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Uimhir 13 de 1941.
ACHT UM CHUIDEACHTAIN LORGTHA AGUS FORBARTHA MIANRAÍ, 1941.
[An tionntódh oifigeamhail.]
CUID I.
Roimhraiteach.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Chuideachtain Lorgtha agus Forbartha Mianraí, 1941 do ghairm den Acht so.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála;
cialluíonn an abairt “Acht 1940” an tAcht Forbairte Minerál, 1940 (Uimh. 31 de 1940);
cialluíonn an abairt “na hAchtanna Cuideachtan” na hAchtanna Cuideachtan, 1908 go 1924;
cialluíonn an abairt “an Bord Mianadóireachta” an bord do bunuíodh fén ainm sin le hAcht 1940;
tá leis an bhfocal “mianraí” an bhrí chéanna atá leis in Acht 1940, ach amháin ná foluíonn sé gual;
nuair a húsáidtear an focal “oibriú” maidir le mianraí, foluíonn sé na mianraí gur ina dtaobh a húsáidtear an focal san do thochailt, do chuardach, do bhaint, do ghabháil, d'árdú, do thógaint, do bhreith chun siúil, do chóireáil agus d'atharú agus léireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
cialluíonn an abairt “sean-ghnó mianadóireachta” aon ghnó atá, le linn an Achta so do rith, ina bheo-ghnóthas dar cúram, go furmhór no ar fad, mianraí d'oibriú agus na mianraí do gheibhtear de dhruim an oibrithe sin do dhéanamh incheannaigh agus do chur de láimh;
tá leis an abairt “mianraí Stáit” an bhrí chéanna atá léi in Acht 1940;
cialluíonn an abairt “ceadúnas lorgaireachta” ceadúnas lorgaireachta do réir bhrí Achta 1940;
cialluíonn an abairt “léas mianadóireachta Stáit” léas mianadóireachta Stáit do réir bhrí Achta 1940.
Costaisí.
3.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, is amach as airgead ar n-a sholáthar ag an Oireachtas a híocfar na costaisí fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun an Achta so do riaradh.
CUID II.
An Comhlucht Lorgtha agus Forbartha Mianrai, Teoranta.
An Chuideachta do bhunú agus do chlárú.
4.—Déanfaidh an tAire, chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an Achta so do rith agus tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais, gach ní a chífear dó is gá no is inmhianuithe chun a thabhairt go ndéanfar cuideachta theoranta (dá ngairmtear “an Chuideachta” san Acht so) a bheidh do réir na gcoinníoll atá leagtha amach san Acht so do bhunú agus do chlárú fé sna hAchtanna Cuideachtan.
Ainm agus caipital na Cuideachtan.
5.—(1) Isé ainm a bheidh ar an gCuideachtain ná “Comhlucht Lorgtha agus Forbartha Mianraí, Teoranta”.
(2) Isé scair-chaipital a bheidh ag an gCuideachtain ná céad punt ar n-a roinnt ina chéad seair lán-íoctha de phunt an scair agus, d'ainneoin éinní atá sna hAchtanna Cuideachtan, ní dleathach don Chuideachtain an caipital san do mhéadú ná do laghdú.
(3) Déanfar aon scair amháin de scair-chaipital na Cuideachtan do dháiliú agus do thabhairt amach do gach duine fé leith de shuibscríobhaithe Memorandum Chomlachais na Cuideachtan agus déanfar an chuid eile den scair-chaipital san do dháiliú agus do thabhairt amach don Aire Airgeadais.
(4) An t-airgead is iníoctha ag suibscríobhaithe Memorandum Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan agus ag an Aire Airgeadais fé seach, i gcomaoin scaireanna de scair-chaipital na Cuideachtan do dháiliú agus do thabhairt amach dóibh de bhun an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, íocfar é as an bPrímh-Chiste, no as toradh fáis an Phrímh-Chiste, agus beidh sé ina mhuirear ar an gcéanna.
Memorandum Comhlachais na Cuideachtan.
6.—(1) Is sa bhfuirm sin, ar comhardadh leis an Acht so, a cheadóidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais, a bheidh Memorandum Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan.
(2) Déanfar cuspóirí na Cuideachtan do chur síos sa Mhemorandum Chomhlachais i slí gur léir gurb iad prímh-fheidhmeanna na Cuideachtan ná—
(a) mianraí, pé áit sa Stát ina bhfuilid no ina meastar iad do bheith, do lorg agus chuige sin na ceadúnaisí lorgaireachta san fé Acht 1940, is ceart dar leis an gCuideachtain agus a dheonfaidh an tAire fén Acht san, d'iarraidh ar an Aire agus do ghlacadh uaidh agus na comhachta do bhéarfar leis na ceadúnaisí sin d'fheidhmiú, agus
(b) aon mhianraí d'fhorbairt agus d'oibriú a mheasfaidh an Chuideachta, de thoradh a lorgaireachta no eile, gur mhaith an rud iad d'oibriú, agus chun na críche sin na léasanna agus na ceadúnaisí sin fé Acht 1940, is ceart dar leis an gCuideachtain agus a dheonfaidh an tAire fén Acht san, d'iarraidh ar an Aire agus do ghlacadh uaidh agus, fós, có-aontuithe do dhéanamh, chun na críche céanna agus tar éis toiliú an Aire d'fháil, le daoine príobháideacha chun aon ghnó mianadóreachta do thógaint no chun talamh ina bhfuil mianraí do cheannach no chun mianraí do thógaint i bhfuirm léasa no cheadúnais, agus
(c) aon tsean-ghnó mianadóireachta a bheidh tógtha ag an Aire fén Acht so do thógaint ón Aire do réir an Achta so agus é do choimeád ar siúl agus d'fhorbairt, agus
(d) na mianraí oibreoidh an Chuideachta i bhfeidhmiú aon cheann de sna comhachta ar n-a thabhairt dóibh leis an Acht so no fé do dhéanamh ionmhargaidh agus do dhíol no do chur de láimh ar shlí eile.
(3) Na cuspóirí agus na comhachta san uile (ná beidh buiniscionn leis an Acht so) a bheidh riachtanach do réir réasúin no ceart chun na geuspóirí dá ngairmtear prímh-fheidhmeanna na Cuideachtan sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do chólíonadh go cuibhe no bhainfidh no gheobhaidh le n-a gcólíonadh go cuibhe, is dleathach iad do chur isteach mar chuid de chuspóirí na Cuideachtan mar a luadhfar iad sa Mhemorandum Chomhlachais.
(4) Ní bheidh ar chuspóirí na Cuideachtan, mar a luadhfar iad sa Mhemorandum Chomhlachais, aon chuspóir ná ceangailtear no ná húdaruítear leis na forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so do luadh amhlaidh.
Airteagail Chomlachais na Cuideachtan.
7.—(1) Is sa bhfuirm sin, ná beidh buiniscionn leis an Acht so, a cheadóidh an tAire tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais a bheidh Airteagail Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le hAirteagail Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ceapfar leis na hAirteagail sin an uimhir stiúrthóirí bheidh ar an gCuideachtain, ach ní mó ná seacht, agus an cathaoirleach agus an stiúrthóir bainistighe d'áireamh, an uimhir a ceapfar amhlaidh;
(b) forálfar leis na hAirteagail sin gurb é is cáilíocht is gá chun duine bheith ina stiúrthóir don Chuideachtain scair amháin ar a laighead sa Chuideachtain do bheith aige;
(c) forálfar leis na hAirteagail sin gurb é dhéanfaidh i gcomhnaidhe an cathaoirleach agus an stiúrthóir bainistighe agus gach stiúrthóir eile do cheapadh ná an tAire Airgeadais agus gur tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Talmhaidheachta a dhéanfaidh san;
(d) ní déanfar aon chomhacht chun caipital na Cuideachtan do mhéadú no do laigheadú, ná aon chomhacht chun bintiúirí do thabhairt amach, do thabhairt don Chuideachtain leis na hAirteagail sin.
