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Number 37 of 1976
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1976
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Regulation of local programmes for distribution on cable systems. | |
Application of sections 7, 8, 10 and 12 of Act of 1926 in relation to certain apparatus. | |
Acts Referred to | |
1926, No. 45 | |
1960, No. 10 | |
1968, No. 19 | |
1963, No. 10 | |
1966, No. 7 | |
1933, No. 22 | |
Number 37 of 1976
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1976
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“the Act of 1926” means the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926;
“the Principal Act” means the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960.
Removal of member of Authority.
2.—A member of the Authority may be removed by the Government from office for stated reasons, if, and only if, resolutions are passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas calling for his removal.
Impartiality.
3.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsections for section 18 (1) :
“(1) Subject to subsection (1A) of this section, it shall be the duty of the Authority to ensure that—
(a) all news broadcast by it is reported and presented in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the Authority's own views,
(b) the broadcast treatment of current affairs, including matters which are either of public controversy or the subject of current public debate, is fair to all interests concerned and that the broadcast matter is presented in an objective and impartial manner and without any expression of the Authority's own views,
(c) any matter, whether written, aural or visual, and which relates to news or current affairs, including matters which are either of public controversy or the subject of current public debate, which pursuant to section 16 of this Act is published, distributed or sold by the Authority is presented by it in an objective and impartial manner.
Paragraph (b) of this subsection, in so far as it requires the Authority not to express its own views, shall not apply to any broadcast in so far as the broadcast relates to any proposal, being a proposal concerning policy as regards broadcasting, which is of public controversy or the subject of current public debate and which is being considered by the Government or the Minister.
Should it prove impracticable in a single programme to apply paragraph (b) of this subsection, two or more related broadcasts may be considered as a whole; provided that the broadcasts are transmitted within a reasonable period.
(1A) The Authority is hereby prohibited from including in any of its broadcasts or in any matter referred to in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section anything which may reasonably be regarded as being likely to promote, or incite to, crime or as tending to undermine the authority of the State.
(1B) The Authority shall not, in its programmes and in the means employed to make such programmes, unreasonably encroach on the privacy of an individual.”.
Broadcasting Complaints Commission.
4.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion of the following sections after section 18 :
“18A.—(1) Not later than the 31st day of March, 1977, there shall be established by the Government, on the request of the Minister, a body to be known as the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and which is in this Act referred to as the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall consist of a Chairman and not less than two other members who shall be appointed by the Government.
(3) The Minister may out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, in each financial year make a grant or grants to the Commission of such amount or amounts as he considers necessary to enable the Commission to perform its functions.
(4) When appointing a member of the Commission, the Government shall fix his term of office which shall not exceed five years and, subject to subsections (8) and (9) of this section, he shall hold his office on such terms and conditions (other than terms or conditions relating to remuneration or the payment of allowances) as are determined by the Government at the time of his appointment.
(5) A member of the Commission may at any time resign his office by letter addressed to the Government and the resignation shall take effect as on and from the date of receipt of the letter by the Government.
(6) A member of the Commission whose term of office expires by the effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(7) There shall be paid to members of the Commission such remuneration (if any) and allowances (if any) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service, from time to time determines.
(8) A member of the Commission may be removed from office by the Government for stated reasons, if, and only if, resolutions are passed by each House of the Oireachtas calling for his removal.
(9) Where a member of the Commission 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 member of the Commission.
(10) (a) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming a member of the Commission.
(b) A member of the Authority or an officer or servant of the Authority shall be disqualified from becoming or being a member of the Commission.
(11) The quorum for a meeting of the Commission shall be two or such higher number as the Commission may, if it thinks fit, from time to time by resolution determine.
(12) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall regulate its procedure and business.
(13) The Minister for the Public Service shall assign to the Commission such officers and servants as in his opinion are necessary to enable it to perform its functions.
Functions of Commission.
18B.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Commission may investigate and decide any of the following complaints—
(a) a complaint that in broadcasting news given by it and specified in the complaint, the Authority did not comply with one or more of the requirements of section 18 (1) of this Act (inserted by section 3 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976),
(b) a complaint that in broadcasting a programme so specified, the Authority either did not comply with one or more of the said requirements or were in breach of the prohibition contained in section 18 (1A) of this Act (inserted by the said section 3),
(c) a complaint that by broadcasting matter so specified, the Authority failed to comply with the requirements of section 31 (1) of this Act (inserted by section 16 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976) as regards an order made under the said section 31 (1) and so specified,
(d) a complaint that on an occasion so specified, there was an encroachment by the Authority contrary to section 18 (1B) of this Act (inserted by the said section 3),
(e) a complaint that an advertisement so specified contravened a code drawn up by the Authority governing standards and practice in broadcast advertising or prohibiting either certain methods of advertising in broadcasting or the broadcast in particular circumstances of advertising,
(f) a complaint that the Authority failed to comply with the requirements of subsection (1) or subsection (1A) of section 18 of this Act (inserted by the said section 3) in relation to a matter so specified which is a matter mentioned in paragraph (c) of the said subsection (1).
(2) A complaint described in subsection (1) of this section may be made to the Commission by any person in writing but, if the complaint is a complaint other than one described in paragraph (f) of the said subsection (1), it shall only be considered by the Commission if the following provisions are complied with, namely;
(a) prior to its being made to the Commission, the complaint is made to the Authority in writing and is received by the Authority not more than thirty days after—
(i) in case the complaint relates to one broadcast or to two or more unrelated broadcasts, if it relates to one broadcast, the date of the broadcast, or if it relates to two or more such broadcasts, the date of the earlier or earliest, as the case may be, of those broadcasts, and
(ii) in case the complaint relates to two or more related broadcasts of which at least two are made on different dates, the later or latest of those dates,
(b) the complaint is received by the Commission not sooner than thirty days after the day on which it is sent by the complainant to the Authority and is so received not later than—
(i) in case within the period of thirty days beginning on the day on which the complaint is so sent by him, the complainant receives from the Authority a statement in writing of its decision on the complaint, thirty days after the receipt by him of the statement, and
(ii) in any other case, sixty days after the day on which the complaint is sent by the complainant to the Authority.
(3) (a) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Commission may, after consultation with the Authority, make rules of procedure as regards complaints described in paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of this section.
(b) Where the Commission makes rules under this section, the Commission shall give public notice of the making of the rules in such manner as the Minister shall approve and the Commission shall make a copy of such rules available to any person on request.
(4) When the Commission proposes to investigate a complaint made under this section, the Commission shall afford to the Authority an opportunity to comment on the complaint.
(5) Where a complaint is made to the Commission and a person employed by the Authority requests, for reasons specified by him, the Commission to afford him an opportunity to comment on the complaint, if, having considered the reasons so specified, the Commission is satisfied that an interest of the person, being an interest which the Commission considers relevant to the person's employment by the Authority, may, because of the complaint, be adversely affected, the Commission shall afford to the person such an opportunity.
(6) When the Commission proposes to consider a complaint described in subsection (1) (e) of this section, the Commission shall afford to the relevant advertiser an opportunity of making to the Commission submissions in relation to the relevant advertisement.
(7) As soon as may be after they decide on a complaint made under this Act, the Commission shall send to the person making the complaint and to the Authority a statement in writing of their decision on the complaint.
(8) In case the Commission decide on a complaint described in subsection (1) (e) of this section, as soon as may be after their decision, the Commission shall, (in addition to complying with the requirement of subsection (7) of this section) send to the person with whom the Authority agreed to broadcast the relevant advertisement (if he is not the complainant) a statement in writing of their decision.
(9) When the Authority receives a statement of a decision from the Commission pursuant to subsection (7) of this section, the Authority shall, not later than fourteen days after its receipt, inform the Commission in writing whether or not the Commission's decision is accepted by the Authority.
(10) The consideration by the Commission of a complaint made to it under this Act shall be carried out by the Commission in private.
(11) Unless it considers it inappropriate, the Commission shall, as soon as may be, publish particulars of its decision on a complaint in such manner as it considers suitable and where it considers that the publication should be by the Authority, or should include publication by the Authority, the particulars shall be published by the Authority in such manner as shall be agreed between the Commission and the Authority.
(12) As regards proceedings under this section, the Commission shall not have any power to award to any party costs or expenses.
(13) A person shall not act as a member of the Commission in relation to any matter with respect to which he has a material financial or other beneficial interest.
