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Uimhir 3 de 1945.
AN tACHT SILTIN AIRTÉIRIGH, 1945.
[An tionntó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Reamhraiteach.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Feadfar an tAcht Siltin Airtéirigh, 1945, do ghairm den Acht so.
Mínithe.
2.—San Acht so—
ciallaíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Airgeadais;
ciallaíonn an abairt “na Coimisinéirí” Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn;
ciallaíonn an abairt “an Coiste Réitigh” an Coiste Réitigh a bunaíodh le mír (c) d'fho-alt (5) d'alt 1 den Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, arna leasú leis an Acht chun Talamh do Thógaint (Coiste Réitigh), 1925 (Uimh. 22 de 1925);
ciallaíonn an abairt “tailte tairbhithe” (do réir mar éilíos an comhthéacs) tailte a ndéarfar i scéim siltin fán Acht so gur tailte iad a silfear nó a feabhsófar ar shlí eile trí na hoibreacha siltin a sonnrófar sa scéim sin do dhéanamh nó tailte a mbeidh sé ráite i Moladh fán Acht so nó fá aon Acht roimhe seo gur tailte iad do sileadh nó do feabhsaíodh ar shlí eile trí na hoibreacha siltin a bheas luaite sa Mholadh san do dhéanamh;
ciallaíonn an abairt “ceanntar siltin láithreach” ceanntar siltin do ceapadh fá aon Acht dá luaitear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht so agus a bhfuil a iomlán laistigh den Stát;
ciallaíonn an abairt “oibreacha siltin láithreacha” na hoibreacha siltin i gceanntar siltin láithreach;
ciallaíonn an focal “cladhphort” uisce-chúrsa, silteán, cladhphort, nó obair shaordha eile arna dhéanamh chun talamh do chosaint ar thuiliú agus folaíonn sé gach bual-chomhla, bualgheata, caidéal, cora, uisce-chúrsa agus obair eile is cuid d'aon chladhphort nó obair den tsaghas san nó is gá chun é d'oibriú go héifeachtúil;
ciallaíonn an abairt “cladhphort láithreach” cladhphort arna dhéanamh (pé acu roimh an Acht so do rith nó dá éis sin é) chun talamh do ceannaíodh fá na hAchta Talamh-Cheannaigh nó is abhar d'imeachta fá na hAchta san do chosaint ar thuiliú, pé acu roimh an gceannach san do dhéanamh nó imeachta do bhunú chuige nó dá éis sin do rinneadh an cladhphort san, agus pé acu ag sean-tiarna tailimh nó duine éigin eile, nó ag iontaobhaithe, nó ag Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann nó fána maoirseacht do rinneadh an cladhphort san;
folaíonn an focal “contae” contae-bhuirg agus, maidir le contae-bhuirg, léireofar an focal “comhairle” mar fhocal a chiallaíos bardas na contae-bhuirge sin agus léireofar an abairt “ráta dealúis” mar abairt a chiallaíos an ráta bardasach;
ciallaíonn an abairt “feidhm fhorcoimeáta”—
(a) i gcás bardais chontae-bhuirge, feidhm fhorcoimeáta chun críocha na n-achtachán a bhaineas le bainistí na contae-bhuirge sin,
(b) in aon chás eile, feidhm fhorcoimeáta chun críocha na nAcht um Bainistí Chontae, 1940 agus 1942;
folaíonn an focal “cora” damba, agus folaíonn freisin gach bual-chomhla, bual-gheata, tuil-gheata, bual-ghlas agus gach ní eile is cuid de chora nó de dhamba;
folaíonn an focal “uisce-chúrsa” aibhne, srutháin agus uiscechúrsaí aiceanta eile, agus folaíonn freisin canála, silteáin agus uisce-chúrsaí saordha eile;
ní fholaíonn tagairt do dhroichead príobháideach tagairt d'aon chis nó cos-mhaide nó déanmhas eile dá samhail sin.
Costais.
3.—Na costais fána raghaidh an tAire nó na Coimisinéirí chun an tAcht so do riaradh, déanfar (a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire agus a mhéid ná déantar socrú eile ina gcóir leis an Acht so) iad d'íoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
CUID II.
Sceimeanna Siltin.
Scéimeanna siltin d'ullmhú.
4.—(1) Aon uair is dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí é bheith fóirstineach oibreacha siltin airtéirigh do dhéanamh maidir le haon líomatáiste gabhála chun an tuiliú tréimhsiúil ar thailte sa líomatáiste sin do chosc nó do laghdú go substainteach nó chun tailte sa líomatáiste sin d'fheabhsú trína siltean, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí scéim (dá ngairmtear scéim siltin san Acht so) d'ullmhú chun na hoibreacha san do dhéanamh agus chuige sin pé suirbhéireachta innealtóireachta agus luachála a chífear dóibh is gá nó is fóirstineach do dhéanamh ar an líomatáiste sin.
(2) Gach scéim siltin a ullmhóidh na Coimisinéirí de bhun an ailt seo taspánfaidh, i gcorp na scéime nó trí léarscála, tarraingeoireachta, pleananna, teascáin, agus sceidil iomchuibhe a bheas ag gabháil léi, na nithe seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na huiscí agus na huisce-chúrsaí a molfar deighleáil leo,
(b) na tailte a silfear nó a feabhsófar ar shlí eile tríd an scéim do chur i ngníomh,
(c) na hoibreacha siltin a molfar a dhéanamh de bhun na scéime,
(d) i gcás na tailte tairbhithe go léir do bheith san aon chontae amháin, luach bliantúil iomlán na dtailte sin (tráth ullmhuithe na scéime) agus an méadú iomlán ar a luach bliantúil is dócha a thiocfas den scéim do chur i bhfeidhm nó, i gcás na tailte tairbhithe do bheith i dhá gcontae nó níos mó, luacha bliantúla iomlána uile agus fá seach (an tráth san) na gcoda de na tailte sin atá suite i ngach contae fá leith acu san agus na méaduithe iomlána uile agus fá seach ar luacha bliantúla na gcoda san fá seach is dócha a thiocfas den scéim do chur i bhfeidhm,
(e) na tailte a molfar iad do thógaint nó cur isteach substainteach do dhéanamh orthu go héigeanta, na héasáidí, na hiascaigh, na cearta uisce, na cearta loing seoireachta, agus na cearta eile a molfar iad do thógaint nó do shrianadh nó d'fhoirceannadh nó cur isteach orthu ar shlí eile go héigeanta agus na bóithre agus na droichid (poiblí nó príobháideach) a molfar iad do chlaonadh nó do dhíochur nó cur isteach orthu ar shlí eile,
(f) na daoine is dílseánaigh, únaerí, agus lonnaitheoirí (rátaithe nó eile) toimhdean ar na tailte uile agus fá seach a molfar iad do thógaint nó cur isteach substainteach do dhéanamh orthu go héigeanta agus ar na héasáidí, na hiascaigh, na cearta uisce, na cearta loingseoireachta, agus na cearta eile, agus na bóithre agus na droichid phríobháideacha, uile agus fá seach, a molfar iad do thógaint nó do shrianadh nó d'fhoirceannadh nó cur isteach orthu ar shlí eile go héigeanta,
(g) an líomatáiste a molfar é cheapadh ina cheanntar siltin leithleach ar an scéim do bheith curtha i ngníomh.
(3) Is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí agus dá n-oifigigh, dá ngníomhairí, agus dá seirbhísigh dul isteach ar thailte ar bith agus gach ní do dhéanamh ansan a chífear dóibh is gá nó is fóirstineach chun scéim siltin d'ullmhú agus aon tsuirbhéireachta den tsórt a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt so do dhéanamh maidir leis sin.
(4) Gach luadh nó tagairt atá san Acht so i dtaobh scéime siltin léireofar é mar luadh nó tagairt a fholaíos gach léarscáil, tarraingeoireacht, plean, teascán, agus sceideal a bheas ag gabháil leis an scéim siltin sin.
Cóipeanna de scéimeanna do chur chun comhairlí.
5.—(1) Nuair a bheas scéim siltin ullamh ag na Coimisinéirí déanfaid—
(a) cóip den scéim sin do chur chun comhairle gach contae ina bhfuil an líomatáiste nó aon chuid den líomatáiste a molfar sa scéim sin é cheapadh ina cheanntar siltin leithleach, agus
(b) fógra d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil agus i pé páipéar nó páipéir nuachta a léitear sa líomatáiste sin a mheasfaid is cuibhe á rá go bhfuil an scéim sin ullamh agus ag luadh na dtogh-roinn a mbainfidh an scéim leo nó le páirt díobh agus fós ag luadh na háite nó na n-áiteanna agus na tréimhse, nach giorra ná mí, ina mbeidh cóip den scéim sin ar fáil chun a hiniúchta de bhun an chéad fho-ailt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so.
(2) Gach comhairle chontae chun a gcuirfidh na Coimisinéirí cóip de scéim siltin de bhun an ailt seo—
(a) cuirfid an chóip sin dá taspáint ina bpríomh-oifigí nó in áit chaothúil eile ar feadh na tréimhse a luafar chuige sin sa bhfógra i dtaobh na scéime sin a foillseofar de bhun an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so agus ceadóid an chóip sin d'iniúchadh le linn uaireanna oifige ag éinne adeir leas do bheith aige inti, agus
(b) scrúdóid agus breithneoid an scéim siltin ar cóip di an chóip sin, agus
(c) féadfaid, aon tráth laistigh de thrí mhí tar éis an dáta ar a ndéanfar an fógra i dtaobh na scéime sin d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil de bhun an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, na tuairimí sin uile do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí a mheasfaidh an chomhairle sin is cuibhe i dtaobh na scéime sin.
(3) Is feadhma forcoimeáta an dualgas a cuirtear ar chomhairle chontae le mír (b) d'fho-alt (2) den alt so agus an chumhacht do bheirtear do chomhairle chontae le mír (c) den fho-alt san (2).
Fógraí do dhílseánaigh, lonnaitheoirí, etc., toimhdean.
6.—(1) Le linn dóibh cóip de scéim siltin do chur chun comhairlí contaethe de bhun an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo, nó a luaithe is féidir ina dhiaidh sin, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí—
(a) fógra do sheirbheáil, ar gach duine a bheas ainmnithe sa scéim siltin sin mar dhílseánach nó únaer nó lonnaitheoir (rátaithe nó eile) toimhdean ar aon talamh a molfar é thógaint nó cur isteach substainteach do dhéanamh air go héigeanta nó ar aon éasáid, iascach, ceart uisce, ceart loingseoireachta nó ceart eile nó ar aon bhóthar nó droichead príobháideach a molfar é do thógaint nó do shrianadh nó d'fhoirceannadh nó cur isteach air ar shlí eile go héigeanta, á rá go bhfuiltear tar éis an scéim sin d'ullmhú, á luadh cad é an áit nó cad iad na háiteanna agus cad é an tréimhse ina mbeidh cóip den scéim sin ar fáil chun a hiniúchta de bhun an Achta so agus á chur in iúl dó go moltar sa scéim sin talamh nó ceart nó maoin eile éigin a dtoimhtear é bheith ina únaer nó ina lonnaitheoir air do thógaint nó cur isteach air go héigeanta (agus tuairisceofar go hiomlán sa bhfógra an talamh nó an ceart nó an mhaoin sin agus an cur isteach (más ann) a moltar a dhéanamh), agus
(b) fógra do sheirbheáil, ar gach duine arb é an t-údarás áitiúil é (nach comhairle chun ar cuireadh cóip den scéim sin de bhun an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo) ar a mbeidh cúram cothabhála aon bhóthair nó droichid phoiblí a molfar sa scéim sin é do chlaonadh nó do dhíochur nó cur isteach air ar shlí eile, á chur in iúl don údarás áitiúil sin an scéim sin do bheith ullamh agus ag tabhairt eolais ar an gclaonadh nó an díochur nó an cur isteach a moltar sa scéim sin a dhéanamh ar an mbóthar nó an droichead san.
(2) Gach fógra a seirbheálfar ar aon duine de bhun an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so beidh ann ráiteas á chur in iúl don duine sin go bhféadfaidh, laistigh de mhí tar éis an fógra san do sheirbheáil air, na tuairimí uile (más ann) a mheasfaidh is ceart do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí maidir leis an tógaint, an srianadh, an foirceannadh, nó an cur isteach nó leis an gclaonadh, an díochur, nó an cur isteach (pé acu é) a luafar sa bhfógra san.
(3) Gach duine ar a seirbheálfar fógra de bhun an ailt seo, féadfaidh, aon tráth laistigh de mhí tar éis an fógra san do sheirbheáil air, na tuairimí uile (más ann) a mheasfaidh is ceart do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí maidir leis an tógaint, an srianadh, an foirceannadh, nó an cur isteach nó leis an gclaonadh, an díochur, nó an cur isteach (pé acu é) a luafar sa bhfógra san.
(4) Aon fhógra is gá do réir an ailt seo do sheirbheáil ar dhuine ar bith, féadfar é sheirbheáil leis an bpost agus, mura fios cad é seoladh an duine sin, féadfar an litir ina mbeidh an fógra san do dhíriú chuige ag na tailte, nó ag suíomh an chirt nó na maoine, lena mbainfidh an fógra.
An tAire do dhaingniú scéime siltin.
7.—(1) Ar bheith caite do na tréimshí go léir a ceaptar leis na forála san roimhe seo den Acht so chun comhairlí contaethe do chur tuairimí chun na gCoimisinéirí maidir le scéim siltin agus chun daoine a mbeifear tar éis fógra do sheirbheáil orthu de bhun an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo do chur tuairimí chun na gCoimisinéirí, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí na nithe seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) breithneoid gach tuairim den tsórt san do cuireadh chucu laistigh den tréimhse is iomchuibhe chuige, agus
(b) tar éis dóibh dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála, leis an Aire Talmhaíochta, leis an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí agus le pé Aire Stáit eile (más ann) a mheasfaid is ceart, déanfaid pé athruithe, más ann, a mheasfaid is ceart sa scéim siltin (pé acu trí bhreisiú, fágaint ar lár, nó athleagan é), agus
(c) déanfaid an scéim siltin arna hathrú amhlaidh (má hathraítear) do chur fá bhráid an Aire.
(2) Nuair a cuirfear scéim siltin fá bhráid an Aire de bhun an ailt seo, déanfaidh an tAire pé ní de na nithe seo leanas a chífear dó is ceart, sé sin le rá, deanfaidh ordú ag daingniú na scéime sin, nó diúltóidh don scéim sin do dhaingniú, nó cuirfidh an scéim sin thar n-ais chun na gCoimisinéirí chun í d'athbhreithniú ó thaobh pointí a sonnrófar agus í d'athchur fá bhráid an Aire ina dhiaidh sin fán alt so.
Oibreacha siltin láithreacha do chur isteach le scéim siltin.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh scéim siltin socrú do dhéanamh chun iomlán aon oibreacha siltin láithreacha nó cuid shonnraithe dhíobh do chur isteach leis na hoibreacha a molfar leis an scéim sin a dhéanamh agus féadfaidh socrú do dhéanamh chun an céanna do chur isteach amhlaidh maille leis na hoibreacha láithreacha san d'athdéanamh nó do dheisiú nó dá éagmais sin.
(2) I gcás scéim siltin arna daingniú ag an Aire do dhéanamh socruithe chun iomlán aon oibreacha siltin láithreacha nó cuid shonnraithe dhíobh do chur isteach leis na hoibreacha a molfar leis an scéim sin a dhéanamh, beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) a luaithe a raghaidh na Coimisinéirí isteach ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san chun an scéim siltin sin do chur i ngníomh, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí ordú á dhearbhú cad é an dáta ar a ndeachadar isteach amhlaidh den chéad uair ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san agus air sin tiocfaidh an t-ordú san chun bheith, agus beidh, ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite chun gach críoch i dtaobh an dáta ar a ndeachaidh na Coimisinéirí isteach amhlaidh den chéad uair ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san;
(b) amhail ar an dáta agus ón dáta ar a raghaidh na Coimisinéirí isteach den chéad uair ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san chun an scéim siltin sin do chur i ngníomh, scoirfidh an ceanntar siltin ina mbeidh na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san de bheith ann;
(c) ní oibreoidh éinní atá san alt so chun comhairle chontae do shaoradh ó fhreagarthacht (más ann) maidir le haon íocaíochta do dhéanamh leis na Coimisinéirí chun aisíoctha aon réamhíoca a bheas déanta fá aon Acht ag na Coimisinéirí i leith na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha san.
Scéim siltin do chur i ngníomh.
9.—Nuair a bheas ordú déanta ag an Aire ag daingniú scéime siltin, cromfaidh na Coimisinéirí ar an scéim do chur i ngníomh agus chuige sin oibreoidh an t-ordú san chun cumhacht do thabhairt do na Coimisinéirí—
(a) chun na hoibreacha siltin a sonnrófar sa scéim do dhéanamh agus do chríochnú fá réir pé breisithe, neamhdhéanta, athruithe, agus claonta do gheobhfar a bheith riachtanach i gcúrsa na hoibre, agus
(b) chun dul isteach ar aon talamh agus gach gníomh agus ní do dhéanamh ann is gá chun nó i dtaobh na hoibreacha siltin sin do dhéanamh nó do chríochnú fá réir na mbreisithe, na neamhdhéanta, na n-athruithe, agus na gclaonta adúradh, agus
(c) chun na tailte, na héasáidí, na hiascaigh, na cearta uisce, na cearta loingseoireachta, agus na cearta eile, uile agus fá seach, do thógaint go héigeanta a molfar sa scéim iad do thógaint amhlaidh, agus, más oiriúnach leis na Coimisinéirí é, dul isteach ar aon tailte acu san nó aon chuid de na héasaidí, na hiascaigh, na cearta uisce, na cearta loingseoireachta, agus na cearta eile sin d'fheidhmiú sara ndéantar na tailte, na héasáidí, na hiascaigh, nó na cearta sin do leithliú nó a bpraghas do chinneadh, agus
(d) chun cur isteach go substainteach ar aon talamh a molfar sa scéim cur isteach air amhlaidh agus, más oiriúnach leis na Coimisinéirí é, dul isteach ar an talamh san agus cur isteach air amhlaidh sara gcinntear aon chúiteamh ina thaobh, agus
(e) chun srianadh, foirceannadh, nó cur isteach ar shlí eile do dhéanamh ar aon éasáidí, iascaigh, cearta uisce, cearta loingseoireachta, nó cearta eile a molfar sa scéim iad do shrianadh nó d'fhoirceannadh nó cur isteach orthu go héigeanta, agus claonadh, díochur, nó cur isteach ar shlí eile do dhéanamh ar aon bhóithre nó droichid a molfar sa scéim iad do chlaonadh nó do dhíochur nó cur isteach orthu, agus, más oiriúnach leis na Coimisinéirí é, éinní de na nithe adúradh do dhéanamh sara gcinntear aon chúiteamh ina thaobh, agus
(f) chun éinní nó gach ní de na nithe seo leanas do dhéanamh d'fhonn an scéim do chur i ngníomh go cuibhe, sé sin le rá:—
(i) na scratha agus an t-abhar eile go léir do bhaint d'aon talamh áirithe is gá do bhaint de chuige sin,
(ii) an tochlas nó an t-abhar eile go léir a thiocfas den scéim do chur i ngníomh amhlaidh do shuíomh ar aon talamh áirithe,
(iii) an tochlas, an gairbhéal, na clocha, na carraigreacha, nó an t-abhar eile go léir nó aon chuid den chéanna a haistreofar le linn an scéim do chur i ngníomh amhlaidh d'úsáid chuige sin, agus
(g) chun gach gníomh agus ní eile do dhéanamh is dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí do bheith riachtanach nó ceart chun nó i dtaobh an scéim do chur i ngníomh go cuibhe agus ná déantar aon tsocrú fá leith ina dtaobh leis an Acht so.
Iascaigh do chaomhaint.
10.—(1) Nuair a bheas oibreacha siltin á ndéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí do bhun scéime siltin, ní bheidh d'oblagáid orthu déanamh do réir na nAcht Iascaigh, 1842 go 1944.
(2) D'ainneoin an tsaortha do bheirtear leis an bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí, nuair a bheas oibreacha siltin á ndéanamh acu de bhun scéime siltin, pé forchúram do ghlacadh agus pé socruithe do cheapadh a mheasfaidh an tAire Talmhaíochta is leor chun iascaigh do chaomhaint agus do sheachaint ar dhíobháil le linn nó de dhruim na hoibreacha siltin sin do dhéanamh, ach déanfaidh an tAire sin deimhin de ná bainfidh dochar substainteach do na hoibreacha siltin sin ná ná cuirfear bac substainteach lena ndéanamh de dhruim an forchúram san do ghlacadh agus na socruithe sin do cheapadh.
Dualgais na gCoimisinéirí maidir le bóithre agus droichid phoiblí.
11.—(1) I gcás socrú do bheith i scéim siltin chun claonadh, díochur, nó cur isteach ar shlí eile do dhéanamh ar bhóthar nó droichead poiblí, beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más gá, chun an scéim do chur i ngníomh, an bóthar nó an droichead san do dhúnadh i gcoinne tráchta, ansan, do réir mar a mheasfaid is ceart, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí agus (faid a bheas an bóthar nó an droichead san dúnta amhlaidh i gcoinne tráchta) cothabhálfaid bóthar nó droichead sealadach is leor chun an méid agus an saghas tráchta d'iompar a bhíos ar an mbóthar nó ar an droichead san de ghnáth, nó d'eile, sonnróid, le hordú arna dhéanamh le toiliú an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí, cúrsa eile chun a úsáite faid a bheas an bóthar nó an droichead san dúnta amhlaidh i gcoinne tráchta;
(b) déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí, roimh an scéim do bheith lánchurtha i ngníomh, pé ní de na nithe seo leanas a mheasfaid is ceart, sé sin le rá:—
(i) déanfaid an bóthar nó an droichead san d'athchóiriú, nó
(ii) tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí, déanfaid buan-bhóthar nó buan-droichead nua is leor chun an cothrom céanna tráchta (maidir le méid agus saghas) d'iompar d'fhéad an sean-bhóthar nó an sean-droichead san d'iompar agus gan é mórán níos neamhchaothúla maidir le fána agus cuar ná an sean-bhóthar nó an sean-droichead san, nó
(iii) le toiliú an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí, déanfaid bóthar ionaid nó droichead ionaid láithreach d'fheabhsú (trína athdhéanamh, a neartú, a leathnú, nó eile) i slí gur leor é chun an trácht is dócha a bheas air d'iompar agus ná beidh sé mórán níos neamhchaothúla ná an seanbhóthar nó an sean-droichead san;
(c) má dhéanann na Coimisinéirí buan-bhóthar nó buandroichead nua nó má fheabhsaíd bóthar ionaid nó droichead ionaid láithreach agus gur mó de chuid mhaith na buntáistí a thugann an bóthar nó an droichead san do phoiblíocht aon chontae nó bhailecheanntair ná mar do thug an sean-bhóthar nó an seandroichead, pé acu trí shlí chumarsáide níos fearr do thabhairt dóibh nó trí éinní eile é, deimhneoidh na Coimisinéirí costas an bhóthair nó an droichid nua san nó an fheabhsuithe sin (pé acu é) agus deimhneoidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí cad é an chuid den chostas san is dóigh leis ba chóir do réir réasúin do bheith ina muirear ar chomhairle na contae nó an bhailecheanntair sin, agus air sin déanfaidh an chomhairle sin suim is ionann agus an chuid a bheas deimhnithe amhlaidh den chostas san do chruinniú mar chuid de na costais a bhainfeas le cothabháil bóithre contae nó baile (pé acu é) ag an gcomhairle sin agus íocfaidh an chomhairle sin leis na Coimisinéirí í;
(d) má éiríonn aon amhras, diospóid, nó ceist i dtaobh cé acu chomhlíon nó nár chomhlíon na Coimisinéirí na forála iomchuibhe den alt so maidir le haon bhóthar nó droichead sealadach do dhéanamh nó do chothabháil nó le bóthar nó droichead láithreach d'athchóiriú nó le bóthar ionaid nó droichead ionaid láithreach d'fheabhsú (pé acu é) de bhun an ailt seo nó i dtaobh cé acu thugann nó ná tugann buan-bhóthar nó buandroichead nua do rinne na Coimisinéirí nó bóthar ionaid nó droichead ionaid láithreach d'fheabhsaigh na Coimisinéirí (pé acu é) do phoiblíocht aon chontae nó bhailecheanntair buntáistí is mó de chuid mhaith ná mar do thug an sean-bhóthar nó an sean-droichead, is é an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí a thabharfas breith ar an amhras, ar an diospóid, nó ar an gceist sin agus beidh a bhreith sin ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
(2) Féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí comhaontú leis an údarás áitiúil iomchuibhe chun an t-údarás áitiúil sin do dhéanamh éinní a ceangaltar ar na Coimisinéirí nó a húdaraítear dóibh leis an bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so a dhéanamh, agus féadfaid freisin comhaontú chun airgead d'íoc leis an údarás áitiúil sin chun nó mar chabhair chun íoctha costais dhéanta an ní sin ag an údarás áitiúil sin.
(3) Ní oibreoidh éinní atá san alt so chun aon dualgas nó freagarthacht do chur ar na Coimisinéirí maidir le cothabháil aon bhuan-bhóthair nó buan-droichid nua a bheas déanta acu de bhun an ailt seo nó aon bhóthair nó droichid a bheas athchóirithe nó feabhsaithe acu amhlaidh.
Scéimeanna siltin do leasú.
12.—Aon uair a tharlós, le linn scéim siltin do chur i ngníomh, gur gá, dar leis na Coimisinéirí, aon tailte ná beidh luaite chuige sin sa scéim siltin do thógaint go héigeanta nó cur isteach orthu go substainteach nó aon éasáid, iascach, ceart uisce, ceart loingseoireachta, nó ceart eile ná beidh luaite amhlaidh do thógaint, do shrianadh, d'fhoirceannadh, nó cur isteach air ar shlí eile go héigeanta nó aon bhóthar nó droichead (poiblí nó príobháideach) ná beidh luaite amhlaidh do chlaonadh, do dhíochur, nó cur isteach air ar shlí eile, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí, le ceadú an Aire, an scéim siltin sin do leasú go sealadach i slí go bhfolóidh sí an tógaint, an srianadh, an foirceannadh, an claonadh, an díochur, nó an cur isteach éigeanta do gheobhfar amhlaidh do bheith riachtanach;
(b) na forála den Acht so a bhaineas le cóipeanna de scéim siltin do chur chun comhairlí contaethe, le fógraí do sheirbheáil ar dhílseánaigh, únaerí, agus sealbhairí toimhdean agus ar údaráis áitiúla, le cumhacht do thabhairt do na comhairlí, na dílseánaigh, na húnaerí, na sealbhairí, agus na húdaráis áitiúla san chun tuairimí do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí, agus le ceangal do chur ar na Coimisinéirí na tuairimí sin do bhreithniú, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht acu maidir le gach leasú sealadach den tsórt san ar an scéim siltin sin fé mar bhí feidhm acu maidir leis an scéim féin, fá réir an mhodhnuithe gur lá is fiche i ngach cás an t-am ar laistigh de a féadfar tuairimí do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí;
(c) breithneoidh na Coimisinéirí gach tuairim den tsórt san a cuirfear chucu laistigh den tréimhse is iomchuibhe chuige agus déanfaid, ar na tréimhsí uile sin do bheith caite, an leasú san do dhaingniú (fé mar mheasfaid is ceart) gan athrú nó go pé athruithe a mheasfaid is ceart;
(d) nuair a bheas an leasú san daingnithe amhlaidh, beidh éifeacht ag an scéim siltin sin, agus is tuigthe éifeacht do bheith riamh aici, i dteannta agus fá réir an leasuithe sin, agus, dá réir sin, na tagairtí atá san Acht so do scéim siltin déanfar, maidir leis an scéim siltin sin, iad do léiriú agus beidh éifeacht acu (aon áit a gceadaíonn an comhthéacs é) mar thagairtí don scéim siltin sin arna leasú amhlaidh;
(e) faid a bheas aon leasú den tsórt san ina leasú sealadach is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí déanamh dá réir fé is dá mbeadh sé daingnithe, ach beidh ar na Coimisinéirí pé athshuíomh nó athchóiriú (más ann) do dhéanamh nó pé cúiteamh (más ann) d'íoc a bheas ceart agus cothrom de dhruim an leasú san do dhaingniú go n-athruithe;
(f) gach diospóid a eireos i dtaobh aon athshuíomh, athchóiriú, nó cúiteamh den tsórt san do bheith riachtanach nó i dtaobh cineál, méid, nó suim an chéanna déanfaidh eadránaí ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin í chinneadh agus beidh a chinneadh san ina chinneadh deiridh gan aon dul thairis.
Deimhniú lándéantachta nó páirtdéantachta.
13.—(1) Nuair is deimhin leis an Aire, ar scéala d'fháil ó na Coimisinéirí, cuid de na hoibreacha siltin a bheas sonnraithe i scéim siltin do bheith críochnaithe do réir na scéime sin (fá réir pé breisithe, neamhdhéanta, athruithe, agus claonta do fuarthas bheith riachtanach i gcúrsa na hoibre) agus an chuid sin de na hoibreacha siltin sin do bheith ináirithe go caothúil mar obair leithleach chun críocha an mhéide den Acht so a bhaineas le nithe a leanas as scéim siltin do chríochnú, bhéarfaidh an tAire, fá féir na bhforál ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, go n-eiseofar deimhniú (dá ngairmtear deimhniú páirt-déantachta san Acht so) arna shéalú lena shéala oifigiúil á dheimhniú go bhfuil an chuid sin de na hoibreacha siltin sin críochnaithe mar adúradh.
(2) Nuair is deimhin leis an Aire, ar scéala d'fháil ó na Coimisinéirí, iomlán na n-oibreacha siltin a bheas sonnraithe i scéim siltin do bheith críochnaithe do réir na scéime sin (fá réir pé breisithe, neamhdhéanta, athruithe agus claonta do fuarthas bheith riachtanach i gcúrsa na hoibre), bhéarfaidh an tAire, fá réir na bhforál ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, go n-eiseofar deimhniú (dá ngairmtear deimhniú lán-déantachta san Acht so) arna shéalú lena shéala oifigiúil á dheimhniú go bhfuil iomlán na n-oibreacha siltin sin críochnaithe mar adúradh.
(3) San Acht so folaíonn an abairt “deimhniú déantachta” deimhniú lán-déantachta agus deimhniú páirt-déantachta.
(4) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le deimhniú déantachta d'eisiúin fán alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) bhéarfaidh an tAire go bhfoillseofar san Iris Oifigiúil agus i pé páipéar nó páipéir nuachta a léitear sa líomatáiste lena mbainfidh an scéim siltin agus a mheasfaidh an tAire is ceart fógra á rá go bhfuil beartaithe ag an Aire an deimhniú san d'eisiúin agus go bhféadfaidh duine ar bith, laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis dáta an fhógra san d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil, agóid do chur chun an Aire i gcoinne an deimhniú san d'eisiúin;
(b) le linn dó an fógra san d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil, nó a luaithe is féidir ina dhiaidh sin, cuirfidh an tAire cóip den fhógra san chun comhairle gach contae fá leith ina mbeidh an líomatáiste nó cuid den líomatáiste lena mbainfidh an scéim sin;
(c) féadfaidh comhairle chontae chun a gcuirfear cóip den fhógra san amhlaidh nó duine ar bith eile, laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis dáta an fhógra san d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil, agóid i scríbhinn do chur chun an Aire á rá go bhfuil an chomhairle nó an duine sin ag cur i gcoinne an deimhniú san d'eisiúin agus ag luadh foras na hagóide sin;
(d) breithneoidh an tAire gach agóid (más ann) a cuirfear chuige fán mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so agus déanfaidh pé ní a mheasfaidh is ceart ina thaobh;
(e) ní heiseofar an deimhniú san go ceann dhá mhí ar a laghad tar éis dáta an fhógra san d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil.
(5) Is feidhm fhorcoimeáta an chumhacht do bheirtear do chomhairle chontae le mír (c) d'fho-alt (4) den alt so.
(6) Beidh deimhniú páirt-déantachta ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite go ndearnadh an chuid a sonnrófar sa deimhniú san de na hoibreacha siltin a bheas sonnraithe sa scéim siltin lena mbainfidh an deimhniú san do chríochnú do réir na scéime sin.
(7) Beidh deimhniú lán-déantachta ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite go ndearnadh iomlán na n-oibreacha siltin a bheas sonnraithe sa scéim siltin lena mbainfidh an deimhniú san do chríochnú do réir na scéime sin.
(8) I gcás deimhniú páirt-déantachta nó dhá dheimhniú nó níos mó den tsórt san do bheith eisithe maidir le haon oibreacha siltin, ansan, folóidh an deimhniú lán-déantachta i dtaobh na n-oibreacha siltin sin na coda de na hoibreacha siltin sin lenar bhain an deimhniú nó na deimhnithe páirt-déantachta san agus beidh feidhm aige maidir leo, agus air sin scoirfidh an deimhniú nó na deimhnithe páirt-déantachta san d'éifeacht do bheith acu.
Tailte, cearta, etc., do thógaint agus cúiteamh ina leith.
14.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dáta an orduithe ón Aire ag daingniú scéime siltin, cromfaidh na Coimisinéirí ar na tailte, na héasáidí, na hiascaigh, na cearta uisce, na cearta loingseoireachta, agus na cearta eile uile agus fá seach do thógaint a molfar sa scéim siltin sin iad do thógaint go héigeanta, ach ní bheidh d'oblagáid ar na Coimisinéirí aon talamh, éasáid, iascach, ceart uisce, ceart loingseoireachta, nó ceart eile do thógaint go héigeanta a molfar sa scéim siltin sin é thógaint amhlaidh agus a bhfeicfear do na Coimisinéirí ina thaobh, i gcúrsa an scéim siltin sin do chur i ngníomh, nach gá an talamh, an éasáid, an t-iascach, an ceart uisce, an ceart loingseoireachta, nó an ceart eile sin do thógaint chun an scéim sin do chur i ngníomh.
