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Number 3 of 1975
LAW REFORM COMMISSION ACT, 1975
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Membership of either House of Oireachtas of employees of Commission. | |
Acts Referred to | |
1956, No. 45 | |
1956, No. 46 | |
1961, No. 39 | |
Superannuation Act, 1859 | 1859, Sess. 1, c. 26 |
1973, No. 26 | |
1936, No. 48 | |
Number 3 of 1975
LAW REFORM COMMISSION ACT, 1975
Interpretation.
1.—In this Act—
“the Commission” has the meaning assigned to it by section 3;
“Commissioner” means a person appointed to be the President or other member of the Commission;
“the law” means the law of the State (including any private or public international law) and includes matters of legal practice or procedure and law shall be construed accordingly;
“judicial office”, except where the context otherwise requires, means an office, being the office of President of the High Court, ordinary judge of the Supreme Court or ordinary judge of the High Court;
“reform” includes, in relation to the law or a branch of the law, its development, its codification (including in particular its simplification and modernisation) and the revision and consolidation of statute law, and kindred words shall be construed accordingly.
Establishment day.
2.—The Taoiseach may by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.
The Law Reform Commission.
3.—(1) On the establishment day there shall be established a body to be known as the Law Reform Commission, and which is in this Act referred to as the Commission, consisting of a President and four other members appointed by the Government.
(2) The Government shall on the request of the Taoiseach, made by him after consultation with the Attorney General, nominate the five persons who on the establishment day are to comprise the Commission.
(3) On the establishment day the persons nominated under subsection (2) of this section shall stand appointed under this Act to membership of the Commission.
(4) Where a vacancy occurs among the members of the Commission, the Government shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy as soon as may be after they are informed by the Attorney General that the vacancy exists.
(5) In case a person who is nominated under subsection (2) of this section dies before the establishment day, a vacancy among the members of the Commission shall be deemed to have occurred on the day next following that day.
(6) The Commission shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land.
(7) The Government shall appoint to be Commissioners only persons appearing to them to be suitably qualified by the holding of judicial office, by experience as a barrister or solicitor or as a teacher of law or by reason of such other special experience, qualification or training as, in the opinion of the Government, is appropriate having regard to the functions of the Commission.
(8) When appointing a person to be a Commissioner the Government shall fix his term of office which shall not exceed five years and, subject to subsections (12) and (13) of this section, he shall hold his office on such terms and conditions as are determined by the Government at the time of his appointment.
(9) A person who holds judicial office may without relinquishing that office be appointed with his consent to be a Commissioner, but, unless otherwise provided by the terms of his appointment, shall not be required to perform his duties under statute as the holder of judicial office while he remains a member of the Commission.
(10) A Commissioner may at any time resign his office and a person who ceases to be a Commissioner shall be eligible for reappointment.
(11) A Commissioner, other than a Commissioner who holds judicial office, shall be paid such remuneration as the Government determine.
(12) Where a Commissioner is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or for election to either House of the Oireachtas, he shall, upon accepting such nomination, cease to be a Commissioner.
(13) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming a Commissioner.
(14) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall regulate its procedure and business.
(15) The Commission shall, as soon as may be after its establishment, provide itself with a seal.
(16) The seal of the Commission shall be authenticated by the President or some other member thereof authorised by the Commission to act in that behalf.
Functions of Commission.
4.—(1) The Commission shall keep the law under review and in accordance with the provisions of this Act shall undertake examinations and conduct research with a view to reforming the law and formulate proposals for law reform.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Commission shall—
(a) in consultation with the Attorney General, from time to time prepare for submission by the Taoiseach to the Government programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to their reform, and such programmes may recommend the agency (including the Commission or another body) by which such examination should be made and by which proposals for the reform of a branch of the law with which the examination is concerned should be formulated,
(b) pursuant to a recommendation contained in a programme approved of under section 5 of this Act, undertake an examination of and conduct research in relation to any branch of the law and, if the Commission thinks fit, formulate and submit to the Taoiseach proposals for its reform,
(c) at the request of the Attorney General, undertake an examination of and conduct research in relation to any particular branch or matter of law whether or not such branch or matter is included in a programme approved of under the said section 5 and, if so requested, formulate and submit to the Attorney General proposals for its reform.
(3) Where in the performance of its functions it considers it appropriate so to do, the Commission may—
(a) receive and consider for inclusion in a programme being prepared by it, proposals for law reform,
(b) examine and conduct such research in relation to the legal systems of countries other than the State as appears to the Commission likely to facilitate the performance of its functions,
(c) prepare, or cause to be prepared, and include in its proposals for law reform, draft Bills,
(d) consult, on any particular matter which the Commission considers relevant, persons qualified to give opinions thereon,
(e) establish working parties or advisory committees,
(f) publish preliminary working papers prior to formulating any proposal for law reform,
(g) indicate the desirability, priority, scope and extent of any proposals for law reform.
