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SAORSTÁT ÉIREANN.
Uimhir 3 de 1932.
ACHT NA mBÓTHAR IARAINN (ILGHNÉITHEACH), 1932.
[An leagan Gaedhilge do hullamhuíodh go hoifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Roimhraiteach agus Generalta.
Gearr-theideal agus luadh.
1.—(1) Féadfar Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Ilghnéitheach), 1932, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Féadfar Achtanna na mBóthar Iarainn, 1924 go 1932, do ghairm d'Achtanna na mBóthar Iarainn, 1924 go 1929, agus den Acht so le chéile.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchiála;
cialluíonn an abairt “An Príomh-Acht” Acht na mBóthar Iarainn. 1924 (Uimh. 29 de 1924);
cialluíonn an abairt “iompar ar bhóithre” paisnéirí, bagáiste paisnéirí, carraí ceannaíochta agus postanna no aon cheann acu san d'iompar ar bhóithre ar luach saothair i bhfeithielí inneallghluaiste ná ritheann ar bhuan-ráileacha;
foluíonn an abairt “feithicil inneall-ghluaiste” feithicil á tarrae ag feithicil inneall-ghluaiste;
ciallaíonn an abairt “ordú reachtúil,” ordú do rinneadh fé údarás reachta pe'ca rinneadh an t-ordú san do dhaingniú le reacht no ná dearnadh;
cialluíonn an abairt “có-aontú reachtúil” có-aontú do húdaruíodh, do ceaduíodh, no do daingníodh le reacht no le hordú reachtúil;
foluíonn an abairt “carraí ceannaíochta” carraí áirnéis minearáil agus ainmhithe ach ní fholuíonn sí bagáiste paisnéirí ná postanna.
Costaisí.
3.—Is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é, a híocfar gach costas fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun an Achta so do chur i bhfeidhm agus ná deineann an tAcht so aon tsocrú eile ina chóir.
CUID II.
An tSeirbhis ar Linte Airithe Bothair Iarainn do Laigheadu no do Scur.
Baint na Coda so den Acht so.
4.—Baineann an Chuid seo den Acht so le gach líne bhóthair iarainn (pe'ca cuid de líne bhóthair iarainn is mó ná san no de chórus de línte bóthar iarainn í no nách eadh) gur tugadh saordheontas amach as airgead puiblí chun no mar chabhair chun a déanta no do rinneadh fé ordú reachtúil le n-ar daingníodh tuairisc o árd-choiste tré n-a ndeachthas in urraíocht go n-íocfadh an chuideachta bhí ag déanamh na líne sin dividenda.
Tosach feidhme na n-orduithe.
5.—Luadhfar i ngach ordú dhéanfaidh an tAire fén gCuid seo den Acht so an lá (nách luaithe ná lá déanta an orduithe sin) a thiocfaidh an t-ordú san i bhfeidhm agus tiocfaidh gach ordú den tsórt san i bhfeidhm an lá luadhfar amhlaidh san ordú san.
E bheith oblagáideach seirbhísí áirithe de thraenacha do bheith á rith.
6.—(1) I gcás aon líne bóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an Chuid seo den Acht so agus gur ghá do réir reachta, orduithe reachtúla, no có-aontuithe reachtúla, díreach roimh an bPríomh-Acht do rith, seirbhís áirithe de thraenacha do bheith á rith uirthi mar sheirbhís mhinimum no eile, ansan, o am an Achta so do rith agus dá éis sin go dtí go bhforálfar a mhalairt le hordú fén gCuid seo den Acht so, beidh sé d'oblagáid ar an gcuideachtain gur léi an líne sin an tseirbhís áirithe sin de thraenacha do bheith á rith aici ar an líne sin, do réir an reachta, an orduithe reachtúla, no an chó-aontuithe reachtúla san (fé mar a bheidh), is gá, do réir an reachta, an orduithe, no an chó-aontuithe sin pe'ca i bhfeidhm don reacht, don ordú, no don chó-aontú san le linn an Achta so do rith no aon uair dá éis sin no nách eadh.