(2) An cúiteamh a bheas le n-íoc ag na Coimisinéirí as tailte, éasáidí, iascaigh, cearta uisce, cearta loingseoireachta, agus cearta eile a tógfar go héigeanta de bhun an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so leis na daoine uile agus fá seach a mbeidh teideal acu chucu nó eastáit nó leasa acu iontu nó a mbeidh teideal acu chun na dtailte nó eastáit nó leasa acu sna tailte a mbeidh na cearta a bheas le tógaint amhlaidh infheidhmithe orthu nó ina dtaobh, déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é chinneadh fá réim agus do réir an Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, i dteannta agus fá réir an mhodhnuithe gurb é eadránaí a dhéanfas an eadráin fán Acht san ná pé duine ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh chuige sin as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin.
(3) Ní bheidh d'oblagáid ar na Coimisinéirí aon chur isteach do dhéanamh ar aon talamh, éasáid, iascach, ceart uisce, ceart loingseoireachta nó ceart eile ná ar aon bhóthar nó droichead a molfar i scéim siltin cur isteach air go héigeanta agus a bhfeicfear do na Coimisinéirí ina thaobh, i gcúrsa an scéim siltin sin do chur i ngníomh, nach gá an cur isteach san chun an scéim sin do chur i ngníomh.
(4) An méid cúitimh is iníoctha le duine ar bith mar gheall ar chur isteach substainteach do dhéanamh go héigeanta ar aon talamh nó srianadh, foirceannadh, nó cur isteach ar shlí eile do dhéanamh go héigeanta ar aon éasáid, iascach, ceart uisce, ceart loingseoireachta, nó ceart eile nó claonadh, díochur, nó cur isteach ar shlí eile do dhéanamh ar aon bhóthar nó droichead príobháideach fá réim nó de bhun scéime siltin, déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é chinneadh fá réim agus do réir an Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, fé is dá mba é a bheadh sa chúiteamh san ná an praghas ar thalamh a tógfaí go héigeanta, ach san i dteannta agus fá réir an mhodhnuithe gurb é eadránaí a dhéanfas an eadráin fán Acht san ná pé duine ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh chuige sin as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin.
(5) Beidh feidhm ag ailt 69 go 83 den Lands Clauses (Consolidation) Act, 1845, maidir leis an gcúiteamh is iníoctha ag na Coimisinéirí fán alt so, agus chun críocha na feidhme sin is tuigthe gurb iad na Coimisinéirí tionnscnóirí na scéime.
(6) Ní luighfidh aon aicsean dlí ná cothromais i gcoinne an Aire ná na gCoimisinéirí ná i gcoinne aon oifigigh, gníomhaire, ná seirbhísigh don Aire nó do na Coimisinéirí i dtaobh aon ghnímh, ní, ná ruda a mbeidh cúiteamh iníoctha ina thaobh de bhuaidh an ailt seo nó de bhuaidh ceachtar den dá alt díreach ina dhiaidh seo.
Cúiteamh as cur isteach áirithe ar thalamh.
15.—(1) Duine ar bith a fhuilingeos aon chaillteanas nó damáiste mar gheall ar aon chur isteach (seachas tógaint nó cur isteach éigeanta fán Acht so) ag na Coimisinéirí le linn aon oibreacha siltin do dhéanamh fán Acht so ar aon talamh a bheas ar únaeracht nó ar lonnaíocht aige nó ar aon éasáid, iascach, ceart uisce, ceart loingseoireachta, nó ceart eile is leis, beidh sé, fá réir forál an Achta so, i dteideal na Coimisinéirí d'íoc cúitimh leis i leith an chaillteanais nó an damáiste sin.
(2) Gach éileamh ar chúiteamh fán alt so—
(a) cuirfear é i scríbhinn chun na gCoimisinéirí laistigh de bhliain tar éis an dáta ar a dtosnófar ar an gcur isteach lena mbainfidh an t-éileamh, agus
(b) déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é d'éisteacht agus do chinneadh ag eadránaí ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin, agus beidh a bhreith sin maidir leis an gceart chun an chúitimh sin agus le méid an chúitimh sin ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
Cúiteamh i ndíobháil do chanála, iascaigh, etc.
16.—(1) Duine ar bith a fhuilingeos, tar éis deimhniú déantachta d'eisiúin, aon chaillteanas nó damáiste de dheascaibh díobhála (seachas tógaint, srianadh, foirceannadh, nó cur isteach éigeanta fán Acht so) d'aon chanáil nó uisce-bhealach intseolta eile nó d'aon cheart uisce-chumhachta nó ceart uisce eile nó d'aon iascach nó ceart iascaigh, beidh sé, fá réir forál an Achta so, i dteideal na Coimisinéirí d'íoc cúitimh leis sa díobháil sin i gcás, agus amháin i gcás, an díobháil sin do theacht trí oibriú ginearálta na n-oibreacha siltin lena mbainfidh an deimhniú déantachta san nó trí na hoibreacha san d'oibriú ar aon mhodh nó cúrsa áirithe.
(2) Gach éileamh ar chúiteamh fán alt so, cuirfear é i scríbhinn chun na gCoimisinéirí agus i gcás díobhála d'iascach nó do cheart iascaigh, laistigh de dheich mbliana nó, in aon chás eile, laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis dáta deimhnithe dhéantachta na n-oibreacha siltin as a n-éireoidh an t-éileamh.
(3) Gach éileamh a déanfar go cuibhe ar chúiteamh fán alt so, déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é d'éisteacht agus do chinneadh ag eadránaí ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin, agus beidh a bhreith sin maidir leis an gceart chun an chúitimh sin agus le méid an chúitimh sin ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
Rudaí ar a dtabharfar áird le linn cúiteamh do mheisiúnú.
17.—Nuair a bheas cúiteamh á mheisiúnú ag an eadránaí de bhun aon ailt de na trí hailt deiridh sin roimhe seo, bhéarfaidh sé áird i ngach cás ar aon tairbhe d'aon mhaoin (pé acu is í an mhaoin í ar ina leith a bheas an cúiteamh san á éileamh nó nach ea) leis an duine a bheas ag éileamh an chúitimh sin a thiocfas, nó a mbeidh coinne do réir réasúin lena teacht, den scéim siltin do chur i ngníomh ar ina taobh a bheas an cúiteamh á éileamh, agus déanfaidh an t-eadránaí go sonnruch—
(a) áird do thabhairt, i gcás éilimh i leith canála nó uiscebhealaigh intseolta eile, ar aon bhuan-tairbhe d'intseoltacht an uisce-bhealaigh sin a thiocfas, nó a mbeidh coinne do réir réasúin lena teacht, den scéim siltin sin do chur i ngníomh, agus
(b) áird do thabhairt, i gcás éilimh i leith cearta uisce, ar aon uisce-shólathar ionaid a chuirfidh na Coimisinéirí ar fáil, agus
(c) áird do thabhairt, i gcás éilimh mar gheall ar chur isteach ar uisce nó ar uisce-chúrsa a sholáthraíos cumhacht do mhuileann nó do ghnóthas eile tionnscail, ar a mhéid do rinneadh an chumhacht a soláthraítear amhlaidh d'úsáid chun críche tionnscail sna deich mbliana díreach roimh an dáta ar ar dhaingnigh an tAire an scéim siltin sin, agus áird do thabhairt freisin ar aon fhoinse eile chumhachta a chuirfidh na Coimisinéirí ar fáil.
Luacháil tailte tairbhithe do leasú.
18.—(1) Is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí, ag an am agus sna tosca a luaitear sa chéad fho-alt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, leasú do dhéanamh i pé slí a mheasfaid is ceart ar an ráiteas i scéim siltin maidir le luach bliantúil iomlán, nó leis an méadú iomlán ar luach bhliantúil, na dtailte tairbhithe nó na coda de na tailte tairbhithe (pé acu é) a bheas suite i gcontae áirithe.
(2) Féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí leasú fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do dhéanamh—
(a) i gcás an leasú do dhéanamh de dhruim agóide ó chomhairle na contae ina mbeidh na tailte lena mbainfidh an scéal i gcoinne deimhniú déantachta d'eisiúin—le linn nó díreach tar éis an deimhniú san d'eisiúin, no
(b) i gcás an leasú do dhéanamh de dhruim iarratais chuige sin ó chomhairle na contae ina mbeidh na tailte—aon tráth tar éis an t-iarratas san do dhéanamh, nó
(c) i gcás na Coimisinéirí do dhéanamh an leasuithe uathu féin ar aon chúis is leor leo féin—aon tráth a chífear do na Coimisinéirí do bheith oiriúnach.
(3) Aon uair a leasós na Coimisinéirí fán alt so an ráiteas i scéim siltin maidir le luach bliantúil iomlán tailte nó leis an méadú iomlán ar luach bliantúil tailte, cuirfidh na Coimisinéirí in iúl i scríbhinn do chomhairle na contae ina mbeidh na tailte sin an leasú san do bheith déanta.
(4) Beidh aon oifigeach, gníomhaire nó seirbhíseach do na Coimisinéirí i dteideal dul isteach, agus pé cúntóirí a mheasfaidh is gá ina theannta, ar aon talamh gach tráth réasúnach agus na nithe sin uile do dhéanamh ann a mheasfaidh is gá chun pé luacháil do dhéanamh ar an talamh san a mheasfaidh na Coimisinéirí do bheith riachtanach chun breithniú agus (más oiriúnach leo é) leasú fán alt so do dhéanamh ar ráiteas maidir le luach bliantúil iomlán nó leis an méadú iomlán ar luach bliantúil.
An Moladh.
19.—(1) Ar dheimhniú déantachta do bheith eisithe agus ar fhorála (a mhéid a bhainfid leis an gcás) na n-alt san roimhe seo do bheith comhlíonta, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí Moladh agus luafaid ann na nithe agus na rudaí seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an deimhniú lán-déantachta nó páirt-déantachta (pé acu é) do bheith eisithe agus dáta a eisiúna;
(b) i dtéarmaí ginearálta, na hoibreacha siltin adeirtear sa deimhniú déantachta do bheith críochnaithe;
(c) na tailte do sileadh nó do feabhsaíodh ar shlí eile trí na hoibreacha siltin sin do dhéanamh agus an chontae nó na contaethe ina bhfuil na tailte sin agus, más i dhá gcontae nó níos mó do na tailte sin, an chuid de na tailte sin atá i ngach contae fá leith acu san;
(d) i gcás na tailte tairbhithe go léir do bheith san aon chontae amháin, luach bliantúil iomlán (tráth ullmhuithe na scéime siltin iomchuibhe) na dtailte sin agus an méadú iomlán ar a luach bliantúil de dhruim na hoibreacha siltin sin do dhéanamh nó, i gcás na tailte tairbhithe do bheith i dhá gcontae nó níos mó, luacha bliantúla iomlána (an tráth san) na gcoda fá seach de na tailte sin atá i ngach contae fá leith dhíobh san agus na méaduithe iomlána uile agus fá seach ar luacha bliantúla na gcoda san fá seach de dhruim na hoibreacha siltin sin do dhéanamh;
(e) an líomatáiste a ceaptar leis an Moladh ina cheanntar siltin leithleach;
(f) pé nithe eile a mheasfaidh na Coimisinéirí is ceart a luadh sa Mholadh.
(2) Cuirfidh na Coimisinéirí fá ndear cóip dhílis do dhéanamh de gach Moladh a déanfar fán alt so agus cuirfid fá ndear deimhniú d'fhormhuiniú uirthi á dheimhniú gur cóip dhílis an chóip sin, agus déanfaid ansan an Moladh d'inrollú i bPríomh-Oifig na hArd-Chúirte.
(3) Coinneoidh na Coimisinéirí an chóip de Mholadh a déanfar agus a deimhneofar de bhun an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so.
(4) Cuirfidh na Coimisinéirí cóip de gach Moladh a déanfar fán alt so go dtí comhairle gach contae ina mbeidh an líomatáiste nó aon chuid den líomatáiste a ceapfar leis an Moladh ina cheanntar siltin leithleach.
(5) Gabhfaidh moladh a déanfar fán alt so de dhruim deimhniú lán-déantachta d'eisiúin réim agus ionad gach Molta (más ann) a bheas déanta roimhe sin fán alt so de dhruim deimhniú páirtdéantachta d'eisiúin maidir le hoibreacha siltin a háireofar sa deimhniú lán-déantachta san.
(6) Fá réir forál an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, beidh gach Moladh a déanfar fán alt so, ar é d'inrollú go cuibhe de bhun an ailt seo, ina mholadh do-chlaoite agus ina cheangal ar gach páirtí, agus beidh cóip de arna heisiúin agus arna deimhniú ag Máistir na hArd-Chúirte ina fianaise dho-chlaoite go ndearnadh an Moladh san go cuibhe agus fós ina fianaise dho-chlaoite ar lánas an Mholta san.
Tailte, etc., barrachais do chur de láimh.
20.—(1) A luaithe is caothúil tar éis deimhniú déantachta d'eisiúin fiosróidh agus cinnfidh na Coimisinéirí, maidir le tailte, éasáidí, iascaigh, cearta uisce, cearta loingseoreachta agus cearta eile a bheas tógtha acu fán Acht so chun críocha na scéime siltin iomchuibhe, an bhfuil aon chuid díobh san agus, má tá, cad é an chuid é, neamhriachtanach agus neamhghátarach chun na hoibreacha siltin lena mbainfidh an deimhniú san d'oibriú agus do chothabháil mar is ceart.
(2) Na tailte, na héasáidí, na hiascaigh, na cearta uisce, na cearta loingseoireachta, agus na cearta eile go léir (más ann) a chinnfidh na Coimisinéirí de bhun an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so do bheith neamhriachtanach agus neamhghátarach mar a luaitear sa bhfo-alt san, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí iad do dhíol nó do chur de láimh ar chuma eile chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste i pé slí a ordóidh an tAire.
CUID III.
Ceanntracha Siltin Laithreacha.
An lá ceaptha don Chuid seo den Acht so.
21.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá do cheanadh chun bheith ina lá ceaptha chun críocha na Coda so den Acht so.
(2) Sa Chuid seo den Acht so ciallaíonn an abairt “an lá ceaptha” an lá a ceapfar fán alt so chun bheith ina lá ceaptha chun críocha na Coda so den Acht so.
Rátaí siltin do dhíochur.
22.—(1) Amhail ar an lá ceaptha agus ón lá san amach, ní déanfar (lasmuigh de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an gCuid seo den Acht so maidir le riaráiste) aon ráta siltin do thobhach in aon cheanntar siltin láithreach, agus ina ionad san déanfar an t-airgead uile dob inchruinnithe roimhe sin (pé acu le haghaidh muirear caipitiúla nó le haghaidh costas cothabhála é) i gceanntar siltin láithreach nó i gcuid d'aon cheanntar den tsaghas san ag comhairle chontae nó ag bord siltin nó ag iontaobhaithe trí ráta siltin do chruinniú mar leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) i gcás airgid dob inchruinnithe amhlaidh ag comhairle chontae, cruinneoidh an chomhairle sin é tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán, agus
(b) i gcás airgid dob inchruinnithe amhlaidh ag bord siltin nó ag iontaobhaithe, cruinneoidh an chomhairle chontae nó na comhairlí contae iomchuibhe é tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán.
(2) Ní tuigthe éinní dá bhfuil i bhfo-alt (1) den alt so nó in Acht Dréineála na hAbhann Móire, 1926 (Uimh. 3 de 1926), do theorannú suime aon airgid is inchruinnithe de bhuaidh an fho-ailt sin (1) maidir le Ceanntar Siltin na hAbhann Móire tríd an ráta dealúis.
(3) Ní tuigthe éinní dá bhfuil i bhfo-alt (1) den alt so nó in Achta Dréineála na Bearbha, 1927 agus 1933, do theorannú suime aon airgid is inchruinnithe de bhuaidh an fho-ailt sin (1) maidir le Ceanntar Siltin na Bearbha tríd an ráta dealúis.
Oibreacha siltin láithreacha do chothabháil.
23.—(1) Na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha uile a bheas, díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, inchothabhálta ag comhairle chontae nó ag dhá chomhairle nó níos mó den tsórt san, leanfaid, an lá ceaptha agus dá éis agus go dtí go bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so nó fé, de bheith inchothabhálta ag an gcomhairle nó ag na comhairlí sin (acu féin nó trí choiste nó comhchoiste) mar bhí roimhe sin ach go mbeidh costais na cothabhála san inchruinnithe ag an gcomhairle sin nó ag gach ceann de na comhairlí sin tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán.
(2) I gcás gach ceanntair shiltin láithrigh ina mbeidh na hoibreacha siltin, díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, inchothabhálta ag iontaobhaithe nó ag bord siltin, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) amhail ar an lá ceaptha agus ón lá san amach beidh urlámhas agus bainistí an cheanntair shiltin láithrigh sin agus cothabháil na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha ann arna n-aistriú chun, agus arna dteacht chun bheith ina gcúram de chuid, comhairle na contae nó comhairlí uile le chéile na gcontaethe ina mbeidh an ceanntar san;
(b) amhail ar an lá ceaptha agus ón lá san amach, déanfaidh an chomhairle sin nó na comhairlí sin le chéile (do réir mar bheas) na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san do chothabháil;
(c) i gcás aistriú do dhéanamh leis an bhfo-alt so chun dhá chomhairle nó níos mó le chéile, luighfidh costais chothabhála na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha lena mbainfidh an t-aistriú san ar na comhairlí sin i gcionúireachta a bheas i gcomhréir leis an méadú ar luach bliantiúil na dtailte do sileadh nó do feabhsaíodh i gcás gach contae fá leith mar taspántar san sa Mholadh iomchuibhe nó sa mholadh deiridh agus chun na cionúireachta san d'fhionnachtain beidh de chumhacht ag na Coimisinéirí pé cionroinnt is gá do dhéanamh;
(d) na costais nó an chionúireacht de na costais, a bhainfeas le hoibreacha siltin láithreacha do chothabháil de bhun an fho-ailt seo, is iníoctha ag aon chomhairle chontae, cruinneoidh an chomhairle sin iad tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán;
(e) ní bheidh d'oblagáid, de dhruim an fho-ailt seo, ar aon chomhairle ná ar aon chomhairlí le chéile aon oibreacha siltin láithreacha do chothabháil i riocht nó i ndeis is fearr ná an riocht agus an deis ina raibh na hoibreacha san tráth an iniúchta dheireannaigh a rinne na Coimisinéirí fán bhfo-alt so roimh an lá ceaptha (ach gan san do bheith níos luaithe ná dhá mhí dhéag roimhe);
(f) in aon imeachta i gcoinne comhairle contae nó comhairlí dhá chontae nó níos mó chun a n-aistreofar urlámhas agus bainistí ceanntair shiltin láithrigh leis an bhfo-alt so ag lorg airgid damáiste nó faoisimh i bhfoirm mandamus mar gheall ar an gcothabháil neamhdhóthaineach adeirtear do bheith á dhéanamh ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha sa cheanntar san, beidh deimhniú fá shéala na gCoimisinéirí, á rá gur chuir na Coimisinéirí fá ndear na hoibreacha siltin sin d'iniúchadh tráth sonnraithe agus gur deimhin leo go raibh na hoibreacha siltin sin, tráth an inúchta san, i riocht agus i ndeis chomh maith ar a laghad leis an riocht agus an deis ina rabhdar tráth an iniúctha dheireannaigh a rinne na Coimisinéirí orthu roimh an lá ceaptha, ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite dho-bhréagnuithe ar na fíorais a bheas luaite amhlaidh sa deimhniú san;
(g) is dleathach d'oifigeach, gníomhaire nó seirbhíseach do na Coimisinéirí dul isteach tráth ar bith (roimh an lá ceaptha nó dá éis) ar na hoibreacha siltin in aon cheanntar siltin láithreach lena mbainfidh an fo-alt so agus pé iniúchadh, fiafraithe, agus fiosrú do dhéanamh ann a mheasfaidh is ceart maidir le riocht agus deis na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha sa cheanntar san.
(3) I gcás urlámhas agus bainistí ceanntair shiltin láithrigh agus cúram cothabhála na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha ann d'aistriú leis an alt so chun dhá chomhairle chontae nó níos mó le chéile, déanfaidh comhchoiste de na comhairlí sin a cheapfaidh na comhairlí sin do réir rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí fán alt so an t-urlámhas, an bhainistí agus an chothabháil sin do chomhlíonadh.
(4) Féadfar, trí rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí fán alt so, na nithe sin uile d'ordú a mheasfaidh an tAire sin is ceart maidir le comhaltas comhchoistí den tsórt a luaitear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, le toghadh agus téarmaí oifige comhaltaí na gcomhchoistí sin, le nós imeachta na gcomhchoistí sin, agus le hiniúchadh a gcuntas.
(5) Ní údaróidh éinní dá bhfuil san alt so do chomhchoiste a ceapfar fán alt so aon airgead do chruinniú ar gá do réir an Achta so gur comhairle chontae do chruinneodh é.
(6) Scoirfidh fo-alt (4) d'alt 23 den Acht Dréineála Airtéirí, 1925 (Uimh. 33 de 1925), d'éifeacht do bheith aige maidir le ceapacháin chun coistí agus comhchoistí a déanfar fán alt san tar éis an lae cheaptha.
(7) Scoirfidh na focail “agus ní foláir d'éinne amháin ar a laghad den bheirt bhall deiridh a luaitear bheith ina íocóir ráta dhréineála i gcontae na comhairle sin” atá i mír 2 den Sceideal a ghabhas le hAcht Dréineála na Bearbha, 1927 (Uimh. 26 de 1927), d'éifeacht do bheith acu maidir le ceapacháin chun Bord Siltin na Bearbha a déanfar tar éis an lae cheaptha.
Orduithe aistrithe chothabhála.
24.—(1) Tráth ar bith tar éis an lae cheaptha féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú aistrithe chothabhála san Acht so) arna dhéanamh ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin, urlámhas agus a bainistí aon cheanntair shiltin láithrigh a mbeidh a urlámhas agus a bhainistí, díreach roimh an t-ordú san do dhéanamh, dílsithe i gcomhairle chontae nó i gcomhairlí dhá chontae nó níos mó, d'aistriú chun na gCoimisinéirí amhail ar dháta sonnraithe agus ón dáta san amach.
(2) Aon uair a dhéanfas an tAire ordú aistrithe chothabhála, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) tiocfaidh urlámhas agus bainistí an cheanntair shiltin láithrigh lena mbainfidh an t-ordú san agus cúram cothabhála na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha ann chun bheith agus beid dílsithe sna Coimisinéirí amhail ar an dáta agus ón dáta a luafar chuige sin san ordú san;
(b) amhail ar dháta agus ó dháta an aistrithe sin agus mura dtarlaí agus go dtí go dtarlóidh na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san do chur isteach leis na hoibreacha a molfar i scéim siltin do dhéanamh de bhun na scéime sin agus na Coimisinéirí do dhul isteach ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san chun an scéim siltin sin do chur i ngníomh, déanfaidh an chomhairle nó na comhairlí óna n-aistreofar an ceanntar siltin láithreach san leis an ordú san na costais agus an caiteachas fána raghaidh na Coimisinéirí ag cothabháil na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha san d'íoc leis na Coimisinéirí sa tslí a foráltar le Cuid V den Acht so.
Iontaobhaithe siltin agus buird siltin do scor.
25.—(1) Gach comhlucht iontaobhaithe agus gach bord siltin ina mbeidh urlámhas agus bainistí ceanntair shiltin láithrigh dílsithe díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, tiocfaid chun bheith agus beid scortha an lá san de bhuaidh an ailt seo.
(2) An méid is iomchuibhe de na forála atá leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht so beidh feidhm agus éifeacht acu ar an lá ceaptha maidir le gach comhlucht iontaobhaithe agus le gach bord siltin a thiocfas chun bheith scortha an lá san de bhuaidh an ailt seo.
Costas oibreacha siltin láithreacha d'íoc.
26.—An t-airgead is iníoctha leis na Coimisinéirí ag comhairle chontae in aisíoc an chaiteachais fána ndeachthas ag déanamh na n-oibreacha siltin i gceanntar siltin láithreach (seachas Ceanntar Siltin na Bearbha) nó ag deisiú aon oibreacha siltin den tsórt san fán Acht chun Dréineáil do Choinneáil Suas, 1924 (Uimh. 46 de 1924), deanfaidh an chomhairle sin, amhail ar an lá ceaptha agus ón lá san amach, é chruinniú (sa mhéid ná beidh an caiteachas san aisíoctha roimh an lá ceaptha) tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán agus ní dhéanfaidh an chomhairle sin aon chuid den airgead san do chruinniú trí ráta siltin.
Forála maidir le Ceanntar Siltin na Bearbha.
27.—(1) Scoirfidh alt 19 d'Acht Dréineála na Bearbha, 1927 (Uimh. 26 de 1927), arna leasú le halt 3 d'Acht Dréineála na Bearbha, 1933 (Uimh. 30 de 1933), d'éifeacht do bheith aige maidir le haon bhliain airgeadais áitiúil a thosnós tar éis an lae cheaptha.
(2) Ní bheidh éifeacht ag alt 20 d'Acht Dréineála na Bearbha, 1927 (Uimh. 26 de 1927), in aon bhliain airgeadais áitiúil a thosnós tar éis an lae cheaptha agus ina ionad san beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) i ngach bliain airgeadais áitiúil den tsórt san go críoch na gcúig mblian tríochad de bhlianta airgeadais áitiúla a luaitear san alt san 20, íocfaidh comhairlí contaethe Chill Dara, Laoighse, agus Ó bhFailghe fá seach suim seacht míle, céad agus ceithre puint chaogad leis na Coimisinéirí agus íocfaidh na comhairlí sin an tsuim sin amhlaidh sna cionúireachta ina ndlíd agus ar na coinníollacha ar a ndlíd anois rann-íoc do dhéanamh i leith na suime bliantúla is iníoctha acu fán alt san 20;
(b) an t-airgead is iníoctha leis na Coimisinéirí ag comhairle chontae fán mír sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so, cruinneoidh an chomhairle sin é tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán agus ní chruinneoidh an chomhairle sin aon chuid den airgead san tríd an ráta siltin fán Acht san;
(c) an méid den tsuim bhliantúil is iníoctha leis na Coimisi-éirí fán alt san 20 ná glanfar trí na híocaíochta fá na míreanna san roimhe seo den fho-alt so, íocfar é as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(3) Aon airgead a bheas i seilbh Bhord Siltin na Bearbha an lá ceaptha nó a gheobhaid tar éis an lae cheaptha i leith aon tréimhse dar críoch an lá ceaptha nó lá roimhe sin, úsáidfear é chun laghduithe an airgid a bheas le cruinniú le haghaidh na gcostas cothabhála maidir le Ceanntar Siltin na Bearbha in aon bhliain airgeadais áitiúil a thosnós tar éis an lae cheaptha.
Forála áirithe i dtaobh ceanntracha siltin láithreacha fá bhainistí comhairlí.
28.—(1) San alt so ciallaíonn an abairt “comhairle fhreagarthach”, maidir le ceanntar siltin láithreach a mbeidh a urlámhas agus a bhainistí dílsithe, díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, i gcomhairle chontae nó i dhá gceann nó níos mó de chomhairlí den tsórt san le chéile, an chomhairle nó ceann de na comhairlí ina mbeidh an t-urlámhas agus an bhainistí sin dílsithe amhlaidh.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le gach ceanntar siltin láithreach a mbeidh a urlámhas agus a bhainistí dílsithe, díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, i gcomhairle chontae nó i dhá gceann nó níos mó de chomhairlí den tsórt san le chéile, sé sin le rá:—
(a) féadfaidh comhairle fhreagarthach nó comhairlí freagarthacha aon cheanntair shiltin láithrigh den tsórt san, as a gcomhairle féin, pé loghaíocht do thabhairt a mheasfaid is ceart maidir le modh nó tráth íoctha aon riaráiste ráta shiltin nó muirir shiltin a bheas dlite don chomhairle nó do na comhairlí sin an lá ceaptha;
(b) i gcás an chomhairle fhreagarthach nó ceann amháin nó níos mó de na comhairlí freagarthacha maidir le haon cheanntar shiltin láithreach den tsórt san d'úsáid airgid, roimh an lá ceaptha (pé acu roimh dháta an Achta so do rith nó dá éis é), as a gciste contae nó a gcistí contae fá seach chun críocha an cheanntair shiltin láithrigh sin agus an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí dá dhearbhú, le hordú arna dhéanamh roimh an lá ceaptha nó dá éis, úsáid sin an airgid sin do bheith réasúnach agus ceart, beidh, agus is tuigthe go raibh riamh, úsáid sin an airgid sin ag an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí sin dleathach, bailí agus neamh-inchonspóide;
(c) i gcás dhá chomhairle fhreagarthacha nó níos mó do bheith ann maidir le haon cheanntar siltin láithreach den tsórt san agus ceann de na comhairlí sin d'úsáid airgid, roimh an lá ceaptha (pé acu roimh dháta an Achta so do rith nó dá éis é), as a gciste contae chun críocha an cheanntair shiltin láithrigh sin gan an rann-íoc (más ann) d'fháil ón gceann nó ó na cinn eile de na comhairlí freagarthacha san dob iníoctha do réir cirt i leith an airgid sin ag an gceann nó na cinn eile sin de na comhairlí sin, is dleathach d'aon chomhairle fhreagarthach acu san scéim d'ullmhú chun an t-airgead uile a bheas úsáite amhlaidh ag aon chomhairle acu d'éagmais an rann-íoca san do choigeartú agus do chionroinnt idir na comhairlí freagarthacha san, agus má aontaíonn agus nuair a aontós an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí leis an scéim sin beidh feidhm dlí aici agus bhéarfar éifeacht di dá réir sin.
Comhairle dá fhaillí oibreacha siltin láithreacha do chothabháil.
29.—(1) Aon uair, tar éis an lae cheaptha, is dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí go bhfuil aon oibreacha siltin láithreacha is inchothabhálta de thuras na huaire ag comhairle chontae nó ag comhairlí dhá chontae nó níos mó gan bheith dá gcothabháil mar is ceart agus go bhfuil géar-ghá le hobair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin maidir leis na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí fógra (dá ngairmtear fógra drochdheise san alt so) do sheirbheáil leis an bpost ar an gcomhairle sin nó ar gach ceann de na comhairlí sin á rá gur dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí go bhfuil géar-ghá leis an obair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin a bheas sonnraithe chuige sin sa bhfógra san maidir leis na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san agus á cheangal ar an gcomhairle nó ar na comhairlí sin an obair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin sin do dhéanamh laistigh d'am a bheas ceaptha chuige sin sa bhfógra san.
(2) Aon uair a seirbheálfar fógra droch-dheise fán bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an chomhairle nó na comhairlí ar a seirbheálfar an fógra droch-dheise sin amhlaidh déanfaid láithreach, chun sástachta na gCoimisinéirí, an obair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin a bheas sonnraithe sa bhfógra san agus íocfaid costas déanta na hoibre sin sa tslí chéanna agus, i gcás dhá chomhairle nó níos mó, sna cionúireachta céanna ina mbeidh ceangailte de thuras na huaire ar an gcomhairle nó ar na comhairlí sin leis an Acht so nó ar shlí eile do réir dlí costas cothabhála na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha lena mbainfidh an fógra san d'íoc;
(b) mura ndéana an chomhairle nó na comhairlí sin an obair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin sin chun sástachta na gCoimisinéirí laistigh den am a bheas ceaptha chuige sin sa bhfógra droch-dheise sin, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí dul isteach ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san agus an obair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin sin do dhéanamh nó do chríochnú ann (do réir mar bheas);
(c) má théigheann na Coimisinéirí isteach ar na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san agus go ndéanfaid nó go gcríochnóid ann obair chothabhála nó deisiúcháin fán mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so, seirbheálfaidh na Coimisinéirí ar an gcomhairle nó ar gach ceann de na comhairlí lena mbainfidh an scéal fógra ina luafar méid na gcostas agus an chaiteachais fána ndeachaidh na Coimisinéirí ag déanamh nó ag críochnú (do réir mar bheas) na hoibre sin agus air sin beidh an tsuim a luafar amhlaidh iníoctha leis na Coimisinéirí ag an gcomhairle nó ag na comhairlí sin agus, mura n-íoctar amhlaidh í, beidh sí inbhainte amach ag na Coimisineirí in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla mar fhiacha ghnáthchonnartha;
(d) an tsuim is iníoctha leis na Coimisinéirí ag comhairle nó ag dhá chomhairle no níos mó fán mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so déanfaidh an chomhairle nó na comhairlí sin í d'íoc sa tslí ina mbeidh ceangailte de thuras na huaire ar an gcomhairle nó ar na comhairlí sin leis an Acht so nó ar shlí eile do réir dlí costas cothabhála na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha san d'íoc agus, i gcás an tsuim sin do bheith iníoctha amhlaidh ag dhá chomhairle nó níos mó, íocfaid í agus beidh sí inbhainte dhíobh sna cionúireachta céanna ina mbeidh an costas cothabhála san iníoctha mar adúradh acu.
E bheith de dhualgas ar chomhairlí tuarascáil do thabhairt uathu.
30.—(1) Déanfaidh gach comhairle chontae a bheas, tar éis an lae cheaptha, freagarthach fán gCuid seo den Acht so i gcothabháil na n-oibreacha siltin i gceanntar siltin láithreach agus comhchoiste aon dá chomhairle chontae nó níos mó a bheas freagarthach amhlaidh le chéile tuarascáil do thabhairt do na Coimisinéirí gach bliain maidir leis an gceanntar siltin láithreach san agus na hoibreacha siltin ann.
(2) Gach tuarascáil do bhéarfar de bhun an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so beidh sí i pé foirm agus beidh pé sonnraí inti a ordóidh na Coimisinéirí chuige sin.
CUID IV.
Cladhphoirt Laithreacha.
