As Ann Déscrolláil
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Uimhir 3 de 1958.
AN tACHT UM ÁITRIBH OIFIGE, 1958.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
CUID I.
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Aitribh Oifige, 1958, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh pé lá a cheapfas an tAire le hordú.
(3) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (2) den alt seo má taispeántar chun sástachta an Aire, maidir le haon cheanglas áirithe dá bhfuil san Acht seo, gur chóir, toisc caiteachas mór a ghabháil lena bheith riachtanach foirgnimh nua a sholáthar, nó foirgnimh atá ann d'athrú, nó toisc deacrachtaí speisialta eile, nach dtiocfadh an ceanglas sin i ngníomh an lá a bheas ceaptha faoi fho-alt (2), i gcás oifigí i gcoitinne nó i gcás aon chineáil nó sóirt oifige, féadfaidh sé, le hordú, an dáta a thiocfadh an ceanglas sin i ngníomh d'iarchur i gcás oifigí i gcoitinne, nó i gcás an chineáil nó an tsóirt sin oifige, go dtí pé dáta is oiriúnach leis ach nach déanaí ná dhá bhliain tar éis an lae a bheas ceaptha faoi fho-alt (2).
(4) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (2), tiocfaidh alt 24 i ngníomh ar dháta an Achta seo a rith.
Léiriú i gcoitinne.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
folaíonn “cineál nó sórt”, maidir le hoifig, grúpa oifigí a tuairiscítear do réir áite;
folaíonn “obair chléireachais” leabhar-choimeád, sórtáil agus comhadú, clóscríobh, macsamhlú doiciméad, meaisín-ríomh, tarraingteoireacht, láimhsiú poist, oibriú telefóin agus telegrafa agus láimhsiú airgid;
folaíonn an briathar “sárú”, maidir le haon fhoráil, diúltú nó mainniú um dhéanamh do réir na forála sin;
tá le “údarás forfheidhmiúcháin” an bhrí a bheirtear dó le halt 25;
folaíonn “múch” gás nó galán;
ciallaíonn “cigire” oifigeach a bheas údaraithe le halt 27 nó faoi chun gníomhú mar chigire chun críocha an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn an briathar “cothabháil” cothabháil i staid éifeachtúil, in ord éifeachtúil chun oibre, agus i ndea-dheis;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Tionscail agus Tráchtála;
ciallaíonn “únaer” an duine atá de thuras na huaire ag fáil cíosa fhorláin an áitribh ar i ndáil leis a húsáidtear an focal, pé acu ar a chuntas féin nó mar ghníomhaire nó iontaobhaí d'aon duine eile é, nó a gheobhadh an cíos forlán dá mbeadh an t-áitreabh ligthe ar chíos forlán;
ciallaíonn an briathar “forordú” forordú le rialacháin ón Aire faoin Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “údarás sláintíochta” údarás sláintíochta do réir bhrí na nAcht Rialtais Áitiúla (Seirbhísí Sláintíochta), 1878 go 1952;
folaíonn “áiseanna sláintíochta” múnlanna, clóiséid uisce, clóiséid chré, losáin, poill luaithrigh, agus aon áis dá samhail sin;
ciallaíonn “rialacháin leasa” rialacháin faoi alt 23.
(2) Chun críocha an Achta seo, measfar printíseach a bheith ina dhuine atá fostaithe.
(3) Forléireofar aon tagairt san Acht seo don Chúirt Dúiche mar thagairt don Bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ag a bhfuil dlínse sa cheantar Cúirte Dúiche ina bhfuil an oifig atá i gceist.
Oifigí.
3.—(1) San Acht seo ciallaíonn “oifig” aon áitreabh, seomra, sreath seomraí nó cuid eile d'áitreabh ina bhfuil daoine ar fostú le hobair chléireachais.
(2) Ní bhaineann an tAcht seo le hoifig ar lú ná cúigear an méid daoine atá ar fostú inti le hobair chléireachais. Chun críche na forála seo, measfar gur aon oifig amháin na coda uile d'fhoirgneamh nó de ghrúpa foirgneamh ina bhfuil daoine ar fostú le hobair chléireachais ag an bhfostóir céanna, d'ainneoin na coda sin a bheith deighilte ó chéile.