(2) I gcás gach líne bóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an Chuid seo den Acht so agus nách gá, do réir an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so, aon tseirbhís áirithe de thraenacha do bheith á rith uirthi, ansan, o am an Achta so do rith agus dá éis sin go dtí go bhforálfar a mhalairt le hordú fén gCuid seo den Acht so, beidh sé d'oblagáid ar an gcuideachtain gur léi an líne sin seirbhís de thraenacha do bheith á rith aici ar an líne sin nách lugha méid ná áisiúlacht a saoráidí, chun paisnéirí agus earraí ceannaíochta agus postanna d'iompar, ná méid agus áisiúlacht na saoráidí, chun an iompair sin, do bhain leis an seirbhís de thraenacha do bhí á rith ar an líne sin le linn na seacht lá deiridh de mhí na Samhna, 1931.
Seirbhís oblagáideach de thraenacha d'atharú.
7.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú déanfar ar iarratas o chuideachtain gur léi líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an Chuid seo den Acht so, an chuideachta san d'fhuascailt o aon oblagáid a bheidh curtha ar an gcuideachtain sin, leis an Acht so no fé, seirbhís áirithe de thraenacha do bheith á rith aici ar an líne bhóthair iarainn sin agus, ina ionad san, déanfa sé, leis an ordú san, a chur d'oblagáid ar an gcuideachtain sin an tseirbhís atharuithe de thraenacha luadhfar san ordú san do bheith á rith aici ar an líne bhóthair iarainn sin.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú fén alt so mara mbeidh sé sásta, ag féachaint don mhalairt saoráidí iompair atá no bheidh ar fáil sa cheanntar dá bhfónann an líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san, ná tiocfaidh aon ró-cheataí don phuiblíocht sa cheanntar san de dhruim an orduithe sin.
(3) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú fén alt so á chur d'oblagáid ar chuideachtain seirbhís atharuithe de thraenacha do bheith á rith aici ar líne bhóthair iarainn is leis an gcuideachtain sin beidh sé d'oblagáid ar an gcuideachtain sin, o am an orduithe sin do theacht i bhfeidhm agus dá éis sin go dtí go bhforálfar a mhalairt le hordú ina dhiaidh sin fén gCuid seo den Acht so, an tseirbhís atharuithe luadhfar san ordú san do bheith á rith aici ar an líne bhóthair iarainn sin.
Scur de sheirbhísí áirithe de thraenacha do rith.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú déanfar ar iarratas o chuideachtain gur léi líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an Chuid seo den Acht so, a údarú don chuideachtain sin scur de thraenacha ar bith do rith ar an líne bhóthair iarainn sin o am an orduithe sin do theacht i bhfeidhm go dtí go bhforálfar a mhalairt le hordú ina dhiaidh sin fén gCuid seo den Acht so.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le hordú déanfar fén alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní dhéanfaidh an tAire an t-ordú san mara mbeidh sé sásta, ag féachaint don mhalairt saoráidí iompair atá no bheidh ar fáil sa cheanntar dá bhfónann an líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san, go mbeidh leor-shaoráidí iompair ar fáil don phuiblíocht sa cheanntar san d'ainneoin go scuirfear de thraenacha do rith ar an líne bhóthair iarainn sin;
(b) o am an orduithe sin do theacht i bhfeidhm agus dá éis sin agus mara ndeintear no go dtí go ndéanfar an t-ordú san do cheiliúradh le hordú ina dhiaidh sin fén gCuid seo den Acht so, ní bheidh sé d'oblagáid, fén Acht so ná ar aon tslí eile, ar an gcuideachtain gur léi an líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san aon traenacha do rith ar an líne bhóthair iarainn sin;
(c) ní dhéanfaidh an t-ordú san fuascailt ná deifir maidir le haon fhreagarthacht de chuid na cuideachtan gur léi an líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san i gcoimeád gach droichid, croise ar leibheul, claidhe, dréin agus oibre eile i dtreo, do tógadh agus a coimeádtar i dtreo chun úsáide, áise no cosanta na puiblíochta i gcoitinne no aon choda den phuiblíocht no únaerí no sealbhairí tailte áirithe;
(d) o am an orduithe sin do theacht i bhfeidhm agus dá éis sin agus mara ndeintear no go dtí go ndéanfar an t-ordú san do cheiliúradh le hordú ina dhiaidh sin fén gCuid seo den Acht so ní bhainfidh an méid d'alt 47 den Railway Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, a chuireann d'oblagáid ar chuideachtain bhóthair iarainn daoine cearta do bheith ar fostú acu chun geataí ag crois ar leibheul d'oscailt agus do dhúnadh, ní bhainfe sé le haon chrois ar leibheul ar an líne bhóthair iarainn le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san má deintear agus faid a déanfar geataí uile na croise sin ar leibheul do choimeád agus do dhaingniú ar dhul ná cuirfidh cosc ar thrácht ar bhóthar dul trasna na líne sin ag an gcrois sin ar leibheul.
