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Uimhir 8 de 1978
AN tACHT UM IOMPAR AR BHÓITHRE, 1978
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1971” an tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1971;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Turasóireachta agus Iompair;
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Acht” an tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1933.
Leasú ar alt 9 den Phríomh Acht.
2.—Déantar leis seo an t alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 9 den Phríomh-Acht, arna leasú leis an Acht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1934, agus le hAcht 1971:
“9.—(1) (a) Faoi réir mhír (b) den fho alt seo agus fho-alt (5) den alt seo, ní dleathach, an lá ceaptha ná dá éis, do dhuine ar bith i gcúrsa gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a bheidh á sheoladh aige marsantas a iompar in aon limistéar sa Stát mura sealbhaíonn an duine ceadúnas (dá ngairtear ceadúnas marsantais san Acht seo) a deonaíodh faoin Acht seo á údarú dó gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh sa limistéar sin agus gur faoi réim agus de réir an cheadúnais sin a sheoltar an gnó.
(b) D'ainneoin mhír (a) den fho-alt seo agus alt 124 den Acht Iompair, 1944, féadfaidh duine a shealbhaíonn ceadúnas marsantais gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh nuair a bheidh earraí á n-iompar aige ar earraí iad nach mbeidh a n-iompar faoi réir aon srianadh nó teorainniú reachtúil faoin alt seo, bíodh nó ná bíodh pláta feithicle eisithe chuige i leith na feithicle ina mbeidh siad á n-iompar.
(2) (a) Gach duine a iompróidh marsantas contrártha don alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear—
(i) i gcás arb é an chéad chion aige é, fíneáil nach mó ná £250 a chur air, nó
(ii) i gcás arb é an dara cion nó cion dá éis sin aige é, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
(b) Ní bhainfidh alt 1 (1) den Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, leis an dara cion ná le cion dá éis sin faoin alt seo.
(c) Aisghairtear leis seo alt 28 den Acht Iompair, 1958.
(3) Deimhniú a airbheartóidh a bheith sínithe ag oifigeach don Aire agus gur deimhniú é nár shealbhaigh duine sonraithe, lá nó laethanta sonraithe nó ar feadh iomlán tréimhse sonraithe, ceadúnas marsantais á údarú dó gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh, is fianaise é, nó go gcruthófar a mhalairt, agus gan cruthúnas ar shíniú an duine a d'airbheartaigh an deimhniú a shíniú ná gurbh oifigeach don Aire é, ar na hábhair a airbheartaítear a bheith deimhnithe sa deimhniú agus leis an deimhniú.
(4) I gcás a gcruthófar gur iompair duine marsantas i modh iompair mharsantais de bhóthar measfar, chun críocha an ailt seo, nó go gcruthófar a mhalairt, gur iompair an duine sin an marsantas i gcúrsa gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a bhí á sheoladh aige.
(5) Ní bheidh feidhm ag na sriantachtaí ar iompar marsantais a fhorchuirtear leis an alt seo—
(a) i gcás an t iompar a dhéanamh i bhfeithicil nó i gcónasc feithiclí (lena n-áirítear leantóir nó leathleantóir) nach mó ná 2.5 tonna méadrach a meáchan neamhualaithe nó a bhfuil uasmheáchan ualaithe iomlán nach mó ná 6 thonna mhéadracha ceadaithe di,
(b) maidir le beithígh, caoirigh nó muca a iompar,
(c) sa tréimhse gach bliain dar tosach an lú lá de Lúnasa agus dar críoch an 30ú lá de Shamhain, maidir le cruithneacht, coirce nó eorna nua-bhainte a iompar ó fheirm go dtí ionad stórála, tiomsaithe nó próiseála.
(6) Chun críocha fho-alt (5) (a) den alt seo, measfar gurb ionann 2.5 tonna méadrach de mheáchan neamhualaithe agus 6 thonna mhéadracha d'uasmheáchan ualaithe iomlán ceadaithe.”.