Programmes.
5.—(1) Every programme prepared pursuant to section 4 of this Act shall be submitted by the Taoiseach to the Government who if they approve of the programme may do so with or without modification.
(2) Where a programme submitted pursuant to this section by the Taoiseach is approved of by the Government, a copy of the programme, as so approved, shall, as soon as may be, be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Reports.
6.—As soon as may be after the end of each year, the Commission shall make a report to the Attorney General of its activities during that year under section 4 of this Act, of any preliminary working papers published by it during that year, of any examination during that year of the legal system of a country other than the State and of the activities during that year of any working party or advisory committee established by it. The Attorney General shall, as soon as may be, send a copy of the report to the Taoiseach, who shall submit it to the Government and copies of the report shall, as soon as may be, be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Expenses.
7.—The expenses of the Commission, including the remuneration of its officers and servants, shall be defrayed out of moneys at the disposal of the Commission.
Grants.
8.—There may be paid to the Commission in each financial year, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, a grant or grants of such amount or amounts as the Minister for Finance, on the recommendation of the Attorney General, may consider necessary to enable the Commission to perform its functions.
Accounts and audits.
9.—(1) The Commission shall keep in such form as may be approved by the Minister for Finance all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expended by it.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the Commission to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and, when audited by him, shall, together with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, be presented to the Minister for Finance who shall cause copies to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Staff of Commission.
10.—(1) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, the Commission shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, appoint such and so many persons to be officers and servants of the Commission as the Commission, subject to the approval of the Minister for the Public Service as to the number, from time to time thinks proper.
(2) The Commission may engage a person in a part-time capacity who may be remunerated by the payment of fees of such amounts as the Commission may, with the approval of the Attorney General given with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service, from time to time determine.
(3) There shall be paid to officers of the Commission, other than officers who are members of the clerical staff of the Commission, such remuneration and allowances as the Commission, subject to the approval of the Attorney General given with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service, from time to time determines and such an officer of the Commission shall hold his employment on such other terms and conditions as the Commission, subject to such approval which shall be so given, from time to time determines.
(4) (a) The Attorney General may for the purposes of subsection (5) of this section designate any office under the Commission.
(b) The Attorney General may, if he thinks fit, cancel a designation made by him under this subsection.
(5) The Commission shall, before taking steps to fill an office to which a designation under subsection (4) of this section relates, consult the Attorney General who, if he thinks fit, may, as regards the making by the Commission of an appointment to the office, require the Commission to invite applications in a manner specified by him and to use a method so specified for the selection of candidates for appointment, and in case the Attorney General makes a requirement under this subsection, the Commission shall comply with the requirement.
(6) (a) The Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, shall apply to members of the clerical staff of the Commission and for that purpose the following provisions shall apply in relation to section 3 of that Act;
(i) subsection (1) of that section shall be construed and have effect as if the following paragraph were inserted therein after paragraph (b);
“(bb) in relation to the position of member of the clerical staff of the Law Reform Commission—the Taoiseach,”, and
(ii) that section shall be construed and have effect as if the following subsection were added thereto:
“(3) Where a delegation under the Regulation Act is made by virtue of section 10 (6) of the Law Reform Commission Act, 1975, then, so long as the delegation remains in force, the following authority shall, in lieu of the Taoiseach, be, for the purposes of section 5, the appropriate authority in relation to the position of member of the clerical staff of the Law Reform Commission, namely,
(a) in case the delegation is to the Attorney General, the person who is for the time being the Attorney General, or
(b) in case the delegation is to the Law Reform Commission, the Law Reform Commission.”.
(b) Every member of the clerical staff of the Commission and every servant of the Commission shall be a civil servant in the civil service of the State.
(c) For the purpose of applying the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 and 1958, to civil servants in the civil service of the State who are members of the staff of the Commission, the following provisions shall apply:
(i) section 2 (1) of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956, shall be construed and have effect as if “or a member of the staff of the Law Reform Commission” were inserted after “the Attorney General” in paragraph (b), and
(ii) section 2 (2) of that Act shall be construed and have effect as if there were inserted therein after paragraph (c) the following paragraph;
“(cc) The Taoiseach may delegate to the Attorney General or to the Law Reform Commission the powers exercisable by him under this Act as the appropriate authority in relation to civil servants who are members of the staff of the Law Reform Commission, and if he does so, then so long as the delegation remains in force,
(i) those powers shall, in lieu of being exercisable by the Taoiseach, be exercisable by the person who is for the time being the Attorney General or by the Law Reform Commission, as may be appropriate, and
(ii) that person or the Law Reform Commission, as may be appropriate, shall, in lieu of the Taoiseach, be, for the purposes of this Act, the appropriate authority in relation to civil servants who are members of the staff of the Law Reform Commission, ”
Superannuation of Commissioners.