Orduithe fén gCuid seo den Acht so do cheiliúradh.
9.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo, féadfaidh an tAire le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú ceiliúrtha san alt so) ceiliúradh do dhéanamh, pé uair is ceart é dar leis, ar aon ordú (dá ngairmtear bun-ordú san alt so) do rinne sé roimhe sin fé aon alt eile den Chuid seo den Acht so.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le horduithe ceiltúrtha do dhéanamh fén alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú ceiliúrtha gan fógra go bhfuil sé chun an orduithe sin do dhéanamh do thabhairt don chuideachtain le n-a mbaineann an bunordú a bheidh le ceiliúradh tríd an ordú ceiliúrtha agus caoi do thabhairt don chuideachtain sin ar chúis do phlé leis i dtaobh an orduithe cheiliúrtha san a bheidh beartuithe;
(b) ní dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú ceiliúrtha mara mbeidh sé sásta. toisc gan saoráidí iompair seachas an líne bhóthair iarainn dá ndeineann an bun-ordú deifir do bheith ar fáil no toisc iad do scur de bheith ar fáil, ná fuil leor-shaoráidí iompair ar fáil don phuiblíocht sa cheanntar dá bhfónann no dá bhfónadh (pe'ca aca é) an líne bhóthair iarainn sin;
(c) oibreoidh ordú ceiliúrtha chun gach oblagáide d'aithbheochaint agus do thabhairt thar n-ais a forchuirtear leis an gCuid seo den Acht so no le hordú fúithi agus do bhí i bhfeidhm díreach sara ndearnadh an bun-ordú, agus gur tugadh faoiseamh ina coinnibh no do cuireadh ar ceal, go follusach no go foluitheach, leis an mbunordú san.
Fiosrúcháin phuiblí.
10.—(1) Pé uair a bheartóidh an tAire ordú do dhéanamh fén gCuid seo den Acht so no a hiarrfar air aon ordú den tsórt san do dhéanamh, féadfaidh an tAire, más dóich leis gur ceart é, a chur fé ndeár go ndéanfar fiosrúchán puiblí fén alt so agus dá réir i dtaobh an orduithe sin do dhéanamh.
(2) Isé dhéanfaidh gach fiosrúchán puiblí déanfar fén alt so ná pé duine cheapfaidh an tAire agus is san ionad agus san am a cheapfaidh an tAire déanfar é, agus beidh comhacht ag an té dhéanfaidh an fiosrúchán san fianaise fé mhionn do ghlacadh agus chuige sin daoine do chur fé mhionn.
(3) Mara ndeinidh an tAire, le ceadú an Aire Airgid, a mhalairt d'ordú, isé íocfaidh gach costas fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun fiosrúcháin phuiblí do chur á dhéanamh fén alt so ná an chuideachta gur léi an líne bhóthair iarainn gur ina taobh a déanfar an fiosrúchán san agus socróidh an tAire, le ceadú an Aire Airgid, méid na gcostaisí sin agus nuair a socrófar amhlaidh é féadfaidh an tAire é do bhaint den chuideachtain sin.
(4) Féadfaidh an té dhéanfaidh fiosrúchán puiblí fén alt so, más dóich leis gur ceart é, a ordú go n-íocfaidh aon duine áirithe do bhí i láthair no go raibh ionadaí uaidh i láthair ag an bhfiosrúchán san na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí fé n-a ndeachaidh duine ar bith eile agus do bhain leis an duine eile sin féin no le hionadaí uaidh do theacht i láthair agus fianaise do thabhairt ag an bhfiosrúchán san.
(5) Pé uair ordóidh an té dhéanfaidh fiosrúchán puiblí fén alt so go n-íocfaidh duine áirithe na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí fé n-a ndeachaidh duine eile, déanfaidh máistir measaireachta den Ard-Chúirt na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí sin do mheas agus d'fháil amach ar éileamh an té le n-ar horduíodh no ar éileamh an té dar horduíodh na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí sin d'íoc amhlaidh agus nuair a bheidh na costaisí agus na caiteachaisí sin measta agus faighte amach amhlaidh féadfaidh an té le n-ar horduíodh iad d'íoc amhlaidh suim na gcostaisí agus na gcaiteachaisí sin do bhaint, mar fhiacha gnáth-chonnartha agus in aon chúirt dlighinse inniúla, den té dar horduíodh iad d'íoc amhlaidh.