Leasú ar alt 14 den Phríomh-Acht, agus forálacha iarmhartacha.
3.—(1) Déantar leis seo an t-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 14 den Phríomh-Acht, arna leasú le hAcht 1971:
“14.—(1) Gach ceadúnas marsantais a dheonófar de bhun iarratais—
(a) oibreoidh sé i slí go n údaróidh sé, agus déarfaidh sé go n-údaraíonn sé, don cheadúnaí faoin gceadúnas sin gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh i leith an mharsantais (nó an chineál marsantais) a bheidh sonraithe san iarratas sa limistéar nó sna limistéir a bheidh sonraithe san iarratas, le cibé uimhir feithiclí a bheidh sonraithe sa cheadúnas agus sin faoi réir an Achta seo agus rialachán faoi agus faoi réir aon choinníollacha a bheidh sonraithe sa cheadúnas;
(b) luafaidh sé stáisiún eisithe plátaí feithicle a mbeidh plátaí feithicle ar fáil ann lena n-eisiúint chuig an gceadúnaí, is é sin, an stáisiún a ndéarfar san iarratas gurb é an stáisiún é inar mhaith leis an gceadúnaí go mbeadh na plátaí feithicle ar fáil ann lena n-eisiúint chuige;
(c) más ceadúnas marsantais (iompróir láithreach) é, déarfaidh sé gur ceadúnas den sórt sin é.
(2) D'ainneoin aon ní san alt seo, oibreoidh gach ceadúnas marsantais (iompróir láithreach) chun a údarú, agus déarfaidh sé go n-údaraíonn sé, don cheadúnaí faoin gceadúnas gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh ar fud an Stáit i leith aon mharsantais nó i leith aon chineál marsantais.
(3) Faoi réir fho-ailt (4) agus (5) den alt seo agus, i gcás ceadúnais mharsantais (iompróir láithreach), faoi réir alt 8 den Acht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1978, is í an uimhir feithiclí a mbeidh teideal ag ceadúnaí faoi cheadúnas marsantais gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh leo—
(a) más ceadúnas marsantais (iompróir láithreach) an ceadúnas, an uimhir feithiclí a bhí sonraithe ar an gceadúnas an lú lá d'Eanáir, 1978, arna hiolrú ar shé;
(b) in aon chás eile, cibé uimhir feithiclí a shonróidh an tAire ó am go ham ar an gceadúnas agus ar den tuairisc iad a shonróidh sé amhlaidh.
(4) Ní mó ná 80 an uimhir feithiclí a bheidh aon cheadúnaí áirithe i dteideal a oibriú ag seoladh gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar (faoi cheadúnas amháin nó níos mó).
(5) A mhéid a bhaineann forálacha an ailt seo leis an uimhir feithiclí a fhéadfar a oibriú faoi cheadúnas marsantais, ní bhainfidh siad le ceadúnas marsantais arna eisiúint chun cuideachta údaraithe (iompar marsanstais).”.
(2) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith—
(i) tabharfaidh an tAire fógra do shealbhóir gach ceadúnais mharsantais (iompróir láithreach) faoin uimhir leasaithe feithiclí atá sé i dteideal a oibriú;
(ii) is leasú ar an gceadúnas iomchuí fógra faoin bhfo-alt seo;
(iii) déanfaidh an tAire sonraí gach ceadúnais mharsantais (iompróir láithreach) a leasú dá réir sin sa chlár de cheadúnais mharsantais a choimeádtar faoi alt 6 d'Acht 1971.
(3) Déanfaidh gach sealbhóir ceadúnais mharsantais (iompróir láithreach), a luaithe is féidir tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith. iarratas chun an Aire go ndéanfar an uimhir leasaithe a fhormhuiniú ar an gceadúnas agus géillfidh an tAire do gach iarratas den sórt sin a luaithe is féidir.
Leasú ar alt 8 d'Acht 1971.