(3) Ní bhaineann an tAcht seo—
(a) le háitreabh ná coda d'áitreabh atá ar áitiú ag Óglaigh na hÉireann,
(b) le háitreabh ná coda d'áitreabh ina ndéantar obair chléireachais trátha neamhrialta ar feadh tréimhsí gearra,
(c) le siopa lena mbaineann Acht na Siopaí (Coinníollacha Fostaíochta), 1938 (Uimh. 4 de 1938),
(d) le pé áitribh nó cineálacha áitreabh a ndearbhaítear i rialacháin a rinne an tAire iad a bheith díolmhaithe.
(4) Chun críocha an ailt seo ní measfar duine a bheith fostaithe le hobair chléireachais más é amháin atá inti obair theagmhasach fo nó-obair a hgabhas lena phríomh-shlí bheatha.
Feidhm maidir le hoifigi leis an Stát.
4.—Baineann an tAcht seo le hoifigí leis an Stát nó atá ar áitiú ag an Stát ach, i gcás aon éigeandála poiblí, féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, díolúine ón Acht seo a thabhairt, a mhéid agus go ceann na tréimhse a hainmneofar san ordú, d'aon oifig leis an Stát nó atá ar áitiú ag an Stát nó d'aon oifig maidir le hobair a bheas á dhéanamh thar ceann an Stáit.
Caiteachais an Aire.
5.—Íocfar as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais é, na caiteachais faoina raghaidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo.
Caiteachais údarás sláintíochta.
6.—Déanfar caiteachais údaráis shláintíochta faoin Acht seo a chruinniú agus d'íoc mar déantar a gcaiteachais faoi na hAchta Rialtais Áitiúil (Seirbhísí Sláintíochta), 1878 go 1952, a chruinniú agus d'íoc.
Athghairm.
7.—Déantar leis seo na hAchta a luaitear sa Sceideal d'athghairm a mhéid a sonraítear sa tríú colún den Sceideal.
CUID II.
Sláinte.
Glaineacht.
8.—(1) Coimeádfar gach oifig glan agus, gan dochar don fhoráil sin roimhe seo—
(a) déanfar salachar, cosamar, dramh agus iarmhar ceirde a ghlanadh gach lá, ar mhodh oiriúnach, as na seomraí, de na staighrí agus as na pásáistí uile,
(b) déanfar na hurláir a ghlanadh uair amháin ar a laghad sa tseachtain trína ní nó, más modh éifeachtach oiriúnach é, trína scuabadh nó ar chuma eile.
(2) Nuair a beifear, tráth a bheas obair ar siúl, ag comhlíonadh ceanglas fo-ailt (1), úsáidfear, a mhéid is féidir sin go réasúnach, modhanna nach n-ardóidh deannach.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, rialacháin a dhéanamh ag modhnú forál an ailt seo nó ag ordú tuilleadh ceanglas maidir le glaineacht agus, go háirithe, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht na méide sin roimhe seo, ceanglas maidir le glanadh, péinteáil, aolní nó dath-ní ballaí inmheánacha, pairtín, síleál nó uachtar seomraí, agus ballaí, taobhanna agus uachtar pasáistí agus staighrí.
P ódú.
9.—(1) Ní bheidh oifig, le linn obair a bheith ar siúl, chomh plódaithe sin gur baol dá dheasca díobháil a bhaint do shláinte na ndaoine a fostaítear inti.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-ailt (1), measfar oifig a bheith chomh plódaithe sin gur baol dá dheasca díobháil a bhaint do shláinte daoine a fostaítear inti má bhíonn an líon daoine a bheas ar fostú san aon-am in aon tseomra chomh mór sin gur lú spás ciúbach in aghaidh gach duine a fostaítear sa seomra ná pé méid a bheas forordaithe i rialacháin a rinne an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, d'oifigí nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige.
Teocht.
10.—(1) Déanfar socrú éifeachtúil chun go mbeidh, agus chun go gcothabhálfar, teocht réasúnach i ngach seomra, ach ní húsáidfear aon mhodh a bhéarfas go n-éalóidh isteach in aer aon tseomra an oiread sin agus an saghas sin múiche gur dóigh go ndéanfadh sí díobháil do dhaoine a fostaítear ann nó go mba chol leo í.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, caighdeán teochta réasúnaí d'fhorordú d'oifigí nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige nó do choda díobh sin, agus toirmeasc a chur le húsáid aon mhodhanna chun teocht réasúnach a chothabháil is dóigh leis a dhéanfadh díobháil do na daoine ar fostú, agus féadfaidh a ordú go gcuirfear ar fáil agus go gcothabhálfar teomhéadair i pé áiteanna agus ionad a sonrófar.
Aerú.