CUID III.
Lucht Stiurtha Chuideachtan Mor-Bhoithre Iarainn an Deiscirt.
Mínithe sa Chuid seo den Acht so.
11.—Sa Chuid seo den Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an scéim” Scéim Chó-nascthachta Mhór-Bhóithre Iarainn an Deiscirt, 1925;
cialluíonn an abairt “an chuideachta” Cuideachta Mhór-Bhóithre Iarainn an Deiscirt;
ní fholuíonn an focal “stiúrthóir” stiúrthóir do hainmníodh fé Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Lucht Stiúrtha), 1924 (Uimh. 61 de 1924);
cialluíonn an abairt “líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí” an líon de stiúrthóirí is gá do réir dlí de thurus na huaire do bheith ar bhord stiúrthóirí na Cuideachtan.
An scéim agus an Príomh-Acht do léiriú.
12.—Déanfar an scéim agus an Príomh-Acht do léiriú fé réir fhorálacha na Coda so den Acht so agus beidh éifeacht acu dá réir sin.
Líon stiúrthóirí na Cuideachtan do laigheadú.
13.—(1) Más mó ná ochtar líon stiúrthóirí na cuideachtan le linn an Achta so do rith, ansan, d'ainneoin éinní atá sa scéim no i gCuid II den Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) beidh an líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí agus, go dtí go laigheadófar é tré oibriú na céad mhíre ina dhiaidh seo, leanfa sé de bheith có-ionann leis an líon de stiúrthóirí atá ar an gcuideachtain le linn an Achta so do rith agus ní níos mó ná san a bheidh sé; agus
(b) go dtí go mbeidh an líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí laigheaduithe go dtí ochtar tré oibriú na míre seo, déanfar an líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí do laigheadú duine pé uair agus gach uair a thárlóidh foth-fholúntas imeasc na stiúrthóirí agus dá réir sin ní líonfar an foth-fholúntas san;
(c) ón dáta san amach ar a mbeidh an líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí laigheaduithe go dtí ochtar tré oibriú na míre deiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so is ochtar agus ní níos mó ná ochtar a bheidh mar líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí.
(2) Maran mó ná ochtar líon stiúrthóirí na cuideachtan le linn an Achta so do rith, ansan, d'ainneoin éinní atá sa scéim no i gCuid II den Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bPríomh-Acht, is ochtar agus ní níos mó ná ochtar a bheidh mar líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí.
(3) Scuirfidh mír (5) d'alt 34 den scéim d'éifeacht do bheith aici.
Gníomhartha áirithe do rinne stiúrthóirí na cuideachtan do bheith dleathach.
14.—Beidh gach gníomh do rinneadh no do rinneadh de dheallramh, roimh an Acht so do rith, ag cólucht gurb iad a bhí ann ná stiúrthóirí don chuideachtain (pe'ca bhí stiúrthóir ortha do hainmníodh fé Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Lucht Stiúrtha), 1924 (Uimh. 61 de 1924), no ná raibh) agus gurb é bord stiúrthóirí na cuideachtan é de dheallramh, beidh an gníomh san agus tuigfear go raibh sé riamh, d'ainneoin líon stiúrthóirí na cuideachtan do bheith níos lugha ná an líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí le linn an ghnímh sin do dhéanamh no do dhéanamh de dheallramh, chó dleathach agus chó héifeachtúil is do bheadh an gníomh san dá mb'ionann líon stiúrthóirí na cuideachtan an uair sin agus an líon dlíthiúil de stiúrthóirí.
CUID IV.
Ilghneitheach.
Painéil i gcóir an Bhínse Bhóthair Iarainn do chur ar fiunraoi.
15.—(1) D'ainneoin éinní atá in alt 17 den Phríomh-Acht ní déanfar na painéil go ndeintear socrú ina gcóir leis an alt san do bhunú agus do choimeád ar bun ach amháin nuair do chífear agus faid do chífear don Ard-Chomhairle bunú na bpainéal san no a gcoimeád ar bun (pe'ca aca é) do bheith oiriúnach ag féachaint dá mhinicí do bhí no is dócha bheidh an cás san ann in ar féidir baill bhreise do chur leis an mBínse Bóthair Iarainn fé fho-alt (4) den alt san 17.