Urlámhas agus bainistí cladhphort láithreach d'aistriú chun na gCoimisinéirí
31.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú aistrithe sa Chuid seo den Acht so), aon uair is oiriúnach leis san do dhéanamh ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin, urlámhas agus bainistí aon chladhphoirt láithrigh d'aistriú chun na gCoimisinéirí agus fós, i gcás an cladhphort láithreach san do bheith, díreach roimh dháta an orduithe sin, dílsithe in iontaobhaithe, an cladhphort láithreach san d'aistriú chun na gCoimisinéirí agus an céanna do dhílsiú iontu chun an eastáit chéanna chun a raibh sé dílsithe amhlaidh sna hiontaobhaithe sin.
(2) Oibreoidh ordú aistrithe agus beidh éifeacht aige do réir a théarmaí agus, má bhíonn an cladhphort láithreach lena mbainfidh an t-ordú san curtha isteach leis na hoibreacha siltin a molfar i scéim siltin a dhéanamh, oibreoidh an t-ordú aistrithe sin chun an cladhphort láithreach san do chorprú sna hoibreacha siltin sin, agus in aon chás eile oibreoidh an t-ordú aistrithe sin chun a chur mar dhualgais (dá ngairmtear dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála sa Chuid seo den Acht so) ar na Coimisinéirí an cladhphort láithreach lena mbainfidh an t-ordú san do chur i ndeis cheart agus i riocht éifeachtach agus é chothabháil sa deis cheart agus sa riocht éifeachtach san.
(3) Beidh de chumhacht ag na Coimisinéirí, chun na dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála do dhéanamh a cuirfear orthu maidir le cladhphort láithreach de bhuaidh orduithe aistrithe—
(a) dul isteach ar aon talamh agus na nithe sin uile do dhéanamh ann is dóigh leo is gá chun na críche sin agus, go sonnruch, cré agus abhair eile do bhaint den talamh san, agus
(b) gach ceist do chinneadh a éireos maidir leis an gcladhphort láithreach san agus lena dheisiú nó a chothabháil agus cearta, oblagáidí, agus dliteanais na bpáirtithe uile ina leith do mhíniú nó d'ordú.
(4) Féadfaidh ordú aistrithe bheith ina ordú ná bainfidh ach le cuid de chladhphort láithreach, agus dá réir sin sa Chuid seo den Acht so (agus na fo-mhíreanna san roimhe seo den alt so d'áireamh) déanfar, i gcás an comhthéacs dá cheadú san, an abairt “cladhphort láithreach” do léiriú mar abairt a fholaíos cuid de chladhphort láithreach chomh maith le hiomlán cladhphoirt láithrigh.
Cumhacht chun cladhphort ionadaitheach do dhéanamh.
32.—(1) Aon uair is deimhin leis na Coimisinéirí, maidir le cladhphort láithreach a gcuirfear dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála orthu ina thaobh de bhuaidh orduithe aistrithe, gur gá cladhphort nua do dhéanamh (i dteannta nó in ionad an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin) ar shuíomh eile chun an talamh nó cuid den talamh dá bhfónann an cladhphort láithreach san do cheart-chosaint, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí an cladhphort nua san do dhéanamh ar an suíomh san agus do réir na bplean san a mheasfaid is oiriúnach tar éis dóibh dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Talmhaíochta.
(2) Chun cladhphort nua do dhéanamh fán bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, beidh de chumhacht ag na Coimisinéirí—
(a) dul isteach ar an suíomh a beartófar don chladhphort nua san agus an cladhphort nua san do dhéanamh ann agus fós na nithe sin uile do dhéanamh ann is dóigh leo is gá chuige sin nó ina thaobh san, agus
(b) dul isteach ar aon talamh eile agus na nithe sin do dhéanamh ann is dóigh leo is gá chun an cladhphort nua san do dhéanamh agus, go sonnruch, cré agus abhair eile do bhaint den talamh san, agus
(c) cúiteamh d'íoc as damáiste, buan nó sealadach, a bhainfidh do thalamh trí na Coimisinéirí d'fheidhmiú aon chumhachta dá dtugtar dóibh leis na forála san roimhe seo den fho-alt so.
(3) Gach iarratas ar chúiteamh is iníoctha ag na Coimisinéirí fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é d'éisteacht agus do chinneadh ag eadránaí a ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin agus beidh breith an eadránaí sin (maidir leis an gceart chun an chúitimh sin agus le méid an chúitimh sin) ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
(4) Nuair a bheas an ceart chun cúitimh den tsórt a luaitear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so nó méid an chúitimh sin á chinneadh ag eadránaí fán bhfo-alt san, bhéarfaidh an t-éadránaí áird ar an tairbhe (más ann) a bheas déanta d'éilitheoir an chúitimh sin nó dá thalamh tríd an cladhphort nua san do dhéanamh.
(5) Má dhéanann na Coimisinéirí cladhphort nua fán alt so i dteannta nó in ionad cladhphoirt láithrigh, ansan, na cumhachta agus na dualgais a bronntar nó a cuirtear leis an gCuid seo den Acht so nó a bronnfar nó a cuirfear fúithi ar na Coimisinéirí maidir le cothabháil an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin beidh feidhm agus réim acu maidir leis an gcladhphort nua san.
Costas cothabhála cladhphoirt láithrigh d'íoc.
33.—(1) Nuair a bheas na Coimisinéirí tar éis an obair do chríochnú a bhainfeas le deis cheart agus riocht éifeachtach (lena n-áirítear, i gcás cladhphort nua do dhéanamh fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo, déanamh an chladhphoirt nua san) do chur ar chladhphort láithreach a gcuirfear dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála ina thaobh orthu de bhuaidh orduithe aistrithe. deimhneoidh na Coimisinéirí—
(a) cad é an dáta (dá ngairmtear an dáta déantachta san alt so agus i gCuid V den Acht so) ar ar críochnaíodh an obair sin, eadhon, deis cheart agus riocht éifeachtach do chur ar an gcladhphort san, agus
(b) cad é an chomhairle chontae nó cad iad na comhairlí contae fá seach a luighfidh orthu fán alt so costais chothabhála an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin tar éis an dáta dhéantachta, agus
(c) i gcás ina ndeimhneofar amhlaidh na costais sin do luighe ar dhá chomhairle nó níos mó den tsórt san, cad é an chionúireacht de na costais sin a luighfidh amhlaidh ar gach comhairle fá leith acu san.
(2) Nuair a bheas deimhniú tugtha ag na Coimisinéirí de bhun an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so i dtaobh cladhphoirt láithrigh, beidh muirear na gcostas uile fána raghaidh na Coimisinéirí ag cothabháil an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin tar éis an dáta dhéantachta, agus a n-íoc leis na Coimisinéirí, ar an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí a bheas ainmnithe chuige sin sa deimhniú san fán bhfo-alt san roimhe seo do réir na bhforál iomchuibhe de Chuid V den Acht so.
Cladhphort láithreach do thréigean.
34.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú (dá ngairmtear ordú tréigin sa Chuid seo den Acht so), aon uair a mheasfaidh is ceart san do dhéanamh ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin, a údarú iomlán cladhphoirt láithrigh nó aon chuid shonnraithe de chladhphort láithreach do thréigean a mbeidh dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála ina thaobh curtha ar na Coimisinéirí de bhuaidh orduithe aistrithe.
(2) Oibreoidh ordú tréigin chun a údarú do na Coimisinéirí an cladhphort láithreach nó an chuid de chladhphort láithreach lena mbainfidh an t-ordú san do thréigean agus chun na Coimisinéirí d'fhuascailt agus do shaoradh, amhail ó dháta an orduithe sin, ó na dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála a bheas curtha orthu de bhuaidh an orduithe aistrithe iomchuibhe.
(3) Duine ar bith a fhuilingeos caillteanas nó damáiste de dheascaibh talamh a bheas ar únaeracht nó ar lonnaíocht aige do thuiliú beidh sé, i gcás an tuiliú san do theacht go díreach de thréigean chladhphoirt láithrigh de bhun orduithe thréigin, i dteideal na Coimisinéirí d'íoc cúitimh leis sa chaillteanas nó sa damáiste sin.
(4) Gach éileamh ar chúiteamh fán alt so—
(a) cuirfear é i scríbhinn chun na gCoimisinéirí laistigh de bhliain tar éis an caillteanas nó an damáiste lena mbainfidh an t-éileamh d'fhulang den chéad uair, agus
(b) déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é d'éisteacht agus do chinneadh ag eadránaí a ainmeoidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin agus beidh a bhreith sin maidir leis an gceart chun an chúitimh sin agus le méid an chúitimh sin ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
(5) Aon chúiteamh is iníoctha fán alt so maidir le tuiliú tailimh (dá ngairmtear talamh tuilte sa bhfo-alt so) a bheas, leis féin nó i dteannta tailimh eile, fá Bhlianacht Talamh-Cheannaigh nó íocaíocht bhliantúil eile (nach é amháin a bheas inti cíos fá chonnradh tionóntachta) is iníoctha le Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann nó leis na Coimisinéirí, cuirfear é chun nó mar chabhair chun fuascailte an mhéide (pé acu an t-iomlán nó cuid é) den bhlianacht nó den íocaíocht bhliantúil sin a bheas muirearaithe nó cionroinnte ar an talamh tuilte amháin, agus ní híocfar le húnaer nó lonnaitheoir an tailimh thuilte ach an barrachas (más ann) a bheas fágtha den chúiteamh san tar éis na fuascailte sin.
Cistí iontaobhais maidir le cladhphoirt láithreacha.
35.—I gcás ciste iontaobhais do bheith ann ar dháta orduithe aistrithe, pé acu san Iontaobhaí Poiblí nó i gCoimisiún Talún na hÉireann nó in iontaobhaithe a bheas an ciste sin dílsithe, chun an cladhphort láithreach (leis féin nó i dteannta oibreacha eile) a mbainfidh an t-ordú aistrithe sin leis nó le cuid de do chothabháil (pé acu go buan nó ar feadh tréimhse sonnraithe nó eile é), beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag pé forála acu so leanas is infheidhme, sé sin le rá:—
(a) má bhaineann an t-ordú aistrithe sin le hiomlán an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin agus ná bainfidh an ciste iontaobhais sin ach leis an gcladhphort láithreach san amháin, déanfar, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an t-ordú aistrithe sin do dhéanamh, an ciste iontaobhais sin d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire;
(b) mura mbaine an t-ordú aistrithe sin ach le cuid den chladhphort láithreach san agus ná bainfidh an ciste iontaobhais sin ach leis an gcladhphort láithreach san amháin, déanfaidh Coimisinéir Breithiúntais Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann, ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin agus ar fhógra do bheith tugtha do na páirtithe uile lena mbainfidh agus tar éis caoi do thabhairt do na páirtithe sin ar éisteacht d'fháil, an ciste iontaobhais sin do chionroinnt idir an chuid den chladhphort láithreach san lena mbainfidh an t-ordú aistrithe sin agus iarmhéid an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin, agus air sin déanfar an chuid den chiste iontaobhais sin a bheas cionroinnte amhlaidh ar an gcuid den chladhphort láithreach san lena mbainfidh an t-ordú aistrithe sin d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire;
(c) má bhaineann an t-ordú aistrithe sin le hiomlán an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin agus go mbainfidh an ciste iontaobhais sin leis an gcladhphort láithreach san agus fós le hoibreacha eile, déanfaidh an Coimisinéir Breithiúntais sin, ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin agus ar fhógra do bheith tugtha do na páirtithe uile lena mbainfidh agus tar éis caoi do thabhairt do na páirtithe sin ar éisteacht d'fháil, an ciste iontaobhais sin do chionroinnt idir an cladhphort láithreach san agus na hoibreacha eile sin, agus air sin déanfar an chuid den chiste iontaobhais sin a bheas cionroinnte amhlaidh ar an gcladhphort láithreach san d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire;
(d) mura mbaine an t-ordú aistrithe sin ach le cuid den chladhphort láithreach san agus go mbainfidh an ciste iontaobhais sin leis an gcladhphort láithreach san agus fós le hoibreacha eile, déanfaidh an Coimisinéir Breithiúntais sin, ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin agus ar fhógra do bheith tugtha do na páirtithe uile lena mbainfidh agus tar éis caoi do thabhairt do na páirtithe sin ar éisteacht d'fháil, an ciste iontaobhais sin do chionroinnt idir an chuid den chladhphort láithreach san lena mbainfidh an t-ordú t-aistrithe sin, ar thaobh, agus iarmhéid an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin agus na hoibreacha eile sin, ar an taobh eile, agus air sin déanfar an chuid den chiste iontaobhais sin a bheas cionroinnte amhlaidh ar an gcuid den chladhphort láithreach san lena mbainfidh an t-ordú aistrithe sin d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire;
(e) in aon chás ina gceangaltar le haon cheann de na forála san roimhe seo den alt so ciste iontaobhais nó cuid de chiste iontaobhais d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste, is dleathach don Iontaobhaí Poiblí nó do Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann nó do na hiontaobhaithe (pé acu é) iomlán na suncála (más ann) a sheasós an tráth san don chiste iontaobhais sin, nó pé méid díobh is gá, do dhíol chun an t-íoc nó an cur-chun-tairbhe sin do dhéanamh;
(f) má ceangaltar fá aon cheann de na forála san roimhe seo den alt so iomlán an chiste iontaobhais sin d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste, beidh an tIontaobhaí Poiblí, Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann, nó na hiontaobhaithe, pé acu san a raibh an ciste iontaobhais sin dílsithe ann nó iontu díreach roimh an íoc nó an cur-chun-tairbhe sin do dhéanamh, saortha de bhuaidh an Achta so, díreach tar éis an t-íoc nó an cur-chun-tairbhe sin do dhéanamh, ó na hiontaobhais agus na dualgais ar ar shealbhaíodar an ciste iontaobhais sin amhlaidh (pé acu de bhuaidh Dintiúra Iontaobhais nó Scéime nó eile é) agus daoine ar bith eile a bhí, díreach roimh an íoc nó an cur-chun-tairbhe sin do dhéanamh, i gcáil iontaobhais maidir leis an gciste iontaobhais sin, beid saortha mar an gcéanna ó na hiontaobhais agus na dualgais do cuireadh orthu de bhuaidh na cáile iontaobhais sin;
(g) i gcás ná ceanglófar fá aon cheann de na forála san roimhe seo den alt so ach cuid den chiste iontaobhais sin d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag an mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so maidir leis an gcuid sin den chiste iontaobhais sin fé is dá mba í an chuid sin iomlán an chiste iontaobhais sin, ach ní oibreoidh éinní san Acht so chun an tIontaobhaí Poiblí, Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann, nó na hiontaobhaithe (pé acu é) ná duine ar bith eile d'fhuascailt nó do shaoradh, maidir le hiarmhéid an chiste iontaobhais sin, ó aon iontaobhas nó dualgas a bheas curtha orthu san nó air sin (pé acu trí Dhintiúir Iontaobhais nó Scéim nó eile é) maidir leis an gciste iontaobhais sin sa mhéid go mbainfidh an t-iontaobhas nó an dualgas san le hiarmhéid an chladhphoirt láithrigh.
Forála maidir le cladhphoirt láithreacha áirithe.
36.—(1) Aon uair a dhéanfas Coimisinéir Breithiúntais Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann, i bhfeidhmiú na gcumhacht do bheirtear dó le halt 44 den Acht Talún, 1923 (Uimh. 42 de 1923), nó le halt 45 den Acht Talún, 1931 (Uimh. 11 de 1931), ordachán do thabhairt, maidir le cladhphort láithreach a gcuirfear dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála ina thaobh ar na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so, pé acu de bhuaidh orduithe aistrithe nó ar shlí eile é, chun bannaí talún d'íoc nó d'aisíoc leis an Iontaobhaí Poiblí, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag pé ceann de na forála so leanas is infheidhme, sé sin le rá:—
(a) má bhaineann na dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála san le hiomlán an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin, déanfaidh an tIontaobhaí Poiblí, d'ainneoin éinní atá san alt san 44 nó san alt san 45, na bannaí talún a híocfar nó a haisíocfar (pé acu é) leis an Iontaobhaí Poiblí de bhun an ordacháin sin do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire;
(b) mura mbaine na dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála san ach le cuid den chladhphort láithreach san, déanfaidh an Coimisinéir Breithiúntais sin, le linn dó ordachán do thabhairt mar adúradh chun bannaí talún d'íoc nó d'aisíoc leis an Iontaobhaí Poiblí, na bannaí talún san do chionroinnt idir an chuid den chladhphort láithreach san a mbainfidh na dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála san léi agus iarmhéid an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin agus, nuair a bheas na bannaí talún san íoctha nó aisíoctha (pé acu é) leis an iontaobhaí poiblí de bhun an ordacháin sin, déanfaidh sé, d'ainneoin éinní atá san alt san 44 nó san alt san 45, pé méid de na bannaí talún san a bheas cionroinnte amhlaidh ar an gcuid den chladhphort láithreach san a gcuirfear na dualgais deisiúcháin agus chothabhála san ina taobh ar na Coimisinéirí do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire.
(2) I gcás ina mbeid infheidhme beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le horduithe aistrithe, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na cumhachta do bheirtear do Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann le halt 44 den Acht Talún, 1923 (Uimh. 42 de 1923), nó le halt 45 den Acht Talún, 1931 (Uimh. 11 de 1931), chun iarratas do dhéanamh chun an Choimisinéara Bhreithiúntais fán alt san, ní dhéanfaidh sé dochar ná difir dóibh an t-ordú aistrithe iomchuibhe do bheith déanta (má bhíonn) roimh an lá ceaptha iomchuibhe do réir bhrí na nAcht Talamh-Cheannaigh;
(b) ní bheidh feidhm ná éifeacht ag fo-alt (2) den alt san 44 ná ag fo-alt (2) den alt san 45 (pé acu é) maidir le cladhphort láithreach a mbeidh ordú aistrithe déanta ina thaobh;
(c) más rud é, tar éis ordú aistrithe do bheith déanta i dtaobh cladhphoirt láithrigh, go raghaidh na Coimisinéirí fá chostais ag déanamh oibreacha glantóireachta, deisiúcháin, nó athchóirithe maidir leis an gcladhphort láithreach san is oibreacha a mbeadh ar Choimisiún Talún na hÉireann iad do dhéanamh mura mbeadh an t-ordú aistrithe sin, is dleathach don Choimisinéir Breithiúntais, ar Choimisiúin Talún na hÉireann dá iarraidh sin, ordú do dhéanamh fá alt 20 den Acht Talún, 1927 (Uimh. 19 de 1927), nó fá alt 46 den Acht Talún, 1931 (Uimh. 11 de 1931) (pé acu é), chun bannaí talún d'aistriú chun Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann chun na costais fána raghaidh na Coimisinéirí amhlaidh d'íoc;
(d) déanfar bannaí talún a haistreofar chun Coimisiúin Talún na hÉireann fá aon ordú den tsaghas a luaitear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire.
CUID V.
Oibreacha Siltin do Chothabhail.
Na Coimisinéiri do chothabháil oibreacha siltin.
37.—(1) Aon uair a heiseofar deimhniú déantachta agus fós aon uair a déanfar ordú aistrithe chothabhála, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le cothabháil (do réir mar bheas) na n-oibreacha siltin adéarfar sa deimhniú san do bheith críochnaithe nó na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha lena mbainfidh an t-ordú san (ach san sa chás deiridh sin an fhaid sin amháin a bheas na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san inchothabhálta ag na Coimisinéirí de bhuaidh an orduithe sin), sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí na hoibreacha siltin sin nó na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san (pé acu é) do choimeád i ndeis cheart agus i riocht éifeachtach ach, i gcás aon oibreacha siltin láithreacha den tsórt san, ní bheidh d'oblagáid ar na Coimisinéirí na hoibreacha san do choimeád i riocht nó i ndeis is fearr ná an riocht agus an deis a bhí orthu ar dháta an orduithe aistrithe chothabhála;
(b) in aon imeachta i gcoinne na gCoimisinéirí ag lorg airgid damáiste nó faoisimh i bhfoirm mandamus mar gheall ar an gcothabháil neamh-dhóthaineach adeirtear do bheith á dhéanamh ar aon oibreacha siltin láithreacha den tsórt san ag na Coimisinéirí, beidh deimhniú fá shéala na gCoimisinéirí, á rá gur chuir na Coimisinéirí fá ndear na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san d'iniúchadh agus gur deimhin leo go raibh na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san, ar dháta an iniúchta san, i riocht agus i ndeis chomh maith ar a laghad leis an riocht agus an deis ina rabhdar ar dháta an orduithe aistrithe chothabhála iomchuibhe, ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite dho-bhréagnuithe go raibh na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san ar dháta an iniúchta san i riocht agus i ndeis chomh maith ar a laghad leis an riocht agus an deis ina rabhdar ar dháta an orduithe sin;
(c) déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí, ar nó roimh an 15ú lá de Nollaig díreach tar éis dáta an deimhnithe dhéantachta san d'eisiúin nó an orduithe aistrithe chothabhála san do dhéanamh (pé acu é) agus ar nó roimh an 15ú lá de gach mí Nollag dá éis sin, meastachán d'ullmhú i dtaobh an chostais is dócha a ghabhfas leis na hoibreacha siltin sin nó na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san do chothabháil (mar mínítear san san alt so) sa chéad bhliain airgeadais ina dhiaidh sin agus, i gcás na tailte tairbhithe do bheith i dhá gcontae nó níos mó, an costas dóchúil measta san do chionroinnt ar na contaethe sin i gcomhréir leis na méaduithe iomlána fá seach ar luach bliantúil na gcoda de na tailte tairbhithe a bheas i ngach contae fá leith acu san (mar bheas san luaite sa Mholadh iomchuibhe fán Acht so nó sa Mholadh nó sa mholadh deiridh fá aon Acht eile nó (go dtí go n-eisítear Moladh fán Acht so) sa scéim siltin iomchuibhe fán Acht so);
(d) ar nó roimh an 15ú lá de gach mí Nollag acu san, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí—
(i) i gcás na tailte tairbhithe go léir do bheith san aon chontae amháin, ráiteas do chur chun comhairle na contae sin á rá cad is méid don chostas dóchúil measta san a bheas arna ullmhú acu an mí Nollag san maraon le héileamh go n-íocfar, do réir na bhforál ina dhiadh seo den fho-alt so, an costas dóchúil measta san, nó
(ii) i gcás na tailte tairbhithe do bheith i dhá gcontae nó níos mó, ráiteas do chur chun comhairle gach contae fá leith acu san á rá cad é an chuid den chostas dóchúil measta san (arna ullmhú mar adúradh) atá cionroinnte ar an gcomhairle sin maraon le héileamh go n-íocfar, do réir na bhforál ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, an chuid sin den chostas dóchúil measta san;
(c) sara gcuirfidh na Coimisinéirí aon éileamh íocaíochta den tsórt san chun comhairle ar bith in aon mhí Nollag tar éis an chéad mhí Nollag acu san, fionnfaid dearbhchostas cothabhála na n-oibreacha siltin nó na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha san sa bhliain airgeadais díreach roimhe sin agus cuirfid an dearbh-chostas san i gcomparáid leis an gcostas dóchúil measta (arna ullmhú mar adúradh) i leith na bliana san roimhe sin agus, má bhíonn difríocht ar bith idir an dearbhchostas san agus an costas dóchúil measta san, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí an tsuim a mbeidh a híoc á éileamh amhlaidh do choigeartú tríd an costas dóchúil measta san lena mbainfidh an t-éileamh íocaíochta san do mhéadú nó do laghdú (do réir mar bheas) de mhéid na difríochta san;
(f) gach comhairle chun a gcuirfear éileamh íocaíochta de bhun na bhforál san roimhe seo den alt so íocfaid leis na Coimisinéirí an tsuim a mbeidh a híoc á éileamh amhlaidh ina dhá leath a n-íocfar leath amháin acu amhlaidh roimh an 30ú lá de Mheán Fómhair díreach i ndiaidh an t-éileamh íocaíochta san do dhéanamh agus a n-íocfar an leath eile acu roimh an 31ú lá de Mhárta díreach i ndiaidh an 30ú lá san de Mheán Fómhair;
(g) más rud é, i rith na tréimhse dar tosach dáta an deimhnithe dhéantachta san nó an orduithe aistrithe chothabhála san (pé acu é) agus dar críoch an chéad 31ú lá de Mhárta ina dhiaidh sin, go raghaidh na Coimisinéirí fá chostas ag cothabháil na n-oibreacha siltin nó na n-oibreacha siltin láithreacha san (pé acu é) déanfar an méid, arna dheimhniú ag na Coimisinéirí, a chosnóidh an chothabháil sin (mar mínítear san san alt so) d'íoc leis na Coimisinéirí ar iad dá éileamh—
(i) i gcás na tailte tairbhithe do bheith san aon chontae amháin, ag comhairle na contae sin, nó
(ii) i gcás na tailte tairbhithe do bheith i dhá gcontae nó níos mó, ag comhairlí na gcontaethe sin fá seach sna cionúireachta a dheimhneoidh na Coimisinéirí;
(h) an t-airgead uile is iníoctha leis na Coimisinéirí ag comhairle chontae fán alt so—
(i) déanfaidh an chomhairle sin é chruinniú tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán, agus
(ii) féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí é bhaint den chomhairle sin in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla mar fhiacha ghnáthchonnartha, agus
(iii) déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí, ar é bheith faighte nó bainte amach acu, é d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste ar pé slí ordóidh an tAire.
(2) Nuair a bheas an deimhniú a luaitear i gCuid IV den Acht so maidir le críochnú na hoibre a bhainfeas le cladhphort láithreach do chur i ndeis cheart agus i riocht éifeachtach eisithe ag na Coimisinéirí, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag míreanna (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) agus (h) den fho-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so maidir leis an gcostas fána ndeachaidh na Coimisinéirí ag cothabháil an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin fé is dá ndéantaí na míreanna san d'aithris anso gusna modhnuithe is gá agus go háirithe gusna malairtithe seo leanas—
(a) an dáta déantachta do chur in ionad dáta an deimhnithe dhéantachta d'eisiúin, agus
(b) an chomhairle nó na comhairlí ar a luighfidh an costas san do chur in ionad comhairle na contae nó comhairlí na gcontae ina mbeidh na tailte tairbhithe, agus
(c) cothabháil an chladhphoirt láithrigh sin do chur in ionad cothabháil oibreacha siltin láithreacha.
(3) Chun críocha na bhforál san roimhe seo den alt so, folóidh costas cothabhála aon oibreacha siltin—
(a) luach saothair agus caiteachas eile na n-oifigeach agus na seirbhíseach uile do na Coimisinéirí a bheas ar fostú ag cothabháil na n-oibreacha siltin sin le linn dóibh bheith ar fostú amhlaidh, agus
(b) na costais eile go léir fána raghaidh na Coimisinéirí ag cothabháil na n-oibreacha siltin sin.
ach ní fholóidh an costas cothabhála san luach saothair na gCoimisinéirí ná luach saothair aon oifigeach nó seirbhíseach do na Coimisinéirí a bheas ar fostú ar fad nó go furmhór in oifigí ceann-cheathrún na gCoimisinéirí ná aon chuid de na costais nó den chaiteachas a bhainfeas leis na hoifigí sin do chothabháil.
Cumhachta na gCoimisinéirí maidir le cothabháil.
38.—(1) Chun na Coimisinéirí do chothabháil aon oibreacha siltin (ar a n-áirítear oibreacha siltin láithreacha) de bhun na Coda so den Acht so, is dleathach do ná Coimisinéirí gach ní nó éinní acu so leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) dul isteach ar aon talamh agus gach ní do dhéanamh ann is gá le haghaidh no i dtaobh na cothabhála san;
(b) na scratha agus an t-abhar eile go léir do bhaint d'aon talamh is gá do bhaint de le haghaidh na cothabhála san;
(c) an tochlas agus an t-abhar eile go léir a táirgfear i gcúrsa na cothabhála san do shuíomh ar thalamh ar bith;
(d) an tochlas, an gairbhéal, na clocha, na carraigreacha nó an t-abhar eile go léir, nó aon chuid den chéanna, a haistreofar i gcúrsa na cothabhála san d'úsáid le haghaidh na cothabhála san;
(e) gach gníomh agus ní eile do dhéanamh is dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí do bheith riachtanach nó ceart chun an chothabháil sin do dhéanamh go héifeachtúil.
(2) I dteannta na gcumhacht ginearálta do bheirtear do na Coimisinéirí leis an bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so agus gan dochar do na cumhachta san, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí, chun iad do chothabháil aon oibreacha siltin (ar a n-áirítear oibreacha siltin láithreacha) de bhun na Coda so den Acht so, pé feabhsuithe do dhéanamh ar na hoibreacha siltin nó na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha san a chífear dóibh is mion-rudaí ar féidir iad d'áireamh le ceart mar nithe a bhaineas le cothabháil.
(3) Aon mhion-fheabhsuithe a dhéanfaidh na Coimisinéirí fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so déanfar, chun críocha an Achta so, iad d'áireamh mar nithe a bhaineas le cothabháil agus íocfar a gcostas dá réir sin.
CUID VI.
Molta do Leasu.
Oibreacha breise do dhéanamh.
39.—(1) Is dleathach don Aire, aon uair tar éis Moladh do bheith déanta ag na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so, a chumasú do na Coimisinéirí, le hordú arna dhéanamh ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin, gach ní nó éinní acu so leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) pé oibreacha siltin breise do dhéanamh (mar mhéadú nó feabhsú ar na hoibreacha siltin a luafar sa Mholadh san) a chífear do na Coimisinéirí do bheith riachtanach chun na hoibreacha siltin sin a luafar sa Mholadh san d'oibriú go héifeachtúil;
(b) aon tailte sonnraithe do thógaint go héigeanta;
(c) aon choraí, bual-chomhlaí, éasáidí, iascaigh, cearta uisce, cearta loingseoireachta, nó cearta eile do thógaint nó do dhíochur nó cur isteach orthu go héigeanta.
(2) Féadfaidh ordú a dhéanfas an tAire fán alt so pé cinn d'fhorála an Achta so do chorprú agus do thonasc a chífear don Aire bheith riachtanach nó oiriúnach agus, go háirithe, údaróidh sé do na Coimisinéirí agus ceanglóidh orthu pé Moladh forlíontach is gá do dhéanamh.
Molta do leasú.
40.—(1) Aon uair a mheasfaid san do bheith ceart is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí, le ceadú an Aire, Moladh ar bith a bheas déanta acu roimhe sin fán Acht so do leasú i slí ar bith.
(2) Gach leasú a déanfar fán alt so ar Mholadh, is amhlaidh a déanfar é trí Mholadh forlíontach a bhféadfaidh pé leasuithe iarmartacha nó teagmhasacha is oiriúnach bheith ann.
Forála áirithe do bhaint le Molta forlíontacha.
41.—Na forála atá i gCuid II den Acht so maidir le Moladh d'inrollú, cóip de Mholadh do choinneáil, cóipeanna de Mholadh do chur chun comhairlí contaethe, Moladh do bheith do-chlaoite agus feidhm fínnéachta cóipe deimhnithe de Mholadh, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht acu maidir le Moladh forlíontach a déanfar fán gCuid seo den Acht so.
CUID VII.
An Paineal d'Eadranaithe Siltin.
An Painéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin.
42.—(1) Déanfaidh an Coiste Réitigh ó am go ham, ar an Aire dá iarraidh sin, pé uimhir daoine a shonnróidh an tAire do cheapadh chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí de phainéal ar a dtabharfar mar ainm agus dá ngairmtear san Acht so an Painéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le comhaltaí an Phainéil d'Eadránaithe Siltin (dá ngairmtear an Painéal sa bhfo-alt so agus sa chéad fho-alt eile ina dhiaidh seo), sé sin le rá:—
(a) beidh gach comhalta den Phainéal (fá réir na bhforál ina dhiaidh seo den alt so) ina chomhalta go ceann téarma de chúig bliana cinnte ó dháta a cheaptha nó a athcheaptha dheiridh don Phainéal;
(b) féadfar comhalta den Phainéal a mbeidh a théarma comhaltais imithe in éag trí imeacht aimsire agus ná beidh an aois scoir sroichte aige d'athcheapadh;
(c) féadfaidh comhalta den Phainéal éirí as bheith ina chomhalta dhe tráth ar bith trí litir do chur chun an Choiste Réitigh;
(d) féadfaidh an Coiste Réitigh, uathu féin nó ar an Aire dá iarraidh, comhalta ar bith is dóigh leo do bheith ciontach in iompar do bheir é bheith neamhoiriúnach chun bheith ina chomhalta den Phainéal do bhaint den Phainéal, ach ní bainfear aon chomhalta den Phainéal fán mír seo gan caoi do thabhairt dó ar éisteacht, dá chosaint féin, d'fháil ón gCoiste Réitigh;
(e) beidh d'oblagáid ar gach comhalta den Phainéal (mura saora an Coiste Réitigh uaidh é) fónamh mar eadránaí in aon eadráin chun críocha an Achta so a n-ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh ina eadránaí é ina leith;
(f) beidh comhalta den Phainéal i dteideal, i leith gach eadrána nó sreatha d'eadrána chun críocha an Achta so ina ngníomhóidh sé mar eadránaí, go n-íocfadh na Coimisinéirí leis pé luach saothair nó táillí agus pé liúntais taistil agus cothuithe a chinnfidh an tAire;
(g) ní cosc ar chomhalta den Phainéal do ghabháil do chleacht nó gnó príobháideach é bheith ina chomhalta den Phainéal.
(3) Déanfaidh an Coiste Réitigh, le toiliú an Aire, pé aois (nach sine ná seachtó blian) a mheasfaid is ceart do cheapadh ina haois scoir do chomhaltaí den Phainéal agus—
(a) ní déanfar duine ar bith ag á mbeidh an aois scoir sin sroichte do cheapadh ina chomhalta den Phainéal, agus
(b) comhalta den Phainéal a shroichfeas an aois scoir sin le linn dó bheith ina chomhalta, scoirfidh láithreach (ach amháin sa chás dá bhforáltar sa chéad mhír eile ina dhiaidh seo den fho-alt so) de bheith ina chomhalta den Phainéal agus ní bheidh sé inathcheaptha, agus
(c) comhalta den Phainéal a shroichfeas an aois scoir sin le linn dó bheith ag gabháil d'eadráin fán Acht so, leanfaidh de bheith ina chomhalta den Phainéal chun an eadráin sin do chríochnú ach ní chun críche ar bith eile.