4.—Déantar leis seo an t-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 8 d'Acht 1971:
“8.—(1) (a) D'ainneoin aon ní sa Phríomh-Acht nó in Acht 1935, féadfaidh an tAire ceadúnas (ar a dtabharfar, agus dá ngairtear san Acht seo, ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta) a dheonú maidir le feithicil do dhuine á údarú dó an fheithicil a úsáid chun críocha iompair mharsantais de bhóthar sa Stát, faoi réir aon choinníollacha is oiriúnach leis an Aire a fhorchur agus a shonróidh sé sa cheadúnas.
(b) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a cheadaíonn do dhuine feithicil, a bhfuil ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta deonaithe ina leith, a úsáid chun earraí a luchtaíodh isteach ar an bhfeithicil sin sa Stát a sheachadadh sa Stát.
(c) I gcás a gcomhlíonann feithicil ar eisíodh ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta ina leith na coinníollacha a shonraítear in alt 7 (1) d'Acht 1935 (arna leasú le halt 29 den Acht Iompair, 1958), údaróidh an ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta freisin don cheadúnaí an fheithicil a allmhairiú isteach sa Stát, agus bainfidh alt 7 (3) d'Acht 1935 le ceadúnas den sórt sin sa chás sin amhail is dá mba cheadúnas é faoi alt 7 d'Acht 1935.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, a dhearbhú go measfar gur ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta ceadúnas nó aicme ceadúnas (mar a bheidh sonraithe san ordú) arna eisiúint ag údarás inniúil Stáit eile, ag eagras idirnáisiúnta nó ag duine nó comhlacht ag gníomhú thar ceann eagrais den sórt sin de bhun comhaontú idirnáisiúnta i ndáil le hiompar idirnáisiúnta de bhóthar ar páirtí ann an Stát, nó de bhun comhaontú, comhshocraíocht nó rún i ndáil leis an gcineál sin iompair ar páirtí ann an tAire, agus aon ordú den sórt sin a rinneadh sular ritheadh an tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1978, leanfaidh sé i bhfeidhm agus measfar gur faoin alt seo a rinneadh é.
(b) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(3) Ní bhainfidh ailt 9 agus 34 den Phríomh-Acht (arna leasú nó arna leathnú) le duine a shealbhaíonn ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta nó ceadúnas a meastar le hordú faoin alt seo gur ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta é le linn don duine sin bheith ag gabháil d'iompar marsantais de bhóthar faoi réim agus de réir téarmaí an cheadúnais.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire dá rogha féin táille ina mbeidh cibé méid a chinnfidh sé a ghearradh i leith ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta nó ceadúnas a meastar le hordú faoin alt seo gur ceadúnas fartha bóthair srianta é, nó i leith ceadúnas nó aicme ceadúnas a d'eisigh an tAire nó an Roinn Turasóireachta agus Iompair de bhun comhaontú idirnáisiúnta i ndáil le hiompar idirnáisiúnta de bhóthar ar páirtí ann an Stát, nó de bhun comhaontú, comhshocraíocht nó rún i ndáil le hiompar den sórt sin ar páirtí ann an tAire.
(5) San alt seo ciallaíonn “Acht 1935” an tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1935.”.
Orduithe ón Aire i ndáil le comhaontuithe idirnáisiúnta, etc.
5.—(1) I gcás a gceanglaíonn comhaontú idirnáisiúnta i ndáil le hiompar idirnáisiúnta de bhóthar ar páirtí ann an Stát, nó comhaontú, comhshocraíocht nó rún i ndáil le hiompar den sórt sin ar páirtí ann an tAire, é, féadfaidh an tAire le hordú aon aicme shonraithe feithicle nó aon aicme iompair den sórt sin a dhíolmhú ó fhorálacha alt 7 den Acht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1932, ailt 9 agus 34 den Phríomh-Acht (arna leasú nó arna leathnú) agus ailt 6 agus 7 den Acht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1935 (arna leasú nó arna leathnú) nó ó aon cheann de na forálacha sin.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo a leasú nó a chúlgairm.