(2) Pé uair ná beidh agus faid ná beidh aon phainéil á gcoimeád ar bun fén alt san 17 den Phríomh-Acht ní bheidh éifeacht ag fo-ailt (4) agus (6) den alt san agus is fé réir an atharuithe go bhféadfaidh an Seanascal, ar chomhairle na hArd-Chomhairle, aon duine oiriúnach do cheapadh fé mhír (b) d'fho-alt (3) den alt san agus chun críche na míre sin a bheidh éifeacht ag an mír sin.
Talamh ná beidh ag teastáil do dhíol agus do thabhairt ar léas.
16.—(1) D'ainneoin éinní atá in ailt 127 go 131 den Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, féadfaidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn aon talamh nách gá chun crícheanna a mbóthair iarainn do dhíol no do thabhairt uatha ar léas aon uair ar pé slí agus ar pé téarmaí is dóich leo is ceart.
(2) Ní bhainfidh na hailt sin 127 go 131 den Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, le cuideachta bhóthair iarainn do dhíol tailimh no do thabhairt tailimh uatha ar léas aon uair fén alt so.
(3) Ní bheidh talamh is cuid de líne bhóthair iarainn no a húsáidtear chun crícheanna líne bhóthair iarainn gur scuireadh, fé ordú do rinneadh fé Chuid II den Acht so, de thraenacha do rith uirthi, ní bheidh sé, de dhruim an scurtha san amháin, ina thalamh nách gá chun crícheanna bóthair iarainn do réir bhrí an Achta so.
Cuideachta bhóthair iarainn do cheannach a stuic dhebentiúra féin.
17.—(1) Féadfaidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn, d'ainneoin éinní atá in aon Acht no instruimid eile le n-a mbunuítear no le n-a rialuítear an chuideachta san, aon mhéid de stoc dhebentiúra no aon cheann de stuic dhebentiúra na cuideachtan san do cheannach in aon bhúrsa no tré chonnradh phríobháideach agus féadfaidh aon airgead a bheidh ar lámhaibh acu d'úsáid chun an cheannaigh sin do dhéanamh ach amháin airgead a cruinníodh tré stoc do thabhairt amach no tré iasachtaí d'fháil no ar shlí eile d'aon toisc chun críche eile.
(2) Féadfaidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn a cheannóidh stoc debentiúra fén alt so a cheangal ar neach díolta an stuic a ceannófar amhlaidh an stoc san d'aistriú chun na cuideachtan san no chun daoine eile ainmneoidh an chuideachta san.
(3) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh neach díolta stuic dhebentiúra cheannóidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn fén alt so an stoc san d'aistriú chun na cuideachtan oibreoidh an t-aistriú san chun an stuic sin do chur in éag.
(4) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh neach díolta stuic dhebentiúra cheannóidh cuideachta bhóthair iarainn fén alt so an stoc san d'aistriú chun daoine eile ainmneoidh an chuideachta san, beidh an stoc san ag na daoine sin ar iontaoibh chun é do dhíol no chun aon choda dhe do dhíol nuair ordóidh an chuideachta san amhlaidh agus chun sochair an díola san d'íoc leis an gcuideachtain sin agus chun an stuic sin do bheith ar iontaoibh acu don chuideachtain sin go dtí go ndéanfar an díol san.
Gnó iompair chuideachtan bóthair iarainn ar bhóithre.
18.—(1) Ní tuigfear aon ghnó iompair a bheidh ar siúl ar bhóithre ag cuideachtain bhóthair iarainn do bheith ina chuid de ghnó na cuideachtan san chun críche aon chó-aontuithe idir an chuideachta san agus an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa tré n-a dtugtar teideal don chuideachtain sin telegrama do chur chun siúil in aisce no ar ráta laigheaduithe.
(2) Chun crícheanna ailt 53 den Phríomh-Acht tuigfear gach gnó iompair a bheidh ar siúl, go díreach no go nea-dhíreach, ar bhóithre ag Cuideachta Mhórbhóithre Iarainn an Deiscirt do bheith ina fho-ghnó no ina ghnó chabhartha ghabhann le bóthar iarainn na cuideachtan san, agus dá réir sin na héilithe dhéanfaidh an chuideachta san ar son iompair ar bhóithre ní bheid fé dhlighinse an Bhínse Bhóthair Iarainn.
An Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act, 1911, do leasú.
19.—(1) D'ainneoin éinní atá in alt 3 den Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act, 1911, féadfaidh an tAire, más dóich leis agus pé uair is dóich leis gur ceart é, le hordú dhéanfa sé ar iarratas o chuideachtain bhóthair iarainn no gan aon iarratas den tsórt san, an Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht san d'atharú (tré chur leis no fágaint ar lár no atharú eile).