11.—(1) The Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, make a scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities or other allowances on retirement or death to or in respect of persons appointed to be Commissioners in a whole-time capacity ceasing to hold office, other than persons to or in respect of whom an award under the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961, may be made.
(2) A scheme under this section may provide that the termination of the appointment of a person as a Commissioner during that person's term of office shall not preclude the award to him under the scheme of a pension, gratuity or other allowance.
(3) The Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, amend a scheme made by him under this section.
(4) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any pension, gratuity or allowance payable in pursuance of a scheme under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Attorney General who shall refer it to the Minister for the Public Service, whose decision thereon shall be final.
(5) A scheme made under this section shall be carried out in accordance with its terms.
(6) Every scheme made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and if either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the scheme, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
(7) Where an established civil servant is appointed to be a Commissioner, the superannuation benefits to be granted to him in respect of his service as a Commissioner shall, if the Minister for the Public Service in his discretion so directs, be calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1963, as if, during the period of such service he had been an established civil servant and had been paid during that period out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas within the meaning of section 17 of the Superannuation Act, 1859.
Superannuation of certain officers of Commission.
12.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the establishment day, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the Attorney General for his approval, a scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on retirement or death to or in respect of such of its whole-time officers, other than officers who by virtue of section 10 (6) (b) of this Act are civil servants in the Civil Service of the State, as the Commission may think fit.
(2) The Commission may at any time, prepare and submit to the Attorney General, a scheme amending a scheme under this section.
(3) Where a scheme is submitted to the Attorney General pursuant to this section, the Attorney General may with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service approve of the scheme without modification or with such modification (whether by way of addition, omission or variation) as the Attorney General shall, with such concurrence, think proper.
(4) A scheme submitted to the Attorney General under this section shall, if approved of by the Attorney General with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, be carried out by the Commission in accordance with its terms.
(5) A scheme submitted and approved of under this section shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom pensions, gratuities or other allowances are payable under the scheme, and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(6) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any pension, gratuity or other allowance payable in pursuance of a scheme under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister for the Public Service whose decision thereon shall be final.
(7) Every scheme submitted and approved of under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is approved of and if either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the scheme, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Membership of either House of Oireachtas of employees of Commission.
13.—(1) Where a person who is an employee of the Commission is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or for election to either House of the Oireachtas, he shall stand seconded from employment by the Commission and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from, the Commission any remuneration or allowances—
(a) in case he is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, in respect of the period commencing on his acceptance of the nomination and ending when he ceases to be a member of that House,
(b) in case he is nominated for election to either such House, in respect of the period commencing on his acceptance of the nomination and ending when he ceases to be a member of that House or fails to be elected or withdraws his candidature, as may be appropriate.
(2) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming an employee of the Commission.
Consequential.
14.—(1) Where a person who holds judicial office is appointed to be a Commissioner, the following provisions shall have effect;
(a) in case on being so appointed he is an ordinary judge of the Supreme Court, then for so long as he continues to hold that judicial office—
(i) the number of ordinary judges of the Supreme Court shall not be more than five, and
(ii) the reference in section 4 (1) of the Act of 1961, to four shall be construed as a reference to five,
(b) in case on being so appointed he is the President of the High Court or an ordinary judge of the High Court, then for so long as he continues to hold the judicial office held by him on so being appointed—
(i) the number of ordinary judges of the High Court shall not be more than eight, and
(ii) the reference in section 1 (1) of the Courts Act, 1973, to seven shall be construed as a reference to eight, and
(c) in case he is the President of the High Court he may, for so long as he continues to be a Commissioner, from time to time appoint an ordinary judge of the High Court to exercise on his behalf (and which judge is hereby empowered to exercise) all the jurisdiction exercisable by the President of the High Court under section 10 (5) of the Act of 1961.
(2) When a person who is a barrister is appointed to be either—
(a) a Commissioner in a whole-time capacity, or
(b) a whole-time officer of the Commission,
then, for the purpose of qualification for appointment—
(c) under section 5 (2) (a) of the Act of 1961, as a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court,
(d) under section 17 (2) (a) of the Act of 1961, as a judge of the Circuit Court,
(e) under section 14 of the Act of 1936, to act temporarily as a judge of the Circuit Court,
(f) under section 29 (2) of the Act of 1961, as a justice of the District Court,
(g) under section 51 (as amended by section 48 (8) of the Act of 1961) of the Act of 1936, to act temporarily as a justice of the District Court,
service by him as such a Commissioner or as such an officer of the Commission, as may be appropriate, shall be deemed to be practice at the Bar.
(3) For the purpose of qualification for appointment—
(a) under section 29 (2) of the Act of 1961 as a justice of the District Court,
(b) under section 51 (as so amended) of the Act of 1936, to act temporarily as such a justice,
in subsection (2) of this section, the reference to a barrister shall be construed as including a reference to a solicitor and the reference to practice at the Bar shall be construed as including a reference to practice as a solicitor.