11.—(1) Déanfar socrú éifeachtúil oiriúnach chun gach seomra a leor-aerú agus a choimeád á leor-aerú trí aer úr a chur ag gluaiseacht ann agus chun séideáin dhíobhálacha a chosc.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, caighdeán leor-aerúcháin d'fhorordú d'oifigí nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige nó do choda díobh sin.
Soilsiú.
12.—(1) Déanfar socrú éifeachtúil chun go mbeidh, agus chun go gcothabhálfar, leor-sholas oiriúnach, aiceanta nó saorga, i ngach cuid d'oifig a mbíonn daoine ag obair ann nó ag gabháil tríd.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, caighdeán leor-shoilsiúcháin oiriúnaigh d'fhorordú d'oifigí, nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige, nó do choda díobh sin, nó d'aon tsórt obair chléireachais.
(3) Déanfar, chomh fada agus is féidir sin, gach fuinneog agus forléas gloine lena soilsítear seomraí a choimeád glan laistigh agus lasmuigh agus saor ó bhacainn.
(4) Ní dhéanfaidh fo-alt (3) den alt seo difir d'aolní, ná do scáthadh, fuinneog agus forléas d'fhonn teas nó greantacht a mhaolú ná d'úsáid réasúnach a dhéanamh de scáileáin chosanta nó scáileáin tréimhshoilseacha.
(5) Chomh fada agus is féidir é le réasún, déanfar socruithe ionas nach mbeidh—
(a) lonnracht an tsolais, ná
(b) scáthadh neamh-oiriúnach, ná
(c) foinsí solais nó ionaid oibre a bheith suite go míchórach,
ina chúis mhíchompóirte ná díobhála ó ghreantacht nó scalladh isteach i súile an oibrí.
Áiseanna sláintíochta.
13.—(1) Déanfar áiseanna sláintíochta a bheas leordhóthaineach agus oiriúnach do na daoine a fostaítear in oifig a chur ar fáil, a chothabháil agus a choimeád glan.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, rialacháin a dhéanamh a chinnfeas d'oifigí nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige cad atá leordhóthaineach agus oiriúnach chun críocha an ailt seo.
Seomraí neamhóiriúnacha.
14.—(1) Ní déanfar aon obair chléireachais in aon tseomra a ndeimhneoidh an t-údarás forfheidhmiúcháin go bhfuil sé neamhóiriúnach chuige sin maidir le déanamh, airde, solas nó aerú, nó ar aon fhoras sláinteachais, nó ar an bhforas nach bhfuil leor-dheis éaluithe ó thóiteán ag gabháil leis.
(2) I gcás ina ndeimhneoidh an t-údáras forfheidhmiúcháin faoi fho-alt (1) aon tseomra atá á úsáid a bheith neamhoiriúnach, fionróidh an t-údarás oibriú an deimhnithe go ceann pé tréimhse is dóigh leis an údarás a bheith réasúnach le go bhféadfar an seomra a dhéanamh oiriúnach nó go bhféadfaidh an t-áititheoir áitreabh eile d'fháil agus seirbheálfaidh an t-údarás cóip den deimhniú, agus fógra i dtaobh aon fhionraí air, ar an áititheoir agus ar an únaer.
(3) Má bhíonn an t-áititheoir nó an t-únaer míshásta le haon bhreith ón údarás forfheidhmiúcháin faoin alt seo—
(a) féadfaidh sé, laistigh de lá agus fiche ó dháta an deimhniú d'eisiúint, achomharc ar mhodh gearáin a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte Dúiche,
(b) measfar, nó go ndéantar cinneadh críochnaitheach ar achomharc i gcoinne breithe faoi fho-alt (1) i gcás seomra atá á úsáid, nach bhfuil cion déanta i ndáil leis an bhfo-alt sin maidir leis an seomra lena mbaineann an t-achomharc,
(c) beidh breith na Cúirte ina ceangal i ngach cás ar an áititheoir, ar an únaer agus ar an údarás forfheidhmiúcháin.
Baint Choda VI d'Acht na Siopaí (Coinníollacha Fostaíochta), 1938, le hoibrithe cléireachais.
15.—Bainfidh Cuid VI d'Acht na Siopaí (Coinníollacha Fostaíochta), 1938 (Uimh. 4 de 1938), le daoine ar fostú le hobair chléireachais i siopa nó i ndáil le siopa, amhail is dá mba chun obair siopa a bhíodar fostaithe.
Rialacháin shláinte.