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú fén alt so le n-a n-atharófar an Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht san is fé réir an atharuithe déanfar leis an ordú san agus gus an atharú san a bheidh éifeacht ag an Acht san agus ag an Sceideal san a ghabhann leis.
Number 3 of 1932.
RAILWAYS (MISCELLANEOUS) ACT, 1932.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary And General.
Section | |
Reduction or Cesser of Service on Certain Railway Lines.
Directorate Of The Great Southern Railways Company.
Miscellaneous.
Amendment of the Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act,1911. |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 29 of 1924 | |
No. 61 of 1924 | |
Number 3 of 1932.
RAILWAYS (MISCELLANEOUS) ACT, 1932.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title and citation.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Railways (Miscellaneous) Act, 1932.
(2) The Railways Acts, 1924 to 1929, and this Act may be cited together as the Railways Acts, 1924 to 1932.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the expression “the Principal Act” means the Railways Act, 1924 (No. 29 of 1924);
the expression “road transport” means the carriage of passengers, passengers' luggage, merchandise and mails, or any of them, for reward by road in mechanically propelled vehicles not running on permanent rails;
the expression “mechanically propelled vehicle” includes a vehicle drawn by a mechanically propelled vehicle;
the expression “statutory order” means an order made under the authority of a statute, whether such order was or was not confirmed by statute;
the expression “statutory agreement” means an agreement recognised, approved of, or confirmed by statute or by statutory order;
the word “merchandise” includes goods, wares, minerals, and animals but does not include passengers' luggage or mails.
Expenses.
3.—All expenses incurred by the Minister in the execution of this Act and not otherwise provided for by this Act shall, to such extent as shall be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II.
Reduction or Cesser of Service on Certain Railway Lines.
Application of this Part of this Act.
4.—This Part of this Act applies to every railway line (whether forming or not forming part of a larger railway line or of a system of railway lines) for or towards the construction of which a free grant was made out of public moneys or which was constructed under a statutory order whereby a presentment by a grand jury guaranteeing payment of dividends by the company constructing such line was confirmed.
Commencement of orders.
5.—Every order made by the Minister under this Part of this Act shall state the day (not being prior to the day on which such order is made) on which such order is to come into operation and every such order shall come into operation on the day so stated therein.
Obligation to run certain services of trains.
6.—(1) In the case of any railway line to which this Part of this Act applies and over which a specified service of trains was, immediately before the passing of the Principal Act, required by statute, statutory order, or statutory agreement to be run as a minimum service or otherwise, it shall, from and after the passing of this Act until otherwise provided by an order under this Part of this Act, be obligatory for the company owning such line to run over such line in accordance with the said statute, statutory order, or statutory agreement (as the case may be) the said specified service of trains required by the said statute, order, or agreement, whether such statute, order, or agreement is or is not in force at the passing of this Act or at any time thereafter.
(2) In the case of every railway line to which this Part of this Act applies and over which no specified service of trains is required by the preceding sub-section of this section to be run, it shall, from and after the passing of this Act until otherwise provided by an order under this Part of this Act, be obligatory for the company owning such line to run over such line a service of trains giving facilities for transport of passengers, merchandise and mails not less in quantity or convenience than the facilities for such transport given by the service of trains run over the said line during the last seven days of the month of November, 1931.
Modification of obligatory service of trains.
7.—(1) The Minister may, by order made on the application of a company owning a railway line to which this Part of this Act applies, relieve such company from any obligation imposed on such company by or under this Act of running a particular service of trains over such railway line and, in lieu thereof, shall by such order impose on such company the obligation of running over such railway line the modified service of trains specified in such order.
(2) The Minister shall not make an order under this section unless he is satisfied that, having regard to the alternative transport facilities which are or will be available in the district served by the railway line to which such order relates, no undue inconvenience will be occasioned by such order to the public in such district.
(3) Whenever the Minister makes an order under this section imposing on a company the obligation of running over a railway line owned by such company a modified service of trains, it shall, from and after the coming into operation of such order until otherwise provided by a subsequent order under this Part of this Act, be obligatory for such company to run over such railway line the modified service specified in such order.
Cesser of running of certain services of trains.