(4) In this section—
“the Act of 1936” means the Courts of Justice Act, 1936;
“the Act of 1961” means the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961.
Short title.
15.—This Act may be cited as the Law Reform Commission Act, 1975.
Uimhir 3 de 1975
AN tACHT FÁN gCOIMISIÚN UM ATHCHÓIRIÚ AN DLÍ, 1975
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—San Acht seo—
tá le “an Coimisiún” an bhrí a thugtar dó le halt 3;
ciallaíonn “Coimisinéir” duine a ceapadh chun bheith ina Uachtarán ar an gCoimisúin nó ina chomhalta eile de;
ciallaíonn “an dlí” dlí an Stáit (lena n-áirítear aon dlí idirnaisiúnta, príobháideach nó poiblí) agus folaíonn sé ábhair chleachtais nó nós imeachta dhlíthiúil agus forléireofar dlí dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “oifig bhreithiúnach”, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, oifig arb í oifig Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, ghnáth-bhreithimh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó ghnáth-bhreithimh den Ard-Chúirt í;
folaíonn “athchóiriú”, maidir leis an dlí nó le brainse den dlí, a fhorbairt, a chódú (lena n-áirítear go háirithe a shimpliú agus a fhreacnairciú) agus athbhreithniú agus comhdhlúthú an dlí reachtúil, agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin.
An lá bunaithe.
2.—Féadfaidh an Taoiseach, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí.
3.—(1) Ar an lá bunaithe bunófar comhlacht ar a dtabharfar an Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí, agus dá ngairtear an Coimisiún san Acht seo, ar a mbeidh Uachtarán agus ceithre chomhalta eile arna gceapadh ag an Rialtas.
(2) Ar iarratas ón Taoiseach, arna dhéanamh aige tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Ard-Aighne, ainmneoidh an Rialtas an cúigear arb iad an Coimisiún iad ar an lá bunaithe.
(3) Ar an lá bunaithe beidh na daoine a ainmneofar faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo arna gceapadh faoin Acht seo chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí den Choimisiún.
(4) I gcás ina dtarlóidh folúntas i measc comhaltaí an Choimisiúin, ceapfaidh an Rialtas duine chun an folúntas a líonadh a luaithe is féidir tar éis dóibh fios a fháil ón Ard-Aighne go bhfuil an folúntas ann.
(5) I gcás duine a ainmneofar faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo d'fháil bháis roimh an lá bunaithe, measfar gur tharla folúntas i measc comhaltaí an Choimisiúin an lá díreach i ndiaidh an lae sin.
(6) Beidh an Coimisiún ina chomhlacht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus le cumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh agus chun bheith inagartha ina ainm corpraithe agus chun talamh a fháil, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt.
(7) Ní cheapfaidh an Rialtas ina gCoimisinéirí ach daoine a bhfeictear dóibh iad a bheith cáilithe go hoiriúnach trí oifig bhreithiúnach a shealbhú, trí thaithí mar abhcóide nó mar aturnae nó mar mhúinteoir dlí nó mar gheall ar cibé taithí, cáilíocht nó oiliúint speisialta eile is dóigh leis an Rialtas is cuí ag féachaint d'fheidhmeanna an Choimisiúin.
(8) Nuair a bheidh an Rialtas ag ceapadh duine ina Choimisinéir socróidh sé a théarma oifige, nach rachaidh thar chúig bliana, agus, faoi réir fho-ailt (12) agus (13) den alt seo, sealbhóidh sé a oifig ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Rialtas tráth a cheaptha.
(9) Duine a shealbhóidh oifig bhreithiúnach, féadfar, gan é scaradh leis an oifig sin, é a cheapadh lena thoiliú chun bheith ina Choimisinéir, ach, mura bhforáiltear a mhalairt le téarmaí a cheapacháin, ní bheidh air a dhualgais faoi reacht mar shealbhóir oifige breithiúnaí a chomhlíonadh fad a bheidh sé ina chomhalta den Choimisiún.
(10) Féadfaidh Coimisinéir éirí as a oifig uair ar bith agus féadfar duine a scoirfidh de bheith ina Choimisinéir a athcheapadh.
(11) Íocfar le Coimisinéir, seachas Coimisinéir a shealbhaíonn oifig bhreithiúnach, cibé luach saothair a chinnfidh an Rialtas.
(12) I gcás ina n-ainmneofar Coimisinéir mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó lena thoghadh do cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas, scoirfidh sé, ar ghlacadh leis an ainmniú dó, de bheith ina Choimisinéir.
(13) Duine a mbeidh, de thuras na huaire, teideal aige faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin beidh sé dícháilithe, fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, chun Coimisinéir a dhéanamh de.
(14) Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, rialóidh an Coimisiún a nós imeachta agus a ghnó féin.
