As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 25 de 1956.
AN tACHT UM OLA-THRUAILLIÚ NA FARRAIGE, 1956.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta.
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Ola-Thruailliú na Farraige, 1956, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh pé lá nó laethe a cheapfas an tAire le hordú, agus féadfar laethe éagsúla a cheapadh chun críocha forál éagsúla lena a n-áirítear Coda éagsúla den Sceideal.
Mínithe.
3.—San Acht seo—
folaíonn “báirse” lictéir nó árthach dá samhail;
ciallaíonn “Coinbhinsiún 1954” an Coinbhinsiún Eadarnáisiúnta chun Truailliú na Farraige le hOla a Chosc, 1954;
ciallaíonn an briathar “scaoileadh” maidir le hola nó le meascán olach aon scaoileadh nó éaló, pé ní faoi deara é;
ciallaíonn “údarás cuain”—
(a) i gcás cuain lena mbaineann an tAcht Cuanta, 1946 (Uimh. 9 de 1946), an t-údarás cuain faoin Acht sin,
(b) i gcás cuain faoi rialú agus bainistí Choimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn, na Coimisineirí, agus
(c) in aon chás eile, an duine atá i dteideal rátaí a mhuirearú i leith árthach a thagas isteach sa chuan nó a úsáideas é;
ciallaíonn “máistir cuain” duine arna cheapadh ag údarás cuain chun forála an Achta seo a chur i bhfeidhm;
ciallaíonn “cigire” suirbhéir long nó duine arna cheapadh faoi alt 20;
ciallaíonn “máistir”, maidir le hárthach, an duine atá i gceannas nó i bhfeighil an árthaigh de thuras na huaire;
ciallaíonn “míle” muir-mhíle a bhfuil sé mhíle agus ochtó troigh d'fhaid ann;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Tionscail agus Tráchtála;
ciallaíonn “ola” ola de shórt ar bith, agus folaíonn sí biotáille a táirgeadh as ola, agus tearra ghuail;
ciallaíonn “áititheoir”, maidir le haon ní nach bhfuil aon duine á áitiú, an t-únaer, agus, maidir le uaigín iarnróid nó feithicil bhóthair, an duine atá ina fheighil;
ciallaíonn “biotáille petroleum” petroleum lena mbaineann na Petroleum Acts, 1871 and 1879;
folaíonn “áit ar tír” aon ní atá ina luí ar ghrinneall nó ar chladach na farraige nó uiscí intíre agus folaíonn sé freisin aon ní ar snámh, seachas árthach, má tá sé ancairithe nó daingnithe den ghrinneall nó den chladach;
ciallaíonn an briathar “forordú” forordú le rialacháin ón Aire;
ciallaíonn an briathar “aistriú”, maidir le hola, aistriú ina bhuilce;
tá le téarmaí eile na bríonna atá leo sa Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
Díolúine.
4.—(1) Ní bhaineann an tAcht seo le hárthach ar le Seirbhís Chabhlaigh Óglaigh na hÉireann í agus ar pearsanra de chuid na Seirbhíse sin a foireann go léir.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire aon árthaí nó aicme árthach a dhíolmhadh, go hiomlán nó faoi réir pé coinníollacha is cuí leis, ó aon cheann d'fhorála an Achta seo nó d'fhorála rialachán faoi.
Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagadh faoi bhráid Tithe an Oireachtais.
5.—Gach ordú agus rialachán a déanfar faoin Acht seo, leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta, agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá agus fiche a shuífeas an Teach sin tar éis an ionstraim sin a leagadh faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na hionstraime, beidh an ionstraim ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ionstraim.
Táillí.
6.—(1) Déanfar táillí faoin Acht seo a ghlacadh agus a bhailiú i pé dlí a ordós an tAire Airgeadais ó am go ham agus íocfar isteach sa Stát-Chiste iad nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste iad i pé slí a ordós an tAire Airgeadais.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, maidir leis na táillí sin.
Caiteachais.
7.—Íocfar as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais, na caiteachais faoina raghaidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo.
Athghairm.
8.—Athghairmtear leis seo an tAcht um Ile in Uiscí Intseolta, 1926 (Uimh. 5 de 1926).
CUID II.
Truailliú na Farraige le hOla a Chosc.
Réigiúin toirmiscthe.
9.—(1) Faoi réir fo-ailt (3), is réigiúin toirmiscthe do theaincéirí na límistéirí a sonraítear i gCoda I agus III den Sceideal.
(2) Faoi réir fo-ailt (3), is réigiúin toirmiscthe do longa seachas teaincéirí na límistéirí farraige a sonraítear i gCoda II agus IV den Sceideal.
(3) Chun éifeacht a thabhairt d'aon athrú ar límistéirí farraige do réir Choinbhinsiúin 1954 nó chun feidhm a thabhairt d'aon Choinbhinsiún ina dhiaidh sin nó chun cóstaí an Stáit a chosaint, féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, aon réigiúin toirmiscthe a leathnú nó a laghdú nó a dhearbhú gur réigiún toirmiscthe do theaincéirí nó do longa eile aon límistéir shonraithe farraige, agus féadfaidh sé aon ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a leasú.
Ola a scaoileadh amach i réigiúin toirmiscthe.
10.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le hola amh, ola bhreosla agus ola bhealála.
(2) Bainfidh an t-alt seo freisin le haon ola throm diesel nó le haon tsórt eile ola a forordófar.
(3) Beidh únaer agus fós máistir aon loinge atá cláraithe sa Stát ciontach i gcion má scaoileann an long amach, i réigiún atá ina réigiún toirmiscthe don long sin, aon ola lena mbaineann an t-alt seo nó aon mheascán ina bhfuil ola den tsórt sin a shalaíos dromchla na farraige.
(4) Chun na críche seo, más lú ná céad rann ola i milliún rann den mheascán an méid ola atá in aon mheascán olach measfar gan é do shalú dromchla na farraige.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire eisceachtaí d'fho-alt (3) d'fhorordú, go hiomlán nó ar choinníollacha sonraithe, agus go ginearálta nó d'aicmí sonraithe long, nó maidir le cineálacha áirithe ola nó meascán olach, nó maidir lena scaoileadh amach in imthosca sonraithe, nó maidir le límistéirí áirithe farraige.
Ola a scaoileadh amach i bhfarraigí tórann agus in uiscí intíre.