Tarlú de bhóthar a cheadúnú i limistéir nua.
6.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú lá a cheapadh, nach luaithe ná sé mhí tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith, mar dháta feidhme chun críocha an ailt seo, agus san alt seo ciallaíonn “an dáta feidhme” an lá a cheapfar amhlaidh.
(2) Scoirfidh alt 8 den Phríomh Acht d'éifeacht a bheith leis an dáta feidhme agus ón dáta sin amach.
(3) Gairfear limistéar nua de gach limistéar díobh seo a leanas—
(a) an limistéar laistigh de chiorcal dar ga fiche míle agus dar lárphointe an phríomh-phostoifig i gcathair Bhaile Átha Cliath;
(b) an limistéar laistigh de chiorcal dar ga fiche míle agus dar lárphointe an phríomh-phostoifig i gcathair Chorcaí;
(c) an limistéar laistigh de chiorcal dar ga cúig mhíle dhéag agus dar lárphointe an phríomh-phostoifig i gcathair Luimnigh;
(d) an limistéar laistigh de chiorcal dar ga cúig mhíle dhéag agus dar lárphointe an phríomh-phostoifig i gcathair Phort Láirge;
(e) an limistéar laistigh de chiorcal dar ga cúig mhíle dhéag agus dar lárphointe an phríomh-phostoifig i mbuirg na Gaillimhe.
(4) I gcás a ndéanfaidh duine, tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith, iarratas de réir forálacha fho-alt (5) den alt seo ar cheadúnas marsantais a údaróidh don cheadúnaí gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar a sheoladh i limistéar nua le feithiclí seachas feithiclí lena mbaineann alt 9 (5) (a) den Phríomh-Acht agus go sealbhaíonn an duine deimhniú fartha bóthair faoi Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iompar Marsantais de Bhóthar), 1977 (I.R. Uimh. 386 de 1977), deonóidh an tAire an ceadúnas d'ainneoin aon ní sa Phríomh-Acht agus tosóidh ceadúnas a dheonófar amhlaidh d'fheidhm a bheith aige ar an dáta feidhme nó ar an dáta a dheonófar é (cibé acu is déanaí) agus gairfear ceadúnas marsantais (limistéar nua) de.
(5) (a) Is i cibé foirm a ordóidh an tAire a bheidh gach iarratas ar cheadúnas marsantais (limistéar nua);
(b) bainfidh ailt 11 (4) go 11 (6) den Phríomh Acht le hiarratas den sórt sin.
(6) Leasaítear leis seo alt 36 den Phríomh Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (1):
“(1) Ní dleathach, an lá ceaptha ná dá éis, d'aon duine comhaontú a dhéanamh chun duine ar bith eile d'iompar marsantais ar luaíocht i bhfeithicil inneallghluaiste mura ceadúnaí faoi cheadúnas marsantais an duine eile sin nó go mbeidh an t-iompar sin díolmhaithe ó fhorálacha alt 9 den Acht seo (arna leasú nó arna leathnú).”.
Forálacha a bhaineann le plátaí feithicle.
7.—(1) Deimhniú a airbheartaíonn a bheith arna shíniú ag Ard-Cheannfort den Gharda Síochána nó ag Ceannfort ag gníomhú thar a cheann á rá:—
(a) gur eisíodh pláta feithicle ar dháta sonraithe ó stáisiún eisiúna plátaí feithicle sonraithe chun duine sonraithe i leith feithicle sonraithe, nó
(b) nach raibh pláta feithicle arna eisiúint ar dháta sonraithe ná le linn tréimhse sonraithe chun duine shonraithe ó stáisiún eisiúna plátaí feithicle sonraithe i leith feithicle sonraithe ná ar dhóigh ar bith eile.
glacfar leis, gan cruthúnas ar shíniú an duine a airbheartaíonn an deimhniú a bheith sínithe aige nó gurbh Ard-Cheannfort nó Ceannfort den sórt sin é, i bhfianaise in aon imeachtaí dlí faoin bPríomh-Acht agus, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, glacfar leis mar fhianaise ar na fíorais a bheidh luaite sa deimhniú.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 30 den Phríomh Acht tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (7):
“(7) Gach pláta feithicle a eiseofar faoin alt seo is de cibé ábhar a bheidh forordaithe ag an Aire a bheidh sé déanta agus beidh sé de réir an phátrúin fhorordaithe agus beidh na marcanna forordaithe air.”