16.—(1) I gcás inar deimhin leis an Aire, maidir le haon ábhar, substaint, próis nó sórt oibre, a husáidtear in oifigí, gur de shaghas é go mba chúis fiontair díobhála é do shláinte daoine ar fostú nó d'aon aicme de na daoine sin, féadfaidh sé, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, pé rialacháin a dhéanamh ar dóigh leis gur féidir, le réasún, déanamh dá réir agus a riarfadh ar riachtanais an cháis.
(2) I dteannta nithe eile a dhéanamh, féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo—
(a) toirmeasc a chur le fostú, nó modhnú nó tórainniú a dhéanamh ar uaire fostaíochta, gach duine nó aon aicme áirithe daoine i ndáil le haon phróis nó sórt oibre,
(b) úsáid agus stóráil aon ábhair nó substainte, nó úsáid aon phróise, a thoirmeasc, a thórainniú nó a rialú,
(c) aon fhorála den Acht seo a fhorchuireas ceanglais maidir le sláinte nó sábháltacht a mhodhnú i gcás aon chineál nó sórt oifige,
(d) dualgais d'fhorchur ar únaerí, daoine fostaithe agus daoine eile i dteannta a bhforchur ar áititheoirí.
(3) Féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo feidhm a bheith acu maidir le gach oifig ina n-úsáidtear an t-ábhar, an tsubstaint, an phróis nó an sórt oibre nó maidir le haon chineál nó sórt sonraithe oifige den tsórt sin agus féadfaidh foráil a bheith iontu chun aon chineál nó sórt sonraithe oifige a dhíolmhadh go hiomlán nó faoi réir coinníollacha.
CUID III.
Sábháltacht.
Déanamh urlár, pasáistí agus staighrí, agus a gcothabháil.
17.—(1) Beidh déanamh fónta ar gach urlár, céim, staighre, ardaitheoir, pasáiste agus coisbhealach agus cothabhálfar i gceart iad.
(2) Cuirfear ar fáil agus cothabhálfar lámh-ráille taithiceach ar gach staighre atá i bhfoirgneamh nó a bheir slí amach as foirgneamh, agus má tá taobh oscailte ar an staighre is ar an taobh sin a bheas sé agus, i gcás staighre a bhfuil an dá thaobh oscailte air, nó staighre lena ngabhann baol speisialta tionóisce mar gheall ar an déanamh atá air nó an staid ina bhfuil uachtar na gcéimeanna nó imthosca speisialta eile, cuirfear ar fáil agus cothabhálfar lámh-ráille den tsórt sin ar an dá thaobh. Ina theannta sin, déanfar ráille íochtair nó cóir éifeachtúil eile a chur mar chosaint ar aon taobh oscailte de staighre agus a chothabháil.
Slí éaluithe i gcás tóiteáin.
18.—(1) Le linn d'aon duine a bheith istigh in oifig le haghaidh fostaíochta nó béilí, ní déanfar doirse na hoifige, ná doirse aon tseomra inti ina mbeidh an duine sin, ná aon doirse a bheir slí amach do dhaoine a fostaítear san oifig as aon fhoirgneamh nó as aon iadhlann ina bhfuil an oifig, a ghlasáil ná a cheangal ar chuma nach féidir iad d'oscailt láithreach go héasca ón taobh istigh.
(2) Déanfar na nithe a bheas in aon tseomra ina bhfostaítear daoine a shocrú nó d'eagrú ar chuma go mbeidh bealach réidh chun slí éaluithe i gcás tóiteáin ag daoine a fostaítear sa tseomra.
(3) Marcálfar go sainiúil feiceálach le fógra i litreacha dearga leormhóra gach fuinneog, doras nó bealach amach eile a bheir slí éaluithe i gcás tóiteáin, nó a bheir rochtain ar an gcéanna, seachas an bealach nó na bealaigh amach a bhíos i ngnáth-úsáid.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh d'oifigí, nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige, á cheangal socrú a dhéanamh chun pé rabhadh a thabhairt a bheas forordaithe i gcás tóiteáin.
(5) Déanfar bearta éifeachtúla chun a chinntiú go mbeidh na daoine go léir a fostaítear taithíoch ar na slite éaluithe i gcás tóiteáin agus ar a n-úsáid agus ar an rud is ceart a dhéanamh i gcás tóiteáin.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh d'oifigí nó do gach cineál nó sórt oifige á cheangal go ndéanfar socrú le haghaidh saoráidí coiscthe tóiteáin.