11.—(1) Má scaoiltear (go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach) aon ola nó meascán olach amach i bhfarraigí tórann an Stáit nó sna huiscí intíre sa Stát intseolta ag árthaí farraige, ansin, i gcás a scaoilte—
(a) as árthach, beidh únaer agus fós máistir an árthaigh,
(b) as áit ar tír, beidh áititheoir na háite sin,
(c) as goireas chun ola d'aistriú isteach in árthach nó amach as árthach, beidh an duine i bhfeighil an ghoiris,
ciontach i gcion.
(2) Féadfaidh máistir cuain áit a shonrú ina bhféadfar uisce balasta árthaigh, ar hiompraíodh last de bhiotáille phetroleum inti, a scaoileadh amach in uiscí an chuain pé trátha agus ar pé coinníollacha a ordós sé. Ní cion é uisce balasta nach bhfuil aon ola ann seachas biotáille phetroleum a scaoileadh amach do réir na n-orduithe sin.
Cosaint do scaoileadh amach ola in imthosca speisialta.
12.—(1) Ní bhainfidh ailt 10 agus 11—
(a) le scaoileadh ola nó meascáin olaigh amach as árthach chun an t-árthach a dhéanamh sábháilte, chun damáiste don árthach nó dá last a chosc, nó chun duine a tharrtháil, má bhí an scaoileadh sin riachtanach agus réasúnach sna himthosca áirithe, ná
(b) le héaló ola nó meascáin olaigh as árthach, de dheasca damáiste don árthach nó de dheasca aon tsilte aisti, nach neamhchúram míréasúnach faoi deara é, má glacadh gach cúram réasúnach tar éis an damáiste a bheith déanta nó an sileadh a bheith faighte chun an t-éaló a chosc nó é a laghdú an méid dob fhéidir.
(2) Ní bhainfidh alt 11 le héaló ola nó meascáin olaigh as aon áit nó goireas, murab aon neamhchúram míréasúnach faoi deara an t-éaló agus má rinneadh gach beart ba réasúnach tar éis an t-éaló a bheith faighte amach, chun an t-éaló a stopadh nó a laghdú an méid dób fhéidir.
(3) Ní bhainfidh alt 11 le útruisce as aon áit i gcás an útruisce a theacht de thoradh oibríochtaí chun ola a scagadh. más rud é—
(a) nárbh fhéidir do réir réasúin an útruisce a dhiúscairt ach trína scaoileadh amach amhlaidh, agus
(b) go ndearnadh gach beart réasúnach chun ola a bhaint as an útruisce, agus
(c) má salaíodh le hola, nuair a scaoileadh an útruisce, dromchla na n-uiscí inar scaoileadh an meascán, nó an tír a thadhlaíos na huiscí sin, go dtaispeánfar nach ola in aon útruisce a scaoileadh as an áit sin, an tráth sin nó roimhe, a bhí ina chúis nó ina leas-chúis leis an salú.
Saoraidi cuain chun iarmhar olach a dhiúscairt.
13.—(1) Féadfaidh údarás cuain saoráidí a sholáthar, nó a chur faoi deara go soláthrófar iad, chun iarmhar olach a scaoileadh as árthaí a úsáidfeas an cuan agus féadfaidh socrú a dhéanamh chun é a dhiúscairt.
(2) Aon uair is dóigh leis an Aire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an údarás cuain agus le haon eagras a chítear dó a bheith ionadaitheach d'únaerí long atá cláraithe sa Stát, go bhfuil na saoráidí nó na socruithe sin riachtanach i gcuan áirithe, nó nach leor na saoráidí atá ann, féadfaidh sé a cheangal ar an údarás cuain pé soláthar is riachtanach leis a dhéanamh laistigh de pé tréimhse is riachtanach leis agus féadfaidh sé cur leis an tréimhse chun aon cheanglas den tsórt sin a chomhlíonadh.
(3) Ní bheidh ar údarás cuain aon tsaoráidí a soláthrófar faoin alt seo a chur ar fáil le haghaidh teaincéirí ná le haghaidh iarmhar olach a scaoileadh chun go bhféadfar deisiúchán a dhéanamh ar árthach ná ní bheidh air a cheadú iarmhar a dhiúscairt nach mbeidh an t-uisce bainte as go héifeachtúil ach, faoi réir na nithe sin, beidh na saoráidí sin ar fáil ag gach árthach a úsáidfeas an cuan.
(4) Aon údarás cuain a sholáthrós, nó aon duine a sholáthrós trí chomhshocraíocht le húdarás cuain, saoráidí le haghaidh árthach do réir an ailt seo, féadfaidh sé muirir réasúnacha a ghearradh, agus coinníollacha réasúnacha d'fhorchur, le haghaidh úsáid na saoráidí sin.
Scaoileadh ola i gcuanta a chur in iúl.
14.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) go scaoilfear aon ola nó meascán olach as árthach in uiscí cuain chun an t-árthach a dhéanamh sábháilte, chun damáiste don árthach nó dá last a chosc, nó chun duine a tharrtháil, nó
(b) go bhfaighfear amach go bhfuil aon ola nó meascán olach ag éaló nó tar éis éaló as árthach sna huiscí sin, de dheasca damáiste don árthach nó de dheasca aon tsilte aisti, nó as aon áit ar tír,
cuirfidh únaer agus máistir an árthaigh, nó áititheoir na háite, pé acu é, in iúl láithreach don mháistir cuain gur tharla sin agus an chúis gur tharla sé.
(2) Duine ar bith nach gcomhlíonfaidh fo-alt (1), beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
Ola d'aistriú san oíche.
15.—(1) Ní déanfar, idir luí gréine agus éirí gréine, aon ola d'aistriú isteach in árthach, ná d'aistriú amach as árthach, i gcuan, murar tugadh fógra roimh ré, do réir an ailt seo, don mháistir cuain.
(2) Bhéarfar fógra trí huaire a chloig ar a laghad agus sé huaire nóchad a chloig ar a mhéid roimh thosnú ar an ola d'aistriú ach, má déantar ola d'aistriú go minic in áit áirithe, is leor fógra ginearálta sa chéill sin le haghaidh tréimhse nach mó ná dhá mhí dhéag ó dháta an fhógra.
(3) Má déantar aon ola d'aistriú isteach in árthach nó amach as árthach, contrártha don alt seo, beidh máistir an árthaigh, agus, más as áit nó chun áite ar tír a haistreofar an ola, beidh an t-áititheoir freisin, ciontach i gcion, agus, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
(4) Ní beidh feidhm ag an alt seo i gcás ola dá haistriú ag an máistir cuain nó ar ordú uaidh nó ag an oifigeach i gceannas briogáide tóiteáin, nó ar ordú uaidh, i gcás tóiteán a bheith ann.