CUID VIII.
Ilghneitheach agus Ginearalta.
Cumhacht ghinearálta do na Coimisinéirí chun connrathóirí d'fhostú.
43.—(1) Aon uair a húdaraítear leis an Acht so nó a húdarófar fé do na Coimisinéirí aon oibreacha siltin nó oibreacha eile innealtóireachta nó tógála do dhéanamh, féadfaid, in ionad na h-oibreacha san do dhéanamh iad féin trína n-oifigigh agus a seirbhísigh féin, connradh do dhéanamh (le ceadú an Aire) le duine ar bith chun an duine sin do dhéanamh iomláin na n-oibreacha san nó aon choda dhíobh agus chuige sin féadfaid (leis an gceadú san) pé connartha agus comhaontuithe is gá do dhéanamh.
(2) Aon uair a dhéanfas na Coimisinéirí connradh fán alt so le duine ar bith chun eisean do dhéanamh oibreacha ar bith, féadfaid, trí aon chonnradh nó comhaontú leis an duine sin, pé cuid a sonnrófar sa chonnradh nó sa chomhaontú san, de na cumhachta agus na dualgais a bronntar nó a cuirtear leis an Acht so nó a bronnfar nó a cuirfear fé ar na Coimisinéirí, do thairmligean chuige agus air sin beidh de cheart ag an duine sin agus d'oblagáid air (i gcomhréim leis na Coimisinéirí) na cumhachta d'fheidhmiú agus na dualgais do chomhlíonadh a sonnrófar amhlaidh sa mhéid is gá san chun é do dhéanamh na n-oibreacha san agus sa mhéid sin amháin.
Cumhachta breise chun airgead is iníoctha ag comhairlí contae do bhaint amach.
44.—(1) Aon uair a bheas aon airgead iníoctha fán Acht so leis na Coimisinéirí ag comhairle chontae agus a fhailleos an chomhairle sin an t-airgead san nó cuid áirithe de d'íoc amhlaidh an tráth a bheas san iníoctha fán Acht so, féadfar, gan dochar d'aon mhodh eile a fhorálann an tAcht so chun an céanna do bhaint amach, an t-airgead san nó an chuid sin de (fé mar bheas) do bhaint as airgead ar bith is iníoctha leis an gcomhairle sin ag aon Aire Stáit chun aon chríche ar bith.
(2) Aon tsuim a bainfear fán alt so as airgead is iníoctha as Cuntas an Chánachais Áitiúil (Éirinn), is fá réir éilithe an chiste ráthaíochta fá na hAchta Talamh-Cheannaigh agus gan dochar do na héilithe sin a bainfear den airgead san í.
(3) Íocfar méid gach asbhainte a déanfar fán alt so leis na Coimisinéirí agus cuirfid sin é chun íoctha an airgid ar mar gheall ar a neamhíoc do rinneadh an asbhaint sin.
Fiacha áirithe d'íoc as cúiteamh
45.—I gcás cúiteamh do bheith iníoctha fán Acht so ag na Coimisinéirí le duine ar bith agus aon airgead do bheith dlite den duine sin agus amuigh air ag Aire Stáit, na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim, Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann, nó na Coimisinéirí, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí an t-airgead a bheas dlite amhlaidh den duine sin agus amuigh air d'íoc agus do ghlanadh as an gcúiteamh san agus gan ach an t-iarmhéid (más ann) a bheas fágtha den chúiteamh san tar éis an íoctha agus an ghlanta san d'íoc leis.
Urlámhas agus bainistí choraí.
46.—(1) Ar na Coimisinéirí dá iarraidh sin, féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, aon uair a mheasfaidh is ceart san do dhéanamh ar mhaithe le siltean, a dhearbhú go mbainfidh an t-alt so le haon chora nó coraí áirithe a sonnrófar san ordú nó leis na coraí go léir in aon líomatáiste áirithe a sonnrófar amhlaidh.
(2) Aon uair a dearbhófar, le hordú fán bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, an t-alt so do bhaint le cora, beidh éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir leis an gcora san, sé sin le rá:—
(a) comhlíonfaidh an duine is únaer nó ag á mbeidh urlámhas ar an gcora san na hordacháin agus na treoracha go léir a thabharfaidh na Coimisinéirí dó ó am go ham maidir le bainistí agus oibriú bual-chomhlaí agus páirteanna inghluaiste eile na corann san;
(b) má dhéanann na Coimisinéirí fo-dhlithe fán Acht so a bhainfeas leis an gcora san, déanfaidh an duine is únaer nó ag á mbeidh urlámhas ar an gcora san na fo-dhlithe sin d'fhorcoimeád agus do chomhlíonadh i ngach slí;
(c) má fhaillíonn nó má dhiúltaíonn an duine is únaer nó ag á mbeidh urlámhas ar an gcora san aon ordachán, treoir, nó fo-dhlí d'fhorcoimeád nó do chomhlíonadh a ceangaltar air le ceachtar de na míreanna san roimhe seo den fho-alt so d'fhorcoimeád nó do chomhlíonadh, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(i) beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fán bhfo-alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlí fear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig puint do chur air agus, i gcás cionta leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar punt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chionta, agus
(ii) is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí coiméadaí bualchomhlan nó duine eile do cheapadh chun páirteanna inghluaiste na corann san do rialáil agus do rialú agus, i gcás aon duine den tsórt san do cheapadh amhlaidh, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí an luach saothair a íocfaid leis an gcoiméadaí bual-chomhlan nó an duine eile a ceapfar amhlaidh do bhaint trí aicsean shíbhialta den duine is únaer nó ag á mbeidh urlámhas ar an gcora san mar fhiacha ghnáth-chonnartha.
(3) Ní thabharfaidh na Coimisinéirí aon treoracha ná ordacháin den tsórt a luaitear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so ach amháin, i gcás corann a dhéanann difir d'iascach nó do chearta iascaigh, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Talmhaíochta nó, i gcás corann a dhéanann difir do thionnscal, canáil, nó uisce-bhealach intíre, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála.
(4) Gach duine a fhuilingeos caillteanas nó damáiste maidir le haon uisce-chumhacht nó ceart uisce eile nó le haon iascach nó ceart iascaigh de dheascaibh orduithe arna dhéanamh ag an Aire fán alt so nó aon fho-dhlithe den tsaghas dá dtagartar i bhfo-alt (2) den alt so, beidh sé, murab é a ghníomh nó a fhaillí féin fá ndear an caillteanas nó an damáiste sin, i dteideal (fá réir forál an chéad fho-ailt ina dhiaidh seo den alt so) an tAire d'íoc cúitimh leis i leith an chaillteanais nó an damáiste sin.
(5) Gach éileamh ar chúiteamh fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so—
(a) cuirfear é i scríbhinn chun an Aire laistigh de bhliain tar éis an caillteanas nó an damáiste sin d'fhulang nó, i gcás caillteanais nó damáiste leanúnaigh, laistigh de bhliain tar éis é d'fhulang den chéad uair, agus
(b) déanfar, cheal comhaontuithe, é d'éisteacht agus do chinneadh ag eadránaí a ainmneoidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin agus beidh a bhreith sin maidir leis an gceart chun an chúitimh sin agus le méid an chúitimh sin ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
(6) Ní bheidh feidhm ná éifeacht ag aon ordú a dhéanfaidh an tAire fán alt so maidir le haon chora a bheas de thuras na huaire ar únaeracht nó fá urlámhas ag Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais ná le haon chora a bheas tógtha chuige ag an Aire Talmhaíochta fán Acht Iascaigh, 1939 (Uimh. 17 de 1939).
Srianta le coraí do thógáil, d'athrú, etc.
47.—(1) Ní dleathach do dhuine ar bith (seachas Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais) aon chora ná déanmhas eile dá samhail do thógáil, do mhéadú ná d'athrú, gan toiliú na gCoimisinéirí ná ar shlí seachas dá réir, in uisce-chúrsa mar a dtabharfadh an tógáil, an méadú no an t-athrú san tuiliú ar aon talamh, mura rud é—
(a) gur i gcomhlíonadh orduithe arna dhéanamh nó fógra arna sheirbheáil ag an Aire Talmhaíochta fán Acht Iascaigh, 1939 (Uimh. 17 de 1939), a déanfar an tógáil, an méadú nó an t-athrú san, nó
(b) gur ag an duine sin a bheas an talamh san á lonnú, nó
(c) gur ag daoine eile d'aontaigh leis an tógáil, an méadú nó an t-athrú san a bheas an talmh san á lonnú.
(2) Nuair a thoileos na Coimisinéirí le cora nó déanmhas eile dá samhail do thógáil, do mhéadú, nó d'athrú, féadfaid pé coinníollacha agus srianta a mheasfaid is ceart do chur ag gabháil leis an toiliú san, agus is tuigthe gur cuid den toiliú san na coinníollacha agus na srianta san.
(3) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le gach toiliú a thabharfaidh na Coimisinéirí fá na forála san roimhe seo den alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní tabharfar aon toiliú den tsórt san ná ní cuirfear coinníoll ná srian ar bith ag gabháil le haon toiliú den tsórt san ach amháin tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Talmhaíochta;
(b) ní bheidh aon toiliú, coinníoll, ná srian den tsórt san i gcontrárthacht ná ar neamhréir le hordú arna dhéanamh nó fógra arna sheirbheáil fán Acht Iasaigh, 1939 (Uimh. 17 de 1939), is ordú nó fógra a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire;
(c) ní oibreoidh aon toiliú den tsórt san chun an duine da ndeonfar é do shaoradh ó chomhlíonadh na nAcht Iascaigh, 1842 go 1944.
(4) Má dhéanann duine ar bith cora do thógáil, do mhéadú, nó d'athrú contrártha don alt so, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fán alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air agus fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar cúig puint in aghaidh gach lae a coimeádfar ar bun an tógáil, an méadú, nó an t-athrú san nó aon chuid den chéanna.
Cumhacht na gCoimisinéirí chun é dhéanamh éigeantach uiscechúrsaí do dheisiú.
48.—(1) Is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí, trí fhógra i scríbhinn arna sheirbheáil go pearsanta nó leis an bpost ar lonnaitheoir tailimh (pé acu i gceanntar siltin láithreach nó i gceanntar siltin a bheas ceaptha fán Acht so nó nach in aon cheanntar den tsórt san don talamh san), a cheangal ar an lonnaitheoir sin athchóiriú agus oscailt do dhéanamh agus deis cheart agus riocht éifeachtach go ginearálta do chur, laistigh de pé am (nach giorra ná trí mhí ó dháta an fhógra san do sheirbheáil) a sonnrófar sa bhfógra san, ar pé uisce-chúrsa nó uiscechúrsaí ar na tailte sin a sonnrófar sa bhfógra san agus ná beidh curtha isteach le haon oibreacha siltin láithreacha ná le haon oibreacha siltin a bheas déanta fán Acht so, ach a shileas isteach i gceanntar siltin láithreach nó i gceanntar siltin a bheas ceaptha fán Acht so agus is dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí do bheith, de dheascaibh mainneachtana nó easba leor-chothabhála, neamhinniúil ar an uisce a ghabhas isteach ann nó iontu nó tríd nó tríothu ó thalamh teorantach do shileadh go héifeachtúil.
(2) Aon uair a beifear tar éis fógra fán bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so do sheirbheáil ar dhuine, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) féadfaidh an duine sin (dá ngairmtear an t-agóidire sa bhfo-alt so), laistigh de mhí tar éis an fógra san do sheirbheáil air, agóid i scríbhinn i gcoinne an fhógra san do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí;
(b) luafar go hiomlán i ngach agóid den tsórt san na forais atá leis an agóid;
(c) breithneoidh na Coimisinéirí gach agóid den tsórt san a cuirfear chucu go cuibhe do réir na míreanna san roimhe seo den fho-alt so agus déanfaid, maidir le gach agóid den tsórt san, pé ní acu so leanas a chífear dóibh is ceart ag féachaint do chúrsaí uile an cháis agus go sonnruch cé acu chuirfeadh comhlíonadh an fhógra lena mbainfidh an agóid sin cruatan nó costas míchuibhe ar an agóidire nó ná cuirfeadh, sé sin le rá:—
(i) déanfaid an fógra san do tharraing siar go neamhchoinníollach, nó
(ii) má bhíonn an t-agóidire toilteanach gealltanas i scríbhinn (i bhfoirm lena n-aontóidh na Coimisinéirí) do thabhairt do na Coimisinéirí go gceadóidh sé gach tráth réasúnach d'aon lonnaitheoir a ngabhann uisce óna thalamh isteach san uiscechúrsa nó in aon cheann de na huisce-chúrsaí a bheas sonnraithe sa bhfógra san dul isteach ar thalamh an agóidire agus gach ní do dhéanamh ann, ar chostas an lonnaitheora san féin, is gá do dhéanamh chun an fógra san do chomhlíonadh, déanfaid an fógra san do tharraing siar ar an ngealltanas san do bheith tugtha go cuibhe ag an agóidire, nó
(iii) déanfaid an agóid sin do neamhlomháil;
(d) aon uair a dhéanfas na Coimisinéirí agóid do neamhlomháil, leasóid an fógra lena mbainfidh an agóid sin trí pé tréimhse a mheasfaid is ceart do chur leis an tréimhse a bheas sonnraithe sa bhfógra san chun an fógra san do chomhlíonadh;
(e) déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí, a luaithe is féidir, a mbreith ar a agóid do chur in iúl don agóidire;
(f) aon uair a dhéanfas na Coimisinéirí agóid do neamhlomháil, féadfaidh an t-agóidire, laistigh de cheithre lá déag tar éis do na Coimisinéirí a mbreith ar an agóid sin do chur in iúl dó, a iarraidh i scríbhinn ar na Coimisinéirí a agóid do chur fá bhráid eadránaí a cheapfaidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin, agus air sin déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí an agóid sin do chur fána bhráid sin amhlaidh;
(g) an t-eadránaí a gcuirfear agóid fána bhráid fán mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so beidh aige maidir leis an agóid sin na cumhachta céanna do bheirtear leis an bhfo-alt so do na Coimisinéirí, agus beidh breith an eadránaí sin ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
(3) Más rud é go mbeifear tar éis fógra do sheirbheáil fán alt so ar lonnaitheoir tailimh agus ná bheidh sé tarraingthe siar ag na Coimisinéirí nó ag an eadránaí agus ná beidh an fógra san comhlíonta ag an lonnaitheoir sin, is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí dul isteach ar an talamh san agus gach ní do dhéanamh ann do cheangail an fógra san ar an lonnaitheoir sin a dhéanamh agus, i gcás na Coimisinéirí d'fheidhmiú na cumhachta san, beid i dteideal pé suim a dheimhneoidh na Coimisinéirí a bheith caite acu i bhfeidhmiú na cumhachta san do bhaint den lonnaitheoir sin in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla mar fhiacha ghnáth-chonnartha.
(4) Más rud é go mbeifear tar éis fógra do sheirbheáil fán alt so ar lonnaitheoir tailimh agus go mbeidh an fógra san comhlíonta (pé acu ag an lonnaitheoir sin é nó ag na Coimisinéirí fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so) déanfaidh an lonnaitheoir sin as san amach an t-uisce-chúrsa nó na huisce-chúrsaí lenar bhain an fógra san do choimeád glan agus oscailte agus do chothabháil i ndeis cheart agus i riocht éifeachtach.
(5) Má fhaillíonn duine ar bith ar a mbeifear tar éis fógra do sheirbheáil fán alt so an fógra san do chomhlíonadh nó aon uiscechúrsa lenar bhain an fógra san do choimeád agus do chothabháil mar a ceangaltar air san a dhéanamh leis an alt so, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fán alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig puint fhichead do chur air agus fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar punt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chionta.
(6) Aon chostais is inbhainte fán alt so ag na Coimisinéirí de lonnaitheoir tailimh beid inbhainte dhe amhlaidh pé aca cúisíodh nó nár cúisíodh an lonnaitheoir sin sa chionta san fán alt so a bheas déanta aige (má bhíonn).
Orduithe siltin éigeantaigh.
49.—(1) Féadfaidh aon Aire Stáit nó aon chomhairle chontae cúis-aithris (dá ngairmtear cúis-aithris thionnscnaimh san alt so) do dhéanamh tráth ar bith i scríbhinn chun na gCoimisinéirí á shuíomh—
(a) go bhfuil sé lán-riachtanach d'fhonn feabhas do chur trína shiltean ar thalamh shonnraithe a bheas, i gcás cúis-aithrise ó Aire Stáit, in aon áit sa Stát nó, i gcás cúis-aithrise ó chomhairle chontae, in aon áit sa chontae sin, go n-athchóireofaí, go n-osclófaí, nó go gcuirfí i ndeis cheart agus i riocht éifeachtach go ginearálta uisce-chúrsa láithreach áirithe a bheas línithe ar léarscáil a ghabhfas leis an gcúis-aithris agus ná beidh curtha isteach le haon oibreacha siltin láithreacha ná le haon oibreacha siltin a bheas déanta nó a bheas beartaithe a dhéanamh fán Acht so nó d'eile go ndéanfaí uisce-chúrsa nua i suíomh a bheas línithe ar léarscáil a ghabhfas leis an gcúis-aithris, agus
(b) go bhfuiltear tar éis an t-airgead do chur ar fáil is gá chun íoc as athchóiriú agus oscailt do dhéanamh, nó deis cheart agus riocht éifeachtach go ginearálta do chur, ar an uisce-chúrsa láithreach a bheas luaite sa chúis-aithris nó as déanamh an uisce-chúrsa nua a bheas luaite amhlaidh (pé acu é), agus
(c) gurb é amháin atá ag cur bac nó toirmisc ar dhéanamh na hoibre sin ná duine is únaer nó lonnaitheoir ar thalamh trína ngabhann an t-uisce-chúrsa láithreach a bheas luaite sa chúis-aithris nó (do réir mar bheas) trí na ngabhfadh an t-uisce-chúrsa nua a bheas beartaithe agus bheas luaite amhlaidh dá dhiúltú go neamhréasúnach toiliú leis an obair sin do dhéanamh.
(2) Leagfar amach do hiomlán i ngach cúis-aithris thionnscnaimh ainmneacha agus seolta poist na n-únaerí nó na lonnaitheoirí tailimh go léir (dá ngairmtear na páirtithe agóideacha san alt so) adéarfar ann bheith ag diúltú go neamhréasúnach toiliú leis an obair a bheas luaite sa chúis-aithris sin.
(3) A luaithe is féidir tar éis do na Coimisinéirí cúis-aithris thionnscnaimh d'fháil, seirbheálfaidh na Coimisinéirí go pearsanta nó leis an bpost ar gach páirtí agóideach a bheas ainmnithe sa chúis-aithris sin fógra i scríbhinn ina leagfar amach na suíochanta do rinneadh sa chúis-aithris sin agus ina ndéarfar go bhféadfaidh an páirtí agóideach san, laistigh de mhí tar éis an fógra san do sheirbheáil air, pé tuairimí (más ann) do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí a mheasfaidh is ceart a dhéanamh maidir leis na suíochanta san.
(4) Déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí gach tuairim a cuirfear chucu ó pháirtí agóideach do bhreithniú laistigh den am a ceaptar chuige sin leis an bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so agus féadfaid, má mheasaid gur ceart é maidir le haon tuairim áirithe, duine dá n-oifigigh do chur ag déanamh iniúchta ar an talamh a bheas ar únaeracht nó ar lonnaíocht ag an bpáirtí agóideach do chuir an tuairim sin chucu agus ar an talamh a bheas sonnraithe sa chúisaithris thionnscnaimh lena mbainfidh an tuairim sin agus ar an uisce-chúrsa láithreach a bheas luaite sa chúis-aithris sin nó ar shuíomh an uisce-chúrsa nua a bheas beartaithe agus a bheas luaite amhlaidh (pé acu é).
(5) Mura ndéana éinne de na páirtithe agóideacha a bheas ainmnithe i gcúis-aithris thionnscnaimh tuairim ar bith do chur, laistigh den am a bheas ceaptha chuige sin leis an gcúis-aithris sin, chun na gCoimisinéirí maidir leis na suíochanta a bheas déanta leis an gcúis-aithris sin nó más deimhin leis na Coimisinéirí, tar éis dóibh breithniú do dhéanamh ar na tuairimí go léir den tsórt san a cuireadh chucu laistigh den am san agus ar an tuarascáil ón oifigeach dá gcuid do rinne iniúchadh (más ann) mar adúradh maidir leis na tuairimí sin nó le haon chuid díobh, go bhfuil an obair a luadh sa chúis-aithris sin (fá réir pé breisithe, neamhdhéanta, agus athruithe (más ann) is dóigh leis na Coimisinéirí is gá nó is fóirstineach) lán-riachtanach chun feabhas do chur trína shiltean ar an talamh a sonnraíodh sa chúisaithris sin agus go bhfuil an t-airgead is gá chun íoctha costais na hoibre sin (fá réir na mbreisithe, na neamhdhéanta, agus na n-athruithe adúradh) curtha ar fáil, agus ná tiocfaidh aon díobháil ná damáiste substainteach d'aon pháirtí agóideach den obair sin do dhéanamh (fá réir na mbreisithe, na neamhdhéanta, agus na n-athruithe adúradh), is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí ordú (dá ngairmtear ordú siltin éigeantaigh san alt so) do dhéanamh á údarú an obair a bhéas luaite sa chúis-aithris sin do dhéanamh ag an Aire nó an chomhairle nó thar ceann an Aire nó na comhairle (pé acu é) do rinne an chúis-aithris sin.
(6) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dóibh ordú siltin éigeantaigh do dhéanamh, déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí mar leanas—
(a) cuirfid in iúl don Aire nó don chomhairle (pé acu é) do rinne an chúis-aithris thionnscnaimh ar dá bun do rinneadh an t-ordú san go bhfuilid tar éis an t-ordú san do dhéanamh, agus
(b) seirbheálfaid go pearsanta nó leis an bpost ar gach páirtí agóideach a bheas ainmnithe sa chúis-aithris thionnscnaimh sin cóip den ordú san fá shéala na gCoimisinéirí.
(7) Oibreoidh ordú siltin éigeantaigh chun a chumasú don Aire nó don chomhairle (pé acu é) do rinne an chúis-aithris thionnscnaimh ar dá bun do rinneadh an t-ordú san dul isteach, é féin nó iad féin nó trí oifigigh, seirbhísigh, nó gníomhairí dhó nó dhóibh, ar an talamh a bheas sonnraithe sa chúis-aithris sin (lena n-áirítear talamh a bheas ar únaeracht nó ar lonnaíocht ag páirtithe agóideacha a bheas ainmnithe sa chúis-aithris sin) agus gach ní do dhéanamh ann, é féin nó iad féin nó trí oifigigh, seirbhísigh, nó gníomhairí dhó nó dhóibh, is gá chun an obair a luafar san ordú san do dhéanamh.
(8) Ní luighfidh aon aicsean ná imeacht eile mar gheall ar dhamáiste, cúiteamh, ná eile i gcoinne Aire Stáit ná comhairle chontae ná aon oifigigh, seirbhísigh, nó gníomhairí dhó nó dhóibh i dtaobh ná i leith éinní do rinne seisean nó iadsan nó duine ar bith acu agus é nó iad ag déanamh oibre do húdaraíodh nó ag feidhmiú cumhachta do tugadh le hordú siltin éigeantaigh ach amháin i gcás ina bhféadfar agus sa mhéid go bhféadfar a thaspáint ná dearnadh an obair sin nó nár feidhmíodh an chumhacht san go réasúnach agus go ceardúil.
(9) Gach éinne—
(a) a bhacfas go toiliúil Aire Stáit nó comhairle chontae nó aon oifigeach, seirbhíseach, nó gníomhaire dhó nó dóibh, agus é nó iad ag déanamh oibre do húdaraíodh nó ag feidhmiú cumhachta do tugadh le hordú siltin éigeantaigh, nó
(b) a leagfas, a dhíochuirfeas, nó a dhíobhálfas aon obair nó aon chuid d'aon obair a bheas déanta nó á dhéanamh fá ordú siltin éigeantaigh, nó
(c) a bhacfas in aon tslí gluaiseacht uisce chun aon oibre nó tríthi nó uaithi is obair a bheas déanta fá ordú siltin éigeantaigh,
beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fán alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air nó, más rogha leis an gcúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile, agus dlífear freisin, i gcás cionta leanúnaigh, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig puint do chur air in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den cionta.
Srianta lo droichid do thógáil nó d'athrú.
50.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh aon údarás áitiúil ná aon chuideachta iarnróid ná cuideachta chanálach ná comhlucht eile dá samhail ná aon ghnólucht tionnscail aon droichead nua do thógáil ná aon droichead láithreach d'athrú ná d'atógáil ná d'athchóiriú thar aon uisce-chúrsa gan toiliú na gCoimisinéirí ná ar shlí seachas do réir pleananna lena mbeidh aontaithe roimh ré ag na Coimisinéirí.
(2) Má thógann duine ar bith droichead nua nó má thosnaíonn ar é thogáil nó má dhéanann é pháirt-thógáil contrártha don alt so, féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí fógra do sheirbheáil leis an bpost ar an duine sin á cheangal air—
(a) i gcás gan an droichead san do bheith tógtha go hiomlán, scor láithreach dá thógáil,
(b) in aon chás, an droichead san nó an méid de a bheas tógtha do dhíochur laistigh d'am a sonnrófar chuige sin sa bhfógra san.
(3) Má dhéanann duine ar bith droichead láithreach d'athrú nó d'atógáil nó d'athchóiriú contrártha don alt so nó má thosnaíonn ar a leithéid do dhéanamh amhlaidh nó má dhéanann cuid dá leithéid amhlaidh, féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí fógra do sheirbheáil leis an bpost ar an duine sin á cheangal air—
(a) i gcás gan an t-athrú, an atógáil, nó an t-athchóiriú san do bheith críochnaithe, scor de láithreach, nó
(b) in aon chás, an obair go léir a bhéas déanta ar an droichead san do dhíochur laistigh d'am a sonnrófar chuige sin sa bhfógra san, no
(c) in aon chás, an droichead san do chur, laistigh d'am a sonnrófar chuige sin sa bhfógra san, sa riocht ina raibh sé.
(4) Má fhaillíonn duine ar bith ar a mbeidh na Coimisinéirí tar éis fógra do sheirbheáil fá na forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so an fógra san do chomhlíonadh, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcionta fán alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air agus fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar cúig puint in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den fhaillí sin:
(b) is dleathach do na Coimisinéirí (pé acu cúisíodh nó nár cúisíodh an duine sin fán mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so) dul isteach agus díochur do dhéanamh ar an obair go léir a bheas déanta contrártha don alt so agus na costais (arna ndeimhniú ag na Coimisinéirí) fána raghaidh na Coimisinéirí ag déanamh an díochurtha san do bhaint den duine sin in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla mar fhiacha ghnáth-chonnartha.
(5) Duine ar bith a shuífeas gur dhiúltaigh na Coimisinéirí go neamhréasúnach d'aontú le pleananna do chuir sé fána mbráid i dtaobh droichead nua do thógáil nó droichead láithreach d'athrú nó d'atógáil nó d'athchóiriú, féadfaidh sé, trí fhógra i scríbhinn do chur chun na gCoimisinéirí, a iarraidh an tsuíochain sin do chur fá bhreith fán bhfo-alt so, agus air sin—
(a) más údarás áitiúil an duine sin, cuirtear an tsuíochain sin fá bhráid an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí agus beidh a bhreith sin uirthi ina breith dheiridh, nó
(b) in aon chás eile, cuirfear an tsuíochain sin fá bhráid eadránaí a cheapfaidh an Coiste Réitigh as an bPainéal d'Eadránaithe Siltin agus beidh a bhreith sin uirthi ina breith dheiridh gan aon dul thairsi.
(6) San alt so, folaíonn an focal “droichead” lintéir nó déanmhas eile dá shamhail sin.
Na Coimisinéirí do chosaint ar dhliteanais áirithe.
51.—(1) Ní oibreoidh éinní dá bhfuil san Acht so ná éinní a dhéanfaidh na Coimisinéirí fé ná aon ordachán ná treoir a thabharfaidh na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so ná éinní a déanfar fá aon ordachán nó treoir den tsort san chun únaer corann, bualchomlan, damba nó oibre eile a bhainfeas le muileann nó monarcha do shaoradh ó aon fhreagarthacht, pé mar do forchuireadh nó d'éirigh, a bhainfeas leis an obair sin ó thaobh cothabhála nó eile ná ní oibreoidh chun aon fhreagarthacht den tsórt san d'aistriú ón únaer sin chun na gCoimisinéirí.
(2) Ní oibreoidh éinní dá bhfuil san Acht so ná éinní a dhéanfaidh na Coimisinéirí fé chun na Coimisineirí do dhéanamh freagarthach (ach amháin i gcás ina gcruthófar go raibh a n-oifigigh, a seirbhísigh, nó a ngníomhairí ciontach i neamhchúram nó i mainneachtain) in aon damáiste a bhainfeas d'aon talamh nó maoin eile de dheascaibh aon abha, sruth, nó uiscechúrsa do scéitheadh nó de dheascaibh aon phort, damba, cora, bual-chomhla nó obair eile a bheas déanta ag na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so nó a mbeid freagarthach fán Acht so ina chothabháil do bhriseadh go hobann,
Ciontaí agus pionóis.
52.—(1) Gach éinne a dhéanfas ní ar bith acu so leanas, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fán alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) a bhacfas go toiliúil na Coimisinéirí nó aon oifigeach, gníomhaire, nó seirbhíseach dóibh agus é nó iad ag feidhmiú aon chumhachta a bronntar leis an Acht so nó a bronnfar fé nó ag comhlíonadh aon dualgais a cuirtear nó a cuirfear amhlaidh ar na Coimisinéirí nó ar aon oifigeach, gníomhaire, nó seirbhíseach dóibh, nó
(b) a leagfas, a dhíochuirfeas, nó a dhíobhálfas aon oibreacha a bheas déanta nó á ndéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so nó a haistrítear leis an Acht so nó a haistreofar fé chun na gCoimisinéirí, nó
(c) a dhíochuirfeas, a dhíobhálfas, nó a agha-loitfeas aon chuaillí, pionnaí, marcanna, nó nithe eile dá samhail a bheas curtha suas, suite, nó déanta ag na Coimisinéirí nó ag aon oifigeach, gníomhaire, nó seirbhíseach dóibh le haghaidh nó le linn aon chumhachta d'fheidhmiú nó aon dualgais do chomhlíonadh a bronntar nó a cuirtear leis an Acht so nó a bronnfar nó a cuirfear fé ar na Coimisinéirí nó ar aon oifigeach, gníomhaire, nó seirbhíseach dóibh, nó
(d) a chaithfeas nó a chuirfeas aon fhiaile nó aon chlocha, cré nó abhar soladach eile nó a chuirfeas fá ndear nó a cheadós aon fhiaile nó aon abhar soladach den tsórt san do thuitim nó do ghabháil isteach in aon uiscechúrsa a mbeidh aon oibreacha maidir leis déanta ag an Coimisinéirí nó aistrithe chucu nó ar tí nó i gcúrsa a ndéanta fán Acht so i slí go gcuirfí bac, cosc, nó moill ar dhéanamh nó oibriú na n-oibreacha san, nó
(e) a dhéanfas, gan toiliú na gCoimisinéirí, aon damba, cora, nó bacainn eile do chur nó do thógáil in aon uiscechúrsa a mbeidh aon oibreacha maidir leis déanta ag na Coimisinéirí nó aistrithe chucu nó ar tí nó i gcursa a ndéanta fán Acht so, nó
(f) a bhacfas gluaiseacht uisce chun aon oibreacha siltin nó tríothu nó uathu is oibreacha siltin a bheas déanta ag na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so nó a haistrítear nó a haistreofar chucu leis an Acht so nó fé i slí go ndéanfaí oibriú éifeachtúil na n-oibreacha san do thoirmeasc nó do chosc nó go dtabharfaí tuiliú ar na hoibreacha san nó ar aon talamh a bheas á shiltean acu.
(2) Gach éinne a bheas ciontach i gcionta fán alt so dlífear, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air nó, más rogha leis an gCúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht san le chéile agus dlífear freisin, i gcás cionta leanúnaigh, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig puint do chur air in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chionta.
Fo-dhlithe.
53.—(1) San alt so léireofar an abairt “oibreacha siltin” agus beidh feidhm aici mar abairt a fholaíos cladhphort láithreach a mbeidh a urlámhas agus a bhainistí dílsithe de thuras na huaire sna Coimisinéirí de bhuaidh orduithe aistrithe fá Chuid IV den Acht so.