(14) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to a complaint which, in the opinion of the Commission, is frivolous or vexatious, nor, unless the Commission considers that there are special reasons for investigating the complaint (which reasons shall be stated by the Commission when giving its decision), shall that subsection apply to a complaint which is withdrawn.
Reports of Commission.
18C.—(1) As soon as may be after the end of each year, the Commission shall make to the Minister a report of its activities during that year and, subject to subsection (2) of this section, the report shall contain such statements (if any) as the Commission thinks fit giving particulars of decisions made by it pursuant to this Act, and copies of the report shall, as soon as may be, be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
(2) In case the Authority pursuant to section 18B (9) of this Act informs the Commission that it does not accept a decision of the Commission, the Commission's report for the year in which the Commission was so informed shall contain a statement giving particulars of the decision.”.
Advice to Authority.
5.—Section 21 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsections for subsections (1), (2) and (3) :
“(1) For the purpose of enabling the Authority to have advice in performing its functions, the Authority may, with the consent of the Minister, from time to time appoint advisory committees or advisers.
(2) (a) A committee under this section shall consist of so many members (not being less than three) as the Authority considers proper.
(b) A member of a committee under this section shall, unless he previously dies or resigns, retain his membership for the period determined by the Authority when appointing him and no longer, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(c) A committee under this section shall meet whenever summoned by the Authority.
(3) (a) An adviser under this section shall, unless he previously dies or resigns, continue as adviser for the period determined by the Authority when appointing him and no longer, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(b) An adviser under this section shall advise the Authority whenever requested by the Authority.”.
Authority to record every broadcast.
6.—(1) It shall be the duty of the Authority, by means of its own facilities and in a manner approved of for the purposes of this section by the Commission, to record for those purposes every broadcast made by the Authority; provided that as regards a television broadcast the Authority shall be regarded as complying with the requirements of this section if it records in sound only the broadcast.
(2) Recordings made in compliance with subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the Authority for at least one hundred and eighty days or for such other period as shall be agreed by the Authority and the Commission, and when a complaint is being investigated by the Commission, the recording of the broadcast to which the complaint relates, together with the recording, made and being retained pursuant to this section, of any other broadcast which in the opinion of the Commission is relevant to that broadcast, shall be supplied by the Authority to the Commission on a request made by the Commission at any time during such period.
(3) The making or retaining of a recording in compliance with subsection (1) of this section shall not be a contravention of section 2 or section 3 of the Performers' Protection Act, 1968, or an infringement of copyright, and nothing contained in the Copyright Act, 1963, shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the making of such a recording.
Assignment of additional functions to Authority.
7.—(1) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Public Service, by order assign to the Authority such functions in respect of the carrying out of subsidiary activities (in addition to the functions conferred on it by section 16 of the Principal Act, as amended by section 5 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1966, and by section 12 of this Act) as the Minister thinks proper and specifies in the order, and any such order may contain such ancillary provisions as the Minister thinks necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the order.
(2) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).
(3) When an order is proposed to be made under this section, a draft thereof shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and, if a resolution disapproving of the draft is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which it has sat after the draft is laid before it, the order shall not be made.
Annual amounts to be paid to Authority by Minister.
8.—The Minister, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, may pay to the Authority out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas—
(a) in respect of each financial year after the financial year ending on the 31st day of December, 1975, an amount equal to the total of the receipts in that year in respect of broadcasting licence fees less—
(i) any expenses certified by the Minister as having been incurred by him in that year in relation to the collection of those fees,
(ii) any expenses certified by the Minister as having been incurred by him in that year in respect of the performance of his functions under sections 12 or 12A of the Act of 1926 in relation to interfering with or injuriously affecting wireless telegraphy apparatus for receiving only, and
(iii) the amount of a grant or grants made by the Minister under section 18A of the Principal Act (inserted by section 4 of this Act), and
(b) in respect of each financial year after the financial year ending on the 31st day of March, 1974, an amount equal to the total of the receipts in that year in respect of wired broadcast relay licence fees less any expenses certified by the Minister as having been incurred by him in that year in relation to the collection of those fees.
Increase of limit on repayable advances.
9.—The following is hereby substituted for paragraph (b) of section 23 (2) of the Principal Act :
“(b) shall not exceed fifteen million pounds in the aggregate,”.
Extension of borrowing powers of Authority.
10.—Subsection (1) of section 27 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion after “money” of “(including money in a currency other than the currency of the State)”, and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
27.—(1) The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and the Minister, borrow money (including money in a currency other than the currency of the State) by means of the creation of stock or other forms of security to be issued, transferred, dealt with and redeemed in such manner and on such terms and conditions as the Authority with the consents aforesaid, may determine.
Amendment of section 15 of Principal Act.
11.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion in section 15 of the following subsection after subsection (6) :
“(6A) (a) In applying paragraph (c) of section 2 of the Perpetual Funds (Registration) Act, 1933, to a scheme under this section, that paragraph shall be construed as if ‘other than subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 6’ were added thereto.
(b) Subsection (3) of section 7 of the Perpetual Funds (Registration) Act, 1933, shall in relation to an application under the said section 7 by a trustee of a scheme under this section be construed as if ‘other than subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 6’ were inserted after ‘the Schedule to this Act’ in paragraph (a).
(c) Section 12 (2) of the Perpetual Funds (Registration) Act, 1933, shall in relation to a trustee of a scheme under this section be construed and have effect as if ‘other than subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 6’ were inserted after ‘the Schedule to this Act’.”
Amendment of section 16 of Principal Act.
12.—The following is hereby substituted for paragraph (b) of section 16 (2) of the Principal Act :
“(b) subject to any regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926, which are for the time being in force, to provide for the distribution by means of wired broadcast relay stations of programmes broadcast by the Authority and such other programmes as the Authority may decide;”.
Amendment of section 17 of Principal Act.
13.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 17 :
“General duty of Authority.
17.—In performing its functions the Authority shall in its programming—
(a) be responsive to the interests and concerns of the whole community, be mindful of the need for understanding and peace within the whole island of Ireland, ensure that the programmes reflect the varied elements which make up the culture of the people of the whole island of Ireland, and have special regard for the elements which distinguish that culture and in particular for the Irish language,
(b) uphold the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, especially those relating to rightful liberty of expression, and
(c) have regard to the need for the formation of public awareness and understanding of the values and traditions of countries other than the State, including in particular those of such countries which are members of the European Economic Community.”.
Amendment of sections 19 and 20 of Principal Act.
14.—(1) The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 19 :
“Approval of total time per year for broadcasting.
19.—The total number of hours per year of broadcasting by the Authority in providing—
(a) its television service,
(b) its sound broadcasting service,
shall neither exceed a maximum nor be less than a minimum fixed by the Authority, with the approval of the Minister, for that service.”.
(2) Section 20 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3) :
“(3) The total daily times for broadcasting advertisements fixed by the Authority and the maximum period so fixed to be given to advertisements in any hour shall be subject to the approval of the Minister.”.
Amendment of section 28 of Principal Act.
15.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following for section 28 :
“Temporary borrowing.
28.—(1) The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister, borrow temporarily by arrangement with bankers such sums (including sums in currency other than the currency of the State) as it may require for the purpose of providing for current expenditure; provided that borrowing by the Authority under this subsection of sums in currency other than the currency of the State shall also require the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(2) The Authority may, other than for the purpose of providing for current expenditure, with the consent of the Minister, which consent shall only be given if he is satisfied that the circumstances are exceptional, borrow temporarily by arrangement with bankers such sums (in the currency of the State) as it may require for the purpose mentioned in section 27 (2) of this Act.”.
Amendment of section 31 of Principal Act.
16.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsections for subsection (1) of section 31 :
“(1) Where the Minister is of the opinion that the broadcasting of a particular matter or any matter of a particular class would be likely to promote, or incite to, crime or would tend to undermine the authority of the State, he may by order direct the Authority to refrain from broadcasting the matter or any matter of the particular class, and the Authority shall comply with the order.
(1A) An order under subsection (1) of this section shall remain in force for such period not exceeding twelve months as is specified in the order and the period for which the order is to remain in force may be extended or further extended by an order made by the Minister or by a resolution passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas providing for its extension; provided that the period for which an order under the said subsection (1) is extended or further extended by an order or resolution under this subsection shall not exceed a period of twelve months.
(1B) Every order made by the Minister under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to its validity prior to the annullment.”.