Memorandum Comhlachais agus Airteagail Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan d'atharú.
8.—D'ainneoin éinní atá sna hAchtanna Cuideachtan, ní bheidh aon atharú déanfar ar Mhemorandum Chomhlachais no ar Airteagail Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan bailidhe ná éifeachtach mara mbeidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais agus leis an Aire Talmhaidheachta i dtaobh an atharuithe sin do dhéanamh agus a cheadú go ndéanfaí é.
Iasacht do thabhairt don Chuideachtain chun costaisí a mbunuithe d'íoc.
9.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire suim nach mó ná dhá chéad agus caoga punt do thabhairt ar iasacht, amach as airgead ar n-a sholáthar ag an Oireachtas, don Chuideachtain ar na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha san, maidir le ham agus slí aisíoca agus le ráta úis, agus le hurrús agus le nithe ar bith eile, is ceart dar leis.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chuideachta airgead do bhéarfar ar iasacht don Chuideachtain fén alt so d'úsáid chun no mar chabhair chun íoctha na gcostas a bhainfidh le n-a thabhairt go mbunófar an Chuideachta agus le n-a bunú agus le n-a clárú maraon le réamh-chostaisí eile na Cuideachtan agus chuige sin amháin.
(3) Na suimeanna uile íocfaidh an Chuideachta leis an Aire chun no mar chabhair chun airgead a bheidh tugtha ar iasacht don Chuideachtain fén alt so d'aisíoc no chun an úis ar an airgead san d'íoc, déanfar é íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no é chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste sa tslí sin ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
(4) Na forálacha ina dhiaidh seo den Acht so i dtaobh airgead do roimh-íoc leis an gCuideachtain agus an t-airgead san d'aisíoc, agus i dtaobh an úis air, ní bhainfid le hairgead do bhéarfar ar iasacht don Chuideachtain fén alt so.
An tAire do thabhairt roimhíocanna don Chuideachtain.
10.—(1) Is dleathach don Aire na suimeanna san (nach mó san iomlán ná caoga míle punt) a theastóidh ón gCuideachtain chun crícheanna a ngnótha, no chun íoctha an phraghais no an chúitimh is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain alos sean-ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint fé Chuid III den Acht so, do roimh-íoc leis an gCuideachtain o am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, amach as airgead ar n-a sholáthar ag an Oireachtas.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chuideachta (lasmuich de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so) suimeanna roimh-íocfaidh an tAire leo fén alt so d'aisíoc do réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den Acht so.
Us d'íoc ar roimhíocanna do bhéarfar don Chuideachtain.
11.—(1) Gach suim a roimh-íocfar leis an gCuideachtain fén Acht so, íocfaidh an Chuideachta ús uirthi leis an Aire o dháta roimh-íoctha na suime sin go dtí go mbeidh sí aisíoctha do réir an ráta san a cheapfaidh an tAire Airgeadais o am go ham alos na suime sin, agus is ina íocaíochtaí leath-bhliantúla, agus ar na laetheanta san i ngach bliain a cheapfaidh an tAire Airgeadais o am go ham, a híocfar an t-ús san amhlaidh.
(2) Is dleathach don Aire tráth ar bith, ach toiliú an Aire Airgeadais do bheith aige chuige sin, déanamh in éamais aon íocaíochta leath-bhliantúla áirithe úis is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain fén alt so no a híoc do chur siar go ceann na haimsire sin is ceart dar leis.
(3) I gcás an Chuideachta d'fhágaint aon íocaíochta leathbhliantúla úis áirithe is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain fén alt so gan íoc (agus nach de bhuadh an Aire do dhéanamh in éamais íocaíochta fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so thárlóidh san) déanfaidh an Chuideachta (pé aca cur siar fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo ba thrúig leis an bhfágaint-gan-íoc san no nach eadh) ús d'íoc leis an Aire, do réir an ráta cheapfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, ar an íocaíocht leath-bhliantúil úis sin go dtí go mbeidh an tsuim íoctha.
(4) An t-ús uile íocfaidh an Chuideachta leis an Aire fén alt so, déanfar é íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no é chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste sa tslí sin ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Roimh-íocanna do bhéarfar don Chuideachtain d'aisíoc.
12.—(1) Na suimeanna uile roimh-íocfar leis an gCuideachtain fén Acht so, aisíocfaidh an Chuideachta leis an Aire iad ina dtráthchoda leath-bliantúla ina mbeidh na méideanna san agus a thosnóidh ar bheith iníoctha ar an dáta san agus a leanfidh de bheith iníoctha ar feadh na huimhreach san blian agus a híocfar na trátha san a cheapfaidh an tAire Airgeadais tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, agus féadfar méideanna, dátaí, uimhreacha, agus trátha deifriúla den tsórt san do cheapadh amhlaidh maidir le suimeanna deifriúla roimh-íocfar amhlaidh.
(2) Na tráthchoda leath-bhliantúla uile agus fé seach is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain leis an Aire fén alt so alos aon tsuime áirithe roimh-íocfar leis an gCuideachtain fén Acht so, úsáidfear iad ar nós ciste fhiach-laigheaduithe chun na suime sin d'aisíoc.
(3) Is dleathach don Aire tráth ar bith, ach toiliú an Aire Airgeadais do bheith aige chuige sin, déanamh in éamais íoca aon tráthchoda leath-bhliantúla áirithe is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain fén alt so no a híoc do chur siar go ceann na haimsire sin is ceart dar leis.
(4) I gcás an Chuideachta d'fhágaint aon tráthchoda leathbhliantúla áirithe is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain fén alt so gan íoc (agus nach de bhuadh an Aire do dhéanamh in éamais íocaíochta fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so thárlóidh san) déanfaidh an Chuideachta (pé aca cur siar fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo ba thrúig leis an bhfágaint-gan-íoc san no nach eadh) ús d'íoc leis an Aire, do réir an ráta cheapfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, ar an tráthchuid leath-bhliantúil sin go dtí go mbeidh an céanna íoctha.
(5) Gach tráthchuid leath-bliantúil agus an t-ús uile (más ann dó) íocfaidh an Chuideachta leis an Aire fén alt so, déanfar é íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no é chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste sa tslí sin ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Comhacht don Aire chun a cheangal ar an gCuideachtain lorgaireacht do dhéanamh.
13.—(1) Is dleathach don Aire a cheangal ar an gCuideachtain, aon tráth no trátha, a iarraidh ar an Aire ceadúnas lorgaireachta do dheonadh dhóibh fé Acht 1940 alos aon tailimh áirithe agus, ar fháil an cheadúnais lorgaireachta san dóibh, lorgaireacht agus scrúdú do dhéanamh ar an talamh san d'fhonn a fháil amach cadé an saghas agus cadé an méid mianraí atá sa talamh san agus ar mhaith an rud na mianraí sin d'oibriú.
(2) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar an gCuideachtain ceanglas ar bith, a dhéanfaidh an tAire fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, do chólíonadh.
(3) Is dleathach don Aire, ach toiliú an Aire Airgeadais do bheith aige chuige sin, íoc do dhéanamh leis an gCuideachtain o am go ham, amach as airgead ar n-a sholáthar ag an Oireachtas, sna suimeanna san is ceart dar leis an Aire d'íoc leo chun go bhféadfaidís ceanglais, a dhéanfaidh an tAire fén alt so, do chólíonadh.