(2) Féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí pé fo-dhlithe do dhéanamh a mheasfaid is gá nó is fóirstineach chun a áirithiú go gcosnófar oibreacha siltin a bhéas déanta nó á ndéanamh acu fán Acht so nó a n-aistrítear nó a n-aistreofar a n-urlámhas agus a mbainistí chucu leis an Acht so nó fé agus go n-oibreoidh na hoibreacha siltin sin go héifeachtúil agus, go háirithe agus gan dochar do ghinearáltacht na cumhachta san roimhe seo, féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí fo-dhlithe do dhéanamh chun gach críche nó aon chríche acu so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) chun bainistí agus oibriú na n-oibreacha siltin lena mbainfidh na fo-dhlithe do rialáil go ginearálta;
(b) chun úsáid uisce-chúrsaí, portanna, agus oibreacha eile a ghabhfas leis na hoibreacha siltin sin nó is cuid díobh do rialáil agus do rialú agus chun a mí-úsáid nó a ndamáistiú do thoirmeasc;
(c) chun oscailt, dúnadh, agus oibriú bual-chomhlan, haistí, tuil-gheataí, caidéal, agus inneallra eile a ghabhfas leis na hoibreacha siltin sin nó is cuid díobh do rialáil;
(d) chun a chrosadh aon bhac nó truailliú do dhéanamh ar aon uisce-chúrsa a bheas ag gluaiseacht chun na n-oibreacha siltin sin nó tríothu nó uathu nó aon abhar soladach do chur ann i gcaoi go dtoirmeascfar nó go gcoiscfear nó gur dócha go dtoirmeascfar nó go gcoiscfear oibriú éifeachtúil na n-oibreacha siltin sin nó go dtabharfar nó gur dócha go dtabharfar tuiliú ar thalamh a bheas á shiltean nó á chosaint ag na hoibreacha siltin sin;
(e) chun a chrosadh aon díobháil nó damáiste do dhéanamh do na hoibreacha siltin sin;
(f) chun a chrosadh ar dhaoine neamhúdaraithe aon chur isteach do dhéanamh ar na hoibreacha siltin sin;
(g) chun a chur d'fhiachaibh ar dhaoine a dhlífeas uiscechúrsa do chothabháil an t-uisce-chúrsa san do choimeád glanta agus bearrtha.
(3) Is cead fo-dhlithe a déanfar fán alt so do bhaint agus do chur i mbaint leis na hoibreacha siltin go léir a bheas de thuras na huaire déanta nó á ndéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so nó a n-aistrítear nó a n-aistreofar a n-urlámhas agus a mbainistí chun na gCoimisinéirí leis an Acht so nó fé nó is cead gan iad do bhaint agus do chur i mbaint ach le ceann nó cinn áirithe de na hoibreacha siltin sin.
(4) Ní bheidh feidhm ná éifeacht ar bith ag aon fho-dhlí a déanfar fán alt so mura ndaingní ná go dtí go ndaingneoidh an tAire é.
(5) Má dhaingníonn an tAire fo-dhlí arna dhéanamh fán alt so, foillseofar fógra i dtaobh an daingnithe sin san Iris Oifigiúil agus i bpáipéar nó páipéir nuachta a léitear sa cheanntar ina mbeidh na hoibreacha siltin lena mbainfidh an fo-dhlí.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, aon uair a mheasfaidh is ceart, fo-dhlí ar bith a bhéas déanta ag na Coimisinéirí fán alt so do leasú nó do chúlghairm d'ainneoin an fo-dhlí sin do bheith daingnithe aige.
(7) Scríbhinn a thabharfas le tuigsint gur cóip í d'fho-dhlí do rinneadh fán alt so agus a mbeidh formhuinithe uirthi deimhniú a thabharfas le tuigsint gur deimhniú fá shéala na gCoimisinéirí é agus a dhearbhós gur cóip dhílis den fho-dhlí sin an scríbhinn sin, glacfar léi in aon imeachta (síbhialta nó coiriúil) i gCúirt ar bith mar fhianaise dho-chlaoite ar a mbeidh sa bhfodhlí sin agus fós mar fhianaise dho-chlaoite go ndearnadh agus gur haontaíodh leis go cuibhe do réir an ailt seo agus go bhfuil sé i bhfeidhm.
(8) Gach éinne a shárós, trí ghníomh nó trí fhaillí, fo-dhlí a bheas déanta fán alt so agus a bheas i bhfeidhm, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fán alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair, dlífear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich bpuint do chur air agus, i gcás cionta leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar punt in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chionta.
Blianachta talamhcheannaigh, etc., do chionroinnt.
54.—Aon uair a tharlós, i gcás talamh a thógfaidh na Coimisinéirí fán Acht so, go mbeidh an talamh san, i dteannta tailimh eile, fá bhlianacht talamh-cheannaigh nó íocaíocht bhliantúil eile is iníoctha le Coimisiún Talún na hÉireann nó leis na Coimisinéirí, féadfaidh Coimsiún Talún na hÉireann nó na Coimisinéirí (pé acu é) an bhlianacht nó an íocaíocht bhliantúil sin do chionroinnt i pé slí a mheasfaid is ceart idir an talamh a bheas tógtha amhlaidh agus an talamh eile sin nó féadfaid iomlán na blianachta nó na híocaíochta bliantúla san do mhuirearú ar aon chuid áirithe den talamh a bheas fúithi chun iarmhéid an tailimh sin do dhí-mhuirearú.
Forála maidir le Ceanntar na Forghasa.
55.—(1) San alt so ciallaíonn an abairt “Acht na Forghasa” Acht Siltin Cheanntar na Forghasa, 1943 (Uimh. 13 de 1943).
(2) Ní oibreoidh éinní dá bhfuil san Acht so chun déanamh na n-oibreacha a luaitear in alt 5 d'Acht na Forghasa ag na Coimisinéirí de bhun an ailt sin do thoirmeasc ná do dhocharú.
(3) Mura mbeidh an bhual-chomhla taoide uathoibreach nó na bual-chomhlaí taoide uathoibreacha ag Droichead Dhroichead an Chláir nó an chosaint in ionad an chéanna atá áirithe sna hoibreacha a sonnraítear i gClás (D) de mhír 2 den Toiliú Sceidealta curtha ar fáil ar an dáta ar a mbeidh na hoibreacha eile a sonnraítear sa Chlás san agus i gClás (F) den mhír sin 2 críochnaithe—
(a) beidh éifeacht ag fo-alt (2) d'alt 5 d'Acht na Forghasa fé is dá dtugadh sé cumhacht chun deimhniú déantachta ar leithligh a thabhairt do réir an fho-ailt sin maidir leis na hoibreacha a sonnraítear sna Cláis sin (D) agus (F) ach amháin an bhual-chomhla nó na bual-chomhlaí nó an chosaint ionaid sin a chur ar fáil agus chun deimhniú déantachta ar leithligh a thabhairt (ag an innealtóir céanna nó ag innealtóir eile) do réir an fho-ailt sin ar dháta ina dhiaidh sin maidir leis an mbualchomhla nó na bual-chomhlaí nó an chosaint ionaid sin a chur ar fáil,
(b) beidh gach deimhniú a tabharfar de bhuaidh míre (a) den fho-alt so ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite chun gach críche gur críochnaíodh do réir an Toilithe Sceidealta na hoibreacha a bheas sonnraithe ann,
(c) beidh éifeacht ag fo-alt (2) d'alt 6 d'Acht na Forghasa fé is dá dtugadh sé cumhacht chun an t-ordú atá le déanamh ag na Coimisinéirí ag leasú Sceidil B a ghabhas leis an Moladh Deiridh dar dáta an 30ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1860, do dhéanamh ar na hoibreacha nua, ach amháin an bhual-chomhla nó na bual-chomhlaí nó an chosaint ionaid sin do chur ar fáil, do bheith críochnaithe agus chun ordú ar leithligh do dhéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí ar dháta ina dhiaidh sin ag déanamh tuilleadh leasuithe ar an Sceideal san B tríd an bhual-chomhla nó na bual-chomhlaí nó an chosaint ionaid sin do chur leis,
(d) ón dáta ar a ndéanfar an chéad ordú dá dtagartar i mír (c) den fho-alt so go dtí go ndéanfar an dara hordú dá dtagartar inti beidh éifeacht ag fo-alt (1) d'alt 6 d'Acht na Forghasa fé is dá mb'é a bheadh sa tagairt atá sa bhfo-alt san do na hoibreacha a sonnraítear i gCláis (D) agus (F) de mhír 2 den Toiliú Sceidealta ná tagairt do na hoibreacha san ach amháin an bhual-chomhla nó na bual-chomhlaí nó an chosaint ionaid sin.
(4) Athghairmtear leis seo fo-alt (2) d'alt 7 d'Acht na Forghasa agus ina ionad san achtaítear leis seo go mbeidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir leis an ordú muirir atá le déanamh ag na Coimisinéirí de bhun fo-ailt (1) den alt san, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh na Coimisinéirí na suimeanna muirearaithe (arna míniú i bhfo-alt (1) den alt san 7) do chionroinnt idir Chomhairle an Chláir agus Comhairle na Gaillimhe agus luafaid an chionroinnt sin san ordú muirir sin;
(b) nuair a bheas na suimeanna muirearaithe á gcionroinnt amhlaidh ag na Coimisinéirí bhéarfaid áird chuibhe ar an gcomhréir a bheas idir na méideanna, de na lotaí nó na ranna talún uile agus fá seach sna tailte do sileadh nó do feabhsaíodh agus a sonnraítear i Sceideal A a ghabhas leis an Moladh Deiridh dar dáta an 30ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1860 (ach amháin na tailte a tuairiscítear sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhas le hAcht na Forghasa), a bheas suite i gContae an Chláir agus i gContae na Gaillimhe fá seach, agus bhéarfaid áird chuibhe freisin ar na tailte sin a tuairiscítear sa Dara Sceideal san do bheith eiscthe;
(c) nuair a bheas an chionroinnt sin á dhéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí féadfaid áird do thabhairt ar na cóipeanna a bheas ina seilbh de na léarscála, na leabhair luachálaithe, agus na scríbhinní eile do hullmhaíodh maidir le ceapadh Ceanntair na Forghasa;
(d) déarfaidh an t-ordú muirir sin a bheith agus beidh sé ina ordú á chur mar mhuirear ar chiste chontae Chomhairle an Chláir an cion de na suimeanna muirearaithe a cionroinnfear mar adúradh ar Chomhairle an Chláir agus an t-ús ar an gcion san de na suimeanna muirearaithe d'íoc leis na Coimisinéirí na trátha agus sa tslí a luafar san ordú muirir sin;
(e) déarfaidh an t-ordú muirir sin freisin a bheith agus beidh sé ina ordú á chur mar mhuirear ar chiste chontae Chomhairle na Gaillimhe an cion de na suimeanna muirearaithe a cionroinnfear mar adúradh ar Chomhairle na Gaillimhe agus an t-ús ar an gcion san de na suimeanna muirearaithe d'íoc leis na Coimisinéirí na trátha agus sa tslí a luafar san ordú muirir sin.
(5) Athghairmtear leis seo an chuid d'fho-alt (6) d'alt 7 d'Acht na Forghasa dar tosach na focail “as airgead a bhaileoidh an Chomhairle sin” agus dar críoch na focail “an t-easnamh d'íoc amhlaidh”.
(6) Athghairmtear leis seo alt 8 d'Acht na Forghasa agus ina ionad san achtaítear leis seo go ndéanfaidh na Comhairlí amhail ar dháta agus ó dháta an orduithe mhuirir fán Acht san na costais agus an caiteachas fána raghaidh na Comhairlí ag cothabháil oibreacha siltin Cheanntar na Forghasa d'íoc sna cionúireachta ina ndéanfar na suimeanna muirearaithe do mhuirearú leis an ordú san ar a gcistí contae fá seach agus go gcruinneoidh na Comhairlí fá seach iad tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán.
(7) Léifear agus léireofar mar achtachán amháin an t-alt so agus Acht na Forghasa agus dá réir sin gach focal agus abairt a húsáitear san alt so agus dá dtugtar brí áirithe le hAcht na Forghasa chun críocha an Achta san beidh leis san alt so an bhrí a tugtar dó amhlaidh.
Forála maidir leis na scéimeanna siltin sa Tríú Sceideal.
56.—Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir leis na scéimeanna siltin uile agus fá seach a luaitear sa Tríú Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht so (is scéimeanna siltin do hullmhaíodh fán Acht Dréineála Airtéirí, 1925 (Uimh. 33 de 1925), ach nár críochnaíodh go hiomlán roimh an Acht so do rith), sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní críochnófar na scéimeanna siltin sin agus ní déanfar a thuilleadh ina dtaobh;
(b) d'ainneoin éinní atá i bhfo-alt (4) d'alt 6 den Acht Dréineála Airtéirí, 1925, adúradh, déanfar iomlán na gcostas a luaitear sa bhfo-alt san agus a ndeachaidh na Coimisinéirí fúthu maidir leis na scéimeanna siltin sin uile agus fá seach d'íoc as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas, agus dá réir sin beidh na comhairlí contae iomchuibhe uile agus fá seach arna saoradh agus déantar leis seo iad do shaoradh ón oblagáid a cuirtear orthu uile agus fá seach leis an bhfo-alt san trian de na costais sin d'íoc.
Ceanntair siltin a mbeidh cuid díobh lasmuigh den Stát.
57.—(1) Bainfidh an t-alt so, amhail ar an lá agus ón lá a ceapfar fá alt 21 den Acht so, le gach ceanntar siltin ba cheanntar siltin láithreach chun críocha an Achta so mura mbeadh cuid de bheith laistigh agus cuid de lasmuigh den Stát.
(2) Gach duine a bheas rátaithe i leith tailimh laistigh den Stát chun ráta shiltin i gceanntar siltin lena mbainfidh an t-alt so agus a íocfas in aon bhliain an ráta siltin a mbeidh sé rátaithe chuige amhlaidh don bhliain sin i leith an tailimh sin, beidh sé i dteideal, ar é do thíolacadh na hadmhála ar an ráta siltin a bheas íoctha aige amhlaidh do chomhairle na contae ina mbeidh an talamh san suite, pé faoiseamh acu seo leanas is iomchuibhe d'fháil, sé sin le rá:—
(a) i gcás é bheith rátaithe chun an ráta dhealúis is iníoctha sa bhliain sin i leith an tailimh sin agus an ráta dealúis sin do bheith íoctha aige cheana nó i gcás gan é bheith rátaithe chun an ráta dhealúis sin i leith an tailimh sin, aisíoc méide an ráta shiltin a thaspánfaidh an admháil sin a bheith íoctha amhlaidh d'fháil ón gcomhairle sin, nó
(b) i gcás é bheith rátaithe chun an ráta dhealúis sin is iníoctha sa bhliain sin i leith an tailimh sin agus gan an ráta dealúis sin do bheith íoctha aige leis an gcomhairle sin, nóta (dá ngairmtear nóta creidiúnais san alt so) d'fháil ón gcomhairle sin á chur i dteideal creidiúnas d'fháil i gcoinne an ráta dhealúis sin i méid an ráta shiltin a thaspánfaidh an admháil sin a bheith íoctha amhlaidh.
(3) Más rud é, i gcás ina mbeidh duine ina lonnaitheoir ar thalamh (laistigh den Stát) a bheas rátaithe chun ráta shiltin i gceanntar siltin lena mbainfidh an t-alt so ach ná beidh sé féin rátaithe chun an ráta shiltin sin i leith an tailimh sin, go n-íocfaidh an duine sin an ráta siltin sin i leith an tailimh sin in aon bhliain, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) beidh an lonnaitheoir sin i dteideal faoisimh fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so fé is dá mbeadh sé rátaithe chun an ráta shiltin sin sa bhliain sin i leith an tailimh sin;
(b) an duine a bheas rátaithe iarbhfír chun an ráta shiltin sin sa bhliain sin i leith an tailimh sin, ní bheidh sé i dteideal faoisimh fán bhfo-alt san;
(c) ní bheidh an lonnaitheoir sin i dteideal an ráta siltin sin d'íoc sé amhlaidh ná aon chuid de do bhaint den duine sin a bheas rátaithe amhlaidh chuige iarbhfír.
(4) Nuair a dhéanfas an duine dar heisíodh nóta creidiúnais fán alt so an nóta san do thairgsint don chomhairle d'eisigh é, glacfaidh an chomhairle sin é mar íocaíocht sa mhéid den ráta dealúis lena mbainfidh sé is comhionann le méid an ráta shiltin ar ina leith do heisíodh amhlaidh é.
(5) An t-airgead a theastós ó chomhairle chontae chun aon fhaoiseamh a mbeidh duine ar bith ina theideal fán alt so do thabhairt don duine sin, cruinneoidh an chomhairle sin é tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán.
(6) Féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí, le toiliú an Aire, comhaontú do dhéanamh le comhairle (dá ngairmtear an chomhairle eachtrach san alt so) na contae ina mbeidh an chuid a bheas lasmuigh den Stát de cheanntar siltin lena mbainfidh an t-alt so á shocrú go ndéanfaidh na Coimisinéirí agus an chomhairle eachtrach le chéile an ceanntar siltin sin do rialú agus do bhainistí agus na hoibreacha siltin ann do chothabháil.
(7) Nuair is deimhin leis an Aire feidhm dlí do bheith ag comhaontú arna dhéanamh fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, maidir le ceanntar siltin lena mbainfidh an t-alt so, sa líomatáiste ina mbeidh an chuid a bheas lasmuigh den Stát den cheanntar siltin sin, déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, an comhaontú san do dhaingniú agus air sin beidh feidhm dlí laistigh den Stát ag an gcomhaontú san.
(8) Féadfaidh an tAire, leis an ordú lena ndaingneoidh comhaontú fán alt so, pé forála (ar a n-áirítear modhnuithe ar fhorála an Achta so) do dhéanamh a chífear dó is gá i dtaobh nó de dhruim an chomhaontuithe sin.
Foráil maidir le scéimeanna siltin áirithe fá na hAchta Dréineála Airtéirí, 1925 agus 1929.
58.—(1) San alt so—
ciallaíonn an abairt “Acht 1925” an tAcht Dréineála Airtéirí, 1925 (Uimh. 33 de 1925), agus ciallaíonn an abairt “Acht 1929” an tAcht Dréineála Airtéirí (Leasú), 1929 (Uimh. 18 de 1929).
(2) D'ainneoin éinní contrártha dhó san atá in Acht 1925, beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forála so leanas maidir le Scéim Siltin an Mhaoilcéir agus na Ceapaighe Móire (dá ngairmtear an Scéim sa bhfo-alt so) d'ullmhaigh na Coimisinéirí fán Acht san agus do dhaingnigh an tAire Airgeadais an 20ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1933, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní bheidh feidhm ná éifeacht maidir leis an Scéim ag alt 14 ná ag fo-ailt (1) go (4) d'alt 15 d'Acht 1925;
(b) a luaithe is féidir tar éis an tAcht so do rith, ullmhóidh na Coimisinéirí moladh deiridh maidir leis an Scéim;
(c) dearbhóidh na Coimisinéirí sa mholadh deiridh agus leis an moladh deiridh sin—
(i) gurb é méid iomlán na gcostas agus an chaiteachais fána ndeachaidh na Coimisinéirí ag déanamh oibreacha de bhun na Scéime agus go ginearálta ag cur na Scéime i ngníomh ná suim sé mhíle tríochad, naoi gcéad, agus aon phunt caogad, agus ceithre pingne, agus
(ii) go bhfuil suim ocht míle dhéag, ceithre chéad agus cúig puint seachtód, deich scillinge agus dhá phingin íoctha ag an Aire Airgeadais, as airgead do sholáthraigh an tOireachtas, i leith na gcostas agus an chaiteachais sin, agus
(iii) go bhfuil suim trí mhíle dhéag, ceithre chéad agus cúig puint fhichead, deich scillinge, agus naoi bpingne íoctha ag comhairle chontae Luimnigh leis na Coimisinéirí i leith na gcostas agus an chaiteachais sin, agus
(iv) gurb é is méid d'fhuíollach na gcostas agus an chaiteachais sin de bhreis agus de bharr ar na suimeanna san d'íoc an tAire sin agus an chomhairle sin fá seach ná suim chúig mhíle agus naoi bpuint cheathrachad, naoi scillinge déag, agus cúig pingne agus go ndearna na Coimisinéirí é do réamhíoc, agus
(v) cad is méid don bhlianacht infhorceanta trína mbeidh an tsuim do réamhíoc na Coimisinéirí inaisíoctha do réir ailt 16 d'Acht 1925;
(d) beidh an ceanntar siltin a ceapfar leis an moladh deiridh sin ina cheanntar siltin láithreach chun críocha an Achta so agus beidh feidhm maidir leis dá réir sin ag na forála den Acht so a bhaineas le ceanntar siltin láithreach, agus beidh an moladh deiridh sin i pé foirm agus beidh pé forála ann a chífear do na Coimisinéirí is gá de bhíthin feidhme sin na bhforál sin den Acht so;
(e) fá réir na bhforál san roimhe seo den fho-alt so agus gan dochar dóibh, agus sa mhéid ná beidh san ar neamhréir leo, beidh sa mholadh deiridh sin na forála go léir is gá do réir Achta 1925 a bheith i moladh deiridh fán Acht san, agus is tuigthe gurb é an moladh deiridh é do rinneadh de bhun an Achta san maidir leis an Scéim, agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag fo-ailt (5) agus (6) d'alt 15 den Acht san maidir leis an moladh deiridh sin dá réir sin.
(3) Díreach ar an Acht so do rith íocfaidh comhairle chontae Luimnigh leis na Coimisinéirí pé suim a dhéanfas, i dteannta na suimeanna atá íoctha go dtí so ag an gcomhairle sin leis na Coimisinéirí ar scór na réamhíocanna do rinne na Coimisinéirí maidir le ranníoc na comhairle sin i leith na gcostas agus an chaiteachais do bhain le Scéim Siltin an Mhaoilcéir agus na Ceapaighe Móire maraon leis an ús ar na réamhíocanna san, na suimeanna so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) suim trí mhíle dhéag, ceithre chéad, agus cúig puint fhichead, deich scillinge agus naoi bpingne (sé sin, méid iomlán na réamhíocanna san), agus
(b) ús ar gach ceann fá leith de na suimeanna a dhéanann suas na réamhíocanna san ó na dátaí fá seach ar ar chuir na Coimisinéirí na suimeanna san ar fáil go dtí dáta a n-aisíoctha, agus an t-ús san dá ríomh, i leith gach suime fá leith acu san, do réir an ráta ar ar muirearaíodh ús ar iasachta as Ciste an nIasacht Áitiúla an tráth a cuireadh an tsuim sin ar fáil mar adúradh.
(4) Aon airgead is iníoctha ag comhairle chontae Luimnigh leis na Coimisinéirí fán bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, féadfaidh an chomhairle sin é íoc as a gciste contae nó trí iasacht d'fháil, agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag alt 22 d'Acht 1925 maidir leis an airgead san fé is dá n-ordaítí leis an Acht san an t-airgead san d'íoc as an gciste contae sin nó trí iasacht d'fháil.
(5) Gach moladh deiridh do rinneadh nó do thug le tuigsint é bheith arna dhéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí fá Acht 1925 nó fán Acht san arna leasú le hAcht 1929 nó fá aon Acht eile do ritheadh roimh an Acht so do rith (ach amháin an moladh deiridh do thug le tuigsint é bheith arna dhéanamh ag na Coimisinéirí an 29ú lá d'Iúl, 1942, i leith Scéime Siltin an Mhaoilcéir agus na Ceapaighe Móire), déantar leis seo é dhaingniú agus a dhearbhú go bhfuil sé, agus go raibh sé riamh, bailí agus neamh-inchonspóide ar fhoras ar bith d'ainneoin neamhbhailíocht (más ann) an dréachtmholta iomchuibhe nó aon difríocht idir an moladh deiridh sin agus an dréacht-mholadh san agus, i gcás an mholta dheiridh do rinne na Coimisinéirí an 9ú lá d'Iúl, 1941, maidir le Scéim Siltin na Máighe agus na Lúbaighe, d'ainneoin aon orduithe ón gCúirt Uachtarach do rinneadh tar éis an 18ú lá de Dheireadh Fómhair, 1944, agus roimh an Acht so do rith.
Scéimeanna siltin fá na hAchta sa Chéad Sceideal do thoirmeasc.
59.—O dháta an Achta so do rith agus dá éis sin ní déanfar aon scéim siltin d'ullmhú ná do chur i ngníomh fá aon Acht dá luaitear i gCuid I den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht so.
AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL.
CUID I.
Na Drainage and Navigation (Ireland) Acts, 1842 to 1857.
Na Drainage and Improvement of Lands (Ireland) Acts, 1863 to 1892.
Na hAchta Dréineála Airtéirí, 1925 agus 1929.
CUID II.
Achta Dréineála na Bearbha, 1927 agus 1933.
An tAcht Dréineála Airtéirí (Mion-Scéimeanna), 1928 (Uimh. 23 de 1928).
AN DARA SCEIDEAL.
Socmhainni Comhlucht Siltin Scortha d'Aistriu agus a bhFiachais do Ghlanadh.
1. Sa Sceideal so—
ciallaíonn an abairt “an príomh-alt” an t-alt den Acht so ar dá bhuaidh a bheas éifeacht maidir le comhlucht scortha ag na forála san is infheidhme den Sceideal so,
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhlucht scortha” comhlucht iontaobhaithe nó bord siltin a thiocfas chun bheith scortha an lá ceaptha de bhuaidh an phríomh-ailt,
tá leis an abairt “an lá ceaptha” an bhrí atá léi sa phríomh-alt, ciallaíonn an focal “comhairle” comhairle chontae,
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhairle nó comhairlí aistrithí” an chomhairle nó na comhairlí chun a ndéantar urlámhas agus bainistí ceanntair shiltin láithrigh d'aistriú le Cuid III den Acht so,
folaíonn an focal “sócmhainní”, maidir le comhlucht scortha, gach uile shaghas maoine pé acu réalta nó pearsanta í agus pé acu ar seilbh nó ar fionnraí dhi, ach ní fholaíonn sé na hoibreacha siltin láithreacha i gceanntar siltin an chomhluchta scortha san,
folaíonn an focal “fiachas”, maidir le comhlucht scortha, gach uile shaghas fiacha agus fiachas pé acu leachtaithe nó neamhleachtaithe dhóibh agus pé acu láithreach, teagmhasach, nó todhchaí dhoibh.
2. Gach duine a bheas, díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, i seilbh aon oifige fá chomhlucht scortha nó ar fostú acu, scoirfidh sé an lá san de bheith i seilbh na hoifige sin nó ar fostú amhlaidh, ach ní choiscfidh an scor san aon duine den tsórt san ó bheith ar fostú go sealadach tar éis an lae cheaptha ag an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí aistrithí maidir le forceannadh cúrsaí an chomhluchta scortha san.
3. Féadfaidh comhairle nó comhairlí aistrithí comhluchta scortha, as a gcomhairle féin ach fá réir toilithe an Aire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí, íocaíocht ex gratia do dheonadh do dhuine ar bith do bhí, díreach roimh an lá ceaptha, i seilbh aon oifige fán gcomhlucht scortha san agus áireofar an íocaíocht san mar fhiachas ar an gcomhlucht scortha san, agus maidir le méid na híocaíochta san—
(a) ní raghaidh sé thar pé suim acu so leanas is lú:
(i) an ceathrú cuid den luach saothair bliantúil (gan aon liúntas le haghaidh caiteachais d'áireamh) is iníoctha díreach roimh an lá ceaptha leis an duine sin ag an gcomhlucht scortha san arna iolrú fán uimhir de bhlianta iomlána seirbhíse a bheas tugtha aige leis an gcomhlucht scortha san,
(ii) dhá oiread an luach saothair bhliantúil (gan aon liúntas le haghaidh caiteachais d'áireamh) is iníoctha díreach roimh an lá ceaptha leis an duine sin ag an gcomhlucht scortha san, agus
(b) déanfar, fá réir na teorann san roimhe seo, é do chinneadh ag féachaint go cuibhe do na nithe seo leanas:
(i) na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha ar ar fostaíodh an duine sin ag an gcomhlucht scortha san,
(ii) cineál agus faid na fostaíochta san agus an tslí ina ndearna an duine sin dualgais na fostaíochta san do chomhlíonadh,
(iii) an chosúlacht a bheas ann (má bhíonn) go gcoimeádfaí an duine sin níos sia sa bhfostaíocht san dá mba ná rithfí an tAcht so,
(iv) aon tosca eile a bhainfeas leis an gcás.
4. A luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae cheaptha, déanfaidh comhairle nó comhairlí aistrithí comhluchta scortha sócmhainní agus fiachais an chomhluchta scortha san d'fhionnadh agus do chinneadh agus, chuige sin, déanfaidh an comhlucht scortha san agus a n-oifigigh agus a seirbhísigh gach leabhar, cuntas, agus scríbhinn eile a bheas ar seilbh nó ar fáil acu agus is leis an gcomhlucht scortha san nó a bhainfeas lena n-eadarbhearta nó a gcúrsaí do thaspáint agus do thabhairt suas don chomhairle nó do na comhairlí aistrithí sin.
5. (a) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae cheaptha, bhéarfaidh comhairle nó comhairlí aistrithí comhluchta scortha go bhfoillseofar sa tslí is oiriúnaí leo fógra á cheangal ar gach duine ag á mbeidh éileamh i gcoinne an chomhluchta scortha san a éileamh do lóisteáil leis an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí aistrithí sin laistigh de thréimhse a sonnrófar (nach giorra ná mí ó dháta an fhógra san d'fhoillsiú den chéad uair) agus á rá ná breithneofar ná ná glanfar aon éileamh ná lóisteálfar amhlaidh.
(b) Ar bheith foillsithe don fhógra san ní bheidh d'oblagáid ar an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí aistrithí aon éileamh ná lóisteálfar do réir an fhógra san laistigh den tréimhse a sonnrófar ann do bhreithniú ná do ghlanadh.
6. Ar an lá ceaptha—
(a) beidh sócmhainní uile comhluchta scortha arna n-aistriú chun na comhairle nó na comhairlí aistrithí agus arna dteacht chun bheith ina maoin acu agus, más fiacha nó rudaí-ar-fionnraí eile iad agus sa mhéid gurb ea, féadfaidh an chomhairle nó na comhairlí sin iad do bhaint amach dá réir sin, agus
(b) tiocfaidh fiachais uile comhluchta scortha chun bheith agus beid ina bhfiachas ar an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí aistrithí agus íocfaidh nó glanfaidh an chomhairle nó na comhairlí sin iad dá réir sin.
7. Aon agra nó aicsean a bheas ar feitheamh in aon Chúirt an lá ceaptha agus ina mbeidh comhlucht scortha ina bpáirtí ní thuitfidh sé ar lár de bhíthin an comhlucht scortha san do scor, ach ina ionad san tiocfaidh comhairle nó comhairlí aistrithí an chomhluchta scortha san chun bheith agus beid ina bpáirtithe san agra nó san aicsean san in ionad an chomhluchta scortha san agus leanfar den agra nó den aicsean san dá réir sin.
8. (a) Déanfar na sócmhainní uile le comhlucht scortha a thiocfas, de bhuaidh an Sceidil seo, chun bheith ina maoin ag comhairle aistrithí an chomhluchta scortha san d'íoc isteach i gciste contae, nó do chur chun tairbhe do chiste contae, na comhairle sin.
(b) Déanfar na fiachais uile a bheas ar chomhlucht scortha agus a thiocfas, de bhuaidh an Sceidil seo, chun bheith inghlanta ag comhairle aistrithí an chomhluchta scortha san d'íoc agus do ghlanadh as ciste contae na comhairle sin.
9. (a) Na sócmhainní uile le comhlucht scortha a thiocfas, de bhuaidh an Sceidil seo, chun bheith ina maoin ag dhá chomhairle aistrithí nó níos mó a bheas in ionad an chomhluchta scortha san, tiocfaid chun bheith ina maoin leis na comhairlí sin agus déanfar iad d'íoc isteach ina gcistí contae fá seach nó do chur chun tairbhe dhóibh sna cionúireachta a sonnraítear anso ina dhiaidh seo.
(b) Na fiachais uile a bheas ar chomhlucht scortha agus a thiocfas, de bhuadh an Sceidil seo, chun bheith inghlanta ag dhá chomhairle aistrithí nó níos mó a bheas in ionad an chomhluchta scortha san, déanfaidh na comhairlí sin iad d'íoc agus do ghlanadh as a gcistí contae fá seach sna cionúireachta a sonnraítear anso ina dhiaidh seo.
(c) Is iad cionúireachta ina dtiocfaidh sócmhainní nó fiachais chomhluchta scortha chun bheith, fán Sceideal so, ina maoin le dhá chomhairle aistrithí nó níos mó nó inghlanta acu ná pé cionúireachta ar a gcomhaontóidh na comhairlí sin ag féachaint d'fhorála an Mholta nó an mholta dheiridh maidir le ceanntar siltin an chomhluchta scortha san nó, cheal comhaontuithe den tsórt san, cinnfidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí iad (ag féachaint do na forála san adúradh) ar cheann amháin nó níos mó de na comhairlí sin dá iarraidh sin.
10. (a) An t-airgead a theastós ó chomhairle chun fiachais nó cionúireacht d'fhiachais chomhluchta scortha do ghlanadh de bhun an Sceidil seo, déanfaidh an chomhairle sin é do chruinniú (sa mhéid nach féidir an t-airgead san do sholáthar as sócmhainní nó as an gcuid de shócmhainní an chomhluchta scortha san a gheobhaidh an chomhairle sin) tríd an ráta dealúis mar mhuirear ar an gcontae iomlán nó féadfar, le toiliú an Aire Áitiúil agus Sláinte Poiblí, é sholáthar (sa mhéid adúradh) trí iasacht d'fháil fá Airteagal 22 den Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898, fé is dá mbeadh an chríoch san luaite san Airteagal san.
(b) Aon airgead a gheobhaidh comhairle ar iasacht fán mír seo ní háireofar é mar chuid d'fhiacha na comhairle sin chun críocha an Airteagail sin 22.
11. Maidir leis an gcomhairle nó na comhairlí aistrithí do bhailiú na bhfiacha (lena n-áirítear riaráiste ráta shiltin nó muirir shiltin) a bheas dlite do chomlucht scortha agus a haistreofar chun na comhairle nó na gcomhairlí aistrithí sin, de bhuaidh an Sceidil seo, féadfaidh an chomhairle nó na comhairlí sin, mar is rogha leo, fiacha ar bith den tsórt san do mhaitheamh i bpáirt nó go hiomlán nó pé loghaíocht do thabhairt a mheasfaid is ceart maidir leis an modh nó an tráth chun aon fhiacha den tsórt san d'íoc i bpáirt nó go hiomlán.
AN TRIU SCEIDEAL.
Sceimeanna Siltin a Treigfear.