8.—(1) The Minister may, by order made on the application of a company owning a railway line to which this Part of this Act applies, authorise such company to cease, as from the coming into operation of such order until otherwise provided by a subsequent order under this Part of this Act, to run any trains over such railway line.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to an order made under this section, that is to say:—
(a) the Minister shall not make such order unless he is satisfied that, having regard to the alternative transport facilities which are or will be available in the district served by, the railway line to which such order relates, adequate transport facilities will be available to the public in such district notwithstanding the cesser of the running of trains over such railway line;
(b) from and after the coming into operation of such order and unless or until such order is revoked by a subsequent order under this Part of this Act, it shall not be obligatory under this Act or otherwise for the company owning the railway line to which such order relates to run any trains on such railway line;
(c) such order shall not relieve from or affect any liability of the company owning the railway line to which such order relates to maintain all bridges, level crossings, fences, drains, and other works constructed and maintained for the use, accommodation, or protection of the public generally or of any section of the public or of the owners or the occupiers of particular lands;
(d) from and after the coming into operation of such order and unless or until such order is revoked by a subsequent order under this Part of this Act, so much of section 47 of the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, as makes it obligatory on a railway company to employ proper persons to open and shut gates at a level crossing shall not apply to any level crossing on the railway line to which such order relates if and so long as all the gates of such level crossing are kept and secured in such position as to permit the free passage of road traffic across such line at such crossing.
Revocation of orders under this Part of this Act.
9.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Minister may by order (in this section referred to as a revocation order) revoke, whenever he thinks proper, any order (in this section referred to as an original order) previously made by him under any other section of this Part of this Act.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the making of revocation orders under this section, that is to say :—
(a) the Minister shall not make a revocation order without giving notice of his intention to make such order to the company affected by the original order intended to be thereby revoked and affording such company an opportunity of making representations to him in regard to such intended revocation order;
(b) the Minister shall not make a revocation order unless he is satisfied that, by reason of transport facilities alternative to the railway line affected by the original order not being or having ceased to be available, adequate transport facilities are not available to the public in the district served or formerly served (as the case may be) by such railway line;
(c) a revocation order shall operate to revive and re-instate every obligation imposed by this Part of this Act or an order thereunder which was in operation immediately before the making of the original order and was expressly or impliedly relieved against or removed by such original order.
Public inquiries.
10.—(1) Whenever the Minister proposes to make an order under this Part of this Act or an application is made to the Minister for any such order, the Minister may, if he thinks proper so to do, cause a public inquiry in regard to the making of such order to be held under and in accordance with this section.
(2) Every public inquiry held under this section shall be held by such person and at such time and place as the Minister shall appoint, and the person holding such inquiry shall have power to take evidence on oath and for that purpose to administer oaths.
(3) All expenses incurred by the Minister in holding a public inquiry under this section shall, unless the Minister with the sanction of the Minister for Finance otherwise directs, be paid by the company owning the railway line in relation to which such inquiry is held, and the amount of such expenses shall be fixed by the Minister with the sanction of the Minister for Finance and when so fixed shall be recoverable by the Minister from such company.
(4) The person holding a public inquiry under this section may, if he thinks proper so to do, order the costs and expenses incurred by any person of appearing or being represented and adducing evidence at such inquiry to be paid by any other person who appeared or was represented at such inquiry.
(5) Whenever the person holding a public inquiry under this section orders the costs and expenses incurred by one person to be paid by another person, such costs and expenses shall be taxed and ascertained by a taxing-master of the High Court on the requisition of either the person to whom or the person by whom such costs and expenses were so ordered to be paid, and the amount of such costs and expenses when so taxed and ascertained shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction by the person to whom and from the person by whom such costs and expenses were so ordered to be paid.
PART III.
Directorate of the Great Southern Railways Company.
Definitions in this Part of this Act.
11.—In this Part of this Act—
the expression “the scheme” means the Great Southern Railways Amalgamation Scheme, 1925;
the expression “the company” means the Great Southern Railways Company;
the word “director” does not include a director nominated under the Railways (Directorate) Act, 1924 (No. 61 of 1924) ;
the expression “legal number of directors” means the number of directors for the time being required by law to constitute the board of directors of the Company.
Interpretation of the scheme and the Principal Act.
12.—The scheme and the Principal Act shall be construed subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act and shall have effect accordingly.
Reduction of number of directors of the Company.