(4) Ní íocfaidh an tAire níos mó ná trí mhíle punt leis an gCuideachtain fén alt so in aon bhliain airgeadais áirithe agus is chun íoc na gcostas fé n-a raghaid, de dhruim ceanglas a dhéanfaidh an tAire fén alt so do chólíonadh, agus chuige sin amháin, a chaithfidh an Chuideachta na suimeanna uile a híocfar leo amhlaidh.
Comhachta bheidh ag an Aire Airgeadais mar scaireánach.
14.—Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, maidir leis na scaireanna de chuid na Cuideachtan a bheidh ar seilbh aige de thurus na huaire, feidhmiú do dhéanamh ar gach ceann no aon cheann no cinn de sna cirt agus na comhachta is infheidhmithe o am go ham ag sealbhóir na scaireanna san agus, i gcás na cirt no na comhachta san do bheith infheidhmithe tré atúrnae, féadfaidh an tAire sin na cirt no na comhachta san d'fheidhmiú tré n-a atúrnae más ceart san dar leis.
E d oblagaid scaireanna do shealbhú ar iontaobhas don Aire Airgeadais.
15.—(1) Is ar iontaobhas don Aire Airgeadais a shealbhóidh gach ball den Chuideachtain (agus suibscríobhaithe Memorandum Chomhlachais na Cuideachtan d'áireamh ach gan an tAire Airgeadais d'áireamh) a chuid scaireanna sa Chuideachtain agus dá réir sin beidh sé de cheangal ar gach ball den tsórt san gach díbhinn agus bonus agus airgead eile do gheobhaidh ar na scaireanna san no dá mbárr d'íoc leis an Aire Airgeadais chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste agus fós gach ceann no aon cheann no cinn de sna scaireanna san d'aistriú, fé mar agus nuair a cheanglóidh an tAire sin air san do dhéanamh, chun an Aire no chun duine ainmneoidh an tAire sin chuige sin.
(2) Chun na bhforálacha san de sna hAchtanna Cuideachtan gur gá dá réir seacht mbaill ar a laighead do bheith sa Chuideachtain i gcomhnaidhe do chólíonadh no i dtreo go mbeidh ag duine ceapfar no bheidh le ceapadh chun bheith ina stiúrthóir don Chuideachtain na cáilíochta is gá, is dleathach don Aire Airgeadais éinní no an dá ní aca so leanas do dhéanamh o am go ham fé mar is gá, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ceann no cinn de sna scaireann sa Chuideachtain a bheidh ag an Aire sin de thurus na huaire d'aistriú (fé réir an tsriain a forchuirtear leis an gcéad fho-alt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so) chun duine ar bith;
(b) a cheangal ar aon bhall áirithe den Chuideachtain gach ceann no aon ceann no cinn de sna scaireanna sa Chuideachtain a bheidh aige d'aistriú chun an Aire sin no chun duine ar bith eile.
(3) Lasmuich de chás dá n-údaruítear a mhalairt leis an bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, ní aistreoidh an tAire Airgeadais ná ní leigfidh uaidh ar shlí eile aon scair no scaireanna sa Chuideachtain a bheidh aige de thurus na huaire ná ní dhéanfaidh na comhachta do bheirtear dó leis an bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo d'fheidhmiú i slí gur lugha ná aon agus caoga tráth ar bith an uimhir scaireanna sa Chuideachtain a bheidh aige.
Díbhinní, etc., d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste.
16.—Gach díbhinn agus bonus agus airgead eile do gheobhaidh an tAire Airgeadais, alos scaireanna de chuid na Cuideachtan a bheidh aige no ar iontaobhas dó, déanfar é íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no é chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste sa tslí sin ordóidh an tAire sin.
E d'oblagáid cuntaisí cothromaíochta, etc., do thabhairt don Aire.
17.—(1) Bhéarfaidh an Chuideachta don Aire, fé cheann nócha lá tar éis deireadh gach bliana cuntasaíochta fé leith, cuntas cothromaíochta don bhliain chuntasaíochta san agus an cuntas san iniúchta go cuibhe ag iniúchóir na Cuideachtan agus fós cuntas sochair agus dochair don bhliain chuntasaíochta chéanna agus é iniúchta amhlaidh.
(2) An cuntas cothromaíochta agus an cuntas sochair agus dochair a bheidh le tabhairt don Aire mar adubhradh, is sa bhfuirm sin ordóidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais, a déanfar amach iad, agus beidh sa chuntas chothromaíochta san (i dteannta éinní is gá do réir an orduithe sin do bheith ann) cuimre ar chaipital agus ar shócmhainní agus ar fhiachaisí na Cuideachtan maraon leis na mion-innste sin a nochtfaidh cadé saghas na sócmhainní agus na bhfiachaisí sin agus conus a háirmhíodh luach na bhfiachas.
(3) Ar an Aire dá iarraidh sin ortha, bhéarfaidh an Chuideachta dhó na mínithe sin a theastóidh uaidh i dtaobh aon chuntais chothromaíochta áirithe no cuntais sochair agus dochair áirithe bheidh tugtha dhó de bhun an ailt seo.
(4) Déanfaidh an tAire cóip de gach cuntas cothromaíochta agus de gach cuntas sochair agus dochair do bhéarfar dó de bhun an ailt seo do leagadh fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas fé cheann mí tar éis an chuntais chothromaíochta agus an chuntais sochair agus dochair sin do thabhairt dó amhlaidh.
(5) Má fhágann an Chuideachta aon cheann no cinn d'fhorálacha an ailt seo gan cólíonadh, beidh an Chuideachta, maraon le gach stiúrthóir agus bainisteoir agus oifigeach eile don Chuideachtain d'údaruigh no do cheaduigh an fhaillighe sin go feasach agus go toiliúil, ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a gciontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint do chur ortha in aghaidh gach lae leanfaidh an fhaillighe sin.
CUID III.
An Stat do Thogaint Sean-Ghnothai Mianadoireachta.
Sean-ghnóthaí mianadóireachta do thógaint.
18.—Pé uair a chífear don Aire—
(a) gur gá, mar mhaithe leis an bpobal, oibriú aon fhoslaigh áirithe mianraí do bheith fé urláimh an Stáit chun leorchaindíochtaí d'earraí atá riachtanach do bheatha an phobail d'fháil, agus
(b) é bheith riachtanach, chun rialú éifeachtach an fhoslaigh áirithe mianadóireachta san d'áirithiú don Stát, an tAire do thógaint sean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta áirithe dar cúram an foslach san no cuid den fhoslach san d'oibriú,
féadfaidh an tAire, ach toiliú an Aire Airgeadais do bheith aige chuige sin, an sean-ghnó mianadóireachta san do thógaint tré chó-aontú le dílseánach an chéanna no, cheal có-aontuithe, an gnó san do thógaint go héigeanta le hordú (dá ngairmtear san Acht so ordú um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint).
Sean-ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint tré chó-aontú.