Na scéimeanna siltin uile agus fá seach a bhaineas leis na haibhne seo leanas fa seach—
1. An Abha Dhubh i gContaethe na Midhe agus an Chabháin.
2. Abha an Oileáin i gContae na Gaillimhe.
3. Abha an Chlochair i gContae Roscomáin.
4. Abha Choill-fá-hAbhann i gContae Mhuineacháin.
5. Abha an Raimpéir i gContae Lughbhaidh.
6. Abha na Croise i gContae Roscomáin.
Number 3 of 1945.
ARTERIAL DRAINAGE ACT, 1945.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary
Section | |
Drainage Schemes.
Duties of the Commissioners in regard to public roads and bridges. | |
Existing Drainage Districts.
Certain provisions in respect of existing drainage districts managed by councils. | |
Existing Embankments.
Transfer of control and management of existing embankments to the Commissioners. | |
Maintenance of Drainage Works.
Amendment of Awards.
The Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.
Miscellaneous and General.
Acts Referred to | |
No. 33 of 1925 | |
No. 26 of 1927 | |
No. 46 of 1924 | |
No. 30 of 1933 | |
No. 11 of 1931 | |
No. 42 of 1923 | |
No. 19 of 1927 | |
No. 17 of 1939 | |
No. 13 of 1943 | |
No. 18 of 1929 | |
No. 3 of 1926 | |
No. 23 of 1928 | |
Number 3 of 1945.
ARTERIAL DRAINAGE ACT, 1945.
PART I.
Preliminary.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.
Definitions.
2.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Finance;
the expression “the Commissioners” means the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland;
the expression “the Reference Committee” means the Reference Committee constituted by paragraph (c) of sub-section (5) of section 1 of the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, as amended by the Acquisition of Land (Reference Committee) Act, 1925 (No. 22 of 1925);
the expression “benefited lands” means either (as the context requires) lands stated in a drainage scheme under this Act to be lands which will be drained or otherwise improved by the execution of the drainage works specified in such scheme or stated in an Award under this Act or any previous Act, to be lands which have been drained or otherwise improved by the execution of the drainage works mentioned in such Award;
the expression “existing drainage district” means a drainage district constituted under any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule to this Act and wholly situate within the State;
the expression “existing drainage works” means the drainage works in an existing drainage district;
the word “embankment” means an artificial watercourse, drain, embankment, or other work constructed for the protection of land from flooding and includes all sluices, sluice-gates, pumps, weirs, watercourses, and other works forming part of or essential to the effective operation of any such embankment or work;
the expression “existing embankment” means an embankment constructed (whether before or after the passing of this Act) for the protection from flooding of land purchased under the Land Purchase Acts or the subject of proceedings under those Acts, whether such embankment was constructed before or after such purchase or the institution of proceedings therefor and whether such embankment was constructed by a former landlord or other person or by trustees or by or under the supervision of the Irish Land Commission;
the word “county” includes a county borough and, in relation to a county borough, the word “council” shall be construed as meaning the corporation of such county borough and the expression “poor rate” shall be construed as meaning the municipal rate;
the expression “reserved function” means—
(a) in the case of the corporation of a county borough, a reserved function for the purposes of the enactments relating to the management of that county borough,
(b) in any other case, a reserved function for the purposes of the County Management Acts, 1940 and 1942;
the word “weir” includes a dam and also includes all sluices, sluice-gates, flood-gates, locks, and other things forming part of a weir or a dam;
the word “watercourse” includes rivers, streams, and other natural watercourses, and also canals, drains, and other artificial watercourses;
a reference to a private bridge does not include a reference to any kesh, footstick or other similar structure.
Expenses.
3.—The expenses incurred by the Minister or the Commissioners in the administration of this Act shall (to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister and so far as they are not otherwise provided for by this Act) be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II.
Drainage Schemes.
Preparation of drainage schemes.
4.—(1) Whenever the Commissioners are of opinion that the execution of arterial drainage works is expedient in respect of any catchment area for the purpose of preventing or substantially reducing the periodical flooding of lands in that area or of improving by drainage lands in the said area, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to prepare a scheme (in this Act referred to as a drainage scheme) for the execution of such works and for that purpose to make such engineering and valuation surveys of the said area as shall appear to them to be necessary or expedient.
(2) Every drainage scheme prepared by the Commissioners in pursuance of this section shall show, either in the body of the scheme or by means of appropriate maps, drawings, plans, sections, and schedules annexed thereto, the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) the waters and watercourses proposed to be dealt with,
(b) the lands which will be drained or otherwise improved by the carrying out of the scheme,
(c) the drainage works proposed to be executed in pursuance of the scheme,
(d) where the benefited lands are all situate in one county, the aggregate annual value (at the time of the preparation of the scheme) of those lands and the total increase in the annual value thereof which will probably arise in consequence of the execution of the scheme or, where the benefited lands are situate in two or more counties, the respective aggregate annual values (at the time aforesaid) of the portions of those lands situate in each such county and the several total increases in the annual values of those portions respectively which will probably arise in consequence of the execution of the scheme,
(e) the lands proposed to be compulsorily acquired or substantially interfered with, the easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights proposed to be compulsorily acquired, restricted, terminated, or otherwise interfered with, and the roads and bridges (whether public or private) proposed to be diverted, removed, or otherwise interfered with,
(f) the reputed proprietors, owners, and rated or other occupiers of the several lands proposed to be compulsorily acquired or substantially interfered with and of the several easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights, and private roads and bridges proposed to be compulsorily acquired, restricted, terminated or otherwise interfered with,
(g) the area proposed to be constituted a separate drainage district on the completion of the carrying out of the scheme.
(3) It shall be lawful for the Commissioners and their officers, agents, and servants to enter on any lands and there do all such things as may appear to them to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the preparation of a drainage scheme and the making of any such surveys in relation thereto as are mentioned in sub-section (1) of this section.
(4) Every mention or reference contained in this Act of or to a drainage scheme shall be construed as including every map, drawing, plan, section, and schedule annexed to such drainage scheme.
Sending of copies of schemes to councils.
5.—(1) When the Commissioners have prepared a drainage scheme they shall—
(a) send a copy of such scheme to the council of every county in which the area or any part of the area proposed by such scheme to be constituted a separate drainage district is situate, and
(b) publish in the Iris Oifigiúil and such one or more newspapers circulating in the said area as they shall consider appropriate a notice stating that such scheme has been prepared by them and the electoral divisions to which or to a part of which it relates and also stating the place or places at which and the period, not being less than one month, during which a copy of such scheme will be available for inspection in pursuance of the next following sub-section of this section.
(2) Every council of a county to which a copy of a drainage scheme is sent by the Commissioners in pursuance of this section—
(a) shall cause such copy to be exhibited in their principal offices or other convenient place during the period specified in that behalf in the notice relating to such scheme published in pursuance of the next preceding sub-section of this section and shall permit such copy to be inspected during office hours by any person claiming to be interested therein, and
(b) shall examine and consider the drainage scheme of which such copy is a copy, and
(c) may, at any time within three months after the date of the publication in the Iris Oifigiúil in pursuance of the next preceding sub-section of this section of the notice relating to such scheme, send to the Commissioners all such observations in regard to such scheme as such council shall think proper.
(3) The duty imposed on the council of a county by paragraph (b) of sub-section (2) of this section and the power conferred on the council of a county by paragraph (c) of the said sub-section (2) shall each be a reserved function.
Notices to reputed proprietors, occupiers, etc.
6.—(1) Simultaneously with or as soon as may be after sending a copy of a drainage scheme to councils of counties in pursuance of the next preceding section, the Commissioners shall—
(a) serve on every person named in such drainage scheme as a reputed proprietor, owner, or rated or other occupier of any land proposed to be compulsorily acquired or substantially interfered with or of any easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right or of any private road or bridge proposed to be compulsorily acquired, restricted, terminated or otherwise interfered with a notice stating that such scheme has been prepared, specifying the place or places at which and the period during which a copy of such scheme will be available for inspection in pursuance of this Act and informing him that such scheme proposes the compulsory acquisition of or interference with some land, right, or other property (which land, right, or property and the proposed interference (if any) shall be fully described in the notice) reputed to be owned or occupied by him, and
(b) serve on every person who is the local authority (not being a council to which a copy of such scheme has been sent in pursuance of the next preceding section) charged with the maintenance of any public road or bridge proposed in such scheme to be diverted, removed, or otherwise interfered with a notice informing such local authority of the preparation of such scheme and of the diversion, removal, or interference proposed in such scheme to be made in respect of such road or bridge.
(2) Every notice served on any person in pursuance of the foregoing sub-section of this section shall contain a statement informing such person that he may, within one month after the service of such notice on him, send to the Commissioners all such observations (if any) as he shall think proper in regard to (as the case may be) the acquisition, restriction, termination, or interference or the diversion, removal, or interference mentioned in such notice.
(3) Every person on whom a notice is served in pursuance of this section may, at any time within one month after the service of such notice on him, send to the Commissioners all such (if any) observations in regard to the acquisition, restriction, termination, or interference or the diversion, removal, or interference (as the case may be) mentioned therein as he shall think proper.
(4) A notice required by this section to be served on any person may be served by post and, where the address of such person is not known, the letter containing such notice may be addressed to him at the lands or the place of situation of the right or property to which the notice relates.
Confirmation of drainage scheme by the Minister.
7.—(1) When all the times limited by the foregoing provisions of this Act for the sending to the Commissioners of observations by councils of counties in regard to a drainage scheme and for the sending to the Commissioners of observations by persons on whom a notice has been served in pursuance of the next preceding section have expired, the Commissioners shall do the following things, that is to say:—
(a) consider every such observation sent to them within the time appropriate thereto, and
(b) after consultation with the Minister for Industry and Commerce, the Minister for Agriculture, the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, and such other (if any) Minister of State as they shall think proper, make such, if any, alterations (whether by addition, omission, or variation) in the drainage scheme as they shall think proper, and
(c) submit the drainage scheme as so altered (if at all) to the Minister.
(2) When a drainage scheme has been submitted to the Minister in pursuance of this section, the Minister shall do whichever of the following things shall appear to him to be proper, that is to say, make an order confirming such scheme, or refuse to confirm such scheme, or refer such scheme back to the Commissioners for revision in specified respects and subsequent re-submission to the Minister under this section.
Inclusion of existing drainage works in a drainage scheme.
8.—(1) A drainage scheme may provide for the inclusion of the whole or a specified part of existing drainage works in the works proposed by such scheme to be executed and may provide for such inclusion either with or without the reconstruction or repair of such existing works.
(2) Where a drainage scheme as confirmed by the Minister provides for the inclusion of the whole or a specified part of existing drainage works in the works thereby proposed to be executed, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) as soon as the Commissioners have entered on the said existing drainage works for the purpose of carrying out the said drainage scheme, the Commissioners shall make an order declaring the date on which they first so entered on the said existing drainage works and thereupon such order shall become and be conclusive evidence for all purposes of the date on which the Commissioners first so entered on the said existing drainage works;
(b) as on and from the date on which the Commissioners first enter on the said existing drainage works for the purpose of carrying out the said drainage scheme, the drainage district containing the said existing drainage works shall cease to exist;
(c) nothing in this section shall operate to relieve the council of a county from liability (if any) for any payments to the Commissioners in repayment of any advance made under any Act by the Commissioners for the said existing drainage works.
The carrying out of a drainage scheme.
9.—When the Minister has made an order confirming a drainage scheme, the Commissioners shall proceed to carry out the scheme, and for that purpose the said order shall operate to confer on the Commissioners power—
(a) to construct, execute, and complete the drainage works specified in the scheme with such additions, omissions, variations, and deviations as shall be found necessary in the course of the work, and
(b) to enter on any land and there do all such acts and things as shall be necessary for or incidental to the construction, execution, or completion of the said drainage works with such additions, omissions, variations, and deviations as aforesaid, and
(c) to acquire compulsorily the several lands, easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights proposed in the scheme to be so acquired, and, if the Commissioners think fit so to do, to enter on any such lands or exercise any of such easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights before the conveyance or ascertainment of price of such lands, easements, fisheries, or rights, and
(d) to interfere substantially with any land proposed in the scheme to be so interfered with and, if the Commissioners so think fit, to enter on and so interfere with such land before any ascertainment of compensation in respect thereof, and
(e) to restrict, terminate, or otherwise interfere with any easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, or other rights proposed in the scheme to be compulsorily restricted, terminated, or interfered with, and to divert, remove, or otherwise interfere with any roads or bridges proposed in the scheme to be diverted, removed, or interfered with, and, if the Commissioners so think fit, to do any of the things aforesaid before any ascertainment of compensation in respect thereof, and
(f) for the purpose of the due carrying out of the scheme to do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(i) take from any land all sods and other material required for the said purpose,
(ii) deposit on any land all spoil or other material produced in the course of such carrying out,
(iii) utilise for the said purpose all or any spoil, gravel, stone, rock, or other matter removed in the course of such carrying out, and
(g) to do all such other acts and things as shall, in the opinion of the Commissioners, be necessary or proper for or incidental to the due carrying out of the scheme and are not specifically provided for by this Act.
Protection of fisheries.
10.—(1) It shall not be obligatory on the Commissioners, when constructing drainage works in pursuance of a drainage scheme, to comply with the Fisheries Acts, 1842 to 1944.
(2) Notwithstanding the exemption conferred by the foregoing sub-section of this section, the Commissioners shall, when constructing drainage works in pursuance of a drainage scheme, take such precautions and make such provisions as the Minister for Agriculture may consider adequate for the protection of and avoidance of injury to fisheries during or in consequence of the construction of such drainage works, provided that the said Minister shall, in consultation with the Commissioners, satisfy himself that taking such precautions and making such provisions will not cause substantial detriment to such drainage works or substantial hindrance to their construction.
Duties of the Commissioners in regard to public roads and bridges.
11.—(1) Where a drainage scheme provides for the diversion, removal, or other interference of or with a public road or bridge the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) where the carrying out of the scheme involves the closing of such road or bridge to traffic, the Commissioners shall either, as they shall think proper, construct and (while such road or bridge is so closed to traffic) maintain a temporary road or bridge sufficient to carry traffic of such quantity and character as normally uses such road or bridge, or by order made with the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health prescribe an alternative route to be used while such road or bridge is so closed to traffic;
(b) the Commissioners shall, before the completion of the carrying out of the scheme, do whichever of the following things they shall think proper, that is to say:—
(i) restore the said road or bridge to its former condition, or
(ii) after consultation with the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, construct a new permanent road or bridge sufficient to carry the like amount (in quantity and character) of traffic as the said original road or bridge was able to carry and not substantially less convenient in gradient and curve than such original road or bridge, or
(iii) with the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, so improve (by reconstruction, strengthening, widening, or otherwise) an existing alternative road or bridge that it will be sufficient to carry the traffic which will be likely to use it and will not be substantially less convenient than the said original road or bridge;
(c) where the Commissioners construct a permanent new road or bridge or improve an existing alternative road or bridge and such road or bridge confers substantially greater advantages on the public of any county or urban district than the original road or bridge, whether by affording an improved means of communication or otherwise, the Commissioners shall certify the cost of such new road or bridge or of such improvement (as the case may be) and the Minister for Local Government and Public Health shall certify what part of such cost in his opinion ought reasonably to be borne by the council of such county or urban district, and thereupon a sum equal to the part so certified of such cost shall be raised by such council as part of the expenses of the maintenance by such council of county or urban roads (as the case may be) and shall be paid by such council to the Commissioners;
(d) if any doubt, dispute, or question shall arise as to whether the Commissioners, in the construction or maintenance of any temporary road or bridge or the restoration of an existing road or bridge or the improvement of an existing alternative road or bridge (as the case may be) pursuant to this section, have complied with the relevant provisions of this section, or as to whether a permanent new road or bridge constructed by the Commissioners or an existing alternative road or bridge improved by the Commissioners (as the the case may be) confers substantially greater advantages on the public of any county or urban district than the original road or bridge, such doubt, dispute, or question shall be decided by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whose decision shall be final and conclusive.
(2) The Commissioners may agree with the appropriate local authority for the doing by such local authority of anything which the Commissioners are required or authorised by the next preceding sub-section of this section to do and may further agree to make to such local authority payment for or towards the cost of the doing of such thing by such local authority.
(3) Nothing in this section shall operate to impose on the Commissioners any duty or responsibility in respect of the maintenance of any new permanent road or bridge constructed by them in pursuance of this section or any road or bridge similarly restored or improved by them.
Amendment of drainage schemes.
12.—Whenever in the course of the carrying out of a drainage scheme it becomes necessary, in the opinion of the Commissioners, to acquire compulsorily or interfere substantially with any lands not mentioned in that behalf in the drainage scheme or to acquire, restrict, terminate, or otherwise interfere with compulsorily any easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right similarly not mentioned or to divert, remove or otherwise interfere with any road or bridge (whether public or private) similarly not mentioned, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) it shall be lawful for the Commissioners, with the sanction of the Minister, so to amend provisionally the said drainage scheme as to include therein the compulsory acquisition, restriction, termination, diversion, removal, or interference so found necessary;
(b) the provisions of this Act in relation to sending copies of a drainage scheme to councils of counties, serving notice on reputed proprietors, owners, occupiers and local authorities, enabling such councils, proprietors, owners, occupiers, and local authorities to send observations to the Commissioners, and requiring the Commissioners to consider such observations shall apply and have effect in relation to every such provisional amendment of the said drainage scheme in like manner as they applied to the scheme itself, subject to the modification that the time within which observations may be sent to the Commissioners shall in every case be twenty-one days;
(c) the Commissioners shall consider every such observation sent to them within the time appropriate thereto and shall, when all such times have expired, confirm such amendment either (as they shall think proper) without alteration or with such alterations as they shall think proper;
(d) when such amendment has been so confirmed, the said drainage scheme shall have effect and be deemed always to have had effect with and subject to such amendment, and accordingly references in this Act to a drainage scheme shall, in relation to the said drainage scheme, be construed and have effect (wherever the context so permits) as referring to the said drainage scheme as so amended;
(e) while any such amendment is a provisional amendment it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to act on such amendment as if it had been confirmed, subject to the Commissioners making such restitution or restoration (if any) or paying such compensation (if any) as may be just and equitable in consequence of such amendment being confirmed with alterations;
(f) every dispute as to the need for any such restitution, restoration, or compensation or as to the nature, extent, or amount thereof shall be decided by an arbitrator nominated by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators whose decision thereon shall be final and conclusive.
Certificate of total or partial completion.
13.—(1) When the Minister is satisfied on the representation of the Commissioners that a portion of the drainage works specified in a drainage scheme has been completed in accordance with that scheme (with such additions, omissions, variations, and deviations as may have been found necessary in the course of the work) and that the said portion of the said drainage works can conveniently be regarded as a separate work for the purposes of so much of this Act as relates to matters subsequent to the completion of a drainage scheme, the Minister shall, subject to the subsequent provisions of this section, cause to be issued a certificate (in this Act referred to as a certificate of partial completion) sealed with his official seal certifying that the said portion of the said drainage works has been completed as aforesaid.
(2) When the Minister is satisfied on the representations of the Commissioners that the whole of the drainage works specified in a drainage scheme have been completed in accordance with that scheme (with such additions, omissions, variations, and deviations as may have been found necessary in the course of the work), the Minister shall, subject to the subsequent provisions of this section, cause to be issued a certificate (in this Act referred to as a certificate of total completion) sealed with his official seal certifying that the whole of the said drainage works have been completed as aforesaid.
(3) In this Act the expression “certificate of completion” includes both a certificate of total completion and a certificate of partial completion.
(4) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the issue under this section of a certificate of completion, that is to say:—
(a) the Minister shall cause to be published in the Iris Oifigi[html]il and in such one or more newspapers circulating in the area to which the drainage scheme relates as he shall think proper a notice stating that the Minister proposes to issue the said certificate and that any person may, within two months after the date of the publication of such notice in the Iris Oifigi[html]il, send to the Minister an objection to the issue of the said certificate;
(b) simultaneously with or as soon as may be after the publication of the said notice in the Iris Oifigi[html]il, the Minister shall send to the council of every county in which the area or part of the area to which such scheme relates is situate a copy of the said notice;
(c) the council of a county to whom a copy of the said notice has been so sent or any other person may, within two months after the date of the publication of the said notice in the Iris Oifigi[html]il, send to the Minister an objection in writing stating that such council or such person objects to the issue of the said certificate and the grounds of such objection;
(d) the Minister shall consider every (if any) objection sent to him under the next preceding paragraph of this section and shall take such steps in regard thereto as he shall think proper;
(e) the said certificate shall not be issued less than two months after the date of the publication of the said notice in the Iris Oifigi[html]il.
(5) The power conferred on the council of a county by paragraph (c) of sub-section (4) of this section shall be a reserved function.
(6) A certificate of partial completion shall be conclusive evidence that the portion specified in such certificate of the drainage works specified in the drainage scheme to which such certificate relates has been completed in accordance with that scheme.
(7) A certificate of total completion shall be conclusive evidence that the whole of the drainage works specified in the drainage scheme to which such certificate relates have been completed in accordance with that scheme.
(8) Where a certificate of partial completion or two or more such certificates have been issued in relation to any drainage works, the certificate of total completion in relation to those drainage works shall include and apply to the portions of those drainage works covered by such certificate or certificates of partial completion and thereupon such certificate or certificates of partial completion shall cease to have effect.
Acquisition of and compensation for lands, rights, etc.
14.—(1) As soon as may be after the date of the order of the Minister confirming a drainage scheme, the Commissioners shall proceed to acquire the several lands, easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights proposed in such drainage scheme to be compulsorily acquired save that it shall not be obligatory on the Commissioners to acquire compulsorily any land, easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right proposed in such drainage scheme to be so acquired in respect of which it appears to the Commissioners, in the course of carrying out such drainage scheme, that the acquisition of such land, easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right is not necessary for the purpose of such carrying out.
(2) The compensation to be paid by the Commissioners for lands, easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights compulsorily acquired in pursuance of the foregoing sub-section of this section to the several persons entitled thereto or having estates or interests therein or entitled to or having estates or interests in the lands over or in respect of which the rights so to be acquired are exercisable shall, in default of agreement, be fixed under and in accordance with the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, with and subject to the modification that the arbitrator at the arbitration under that Act shall be such person as shall be nominated for the purpose by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.
(3) It shall not be obligatory on the Commissioners to make any interference with any land, easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right or any road or bridge proposed in a drainage scheme to be compulsorily made in respect of which it appears to the Commissioners, in the course of carrying out such drainage scheme, that such interference is not necessary for the purpose of such carrying out.
(4) The amount of compensation payable to any person on account of the compulsory substantial interference with any land or the compulsory restriction, termination, or other interference of or with any easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right or the diversion, removal, or other interference of or with any private road or bridge under or in pursuance of a drainage scheme, shall, in default of agreement, be fixed under and in accordance with the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, in like manner as if such compensation were the price of land compulsorily acquired, but with and subject to the modification that the arbitrator at the arbitration under that Act shall be such person as shall be nominated for the purpose by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.
(5) Sections 69 to 83 of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, shall apply to the compensation payable by the Commissioners under this section and for the purposes of such application the Commissioners shall be deemed to be the promoters of the scheme.
(6) No action shall lie at law or in equity against the Minister or the Commissioners or any officer, agent, or servant of the Minister or the Commissioners in respect of any act, matter, or thing in respect of which compensation is payable by virtue of this section or either of the two next following sections.
Compensation for certain interferences with land, etc.
15.—(1) Any person who suffers any loss or damage by reason of any interference (other than a compulsory acquisition or interference under this Act) by the Commissioners during the construction of any drainage works under this Act with any land owned or occupied by him or any easement, fishery, water-right, navigation-right, or other right belonging to him shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be entitled to be paid by the Commissioners compensation in respect of such loss or damage.
(2) Every claim for compensation under this section—
(a) shall be made in writing to the Commissioners within one year after the interference to which the claim relates is begun, and
(b) shall, in default of agreement, be heard and determined by an arbitrator nominated by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators whose decision, both as to the right to and the amount of such compensation, shall be final and conclusive.
Compensation for injury to canals, fisheries, etc.
16.—(1) Any person who, after the issue of a certificate of completion, suffers any loss or damage by reason of an injury (other than a compulsory acquisition, restriction, termination, or interference under this Act) to any canal or other navigable waterway or to any water-power or other water right or to any fishery or fishing right shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be entitled to be paid by the Commissioners compensation for such injury where, but only where, such injury is caused by the operation generally of the drainage works to which such certificate of completion relates or by any particular mode or course of operation of such works.
(2) Every claim for compensation under this section shall be made in writing to the Commissioners and shall be made, in the case of an injury to a fishery or fishing right, within ten years or, in any other case, within three years after the date of the certificate of completion of the drainage works in relation to which the claim arises.
(3) Every claim duly made for compensation under this section shall, in default of agreement, be heard and determined by an arbitrator nominated by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators whose decision, both as to the right to and the amount of such compensation, shall be final and conclusive.
Matters to be regarded in assessment of compensation.
17.—When assessing compensation in pursuance of any of the three next preceding sections, the arbitrator shall in every case have regard to any benefit to any property (whether such property is or is not the property in respect of which such compensation is claimed) of the person claiming such compensation which is occasioned by or may reasonably be expected to arise from the carrying out of the drainage scheme in relation to which the compensation is claimed and, in particular, the arbitrator—
(a) shall, in the case of a claim in respect of a canal or other navigable waterway, have regard to any permanent benefit to the navigation of such waterway occasioned by or which may reasonably be expected to arise from the execution of the said drainage scheme, and
(b) shall, in the case of a claim in respect of water-rights, have regard to any alternative water supply provided by the Commissioners, and
(c) shall, in the case of a claim in respect of interference with water or a watercourse providing power for a mill or other industrial concern, have regard to the extent to which the power so provided was used for an industrial purpose during the ten years next preceding the date of the confirmation of the said drainage scheme by the Minister, and shall also have regard to any alternative source of power provided by the Commissioners.
Amendment of valuation of benefited lands.
18.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Commissioners, at the time and in the circumstances mentioned in the next following sub-section of this section, to amend in such manner as they think proper the statement in a drainage scheme of the aggregate annual value or the total increase in the annual value of the benefited lands or of the portion of the benefited lands (as the case may be) situate in a particular county.
(2) An amendment under the next preceding sub-section of this section may be made by the Commissioners—
(a) where the amendment is made in consequence of an objection made by the council of the county in which the lands affected are situate to the issue of a certificate of completion—at or immediately after the issue of such certificate, or
(b) where the amendment is made in consequence of an application in that behalf by the council of the county in which the lands are situate—at any time after the making of such application, or
(c) where the amendment is made by the Commissioners on their own motion for any reason which appears to them to be sufficient—at any time which appears to the Commissioners to be suitable.
(3) Whenever the Commissioners amend under this section the statement contained in a drainage scheme of the aggregate annual value or the total increase in the annual value of lands, the Commissioners shall inform in writing the council of the county in which such lands are situate of the making of such amendment.
(4) Any officer, agent or servant of the Commissioners shall be entitled to enter, with such assistants as he shall think necessary, any land at all reasonable times and there do all such things as he shall consider necessary for the purpose of making such valuation of such land as the Commissioners may consider to be requisite for the purpose of considering and (if thought fit) making an amendment under this section of a statement of aggregate annual value or of total increase in annual value.
The Award.
19.—(1) When a certificate of completion has been issued and the provisions (so far as they are applicable) of the preceding sections have been complied with, the Commissioners shall make an Award and shall state therein the following matters and things, that is to say:—
(a) the issue of the certificate of total completion or of partial completion (as the case may be) and the date thereof;
(b) in general terms, the drainage works stated in the certificate of completion to have been completed;
(c) the lands drained or otherwise improved by the execution of the said drainage works and the county or counties in which those lands are situate and, where the said lands are situate in two or more counties, the portion of the said lands situate in each such county;
(d) where the benefited lands are all situate in one county, the aggregate annual value (at the time of the preparation of the relevant drainage scheme) of those lands and the total increase in the annual value thereof in consequence of the execution of the said drainage works or, where the benefited lands are situate in two or more counties, the respective aggregate annual values (at the time aforesaid) of the portions of those lands situate in each such county and the several total increases in the annual values of those portions respectively in consequence of the execution of the said drainage works;
(e) the area which is constituted by the Award to be a separate drainage district;
(f) such other matters as the Commissioners shall think proper to state in the Award.
(2) The Commissioners shall cause to be made a true copy of every Award made under this section and shall cause to be endorsed thereon a certificate certifying such copy to be a true copy, and shall then enroll the Award in the Central Office of the High Court.
(3) The copy made and certified in pursuance of the next preceding sub-section of this section of an Award shall be retained by the Commissioners.
(4) The Commissioners shall send a copy of every Award made under this section to the council of every county in which the area or any part of the area constituted by the Award to be a separate drainage district is situate.
(5) An Award made under this section in consequence of the issue of a certificate of total completion shall supersede and replace every (if any) Award previously made under this section in consequence of the issue of a certificate of partial completion in relation to drainage works included in the said certificate of total completion.
(6) Subject to the provisions of the next preceding sub-section of this section, every Award made under this section shall, when duly enrolled pursuant to this section, be conclusive and binding on all parties, and a copy thereof issued and certified by the Master of the High Court shall be conclusive evidence that such Award was duly made and shall also be conclusive evidence of the contents of such Award.
Disposal of surplus lands etc.
20.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the issue of a certificate of completion the Commissioners shall inquire and determine whether any, and if so what lands, easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights acquired by them under this Act for the purposes of the relevant drainage scheme are unnecessary and not required for the proper working and maintenance of the drainage works to which such certificate relates.
(2) All (if any) lands, easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, and other rights determined by the Commissioners in pursuance of the foregoing sub-section of this section to be unnecessary and not required as mentioned in that sub-section shall be sold or otherwise disposed of by the Commissioners for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct.
PART III.
Existing Drainage Districts.
The appointed day for this Part of this Act.
21.—(1) The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the appointed day for the purposes of this Part of this Act.
(2) In this Part of this Act the expression “the appointed day” means the day appointed under this section to be the appointed day for the purposes of this Part of this Act.
Abolition of drainage rates.
22.—(1) As on and from the appointed day no drainage rate (save as is otherwise provided by this Part of this Act in respect of arrears) shall be levied in any existing drainage district and in lieu thereof all moneys theretofore raisable (whether for capital charges or for maintenance expenses) in an existing drainage district or a part of any such district by the council of a county or by a drainage board or trustees by means of a drainage rate shall—
(a) in the case of moneys so raisable by the council of a county, be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge, and
(b) in the case of moneys so raisable by a drainage board or trustees, be raised by the appropriate council of a county or councils of counties by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge.
(2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) of this section or the River Owenmore Drainage Act, 1926 (No. 3 of 1926), shall be deemed to limit the amount of any moneys to be raised by virtue of the said sub-section (1) in respect of the River Owenmore Drainage District by means of the poor rate.
(3) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) of this section or the Barrow Drainage Acts, 1927 and 1933, shall be deemed to limit the amount of any moneys to be raised by virtue of the said sub-section (1) in respect of the Barrow Drainage District by means of the poor rate.
Maintenance of existing drainage works.
23.—(1) All existing drainage works which are, immediately before the appointed day, maintainable by the council of a county or by two or more such councils shall, on and after the appointed day and until otherwise provided by or under this Act, continue to be maintainable by such council or councils (whether by themselves or by a committee or joint committee) as theretofore save that the expenses of such maintenance shall be raisable by such council or each of such councils by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge.
(2) In the case of every existing drainage district in which the drainage works are, immediately before the appointed day, maintainable by trustees or a drainage board, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say—
(a) the control and management of such existing drainage district and the maintenance of the existing drainage works therein shall be transferred, as on and from the appointed day, to and become the responsibility of the council of the county or the councils jointly of the counties in which such district is situate;
(b) such existing drainage works shall, as on and from the appointed day, be maintained (as the case may be) by such council or by such councils jointly;
(c) in the case of a transfer by this sub-section to two or more councils jointly, the expenses of the maintenance of the existing drainage works affected by such transfer shall be borne by such councils in proportion to the increase in the annual value of the lands drained or improved applicable to each county as shown in the relevant Award or final award, and for the purpose of ascertaining such proportions the Commissioners shall have power to make such apportionments as may be necessary;
(d) the expenses or the proportion of the expenses of the maintenance of existing drainage works in pursuance of this sub-section defrayable by any council of a county shall be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge;
(e) no council or councils jointly shall be obliged by this sub-section to maintain any existing drainage works in a condition or state of repair better than the condition and state of repair in which such works were at the time of the last inspection by the Commissioners under this sub-section prior (but not more than twelve months prior) to the appointed day;
(f) in any proceedings against the council of a county or the councils of two or more counties to whom the control and management of an existing drainage district is transferred by this sub-section for damages or for relief in the nature of mandamus on account of the alleged inadequate maintenance of the existing drainage works in such district, a certificate sealed with the seal of the Commissioners and stating that the Commissioners caused the said drainage works to be inspected on a specified occasion and are satisfied that those drainage works were, at the time of such inspection, in a condition and state of repair at least as good as they were in on the occasion of the last inspection thereof by the Commissioners prior to the appointed day shall be conclusive and irrebuttable evidence of the facts so stated in such certificate;
(g) it shall be lawful for an officer, agent or servant of the Commissioners at any time (whether before or after the appointed day) to enter on the drainage works in any existing drainage district to which this sub-section applies and there make such inspection, inquiries, and investigation in respect of the condition and state of repair of the existing drainage works in such district as he shall think proper.
(3) Where the control and management of an existing drainage district and the responsibility for the maintenance of the existing drainage works therein is transferred by this section to two or more councils of counties jointly, such control, management, and maintenance shall be performed by a joint committee of such councils appointed by such councils in accordance with regulations made by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health under this section.
(4) Regulations made by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health under this section may prescribe all such matters as the said Minister shall think proper in relation to the membership of such joint committees as are referred to in the next preceding sub-section of this section, the election and term of office of the members of such joint committees, the procedure of such joint committees, and the audit of their accounts.