CUID IV.
Leas.
Soláthar d'uisce óil.
19.—Cuirfear ar fáil, mar a mbeidh sé so-rochtana, leorsholáthar d'uisce óil folláin le haghaidh daoine a fostaítear.
Saoráidí níocháin.
20.—(1) Cuirfear ar fáil agus cothabhálfar chun úsáide daoine a fostaítear leor-shaoráidí oiriúnacha le haghaidh níocháin agus beidh na saoráidí so-rochtana agus coimeádfar glan ordúil iad.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, caighdeán do leor-shaoráidí oiriúnacha níocháin d'fhorordú, go ginearálta nó maidir le haon chineál nó sórt oifige nó maidir le haon chineál áirithe oibre.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, a fhoráil, le rialacháin, go ndéanfar oifigí a dhíolmhadh ón aon cheann de cheanglais an ailt seo i gcásanna inar dóigh leis go mbeadh sé míréasúnach feidhm a thabhairt don cheanglas toisc a dheacracht a bheadh sé leor-sholáthar uisce d'fháil, nó toisc cóiríocht a bheith gann agus leor-shaoráidí oiriúnacha níocháin a bheith ar fáil go háisiúil ar chuma eile, nó de bhíthin pé imthosca speisialta eile a sonrófar sna rialacháin.
Saoráidí chun suí síos.
21.—(1) Má bhíonn ag aon daoine fostaithe caoi réasúnach, i gcúrsa a bhfostaíochta, chun suí síos gan dochar dá gcuid oibre, nó más féidir le daoine fostaithe cion maith d'aon obair a bhíos ar siúl acu a dhéanamh go cuí ina suí dhóibh, cuirfear ar fáil agus cothabhálfar dóibh saoráidí oiriúnacha chun suite.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin, caighdeán do shaoráidí oiriúnacha chun suite d'fhorordú d'oifigí nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige, nó do choda díobh, nó d'aon chineál áirithe oibre.
Céad-chabhair.
22.—I ngach oifig cuirfear ar fáil agus cothabhálfar, i dtreo go mbeidh teacht go réidh ar an gcéanna, bosca nó cupard céadchabhrach amháin nó níos mó a bheas feistithe mar is cóir.
Rialacháin leasa.
23.—(1) Más dóigh leis an Aire gur gá socrú a dhéanamh maidir le haon cheann de na nithe lena mbaineann an t-alt seo ar mhaithe le leas na ndaoine a fostaítear nó aon aicme dhíobh, féadfaidh sé, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Sláinte, rialacháin (dá ngairmtear rialacháin leasa san Acht seo) a dhéanamh á cheangal pé bearta réasúnacha, a sonrófar sna rialacháin, a dhéanamh i ndáil leis sin, i dteannta nó in ionad, nó trí leathnú nó athrú, aon fhorála acu sin roimhe seo den Chuid seo.
(2) Baineann an t-alt seo leis na nithe seo a leanas —
(a) na nithe a bhforáltar ina leith sna forála roimhe seo den Chuid seo,
(b) cóiríocht d'éadaí,
(c) saoráidí chun béilí d'ullmhú agus a chaitheamh,
(d) soláthar éadaigh chosanta,
(e) socruithe le haghaidh othar-chúraim agus céad-chabhrach,
(f) seomraí scíthe,
(g) socruithe chun daoine a fostaítear a mhaoirsiú.
(3) Ní bhainfidh an t-alt seo le haon oifig nach bhfuil d'fhostaithe inti ach daoine den aon-teaghlach a chónaíos inti.
(4) I gcás rialachán leasa—
(a) féadfar iad a dhéanamh d'oifig áirithe nó d'aon chineál nó sórt oifige,
(b) féadfar iad a dhéanamh ar an gcoinníoll nach foláir, maidir le ceanglais áirithe, líon nó cion sonraithe de na daoine fostaithe a bheas i gceist dá n-iarraidh, agus féadfaid an modh ar a bhfaighfear tuairimi na ndaoine fostaithe d'fhorordú,
(c) féadfaid foráil a dhéanamh i dtaobh na ndaoine fostaithe a bheas i gceist a bheith páirteach i mbainistí na socraíochtaí, na cóiríochta nó na saoráidí eile dá ndéantar socrú, in aon chás ina ndéanann na daoine fostaithe ranníoc i leith an chostais; ach ní ceanglófar ar na daoine a fostaítear in aon oifig aon ranníoc a dhéanamh, ach amháin chun sochair bhreise nó speisialta a chur ar fáil ar dóigh leis an Aire nach bhféadfaí go réasúnach a cheangal ar an bhfostóir féin amháin iad a chur ar fáil, agus mura dtoilí dhá dtrian ar a laghad de na fostaithe lena mbaineann san oifig sin, ar a dtuairimí d'fháil ar an modh forordaithe.