19.—Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire-sean-ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint, fén gCuid seo den Acht so, tré chó-aontú le dílseánach an chéanna, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is chuige thógfaidh an tAire an gnó san chun tairbhe don Stát chó fada agus a théigheann mianraí agus chun tairbhe don Chuideachtain chó fada agus a théigheann ní ar bith eile; agus
(b) isí an Chuideachta íocfaidh an praghas (le n-a n-áirmhítear an méid sin de bhainfidh le mianraí) a bheidh iníoctha le dílseánach an ghnótha alos na tógainte sin;
(c) maran Stát-mhianraí cheana agus sa mhéid nach Státmhianraí cheana na mianraí tógfar amhlaidh, tiocfaid, ar iad do thógaint amhlaidh, chun bheith agus beid chun gach críche ina mianraí Stát-tógtha do réir bhrí Achta 1940, agus beidh feidhm dá réir sin, sa mhéid gurb infheidhmithe dhóibh sa chás, ag na forálacha den Acht san a bhaineann le mianraí Stát-tógtha.
Fógra i dtaobh é bheith beartuithe orduithe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint do dhéanamh.
20.—(1) Pé uair a bheartóidh an tAire ordú um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint do dhéanamh—
(a) bhéarfaidh fógra i scríbhinn mí ar a laighead roimh ré, do dhílseánach an tsean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta bheidh beartuithe do thógaint leis an ordú, á rá go bhfuil beartuithe san do dhéanamh, agus
(b) foillseoidh fógra i dtaobh an bheartuithe san Iris Oifigiúil agus sna nuachtáin sin is oiriúnach leis an Aire, ar a n-áirmhítear nuachtáin a léightear sa cheanntar, agus beidh sa bhfógra san mion-tuairisc chuibhe ar shuidheamh agus ar shaghas agus ar mhéid na mianraí agus na bhfoirgintí agus an ghléasra is abhar don ghnó san, agus fós an t-eolas eile sin is oiriúnach leis an Aire, agus
(c) lóisteálfaidh in oifig na Suirbhéireachta Geolaíochta, Baile Atha Cliath, mapa (do réir scála oiriúnaigh agus gach eolas iomchuibhe ann) den líomatáiste ina bhfuil na mianraí atá beartuithe do thógaint leis an ordú.
(2) Fógra do bhéarfar fé mhír (a) den fho-alt san roimhe seo i dtaobh é bheith beartuithe sean-ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint, is cead é thabhairt amhlaidh tré n-a chur tríd an bpost cláruithe agus é dírithe chun an duine chífear don Aire do bheith ina dhílseánach ar an ngnó fé sheoladh na príomh-oifige ina mbíonn an gnó ar siúl.
(3) Gach mapa lóisteálfar in Oifig na Suirbhéireachta Geolaíochta, Baile Atha Cliath, fé fho-alt (1) den alt so, beidh sé ar fáil san oifig sin gach tráth cuibhe chun a iniúchta ag duine ar bith gur mian leis é iniúchadh.
Lánas agus oibriú orduithe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint.
21.—Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach ordú um ghnó mianadóireacht do thógaint, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfar ainm an tsean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta bheidh á thógaint leis an ordú agus ainm an duine chífear don Aire bheith ina dhílséanach ar an ngnó san do luadh san ordú;
(b) déanfar saghas agus suidheamh agus méid na mianraí (dá ngairmtear san Acht so na mianraí tógtha) bheidh á dtógaint leis an ordú do luadh ann;
(c) i gcás na mianraí tógtha do bheith (i bpáirt no go hiomlán) ina Stát-mhianraí bheidh á n-oibriú ag dílseánach an ghnótha san fé léas ón Aire, déarfaidh agus déanfaidh an t-ordú, maidir leis na Stát-mhianraí sin, leas an léasaidhe fén léas san do dhílsiú sa Stát agus an léas san do bháthadh in ath-orba todhachaidhe an chéanna;
(d) i gcás na mianraí tógtha do bheith (i bpáirt no go hiomlán) ina Stát-mhianraí bheidh á n-oibriú ag dílseánach an ghnótha san fé cheadúnas ón Aire, déarfaidh agus déanfaidh an t-ordú, maidir leis na Stát-mhianraí sin, deireadh do chur leis an gceadúnas san;
(e) i gcás gan na mianraí tógtha do bheith (i bpáirt no go hiomlán) ina Stát-mhianraí, oibreoidh an t-ordú, maidir leis na mianraí sin, ar gach slí fé mar oibríonn ordú um mianraí do thógaint fé Acht 1940, agus déarfaidh, dá réir sin, agus déanfaidh na mianraí sin do dhílsiú san Aire i mbith-dhílse agus, ar a ndílsiú amhlaidh, tiocfaidh na mianraí sin chun bheith agus beid chun gach críche ina mianraí Stát-tógtha do réir bhrí Achta 1940, agus beidh feidhm dá réir sin, sa mhéid gurb infheidhmithe dhóibh sa chás, ag na forálacha den Acht san a bhaineann le mianraí Stát-tógtha;
(f) déarfaidh an t-ordú freisin agus déanfaidh aistriú chun na Cuideachtan agus dílsiú sa Chuideachtain, saor o gach muirear agus eire, ar dhea-thoil an tsean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta bheidh á thógaint leis an ordú agus ar an maoin agus na sócmhainní uile (seachas na mianraí tógtha) do bhí ar an dáta iomchuibhe ar únaeracht no in úsáid ag dílseánach an ghnótha san chun crícheanna an chéanna agus fós ar gach leabhar-fhiach agus airgead eile bheidh dlite ag an dílseánach san de dhruim an ghnótha san agus ar an gceart chun dul chun dlí ar scór na bhfiach san agus an airgid sin agus chun iad do bhaint amach agus chun admhála dleathacha do thabhairt ar an gcéanna;
(g) sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so ciallóidh an abairt “an dáta iomchuibhe” an 1adh lá de Mhárta, 1941, i gcás an t-ordú do dhéanamh fé cheann cheithre mhí tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, agus ciallóidh sí i ngach cás eile, an dáta ar a ndearnadh, de bhun an Achta so, fógra, i dtaobh é bheith beartuithe an gnó san do thógaint, d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil;
(h) ní abróidh ná ní dhéanfaidh an t-ordú freagarthacht ar bith i dtaobh aon choda d'fhiacha agus d'fhiachaisí eile dhílseánaigh an tsean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta alos no de dhruim an ghnótha san do chur ar an Aire ná ar an gCuideachtain ná d'aistriú chun ceachtar aca;
(i) féadfaidh na forálacha san uile, foirlíontach no fo-ghabhálach, is ceart dar leis an Aire agus le n-a dtoileoidh an tAire Airgeadais, bheith san ordú.
Cúiteamh alos orduithe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint.
22.—(1) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint dlighfidh an Chuideachta, fé réir forálacha an ailt seo, cúiteamh d'íoc do réir an Achta so sa tsean-ghnó mhianadóireachta (le n-a n-áirmhítear na mianraí tógtha) tógfar leis an ordú.
(2) Ní bheidh aon chúiteamh iníoctha sa chuid sin (más aon chuid é) de sna mianraí tógtha is Stát-mhianraí.
Iarrataisí ar chúiteamh alos orduithe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint.
23.—(1) Is cead do dhuine ar bith, adeir gurb é ba dhílseánach ar shean-ghnó mhianadóireachta bheidh tógtha le hordú um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint, cúiteamh alos an tsean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta san d'iarraidh ar an gCuideachtain agus is cead do dhuine ar bith, adeir leas do bheith aige sa ghnó san mar eireadóir, a iarraidh ar an gCuideachtain an cúiteamh san do mheas.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin do dhéanamh á ordú cadé an fhuirm ina mbeidh iarratas ar chúiteamh agus cadé an fhuirm ina n-iarrfar cúiteamh do mheas fén alt so, agus fós cadiad na mioninste bheidh le luadh sna fuirmeacha san fé seach, agus ní foláir gach iarratas ar chúiteamh no ar chúiteamh do mheas fén alt so do dhéanamh sa bhfuirm oiriúnach a bheidh orduithe amhlaidh agus na mion-inste bheidh á lorg sa bhfuirm sin do bheith ann.