Regulation of local programmes for distribution on cable systems.
17.—The Act of 1926 is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 3 :
“3A.—(1) The Minister may by order fix a day to be the appointed day for the purposes of this section, and the day so fixed is in this section subsequently referred to as the appointed day.
(2) On and after the appointed day a person shall not provide or distribute, otherwise than pursuant to and in accordance with a licence granted by the Minister under this section, for ultimate reception, through the agency of electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic, electro-chemical or electro-mechanical energy, on,
(a) apparatus for wireless telegraphy for receiving only sound and visual images, or
(b) apparatus for wireless telegraphy for receiving only sound,
any local programme matter.
(3) A person who provides or distributes local programme matter contrary to subsection (2) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) Where local programme matter is distributed or provided contrary to subsection (2) of this section, the person who directed or produced, or who was in overall control or otherwise in charge of, the local programme matter shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
(6) In this section—
‘local programme matter’ means any programme matter which—
(a) serves either by means of visual images with or without sounds, or only by means of sounds to inform persons of anything or to educate or entertain them, and
(b) is conveyed by wire from or through a station to service points, and
(c) is not transmitted, relayed or distributed solely by wireless telegraphy;
‘service points’ means points in a premises or part of a premises which are connected by wire to a station and to which programme matter is conveyed by the wire for reception on wireless telegraphy apparatus in the possession of the occupier of the premises or part;
‘station’ means any apparatus (including wireless telegraphy apparatus) used to relay programme matter to service points.”.
Amendment of section 2 of Act of 1926.
18.—Section 2 of the Act of 1926 is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution for “radiated electro-magnetic waves” of “emission, over paths which are not provided by any material substance constructed or arranged for that purpose, of electric, magnetic or electro-magnetic energy” in the definition of “wireless telegraphy”, and
(b) by the addition of the following to the section:
“For the purposes of this Act, any apparatus which—
(a) is electrically coupled to wirele telegraphy apparatus, and
(b) is used in receiving and conveying messages, sounds or visual images sent by wireless telegraphy, shall be regarded as being wireless telegraphy apparatus.”,
and the definition of “wireless telegraphy”, as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
The expression “wireless telegraphy” means and includes any system of communicating messages, spoken words, music, images, pictures, prints, or other communications, sounds, signs, or signals by means of emission, over paths which are not provided by any material substance constructed or arranged for that purpose, of electric, magnetic or electro-magnetic energy originating in an apparatus or device constructed for the purpose of originating such communications, sounds, signs, or signals.
Amendment of section 12A of Act of 1926.
19.—Section 12A of the Act of 1926 (inserted by section 34 (f) of the Act of 1960) is hereby amended by—
(a) the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (1) :
“(1) The Minister may make regulations for any or all of the following purposes:
(a) for prescribing the requirements to be complied with in the case of any apparatus to which this section applies if the apparatus is to be used;
(b) for prescribing the requirements to be complied with in the case of any apparatus to which this section applies if the apparatus is to be sold otherwise than for export, or offered or advertised for sale otherwise than for export, or let on hire or offered or advertised for letting on hire by any person who in the course of business manufactures, assembles or imports such apparatus;
(c) for prescribing the requirements to be complied with in the case of any apparatus to which this section applies if the apparatus is to be sold for export to a country or territory which is for the time being declared under this section by the Minister to be a country or territory to which this paragraph applies or offered or advertised for such sale, by any person mentioned in paragraph (b) of this subsection.”;
(b) the substitution of the following for subsection (9) :
“(9) Whenever the Minister is of the opinion that any apparatus does not comply with the requirements applicable to it under regulations under this section for the purposes specified in paragraphs (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of this section—
(a) in case the Minister is of the opinion that the apparatus does not comply with the requirements applicable to it under regulations so made for the purposes specified in the said paragraph (b), he may serve on or send by registered post to any person who has manufactured or imported the apparatus in the course of business a notice prohibiting the person, as from the expiration of a period (not being less than seven days) specified in the notice, from selling the apparatus, otherwise than for export, or offering or advertising it for such sale, or letting it on hire or advertising it for letting on hire,
(b) in case the Minister is of the opinion that the apparatus does not comply with the requirements applicable to it under regulations so made for the purposes specified in the said paragraph (c), he may serve on or so send to any person who has manufactured or exported the apparatus in the course of business a notice prohibiting the person, as from the expiration of a period (not being less than seven days) specified in the notice, from selling the apparatus for export to the countries or territories specified in the relevant regulations under this section, or offering or advertising it for such sale,
and in any such case requiring the person within such a period so specified,—
(i) to make the apparatus available for inspection by an officer of the Minister and authorised by him, or in case an order made under subsection (14) of this section is for the time being in force, an officer or servant of the Authority or any other body specified in the order and authorised by the Authority or the other body, as may be appropriate, to make the inspection,
(ii) if requested by such officer or servant to transport, at the expense of the person, to a place specified by the officer or servant a sample or samples (which such officer or servant is hereby empowered to select) of the apparatus, or of any part of the apparatus specified by such officer or servant, for testing pursuant to subsection (9A) of this section.
(9A) Where apparatus or any other thing is transported pursuant to a request made under subsection (9) of this section, the apparatus or other thing may be subjected by the person by whom the request was made or by any other officer or servant of the Minister, the Authority or the other body, as may be appropriate, to tests for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the apparatus or other thing complies with the requirements applicable to it under the relevant regulations under this section.”;
(c) the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (b) of subsection (10) :
“(b) after the expiration of the period specified in the notice, such person contravenes the provisions, or fails to comply with the requirements, of the notice,”; and
(d) the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (13) :
“(14) The Minister may by order (which he may at any time revoke or amend by a further order) declare that the Authority or any other body specified in the order shall have all the powers which the Minister may exercise under subsection (9) of this section and, whenever such an order is for the time being in force, the Authority or the other body so specified shall have those powers and subsection (9) of this section shall have effect as if each of the references therein to the Minister included a reference to the Authority or to the other body so specified, as may be appropriate.
(15) The Minister may by regulations declare any country or territory specified in the regulations to be a country or territory to which paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section applies.
(16) In this section ‘the Authority’ means Radio Telefís Éireann.”.
Application of sections 7, 8, 10 and 12 of Act of 1926 in relation to certain apparatus.
20.—(1) A person may be required under section 7 of the Act of 1926 to state in a declaration—
(a) whether he does or does not keep or has or has not in his possession regulated apparatus,
(b) if he keeps or has in his possession any such apparatus, the nature of such apparatus and the place at which he keeps or has the same.
(2) (a) The powers conferred by section 8 of the Act of 1926 on a Justice of the District Court to grant a search warrant shall also be exercisable in accordance with that section by such Justice in relation to regulated apparatus and, accordingly, the first reference in subsection (1) of the said section 8 to apparatus for wireless telegraphy shall be construed as including a reference to regulated apparatus.
(b) Any search warrant granted in relation to regulated apparatus under the said section 8, as applied by paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall, in relation to such apparatus, be expressed and operate in the manner specified in subsection (1) of that section with and subject to the modification that, for the purposes of this paragraph, the second reference in that subsection to apparatus for wireless telegraphy shall be construed as a reference to regulated apparatus.
(3) Subsection (2) of section 10 of the Act of 1926 shall apply to regulated apparatus in the manner it applies to apparatus for wireless telegraphy, and, accordingly, that subsection shall have effect as if “, of regulated apparatus within the meaning of section 20 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976” were inserted after “electro-magnetic radiation”.
(4) Section 12 of the Act of 1926 shall apply to regulated apparatus in the manner in which it applies to apparatus for wireless telegraphy, and, accordingly, the first reference in subsection (1) of the said section 12 and every reference in subsections (2), (3) and (4) of that section to apparatus for wireless telegraphy shall be construed as including a reference to regulated apparatus.
(5) In this section “regulated apparatus” means apparatus which is used in the provision or distribution in the manner described in subsection (2) of section 3A of the Act of 1926 (inserted by section 17 of this Act) of local programme matter within the meaning of the said section 3A.
Repeals.
21.—The following provisions of the Act of 1960 are hereby repealed:
(a) section 6,
(b) in paragraph (j) of section 16 (2) the words “subject to the consent of the Minister,”, and
(c) in paragraph (m) of section 16 (2) (inserted by section 5 of the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1966) the words “subject to the consent of the Minister,”.