Trealmhú long chun truailliú le hola a chosc.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh á cheangal go bhfeisteofar longa atá cláraithe sa Stát ar chuma, agus go gcomhlíonfaid ceanglais de shórt, a choiscfeas nó a laghdós scaoileadh ola nó meascán olach sa bhfarraige.
(2) Féadfaidh suirbhéir long agus pé daoine eile a cheapfas an tAire pé tástála a dhéanamh a forordófar chun críche an ailt seo agus féadfaidh pé táillí a ordós an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a ghearradh i leith na dtástála sin.
(3) Má déantar rialacháin faoin alt seo a shárú i leith loinge, beidh únaer, agus fós máistir na loinge, ciontach i gcion. Is cion leanúnach an cion agus féadfar imeachta nua a thionscnamh ina leith ó am go ham.
Taifid ola a choimeád.
17.—(1) Coimeádfaidh máistir loinge atá cláraithe sa Stát na taifid fhorordaithe i dtaobh na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) scaoileadh aon ola nó meascáin olaigh as an loing chun an long a dhéanamh sábháilte, chun damáiste don loing nó dá last a chosc, nó chun duine a tharrtháil;
(b) éaló aon ola nó meascáin olaigh as an loing, de dheasca damáiste don loing nó de dheasca aon tsilte aisti;
(c) déanamh oibríochtaí forordaithe, arb é a bheas iontu—
(i) dabhaigh lasta nó dabhaigh bhreosla bhuncair a bhalastú agus balasta a scaoileadh astu, agus na dabhaigh sin a ghlanadh, nó
(ii) ola in aon mheascán olach a dheighilt, nó
(iii) aon ola, uisce nó substaint eile, de thoradh na n-oibríochtaí sin, a chur amach as an loing, nó
(iv) aon iarmhar olach a dhiúscairt.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh á cheangal taifid fhorordaithe a choimeád i dtaobh ola d'aistriú isteach in aon árthach nó amach as aon árthach, pé acu tá nó nach bhfuil an t-árthach cláraithe sa Stát, le linn di a bheith i bhfarraigí tórann nó in uiscí intíre an Stáit. Is é an duine a sholáthrós an ola nó an duine dá seachadfar í, faoi seach, a choimeádfas na taifid i dtaobh ola d'aistriú isteach i mbáirse nó d'aistriú amach aisti. I ngach cás eile is é máistir an árthaigh a choimeádfas na taifid.
(3) Féadfaidh rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo foráil a dhéanamh i dtaobh taifid a choinneáil, a chaomhaint, a dhiúscairt agus d'iniúchadh agus i dtaobh pé nithe foleantacha eile a forordófar.
(4) Beidh gach duine a shárós an t-alt seo, nó rialacháin faoi, ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná dhá chéad agus caoga punt a chur air.
(5) Gach duine a chuirfeas i dtaifead aon ní nó aon athrú is eol dó a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach in aon phone ábhartha, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná dhá chéad agus caoga punt a chur air nó príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.
Feidhm alt 16 agus 17 (1) maidir le longa coigríche.
18.—(1) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, feidhm a thabhairt d'alt 16 nó d'fho-alt (1) d'alt 17 maidir le longa atá cláraithe i dtíortha eile le linn dóibh bheith i gcuan sa Stát nó bheith laistigh de na farraigí tórann agus iad ar bealach go dtí cuan sa Stát nó uaidh, mura drochaimsir nó ní éigin eile gan choinne nárbh fhéidir a sheachaint faoi deara iad a bheith ann.
(2) Féadfaidh an Rialtas le hordú, long tíre ar bith a dhíolmhadh ón bhfeidhm sin, más deimhin leo go bhfuil ceanglais dlí na tíre sin chomh héifeachtúil céanna agus go gcomhlíonann an long iad.
(3) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo a chúlghairm.
CUID III.
An Coinbhinsiún a chur i bhFeidhm agus Pionóis.
An Coinbhinsiún a chur i bhfeidhm maidir le taifid ola a choimeád.
19.—(1) Más deimhin leis an Aire—
(a) gur ghlac nó gur shéan rialtas aon tíre Coinbhinsiún 1954 nó aon Choinbhinsiún ina dhiaidh sin, nó
(b) go bhfuil réim ag aon Choinbhinsiún den tsórt sin, nó gur scoir sé de réim a bheith aige, maidir le haon chrích,
féadfaidh sé, le hordú, an ní sin a dhearbhú.
(2) San alt seo ciallaíonn “long lena mbaineann an Coinbhinsiún” long atá cláraithe—
(a) i dtír ar dearbhaíodh gur ghlac a rialtas le Coinbhinsiún 1954 nó le haon Choinbhinsiún ina dhiaidh sin agus nár dearbhaíodh ina dhiaidh sin gur shéanadar é, nó
(b) i gcrích ar dearbhaíodh réim a bheith ag aon Choinbhinsiún den tsórt sin maidir léi agus nár dearbhaíodh ina dhiaidh sin gur scoir sé de réim a bheith aige maidir léi.
(3) Féadfaidh suirbhéir long, nó aon duine ar tugadh cumhacht chuige sin dó le barántas ón Aire, dul ar bord aon loinge lena mbaineann an Coinbhinsiún, le linn di bheith i gcuan sa Stát, agus an leabhar taifid ola d'iniúchadh is gá do réir an Choinbhinsiúin d'iompar ar an loing agus cóip dhílis a dhéanamh d'aon ní a taifeadadh sa leabhar agus a cheangal ar mháistir na loinge a dheimhniú gur cóip dhílis í.
(4) Aon duine a chuirfeas bac le suirbhéir long nó le haon duine eile a bheas ag feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoin alt seo nó a mhainneos an leabhar taifid ola a thabhairt ar aird lena iniúchadh nó cóip d'aon ní ann a dheimhniú, air sin a cheangal air, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh duine a bheas ag feidhmiú feidhmeanna faoin alt seo an t-árthach a choinneáil ná í a mhoilliú ó dhul ar a turas, mura gá sin.
Cigirí a cheapadh.