Foráil idirlinne i ndáil le ceadúnais mharsantais (iompróir láithreach).
8.—(1) Duine a shealbhaíonn breis agus ceadúnas marsantais (iompróir láithreach) amháin agus atá údaraithe faoi alt 14 (3) den Phríomh-Acht, arna leasú leis an Acht seo, breis agus sé fheithicil a oibriú faoi aon cheann de na ceadúnais, féadfaidh sé a iarraidh ar an Aire líon iomlán na bhfeithiclí a bheidh údaraithe amhlaidh a athdháileadh ar na ceadúnais a bheidh á sealbhú amhlaidh ar dhóigh a bheidh sonraithe san iarratas agus géillfidh an tAire d'iarratas den sórt sin ach ní dhéanfaidh sé athdháileadh den sórt sin dá mba lú ná sé an líon feithiclí a bheadh údaraithe faoi aon cheann de na ceadúnais tar éis an athdháilte.
(2) Ní fhéadfar iarratas faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo a dhéanamh ach uair amháin maidir le ceadúnas marsantais (iompróir láithreach) ar bith.
(3) Scoirfidh an t-alt seo d'éifeacht a bheith leis ar bhliain dar tosach dáta an Achta seo a rith a bheith caite.
Modhnú ar an Acht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1956.
9.—I gcás feithicil inneallghluaiste a fhruiliú (seachas faoi chomhaontú fruilcheannaigh de réir brí na nAchtanna Fruilcheannaigh, 1946 agus 1960) agus go n-úsáidfear í le linn tréimhse an fhruilithe chun marsantas a iompar nó chun feithicil agus marsantas inti a tharraingt, measfar, d'ainneoin alt 2 den Acht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1956, nach bhfuil gnó iompair mharsantais de bhóthar á sheoladh ag fruilitheoir na feithicle ná nach bhfuil marsantas á iompar aige i gcúrsa an ghnó sin más rud é—
(a) nach iompar ar luaíocht faoi alt 112 den Acht Iompair, 1944, an t-iompar, agus
(b) go mbeidh an fheithicil fruilithe faoi chomhaontú le duine a shealbhaíonn ceadúnas marsantais agus go mbeidh ceanglais a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire sa chomhaontú.
Caiteachais.
10.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal agus forléiriú.
11.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóithre, 1978, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Forléireofar an Príomh-Acht agus an tAcht seo le chéile mar aon Acht amháin.
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 | 1907, c. 17. |
An tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóitre, 1933 | |
An tAcht um Iompar ar Bhóitre, 1935 | |
Na hAchtanna Fruilcheannaigh, 1946 agus 1960 | |
Number 8 of 1978
ROAD TRANSPORT ACT, 1978
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Number 8 of 1978
ROAD TRANSPORT ACT, 1978
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“the Act of 1971” means the Road Transport Act, 1971;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Tourism and Transport;
“the Principal Act” means the Road Transport Act, 1933.
Amendment of section 9 of Principal Act.
2.—The following section is hereby substituted for section 9 of the Principal Act, as amended by the Road Transport Act, 1934, and the Act of 1971:
“9.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection and to subsection (5) of this section, it shall not be lawful on or after the appointed day for any person in the course of a merchandise road transport business carried on by him to carry merchandise in any area in the State unless the person is the holder of a licence (in this Act referred to as a merchandise licence) granted under this Act authorising him to carry on a merchandise road transport business in that area and the business is carried on under and in accordance with the licence.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection and section 124 of the Transport Act, 1944, the holder of a merchandise licence may carry on a merchandise road transport business when carrying commodities the carriage of which is not subject to any statutory restriction or limitation under this section, whether or not a vehicle plate is on issue to him in respect of the vehicle in which they are carried.