Short title, construction and collective citation.
22.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act, 1976.
(2) The Broadcasting Authority Acts, 1960 to 1974, and this Act shall be construed together as one Act and may be cited together as the Broadcasting Authority Acts, 1960 to 1976.
Uimhir 37 de 1976
AN tACHT UM ÚDARÁS CRAOLACHÁIN (LEASÚ), 1976
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1926” an tAcht Radio-Thelegrafaíochta, 1926;
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht um Údarás Craolacháin, 1960.
Comhalta den Údarás a chur as oifig.
2.—Féadfaidh an Rialtas comhalta den Údarás a chur as oifig ar chúiseanna sonraithe, má ritheann, agus amháin má ritheann, dhá Theach an Oireachtais rúin á iarraidh é a chur as oifig.
Neamhchlaontacht.
3.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 18 (1):
“(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (1A) den alt seo, beidh de dhualgas ar an Údarás a áirithiú—
(a) go ndéanfar an nuacht go léir a chraolfaidh sé a thuairisciú agus a fhoilsiú go hoibiachtúil neamhchlaon gan aon tuairimí de chuid an Údaráis féin a chur in iúl,
(b) go mbeidh an tslí a gcraolfar cúrsaí reatha, lena n-áirítear ábhair chonspóide poiblí nó díospóireachta reatha poiblí, cothrom do gach a mbeidh leas acu iontu agus go ndéanfar ábhar an chraolta a fhoilsiú go hoibiachtúil neamhchlaon gan aon tuairimí de chuid an Údaráis féin a chur in iúl,
(c) go ndéanfaidh an tUdarás aon ábhar, bíodh sé scríofa, le cloisteáil nó le feiceáil, a bhaineann le nuacht nó cúrsaí reatha, lena n-áirítear ábhair chonspóide poiblí nó díospóireachta reatha poiblí agus a ndéanann an tUdarás, de bhun alt 16 den Acht seo, é a fhoilsiú, a dháileadh nó a dhíol, a fhoilsiú go hoibiachtúil neamhchlaon.
Ní bhainfidh mír (b) den fho-alt seo, a mhéid a cheanglaíonn sí ar an Údarás gan tuairimí dá chuid féin a chur in iúl, le haon chraoladh a mhéid a bhaineann an craoladh le haon togra, is togra maidir le polasaí i leith craoladh is ábhar conspóide poiblí nó díospóireachta reatha poiblí agus ar togra é atá faoi bhreithniú ag an Rialtas nó ag an Aire.
Mura féidir mír (b) den fho-alt seo a chur chun feidhme in aon chlár amháin, féadfar a mheas gur clár iomlán dhá chraoladh ghaolmhara nó níos mó; ar choinníoll go ndéanfar na craoltaí a fhorleathadh laistigh de thréimhse réasúnach.
(1A) Toirmisctear leis seo ar an Údarás aon ní a bheith in aon chraoltaí dá chuid nó in aon ábhar dá dtagraítear i mír (c) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo a bhféadfaí a mheas le réasún gur dóigh dó coireacht a chur chun cinn nó a ghríosú nó gur de ghné é a dhéanfadh dochar d'údarás an Stáit.
(1B) Ní dhéanfaidh an tUdarás, ina chláir agus sna meáin a úsáidfear chun na cláir sin a dhéanamh, cúngracht mhíréasúnach ar phríobháideachas pearsan aonair.”.
An Coimisiún um Ghearáin Chraolacháin.
4.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí na hailt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 18:
| “18A.—(1) Tráth nach déanaí ná an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1977, bunóidh an Rialtas, ar iarratas ón Aire, comhlacht dá ngairfear an Coimisiún um Ghearáin Chraolacháin agus dá ngairfear an Coimisiún san Acht seo. (2) Cathaoirleach agus dhá chomhalta eile ar a laghad arna gceapadh ag an Rialtas a bheidh sa Choimisiún. (3) Féadfaidh an tAire, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, deontas nó deontais a thabhairt gach bliain airgeadais don Choimisiún ina mbeidh cibé méid nó méideanna a mheasfaidh sé is gá chun a chumasú don Choimisiún feidhmeanna an Choimisiúin a chomhlíonadh. (4) Le linn don Rialtas comhalta den Choimisiún a cheapadh, socróidh sé a théarma oifige is téarma nach faide ná cúig bliana agus, faoi réir fho-ailt (8) agus (9) den alt seo, sealbhóidh sé a oifig ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (seachas téarmaí nó coinníollacha a bhaineann le luach saothair no le híoc liúntas) a chinnfidh an Rialtas tráth a cheaptha. (5) Féadfaidh comhalta den Choimisiún éirí as oifig tráth ar bith trí litir a bheidh dírithe chun an Rialtais agus glacfaidh an t-éirí as éifeacht amhail ar an agus ón dáta a gheobhaidh an Rialtas an litir. (6) Féadfar comhalta den Choimisiún a rachaidh a théarma oifige in éag trí imeacht aimsire a athcheapadh. (7) Íocfar le comhaltaí an Choimisiúin cibé luach saothair (más ann) agus cibé liúntais (más ann) a chinnfidh an tAire, le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, ó am go ham. (8) Féadfaidh an Rialtas comhalta den Choimisiún a chur as oifig ar chúiseanna sonraithe má ritheann, agus amháin má ritheann, gach Teach den Oireachtas rúin á iarraidh é a chur as oifig. (9) I gcás comhalta den Choimisiún a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas, scoirfidh sé, ar é do ghlacadh leis an ainmniú sin, de bheith ina chomhalta den Choimisiún. (10) (a) 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 bheith ina chomhalta den Choimisiún. (b) Beidh comhalta den Údarás nó oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Údarás dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta den Choimisiún. (11) Is é is córam do chruinniú den Choimisiún beirt nó cibé líon comhaltaí is mó ná sin a chinnfidh an Coimisiún ó am go ham le rún, más cuí leis é. (12) Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, rialálfaidh an Coimisiún a nós imeachta agus a ghnó. (13) Sannfaidh Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí don Choimisiún cibé oifigigh agus seirbhísigh is dóigh leis is gá chun a chumasú don Choimisiún a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh. |
Feidhmeanna an Choimisiúin. | 18B.—(1) Faoi réir forálacha an ailt seo, féadfaidh an Coimisiún aon cheann de na gearáin seo a leanas a fhiosrú agus a chinneadh— (a) gearán nár chomhlíon an tUdarás, le linn dó nuacht a chraoladh a thug sé agus a beidh sonraithe sa ghearán, ceann amháin nó níos mó de cheanglais alt 18 (1) den Acht seo (a cuireadh isteach le halt 3 den Acht um Údarás Craolacháin (Leasú), 1976), (b) gearán nár chomhlíon an tUdarás ceann amháin nó níos mó de na ceanglais sin nó gur sháraigh sé an toirmeasc in alt 18 (1A) den Acht seo (a cuireadh isteach leis an alt sin 3), le linn clár a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh a bheith á chraoladh aige, (c) gearán gur mhainnigh an tUdarás, trí ábhar a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh a chraoladh, ceanglais alt 31 (1) den Acht seo (a cuireadh isteach le halt 16 den Acht um Údarás Craolacháin (Leasú), 1976), a chomhlíonadh maidir le hordú a rinneadh faoin alt sin 31 (1) agus a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh, (d) gearán go ndearna an tUdarás, ar ócáid a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh, cúngracht contrártha d'alt 18 (1B) den Acht seo (a cuireadh isteach leis an alt sin 3), (e) gearán gur sháraigh fógrán a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh cód a d'ullmhaigh an tUdarás do rialú caighdeáin agus cleachtais fógraíochta craolta nó do thoirmeasc modhanna áirithe fógraíochta craolacháin nó fógraíocht a chraoladh in imthosca áirithe, (f) gearán gur mhainnigh an tUdarás