(3) Ní breithneofar aon iarratas ar chúiteamh, ná aon iarratas ar chúiteamh do mheas fén alt so, mara lóisteáltar é leis an gCuideachtain fé cheann cheithre mhí (no fé cheann na tréimhse sin is sia ná san, ach nach sia ar fad ná sé mhí, a cheadóidh an tAire in aon chás áirithe) ón dáta ar ar foillsíodh san Iris Oifigiúil, de bhun an Achta so, an fógra i dtaobh é bheith beartuithe an seanghnó mianadóireachta, is abhar don iarratas san, do thógaint.
(4) Cuirfidh an Chuideachta fé bhráid an Bhúird Mhianadóireachta gach iarratas fén alt so ar chúiteamh do mheas agus gach iarratas fén alt so ar chúiteamh ná có-aontóidh an t-iarratasóir agus an Chuideachta ina thaobh agus leis sin déanfaidh an Bord Mianadóireachta an cúiteamh is iníoctha do mheas do réir an chéad ailt ina dhiaidh seo.
Cúiteamh do mheas alos orduithe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint.
24.—(1) Déanfaidh an Bord Mianadóireachta cúiteamh alos na mianraí (seachas Stát-mhianraí) bheidh tógtha le hordú um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint do mheas ar an modh gcéanna agus ar an bhforas gcéanna i ngach slí, agus deonfar é sa bhfuirm chéanna, ina ndéanfaí san dá mba chúiteamh i mianraí Stát-tógtha fé Acht 1940 an cúiteamh san, agus beidh feidhm dá réir sin ag na forálacha den Acht san a bhaineann le cúiteamh i mianraí Stát-tógtha agus ag na rialacháin a bheidh déanta fé agus a bhainfidh leis an gcúiteamh san.
(2) Déanfaidh an Bord Mianadóireachta cúiteamh i sean-ghnó mianadóireachta (gan na mianraí is abhar don ghnó san d'áireamh) do mheas do réir na bprinseabal so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfar luach cothrom an tsean-ghnótha mhianadóireachta mar bheo-ghnóthas do mheas amhail ar dháta a thógainte;
(b) déanfar luach cothrom dea-thoil an ghnótha san agus luach cothrom na maoine agus na sócmhainní uile (gan na mianraí adubhradh d'áireamh) bheidh ar únaeracht agus in úsáid ag dílseánach an ghnótha san chun crícheanna an chéanna ar dháta a thógainte do chur san áireamh nuair a bheidh luach cothrom an ghnótha san mar bheoghnóthas á mheas;
(c) nuair a bheidh an luach cothrom a luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo á mheas, cuirfear san áireamh na suimeanna uile do deonadh as airgead puiblí do dhílseánach an ghnótha chun crícheanna an ghnótha no chun aon chríche áirithe de chrícheanna an ghnótha;
(d) chun crícheanna na míreanna san roimhe seo, cuirfear san áireamh gach leabhar-fhiach agus airgead eile bheidh dlite ag dílseánach an ghnótha san de dhruim an chéanna ar dháta na tógainte agus fós leas leanúnach connartha bheidh ar marthain, ach ní cuirfear san áireamh na fiacha ná na fiachaisí eile bheidh dlite ar an dílseánach san maidir leis an ngnó san ar an dáta san;
(e) lomhálfar ús do réir cúig per cent. per annum o dháta na tógainte.
(3) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach fiach agus fiachas eile a toirmeasctar leis an alt so do chur san áireamh nuair a bheidh cúiteamh á mheas fén alt so alos seanghnótha mhianadóireachta, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní bheidh an Chuideachta freagarthach in aon fhiach nó fiachas eile den tsórt san;
(b) i gcás an Chuideachta do thógaint an ghnótha san, ní dhéanfaidh an tógaint sin deifir do fhreagarthacht dílseánaigh an ghnótha san sna fiacha san agus sna fiachaisí eile sin;
(c) gach urrús alos aon cheann d'fhiacha agus d'fhiachaisí eile den tsórt san a bhí díreach roimh dháta na tógainte ina eire ar an ngnó san scuirfidh ar an dáta san de dheifir do dhéanamh don ghnó san agus, ina ionad san, beidh ina eire ar an gcúiteamh agus ionfhoirfheidhmithe i gcoinnibh an chúitimh a deonfar fén alt so alos an ghnótha san.
(4) Chun crícheanna an ailt seo, is tuigthe gurb é dáta na tógainte an 1adh lá de Mhárta, 1941, i gcás an t-ordú iomchuibhe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint do dhéanamh fé cheann cheithre mhí tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, agus is tuigthe gurb é dáta na tógainte i ngach cás eile an dáta ar ar foillsíodh san Iris Oifigiúil, de bhun an Achta so, fógra i dtaobh é bheith beartuithe an seanghnó mianadóireachta iomchuibhe do thógaint.
(5) Ní bheidh dul thar aon mheas cúitimh a dhéanfaidh an Bord Mianadóireachta fén alt so, agus ní cead athchomharc do dhéanamh ina choinnibh agus beidh ina cheangal ar na páirtithe thiocfaidh os cóir an Bhúird nuair a bheidh an meas á dhéanamh, agus ar a rannpháirtithe, fé is dá mba bhreithiúntas in personam é.
(6) Fé réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den alt so, beidh feidhm ag Coda V agus VII d'Acht 1940, gus na hatharuithe sin ar na Coda san is gá, maidir le cleachta agus nós imeachta an Bhúird Mhianadóireachta agus cúiteamh á mheas aca fén alt so, agus déanfar an chomhacht atá ag an Aire, chun rialacháin do dhéanamh fé alt 34 den Acht san, do leathnú dá réir sin.
Fiacha bheidh dlite ag an Stát do bhaint as cúiteamh.
25.—Má mheasann an Bord Mianadóireachta méid an chúitimh is iníoctha ag an gCuideachtain fén gCuid seo den Acht so le haon duine áirithe agus go gcuirfear in úil don Chuideachtain, sara n-íoctar an cúiteamh san, fiacha do bheith ag aon Aire Stáit no ag an bPrímh-Chiste ar an duine sin, is cead don Chuideachtain méid na bhfiach do bhaint as an gcúiteamh agus a ordú go ndéanfar an méid do hasbhaineadh amhlaidh d'íoc leis an Aire Stáit iomchuibhe no (másé is oiriúnach sa chás) é íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no é chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste sa tslí sin ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.
Mianraí tógtha do thabhairt ar léas no ar ceadúnas don Chuideachtain.
26.—Pé uair a thógfaidh an tAire sean-ghnó mianadóireachta fén gCuid seo den Acht so (tré chó-aontú no go héigeanta) déanfaidh an tAire, chó luath tar éis na tógainte sin agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin, léas Stát-mhianadóireachta ar na mianraí do tógadh amhlaidh no ceadúnas mianraí Stát-tógtha alos na mianraí sin (do réir mar is ceart dar leis an Aire) do thabhairt don Chuideachtain fé Acht 1940, agus glacfaidh an Chuideachta an céanna.
Tuarasgabhála bliantúla ón gCuideachtain.