(2) (a) Every person who carries merchandise in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction—
(i) in the case of a first offence, to a fine not exceeding £250, or
(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding £500.
(b) Section 1 (1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, shall not apply to a second or subsequent offence under this section.
(c) Section 28 of the Transport Act, 1958, is hereby repealed.
(3) A certificate purporting to be signed by an officer of the Minister and to certify that on a specified day or days or during the whole of a specified period a specified person was not the holder of a merchandise licence authorising him to carry on a merchandise road transport business shall, without proof of the signature of the person purporting to sign the certificate or that he was an officer of the Minister, be evidence until the contrary is proved of the matters purported to be certified in and by the certificate.
(4) Where a person is proved to have carried merchandise by way of merchandise road transport, the person shall for the purposes of this section be deemed until the contrary is proved to have so carried the merchandise in the course of a merchandise road transport business carried on by him.
(5) The restrictions on the carriage of merchandise imposed by this section shall not apply—
(a) where the carriage is in a vehicle or a combination of vehicles (including a trailer or a semi-trailer) which does not exceed 2.5 metric tons unladen weight or which has a permissible maximum total laden weight of not more than 6 metric tons,
(b) to the carriage of cattle, sheep or pigs,
(c) in the period in each year beginning on the 1st day of August and ending on the 30th day of November, to the carriage of newly harvested wheat, oats or barley from a farm to a place of storage, assembly or processing.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) (a) of this section, 2.5 metric tons unladen weight shall be deemed to be equivalent to 6 metric tons permissible maximum total laden weight.”.
Amendment of section 14 of Principal Act, and consequential provisions.
3.—(1) The following section is hereby substituted for section 14 of the Principal Act, as amended by the Act of 1971:
“14.—(1) Every merchandise licence granted in pursuance of an application shall—
(a) operate and be expressed to authorise the licensee under such licence to carry on a merchandise road transport business in respect of the merchandise (or type of merchandise) specified in the application in the area or areas specified in the application, with such number of vehicles as may be specified in the licence and subject to this Act and regulations made thereunder and to any conditions specified in the licence;
(b) state the vehicle plate issuing station at which vehicle plates will be available for issue to the licensee, being the station stated in the application as the station at which the licensee desired that vehicle plates should be available for issue to him;
(c) if it is a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence, be expressed to be such a licence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in this section, every merchandise (existing carrier's) licence shall operate and be expressed to authorise the licensee under the licence to carry on a merchandise road transport business throughout the State in respect of any merchandise or type of merchandise.
(3) The number of vehicles with which a licensee under a merchandise licence shall be entitled to carry on a merchandise road transport business shall, subject to subsections (4) and (5) of this section and, in the case of a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence, to section 8 of the Road Transport Act, 1978, be—
(a) if the licence is a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence, the number of vehicles specified on the licence on the 1st day of January, 1978, multiplied by six;
(b) in any other case, such number of vehicles as the Minister may from time to time specify on the licence and as are of such description as he may so specify.
(4) The number of vehicles which any one licensee shall be entitled to operate in carrying on a merchandise road transport business (whether under one licence or more than one licence) shall not exceed 80.
(5) Insofar as they relate to the number of vehicles which may be operated under a merchandise licence, the provisions of this section shall not apply to a merchandise licence issued to an authorised (merchandise carrying) company.”.
(2) As soon as practicable after the passing of this Act—
(i) the Minister shall notify the holder of each merchandise (existing carrier's) licence of the amended number of vehicles he is entitled to operate;
(ii) a notification under this subsection shall constitute an amendment of the relevant licence;
(iii) the Minister shall correspondingly amend the particulars of each merchandise (existing carrier's) licence in the register of merchandise licences kept under section 6 of the Act of 1971.