(15) Déanfaidh an Coimisiún, a luaithe is féidir tar éis a bhunaithe, séala a sholáthar dó féin.
(16) Déanfaidh Uachtarán an Choimisiúin, nó duine éigin eile dá chomhaltaí a bheidh údaraithe chuige sin ag an gCoimisiún, séala an Choimisiúin a fhíordheimhniú.
Feidhmeanna an Choimisiúin.
4.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Coimisiún an dlí faoi bhreithniú agus déanfaidh sé, de réir forálacha an Achta seo, scrúduithe a ghabháil de láimh agus taighde a sheoladh d'fhonn an dlí a athchóiriú, agus tograí a leagan amach le haghaidh athchóiriú an dlí.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, déanfaidh an Coimisiún—
(a) i gcomhairle leis an Ard-Aighne, cláir a ullmhú ó am go ham, lena gcur faoi bhráid an Rialtais ag an Taoiseach, chun brainsí éagsúla den dlí a scrúdú d'fhonn iad a athchóiriú, agus féadfaidh na cláir sin a mholadh cad é an ghníomhaireacht (agus an Coimisiún nó comhlacht eile san áireamh) ag a mbeadh an scrúdú sin le déanamh agus ag a mbeadh tograí le leagan amach le haghaidh athchóiriú brainse den dlí lena mbaineann an scrúdú,
(b) de bhun moladh i gclár arna fhormheas faoi alt 5 den Acht seo, scrúdú a ghabháil de láimh agus taighde a sheoladh maidir le haon bhrainse den dlí agus, más cuí leis an gCoimisiún é, tograí le haghaidh athchóiriú air a leagan amach agus a chur faoi bhráid an Taoisigh,
(c) ar iarratas ón Ard-Aighne, scrúdú a ghabháil de láimh agus taighde a sheoladh maidir le haon bhrainse nó ábhar áirithe dlí cibé acu a áirítear nó nach n-áirítear an brainse nó an t-ábhar sin i gclár a bheidh formheasta faoin alt sin 5 agus, má iarrtar sin, tograí le haghaidh athchóiriú air a leagan amach agus a chur faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne.
(3) Más rud é, i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna, gur cuí leis an gCoimisiún é, féadfaidh sé—
(a) tograí le haghaidh athchóiriú ar an dlí a ghlacadh agus iad a bhreithniú lena gcur i gclár atá á ullmhú aige,
(b) scrúdú a dhéanamh agus cibé taighde a sheoladh maidir le dlí-chórais tíortha seachas an Stát a bhfeicfear don Choimisiún gur dóigh dó comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna a éascú,
(c) dréacht-Bhillí a ullmhú, nó a chur á n-ullmhú, agus iad a áireamh ina thograí le haghaidh athchóiriú an dlí,
(d) dul i gcomhairle, i gcás aon ábhair áirithe is iomchuí leis an gCoimisiún, le daoine atá cáilithe chun tuairimí a thabhairt air,
(e) meithleacha oibre nó coistí comhairleacha a bhunú,
(f) réamhpháipéir oibre a fhoilsiú sula leagfar amach togra ar bith le haghaidh athchóiriú an dlí,
(g) inmhianaitheacht, tosaíocht, scóip agus fairsinge aon tograí le haghaidh athchóiriú an dlí a chur in iúl.
Cláir.
5.—(1) Déanfaidh an Taoiseach gach clár a ullmhófar de bhun alt 4 den Acht seo a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais agus má thugann an Rialtas formheas air féadfaidh siad é sin a dhéanamh le modhnú nó gan mhodhnú.
(2) I gcás ina dtabharfaidh an Rialtas formheas ar chlár a chuir an Taoiseach faoina mbráid de bhun an ailt seo, déanfar cóip den chlár, arna fhormheas amhlaidh, a leagan, a luaithe is féidir, faoi bhráid dhá Theach an Oireachtais.
Tuarascálacha.
6.—A luaithe is féidir tar éis deireadh gach bliana, tabharfaidh an Coimisiún tuarascáil don Ard-Aighne ar a ghníomhaíochtaí i gcaitheamh na bliana sin faoi alt 4 den Acht seo, ar aon réamhpháipéir oibre a d'fhoilsigh sé i gcaitheamh na bliana sin, ar aon scrúdú a rinneadh i gcaitheamh na bliana sin ar dhlí-chóras tíre seachas an Stát agus ar ghníomhaíochtaí i gcaitheamh na bliana sin ag aon mheitheal oibre nó ag aon choiste comhairleach a bhunaigh an Coimisiún. Déanfaidh an tArd-Aighne, a luaithe is féidir, cóip den tuarascáil a chur chuig an Taoiseach agus cuirfidh seisean faoi bhráid an Rialtais í, agus leagfar cóipeanna den tuarascáil, a luaithe is féidir, faoi bhráid dhá Theach an Oireachtais.