(5) Féadfaidh rialacháin leasa dualgais a chur ar únaerí agus, chomh fada is bhainfeas le húsáid aon tsaoráidí a cuirfear ar fáil, ar dhaoine fostaithe.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin, na hábhair lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a leathnú chun go mbeidh ar áireamh orthu ábhair eile a bhaineas le leas daoine fostaithe nó aon aicme dhíobh.
CUID V.
Riarachán.
Comhairle Chomhairlitheach.
24.—(1) Beidh comhairle ann ar a mbeidh cathaoirleach agus aon ghnáth-chomhalta déag ar a mhéid (dá ngairmtear an Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach san Acht seo) chun na feidhmeanna a bheirtear di leis an alt seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach breithniú, agus bhéarfaid comhairle don Aire i dtaobh aon nithe a tharlós de dhroim nó i leith an Achta seo a chur i bhfeidhm (lena n-áirítear aon tograí ón Aire chun aon orduithe nó rialacháin a dhéanamh, a leasú nó a chúlghairm faoin Acht seo) agus a tharchuirfeas an tAire chun na Comhairle.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach, do réir mar mheasfaid is gá ó am go ham, an tAire a chomhairliú ar na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) an riachtanas atá le haon orduithe nó rialacháin a dhéanamh, a leasú, nó a chúlghairm faoin Acht seo,
(b) nithe a bhaineas le forála an Achta seo nó orduithe nó rialacháin faoin Acht seo a chur i bhfeidhm.
(4) Is é an tAire a cheapfas Cathaoirleach agus gnáth-chomhaltaí na Comhairle Comhairlithí.
(5) Déanfar an chéad cheapachán acu sin a luaithe is féidir é tar éis an tAcht seo a rith agus déanfar ceapacháin dá éis sin ó am go ham do réir mar is gá.
(6) Beidh ar na daoine a cheapfas an tAire chun bheith ina ngnáth-chomhaltaí den Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach daoine ó eagrais d'fhostaithe, ó eagrais d'fhostóirí agus ó údaráis sláintíochta.
(7) Beidh Cathaoirleach agus gnáth-chomhaltaí na Comhairle Comhairlithí i seilbh oifige go ceann pé tréimhse a chinnfeas an tAire.
(8) Féadfar pé luach saothair agus liúntas i leith caiteachais a chinnfeas an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais d'íoc le cathaoirleach na Comhairle Comhairlithí.
(9) Ar an gComhairle Chomhairlitheach dá iarraidh sin agus ar an Aire do thoiliú leis, féadfaidh cigire is oifigeach don Aire freastal ar chruinniú den Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach chun aon eolas a thabhairt a iarrfas an Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach d'fhonn a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(10) Ar an gComhairle Chomhairlitheach dá iarraidh sin agus ar údarás sláintíochta do thoiliú leis, féadfaidh oifigeach a ainmneos an t-údarás sláintíochta sin freastal ar chruinniú den Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach chun aon eolas a thabhairt a iarrfas an Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach d'fhonn a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
Údarás forfheidhmiúcháin.
25.—Is é a chuirfeas forála an Achta seo i bhfeidhm—
(a) i gcás oifigí atá ar áitiú ag an Stát—an tAire,
(b) i gcás oifigí in áiteanna lena mbaineann an tAcht Monarchan, 1955 (Uimh. 10 de 1955),—an t-údarás sláintíochta maidir le halt 13, agus an tAire maidir le forála eile an Achta seo,
(c) i ngach cás eile—an t-údarás sláintíochta,
agus forléireofar “údarás forfheidhmiúcháin” dá réir sin.
Deimhnithe díolúine.
26.—(1) Féadfaidh údarás forfheidhmiúcháin, le deimhniú, díolúine a thabhairt ó gach ceann nó aon cheann d'fhorála an Achta seo nó rialachán faoi d'aon áitreabh arb é, agus a mhéid arb é, an t-údarás forfheidhmiúcháin é ina leith.
(2) Ní deonfar deimhniú in aghaidh tréimhse is sia ná dhá bhliain, ach féadfar é d'athnuachan go ceann tréimhse eile, nach sia ná bliain.