27.—Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis deireadh gach bliana, bhéarfaidh an Chuideachta don Aire tuarasgabháil ina mbeidh, maidir leis an mbliain sin, mion-innste ar na sean-ghnóthaí mianadóireachta uile do thóg an Chuideachta, tré chó-aontú no tré orduithe um ghnó mianadóireachta do thógaint, agus fós na mioninnste sin, ar mhianraí d'oibrigh no do lorg an Chuideachta, a mheasfaidh an tAire a bheith oiriúnach, ar mhaithe leis an bpobal, a chur mar cheangal ar an gCuideachtain a thabhairt uaithi.
(2) Gach tuarasgabháil bhliantúil do bhéarfar don Aire de bhun an ailt seo, leagfaidh an tAire fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas í fé cheann mí tar éis í thabhairt dó.
Number 13 of 1941.
MINERALS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ACT, 1941.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary.
Section | |
The Minerals Exploration and Development Company, Limited.
Alteration of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. | |
Obligation to hold shares in trust for the Minister for Finance. | |
Obligation to furnish balance sheets, etc., to the Minister. |
Acquisition of Existing Mining Businesses by the State.
Act Referred to | |
No. 31 of 1940 | |
Number 13 of 1941.
MINERALS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ACT, 1941.
PART I.
Preliminary.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Minerals Exploration and Development Company Act, 1941.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the expression “the Act of 1940” means the Minerals Development Act, 1940 (No. 31 of 1940)
the expression “the Companies Acts” means the Companies Acts, 1908 to 1924;
the expression “the Mining Board” means the Board established under that name by the Act of 1940;
the word “minerals” has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 1940, save that the said word does not include coal;
the word “work”, when used in relation to minerals, includes digging, searching for, mining, getting, raising, taking, carrying away, treating and converting the minerals in relation to which the said word is used, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
the expression “existing mining business” means any business which is, at the passing of this Act, a going concern engaged mainly or exclusively in working minerals and making merchantable and disposing of the minerals got by such working;
the expression “State minerals” has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 1940;
the expression “prospecting licence” means a prospecting licence within the meaning of the Act of 1940;
the expression “State mining lease” means a State mining lease within the meaning of the Act of 1940.
Expenses.
3.—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.
PART II.
The Minerals Exploration and Development Company, Limited.
Formation and registration of the Company.
4.—As soon as may be after the passing of this Act the Minister shall, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, take all such steps as appear to him necessary or desirable to procure that a limited company (in this Act referred to as “the Company”) conforming to the conditions laid down in this Act shall be formed and registered under the Companies Acts.
Name and capital of the Company.
5.—(1) The name of the Company shall be “Comhlucht Lorgtha agus Forbartha Mianraí, Teoranta”.
(2) The share capital of the Company shall be one hundred pounds divided into one hundred fully paid shares of one pound each and, notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Acts, it shall not be lawful for the Company to increase or reduce that capital.
(3) One share in the share capital of the Company shall be allotted and issued to each of the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association of the Company and the residue of the said share capital shall be allotted and issued to the Minister for Finance.
(4) The money payable by the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association of the Company and the Minister for Finance respectively as consideration for the allotment and issue to them of shares in the share capital of the Company in pursuance of the next preceding sub-section of this section shall be paid out of and shall be charged on the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.
The Memorandum of Association of the Company.
6.—(1) The Memorandum of Association of the Company shall be in such form consistent with this Act as shall be approved of by the Minister after consultation with the Minister for Finance.
(2) The objects of the Company shall be so stated in the Memorandum of Association that the principal functions of the Company shall be—
(a) to prospect for minerals wherever situated or suspected of being situated within the State and for that purpose to apply for and take from the Minister such prospecting licences under the Act of 1940 as the Company shall think proper and the Minister shall grant under the said Act, and to exercise the powers conferred by those licences, and
(b) to develop and work any minerals which the Company, as a result of their prospecting or otherwise, deem advisable to work, and for that purpose, to apply for and take from the Minister such leases and licences under the Act of 1940 as the Company shall think proper and the Minister shall grant under that Act, and also, for the same purpose, to make, with the consent of the Minister, agreements with private persons for the acquisition of any mining business or the purchase of land containing minerals, or the taking of minerals by way of lease or licence, and
(c) to acquire from the Minister in accordance with this Act and to carry on and develop any existing mining business which has been acquired under this Act by the Minister, and
(d) to make marketable and sell or otherwise dispose of the minerals worked by the Company in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on them by or under this Act,
(3) It shall be lawful to include amongst the objects of the Company as stated in the Memorandum of Association all such objects and powers (not inconsistent with this Act) as are reasonably necessary or proper for or incidental or ancillary to the due performance of the objects referred to in the next preceding sub-section of this section as the principal functions of the Company.
(4) The objects of the Company as stated in the Memorandum of Association shall not include any object which is neither required nor authorised by the foregoing provisions of this section to be so stated.
The Articles of Association of the Company.
7.—(1) The Articles of Association of the Company shall be in such form consistent with this Act as shall be approved of by the Minister after consultation with the Minister for Finance.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the Articles of Association of the Company, that is to say:—
(a) the said Articles shall fix the number of the directors of the Company, but the number so fixed shall not exceed seven, including the chairman and the managing director;
(b) the said Articles shall provide that the qualification for being a director of the Company shall be the holding of at least one share in the Company;
(c) the said Articles shall provide that the chairman, the managing director, and all the other directors shall always be appointed by the Minister for Finance after consultation with the Minister, and with the Minister for Agriculture;
(d) the said Articles shall not confer on the Company any power to increase or reduce the capital of the Company or any power to issue debentures.
Alteration of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company.
8.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Acts, no alteration in the Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association of the Company shall be valid or effectual unless made with the previous approval of the Minister given after consultation with the Minister for Finance and with the Minister for Agriculture.
Loan to Company to pay expenses of formation.
9.—(1) The Minister may, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, lend to the Company, upon such terms and conditions as to time and manner of repayment, rate of interest, security, and other matters whatsoever as he shall think proper, a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty pounds.
(2) Money lent to the Company under this section shall be applied by the Company in or towards paying the expenses of the promotion, formation, and registration of the Company and the other preliminary expenses of the Company and for no other purpose.
(3) All sums paid to the Minister by the Company in or towards repayment of money lent to the Company under this section or in payment of the interest on such money shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance may direct.
(4) The subsequent provisions of this Act in relation to the advancement of moneys to the Company and the repayment of such advances and the interest thereon shall not apply to money lent to the Company under this section.
Advances by the Minister to the Company.
10.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Minister from time to time, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to advance to the Company out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas such sums (not exceeding in the aggregate fifty thousand pounds) as the Company shall require for the purposes of its business or for the purpose of paying the price or compensation payable by the Company in respect of the acquisition of an existing mining business under Part III of this Act.
(2) Sums advanced by the Minister to the Company under this section shall (save as is otherwise provided by this Act) be repaid by the Company in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this Act.
Payment of interest on advances to the Company.
11.—(1) The Company shall pay to the Minister on every sum advanced to the Company under this Act interest from the date of the advance of such sum until it is repaid, at such rate as shall from, time to time be appointed by the Minister for Finance in respect of such sum, and such interest shall be so paid by half-yearly payments on such days in every year as the Minister for Finance shall from time to time appoint.
(2) It shall be lawful for the Minister at any time, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to waive altogether or to postpone for such time as he thinks proper the payment of any particular half-yearly payment of interest payable by the Company under this section.
(3) If the Company fails (otherwise than by virtue of a waiver under the next preceding sub-section of this section) to pay any half-yearly payment of interest payable by the Company under this section, the Company shall (whether such failure was or was not due to a postponement under the said next preceding sub-section) pay to the Minister interest at the rate appointed by the Minister for Finance on such half-yearly payment of interest until the sum is actually paid.