Caiteachais.
7.—Íocfar caiteachais an Choimisiúin, lena n-áirítear luach saothair a oifigeach agus a sheirbhíseach, as airgead a bheidh faoina réir ag an gCoimisiún.
Deontais.
8.—I ngach bliain airgeadais féadfar, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, deontas nó deontais a íoc leis an gCoimisiún ina mbeidh cibé méid nó méideanna a mheasfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, ar mholadh an Ard-Aighne, a bheith riachtanach chun a chumasú don Choimisiún a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
Cuntais agus iniúchóireacht.
9.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Coimisiún i cibé foirm a bheidh formheasta ag an Aire Airgeadais gach cuntas is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead uile a fuair sé nó a chaith sé.
(2) Déanfaidh an Coimisiún na cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste gach bliain lena n-iniúchadh agus, ar iad a bheith iniúchta aige, tíolacfar iad, maille le tuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste orthu, don Aire Airgeadais agus cuirfidh seisean faoi deara go leagfar cóipeanna díobh faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Foireann an Choimisiúin.
10.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, ceapfaidh an Coimisiún, i gcomhairle leis an Ard-Aighne, cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine chun bheith ina n-oifigigh agus ina seirbhísigh don Choimisiún a mheasfaidh an Coimisiún, faoi réir cheadú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí i dtaobh a lín, a bheith cuí ó am go ham.
(2) Féadfaidh an Coimisiún duine a fhostú i gcáil pháirtaimsire a bhféadfar luach saothair a thabhairt dó trí tháillí a íoc ina mbeidh cibé méideanna a chinnfidh an Coimisiún ó am go ham le ceadú an Ard-Aighne arna thabhairt le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(3) Íocfar le hoifigigh an Choimisiúin, seachas oifigigh atá ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann chléireachais an Choimisiúin, cibé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfidh an Coimisiún ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Ard-Aighne arna thabhairt le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, agus sealbhóidh oifigeach den sórt sin de chuid an Choimisiúin a fhostaíocht ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha eile a chinnfidh an Coimisiún ó am go ham faoi réir an cheadaithe sin arna thabhairt amhlaidh.
(4) (a) Féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne aon oifig faoin gCoimisiún a shonrú chun críocha fho-alt (5) den alt seo.
(b) Féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne, más cuí leis é, sonrú a bheidh déanta aige faoin bhfo-alt seo a chealú.
(5) Sula ndéanfaidh an Coimisiún bearta chun oifig a líonadh a mbaineann sonrú faoi fho-alt (4) den alt seo léi, rachaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an Ard-Aighne agus féadfaidh seisean, más cuí leis é, i ndáil le ceapachán chun na hoifige a dhéanamh ag an gCoimisiún, a cheangal ar an gCoimisiún iarratais a lorg ar mhodh a shonróidh sé agus feidhm a bhaint as modh a shonrófar amhlaidh chun iarrthóirí a roghnú lena gceapadh, agus má dhéanann an tArd-Aighne ceanglas faoin bhfo-alt seo, comhlíonfaidh an Coimisiún an ceanglas.
(6) (a) Bainfidh Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, le daoine d'fhoireann chléireachais an Choimisiúin agus chun na críche sin beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas maidir le halt 3 den Acht sin;
(i) forléireofar fo-alt (1) den alt sin agus beidh éifeacht leis amhail is dá gcuirfí an mhír seo a leanas isteach ann i ndiaidh mhír (b);
“(bb) maidir le post duine d'fhoireann chléireachais an Choimisiúin um Athchóiriú an Dlí—an Taoiseach,”, agus
(ii) forléireofar an t-alt sin agus beidh éifeacht leis amhail is dá gcuirfí an fo-alt seo a leanas leis:
“(3) Má dhéantar tarmligean faoin Acht Rialuithe de bhun alt 10 (6) den Acht fán gCoimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí, 1975, ansin, fad a bheas an tarmligean i bhfeidhm, is é an t-údarás seo a leanas a bheas, in ionad an Taoisigh, ina údarás iomchuí, chun críocha alt 5, maidir le post duine d'fhoireann chléireachais an Choimisiúin um Athchóiriú an Dlí, eadhon,
(a) más tarmligean chuig an Ard-Aighne é, an té is Ard-Aighne de thuras na huaire, nó
(b) más tarmligean chuig an gCoimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí é, an Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí.”.
(b) Is státseirbhíseach i státseirbhís an Stáit gach duine d'fhoireann chléireachais an Choimisiúin agus gach seirbhíseach don Choimisiún.