20.—(1) Beidh suirbhéir long ina chigire agus é d'fheidhm aige tuairisc ghinearálta a thabhairt don Aire—
(a) cé acu tá nó nach bhfuil ceanglais an Achta seo á gcomhlíonadh;
(b) cad iad na bearta a rinneadh chun éaló aon ola nó meascán olach a chosc;
(c) cé acu is leor nó nach leor na saoráidí in aon chuan chun iarmhar olach a ghlacadh nó a dhiúscairt.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire duine ar bith a cheapadh ina chigire agus é d'fheidhm aige tuairisc ghinearálta nó tuairisc i gcás áirithe a thabhairt faoi fho-alt (1).
Cumhachta cigirí.
21.—(1) Chun críche a fheidhmeanna, féadfaidh cigire—
(a) dul ar bord aon árthaigh agus an t-árthach d'iniúchadh, maraon lena hinneallra, a báid, a trealamh agus earraí ar bord an árthaigh, agus aon trealamh a thástáil a ceanglaítear faoin Acht seo d'fheistiú inti, ach gan í a choinneáil ná a mhoilliú ó dhul ar a turas, mura gá sin;
(b) dul isteach in aon áitreabh agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh air agus ar aon ghoireas chun ola d'aistriú;
(c) trí thoghairm faoina láimh, a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith láithriú os a chomhair agus an duine sin a cheistiú faoi mhionn (agus údaraítear leis seo don chigire daoine a chur faoi mhionn);
(d) a cheangal ar fhinné dearbhú a dhéanamh agus a shíniú gur fíor na ráitis a rinne sé faoi cheistiú;
(e) a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith aon doiciméad a thabhairt ar aird dó atá faoina chumhacht nó faoina urláimh nó freagra a thabhairt ar aon fhiosrúchán.
(f) cóip a dhéanamh d'aon ní in aon taifead forordaithe agus a cheangal ar an duine a choimeádas an taifead a dheimhniú gur cóip dhílis den ní sin an chóip sin.
(2) Beidh finné a bheas os comhair chigire i dteideal na ndíolúintí agus na bpribhléidí céanna ionann is dá mba fhinné os comhair na hArd-Chúirte é agus lamhálfar na caiteachais dó mar lamhálfaí d'fhinné bheadh ag freastal na Cúirte sin sub poena; agus cuirfear aon díospóid i dtaobh méid na gcaiteachas sin faoi bhráid Mháistir Fhómhais agus déanfaidh seisean, ar iarratas a dhéanamh chuige faoi láimh an chigire, méid na gcaiteachas a chinntiú agus a dheimhniú.
(3) Aon duine—
(a) a mhainneos freastal a dhéanamh ar é a thoghairm mar fhinné os comhair chigire agus ar na caiteachais a bhfuil teideal aige chucu a thairiscint dó, nó a dhiúltós mionn a ghlacadh a gceanglóidh an cigire go dleathach air é a ghlacadh, nó
(b) a dhiúltós nó a fhailleos aon fhreagra nó aon tuairisceán a thabhairt nó aon doiciméad a thabhairt ar aird, nó aon dearbhú a dhéanamh nó a shíniú, nó cóip d'aon taifead a dheimhniú, i gcás ina bhfuil teideal ag an gcigire a cheangal air sin a dhéanamh, nó
(c) a chuirfeas bac go toiliúil ar dhuine agus an duine sin ag feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoin alt seo,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
Cumhachta máistrí cuain.
22.—(1) Gan dochar do na cumhachta a bheirtear le halt 21, féadfaidh máistir cuain, i gcás aon árthaigh sa chuan—
(a) dul ar bord an árthaigh agus an t-árthach maraon lena hinneallra, a báid, a trealamh agus earraí ar bord an árthaigh d'iniúchadh chun na himthosca a chinntiú a bhaineas le haon chás inar líomhnadh gur scaoileadh ola nó meascán olach as an árthach in uiscí an chuain;
(b) a cheangal go dtabharfar ar aird aon taifead forordaithe;
(c) cóip a dhéanamh d'aon taifeadadh in aon taifead forordaithe agus a cheangal ar an duine a bhfuil an taifead le coimeád aige a dheimhniú gur cóip dhílis den taifeadadh an chóip sin,
ach gan an t-árthach a choinneáil ná a mhoilliú ó dhul ar a turas, mura gá sin.
(2) Duine ar bith—
(a) nach ndéanfaidh do réir aon cheanglais den tsórt sin, nó
(b) a chuirfeas bac go toiliúil ar mháistir cuain agus é ag feidhmiú a fheidhmeanna faoin alt seo,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus, ar a chiontú go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
Pionóis.
23.—Gach duine a dhéanfas cion faoin Acht seo nach bhforáltar aon phionós speisialta ina leith, dlífear—
(a) ar a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná cúig chéad punt a chur air (agus ina theannta sin, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion), nó
(b) ar a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná cúig mhíle punt a chur air (agus ina theannta sin, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise nach mó ná cúig chéad punt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion).
Inchúiseamh i leith cionta.
24.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire imeachta achomaire i leith aon chiona faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh agus a thabhairt ar aghaidh.
(2) Féadfaidh an t-údarás cuain imeachta achomaire i leith ciona a bhaineas le cuan áirithe nó le máistir cuain áirithe a thionscnamh agus a thabhairt ar aghaidh.
(3) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (4) d'alt 10 den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachta achomaire a thionscnamh i leith an chiona—
(a) i ngach cás, laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag ó dháta an chiona, agus
(b) i gcás an duine atá le cúiseamh a bheith i gceann na tréimhse sin lasmuigh den Stát, laistigh de dhá mhí ón gcéad lá ina dhiaidh sin a thiocfas sé isteach sa Stát.
(4) Gan dochar d'aon dlínse eile, féadfar imeachta i leith ciona a thionscnamh i gcoinne duine in aon áit ina mbeidh sé de thuras na huaire.
Comhluchta corpraithe a dhíotáil.
25.—(1) Féadfar comhlucht corpraithe a chur ar aghaidh chun a thriala ar díotáil i leith ciona faoin Acht seo le chúirtbhannaí nó dá n-éagmais.
(2) Ar é a dhíotchúiseamh os comhair na Príomh-Chúirte Coiriúla nó na Cúirte Cuarda, féadfaidh an comhlucht corpraithe pléadáil chiontach nó neamhchiontach a thaifeadadh i scríbhinn trína ionadaí agus mura láithreoidh sé trí ionadaí arna cheapadh aige chuige sin nó, cé go láithreoidh sé amhlaidh, mura dtaifeadfaidh sé pléadáil ar bith, ordóidh an Chúirt pléadáil neamhchiontach a thaifeadadh agus raghaidh an triail ar aghaidh amhail is dá mbeadh an comhlucht corpraithe tar éis an phléadáil sin a thaifeadadh go cuí.
