similarly stated and a statement, in such form as the Seanad returning officer thinks proper, of the qualifications which he determines to be in fact the qualifications of such person to be on the panel mentioned in the relevant bye-election order;
(e) when the Seanad returning officer has considered and ruled upon all the said nomination papers and the nominations made thereby, if only one person stands validly nominated the Seanad returning officer shall declare that person to be elected and shall so inform the Clerk of Seanad Eireann, but if two or more persons so stand validly nominated, the Seanad returning officer shall adjourn the election and take a poll in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this Part of this Act.
(3) Immediately upon the completion of the ruling upon nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall sign the panel of candidates and that panel as so signed shall be conclusive evidence as to the persons who stand, or person who stands, validly nominated.
The electoral roll.
22.—(1) Whenever the Seanad returning officer adjourns an election under this Part of this Act for the purpose of taking a poll, he shall forthwith inform the Clerk of Dáil Eireann in writing of such adjournment, and send to him a copy of the panel of candidates, and the said Clerk shall, not more than four days after being so informed, furnish to the Seanad returning officer a statement of the names, addresses, and descriptions of all the members of Dáil Eireann who are then entitled to sit and vote in that House.
(2) The statement furnished to the Seanad returning officer by the Clerk of Dáil Eireann in pursuance of the foregoing sub-section of this section shall constitute and be the electoral roll for the election and shall be final and conclusive.
(3) The several persons named in an electoral roll constituted under this section, and no other person, shall be entitled to vote at the poll at the election in respect of which such electoral roll is so constituted.
(4) The death of a person named in an electoral roll constituted under this section (whether such death occurred before or after the statement forming such electoral roll was sent by the Clerk of Dáil Eireann to the Seanad returning officer) shall not prejudice or affect the validity or operation of such electoral roll.
Method of taking the poll.
23.—Every poll taken at an election under this Part of this Act shall be taken in the like manner, as nearly as may be practicable, as a poll at an election under the Principal Act, and for that purpose sections 40 to 43 and sections 45 to 49 of the Principal Act and the First and Second Schedules to that Act shall apply and have effect in relation to every election held under this Part of this Act at which a poll is taken, but with and subject to the modifications that the expression “Seanad election” wherever it occurs in any of the said sections or Schedules shall mean an election under this Part of this Act and that sub-section (1) of the said section 45 shall be construed and have effect as requiring the Seanad returning officer, at the time and in the manner mentioned in that sub-section, to ascertain the result of the election and to declare to be elected the candidate who is so ascertained to be elected.
PART IV.
General Provisions in Respect of Every Ruling Upon Nominations.
The judicial referee.
24.—(1) The President of the High Court or some other judge of the High Court nominated by him shall attend at every ruling upon nominations held under this Act and shall there sit and act as judicial referee for the purposes specified in this Act.
(2) The Seanad returning officer may, on his own motion, and shall, if so requested by any person who is named in the relevant certificate of nominations or whose nomination is required by this Act to be ruled upon at the ruling upon nominations or by the agent of any such person, refer to the judicial referee any question arising during the ruling upon nominations in relation to any nomination paper, the nomination of any person, the qualifications of any person for the relevant panel, the statement by the Seanad returning officer of such qualifications, or any other matter connected with the nomination of any person.
(3) The judicial referee shall there and then decide and announce his decision on every question referred to him under this section by the Seanad returning officer.
(4) The decision of the judicial referee on any question referred to him under this section by the Seanad returning officer shall be final and conclusive and shall not be open to review by any court.
(5) A question may be referred to the judicial referee under this section whether the Seanad returning officer has or has not himself given a decision thereon.
Questions raisable at the ruling upon nominations.
25.—(1) At any ruling upon nominations held under this Act every question relevant to the nomination of any person, including the validity of nomination papers, the sufficiency or the correctness of any statement in a nomination paper, the validity of any nomination, and the qualifications of any person for the relevant panel, may be raised by the Seanad returning officer or by any person who is named in the relevant certificate of nominations or whose nomination is required by this Act to be ruled upon at such ruling upon nominations or by the agent of any such person.
(2) Where the identity of the person purported to be nominated by a nomination paper is free from doubt, such nomination paper shall not be rejected or declared invalid merely because of an error in, or the incompleteness of, the statement therein of the name, address, or description of such person.
(3) The Seanad returning officer and the judicial referee may each, for the purpose of deciding any question at issue during a ruling upon nominations held under this Act, receive and act upon evidence, whether oral or written, tendered to him by or on behalf of any person affected by such question, and may, if he so thinks proper, require such evidence to be given on oath and may for that purpose administer an oath.
Persons permitted to attend the ruling upon nominations.
26.—The following and no other persons shall be present at a ruling upon nominations held under this Act, that is to say:—
(a) the Seanad returning officer and his assistants;
(b) the judicial referee and one person brought by him to attend on him;
(c) any person who is named in the relevant certificate of nominations or whose nomination is required by this Act to be ruled upon at the ruling upon nominations;
(d) one agent of each of the persons mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section;
(e) witnesses giving oral evidence, but only while giving such evidence;
(f) such other persons as the Seanad returning officer shall think proper to admit.
Continuity of proceedings at the ruling upon nominations.
27.—(1) The proceedings at a ruling upon nominations held under this Act shall, so far as practicable, be proceeded with continuously, but may at any time be suspended by the Seanad returning officer, with the consent of the judicial referee, for such period as the Seanad returning officer thinks proper for refreshment, night-time, or other reason appearing to him to be sufficient.
(2) Whenever the proceedings at a ruling upon nominations are suspended under this section, the Seanad returning officer shall take all proper precautions for the security of the nomination papers and other relevant documents.