(c) Chun Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 agus 1958, a fheidhmiú maidir le státseirbhísigh i státseirbhís an Stáit atá ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann an Choimisiúin, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas:
(i) forléireofar alt 2 (1) d'Acht Rialuithe na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, agus beidh éifeacht leis amhail is dá gcuirfí “nó duine d'fhoireann an Choimisiúin um Athchóiriú an Dlí” isteach i ndiaidh “don Ard-Aighne” i mír (b), agus
(ii) forléireofar alt 2 (2) den Acht sin agus beidh éifeacht leis amhail is dá gcuirfí an mhír seo a leanas isteach ann i ndiaidh mhír (c);
“(cc) Féadfaidh an Taoiseach na cumhachtaí is infheidhmithe aige faoin Acht seo mar údarás iomchuí maidir le státseirbhísigh atá ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann an Choimisiúin um Athchóiriú an Dlí a tharmligean chuig an Ard-Aighne nó chuig an gCoimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí, agus má dhéanann sé amhlaidh, ansin, an fhad a mhairfeas an tarmligean i bhfeidhm,
(i) beidh na cumhachtaí sin, in ionad iad a bheith infheidhmithe ag an Taoiseach, infheidhmithe ag an duine a bheas de thuras na huaire ina Ard-Aighne nó ag an gCoimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí, cibé acu is iomchuí, agus
(ii) is é an duine sin nó an Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí, cibé acu is iomchuí, a bheas, in ionad an Taoisigh, ina údarás iomchuí chun críocha an Achta seo maidir le státseirbhísigh atá ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann an Choimisiúin um Athchóiriú an Dlí,”
Aoisliúntais Coimisinéirí.
1961, Uimh.39.
1959, Seis. 1.c. 26.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne, le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, scéim nó scéimeanna a dhéanamh chun pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais eile a dheonú do dhaoine nó i leith daoine ar scor dóibh nó ar iad d'fháil bháis, is daoine a ceapadh ina gCoimisinéirí i gcáil lánaimsire agus a scoirfidh de bheith i seilbh oifige, seachas daoine ar féidir dámhachtain a dhéanamh dóibh nó ina leith faoi Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961.
(2) Féadfaidh scéim faoin alt seo a fhoráil nach mbeidh foirceannadh ceapacháin duine mar Choimisinéir i rith téarma oifige an duine sin ina chosc ar phinsean, aisce nó liúntas eile a dhámhachtain dó faoin scéim.
(3) Féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne, le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, scéim a rinne sé faoin alt seo a leasú.
(4) Má tharlaíonn aon díospóid i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ar aon phinsean, aisce nó liúntas is iníoctha de bhun scéime faoin alt seo, nó i dtaobh méid an chéanna, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne agus tarchuirfidh seisean chuig Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí í, agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh an Aire sin uirthi.
(5) Cuirfear scéim arna déanamh faoin alt seo i gcrích de réir a téarmaí.
(6) Gach scéim a dhéanfar faoin alt seo leagfar í faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a déanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an scéim a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime, beidh an scéim ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gach dochar do bhailócht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
(7) I gcás ina gceapfar státseirbhíseach bunaithe ina Choimisinéir, déanfar na sochair aoisliúntais a bheidh le deonú dó i leith a sheirbhíse mar Choimisinéir a ríomh, má ordaíonn Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí é dá rogha féin, de réir forálacha na nAchtanna Aoisliúntas, 1834 go 1963, amhail is dá mba go raibh sé, ar feadh tréimhse na seirbhíse sin, ina státseirbhíseach bunaithe agus go raibh sé á íoc ar feadh na tréimhse sin as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas de réir brí alt 17 den Superannuation Act, 1859.
Aoisliúntais oifigeach áirithe don Choimisiún.
12.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae bunaithe, ullmhóidh an Coimisiún, agus cuirfidh faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne lena ceadú nó lena gceadú, scéim nó scéimeanna chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a dheonú, ar scor dóibh nó ar iad d'fháil bháis, do cibé oifigigh lánaimsire dá chuid, nó ina leith, is oiriúnach leis an gCoimisiún, seachas oifigigh atá, de bhua alt 10 (6) (b) den Acht seo, ina státseirbhísigh i Státseirbhís an Stáit.
(2) Féadfaidh an Coimisiún tráth ar bith scéim do leasú scéime faoin alt seo a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne.
(3) Nuir a chuirfear scéim faoi bhráid an Ard-Aigne de bhun an ailt seo féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne, le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, an scéim a cheadú gan mhodhnú nó le cibé modhnú (trí bhreisiú, trí fhágáil ar lár nó trí athrú) a mheasfaidh an tArd-Aighne, leis an gcomhthoiliú sin, a bheith cuí.
(4) Aon scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne faoin alt seo, déanfaidh an Coimisiún, má bhíonn sí ceadaithe ag an Ard-Aighne le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, í a chur i gcrích de réir a téarmaí.