(3) Aon ráiteas i scríbhinn a airbheartós a bheith sínithe ag rúnaí an chomhluchta chorpraithe, á rá go bhfuil an duine a hainmnítear sa ráiteas ceaptha mar ionadaí don chomhlucht chun críche an fho-ailt seo, beidh sé inghlactha gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais mar fhianaise gur ceapadh an duine sin amhlaidh.
(4) Aon toghairm nó doiciméad eile is gá a sheirbheáil, chun críche nó i gcúrsa imeacht faoin alt seo, ar chomhlucht corpraithe, féadfar é a sheirbheáil trína fhágaint ag oifig chláraithe an chomhluchta sin nó trína chur go dtí an oifig sin leis an bpost cláraithe nó, mura bhfuil aon oifig den tsórt sin sa Stát, trína fhágaint ag an gcomhlucht, nó trína chur leis an bpost cláraithe, go dtí an comhlucht, in aon áit sa Stát ina bhfuil a ghnó á sheoladh aige.
Fíneála a bhailiú agus a chur chun feidhme.
26.—(1) Mura n-íoctar go cuí fíneáil a gearradh ar únaer nó máistir árthaigh, féadfaidh an Chúirt, gan dochar d'aon chumhachta eile chun a híoctha a chur i bhfeidhm, a ordú go ndéanfar an méid atá gan íoc a thobhach tríd an árthach, a tácla, a troscán agus a feisteas a thocsal agus a dhíol.
(2) Más dóigh leis an gCúirt a ghearrfas fíneáil go ndeachaigh nó go raghaidh aon duine faoi chaiteachas ag aistriú aon truailleachais nó ag slánú aon damáiste is inchurtha i leith an chiona, féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú go n-íocfar an fhíneáil go léir nó cuid di leis an duine sin chun an caiteachas nó cuid de a ghlanadh.
Doiciméid a bheith inghlactha mar fhianaise.
27.—Gach doiciméad a airbheartós a bheith ina thaifead a coimeádtar de bhun an Achta seo nó de bhun Coinbhinsiúin 1954 nó aon Choinbhinsiúin ina dhiaidh sin nó a airbheartós a bheith ina chóip dhílis. arna dheimhniú amhlaidh ag an duine a gceanglaítear air an taifead a choimeád, de thaifeadadh ann, measfar, mura gcruthaítear a mhalairt, gurb é an taifead nó an chóip sin é, agus beidh sé inghlactha, gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, mar fhianaise ar na nithe a luaitear ann.
AN SCEIDEAL.
Réigiúin Toirmiscthe.
Cuid I.
Réigiúin Tosaigh do Theaincéirí.
1. Iomlán na farraige atá—
(a) lasmuigh d'fharraigí tórann an Stáit, agus
(b) laistigh de 100 míle ó chósta na hÉireann, na Breataine Móire, na Beilge, na hIsiltíre, Phoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine nó na Danmhairge.
2. Iomlán na farraige atá—
(a) laisteas de leathad 62° ó thuaidh, agus
(b) laistigh de 50 míle ó chósta na Norbhuaidhe.
3. An chuidsin den Fharraige Atlantach agus de Mhuir nIocht lasmuigh d'fharraigí tórann an Stáit agus lasmuigh den límistéir a sonraítear i mír 1, atá idir líne a tarraingeofaí ó phointe ar amlíne Greenwich 100 míle ó thuaidh-soir-ó-thuaidh ó Inse Shealtainn; as sin ó thuaidh feadh amlíne Greenwich go dtí leathad 64° ó thuaidh; as sin siar feadh an 64ú comhthreormhair go dtí faidlíne 10° siar; as sin go dtí leathad 60° ó thuaidh, faidlíne 14° siar; as sin go dtí leathad 54° 30’ ó thuaidh, faidlíne 30° siar; as sin dtí leathad 44° 20’ ó thuaidh faidhlíne 30° siar; as sin go dtí leathad 48° ó thuaidh faidlíne 14° siar; as sin soir feadh an 48ú comhthreormhair go dtí cósta na Fraince.
Cuid II.
Réigiúin Tosaigh d'Árthaí seachas Teaincéirí.
1. Iomlán na farraige atá—
(a) lasmuigh d'fharraigí tórann an Stáit, agus
(b) laistigh de 100 míle ó chósta na hÉireann, na Breataine Móire, na Beilge, na Isiltíre, Phoblacht Chónaidhme na Gearmáine nó na Danmhairge, nó laistigh de 100 míle ó chósta aon oileáin d'Inse Mara nIocht.
2. Iomlán na farraige atá—
(a) laisteas de leathad 62° ó thuaidh, agus
(b) laistigh de 50 míle ó chósta na Norbhuaidhe.
Cuid III.
Réigiúin Bhreise do Theaincéirí.
1. Iomlán na farraige atá laistigh de 50 míle ó thír, gan áireamh a dhéanamh—
(a) ar na límistéirí a sonraítear i gCuid I,
(b) ar fharraigí tórann an Stáit, ná
(c) ar Mhuir Aidriad agus an límistéir a sonraítear i mír 3.
2. An chuid de Mhuir Aidriad atá laistigh de 50 míle ó chósta na hAlbáine, agus an méid den chuid eile de Mhuir Aidriad atá laistigh de 30 míle ó aon chósta eile (gan oileán Vis d'áireamh).
3. Iomlán na farraige atá laistigh de 150 míle ó chósta na hAstráile, ach amháin amach ó chósta thuaidh agus ó chósta thiar mhórthír na hAstráile idir an pointe os coinne Oileán na Déardaoine agus an pointe ar an gcósta thiar ag 20° leathad theas.
Cuid IV.
Reigiúin Bhreise d'Árthaí seachas Teaincéirí.
1. Iomlán na farraige atá laistigh de 50 míle ó thír, gan áireamh a dhéanamh—
(a) ar na límistéirí a sonraítear i gCuid II,
(b) ar fharraigí tórann an Stáit, ná
(c) ar Mhuir Aidriad.
2. An chuid de Mhuir Aidriad atá laistigh de 50 míle ó chósta na hAlbáine, agus an méid sin den chuid eile de Mhuir Aidriad atá laistigh de 20 míle ó aon chósta eile (gan oileán Vis d'áireamh).