ceanglais fho-alt (1) nó fho-alt (1A) d'alt 18 den Acht seo (a cuireadh isteach leis an alt sin 3) a chomhlíonadh i ndáil le hábhar a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh agus is ábhar a luaitear i mír (c) den fho-alt sin (1). (2) Féadfaidh aon duine gearán a thuairiscítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo a dhéanamh i scríbhinn leis an gCoimisiún ach, más gearán é seachas gearán a thuairiscítear i mír (f) den fho-alt sin (1), ní bhreithneoidh an Coimisiún é ach amháin mura gcomhlíonfar na forálacha seo a leanas, is é sin; (a) sula ndéanfar an gearán leis an gCoimisiún, go ndéanfar i scríbhinn é leis an Údarás agus go bhfaighidh an tUdarás é tráth nach déanaí ná tríocha lá— (i) i gcás baint a bheith ag an ngearán le craoladh amháin nó le dhá chraoladh neamhghaolmhara nó níos mó, más le craoladh amháin a bhaineann sé, tar éis dáta an chraolta, nó más le dhá chraoladh nó níos mó den sórt sin a bhain eann sé, tar éis dáta an chraolta ba luaithe de na craoltaí sin, agus (ii) i gcás baint a bheith ag an ngearán le dhá chraoladh ghaolmhara nó níos mó a ndearnadh dhá cheann ar a laghad díobh ar dhátaí éagsúla, tar éis an dáta ba dhéanaí de na dátaí sin, (b) go bhfaighidh an Coimisiún an gearán tráth nach luaithe ná tríocha lá tar éis an lae a chuir an gearánach chun an Údaráis é agus go bhfaighfear amhlaidh é tráth nach déanaí— (i) i gcás a bhfaighidh an gearánach sa tréimhse tríocha lá dar tosach an lá a chuir sé an gearán ar aghaidh amhlaidh ráiteas i scríbhinn ón Údarás a inseoidh a chinneadh ar an ngearán, ná tríocha lá tar éis dó an ráiteas a fháil, agus (ii) in aon chás eile, ná seasca lá tar éis an lae a chuir an gearánach an gearán chun an Údaráis. (3) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Coimisiún, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Údarás, rialacha nós imeachta a dhéanamh maidir le gearáin a thuairiscítear i mír (f) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo. (b) I gcás a ndéanfaidh an Coimisiún rialacha faoin alt seo, tabharfaidh an Coimisiún i cibé slí a cheadóidh an tAire fógra poiblí faoi na rialacha a dhéanamh agus cuirfidh an Coimisiún cóip de na rialacha sin ar fáil d'aon duine a iarrfaidh iad. (4) Nuair a bheartóidh an Coimisiún gearán a rinneadh faoin alt seo a fhiosrú, tabharfaidh an Coimisiún deis don Údarás tuairim a thabhairt ar an ngearán. (5) I gcás a ndéanfar gearán leis an gCoimisiún agus go n-iarrfaidh duine a bheidh fostaithe ag an Údarás, ar chúiseanna a shonróidh sé, ar an gCoimisiún deis a thabhairt dó tuairim a thabhairt ar an ngearán, déanfaidh an Coimisiún, más deimhin leis, tar éis dó na cúiseanna a sonraíodh amhlaidh a bhreithniú, go bhféadfadh an gearán dochar a dhéanamh do leas de chuid an duine, ar leas é a mheasfaidh an Coimisiún gur leas iomchuí é i ndáil le fostú an duine ag an Údarás, deis den sórt sin a thabhairt don duine. (6) Nuair a bheartóidh an Coimisiún gearán a thuairiscítear i bhfo-alt (1) (e) den alt seo a bhreithniú, tabharfaidh an Coimisiún deis don fhógróir iomchuí aighneachtaí a dhéanamh chun an Choimisiúin i ndáil leis an bhfógrán iomchuí. (7) A luaithe is féidir tar éis don Choimisiún cinneadh a dhéanamh ar ghearán faoin Acht seo, cuirfidh siad ráiteas i scríbhinn faoina gcinneadh ar an ngearán chuig an duine a rinne an gearán agus chuig an Údarás. (8) I gcás a ndéanfaidh an Coimisiún cinneadh ar ghearán a thuairiscítear i bhfo-alt (1) (e) den alt seo, déanfaidh siad, a luaithe is féidir tar éis dóibh an cinneadh sin a dhéanamh (i dteannta ceanglas fho-alt (7) den alt seo a chomhlíonadh), ráiteas i scríbhinn faoina gcinneadh a chur go dtí an duine lenar aontaigh an tUdarás an fógrán iomchuí a chraoladh (murab é an gearánach é). (9) Nuair a gheobhaidh an tUdarás ráiteas faoi chinneadh ón gCoimisiún de bhun fho-alt (7) den alt seo, cuirfidh an tUdarás in iúl i scríbhinn don Choimisiún, tráth nach déanaí ná ceithre lá dhéag tar éis é a fháil, cibé acu a ghlacann nó nach nglacann an tUdarás le cinneadh an Choimisiúin. (10) Is go príobháideach a bhreithneoidh an Coimisiún gearán a rinneadh leis faoin Acht seo. (11) Mura míchuí leis an gCoimisiún é, déanfaidh sé, a luaithe is féidir, sonraí maidir lena chinneadh ar ghearán a fhoilsiú i cibé slí is oiriúnach leis, agus i gcás a measfaidh sé gur don Údarás is ceart an foilsiú a dhéanamh nó go bhfoilseodh an tUdarás é freisin, foilseoidh an tUdarás na sonraí i cibé slí ar a gcomhaontóidh an Coimisiún agus an tUdarás. (12) Maidir le himeachtaí faoin alt seo, ní beidh aon chumhacht ag an gCoimisiún costais ná caiteachais a dhámhadh d'aon pháirtí. (13) Ní ghníomhóidh duine mar chomhalta den Choimisiún i ndáil le haon ábhar a bhfuil leas ábhartha airgeadais nó leas tairbhiúil eile aige ann. (14) Ní bhainfidh fo-alt (1) den alt seo le gearán atá, i dtuairim an Choimisiúin, suaibhreosach nó cráiteach, ná ní bhainfidh sé le gearán a tarraingíodh siar mura dóigh leis an gCoimisiún fáthanna speisialta a bheith ann leis an ngearán a fhiosrú (agus luafaidh an Coimisiún na fáthanna sin nuair a bheidh a chinneadh á thabhairt aige). |
Tuarascálacha ón gCoimisiún. | 18C.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis direadh gach bliana, tabharfaidh an Coimisiún don Aire tuarascáil ar ghníomhaíochtaí an Choimisiúin i gcaitheamh na bliana sin agus, faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, beidh sa tuarascáil cibé ráitis (más ann) is cuí leis an gCoimisiún ina mbeidh sonraí i dtaobh cinntí a rinne sé de bhun an Achta seo, agus leagfar cóipeanna den tuarascáil faoi bhráid dhá Theach an Oireachtais a luaithe is féidir. (2) I gcás a gcuirfidh an tUdarás in iúl don Choimisiún, de bhun alt 18B (9) den Acht seo, nach bhfuil glacadh aige le cinneadh ón gCoimisiún, beidh i dtuarascáil an Choimisiúin don bhliain inar cuireadh sin in iúl amhlaidh don Choimisiún ráiteas ina mbeidh sonraí maidir leis an gcinneadh.”. |
Comhairle don Údarás.
5.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 21 den Phríomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur n ionad fho-ailt (1), (2) agus (3):
“(1) Chun a chumasú don Údarás comhairle a bheith aige ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna dó, féadfaidh an tUdarás, le toiliú an Aire, coistí comhairleacha nó comhairleoirí a cheapadh ó am go ham.
(2) (a) Beidh coiste faoin alt seo comhdhéanta de cibé líon (nach 1ú ná triúr) comhaltaí is cuí leis an Údarás.
(b) Leanfaidh comhalta de choiste faoin alt seo de bheith ina chomhalta go ceann na tréimhse a chinnfidh an tUdarás le linn é a cheapadh mura n-éagfaidh sé nó mura n-éireoidh sé as oifig roimhe sin agus ní leanfaidh níos faide ná sin, ach beidh sé inathcheaptha.
(c) Tionólfaidh coiste faoin alt seo aon uair a ghairfidh an tUdarás é.
(3) (a) Leanfaidh comhairleoir faoin alt seo de bheith ina chomhairleoir go ceann na tréimhse a chinnfidh an tUdarás le linn é a cheapadh mura n-éagfaidh sé nó mura n-éireoidh sé as oifig roimhe sin agus ní leanfaidh níos faide ná sin, ach beidh sé inathcheaptha.
(b) Tabharfaidh comhairleoir faoin alt seo comhairle don Údarás aon uair a iarrfaidh an tUdarás air é.”.
Taifeadfaidh an tUdarás gach craoladh.