(5) Nothing in this section shall authorise a joint committee appointed under this section to raise any moneys which are required by this Act to be raised by the council of a county.
(6) Sub-section (4) of section 23 of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925 (No. 33 of 1925), shall cease to have effect as respects appointments to committees and joint committees made under that section after the appointed day.
(7) The words “and one at least of the last mentioned two members shall be a drainage ratepayer in the county of that council” in paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Barrow Drainage Act, 1927 (No. 26 of 1927), shall cease to have effect as respects appointments to the Barrow Drainage Board made after the appointed day.
Maintenance transfer orders.
24.—(1) At any time after the appointed day the Minister may, by order (in this Act referred to as a maintenance transfer order) made on the application of the Commissioners, transfer to the Commissioners as on and from a specified date the control and management of any existing drainage district the control and management of which is, immediately before the making of such order, vested in the council of a county or in the councils of two or more counties.
(2) Whenever the Minister makes a maintenance transfer order, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the control and management of the existing drainage district to which such order relates and the responsibility for the maintenance of the existing drainage works therein shall become and be vested in the Commissioners as on and from the date specified in that behalf in such order;
(b) as on and from the date of such transfer and unless or until the said existing drainage works are included in the works proposed in a drainage scheme to be executed in pursuance thereof and the Commissioners have entered on the said existing drainage works for the purpose of carrying out such drainage scheme, the costs and expenses of the Commissioners in the maintenance of the said existing drainage works shall be paid to the Commissioners in the manner provided by Part V of this Act by the council or councils from whom such existing drainage district was transferred by such order.
Dissolution of drainage trustees and drainage boards.
25.—(1) Every body of trustees and every drainage board in which the control and management of an existing drainage district is vested immediately before the appointed day shall, on that day, become and be dissolved by virtue of this section.
(2) Such of the provisions set forth in the Second Schedule to this Act as are applicable shall, on the appointed day, apply and have effect in relation to every body of trustees and every drainage board which on that day becomes dissolved by virtue of this section.
Defrayal of the cost of existing drainage works.
26.—As on and from the appointed day the moneys payable to the Commissioners by the council of a county in repayment of the expenses incurred in the execution of the drainage works in an existing drainage district (other than the Barrow Drainage District) or in the repair, under the Drainage Maintenance Act, 1924 (No. 46 of 1924), of any such drainage works shall (so far as such expenses have not been repaid before the appointed day) be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge and no part of such moneys shall be raised by such council by means of a drainage rate.
Provisions in respect of the Barrow Drainage District.
27.—(1) Section 19 of the Barrow Drainage Act, 1927 (No. 26 of 1927), as amended by section 3 of the Barrow Drainage Act, 1933 (No. 30 of 1933), shall cease to have effect in relation to any local financial year beginning after the appointed day.
(2) Section 20 of the Barrow Drainage Act, 1927 (No. 26 of 1927), shall not have effect in any local financial year beginning after the appointed day and in lieu thereof the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) in every such local financial year until the expiration of the thirty-five local financial years mentioned in the said section 20, the respective councils of the counties of Kildare, Laoighis, and Offaly shall pay to the Commissioners the sum of seven thousand, one hundred and fifty-four pounds and the said councils shall so pay that sum in the proportions and on the conditions in and on which they are now liable to contribute to the annual sum payable by them under the said section 20;
(b) the moneys payable to the Commissioners by the council of a county under the foregoing paragraph of this sub-section shall be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge and no part of such moneys shall be raised by such council by means of the drainage rate under the said Act;
(c) so much of the annual sum payable to the Commissioners under the said section 20 as is not defrayed by means of the payments under the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(3) Any moneys in the possession of the Barrow Drainage Board on the appointed day or received by them after the appointed day in respect of any period ending before or on the appointed day shall be applied so as to reduce the moneys to be raised for the maintenance expenses in respect of the Barrow Drainage District in any local financial year beginning after the appointed day.
Certain provisions in respect of existing drainage districts managed by councils.
28.—(1) In this section the expression “responsible council” means, in relation to an existing drainage district the control and management of which is, immediately before the appointed day, vested in the council of a county or two or more of such councils jointly, the council or one of the councils in which such control and management is so vested.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every existing drainage district the control and management of which is, immediately before the appointed day, vested in the council of a county or in two or more such councils jointly, that is to say:—
(a) the responsible council or the responsible councils of any such existing drainage district may, in their discretion, make such concession as they shall think proper in regard to the mode or time of payment of any arrears of drainage rate or drainage charge owing to such council or councils on the appointed day;
(b) where the responsible council or one or more of the responsible councils in respect of any such existing drainage district has or have, before the appointed day (whether before or after the passing of this Act), applied moneys out of their county fund or respective county funds for the purposes of such existing drainage district and the Minister for Local Government and Public Health declares, by order made before or after the appointed day, such application of moneys to have been reasonable and proper, such application of moneys by such council or councils shall be and be deemed always to have been lawful and valid and incapable of being questioned;.
(c) where there are two or more responsible councils in respect of any such existing drainage district and one of those councils has, before the appointed day (whether before or after the passing of this Act), applied moneys out of their county fund for the purposes of such existing drainage district without obtaining from the other or others of such responsible councils such contribution (if any) to such moneys as should properly have been made by such other or others of such councils, it shall be lawful for any one of such responsible councils to prepare a scheme for the adjustment and apportionment as between such responsible councils of all moneys so applied by any of them without such contribution, and such scheme, if and when it is approved of by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, shall have the force of law and shall be given effect to accordingly.
Failure of council to maintain existing drainage works.
29.—(1) Whenever, after the appointed day, the Commissioners are of opinion that any existing drainage works which are for the time being maintainable by the council of a county or the councils of two or more counties are not being properly maintained and that maintenance or repair work is immediately necessary in respect of the said existing drainage works, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to serve by post on such council or each of such councils a notice (in this section referred to as a notice of disrepair) stating that in the opinion of the Commissioners the maintenance or repair work specified in that behalf in such notice is immediately necessary in respect of the said existing drainage works and requiring such council or councils to execute the said maintenance or repair work within a time specified in that behalf in such notice.
(2) Whenever a notice of disrepair is served under the foregoing sub-section of this section, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the council or councils on which such notice of disrepair is so served shall forthwith execute to the satisfaction of the Commissioners the maintenance or repair work specified in such notice and shall defray the cost of the execution of such work in the like manner and, in the case of two or more councils, in the like proportions as such council is or such councils are for the time being required by this Act or otherwise by law to defray the cost of the maintenance of the existing drainage works to which such notice relates;
(b) if such council or councils fails or fail to execute the said maintenance or repair work to the satisfaction of the Commissioners within the time specified in that behalf in such notice of disrepair, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to enter on the said existing drainage works and there execute or complete (as the case may be) the said maintenance or repair work;
(c) if the Commissioners enter on the said existing drainage works and there execute or complete maintenance or repair work under the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section, the Commissioners shall serve on the council or each of the councils concerned a notice stating the amount of the costs and expenses incurred by the Commissioners in the execution or completion (as the case may be) of the said work and thereupon the amount so stated shall be payable to the Commissioners by such council or councils and, in default of such payment, shall be recoverable by the Commissioners in any court of competent jurisdiction as a simple contract debt;
(d) the amount payable to the Commissioners by a council or by two or more councils under the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section shall be defrayed by such council or councils in the like manner as such council is or such councils are for the time being required by this Act or otherwise by law to defray the cost of the maintenance of the said existing drainage works and, where such amount is so payable by two or more councils, it shall be paid and defrayed by and be recoverable from them in the like proportions as the said cost of maintenance is defrayable as aforesaid by them.
Duty of councils to furnish reports.
30.—(1) Every council of a county which is, after the appointed day, responsible under this Part of this Act for the maintenance of the drainage works in an existing drainage district and the joint committee of any two or more councils of counties which are jointly so responsible shall furnish to the Commissioners in every year a report in respect of such existing drainage district and the drainage works therein.
(2) Every report furnished in pursuance of the foregoing sub-section of this section shall be in such form and contain such particulars as shall be prescribed in that behalf by the Commissioners.
PART IV.
Existing Embankments.
Transfer of control and management of existing embankments to the Commissioners.
31.—(1) The Minister may by order (in this Part of this Act referred to as a transfer order), whenever he thinks proper so to do on the application of the Commissioners, transfer to the Commissioners the control and management of any existing embankment and, where such existing embankment is, immediately before the date of such order, vested in trustees, also transfer such existing embankment to the Commissioners and vest the same in them for the like estate as it was so vested in such trustees.
(2) A transfer order shall operate and have effect in accordance with the terms thereof and, if the existing embankment to which such order relates is included in the drainage works proposed in a drainage scheme to be executed, such transfer order shall operate to incorporate such existing embankment in such drainage works, and in any other case such transfer order shall operate to impose on the Commissioners the duties (in this Part of this Act referred to as duties of repair and maintenance) of putting the existing embankment to which such order relates into proper repair and effective condition and of maintaining it in such proper repair and effective condition.
(3) The Commissioners shall, for the purpose of performing the duties of repair and maintenance imposed on them in relation to an existing embankment by virtue of a transfer order, have power—
(a) to enter on any land and there do all such things as shall, in their opinion, be necessary for the said purpose and, in particular, to take soil and other materials from such land, and
(b) to determine all questions which shall arise in relation to such existing embankment and the repair or maintenance thereof and to define or prescribe the rights, obligations, and liabilities in relation thereto of all parties.
(4) A transfer order may relate to a part only of an existing embankment, and accordingly in this Part of this Act (including the foregoing sub-sections of this section) the expression “existing embankment” shall, where the context so admits, be construed as including a part of an existing embankment as well as the whole of an existing embankment.
Power to construct a substitute embankment.
32.—(1) Whenever the Commissioners are satisfied, in regard to an existing embankment in respect of which duties of repair and maintenance are imposed on them by virtue of a transfer order, that the construction of a new embankment on another site is necessary (in addition to or in substitution for such existing embankment) for the proper protection of the land or part of the land served by such existing embankment, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to construct such new embankment on such site and according to such plans as they shall, after consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, consider suitable.
(2) For the purpose of the construction of a new embankment under the foregoing sub-section of this section, the Commissioners shall have power—
(a) to enter on the proposed site of such new embankment and there construct such new embankment and do all such things as shall, in their opinion, be necessary for or incidental to such construction, and
(b) to enter on any other land and there do such things as shall, in their opinion, be necessary for the purposes of the construction of such new embankment and, in particular, to take soil and other materials from such land, and
(c) to pay compensation for damage, whether permanent or temporary, to land occasioned by the exercise by the Commissioners of any of the powers conferred on them by the foregoing provisions of this sub-section.
(3) All claims for compensation payable by the Commissioners under the next preceding sub-section of this section shall, in default of agreement, be heard and determined by an arbitrator nominated by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators, and the decision of such arbitrator (both as to the right to and the amount of such compensation) shall be final and conclusive.
(4) In determining, under the next preceding sub-section of this section, the right to or the amount of such compensation as is mentioned in that sub-section, the arbitrator shall have regard to the benefit (if any) conferred on the claimant for such compensation or on his land by the construction of such new embankment.
(5) Where a new embankment is constructed by the Commissioners under this section in addition to or in substitution for an existing embankment, the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the Commissioners by or under this Part of this Act in relation to the maintenance of such existing embankment shall apply and extend to such new embankment.
Defrayal of cost of maintenance of an existing embankment.
33.—(1) When the Commissioners have completed the work of putting into proper repair and effective condition (including, where a new embankment is constructed under the next preceding section, the construction of such new embankment) an existing embankment in relation to which duties of repair and maintenance are imposed on them by virtue of a transfer order, the Commissioners shall certify—
(a) the date (in this section and in Part V of this Act referred to as the date of completion) on which the said work of putting into proper repair and effective condition was completed, and
(b) the council of a county or the several councils of counties by whom the expenses of the maintenance of such existing embankment after the date of completion are to be borne under this section, and
(c) where such expenses are so certified to be borne by two or more such councils, the proportions in which such councils are so to bear such expenses.
(2) When the Commissioners have certified in accordance with the foregoing sub-section of this section in respect of an existing embankment, all expenses incurred by the Commissioners in the maintenance of such existing embankment after the date of completion shall be borne and paid to the Commissioners by the council or councils named in that behalf in the said certificate under the foregoing sub-section in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part V of this Act.
Abandonment of an existing embankment.
34.—(1) The Minister may by order (in this Part of this Act referred to as an abandonment order) whenever he thinks proper so to do on the application of the Commissioners, authorise the abandonment of the whole or any specified part of an existing embankment in relation to which duties of repair and maintenance are imposed on the Commissioners by virtue of a transfer order.
(2) An abandonment order shall operate to authorise the Commissioners to abandon the existing embankment or the part of an existing embankment to which such order relates and to relieve and discharge the Commissioners, as from the date of such order, of and from the duties of repair and maintenance imposed on them by virtue of the relevant transfer order.
(3) Every person who suffers loss or damage by reason of the flooding of land owned or occupied by him shall, where such flooding is due directly to the abandonment of an existing embankment in pursuance of an abandonment order, be entitled to be paid by the Commissioners compensation in respect of such loss or damage.
(4) Every claim for compensation under this section—
(a) shall be made in writing to the Commissioners within one year after the loss or damage to which the claim relates is first suffered, and
(b) shall, in default of agreement, be heard and determined by an arbitrator nominated by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators whose decision, both as to the right to and the amount of such compensation, shall be final and conclusive.
(5) Compensation payable under this section in respect of the flooding of land (in this sub-section referred to as flooded land) which is subject, either alone or in conjunction with other land, to a Land Purchase Annuity or other annual payment (not being merely rent under a contract of tenancy) payable to the Irish Land Commission or to the Commissioners shall be applied by the Commissioners in or towards the redemption of so much (whether the whole or a part) of such annuity or annual payment as is charged on or apportioned to the flooded land exclusively, and only the surplus (if any) of such compensation remaining after such redemption shall be paid to the owner or occupier of the flooded land.
Trust funds in respect of existing embankments.
35.—Where, at the date of a transfer order, a trust fund, whether vested in the Public Trustee, or the Irish Land Commission, or trustees, exists for the maintenance (whether permanently or during a specified period or otherwise) of the existing embankment (either alone or in conjunction with other works) to which or to a part of which such transfer order relates, such of the following provisions as are applicable shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) if such transfer order relates to the whole of such existing embankment and such trust fund relates to such existing embankment alone, such trust fund shall, as soon as may be after the making of such transfer order, be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct;
(b) if such transfer order relates to a part only of such existing embankment and such trust fund relates to such existing embankment alone, the Judicial Commissioner of the Irish Land Commission shall, on the application of the Commissioners and on notice to all parties concerned and having given such parties an opportunity of being heard, apportion such trust fund as between the part of such existing embankment to which such transfer order relates and the residue of such existing embankment, and thereupon the portion of such trust fund which is so apportioned to the part of such existing embankment to which such transfer order relates shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct;
(c) if such transfer order relates to the whole of such existing embankment and such trust fund relates to such existing embankment and also to other works, the said Judicial Commissioner shall, on the application of the Commissioners and on notice to all parties concerned and having given such parties an opportunity of being heard, apportion such trust fund as between such existing embankment and such other works, and thereupon the portion of such trust fund which is so apportioned to such existing embankment shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct;
(d) if such transfer order relates to a part only of such embankment and such trust fund relates to such existing embankment and also to other works, the said Judicial Commissioner shall, on the application of the Commissioners and on notice to all parties concerned and having given such parties an opportunity of being heard, apportion such trust fund as between, on the one hand, the part of such existing embankment to which such transfer order relates and, on the other hand, the residue of such existing embankment and the said other works, and thereupon the portion of such trust fund which is so apportioned to the part of such existing embankment to which such transfer order relates shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct;
(e) wherever a trust fund or part of a trust fund is required by any of the foregoing provisions of this section to be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer, it shall be lawful for the Public Trustee, the Irish Land Commission, or the trustees (as the case may be) to sell, for the purpose of making such payment or disposition, the whole or so much as may be necessary of the investments (if any) then representing such trust fund;
(f) where under any of the foregoing provisions of this section the whole of such trust fund is required to be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer, whichever of them, the Public Trustee, the Irish Land Commission, or the trustees, such trust fund was vested in immediately before such payment or disposal shall, immediately upon such payment or disposal, be discharged by virtue of this Act from the trusts and duties upon which they so held such trust fund (whether by virtue of a Deed of Trust, a Scheme, or otherwise) and any other persons who were, immediately before such payment or disposal, in a fiduciary capacity in relation to such trust fund shall similarly be discharged from the trusts and duties imposed on them by virtue of such fiduciary capacity;
(g) where under any of the foregoing provisions of this section a portion only of such trust fund is required to be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer, the next preceding paragraph of this section shall apply and have effect in relation to the said portion of such trust fund as if that portion were the whole of such trust fund, but nothing in this Act shall operate to relieve or discharge in respect of the residue of such trust fund the Public Trustee, the Irish Land Commission, or the trustees (as the case may be) or any other person from any trust or duty for the time being imposed on them or him (whether by Deed of Trust, Scheme, or otherwise) in respect of such trust fund so far as such trust or duty relates to the residue of the existing embankment.
Provisions in respect of certain existing embankments.
36.—(1) Whenever the Judicial Commissioner of the Irish Land Commission, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 44 of the Land Act, 1923 (No. 42 of 1923), or section 45 of the Land Act, 1931 (No. 11 of 1931), directs, in relation to an existing embankment in respect of which duties of repair and maintenance are imposed on the Commissioners under this Act whether by virtue of a transfer order or otherwise, that land bonds be paid or repaid to the Public Trustee, whichever of the following provisions is applicable shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) if such duties of repair and maintenance relate to the whole of such existing embankment, the land bonds paid or repaid (as the case may be) to the Public Trustee in pursuance of such direction shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the said section 44 or the said section 45, be disposed of by the Public Trustee for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct;
(b) if such duties of repair and maintenance relate to part only of such existing embankment, the said Judicial Commissioner, when directing as aforesaid land bonds to be paid or repaid to the Public Trustee, shall apportion such land bonds between the part of such existing embankment to which such duties of repair and maintenance relate and the residue of such existing embankment, and the Public Trustee, when such land bonds are paid or repaid (as the case may be) to him in pursuance of such direction, shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the said section 44 or the said section 45, dispose of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct so much of such land bonds as is so apportioned to the part of such existing embankment in respect of which such duties of repair and maintenance are imposed on the Commissioners.
(2) The following provisions shall, where applicable, apply and have effect in relation to transfer orders, that is to say:—
(a) the powers conferred on the Irish Land Commission by section 44 of the Land Act, 1923 (No. 42 of 1923), or section 45 of the Land Act, 1931 (No. 11 of 1931), of making an application to the Judicial Commissioner under such section shall not be prejudiced or affected by the fact (where it exists) that the relevant transfer order is made before the relevant appointed day within the meaning of the Land Purchase Acts;
(b) sub-section (2) of the said section 44 or sub-section (2) of the said section 45 (as the case may be) shall not apply or have effect in relation to an existing embankment in respect of which a transfer order has been made;
(c) where, after a transfer order has been made in respect of an existing embankment, the Commissioners incur expenses in executing works of cleansing, repair, or restoration in respect of such existing embankment which, but for such transfer order, would have been required to be executed by the Irish Land Commission, it shall be lawful for the Judicial Commissioner, on the application of the Irish Land Commission, to make an order either (as the case may be) under section 20 of the Land Act, 1927 (No. 19 of 1927), or under section 46 of the Land Act, 1931 (No. 11 of 1931), for the transfer to the Irish Land Commission of land bonds to meet the expenses so incurred by the Commissioners;
(d) land bonds transferred to the Irish Land Commission under any such order as is mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section shall be disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister shall direct.
PART V.
Maintenance of Drainage Works.
Maintenance of drainage works by the Commissioners.
37.—(1) Whenever a certificate of completion has been issued and also whenever a maintenance transfer order has been made, the following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the maintenance of (as the case may be) the drainage works stated in such certificate to have been completed or the existing drainage works to which such order relates (but in the latter case so long only as such existing drainage works are maintainable by the Commissioners by virtue of such order), that is to say:—
(a) the Commissioners shall maintain the said drainage works or existing drainage works (as the case may be) in proper repair and effective condition but, in the case of any such existing drainage works, it shall not be obligatory on the Commissioners to maintain such works in a better condition or state of repair than they were in on the date of the maintenance transfer order;
(b) in any proceedings against the Commissioners for damages or for relief in the nature of mandamus on account of the alleged inadequate maintenance by the Commissioners of any such existing drainage works, a certificate sealed with the seal of the Commissioners and stating that the Commissioners have caused the said existing drainage works to be inspected and are satisfied that the said existing drainage works were, at the date of such inspection, in a condition and state of repair at least as good as on the date of the relevant maintenance transfer order shall be conclusive and irrebuttable evidence that the said existing drainage works were in a condition and state of repair at the date of such inspection at least as good as on the date of the said order;
(c) the Commissioners shall, on or before the 15th day of December next following the issue of the said certificate of completion or the making of such maintenance transfer order (as the case may be) and on or before the 15th day of every subsequent month of December, prepare an estimate of the probable cost of the maintenance (as defined in this section) of the said drainage works or existing drainage works in the next succeeding financial year and, where the benefited lands are situate in two or more counties, apportion the said estimated probable cost between those counties in proportion to the respective total increases in annual value (as stated in the relevant Award under this Act or Award or final award under any other Act or (pending the issue of an Award under this Act) in the relevant drainage scheme under this Act) of the portions of the benefited lands situate in each such county;
(d) on or before the 15th day of every such month of December, the Commissioners shall—
(i) if the benefited lands are all situate in one county, send to the council of that county a statement of the said estimated probable cost prepared by them in that month of December together with a demand for payment, in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this sub-section, of the said estimated probable cost, or
(ii) if the benefited lands are situate in two or more counties, send to the council of each of those counties a statement of the portion of the said estimated probable cost (prepared as aforesaid) apportioned to such council together with a demand for payment, in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this section, of the said portion of the said estimated probable cost;
(e) before sending, in any month of December after the first such month, to a council any such demand for payment, the Commissioners shall ascertain the actual cost of the maintenance of the said drainage works or existing drainage works in the next preceding financial year and shall compare such actual cost with the estimated probable cost (prepared as aforesaid) in respect of that preceding year and, if there is any difference between such actual cost and such estimated probable cost, the Commissioners shall adjust the amount for which payment is so demanded by adding or subtracting (as the case may be) the amount of such difference from the amount of the estimated probable cost to which such demand for payment relates;
(f) every council to which a demand for payment is sent in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this section shall pay to the Commissioners the amount of which payment is so demanded in two moieties of which one shall be so paid before the 30th day of September next after the making of such demand for payment and the other shall be made before the 31st day of March next following such 30th day of September;
(g) where, during the period beginning on the date of the said certificate of completion or of the said maintenance transfer order (as the case may be) and ending on the next following 31st day of March, the Commissioners incur expenses in the maintenance of the said drainage works or existing drainage works (as the case may be), the cost, as certified by the Commissioners, of such maintenance (as defined in this section) shall be paid on demand to the Commissioners—
(i) if the benefited lands are situate in one county, by the council of that county, or
(ii) if the benefited lands are situate in two or more counties, by the respective councils of those counties in the proportions certified by the Commissioners;
(h) all moneys payable to the Commissioners by the council of a county under this section—
(i) shall be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge, and
(ii) shall be recoverable by the Commissioners from such council in any court of competent jurisdiction as a simple contract debt, and
(iii) shall, when received or recovered by the Commissioners, be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer by the Commissioners in such manner as the Minister shall direct.
(2) When the Commissioners have issued the certificate mentioned in Part IV of this Act in relation to the completion of the putting of an existing embankment into proper repair and effective condition, paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) of the next preceding sub-section of this section shall apply and have effect in relation to the expenses incurred by the Commissioners in the maintenance of such existing embankment as if those paragraphs were here repeated with the necessary modifications and in particular with the substitution of—
(a) the date of completion for the issue of the certificate of completion, and
(b) the council or councils by whom such expenses are to be borne for the council of the county or councils of the counties in which the benefited lands are situate, and
(c) the maintenance of such existing embankment for the maintenance of existing drainage works.
(3) For the purposes of the foregoing provisions of this section, the cost of maintenance of any drainage works shall include—
(a) the remuneration and other expenses of all officers and servants of the Commissioners employed in the maintenance of the said drainage works while they are so employed, and
(b) all other expenses incurred by the Commissioners in the maintenance of the said drainage works,
but the said cost of maintenance shall not include the remuneration of the Commissioners or the remuneration of any officers or servants of the Commissioners employed wholly or mainly at the headquarters offices of the Commissioners or any of the costs or expenses of the maintenance of those offices.
Powers of the Commissioners in relation to maintenance.
38.—(1) For the purpose of the maintenance by the Commissioners of any drainage works (including existing drainage works) in pursuance of this Part of this Act, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) enter on any land and there do all such things as shall be necessary for or incidental to such maintenance;
(b) take from any land all sods and other material required for the purpose of such maintenance;
(c) deposit on any land all spoil and other material produced in the course of such maintenance;
(d) utilise for the purpose of such maintenance all or any spoil, gravel, stone, rock, or other material removed in the course of such maintenance;
(e) do all such other acts and things as shall, in the opinion of the Commissioners, be necessary or proper for the efficient carrying out of such maintenance.
(2) In addition and without prejudice to the general powers conferred on the Commissioners by the foregoing sub-section of this section, it shall be lawful, for the purpose of the maintenance by them of any drainage works (including existing drainage works) in pursuance of this Part of this Act, to execute such improvements to such drainage works or existing drainage works as appear to them to be minor matters properly capable of being regarded as maintenance.
(3) Any minor improvements effected by the Commissioners under the next preceding sub-section of this section shall be regarded for the purposes of this Act as maintenance and the cost thereof shall be defrayed accordingly.
PART VI.
Amendment of Awards.
Execution of additional works.
39.—(1) At any time after an Award has been made by the Commissioners under this Act, it shall be lawful for the Minister, by order made on the application of the Commissioners, to empower the Commissioners to do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) to execute such further drainage works (by way of addition to or improvement of the drainage works mentioned in such Award) as may appear to the Commissioners to be necessary for the efficient working of the said drainage works mentioned in the said Award;
(b) compulsorily to acquire any specified lands;
(c) compulsorily to acquire, abolish or interfere with any weirs, sluices, easements, fisheries, water-rights, navigation-rights, or other rights.
(2) An order made by the Minister under this section may incorporate and apply such of the provisions of this Act as shall appear to him to be necessary or appropriate and, in particular, shall authorise and require the Commissioners to make such supplemental Award as shall be requisite.
Amendment of Awards.
40.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Commissioners whenever they think proper, with the sanction of the Minister, to amend in any respect any Award previously made by them under this Act.
(2) Every amendment under this section of an Award shall be made by a supplemental Award which may contain such consequential or incidental amendments as shall be appropriate.
Application of certain provisions to supplemental Awards.
41.—The provisions contained in Part II of this Act in respect of the enrolment of an Award, the retention of a copy of an Award, the sending of copies of an Award to councils of counties, the conclusiveness of an Award, and the evidential operation of a certified copy of an Award shall apply and have effect in relation to a supplemental Award made under this Part of this Act.
PART VII.
The Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.
The Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.
42.—(1) The Reference Committee shall from time to time at the request of the Minister appoint such number as the Minister shall specify of persons to be members of a panel to be known and in this Act referred to as the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the members of the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators (in this and the next following sub-section referred to as the Panel), that is to say:—
(a) every member of the Panel shall (subject to the subsequent provisions of this section) hold his membership for a term of five years certain from the date of his appointment or latest re-appointment to the Panel;
(b) a member of the Panel whose term of membership expires by effluxion of time and who has not attained the retiring age may be re-appointed;
(c) a member of the Panel may at any time resign his membership thereof by letter to the Reference Committee;
(d) the Reference Committee may, on their own motion or on the application of the Minister, remove from the Panel any member thereof who has in their opinion been guilty of conduct which renders him unfit to be a member of the Panel, but no member of the Panel shall be removed under this paragraph without being given an opportunity of being heard by the Reference Committee in his own defence;
(e) every member of the Panel shall be obliged (unless excused by the Reference Committee) to serve as arbitrator at any arbitration for the purposes of this Act in respect of which he is nominated as arbitrator by the Reference Committee;
(f) a member of the Panel shall, in respect of every arbitration or series of arbitrations for the purposes of this Act at which he acts as arbitrator, be entitled to be paid by the Commissioners such remuneration or fees and such travelling and subsistence allowances as the Minister shall determine;
(g) a member of the Panel shall not be precluded by his membership of the Panel from engaging in private practice or business.
(3) The Reference Committee shall, with the consent of the Minister, fix such age (not exceeding seventy years) as they shall think proper to be the retiring age for members of the Panel and—
(a) no person who has attained such retiring age shall be appointed to be a member of the Panel, and
(b) a member of the Panel who attains such retiring age during his membership shall (save as provided by the next following paragraph of this sub-section) forthwith cease to be a member of the Panel and shall be ineligible for re-appointment, and
(c) a member of the Panel who attains such retiring age while engaged on an arbitration under this Act, shall retain his membership of the Panel for the purpose of completing such arbitration but for no other purpose.
PART VIII.
Miscellaneous and General.
General power to the Commissioners to employ contractors.
43.—(1) Whenever the Commissioners are authorised by or under this Act to execute any drainage or other engineering or building works, they may, in lieu of executing such works themselves by their own officers and servants, contract (with the sanction of the Minister) with any person for the execution of the whole or part of such works by such person and may for that purpose enter (with the sanction aforesaid) into such contracts and agreements as may be requisite.
(2) Whenever the Commissioners contract under this section with any person for the execution by him of any works, they may, by any contract or agreement with such person, delegate to him such of the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the Commissioners by or under this Act as shall be specified in such contract or agreement, and thereupon such person shall have (concurrently with the Commissioners) the right to exercise the powers and the obligation to perform the duties so specified so far as and no further than is necessary for the execution of the said works by him.
Additional powers for recovery of moneys payable by county councils.
44.—(1) Whenever any money is payable under this Act to the Commissioners by the council of a county and such council fails so to pay such money or some part thereof at the time at which the same is payable under this Act, such money or such part thereof (as the case may be) may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery provided by this Act, be deducted from any money payable to such council by any Minister of State for any purpose whatsoever.
(2) The amount of any deduction made under this section from money payable out of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account shall be made subject and without prejudice to the claims of the guarantee fund under the Land Purchase Acts.
(3) The amount of every deduction made under this section shall be paid to the Commissioners and shall be applied by them in discharge of the money because of the non-payment of which such deduction was made.
Payment of certain debts out of compensation.
45.—Where compensation is payable under this Act by the Commissioners to a person and any money is due and owing by such person to a Minister of State, the Revenue Commissioners, the Irish Land Commission, or the Commissioners, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to pay and discharge out of such compensation the money so due and owing by such person and to pay to him only the balance (if any) of such compensation remaining after such payment and discharge.
Control and management of weirs.
46.—(1) The Minister may by order, whenever, on the application of the Commissioners, he thinks proper so to do in the interests of drainage, declare that this section shall apply to any particular weir or weirs specified in the order or to all the weirs in any particular area similarly specified.
(2) Whenever this section is declared by an order under the foregoing sub-section of this section to apply to a weir, the following provisions shall have effect in respect of such weir, that is to say:—
(a) the person owning or having control of such weir shall comply with all directions and instructions given to him from time to time by the Commissioners in relation to the management and working of the sluices and other movable parts of such weir;
(b) if bye-laws are made under this Act by the Commissioners which are applicable to such weir, the person owning or having control of such weir shall in all respects observe and comply with those bye-laws;
(c) if the person owning or having control of such weir fails or refuses to comply with or observe any direction, instruction, or bye-law which he is required by either of the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section to comply with or observe, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(i) such person shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding one pound for every day during which the offence is continued, and
(ii) it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to appoint a sluice-keeper or other person to regulate and control the movable portions of such weir and, where any such person is so appointed, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to recover by civil action from the owner or person having control of such weir as a simple contract debt the remuneration paid by them to the sluice-keeper or other person so appointed.
(3) The Commissioners shall not give any such instructions or directions as are mentioned in the next preceding sub-section of this section save, in the case of a weir affecting a fishery or fishing rights, after consultation with the Minister for Agriculture or, in the case of a weir affecting an industry, canal, or inland waterway, after consultation with the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
(4) Every person who suffers loss or damage in respect of any water-power or other water-right or any fishery or fishing right by reason of an order made by the Minister under this section or of any such bye-laws as are referred to in sub-section (2) of this section shall, unless such loss or damage is due to his own act or default, be entitled (subject to the provisions of the next following sub-section of this section) to be paid by the Minister compensation in respect of such loss or damage.
(5) Every claim for compensation under the next preceding sub-section of this section—
(a) shall be made in writing to the Minister within one year after such loss or damage is suffered or, in the case of continuing loss or damage, is first suffered, and
(b) shall, in default of agreement, be heard and determined by an arbitrator nominated by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators whose decision, both as to the right to and the amount of such compensation, shall be final and conclusive.
(6) No order made by the Minister under this section shall apply or have effect in relation to any weir which is for the time being owned or controlled by the Electricity Supply Board or any weir acquired by the Minister for Agriculture under the Fisheries Act, 1939 (No. 17 of 1939).
Restrictions on the erection, alteration, etc., of weirs.
47.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person (other than the Electricity Supply Board), without or otherwise than in accordance with the consent of the Commissioners to erect, enlarge or alter any weir or other like construction in a watercourse where such erection, enlargement or alteration might cause flooding of any land unless—
(a) such erection, enlargement or alteration is made in compliance with an order made or a notice served by the Minister for Agriculture under the Fisheries Act, 1939 (No. 17 of 1939), or
(b) such land is in the occupation of such person, or
(c) such land is in the occupation of other persons who have assented to such erection, enlargement or alteration.