(3) Féadfar coinníollacha a chur le deimhniú a dheonadh nó d'athnuachan.
Cigirí.
27.—(1) Féadfaidh údarás forfheidhmiúcháin a údarú d'aon duine dá oifigigh nó do dhuine oiriúnach eile gníomhú mar chigire chun críocha feidhmeanna an údaráis fhorfheidhmiúcháin sin faoin Acht seo.
(2) Aon chigire atá arna cheapadh ag an Aire faoin Acht Monarchan, 1955 (Uimh. 10 de 1955), is cigire é chun críocha an Achta seo.
Cumhachta cigirí.
28.—(1) Beidh ag cigire, chun an tAcht seo d'fhorghníomhú, cumhacht chun gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh, is é sin le rá—
(a) dul isteach in oifig agus i ngach cuid di agus í d'iniúchadh agus a scrúdú gach tráth réasúnach, de ló agus d'oíche, nuair a bheas cúis réasúnach aige a chreidiúint go bhfuil aon duine ar fostú inti, agus dul isteach de ló in aon áit a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige a chreidiúint gur oifig é agus in aon chuid d'aon fhoirgneamh ar oifig cuid de agus a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige a chreidiúint go bhfuil ábhair phléascacha nó sárlasúla ar stór nó á n-úsáid ann;
(b) comhalta den Gharda Síochána a thabhairt leis má tá cúis réasúnach amhrais aige go gcuirfear aon an-chosc air ag déanamh a dhualgais dó;
(c) a cheangal go dtabharfar ar aird aon doiciméid is gá a choimeád de bhun rialachán faoin Acht seo, agus aon cheann acu d'iniúchadh, a scrúdú agus cóip a dhéanamh dhe;
(d) pé scrúdú agus fiosrú a dhéanamh is gá chun a fhionnadh an bhfuil forála an Achta seo, agus na n-achtachán atá de thuras na huaire i bhfeidhm maidir le sláinte phoiblí, á gcomhlíonadh, chomh fhada is bhaineas le hoifig agus le haon daoine a fostaítear in oifig;
(e) a cheangal ar aon duine a gheobhas sé in oifig agus a mbeidh cúis réasúnach aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil sé ar fostú san oifig pé eolas a thabhairt atá ar a chumas a thabhairt i dtaobh cé hé áititheoir na hoifige;
(f) scrúdú a dhéanamh, ina aonar nó i láthair aon duine eile, do réir mar is oiriúnach leis, maidir le nithe faoin Acht seo, ar gach duine a gheobhas sé in oifig, nó a bhfuil cúis réasúnach aige a chreidiúint gur duine é atá, nó a bhí laistigh den dá mhí roimhe sin, ar fostú in oifig, agus a cheangal ar gach duine den tsaghas sin dul faoi scrúdú amhlaidh agus dearbhú a shíniú ar fhírinne na nithe ar scrúdaíodh amhlaidh é ina dtaobh;
(g) pé cumhachta eile d'fheidhmiú is gá chun an tAcht seo a chur in éifeacht.
(2) Ní ceanglófar ar aon duine, de bhuaidh míre (f) d'fho-alt (1), aon cheist d'fhreagairt ná aon fhianaise a thabhairt a raghadh chun a inchoirithe féin.
(3) Bhéarfaidh áititheoir gach oifige, a ghníomhairí agus a sheirbhísigh, do chigire deiseanna, mar cheanglós sé agus mar bheas riachtanach le haghaidh aon dul isteach, iniúchadh, scrúdú, fiosrú, nó aon chumhachta eile faoin Acht seo, maidir leis an oifig sin.
(4) Má chuireann aon duine moill go toiliúil ar chigire agus é ag feidhmiú aon chumhachta faoin alt seo nó má mhainníonn sé déanamh do réir ceanglais chigire de bhun an ailt seo, nó aon doiciméad a thabhairt ar aird a ceanglófar air a thabhairt ar aird de bhun rialachán faoin Acht seo, nó má dhéanann sé go toiliúil aon eolas, i dtaobh cé hé áititheoir aon oifige, a choimeád siar nó aon duine a cheilt nó a bhac, nó iarracht a thabhairt ar é a cheilt nó a bhac, chun nach dtiocfaidh sé i láthair chigire nó nach raghaidh faoi scrúdú aige, measfar an duine sin do chur coisc ar chigire agus é ag feidhmiú a dhualgas faoin Acht seo.