6.—(1) Beidh de dhualgas ar an Údarás, trína shaoráidí féin agus ar dhóigh a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gCoimisiún chun críocha an ailt seo, gach craoladh a dhéanfaidh an tUdarás a thaifeadadh chun na gcríocha sin; ar choinníoll i gcás craoladh teilifíse go measfar ceanglais an ailt seo a bheith comhlíonta ag an Údarás i gcás gur fuaim-thaifeadadh amháin a dhéanfaidh sé den chraoladh.
(2) Coimeádfaidh an tUdarás, go ceann céad is ochtó lá ar a laghad nó go ceann cibé tréimhse eile ar a gcomhaontóidh an tUdarás agus an Coimisiún, taifeadtaí a rinneadh do chomhlíonadh fho-alt (1) den alt seo, agus le linn gearán a bheith á imscrúdú ag an gCoimisiún tabharfaidh an tUdarás don Choimisiún, ar an gCoimisiún á iarraidh sin aon tráth i rith na tréimhse sin, taifeadadh an chraoladh lena mbaineann an gearán, mar aon leis an taifeadadh, a rinneadh agus a choimeádtar de bhun an ailt seo, ar aon chraoladh eile is dóigh leis an gCoimisiún is craoladh iomchuí i ndáil leis an gcraoladh sin.
(3) Ní sárú ar alt 2 ná ar alt 3 den Acht um Chosaint Taibheoirí 1968, ná ní sárú cóipchirt, taifead a dhéanamh nó a choimeád do chomhlíonadh fho-alt (1) den alt seo, agus ní fhorléireofar aon ní san Acht Cóipchirt, 1963, mar ní a thoirmisceann nó a shrianann taifead den sórt sin a dhéanamh.
Feidhmeanna breise a shannadh don Údarás.
1966 Uimh. 7.
7.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, le hordú, cibé feidhmeanna a shannadh don Údarás maidir le gníomhaíochtaí foghabhálacha (i dteannta na bhfeidhmeanna a thugtar dó le halt 16 den Phríomh-Acht, arna leasú le halt 5 den Acht um Údarás Craolacháin (Leasú), 1966, agus le halt 12 den Acht seo) a dhéanamh mar is cuí leis an Aire agus mar a shonróidh sé san ordú, agus féadfaidh cibé forálacha coimhdeacha a mheasfaidh an tAire a bheith riachtanach nó fóirsteanach le lánéifeacht a thabhairt don ordú a bheith in aon ordú den sórt sin.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(3) Nuair a bheartófar ordú a dhéanamh faoin alt seo leagfar dréacht de faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an dréacht a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag dícheadú an dréachta, ní dhéanfar an t-ordú.
Méideanna bliantúla a íocfaidh an tAire leis an Údarás.
8.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais, na méideanna seo a leanas a íoc leis an Údarás as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas—
(a) maidir le gach bliain airgeadais tar éis na bliana airgeadais dar chríoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig, 1975, méid is comhionann le hiomlán fáltas na bliana sin i leith táillí ceadúnais chraolta lúide—
(i) aon chaiteachais a dheimhneoidh an tAire a thabhaigh sé an bhliain sin i ndáil le bailiú na dtáillí sin,
(ii) aon chaiteachais a dheimhneoidh an tAire a thabhaigh sé an bhliain sin i leith comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna faoi alt 12 nó 12A d'Acht 1926 i ndáil le trasnaíl ar ghléasra raiditheileagrafaíochta chun glactha amháin nó lena dhochrú, agus
(iii) méid deontais nó deontas ón Aire faoi alt 18A den Phríomh-Acht (a cuireadh isteach le halt 4 den Acht seo), agus
(b) maidir le gach bliain airgeadais tar éis na bliana airgeadais dar chríoch an 31ú lá de Mhárta, 1974, méid is comhionann le hiomlán fáltas na bliana sin i leith táillí ceadúnais leaschraolta sreinge lúide aon chaiteachais a dheimhneoidh an tAire a thabhaigh sé an bhliain sin i ndáil le bailiú na dtáillí sin.
Méadú na teorann atá le hairleacain inaisíoctha.
9.—Déantar leis seo an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (b) d'alt 23 (2) den Phríomh-Acht:
“(b) ní bheidh siad níos mó ná cúig mhilliún déag punt san iomlán,”.
Cumhachtaí an Údaráis chun airgead a fháil ar iasacht a mhéadú.
10.—Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 27 den Phríomh-Acht trí “(lena n-áirítear airgead in airgeadra seachas airgeadra an Stáit)” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “airgead”, agus tá an fo-alt sin (1) arna leasú amhlaidh leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TABLA |
27.—(1) Féadfaidh an tUdarás, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus an Aire, airgead (lena n-áirítear airgead in airgeadra seachas airgeadra an Stáit) a fháil ar iasacht trí stoc nó cineálacha eile urrúis a chruthnú agus a eiseofar, a aistreofar, lena ndéileálfar agus a fhuasclófar i cibé slí agus ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an tUdarás le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus an Aire. |
Leasú ar alt 15 den Phríomh-Acht.
11.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach in alt 15 i ndiaidh fho-alt (6):
“(6A) (a) Le linn mír (c) d'alt 2 den Acht Síor-Chistí (Clárú), 1933, a bheith á bhfeidhmiú ar scéim faoin alt seo, forléireofar an mhír sin ionann is dá gcuirfí ‘seachas fomhíreanna (b) agus (c) de mhír 6’ léi.
(b) Forléireofar fo-alt (3) d'alt 7 den Acht Síor-Chistí (Clárú), 1933, i ndáil le hiarratas faoin alt sin 7 ó iontaobhaí scéime faoin alt seo ionann is dá gcuirfí ‘seachas fomhíreanna (b) agus (c) de mhír 6’ isteach i ndiadh ‘sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so’ i mír (a).
(c) Forléireofar alt 12 (2) den Acht Síor-Chistí (Clárú), 1933, agus beidh éifeacht leis i ndáil le hiontaobhaí scéime faoin alt seo ionann is dá gcuirfí ‘seachas fomhíreanna (b) agus (c) de mhír 6’ isteach i ndiaidh ‘sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so’.”
Leasú ar alt 16 den Phríomh-Acht.
12.—Déantar leis seo an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (b) d'alt 16 (2) den Phríomh-Acht:
“(b) socrú a dhéanamh faoi réir aon rialacháin faoin Acht Radio-Thelegrafaíochta, 1926, a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, chun cláir a chraolfaidh an tUdarás agus cibé cláir eile a chinnfidh an tUdarás a leathadh trí stáisiúin leaschraolta sreinge;”.
Leasú ar alt 17 den Phríomh-Acht.
13.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 17:
“Dualgas ginearálta an Údaráis. | 17.—(1) I gcláir an Údaráis ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna dó— (a) beidh aird aige ar leasanna agus ar chúraimí an phobail uile, coimeádfaidh sé i gcuimhne a riachtanaí atá comhthuiscint agus síocháin ar fud oileán na hÉireann uile, cinnteoidh sé go léireoidh na cláir na haraíona éagsúla dá bhfuil saíocht phobal oileán na hÉireann uile comhdhéanta, agus beidh cás ar leith aige do na haraíona a shainíonn an tsaíocht sin agus go háirithe don Ghaeilge, (b) tacóidh sé leis an bhfiúchas daonlathach atá cumhdaithe sa Bhunreacht, go háirithe mar a bhaineann leis an tsaoirse cheart tuairimí a nochtadh, agus (c) beidh aird aige ar a riachtanaí atá sé an pobal a dhéanamh eolach tuisceanach ar fhiúchais agus ar thraidisiúin tíortha seachas an Stát, go háirithe na tíortha sin is comhaltaí de Chomhphobal Eacnamaíochta na hEorpa.”. |
Leasú ar ailt 19 agus 20 den Phríomh-Acht.
14.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 19:
“Iomlán an ama craolta gach bliain a cheadú. | 19.—Ní bheidh an uimhir iomlán uaire a chaithfidh an tUdarás ag craoladh ag soláthar— (a) a sheirbhíse teilifíse, (b) a sheirbhíse fuaim-chraolta, níos mó ná uas-uimhir ná níos lú ná íos-uimhir a bheidh socraithe ag an Údarás, le ceadú an Aire, don tseirbhís sin.”. |
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 20 den Phríomh-Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) Beidh na tráthanna go léir in aghaidh an lae a shocróidh an tUdarás le fógráin a chraoladh agus an tréimhse uasta a shocrófar amhlaidh le haghaidh fógrán in aon uair a chloig faoi réir a gceadaithe ag an Aire.”.