(4) All interest paid by the Company to the Minister under this section shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance may direct.
Repayment of advances to the Company.
12.—(1) All sums advanced to the Company under this Act shall be repaid by the Company to the Minister by half-yearly instalments of such amounts and beginning on such date and continuing for such number of years and payable at such times as the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, shall appoint, and different such amounts, dates, numbers of years, and times may be so appointed in respect of different sums so advanced.
(2) The several half-yearly instalments payable by the Company to the Minister under this section in respect of any particular sum advanced to the Company under this Act shall be applied as a sinking fund for the repayment of that sum.
(3) It shall be lawful for the Minister at any time, with the consent of the Minister for Finance to waive altogether or to postpone for such time as he thinks proper the payment of any particular half-yearly instalment payable by the Company under this section.
(4) If the Company fails (otherwise than by virtue of a waiver under the next preceding sub-section of this section) to pay any half-yearly instalment payable by the Company under this section, the Company shall (whether such failure was or was not due to a postponement under the said next preceding sub-section) pay to the Minister interest at the rate appointed by the Minister for Finance on such half-yearly instalment until the same is actually paid.
(5) Every half-yearly instalment and all (if any) interest paid by the Company to the Minister under this section shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance may direct.
Power of the Minister to require the Company to prospect.
13.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Minister at any time or times to require the Company to apply to the Minister for the grant under the Act of 1940 of a prospecting licence in respect of any particular land and, upon receiving such prospecting licence, to prospect and examine such land for the purpose of ascertaining the nature and quantity of the minerals in such land and the advisability of working such minerals.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Company to comply with any requisition made by the Minister under the foregoing sub-section of this section.
(3) It shall be lawful for the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to pay to the Company from time to time, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such sums as the Minister shall think proper for the purpose of complying with requisitions made by the Minister under this section.
(4) Not more than three thousand pounds shall be paid by the Minister to the Company under this section in any one financial year, and all sums so paid shall be expended by the Company exclusively in defraying expenses incurred in complying with requisitions made by the Minister under this section.
Powers of the Minister for Finance as shareholder.
14.—The Minister for Finance may, in respect of the shares of the Company for the time being held by him, exercise all or any of the rights and powers from time to time exercisable by the holder of such shares, and where such rights or powers are exercisable by attorney the said Minister may, if he so thinks proper, exercise such rights or powers by his attorney.
Obligation to hold shares in trust for the Minister for Finance.
15.—(1) Every member of the Company (including the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association of the Company, but excluding the Minister for Finance) shall hold his shares in the Company upon trust for the Minister for Finance, and shall accordingly be bound to pay every dividend, bonus, and other money received by such member on or in respect of such shares to the Minister for Finance for the benefit of the Exchequer and to transfer, as and when required by the said Minister, all or any of such shares to the said Minister or a person nominated in that behalf by the said Minister.
(2) It shall be lawful for the Minister for Finance, from time to time as occasion requires for the purpose of compliance with so much of the Companies Acts as requires that there shall always be at least seven members of the Company or for the purpose of providing a person appointed or intended to be appointed to be a director of the Company with the necessary qualification, to do either or both of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) transfer (subject to the restriction imposed by the next following sub-section of this section) to any person one or more of the shares in the Company for the time being held by the said Minister;
(b) require any member of the Company to transfer all or any one or more of the shares in the Company held by him to the said Minister or any other person.
(3) Save as is authorised by the next preceding sub-section of this section, the Minister for Finance shall not transfer or otherwise alienate any of the shares in the Company for the time being held by him and he shall not so exercise the powers conferred on him by the said next preceding sub-section as to reduce at any time the number of shares in the Company held by him to less than fifty-one.
Payment of dividends, etc., into the Exchequer.
16.—Every dividend, bonus, and other money received by the Minister for Finance in respect of shares of the Company held by or in trust for him shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the said Minister may direct.
Obligation to furnish balance sheets, etc., to the Minister.
17.—(1) The Company shall within ninety days after the end of every accounting year furnish to the Minister a balance sheet for such accounting year duly audited by the auditor of the Company and also a profit and loss account for the same accounting year similarly audited.
(2) The balance sheet and profit and loss account to be furnished as aforesaid shall be drawn up in such manner as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, shall direct, and such balance sheet shall contain (in addition to any matter required by such direction) a summary of the capital, assets, and liabilities of the Company together with such particulars as will disclose the nature of such assets and liabilities and the manner in which the value of the assets was arrived at.
(3) The Company shall on demand furnish to the Minister such explanations as the Minister shall think proper to require in respect of any balance sheet or profit and loss account furnished pursuant to this section.
(4) A copy of every balance sheet and profit and loss account furnished to the Minister pursuant to this section shall be laid by him before each House of the Oireachtas within one month after such balance sheet and profit and loss account are so furnished to him.
(5) If the Company makes default in complying with any of the provisions of this section, the Company, and every director, manager, and other officer of the Company, who knowingly and wilfully authorised or permitted such default, shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds for every day during which the default continues.
PART III.
Acquisition of Existing Mining Businesses by the State.
Acquisition of existing mining businesses.
18.—Whenever it appears to the Minister:—
(a) that, for the purposes of obtaining in adequate quantities commodities essential to the life of the community, the common good requires that the working of any particular deposit of minerals should be controlled by the State, and
(b) that, to secure to the State effective control of the said deposit of minerals, it is necessary that the Minister should acquire a particular existing mining business engaged in working the said deposit or a portion of the said deposit,
the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, either acquire the said existing mining business by agreement with the proprietor thereof, or, in default of agreement, by order (in this Act referred to as a mining business acquisition order) compulsorily acquire the said business.
Acquisition of existing mining business by agreement.
19.—Whenever the Minister acquires under this Part of this Act an existing mining business by agreement with the proprietor thereof, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the Minister shall acquire the said business, so far as respects minerals for the benefit of the State and, in all other respects, for the benefit of the Company; and
(b) the price payable to the proprietor of the business on account of such acquisition (including so much of such price as relates to minerals) shall be paid by the Company;
(c) the minerals so acquired (if and in so far as they are not already State minerals) shall, on such acquisition, become and be for all purposes State acquired minerals within the meaning of the Act of 1940, and the provisions of that Act in relation to State acquired minerals shall, so far as they are applicable, apply accordingly.
Notice of proposal to make mining business acquisition orders.
20.—(1) Whenever the Minister proposes to make a mining business acquisition order he shall—
(a) give to the proprietor of the existing mining business which it is proposed to acquire by the order at least one month's notice in writing of the proposal, and
(b) publish in the Iris Oifigiúil and in such newspapers as the Minister thinks fit including newspapers circulating in the locality notice of the proposal, indicating with reasonable particularity the situation, nature and extent of the minerals, buildings and plant which are the subject matter of the said business, and containing such other information as the Minister considers expedient, and
(c) deposit in the office of the Geological Survey, Dublin, a map (on a suitable scale and showing all relevant detail) of the area in which are situate the minerals which it is proposed to acquire by the order.
(2) A notice of a proposal to acquire an existing mining business given under paragraph (a) of the foregoing sub-section may be so given by sending it by registered post addressed to the person who appears to the Minister to be the proprietor of the business at the principal office at which the business is carried on.
(3) Every map deposited in the office of the Geological Survey, Dublin, under sub-section (1) of this section shall be available at all reasonable times in that office for inspection by any person desiring to inspect the same.
Contents and operation of mining business acquisition orders.