(3) Every holder of a merchandise (existing carrier's) licence shall, as soon as practicable after the passing of this Act, apply to the Minister to have the amended number endorsed on the licence and the Minister shall accede to every such application as soon as practicable.
Amendment of section 8 of Act of 1971.
4.—The following section is hereby substituted for section 8 of the Act of 1971:
“8.—(1) (a) Notwithstanding anything in the Principal Act or the Act of 1935, the Minister may grant in respect of a vehicle a licence (which shall be known, and is in this Act referred to, as a restricted road freight licence) to a person authorising him to use the vehicle for the purposes of merchandise road transport in the State, subject to any conditions which the Minister may see fit to impose and specifies in the licence.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting a person to use a vehicle, in respect of which a restricted road freight licence has been granted, for the purpose of the delivery in the State of goods which have been loaded on to that vehicle in the State.
(c) Where a vehicle in respect of which a restricted road freight licence has been issued complies with the conditions specified in section 7 (1) of the Act of 1935 (as amended by section 29 of the Transport Act, 1958), the restricted road freight licence shall also authorise the licensee to import the vehicle into the State, and section 7 (3) of the Act of 1935 shall apply to such a licence in such case as if it were a licence under section 7 of the Act of 1935.
(2) (a) The Minister may by order declare that a licence or class of licence (as specified in the order) issued by the competent authority of another State, an international organisation or a person or body acting on behalf of such an organisation in pursuance of an international agreement relating to international transport by road to which the State is a party, or an agreement, arrangement or resolution relating to such transport to which the Minister is a party, shall be deemed to be a restricted road freight licence, and any such order made before the passing of the Road Transport Act, 1978, shall continue in force and be deemed to have been made under this section.
(b) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under this section.
(3) Sections 9 and 34 of the Principal Act (as amended or extended) shall not apply to a person who is the holder of a restricted road freight licence or a licence deemed by order under this section to be a restricted road freight licence when that person is engaged in merchandise road transport under and in accordance with the terms of the licence.
(4) The Minister may at his discretion charge a fee of such amount as he may determine in respect of a restricted road freight licence or a licence deemed by order under this section to be a restricted road freight licence, or a licence or class of licence issued by the Minister or by the Department of Tourism and Transport in pursuance of an international agreement relating to international transport by road to which the State is a party, or an agreement, arrangement or resolution relating to such transport to which the Minister is a party.
(5) In this section ‘the Act of 1935’ means the Road Transport Act, 1935.”.
Orders by Minister relating to international agreements, etc.
5.—(1) Where an international agreement relating to international transport by road to which the State is a party, or an agreement, arrangement or resolution relating to such transport to which the Minister is a party so requires, the Minister may by order exempt from the provisions of section 7 of the Road Transport Act, 1932, sections 9 and 34 of the Principal Act (as amended or extended) and sections 6 and 7 of the Road Transport Act, 1935 (as amended or extended) or from any of those provisions any specified class of vehicle or any specified class of such transport.
(2) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under this section.
Licensing of road haulage in new areas.
6.—(1) The Minister may by order appoint a day, not less than six months after the passing of this Act, to be the operative date for the purposes of this section, and in this section “the operative date” means the day so appointed.
(2) On and from the operative date section 8 of the Principal Act shall cease to have effect.
(3) Each of the following areas shall be known as a new area—
(a) the area included within a circle having a radius of twenty miles and its centre at the principal post office in the city of Dublin;
(b) the area included within a circle having a radius of twenty miles and its centre at the principal post office in the city of Cork;
(c) the area included within a circle having a radius of fifteen miles and its centre at the principal post office in the city of Limerick;
(d) the area included within a circle having a radius of fifteen miles and its centre at the principal post office in the city of Waterford;
(e) the area included within a circle having a radius of fifteen miles and its centre at the principal post office in the borough of Galway.