Leasú ar alt 28 den Phríomh-Acht.
15.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 28:
“Airgead a fháil ar iasacht go sealadach. | 28.—(1) Féadfaidh an tUdarás, le toiliú an Aire, cibé suimeanna (lena n-áirítear suimeanna in airgeadra seachas airgeadra an Stáit) a bheidh ag teastáil ón Údarás faoi chomhair caiteachais reatha a fháil ar iasacht go sealadach trí chomhshocraíocht le baincéirí; ar choinníoll nach foláir toiliú an Aire Airgeadais a fháil freisin i gcás an tUdarás d'fháil suimeanna ar iasacht faoin bhfo-alt seo in airgeadra seachas airgeadra an Stáit. (2) Féadfaidh an tUdarás, seachas chun soláthar a dhéanamh faoi chomhair caiteachais reatha, le toiliú an Aire, is toiliú nach dtabharfar ach amháin i gcás ar deimhin leis an Aire go bhfuil imthosca neamhghnácha ann, cibé suimeanna (in airgeadra an Stáit) a bheidh ag teastáil ón Údarás chun na críche a luaitear in alt 27 (2) den Acht seo a fháil ar iasacht go sealadach trí chomhshocraíocht le baincéirí.”. |
Leasú ar alt 31 den Phríomh-Acht
16.—Leasaítear leis seo an Príomh-Acht trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1) d'alt 31:
“(1) I gcás arb é tuairim an Aire gur dhóigh do chraoladh ábhair áirithe nó do chraoladh aon ábhair d'aicme áirithe coireacht a chur chun cinn nó a ghríosú nó gur de ghné é a dhéanfadh dochar d'údarás an Stáit, féadfaidh sé, le hordú, a ordú don Údarás gan an t-ábhar ná aon ábhar den aicme áirithe a chraoladh, agus comhlíonfaidh an tUdarás an t-ordú. (1A) Leanfaidh ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo i bhfeidhm go ceann cibé tréimhse nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag a shonrófar san ordú agus féadfar tréimhse feidhme an ordaithe a fhadú nó a fhadú tuilleadh le hordú ón Aire nó le rún a rithfidh dhá Theach an Oireachtais a fhorálfaidh é a fhadú; ar choinníoll nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag an tréimhse dá ndéanfar ordú faoin bhfo-alt sin (1) a fhadú nó a fhadú tuilleadh le hordú nó le rún faoin bhfo-alt seo. (1B) Gach ordú a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin alt seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagan faoin bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar dá bhailíocht sular neamhníodh é.”. |
Cláir áitiúla a rialáil lena leathadh ar chórais chábla.
17.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1926 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur i ndiaidh alt 3:
“3A.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú lá a shocrú mar lá ceaptha chun críocha an ailt seo, agus an lá ceaptha a ghairtear ina dhiaidh seo san alt seo den lá a shocrófar amhlaidh. (2) An lá ceaptha agus dá éis ní sholáthróidh duine ná ní leathfaidh sé, seachas de bhun agus de réir ceadúnas arna dheonú ag an Aire faoin alt seo, lena ghlacadh faoi dheoidh, le fuinneamh leictreach, maighnéadach, leictreamaighnéadach, leictriceimiceach nó leictrimeicniúil, (a) ar ghaireas le haghaidh raiditheileagrafaíochta chun fuaim agus dearcíomhánna a ghlacadh agus chuige sin amháin, nó (b) ar ghaireas le haghaidh raiditheileagrafaíochta chun fuaim a ghlacadh agus chuige sin amháin. aon ábhar cláir áitiúil. (3) Duine a sholáthróidh nó a leathfaidh ábhar cláir áitiúil contrártha d'fho-alt (2) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion. (4) I gcás a ndéanfar ábhar cláir áitiúil a leathadh nó a sholáthar contrártha d'fho-alt (2) den alt seo, beidh an duine a stiúir nó a léirigh an t-ábhar cláir áitiúil nó a bhí á rialú i gcoitinne nó ina bhun ar dhóigh eile ciontach i gcion. (5) Duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear ar é a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air. (6) San alt seo— ciallaíonn ‘ábhar cláir áitiúil’ aon ábhar clár— (a) a fhónann trí dhearc-íomhánna i dteannta nó d'éagmais fuaimeanna, nó trí fhuaimeanna amháin, le haon ní a chur i bhfios do dhaoine nó iad a theagasc nó siamsaíocht a dhéanamh dóibh, agus (b) a sheoltar de shreang ó stáisiún nó trí stáisiún go dtí pointí seirbhíse, agus (c) nach trí raiditheileagrafaíocht go heisiatach a dhéantar é a fhorleathadh, a leaschraoladh nó a leathadh; ciallaíonn ‘pointí seirbhíse’ pointí in áitreabh nó i gcuid d'áitreabh a bhfuil ceangal sreinge acu le stáisiún agus chun a seoltar ábhar cláir de shreang lena ghlacadh ar ghaireas raiditheileagrafaíochta i seilbh áititheoir an áitribh nó na coda; ciallaíonn ‘stáisiún’ aon ghaireas (lena n-áirítear gaireas raiditheileagrafaíochta) a úsáidtear chun ábhar cláir a leaschraoladh go dtí pointí seirbhíse.”. |
Leasú ar alt 2 d'Acht 1926.
18.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 2 d'Acht 1926—
(a) trí “trí fhuinneamh a astú, thar chonairí nach de shubstaint ábhartha atá déanta nó eagraithe chun na críche sin, is fuinneamh leictreach, maighnéadach nó leictrimaighnéadach” a chur in ionad “le tonntracha leictremhaighnéadacha leathta” sa mhíniú ar “radiothelegrafaíocht”, agus
(b) tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur leis an alt:
“Chun críocha an Achta seo, aon ghaireas—
(a) atá leictreachuingrithe le gaireas raiditheileagrafaíochta, agus
(b) a úsáidtear ag glacadh nó ag tíolacadh teachtaireachtaí, fuaimeanna nó dearc-íomhánna a sheoltar le raiditheileagrafaíocht, measfar gur gaireas raiditheileagrafaíochta é.”,
agus tá an míniú ar “radio-thelegrafaíocht”, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TABLA |
Cialluíonn agus foluíonn an focal “radio-thelegrafaíocht” aon mhodh chun teachtaireachtaí, focail labhartha, ceol, íomháigheanna, pictiúirí, priondaí no scéala, fuaimeanna, no comharthaí eile do chur in úil trí fhuinneamh a astú, thar chonairí nach de shubstaint ábhartha atá déanta nó eagraithe chun na críche sin, is fuinneamh leictreach, maighnéadach nó leictrimaighnéadach as gléas no inneall a dineadh chun scéala, fuaimeanna, no comharthaí den tsórt san do chur amach. |
Leasú ar alt 12A d'Acht 1926.