21.—The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every mining business acquisition order- that is to say:—
(a) the order shall specify the name of the existing mining business acquired thereby and the name of the person appearing to the Minister to be the proprietor of that business;
(b) the order shall specify the nature, situation and extent of the minerals (in this Act referred to as the acquired minerals) acquired by the order;
(c) if the acquired minerals are (in whole or in part) State minerals worked by the proprietor of the said business under a lease from the Minister, the order shall, as respects those State minerals, be expressed and operate to vest in the State the lessee's interest under such lease and to merge the said lease in the reversion expectant thereon;
(d) if the acquired minerals are (in whole or in part) State minerals worked by the proprietor of the said business under a licence from the Minister, the order shall, as respects those State minerals, be expressed and operate to terminate such licence;
(e) if the acquired minerals are (in whole or in part) not State minerals, the order shall, as respects those minerals, have the same operation in all respects as a minerals acquisition order under the Act of 1940, and shall accordingly be expressed and shall operate to vest the said minerals in fee simple in the Minister, and those minerals shall, when so vested, become and be for all purposes State acquired minerals within the meaning of the Act of 1940 and the provisions of that Act in relation to State acquired minerals shall, so far as they are applicable, apply accordingly;
(f) the order shall also be expressed and shall operate to transfer to and vest in the Company, free from all charges and encumbrances, the goodwill of the existing mining business acquired thereby and all the property and assets (other than the acquired minerals) which on the relevant date were owned or used by the proprietor of the said business for the purposes thereof, and also all book debts and other moneys owing to the said proprietor on account of the said business and the right to sue for, recover and give good receipts for those debts and moneys;
(g) the expression “the relevant date” in the next preceding paragraph of this section shall, where the order is made within four months after the date of the passing of this Act, mean the 1st day of March, 1941, and shall, in every other case, mean the date on which notice of the proposal to acquire the said business was published in the Iris Oifigiúil in pursuance of this Act;
(h) the order shall not be expressed and shall not operate to impose on or transfer to the Minister or the Company any liability for any of the debts and other liabilities of the proprietor of the existing mining business in relation to or on account of the said business;
(i) the order may contain all or any such supplemental or ancillary provisions as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, shall think proper.
Compensation in respect of mining business acquisition orders.
22.—(1) Whenever the Minister makes a mining business acquisition order, the Company shall, subject to the provisions of this section, be liable to pay compensation in accordance with this Act in respect of the existing mining business (including the acquired minerals) acquired by the order.
(2) No compensation shall be payable in respect of so much (if any) of the acquired minerals as are State minerals.
Applications for compensation in respect of mining business acquisition orders.
23.—(1) Any person claiming to be the proprietor of an existing mining business acquired by a mining business acquisition order may apply to the Company for compensation in respect of the said existing mining business and any person claiming to be interested in the said business as an incumbrancer may apply to the Company for the assessment of such compensation.
(2) The Minister may make regulations prescribing the form of application for compensation and the form of application for the assessment of compensation under this section, and the particulars to be specified in those forms respectively, and every application for compensation or for the assessment of compensation under this section shall be made in the appropriate form so prescribed, and contain the particulars required by that form.
(3) No application for compensation or for the assessment of compensation under this section shall be considered unless lodged with the Company within four months (or such longer period, not exceeding altogether six months, as the Minister may in any particular case allow) from the date upon which the notice of the proposal to acquire the existing mining business which is the subject of such application was published in the Iris Oifigiúil in pursuance of this Act.
(4) Every application under this section for the assessment of compensation and also every application under this section for compensation in respect of which the applicant and the Company fail to reach agreement shall be referred by the Company to the Mining Board, and thereupon the Mining Board shall assess the compensation payable in accordance with the next succeeding section.
Assessment of compensation in respect of mining business acquisition orders.
24.—(1) Compensation in respect of the minerals (other than State minerals) acquired by a mining business acquisition order shall be assessed by the Mining Board in the same manner and on the same basis in all respects and shall be awarded in the same form as if it were compensation for State acquired minerals under the Act of 1940, and the provisions of that Act and of the regulations made thereunder relating to compensation for State acquired minerals shall apply accordingly.
(2) Compensation in respect of an existing mining business (excluding the minerals the subject matter of the said business) shall be assessed by the Mining Board in accordance with the following principles, that is to say:—
(a) the fair value of the existing mining business as a going concern shall be assessed as at the date of acquisition;
(b) the fair value of the goodwill of the said business and of all property and assets (excluding as aforesaid) owned and used by the proprietor of the said business for the purposes thereof on the date of acquisition shall be taken into account in assessing the fair value of the said business as a going concern;
(c) in assessing the fair value mentioned in the next preceding paragraph, account shall be taken of all sums granted out of public moneys to the proprietor of the business for the purposes or any particular purpose of the business;
(d) for the purposes of the foregoing paragraphs, account shall be taken of all book debts and other moneys which are owing to the proprietor of the said business on account thereof on the date of acquisition, and also of the continuing benefit of existing contracts, but account shall not be taken of debts and other liabilities owing by the said proprietor in respect of the said business on that date;
(e) interest at five per cent, per annum shall be allowed as from the date of acquisition.
(3) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in regard to all debts and other liabilities which are by this section prohibited from being taken account of in the assessing of compensation under this section in respect of an existing mining business, that is to say:—
(a) the Company shall not be liable for any such debt or other liability;
(b) the acquisition of the said business by the Company shall not affect the liability of the proprietor of the said business for such debts and other liabilities;
(c) all securities for any of such debts and other liabilities which, immediately before the date of acquisition, attached to the said business shall on the said date cease to affect the said business and shall, in lieu thereof, attach to and be enforceable against the compensation awarded under this section in respect of the said business.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the date of acquisition shall, where the relevant mining business acquisition order is made within four months after the date of the passing of this Act, be taken to be the 1st day of March, 1941, and shall, in every other case, be taken to be the date on which notice of the proposal to acquire the relevant existing mining business was published in the Iris Oifigiúil in pursuance of this Act.
(5) Every assessment of compensation made by the Mining Board under this section shall be final, conclusive and unappealable, and shall be binding on the parties appearing before the Board on the assessment and their privies as if it were a judgment in personam.
(6) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, Parts V and VII of the Act of 1940 shall apply, with such modifications as may be necessary, to the practice and procedure of the Mining Board in assessing compensation under this section, and the power of the Minister to make regulations under section 34 of that Act shall be extended accordingly.
Deductions from compensation of debts due to the State.
25.—Where the amount of compensation payable under this Part of this Act by the Company to any person is assessed by the Mining Board, and the Company is notified, before payment of such compensation, that a debt is due and owing by that person to any Minister of State or to the Central Fund, the Company may deduct the amount of the debt from the compensation, and may direct that the amount so deducted be (as the case may require) either paid to the appropriate Minister of State or paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance may direct.
Lease or licence to the Company of acquired minerals.
26.—Whenever the Minister acquires (whether by agreement or compulsorily) an existing mining business under this Part of this Act, the Minister shall, as soon as conveniently may be after such acquisition, make to the Company under the Act of 1940 and the Company shall take either (as the Minister shall think proper) a State mining lease of the minerals included in such acquisition or a State acquired minerals licence in respect of those minerals.
Annual reports by the Company.
27.—(1) As soon as may be after the end of every year, the Company shall furnish to the Minister a report giving, in respect of that year, particulars of all existing mining businesses acquired by the Company, either by agreement or by means of mining business acquisition orders, and such particulars of minerals worked or prospected by the Company as the Minister may consider it expedient in the public interest that the Company should be required to furnish.
(2) Every annual report furnished to the Minister in pursuance of this section shall, within one month after it is so furnished, be laid by the Minister before each House of the Oireachtas.