(4) Where after the passing of this Act a person applies in accordance with the provisions of subsection (5) of this section for a merchandise licence authorising the licensee to carry on a merchandise road transport business in a new area with vehicles other than vehicles to which section 9 (5) (a) of the Principal Act applies and the person is the holder of a road freight certificate under the European Communities (Merchandise Road Transport) Regulations, 1977 (S.I. No. 386 of 1977), the Minister shall, notwithstanding anything in the Principal Act, grant the licence and a licence so granted shall commence on the operative date or the date on which it is granted (whichever is the later) and shall be known as a merchandise (new area) licence.
(5) (a) Every application for a merchandise (new area) licence shall be in such form as the Minister may direct;
(b) sections 11 (4) to 11 (6) of the Principal Act shall apply to such an application.
(6) Section 36 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (1):
“(1) On and after the appointed day it shall not be lawful for any person to enter into an agreement for the carriage for reward of merchandise in a mechanically propelled vehicle by any other person unless such other person is a licensee under a merchandise licence or such carriage is exempted from the provisions of section 9 of this Act (as amended or extended).”.
Provisions relating to vehicle plates.
7.—(1) A certificate purporting to be signed by a Chief Superintendent of the Garda Síochána or by a Superintendent acting on his behalf stating:—
(a) that a vehicle plate was issued on a specified date from a specified vehicle plate issuing station to a specified person in respect of a specified vehicle, or
(b) that on a specified date or during a specified period a vehicle plate was not on issue to a specified person from a specified vehicle plate issuing station either in respect of a specified vehicle or otherwise,
shall, without proof of the signature of the person purporting to sign the certificate or that he was a Chief Superintendent or such a Superintendent, be received in evidence in any legal proceedings under the Principal Act and shall, until the contrary is proved, be accepted as evidence of the facts stated in the certificate.
(2) Section 30 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (7):
“(7) Every vehicle plate issued under this section shall be made of such material as the Minister may prescribe and be of the prescribed pattern and bear the prescribed marks thereon.”.
Transitional provision relating to merchandise (existing carrier's) licences.
8.—(1) A person who is the holder of more than one merchandise (existing carrier's) licence and who is authorised under section 14 (3) of the Principal Act, as amended by this Act, to operate more than six vehicles under any of the licences may apply to the Minister for a re-distribution of the total number of vehicles so authorised among the licences so held in a manner specified in the application and the Minister shall accede to such an application but shall not so effect such a re-distribution if the number of vehicles authorised under any of the licences would after the re-distribution be less than six.
(2) An application under subsection (1) of this section may be made once only in respect of any merchandise (existing carrier's) licence.
(3) This section shall cease to have effect at the expiration of one year beginning at the passing of this Act.
Modification of Road Transport Act, 1956.
9.—Where a mechanically propelled vehicle is hired (except under a hire-purchase agreement within the meaning of the Hire-Purchase Acts, 1946 and 1960) and, during the period of hiring, is used for the carriage of or for drawing a vehicle containing merchandise, the hirer of the vehicle shall, notwithstanding section 2 of the Road Transport Act, 1956, be deemed not to be carrying on a merchandise road transport business or to be carrying merchandise in the course of that business if—
(a) the carriage is not carriage for reward under section 112 of the Transport Act, 1944, and
(b) the vehicle is hired under an agreement with the holder of a merchandise licence and the agreement contains requirements approved by the Minister.
Expenses.
10.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title and construction.
11.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Road Transport Act, 1978.
(2) The Principal Act and this Act shall be construed together as one Act.
Acts Referred to | |
Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 | 1907, c. 17. |
1932, No. 2. | |
1933, No. 8. | |
1934, No. 17. | |
1935, No. 23. | |
1944, No. 21. | |
Hire-Purchase Acts, 1946 and 1960 | |
1956, No. 13. | |
1958, No. 19. | |
1971, No. 8. | |