Number 25 of 1956.
OIL POLLUTION OF THE SEA ACT, 1956.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.
Section | |
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of the Oireachtas. | |
PREVENTION OF OIL POLLUTION OF THE SEA.
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
Prohibited Zoneso
Acts Referred to | |
No. 9 of 1946 | |
No. 5 of 1926 | |
Number 25 of 1956.
OIL POLLUTION OF THE SEA ACT, 1956.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Oil Pollution of the Sea Act, 1956.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister shall by order appoint, and different days may be appointed for the purposes of different provisions, including different Parts of the Schedule.
Definitions.
3.—In this Act—
“barge” includes a lighter or like vessel;
“Convention of 1954” means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954;
“discharge” in relation to oil or an oily mixture means any discharge or escape howsoever caused;
“harbour authority” means—
(a) in the case of a harbour to which the Harbours Act, 1946 (No. 9 of 1946), applies, the harbour authority under that Act,
(b) in the case of a harbour under the control and management of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, the Commissioners, and
(c) in any other case, the person entitled to charge rates in respect of vessels entering or using the harbour;
“harbour master” includes a person appointed by a harbour authority for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act;
“inspector” means a surveyor of ships or a person appointed under section 20;
“master”, in relation to a vessel, means the person having the command or charge of the vessel for the time being;
“mile” means a nautical mile of six thousand and eighty feet;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
“oil” means oil of any description, and includes spirit produced from oil, and coal tar;
“occupier”, in relation to anything which has no occupier, means the owner, and, in relation to a railway wagon or road vehicle, means the person in charge of it;
“petroleum spirit” means petroleum to which the Petroleum Acts, 1871 and 1879, apply;
“place on land” includes anything resting on the bed or shore of the sea or inland waters and also includes anything afloat, other than a vessel, if anchored or attached to the bed or shore;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;
“transfer” in relation to oil means transfer in bulk;
other terms have the same meanings as in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
Exemptions.
4.—(1) This Act does not apply to a vessel of the Irish Naval Service, wholly manned by personnel of the Service.
(2) The Minister may exempt any vessels or classes of vessels from any of the provisions of this Act or of regulations thereunder, either absolutely or subject to such conditions as he thinks fit.
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of the Oireachtas.
5.—Every order and regulation made 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 it is passed by either House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the instrument has been laid before it, the instrument shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under it.
Fees.
6.—(1) Fees under this Act shall be taken and collected in such manner as the Minister for Finance may from time to time direct and shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance.
(2) The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect of such fees.
Expenses.
7.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeal.
8.—The Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1926 (No. 5 of 1926), is hereby repealed.
PART II.
Prevention of Oil Pollution of the Sea.
Prohibited zones.
9.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the sea areas specified in Parts I and III of the Schedule shall be prohibited zones for tankers.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the sea areas specified in Parts II and IV of the Schedule shall be prohibited zones for ships other than tankers.
(3) The Minister may by order extend or reduce any prohibited zone or declare any specified sea area to be a prohibited zone for tankers or for other ships for the purpose of giving effect to any variation of sea areas in accordance with the Convention of 1954 or of implementing any subsequent Convention or of protecting the coasts of the State, and amend any order under this subsection.
Discharge of oil in prohibited zones.
10.—(1) This section applies to crude oil, fuel oil and lubricating oil.
(2) This section shall also apply to any heavy diesel oil or other description of oil which may be prescribed.
(3) The owner and also the master of any ship registered in the State which discharges into a prohibited zone for that ship any oil to which this section applies or any mixture containing such oil, the oil in which fouls the surface of the sea, shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) For this purpose, the oil in any oily mixture of less than one hundred parts of oil in one million parts of the mixture shall be deemed not to foul the surface of the sea.
(5) The Minister may prescribe exceptions to subsection (3), either absolutely or on specified conditions, and either generally or for specified classes of ships, or in relation to particular descriptions of oil or oily mixtures, or to their discharge in specified circumstances, or in relation to particular sea areas.
Discharge of oil into territorial seas and inland waters.
11.—(1) If any oil or oily mixture is discharged (directly or indirectly) into the territorial seas of the State or into its inland waters navigable by sea-going vessels, then, if the discharge is—
(a) from a vessel, the owner and also the master of the vessel,
(b) from a place on land, the occupier of that place,
(c) from apparatus for transferring oil to or from a vessel, the person in charge of the apparatus,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) A harbour master may specify a place where the ballast water of a vessel in which a cargo of petroleum spirit has been carried may be discharged into the waters of the harbour at such times and on such conditions as he may direct. The discharge of ballast water containing no oil other than petroleum spirit in accordance with such directions shall not be an offence.
Saver for discharge in special circumstances.
12.—(1) Sections 10 and 11 shall not apply to—
(a) the discharge of oil or of an oily mixture from a vessel for the purpose of securing the safety of the vessel, preventing damage to the vessel or her cargo, or saving life, if such discharge was necessary and reasonable in the circumstances, or
(b) the escape of oil or of an oily mixture from a vessel, resulting from damage to the vessel or from any leakage, not due to any want of reasonable care, if all reasonable precautions have been taken after the occurrence of the damage or discovery of the leakage for the purpose of preventing or minimising the escape.
(2) Section 11 shall not apply to the escape of oil or of an oily mixture from any place or apparatus, if the escape was not due to any want of reasonable care and if all reasonable steps have been taken after the discovery of the escape for the purpose of stopping or minimising it.
(3) Section 11 shall not apply to the discharge from any place of an effluent produced by operations for the refining of oil, if—
(a) it was not reasonably practicable to dispose of the effluent otherwise than by so discharging it, and
(b) all reasonably practicable steps had been taken for eliminating oil from the effluent, and
(c) in the event of the surface of the waters into which the mixture was discharged, or land adjacent to those waters, being fouled by oil at the time of the discharge, it is shown that the fouling was not caused or contributed to by oil contained in any effluent discharged at or before that time from that place.
Harbour facilities for disposal of oily residue.
13.—(1) A harbour authority may provide, or cause to be provided, facilities for the discharge of oily residue from vessels using the harbour and arrange for its disposal.
(2) Whenever the Minister, after consultation with the harbour authority and with any organisation appearing to him to be representative of owners of ships registered in the State, is of opinion that such facilities or arrangements are necessary at a particular harbour, or that the existing facilities are inadequate, he may require the harbour authority to make such provision, and within such time, as he may consider necessary and may extend the time for complying with any such requirement.