(2) When the Commissioners consent to the erection, enlargement, or alteration of a weir or other like construction, they may attach to such consent such conditions and restrictions as they think proper, and such conditions and restrictions shall be deemed to be part of such consent.
(3) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to consents by the Commissioners under the foregoing provisions of this section, that is to say:—
(a) no such consent shall be given and no condition or restriction shall be attached to any such consent save after consultation with the Minister for Agriculture;
(b) no such consent, condition, or restriction shall be contrary to or inconsistent with an order made or notice served under the Fisheries Act, 1939 (No. 17 of 1939), and for the time being in force;
(c) no such consent shall operate to relieve the grantee thereof from compliance with the Fisheries Acts, 1842 to 1944.
(4) If any person erects, enlarges, or alters a weir in contravention of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds together with a further fine not exceeding five pounds for every day during which such erection, enlargement, or alteration or any part thereof is maintained.
Power of the Commissioners to compel repair of watercourses.
48.—(1) It shall be lawful for the Commissioners, by notice in writing served personally or by post on an occupier of land (whether such land is within an existing drainage district or a drainage district constituted under this Act or is not within any such district), to require such occupier, within such time (not being less than three months from the service of such notice) as shall be specified in such notice, to restore, open up, and generally put into proper repair and effective condition such watercourse or watercourses on the said lands as is or are specified in such notice and is or are not included in any existing drainage works or any drainage works constructed under this Act, but which discharges or discharge into an existing drainage district or a drainage district constituted under this Act and is or are, in the opinion of the Commissioners, incapable, by reason of neglect of or inadequate maintenance, of efficiently discharging the water passing into or through it or them from adjoining land.
(2) Whenever a notice under the foregoing sub-section of this section has been served on a person, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) such person (in this sub-section referred to as the objector) may, within one month after the service of such notice on him, send to the Commissioners an objection in writing to such notice;
(b) every such objection shall contain a full statement of the grounds on which the objection is based;
(c) the Commissioners shall consider every such objection duly sent to them in accordance with the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section and shall do, in respect of each such objection, whichever of the following things shall appear to them to be proper having regard to all the circumstances of the case and in particular whether compliance with the notice to which such objection relates would or would not cause undue hardship or expense to the objector, that is to say:—
(i) withdraw the said notice unconditionally, or
(ii) if the objector is willing to give to the Commissioners a written undertaking (in a form approved of by the Commissioners) that he will at all reasonable times permit any occupier from whose land water passes into the watercourse or any of the watercourses specified in the said notice to enter upon the objector's land and there do, at such occupier's own expense, all such things as may be necessary for compliance with the said notice, withdraw the said notice upon such undertaking being duly given by the objector, or
(iii) disallow such objection;
(d) whenever the Commissioners disallow an objection, they shall amend the notice to which such objection relates by extending for such period as they think proper, the period specified in such notice for compliance therewith;
(e) the Commissioners shall as soon as may be inform the objector of their decision on his objection;
(f) whenever the Commissioners disallow an objection, the objector may, within fourteen days after being informed by the Commissioners of their decision on such objection, require in writing the Commissioners to refer his objection to an arbitrator appointed by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators, and thereupon the Commissioners shall so refer such objection;
(g) the arbitrator to whom an objection is referred under the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section shall have the like powers in regard to such objection as are conferred by this sub-section on the Commissioners, and the decision of such arbitrator shall be final and conclusive.
(3) Where a notice has been served under this section on an occupier of land and has not been withdrawn by the Commissioners or by the arbitrator and such occupier has failed to comply with such notice, it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to enter on the said land and there do all such things as such occupier was required by such notice to do and, where the Commissioners have exercised that power, they shall be entitled to recover from such occupier in any court of competent jurisdiction as a simple contract debt such sum as the Commissioners shall certify to be the expense incurred by them in the exercise of the said power.
(4) Where a notice has been served under this section on an occupier of land and such notice has been complied with (whether by such occupier or by the Commissioners under the next preceding sub-section of this section) such occupier shall thereafter keep the watercourse or watercourses to which such notice related clean and open and maintain it or them in proper repair and efficient condition.
(5) If any person on whom a notice has been served under this section fails to comply with such notice or fails to keep and maintain any watercourse to which such notice related as he is required by this section to do, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds together with a further fine not exceeding one pound for every day during which the offence continues.
(6) Expenses recoverable under this section by the Commissioners from an occupier of land shall be so recoverable whether such occupier has or has not been prosecuted for such (if any) offence under this section as he may have committed.
Compulsory drainage orders.
49.—(1) Any Minister of State or any council of a county may at any time make to the Commissioners a representation (in this section referred to as an originating representation) in writing claiming—
(a) that it is essential for the improvement by drainage of specified land, situate, in the case of a representation by a Minister of State, anywhere in the State or, in the case of a representation by the council of a county, anywhere in that county, either that a specified existing watercourse delineated on a map attached to the representation and not included in any existing drainage works or any drainage works executed or proposed to be executed under this Act be restored, opened up, or generally put into proper repair and effective condition or that a new watercourse be constructed in a position delineated on a map attached to the representation, and
(b) that the money required to meet the cost of the work of restoring, opening up, or generally putting into proper repair and effective condition the existing watercourse mentioned in the representation or of constructing the new watercourse similarly mentioned (as the case may be) has been provided, and
(c) that the execution of the said work is being impeded or prevented solely by reason of the unreasonable withholding by any owner or occupier of land traversed by the existing watercourse or the proposed new watercourse (as the case may be) mentioned in the representation of his consent to the execution of the said work.
(2) Every originating representation shall set out fully the names and postal addresses of all owners or occupiers of land (in this section referred to as the objecting parties) who are stated therein to be unreasonably withholding their consent to the work mentioned in such representation.
(3) As soon as may be after the receipt by the Commissioners of an originating representation, the Commissioners shall serve personally or by post on every objecting party named in such representation a notice in writing setting out the claims made in such representation and stating that such objecting party may, within one month after the service of such notice on him, send to the Commissioners all (if any) such observations as he may think proper to make in regard to the said claims.
(4) The Commissioners shall consider every observation sent to them by an objecting party within the time limited in that behalf by the next preceding sub-section of this section and may, if they so think proper in respect of any particular observation, cause an inspection to be made by one of their officers of the land owned or occupied by the objecting party who sent such observation and of the land specified in the originating representation to which such observation relates and of the existing watercourse or the site of the proposed new watercourse (as the case may be) mentioned in such representation.
(5) If none of the objecting parties named in an originating representation sends to the Commissioners, within the time limited in that behalf by such representation, any observation in regard to the claims made by such representation or if the Commissioners, after considering all such observations sent to them within the said time and considering the report of their officer making such (if any) inspection as aforesaid in respect of such observations or any of them are satisfied that the work mentioned in such representation (with such additions, omissions, and variations (if any) as the Commissioners may deem necessary or expedient) are essential for the improvement by drainage of the land specified in such representation, and that the money required to meet the cost of such work (with such additions, omissions, and variations as aforesaid) has been provided, and that no substantial injury or damage will be caused to any objecting party by the execution of such work (with such additions, omissions, and variations as aforesaid), it shall be lawful for the Commissioners to make an order (in this section referred to as a compulsory drainage order) authorising the execution of the work mentioned in such representation by or on behalf of the Minister or the council (as the case may be) by whom such representation was made.
(6) As soon as may be after making a compulsory drainage order the Commissioners shall—
(a) notify the Minister or the council (as the case may be) who made the originating representation pursuant to which such order was made of the making of such order, and
(b) serve personally or by post on every objecting party named in such originating representation a copy of such order sealed with the seal of the Commissioners.
(7) A compulsory drainage order shall operate to empower the Minister or the council (as the case may be) who made the originating representation pursuant to which such order was made to enter by himself or themselves or his or their officers, servants, or agents upon the land specified in such representation (including land owned or occupied by objecting parties named in such representation) and there do by himself or themselves or his or their officers, servants, or agents all such things as may be necessary for the execution of the work mentioned in such order.
(8) No action or other proceeding for damages, compensation, or otherwise shall lie against a Minister of State or the council of a county or any of his or their officers, servants, or agents for or in respect of anything done by him or them or any of them in the execution of work authorised by or the exercise of a power conferred by a compulsory drainage order save only if and so far as it may be shown that such work was not executed or such power was not exercised in a reasonable and workmanlike manner.
(9) Every person who—
(a) wilfully obstructs a Minister of State or the council of a county or any of his or their officers, servants, or agents in the execution of work authorised by or the exercise of a power conferred by a compulsory drainage order, or
(b) pulls down, removes, or injures any work or any part of any work executed or in course of execution under a compulsory drainage order, or
(c) obstructs in any way the flow of water to, through, or from any work executed under a compulsory drainage order,
shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the courts to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment, and shall also be liable, in the case of a continuing offence, to a fine not exceeding five pounds for every day during which the offence is continued.
Restrictions on the construction or alteration of bridges.
50.—(1) No local authority, no railway company, canal company, or other similar body, and no industrial concern shall construct any new bridge or alter, reconstruct, or restore any existing bridge over any watercourse without the consent of the Commissioners or otherwise than in accordance with plans previously approved of by the Commissioners.
(2) If any person shall construct or begin to construct or partially construct a new bridge in contravention of this section, the Commissioners may serve by post on such person a notice requiring him—
(a) if such bridge has not been completely constructed, to desist forthwith from the construction thereof,
(b) in any case, to remove, within a time specified in that behalf in such notice, such bridge or so much thereof as shall have been constructed.
(3) If any person shall alter, reconstruct, or restore an existing bridge in contravention of this section or shall begin so to do or shall partially so do, the Commissioners may serve by post on such person a notice requiring him—
(a) if such alteration, reconstruction, or restoration has not been completed, to desist forthwith therefrom, or
(b) in any case, to remove, within a time specified in that behalf in such notice, all work done on such bridge, or
(c) in any case, within a time specified in that behalf in such notice, to restore such bridge to its original condition.
(4) If any person on whom a notice has been served by the Commissioners under the foregoing provisions of this section fails to comply with such notice, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable, on summary conviction thereof, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds together with a further fine not exceeding five pounds for every day during which such failure is continued;
(b) it shall be lawful for the Commissioners (whether such person has or has not been prosecuted under the foregoing paragraph of this sub-section) to enter upon and remove all work done in contravention of this section and to recover from such person in any court of competent jurisdiction as a simple contract debt the expenses (as certified by the Commissioners) incurred by the Commissioners in effecting such removal.
(5) Any person who claims that the Commissioners have unreasonably refused their approval of plans submitted by him for the construction of a new bridge or the alteration, reconstruction, or restoration of an existing bridge may, by notice in writing to the Commissioners, require such claim to be referred under this sub-section and thereupon—
(a) if such person is a local authority, such claim shall be referred to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, whose decision thereon shall be final, or
(b) in any other case, such claim shall be referred to an arbitrator appointed by the Reference Committee from the Panel of Drainage Arbitrators whose decision thereon shall be final and conclusive.
(6) In this section, the word “bridge” includes a culvert or other like structure.
Protection of the Commissioners from certain liabilities.
51.—(1) Nothing contained in this Act nor anything done by the Commissioners thereunder nor any direction or instruction given by the Commissioners under this Act nor anything done under any such instruction or direction shall operate to relieve the owner of a weir, sluice, dam, or other work connected with a mill or factory from any responsibility, however imposed or arising, for the maintenance of or otherwise relating to such work or operate to transfer any such responsibility from such owner to the Commissioners.
(2) Nothing contained in this Act nor anything done by the Commissioners thereunder shall operate to render the Commissioners liable (save where it is proved that their officers, servants, or agents have been guilty of carelessness or neglect) for any damage which may happen to any land or other property through or by the overflowing of any river, stream, or watercourse or through or by the sudden breaking of any bank, dam, weir, sluice, or other work constructed by the Commissioners under this Act or for the maintenance of which they are responsible under this Act.
Offences and penalties.
52.—(1) Every person who shall do any of the following things shall be guilty of an offence under this section, that is to say:—
(a) wilfully obstruct the Commissioners or any of their officers, agents, or servants in the exercise of any of the powers or the performance of any of the duties conferred or imposed on the Commissioners or any of their officers, agents, or servants by or under this Act, or
(b) pull down, remove, or injure any works constructed or in course of construction by the Commissioners under this Act or transferred to the Commissioners by or under this Act, or
(c) remove, injure, or deface any poles, pegs, marks, or other similar things erected, placed, or made by the Commissioners or any of their officers, agents, or servants for the purpose or in the course of the exercise of any of the powers or the performance of any of the duties conferred or imposed on the Commissioners or any of their officers, agents, or servants by or under this Act, or
(d) throw or put any weeds or any stones, soil or other solid matter or cause or permit any weeds or any such solid matter to fall or pass into any watercourse in respect of which any works have been constructed by or transferred to the Commissioners or are about to be or are being constructed under this Act so as to cause obstruction, hindrance, or delay in the construction or operation of such works, or
(e) without the consent of the Commissioners, place or erect any dam, weir, or other obstruction in any watercourse in respect of which any works have been constructed by or transferred to the Commissioners or are about to be or are being constructed under this Act, or
(f) obstruct the flow of water to, through, or from any drainage works constructed by or transferred to the Commissioners by or under this Act so as to prevent or hinder the efficient operation of such works or to cause flooding of such works or of any land drained thereby.
(2) Every person guilty of an offence under this section shall, on summary conviction thereof, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, in the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment and shall also be liable, in the case of a continuing offence, to a fine not exceeding five pounds for every day during which the offence is continued.
Bye-Laws.
53.—(1) In this section the expression “drainage works” shall be construed and have effect as including an existing embankment the control and management of which is for the time being vested in the Commissioners by virtue of a transfer order under Part IV of this Act.
(2) The Commissioners may make such bye-laws as they shall consider necessary or expedient for securing the protection and efficient functioning of drainage works constructed or in course of construction by them under this Act or the control and management of which is transferred to them by or under this Act and, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, the Commissioners may make bye-laws for all or any of the following purposes, that is to say:—
(a) regulating generally the management and operation of the drainage works to which the bye-laws apply;
(b) regulating and controlling the use and preventing the improper use of or damage to watercourses, banks, and other works comprised in or forming part of such drainage works;
(c) regulating the opening, closing, and working of sluices, hatches, flood gates, pumps, and other machinery comprised in or forming part of such drainage works;
(d) prohibiting any such obstruction or pollution of or any such putting of solid matter into a watercourse flowing to, through, or from such drainage works as prevents or hinders or is likely to prevent or hinder the efficient operation of such drainage works or causes or is likely to cause flooding of land drained or protected by such drainage works;
(e) prohibiting the doing of any injury or damage to such drainage works;
(f) prohibiting any interference with such drainage works by unauthorised persons;
(g) compelling persons liable to maintain a watercourse to keep such watercourse cleaned and scoured.
(3) Bye-laws made under this section may relate and be made applicable to all drainage works for the time being constructed or in the course of construction by the Commissioners under this Act or the control and management of which is transferred to the Commissioners by or under this Act or may relate and be made applicable only to one or more particular such drainage works.
(4) No bye-law made under this section shall be of any force or effect unless or until it has been confirmed by the Minister.
(5) Where the Minister confirms a bye-law made under this section, notice of such confirmation shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil and in one or more newspapers circulating in the district in which the drainage works to which the bye-law relates are situate.
(6) The Minister may by order, whenever he so thinks proper, amend or revoke any bye-law made by the Commissioners under this section notwithstanding that such bye-law has been confirmed by him.
(7) A document purporting to be a copy of a bye-law made under this section and having endorsed on it a certificate purporting to be sealed with the seal of the Commissioners declaring it to be a true copy of such bye-law shall be received in evidence in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal) in any Court as conclusive evidence of the contents of such bye-law and that it was duly made and approved of in accordance with this section and is in force.
(8) Every person who shall, by act or omission, contravene a bye-law made under this section and in force shall· be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds, together with, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding one pound for every day during which the offence is continued.
Apportionment of land purchase annuities, etc.
54.—Whenever land acquired by the Commissioners under this Act is subject, in conjunction with other land, to a land purchase annuity or other annual payment payable to the Irish Land Commission or to the Commissioners, the Irish Land Commission or the Commissioners (as the case may be) may apportion such annuity or annual payment in such manner as they consider proper between the land so acquired and such other land or may charge the whole of such annuity or annual payment on any part of the land subject thereto in exoneration of the residue of such land.
Provisions in respect of the District of Fergus.
55.—(1) In this section the expression “the Fergus Act” means the District of Fergus Drainage Act, 1943 (No. 13 of 1943).
(2) Nothing in this Act shall operate to prevent or prejudice the execution by the Commissioners in pursuance of section 5 of the Fergus Act of the works mentioned in that section.
(3) If the automatic tidal sluice or sluices at Clarecastle Bridge or the alternative safeguard in lieu thereof included in the works specified in Clause (D) of paragraph 2 of the Scheduled Consent has not or have not been provided at the date upon which the remaining works specified in that Clause and in Clause (F) of the said paragraph 2 have been completed—
(a) sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Fergus Act shall have effect as if it enabled a separate certificate of completion to be given in accordance with that sub-section in respect of the works specified in the said Clauses (D) and (F) other than the provision of the said sluice, sluices or alternative safeguard and a separate certificate of completion to be given (whether by the same or a different engineer) in accordance with that sub-section at a subsequent date in respect of the provision of the said sluice, sluices or alternative safeguard,
(b) each certificate given by virtue of paragraph (a) of this sub-section shall be conclusive evidence for all purposes of the completion of the works specified therein in accordance with the Scheduled Consent,
(c) sub-section (2) of section 6 of the Fergus Act shall have effect as if it enabled the order to be made by the Commissioners amending Schedule B to the Final Award dated the 30th day of October, 1860, to be made on the completion of the new works other than the provision of the said sluice, sluices or alternative safeguard and a separate order to be made by the Commissioners at a subsequent date further amending the said Schedule B by the addition thereto of the said sluice, sluices or alternative safeguard,
(d) sub-section (1) of section 6 of the Fergus Act shall have effect from the making of the first order referred to in paragraph (c) of this sub-section until the making of the second order therein referred to as if the reference in that sub-section to the works specified in Clauses (D) and (F) of paragraph 2 of the Scheduled Consent were a reference to those works other than the said sluice, sluices or alternative safeguard.
(4) Sub-section (2) of section 7 of the Fergus Act is hereby repealed and in lieu thereof it is hereby enacted that the following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the charging order to be made by the Commissioners in pursuance of sub-section (1) of that section, that is to say:—
(a) the Commissioners shall apportion the charged sums (as defined in sub-section (1) of the said section 7) between the Clare Council and the Galway Council and shall state such apportionment in the said charging order;
(b) in making the said apportionment of the charged sums, the Commissioners shall have due regard to the proportions in which the several lots or parcels of land comprised in the lands drained or improved specified in Schedule A to the Final Award dated the 30th day of October, 1860, (other than and excepting the lands described in the Second Schedule to the Fergus Act) are situate in the County of Clare and in the County of Galway respectively, and shall also have due regard to the fact that the said lands described in the said Second Schedule are excluded;
(c) in making the said apportionment the Commissioners may have regard to the copies in their possession of the maps, valuers' books, and other documents prepared in connection with the formation of the Fergus District;
(d) the said charging order shall be expressed and shall operate to charge the county fund of the Clare Council with the payment, at the times and in the manner stated in the said charging order, to the Commissioners of the portion of the charged sums apportioned as aforesaid to the Clare Council and the interest on that portion of the charged sums;
(e) the said charging order shall also be expressed and shall operate to charge the county fund of the Galway Council with the payment, at the times and in the manner stated in the said charging order, to the Commissioners of the portion of the charged sums apportioned as aforesaid to the Galway Council and the interest on that portion of the charged sums.
(5) The portion of sub-section (6) of section 7 of the Fergus Act beginning with the words “shall be so paid” and ending with the words “the deficiency” is hereby repealed.
(6) Section 8 of the Fergus Act is hereby repealed and in lieu thereof it is hereby enacted that as on and from the date of the charging order under that Act the costs and expenses incurred by the Councils in the maintenance of the drainage works of the Fergus District shall be defrayed by the Councils in the proportions in which the charged sums are charged on their respective county funds by the said order and shall be raised by the Councils respectively by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge.
(7) This section shall be read and construed with the Fergus Act as one enactment and accordingly every word and expression used in this section to which a particular meaning is assigned by the Fergus Act for the purposes of that Act shall have in this section the meaning so assigned to it.
Provisions in respect of the drainage schemes in the Third Schedule.
56.—The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the several drainage schemes specified in the Third Schedule to this Act (being drainage schemes prepared under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925 (No. 33 of 1925), but not fully completed before the passing of this Act), that is to say:—
(a) the said drainage schemes shall not be completed and no further steps shall be taken in regard thereto;
(b) notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4) of section 6 of the said Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, the expenses mentioned in that sub-section incurred by the Commissioners in relation to the said drainage schemes respectively shall be defrayed wholly out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, and accordingly the several county councils concerned shall be and are hereby relieved from the obligation imposed on them respectively by the said sub-section to defray one-third of the said expenses.
Drainage districts partly outside the State.
57.—(1) This section applies as on and from the day appointed under section 21 of this Act to every drainage district which would be an existing drainage district for the purposes of this Act but for the fact that it is situate partly within and partly outside the State.
(2) Every person rated in respect of land situate in the State to drainage rate in a drainage district to which this section applies who pays in any year the drainage rate to which he is so rated for that year in respect of that land shall be entitled, on presenting to the council of the county in which such land is situate the receipt for the drainage rate so paid by him, to whichever of the following reliefs is applicable, that is to say:—
(a) if he is rated to the poor rate payable in that year in respect of the said land and has already paid such poor rate or if he is not rated to such poor rate in respect of the said land, to be repaid by such council the amount of the drainage rate shown by such receipt to have been so paid, or
(b) if he is rated to the said poor rate payable in that year in respect of the said land and has not paid to such council the said poor rate, to receive from such council a note (in this section referred to as a credit note) entitling him to credit as against such poor rate for the amount of the drainage rate shown by such receipt to have been so paid.
(3) Where a person who is the occupier of land (situate in the State) which is rated to drainage rate in a drainage district to which this section applies but is not himself rated to such drainage rate in respect of such land pays in any year the said drainage rate in respect of the said land, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, that is to say:—
(a) such occupier shall be entitled to relief under the next preceding sub-section of this section as if he had been rated to the said drainage rate in that year in respect of the said land;
(b) the person actually rated to the said drainage rate in that year in respect of the said land shall not be entitled to relief under the said sub-section;
(c) such occupier shall not be entitled to recover the said drainage rate so paid by him or any part thereof from the said person so actually rated thereto.
(4) A credit note issued under this section shall, when tendered by the person to whom it was issued to the council by whom it was issued, be received by such council in payment of such amount of the poor rate to which it relates as is equal to the amount of drainage rate for which it was so issued.
(5) The moneys required by the council of a county for giving to any person any relief to which he is entitled under this section shall be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge.
(6) The Commissioners may, with the consent of the Minister, enter into an agreement with the council (in this section referred to as the external council) of the county in which is situate so much of a drainage district to which this section applies as is outside the State providing for the control and management of such drainage district and the maintenance of the drainage works therein by the Commissioners and the external council jointly.
(7) When the Minister is satisfied that an agreement made under the next preceding sub-section of this section in respect of a drainage district to which this section applies has the force of law in the area in which is situate the portion of such drainage district outside the State, the Minister shall by order confirm such agreement and thereupon such agreement shall have the force of law within the State.
(8) The Minister may, by the order confirming an agreement under this section, make such provisions (including modifications of the provisions of this Act) as appear to him to be necessary in connection with or in consequence of such agreement.
Provision in respect of certain drainage schemes under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1925 and 1929.
58.—(1) In this section—
the expression “the Act of 1925” means the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925 (No. 33 of 1925), and the expression “the Act of 1929” means the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1929 (No. 18 of 1929).
(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Act of 1925, the following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the Mulkear and Cappamore Drainage Scheme (in this sub-section referred to as the Scheme) prepared by the Commissioners under the said Act and confirmed by the Minister for Finance on the 20th day of October, 1933, that is to say:—
(a) section 14 and sub-sections (1) to (4) of section 15 of the Act of 1925 shall not apply or have effect in relation to the Scheme;
(b) as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, the Commissioners shall prepare a final award in respect of the Scheme;
(c) the Commissioners shall, in and by the said final award, declare—
(i) that the total amount of the costs and expenses incurred by the Commissioners in the execution of works in pursuance of the Scheme and generally in carrying out the Scheme is the sum of thirty-six thousand, nine hundred, and fifty-one pounds, and four pence, and
(ii) that the Minister for Finance has paid, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, the sum of eighteen thousand, four hundred, and seventy-five pounds, ten shillings and two pence towards the said costs and expenses, and
(iii) that the council of the county of Limerick has paid to the Commissioners the sum of thirteen thousand, four hundred, and twenty-five pounds, ten shillings, and nine pence towards the said costs and expenses, and
(iv) that the balance of the said costs and expenses over and above the said sums paid by the said Minister and the said council respectively amounts to the sum of five thousand and forty-nine pounds, nineteen shillings, and five pence and was advanced by the Commissioners, and
(v) the amount of the terminable annuity by which the sum advanced by the Commissioners is to be repaid in accordance with section 16 of the Act of 1925;
(d) the drainage district constituted by the said final award shall be an existing drainage district for the purposes of this Act and the provisions of this Act in relation to existing drainage districts shall apply thereto accordingly, and the said final award shall be in such form and shall contain such provisions as shall appear to the Commissioners to be requisite in consequence of the said application of the said provisions of this Act;
(e) subject and without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this sub-section and so far as is not inconsistent therewith, the said final award shall contain all such provisions as are required by the Act of 1925 to be contained in a final award under that Act, and shall be deemed to be the final award made in pursuance of the said Act in respect of the Scheme, and sub-sections (5) and (6) of section 15 of the said Act shall apply and have effect in relation to the said final award accordingly.
(3) Immediately upon the passing of this Act the council of the county of Limerick shall pay to the Commissioners such sum as with the sums heretofore paid by the said council to the Commissioners on foot of the advances made by the Commissioners in respect of the said council's contribution towards the costs and expenses of the Mulkear and Cappamore Drainage Scheme and the interest on those advances will make up the following sums, that is to say:—
(a) the sum of thirteen thousand, four hundred, and twenty-five pounds, ten shillings and nine pence (being the total amount of the said advances), and
(b) interest on each of the sums making up the said advances from the respective dates on which such sums were made available by the Commissioners up to the date of repayment thereof, such interest being calculated, in respect of each such sum, at the rate at which interest was charged on loans from the Local Loans Fund at the time when such sum was made available as aforesaid.
(4) Money payable by the council of the county of Limerick to the Commissioners under the next preceding sub-section of this section may be paid by such council out of their county fund or by borrowing, and section 22 of the Act of 1925 shall apply and have effect in respect of the said money as if such money were directed by that Act to be paid out of the said county fund or by borrowing.
(5) Every final award made or purported to have been made by the Commissioners under the Act of 1925 or under that Act as amended by the Act of 1929 or under any other Act before the passing of this Act (other than the final award purported to have been made by the Commissioners on the 29th day of July, 1942, in respect of the Mulkear and Cappamore Drainage Scheme) is hereby confirmed and declared to be and always to have been valid and incapable of being questioned on any ground notwithstanding the invalidity (if any) of the relevant draft award or any discrepancy between such final award and such draft award and notwithstanding, in the case of the final award made by the Commissioners on the 9th day of July, 1941, in respect of the Maigue and Loobagh Drainage Scheme, any order of the High Court made after the 18th day of October, 1944, and before the passing of this Act.
Prohibition of drainage schemes under Acts in First Schedule.
59.—From and after the passing of this Act no drainage scheme shall be prepared or carried into execution under any of the Acts specified in Part I of the First Schedule to this Act.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
PART I.
The Drainage and Navigation (Ireland) Acts, 1842 to 1857.
The Drainage and Improvement of Lands (Ireland) Acts, 1863 to 1892.
The Arterial Drainage Acts, 1925 and 1929.
PART II.
The River Owenmore Drainage Act, 1926 (No. 3 of 1926).
The Barrow Drainage Acts, 1927 and 1933.
The Arterial Drainage (Minor Schemes) Act, 1928 (No. 23 of 1928).
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Disposal of Assets and Discharge of Liabilities of Dissolved Drainage Bodies.
1. In this Schedule—
the expression “the principal section” means the section of this Act by virtue of which such of the provisions of this Schedule as are applicable have effect in relation to a dissolved body,
the expression “dissolved body” means a body of trustees or a drainage board which on the appointed day becomes dissolved by virtue of the principal section,
the expression “the appointed day” has the same meaning as it has in the principal section,
the word “council” means the council of a county,
the expression “transferee council or councils” means the council or councils to which the control and management of an existing drainage district is transferred by Part III of this Act,
the word “assets” includes, in relation to a dissolved body, all property whatsoever whether real or personal and whether in possession or in action, but does not include the existing drainage works in the drainage district of such dissolved body,
the word “liability” includes, in relation to a dissolved body, all debts and liabilities whatsoever whether liquidated or unliquidated and whether present, contingent, or future.
2. Every person who, immediately before the appointed day, holds any office under or is employed by a dissolved body shall, on that day, cease to hold such office or to be so employed, but such cesser shall not prevent any such person from being temporarily employed after the appointed day by the transferee council or councils in relation to the winding-up of the affairs of such dissolved body.
3. The transferee council or councils of a dissolved body may, in their discretion but subject to the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, award to any person who, immediately before the appointed day, held any office under such dissolved body an ex gratia payment which shall be regarded as a liability of such dissolved body and the amount of which—
(a) shall not exceed whichever of the following sums is the less:
(i) one-fourth of the annual remuneration (exclusive of any allowance for expenses) payable immediately before the appointed day to such person by such dissolved body multiplied by the number of his completed years of service with such dissolved body,
(ii) twice the annual remuneration (exclusive of any allowance for expenses) payable immediately before the appointed day to such person by such dissolved body, and
(b) shall, subject to the foregoing limitation, be determined with due regard to the following matters:
(i) the terms and conditions of the employment of such person by such dissolved body,
(ii) the nature and duration of such employment and the manner in which such person discharged the duties thereof,
(iii) the probability (if any) that such person would have been continued in such employment for a longer period if this Act had not been passed,
(iv) any other circumstances affecting the case.
4. As soon as may be after the appointed day, the transferee council or councils of a dissolved body shall ascertain and determine the assets and liabilities of such dissolved body and, for that purpose, such dissolved body and its officers and servants shall produce and hand over to such transferee council or councils all books, accounts, and other documents in their possession or procurement belonging to such dissolved body or relating to its transactions or affairs.
5. (a) As soon as may be after the appointed day, the transferee council or councils of a dissolved body shall, cause to be published in such manner as they think most suitable a notice requiring all persons having claims against such dissolved body to lodge their claims with such transferee council or councils within a specified period (not being less than one month from the first publication of such notice) and stating that no claim which is not so lodged will be entertained or discharged.
(b) Where such notice has been published it shall not be obligatory on the transferee council or councils to entertain or discharge any claim which is not lodged in accordance with such notice within the period therein specified.
6. On the appointed day—
(a) all the assets of a dissolved body shall be transferred to and become the property of the transferee council or councils and shall, if and in so far as they consist of debts or other choses-in-action, be recoverable by such council or councils accordingly, and
(b) all the liabilities of a dissolved body shall become and be a liability of the transferee council or councils and shall be paid or discharged by such council or councils accordingly.
7. No suit or action which is pending in any Court on the appointed day and to which a dissolved body is a party shall abate by reason of the dissolution of such dissolved body, but in lieu thereof the transferee council or councils of such dissolved body shall become and be parties to such suit or action in the place of such dissolved body and such suit or action shall continue accordingly.
8.(a) All assets of a dissolved body which become, by virtue of this Schedule, the property of the transferee council of such dissolved body shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the county fund of such council.
(b) All liabilities of a dissolved body which become, by virtue of this Schedule, dischargeable by the transferee council of such dissolved body shall be paid and discharged out of the county fund of such council.
9. (a) All assets of a dissolved body which become, by virtue of this Schedule, the property of two or more transferee councils of such dissolved body shall become the property of such councils and shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of their respective county funds in the proportions hereinafter specified.
(b) All liabilities of a dissolved body which become, by virtue of this Schedule, dischargeable by two or more transferee councils of such dissolved body shall be paid and discharged by such councils out of their respective county funds in the proportions hereinafter specified.
(c) The proportions in which assets or liabilities of a dissolved body become under this Schedule the property of or dischargeable by two or more transferee councils shall be such proportions as may be agreed upon by such councils having regard to the provisions of the Award or final award in respect of the drainage district of such dissolved body or, in default of such agreement, shall be determined by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (having regard as aforesaid) on the application of any one or more of such councils.
10. (a) The moneys required by a council for the discharge, in pursuance of this Schedule, of the liabilities or a proportion of the liabilities of a dissolved body shall (in so far as such moneys cannot be provided out of the assets or the portion of the assets of such dissolved body received by such council) be raised by such council by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge or may, with the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, be provided (in so far as aforesaid) by borrowing under Article 22 of the Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898, in like manner as if that purpose were mentioned in that Article.
(b) Money borrowed by a council under this paragraph shall not be reckoned as part of the debt of such council for the purposes of the said Article 22.
11. In relation to the collection by the transferee council or councils of the debts (including arrears of drainage rate or drainage charge) due to a dissolved body and transferred to such council or councils by virtue of this Schedule, such council or councils may in their discretion remit wholly or in part any such debt or make such concession as they shall think proper in regard to the mode or time of payment of the whole or any part of any such debt.
THIRD SCHEDULE.
Drainage Schemes to be Abandoned.
The several drainage schemes relating respectively to—
1. The River Blackwater in the Counties of Meath and Cavan.
2. The Island River in the County of Galway.
3. The Clogher River in the County of Roscommon.
4. The Kilfahavon River in the County of Monaghan.
5. The Rampart River in the County of Louth.
6. The Cross River in the County of Roscommon.