19.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 12A d'Acht 1926 (a cuireadh isteach le halt 34 (f) d'Acht 1960)—
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1):
“(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun aon chríche nó gach críche acu seo a leanas:
(a) chun na ceanglais a fhorordú a bheidh le comhlíonadh i gcás aon ghaireas lena mbaineann an t-alt seo má bhítear chun an gaireas a úsáid;
(b) chun na ceanglais a fhorordú a bheidh le comhlíonadh i gcás aon ghaireas lena mbaineann an t-alt seo má bhítear leis an ngaireas a dhíol ar shlí seachas lena onnmhairiú, nó a thairiscint nó a fhógairt lena dhíol ar shlí seachas lena onnmhairiú, nó a ligean ar fruiliú nó a thairiscint nó a fhógairt lena ligean ar fruiliú ag aon duine a mhonaraíonn, a chóimeálann nó a allmhairíonn gairis den sórt sin i gcúrsa gnó;
(c) chun na ceanglais a fhorordú a bheidh le comhlíonadh i gcás aon ghaireas lena mbaineann an t-alt seo má bhítear leis an ngaireas a dhíol lena onnmhairiú go dtí tír nó críoch a mbeidh dearbhaithe de thuras na huaire ag an Aire faoin alt seo gur tír nó críoch í lena mbaineann an mhír seo nó a thairiscint nó a fhógairt lena dhíol amhlaidh, ag aon duine a luaitear i mír (b) den fho-alt seo.”;
(b) tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (9):
“(9) Aon uair is dóigh leis an Aire nach gcomhlíonann aon ghaireas na ceanglais is infheidhmithe ina leith faoi rialacháin faoin alt seo chun na gcríocha a luaitear i mír (b) nó (c) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) i gcás arb é tuairim an Aire nach gcomhlíonann an gaireas na ceanglais is infheidhmithe ina leith faoi rialacháin a rinneadh amhlaidh chun na gcríocha a shonraítear sa mhír sin (b), féadfaidh sé fógra a sheirbheáil ar aon duine, nó a chur leis an bpost cláraithe chun aon duine, a mhonaraigh nó a d'allmhairigh an gaireas i gcúrsa gnó á thoirmeasc ar an duine, amhail ó dheireadh tréimhse (nach giorra ná seacht lá) a shonrófar san fhógra, an gaireas a dhíol seachas lena onnmhairiú, nó a thairiscint nó a fhógairt lena dhíol amhlaidh nó a ligean ar fruiliú nó a fhógairt lena ligean ar fruiliú,
(b) i gcás arb é tuairim an Aire nach gcomlíonann an gaireas na ceanglais is infheidhmithe ina leith faoi rialacháin a rinneadh amhlaidh chun na gcríocha a shonraítear sa mhír sin (c), féadfaidh sé fógra a sheirbheáil ar aon duine, nó a chur amhlaidh chun aon duine, a mhonaraigh nó a d'onnmhairigh an gaireas i gcúrsa gnó á thoirmeasc ar an duine, amhail ó dheireadh tréimhse (nach giorra ná seacht lá) a shonrófar san fhógra, an gaireas a dhíol lena onnmhairiú go dtí na tíortha nó na críocha a shonrófar sna rialacháin iomchuí faoin alt seo, nó a thairiscint nó a fhógairt lena dhíol amhlaidh,
agus in aon chás den sórt sin á cheangal ar an duine laistigh de thréimhse den sórt sin a shonrófar amhlaidh,—
(i) an gaireas a chur ar fáil lena scrúdú ag oifigeach don Aire a bheidh údaraithe ag an Aire, nó i gcás ordú faoi fho-alt (14) den alt seo a bheith i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, ag oifigeach nó ag seirbhíseach don Údarás nó d'aon chomhlacht eile a shonrófar san ordú agus a bheidh údaraithe ag an Údarás nó ag an gcomhlacht eile, de réir mar is iomchuí, an scrúdú a dhéanamh.
(ii) má iarrann an t-oifigeach nó an seirbhíseach sin é, sampla nó samplaí (a chuirtear leis seo ar chumas an oifigigh nó an tseirbhísigh sin a roghnú) den ghaireas, nó d'aon chuid den ghaireas a shonróidh an t-oifigeach nó an seirbhíseach sin, a iompar, ar chostas an duine, go dtí áit a shonróidh an t-oifigeach nó an seirbhíseach, le tástáil de bhun fho-alt (9A) den alt seo.
(9A) I gcás gaireas nó aon ní eile a iompar de bhun iarratas a rinneadh faoi fho-alt (9) den alt seo, féadfaidh an duine a rinne an t-iarratas nó aon oifigeach nó seirbhíseach eile don Aire, don Údarás nó don chomhlacht eile, de réir mar is iomchuí, an gaireas nó an ní eile a chur faoi thástálacha lena fhionnadh an gcomhlíonann nó nach gcomhlíonann an gaireas nó an ní eile na ceanglais is infheidhmithe ina leith faoi na rialacháin iomchuí faoin alt seo.”;
(c) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (b) d'fho-alt (10):
“(b) a sáróidh an duine sin forálacha an fhógra nó a mainneoidh sé ceanglais an fhógra a chomhlíonadh tar éis an tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe san fhógra a bheith caite,”; agus
(d) trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (13):
“(14) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú (a fhéadfaidh sé a chúlghairm nó a leasú aon tráth le hordú eile) a dhearbhú go mbeidh ag an Údarás nó ag aon chomhlacht eile a bheidh sonraithe san ordú na cumhachtaí go léir is féidir leis an Aire a fheidhmiú faoi fho-alt (9) den alt seo agus, aon uair a bheidh ordú den sórt sin i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, beidh na cumhachtaí sin ag an Údarás nó ag an gcomhlacht eile a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh agus beidh éifeacht le fo-alt (9) den alt seo ionann is dá mbeadh ar áireamh gach tagartha san fho-alt sin don Aire tagairt don Údarás nó don chomhlacht eile a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh, de réir mar is iomchuí.
(15) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin a dhearbhú gur tír nó críoch lena mbaineann mír (c) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo aon tír nó críoch a bheidh sonraithe sna rialacháin.
(16) San alt seo ciallaíonn ‘an tUdarás’ Radio Telefís Éireann.”.
Feidhm ailt 7, 8, 10 agus 12 d'Acht 1926 in ndáil de gaireas áirithe.
20.—(1) Féadfar a cheangal ar dhuine faoi alt 7 d'Acht 1926 a rá i ndearbhú—
(a) cé acu atá nó nach bhfuil gaireas rialáilte ar coimeád aige nó ina sheilbh aige,
(b) má tá aon ghaireas den sórt sin ar coimeád aige nó ina sheilbh aige, an cineál gairis é agus an áit a bhfuil an céanna ar coimeád aige nó ina sheilbh aige.
(2) (a) Beidh na cumhachtaí a thugtar le halt 8 d'Acht 1926 do Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche barántas cuardaigh a thabhairt infheidhmithe freisin de réir an ailt sin ag an mBreitheamh sin i ndáil le gaireas rialáilte agus, dá réir sin, déanfar an chéad tagairt i bhfo-alt (1) den alt sin 8 do ghaireas le haghaidh raiditheileagrafaíochta a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt do ghaireas rialáilte.
(b) Aon bharántas cuardaigh a thabharfar i ndáil le gaireas rialáilte faoin alt sin 8, arna chur chun feidhme le mír (a) den fho-alt seo, beidh sé sainráite agus oibreoidh sé, i ndáil leis an ngaireas sin, sa tslí a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt sin i dteannta agus faoi réir an mhodhnaithe go ndéanfar an dara tagairt san fho-alt sin do ghaireas le haghaidh raiditheileagrafaíochta a fhorléiriú, chun críocha na míre seo, mar thagairt do ghaireas rialáilte.
(3) Bainfidh fo-alt (2) d'alt 10 d'Acht 1926 le gaireas rialáilte mar a bhaineann sé le gaireas raiditheileagrafaíochta, agus, dá réir sin, beidh éifeacht leis on bhfo-alt sin ionann is dá gcuirfí “, ar ghléas rialáilte de réir brí alt 20 den Acht um Údarás Craolacháin (Leasú), 1976” isteach i ndiaidh “do roinnt”.
(4) Bainfidh alt 12 d'Acht 1926 le gaireas rialáilte mar a bhaineann sé le gaireas le haghaidh raiditheileagrafaíochta, agus, dá réir sin, déanfar an chéad tagairt i bhfo-alt (1) den alt sin 12 agus gach tagairt i bhfo-ailt (2), (3) agus (4) den alt sin do ghléas raiditheileagrafaíochta a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt do ghaireas rialáilte.
(5) San alt seo ciallaíonn “gaireas rialáilte” gaireas a úsáidtear chun ábhar cláir áitiúil, de réir brí alt 3A d'Acht 1926 (a cuireadh isteach le halt 17 den Acht seo), a sholáthar nó a leathadh mar a thuairiscítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt sin 3A.
Aisghairm.
21.—Aisghairtear leis seo na forálacha seo a leanas d'Acht 1960:
(a) alt 6,
(b) i mír (j) d'alt 16 (2) na focail “faoi réir thoiliú an Aire,”, agus
(c) i mír (m) d'alt 16 (2) (a cuireadh isteach le halt 5 den Acht um Údarás Craolacháin (Leasú), 1966) na focail “faoi réir thoiliú an Aire,”.
Gearrtheideal, forléiriú agus comhlua.
22.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Údarás Craolacháin (Leasú), 1976, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Forléireofar na hAchtanna um Údarás Craolacháin, 1960 go 1974, agus an tAcht seo le chéile mar aon Acht amháin agus féadfar na hAchtanna um Údarás Craolacháin, 1960 go 1976, a ghairm díobh le chéile.