(3) A harbour authority shall not be obliged to make any facilities provided under this section available for tankers or for the discharge of oily residues for the purpose of enabling a vessel to undergo repairs or to allow the disposal of residue from which the water has not been effectively separated but, subject thereto, the facilities shall be available for all vessels using the harbour.
(4) A harbour authority, or any person by arrangement with a harbour authority, providing facilities for vessels in accordance with this section may make reasonable charges, and impose reasonable conditions, for the use of the facilities.
Report of discharge into harbours.
14.—(1) If any oil or oily mixture—
(a) is discharged from a vessel into the waters of a harbour for the purpose of securing the safety of the vessel, preventing damage to the vessel or her cargo, or saving life, or
(b) is found to be escaping or to have escaped into such waters from a vessel as a result of damage to the vessel or leakage, or from any place on land,
the owner and the master of the vessel, or the occupier of the place, as the case may be, shall forthwith report the fact and cause of the occurrence to the harbour master.
(2) A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
Transfer of oil at night.
15.—(1) No oil shall be transferred between sunset and sunrise to or from a vessel in a harbour unless notice has previously been given in accordance with this section to the harbour master.
(2) Notice shall be given not less than three and not more than ninety-six hours before the transfer of oil begins but, where transfers are frequently carried out at a particular place, a general notice to that effect, covering a period of not more than twelve months from the date of the notice, shall suffice.
(3) If any oil is transferred to or from a vessel in contravention of this section the master of the vessel, and, if the transfer is from or to a place on land, also, the occupier, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(4) This section shall not apply to the transfer of oil by or on the direction of the harbour master or the officer in charge of a fire brigade in the event of a fire.
Equipment of ships to prevent pollution by oil.
16.—(1) The Minister may make regulations requiring ships registered in the State to be so fitted, and to comply with such requirements, as to prevent or reduce the discharge of oil or oily mixtures into the sea.
(2) A surveyor of ships and such other persons as the Minister may appoint may carry out such tests as may be prescribed for the purpose of this section and, for such tests, may charge such fees as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may direct.
(3) The owner and also the master of a ship, in respect of which there is a contravention of regulations under this section, shall be guilty of an offence. The offence shall be a continuing offence and fresh proceedings in respect of it may be taken from time to time.
Keeping of oil records.
17.—(1) The master of a ship registered in the State shall keep the prescribed records of—
(a) the discharge of any oil or oily mixture from the ship for the purpose of securing the safety of the ship, preventing damage to the ship or her cargo, or saving life;
(b) the escape of any oil or oily mixture from the ship, resulting from damage to the ship or leakage;
(c) the carrying out of prescribed operations, being—
(i) the ballasting of and discharge of ballast from cargo tanks or bunker fuel tanks, and the cleaning of such tanks, or
(ii) the separation of oil in any oily mixture, or
(iii) the disposal from the ship of any oil, water or other substance arising from such operations, or
(iv) the disposal of any oily residue.
(2) The Minister may make regulations requiring the keeping of prescribed records of the transfer of oil to or from any vessel, whether registered in the State or not, while within the territorial seas or inland waters of the State. Records of transfer of oil to or from a barge shall be kept, respectively, by the person by whom the oil is supplied or to whom it is delivered. In every other case, the records shall be kept by the master of the vessel.
(3) Regulations for the purposes of this section may provide for the custody, preservation, disposal and inspection of records and for such other ancillary matters as may be prescribed.
(4) Every person who contravenes this section or regulations under it shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty pounds.
(5) Every person who makes in a record any entry or alteration which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material respect shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Application of sections 16 and 17 (1) to foreign ships.
18.—(1) The Government may by order apply section 16 or subsection (1) of section 17 to ships registered in other countries while they are in a harbour in the State or within the territorial seas while on their way to or from such a harbour, unless their presence there is due to stress of weather or some other unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance.
(2) The Government may by order exempt from such application a ship of any country, if satisfied that the requirements of the law of that country are equally effective and that the ship complies with them.
(3) The Government may by order revoke an order under this section.
PART III.
Enforcement and Penalties.
Enforcement of Convention as to keeping of oil records.
19.—(1) The Minister, if satisfied—
(a) that the government of any country has accepted or denounced the Convention of 1954 or any subsequent Convention, or
(b) that any such Convention extends, or has ceased to extend, to any territory,
may by order so declare.
(2) In this section “ship to which the Convention applies” means a ship registered in—
(a) a country the government of which has been declared to have accepted the Convention of 1954 or any subsequent Convention and has not been subsequently declared to have denounced it, or
(b) a territory to which any such Convention has been declared to extend and to which it has not been subsequently declared to have ceased to extend.
(3) A surveyor of ships or any person empowered by warrant of the Minister may go on board any ship to which the Convention applies, while she is within a harbour in the State, may inspect the oil record book required by the Convention to be carried in the ship and may make a true copy of any entry in the book and require the master of the ship to certify that it is a true copy.
(4) Any person who impedes a surveyor of ships or other person in the exercise of his functions under this section, or who, on being so required, fails to produce the oil record book for inspection or to certify a copy of an entry shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(5) A person exercising functions under this section shall not unnecessarily detain or delay the vessel from proceeding on her voyage.
Appointment of Inspectors.
20.—(1) A surveyor of ships shall be an inspector with the function of reporting to the Minister generally—
(a) whether the requirements of this Act are being complied with;
(b) what measures have been taken for the prevention of the escape of any oil or oily mixtures;
(c) whether the facilities in any harbour for reception or disposal of oily residue are adequate.
(2) The Minister may appoint any person to be an inspector with the function of reporting, either generally or in a particular case, under subsection (1).
Powers of inspectors.
21.—(1) For the purpose of his functions, an inspector may—
(a) go on board any vessel and inspect the vessel and her machinery, boats, equipment and articles on board the vessel and test any equipment with which under this Act she is required to be fitted, not unnecessarily detaining or delaying her from proceeding on her voyage;
(b) enter and inspect any premises and any apparatus for the transfer of oil;
(c) by summons under his hand require any person to attend before him and examine him on oath (which the inspector is hereby authorised to administer);
(d) require a witness to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of the statements made by him at his examination;
(e) require any person to produce to him any document in his power or control or make return to any inquiry;
(f) copy any entry in any prescribed record and require the person by whom the record is to be kept to certify the copy as a true copy of the entry.