13.—(1) If the number of directors of the company at the passing of this Act is more than eight, then, notwithstanding anything in the scheme or in Part II of the Second Schedule to the Principal Act, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the legal number of directors shall be and, until reduced by the operation of the next following paragraph, continue to be a number equal to the number of directors of the company at the passing of this Act and no greater number; and
(b) until the legal number of directors is by the operation of this paragraph reduced to eight, the legal number of directors shall, whenever and so often as a casual vacancy occurs amongst the directors, be reduced by one and accordingly such casual vacancy shall not be filled;
(c) as on and from the date on which the legal number of directors, is, by the operation of the next foregoing paragraph of this sub-section, reduced to eight, the legal number of directors shall be eight and no greater number.
(2) If the number of directors of the company at the passing of this Act is not more than eight, then, notwithstanding anything in the scheme or in Part II of the Second Schedule to the Principal Act, the legal number of directors shall be eight and no greater number.
(3) Paragraph (5) of section 34 of the scheme shall cease to have effect.
Validation of certain acts of the directors of the company.
14.—Every act done or purported to be done before the passing of this Act by a body consisting of directors of the company (whether including or not including a director nominated under the Railways (Directorate) Act, 1924 (No. 61 of 1924), and purporting to be the board of directors of the company shall, notwithstanding that the number of directors of the company at the time such act was done or purported to be done was less than the legal number of directors, be and be deemed always to have been as valid and effectual as such act would have been if the number of directors of the company at such time was equal to the legal number of directors.
PART IV.
Miscellaneous.
Suspension of panels for the Railway Tribunal.
15.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 17 of the Principal Act, the panels provided for by that section shall be constituted and maintained only when and so long as it appears to the Executive Council that the constitution or the maintenance (as the case may be) of such panels is expedient having regard to the number of occasions on which the circumstances in which additional members can be added to the Railway Tribunal under sub-section (4) of the said section 17 have occurred or are likely to occur.
(2) Whenever and so long as no panels are maintained under the said section 17 of the Principal Act, sub-sections (4) and (6) of that section shall not have effect and paragraph (b) of sub-section (3) of the said section shall have effect, subject to the modification that the Governor-General on the advice of the Executive Council may appoint under and for the purpose of that paragraph any suitable person.
Sale and lease of superfluous land.
16.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 127 to 131 of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, a railway company may at any time sell or lease in such manner and on such terms as it thinks proper any land not required for the purposes of its railway.
(2) The said sections 127 to 131 of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, shall not apply to any sale or lease of land by a railway company under this section.
(3) Land forming part of or used for the purposes of a railway line on which the running of trains has ceased under an order made under Part II of this Act shall not, merely by reason of such cesser, be land not required for the purposes of a railway within the meaning of this Act.
Purchase by a railway company of its own debenture stock.
17.—(1) A railway company may, notwithstanding anything contained in any Act or other instrument constituting or regulating such company, purchase in any stock exchange or by private treaty any quantity of the debenture stock or any of the debenture stocks of such company and may use for such purchase any moneys in its hands, other than moneys raised by the issue of stock or by borrowing or otherwise expressly for another purpose.
(2) A railway company purchasing debenture stock under this section may require the stock so purchased to be transferred by the seller thereof either to such company or to other persons nominated by such company.
(3) Whenever debenture stock purchased by a railway company under this section is transferred by the seller thereof to such company, such transfer shall operate to extinguish such stock.
(4) Whenever debenture stock purchased by a railway company under this section is transferred by the seller thereof to other persons nominated by such company, such persons shall hold such stock upon trust to sell the same or any part thereof when so directed by such company and to pay the proceeds of such sale to such company and until such sale to hold such stock in trust for such company.
Road transport business of a railway company.
18.—(1) No road transport business carried on by a railway company shall be deemed to be part of the business of such company for the purpose of any agreement between such company and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs entitling such company to send telegrams free or at a reduced rate.
(2) All road transport business carried on, directly or indirectly, by the Great Southern Railways Company shall for the purposes of section 53 of the Principal Act be deemed to be business ancillary or subsidiary to the railway of that company, and accordingly charges made by that company for carriage by road transport shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the Railway Tribunal.
Amendment of the Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act, 1911.
19.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3 of the Railway Companies (Accounts and Returns) Act, 1911, the Minister may, if and whenever he thinks proper, by order made on the application of a railway company or without any such application alter (by addition, omission, or variation) the First Schedule to that Act.
(2) Whenever the Minister makes an order under this section altering the First Schedule to the said Act, the said Act and the said Schedule thereto shall have effect, subject to and with the alteration made by such order.