(5) Déanfaidh scéim a bheidh curtha faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne agus ceadaithe faoin alt seo an tráth scoir agus na coinníollacha scoir a shocrú do na daoine go léir a mbeidh pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais eile iníoctha leo nó ina leith faoin scéim, agus féadfar tráthanna éagsúla agus coinníollacha éagsúla a cheapadh i leith aicmí eagsúla daoine.
(6) Má tharlaíonn aon díospóid i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ar aon phinsean, aisce nó liúntas eile is iníoctha de bhun scéime faoin alt seo, nó i dtaobh méid an chéanna, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh an Aire sin uirthi.
(7) Gach scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Ard-Aighne agus a cheadófar faoin alt seo leagfar i faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a ceadaithe agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an scéim a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime, beidh an scéim ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin ach gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
Fostaithe de chuid an Choimisiúin a bheith ina gcomhaltaí de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas.
13.—(1) I gcás duine is fostaí de chuid an Choimisiúin a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó lena thoghadh do cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas, beidh sé ar iasacht air sin óna fhostaíocht ag an gCoimisiún agus ní íocfaidh an Coimisiún leis, ná ní bheidh sé i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé ón gCoimisiúin, aon luach saothair ná aon liúntais—
(a) i gcás a ainmnithe mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, i leith na tréimhse a thosóidh nuair a ghlacfaidh sé leis an ainmniú agus a chríochnóidh nuair a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin,
(b) i gcás a ainmnithe lena thoghadh do cheachtar Teach acu sin, i leith na tréimhse a thosóidh nuair a ghlacfaidh sé leis an ainmniú agus a chríochnóidh nuair a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin nó a theipfidh air sa toghchán nó a tharraingeoidh sé siar a iarrthóireacht, cibé acu is cuí.
(2) Duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin, beidh sé, fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun teacht chun bheith ina fhostaí ag an gCoimisiún.
Iarmhartach.
14.—(1) I gcás duine a shealbhaíonn oifig bhreithiúnach a cheapadh chun bheith ina Choimisinéir, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas;
(a) más rud é ar é a cheapadh amhlaidh gur gnáth-bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach é, ansin fad a shealbhóidh sé an oifig bhreithiúnach sin—
(i) is cúigear ar a mhéid an líon gnáth-bhreithiúna a bheidh sa Chúirt Uachtarach, agus
(ii) déanfar an tagairt in alt 4 (1) d'Acht 1961 do cheathrar a fhorléiriú mar thagairt do chúigear,
(b) más rud é ar é a cheapadh amhlaidh gurb é Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte é nó gur gnáth-bhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt é, ansin fad a shealbhóidh sé an oifig bhreithiúnach a shealbhaigh sé ar é a cheapadh amhlaidh—
(i) is ochtar ar a mhéid an líon gnáth-bhreithiúna a bheidh san Ard-Chúirt, agus
(ii) déanfar an tagairt in alt 1 (1) d'Acht na gCúirteanna. 1973, do sheachtar a fhorléiriú mar thagairt d'ochtar, agus
(c) más é Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte é, féadfaidh sé, fad a bheidh sé ina Choimisinéir, gnáth-bhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt a cheapadh ó am go ham chun an dlínse go léir is infheidhmithe ag Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte faoi alt 10 (5) d'Acht 1961 a fheidhmiú thar a cheann (agus cumhachtaítear leis seo don bhreitheamh sin an dlínse sin a fheidhmiú).
(2) Nuair a cheapfar duine atá ina abhcóide chun bheith—
(a) ina Choimisinéir i gcáil lánaimsire, nó
(b) ina oifigeach lánaimsire don Choimisiún,
ansin, chun bheith cáilithe lena cheapadh—
(c) faoi alt 5 (2) (a) d'Acht 1961, mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt,
(d) faoi alt 17 (2) (a) d'Acht 1961, mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda,
(e) faoi alt 14 d'Acht 1936, chun gníomhú go sealadach mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda,
(f) faoi alt 29 (2) d'Acht 1961, mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche,
(g) faoi alt 51 (arna leasú le halt 48 (8) d'Acht 1961) d'Acht 1936, chun gníomhú go sealadach mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche,
measfar gur cleachtadh ag an mBarra seirbhís uaidh mar Choimisinéir den sórt sin nó mar oifigeach den sórt sin don Choimisiún, cibé acu is cuí.
(3) Chun bheith cáilithe lena cheapadh—
(a) faoi alt 29 (2) d'Acht 1961 mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche,
(b) faoi alt 51 (arna leasú amhlaidh) d'Acht 1936, chun gníomhú go sealadach mar bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche,
déanfar, i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo, an tagairt d'abhcóide a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt d'aturnae agus déanfar an tagairt do chleachtadh ag an mBarra a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt do chleachtadh mar aturnae.
(4) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1936” an tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1961” Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961.
Gearrtheideal.
15.—Féadfar an tAcht fán gCoimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí, 1975, a ghairm den Acht seo.