(2) A witness before an inspector shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court and shall be allowed such expenses as would be allowed to a witness attending that Court on sub poena; and any dispute as to the amount of those expenses shall be referred to a Taxing Master who shall, on request made to him under the hand of the inspector, ascertain and certify the amount of the expenses.
(3) If any person—
(a) on being summoned as a witness before an inspector and tendered the expenses to which he is entitled under this section, makes default in attending, or refuses to take an oath legally required by the inspector to be taken, or
(b) refuses or neglects to make any answer, or to give any return or to produce any document, or to make or subscribe any declaration, or to certify a copy of any entry, which the inspector is entitled to require, or
(c) wilfully impedes a person in the exercise of his functions under this section,
he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
Powers of harbour masters.
22.—(1) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by section 21, a harbour master may, in the case of any vessel in the harbour—
(a) go on board the vessel and inspect the vessel and her machinery, boats, equipment and articles on board the vessel for the purpose of ascertaining the circumstances relating to an alleged discharge of oil or oily mixture from the vessel into the waters of the harbour;
(b) require the production of any prescribed record;
(c) copy any entry in any prescribed record and require the person by whom the record is to be kept to certify the copy as a true copy of the entry,
but not unnecessarily detaining or delaying the vessel from proceeding on her voyage.
(2) If any person—
(a) fails to comply with any such requirement, or
(b) wilfully impedes a harbour master in the exercise of his functions under this section,
he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
Penalties.
23.—Every person who commits an offence under this Act for which no special penalty is provided shall—
(a) on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred pounds (together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding fifty pounds for every day on which the offence is continued), or
(b) on conviction on indictment, be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand pounds (together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding five hundred pounds for every day on which the offence is continued).
Prosecution of offences.
24.—(1) Summary proceedings in respect of any offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister.
(2) Summary proceedings in respect of an offence in relation to a particular harbour or harbour master may be brought and prosecuted by the harbour authority.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of section 10 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for the offence may be instituted—
(a) in every case, within twelve months from the date of the offence, and
(b) if at the expiry of that period the person to be charged is outside the State, within two months of the date on which he next enters the State.
(4) Without prejudice to any other jurisdiction, proceedings for an offence may be taken against a person at any place where he may be for the time being.
Indictment of bodies corporate.
25.—(1) A body corporate may be sent forward for trial on indictment for an offence under this Act with or without recognisances.
(2) On arraignment before the Central Criminal Court or the Circuit Court, the body corporate may enter in writing by its representative a plea of guilty or not guilty and if it does not appear by a representative appointed by it for the purpose, or, though it does so appear, fails to enter any plea, the court shall order a plea of not guilty to be entered and the trial shall proceed as though the body corporate had duly entered that plea.
(3) A statement in writing purporting to be signed by the secretary of the body corporate to the effect that the person named in the statement has been appointed as the representative of the body for the purpose of this section shall be admissible without further proof as evidence that that person has been so appointed.
(4) Any summons or other document required to be served for the purpose or in the course of proceedings under this section on a body corporate may be served by leaving it at or sending it by registered post to the registered office of that body or, if there be no such office in the State, by leaving it at, or sending it by registered post to, the body at any place in the State at which it conducts its business.
Collection and application of fines.
26.—(1) Where a fine imposed on the owner or master of a vessel is not duly paid, the court may, without prejudice to any other powers for enforcing payment, direct the amount remaining unpaid to be levied by distress and sale of the vessel, her tackle, furniture and apparel.
(2) Where it appears to the court imposing a fine that any person has incurred or will incur expense in removing any pollution or making good any damage attributable to the offence, the court may order the whole or part of the fine to be paid to that person for or towards defraying the expense.
Admissibility of records as evidence.
27.—Every document purporting to be a record kept in pursuance of this Act or of the Convention of 1954 or any subsequent Convention or to be a true copy, certified as such by the person required to keep the record, of an entry therein shall, unless the contrary is shown, be presumed to be such and be admissible as evidence of the facts stated therein without further proof.
SCHEDULE.
Prohibited Zones.
Part I.
Initial Zones for Tankers.
1. The whole of the sea which lies—
(a) outside the territorial seas of the State, and
(b) within 100 miles from the coast of Ireland, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Federal Republic of Germany or Denmark.
2. The whole of the sea which lies—
(a) south of latitude 62° north, and
(b) within 50 miles from the coast of Norway.
3. So much of the Atlantic Ocean and of the English Channel, outside the territorial seas of the State, and outside the area specified in paragraph 1, as lies within a line drawn from a point on the Greenwich meridian 100 miles in a north-north-easterly direction from the Shetland Islands; thence northwards along the Greenwich meridian to latitude 64° north; thence westwards along the 64th parallel to longitude 10° west; thence to latitude 60° north, longitude 14° west; thence to latitude 54° 30′ north, longitude 30° west; thence to latitude 44° 20′ north, longitude 30° west; thence to latitude 48° north, longitude 14° west; thence eastwards along the 48th parallel to the coast of France.
Part II.
Initial Zones for Vessels other than Tankers.
1. The whole of the sea which lies—
(a) outside the territorial seas of the State, and
(b) within 100 miles from the coast of Ireland, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Federal Republic of Germany or Denmark, or within 100 miles from the coast of any of the Channel Islands.
2. The whole of the sea which lies—
(a) south of latitude 62° north, and
(b) within 50 miles from the coast of Norway.
Part III.
Additional Zones for Tankers.
1. The whole of the sea which lies within 50 miles from land, exclusive of—
(a) the areas specified in Part I,
(b) the territorial seas of the State, and
(c) the Adriatic Sea and the area specified in paragraph 3.
2. So much of the Adriatic Sea as lies within 50 miles from the coast of Albania, and so much of the remainder of the Adriatic Sea as lies within 30 miles from any other coast (the island of Vis being disregarded).
3. The whole of the sea which lies within 150 miles from the coasts of Australia, except off the north and west coasts of the Australian mainland between the point opposite Thursday Island and the point on the west coast at 20° south latitude.
Part IV.
Additional Zones for Vessels other than Tankers.
1. The whole of the sea which lies within 50 miles from land, exclusive of—
(a) the areas specified in Part II,
(b) the territorial seas of the State, and
(c) the Adriatic Sea.
2. So much of the Adriatic Sea as lies within 50 miles from the coast of Albania, and so much of the remainder of the Adriatic Sea as lies within 20 miles from any other coast (the island of Vis being disregarded).