(5) Má coisctear cigire agus é ag feidhmiú a chumhacht nó a dhualgas faoin Acht seo—
(a) más in oifig a coiscfear é, beidh an t-áititheoir, agus freisin, murarb é an t-áititheoir féin a choisc an cigire an duine a choisc an cigire, ciontach i gcion,
(b) in aon chás eile, beidh an duine a choisc an cigire ciontach i gcion.
Deimhniú údaráis chun gníomhú mar chigire.
29.—Bhéarfar do gach cigire deimhniú ar a údarás chun gníomhú mar chigire, agus ar é d'fhiosrú oifige nó áite lena mbaineann aon cheann d'fhorála an Achta seo, déanfaidh sé, má hiarrtar sin air, an deimhniú sin a thabhairt ar aird don áititheoir nó d'aon duine eile ag a bhfuil post freagarthach bainistíochta san oifig nó san áit.
Forála maidir le rialacháin, orduithe agus deimhnithe ón Aire.
30.—(1) Gach rialachán a dhéanfas an tAire faoin Acht seo, leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá agus fiche a shuífeas an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagadh faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin, beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
(2) Sara ndéana an tAire aon orduithe nó rialacháin faoin Acht seo, tarchuirfidh sé a thograí chun na Comhairle Comhairlithí.
(3) Féadfar aon rialacháin ón Aire faoin Acht seo a dhéanamh le haghaidh tréimhse tóranta nó gan aon tórainn ar a dtréimhse agus faoi réir pé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis an Aire, agus féadfaidh pé forála forlíontacha agus iarmartacha a bheith sna rialacháin is dóigh leis is gá le lán-éifeacht a thabhairt do na rialacháin agus féadfar, ach amháin mar a bhforáltar a mhalairt go sainráiteach san Acht seo, na rialacháin d'athrú nó a chúlghairm le rialacháin ina dhiaidh sin a déanfar amhail mar a rinneadh na rialacháin bhunaidh.
(4) Ach amháin mar foráltar a mhalairt, aon deimhniú a eiseos údarás forfheidhmiúcháin faoin Acht seo, féadfar é d'eisiúint le haghaidh tréimhse tóranta nó gan aon tórainn ar a thréimhse, agus féadfaidh an t-údarás forfheidhmiúcháin é d'athrú nó a chúlghairm.
CUID VI.
Cionta, Pionóis agus Imeachta Dlí.
Cionta i gcoitinne
31.—(1) Má déantar sárú in oifig, nó i ndáil léi nó maidir léi, ar aon fhoráil den Acht seo nó ar aon rialachán faoi, beidh áititheoir, nó (más sárú é a ndéantar an t-únaer freagarthach ina leith leis an Acht seo nó faoi) únaer na hoifige, faoi réir a bhforáltar ina dhiaidh seo san Acht seo, ciontach i gcion.
(2) Má sháraíonn duine fostaithe alt 46 nó ma sháraíonn duine ar bith aon rialachán faoin Acht seo a chuireas aon dualgas air go sainráiteach, beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcion agus ní bheidh an t-áititheoir nó an t-únaer, pé acu é, ciontach i gcion de dheasca amháin gur sáraíodh an t-alt sin, nó gur sáraíodh an rialachán, pé acu é, mura gcruthaítear gur mhainnigh sé gach beart réasúnach a dhéanamh chun an sárú a chosc, ach ní measfar go mbaineann an fo-alt seo le haon dliteanas de chuid an áititheora nó an únaera i leith na nithe céanna de bhuaidh forála éigin eile seachas an t-alt sin nó an rialachán sin.
(3) Má bhaineann áititheoir oifige leas as aon eisceacht speisialta a ceadaítear leis an Acht seo nó faoi agus go mainneoidh sé aon choinníoll dá ngabhann leis an eisceacht a chomhlíonadh, measfar sárú a bheith déanta aige ar an bhforáil iomchuí den Acht seo nó ar rialachán faoi.
(4) Má cruthaítear i gcás ciona faoin Acht seo a rinne cuideachta go ndearnadh an cion le toiliú nó cúlcheadú, nó gur héascaíodh a dhéanamh trí mhainneachtaint, aon stiúrthóra, bainisteora, rúnaí nó oifigigh eile de chuid na cuideachtan, measfar eisean, chomh maith leis an gcuideachta, a bheith ciontach sa chion agus dlífear imeachta a thionscnamh ina choinne agus é a phionósú dá réir.
Pionóis.
32.—Faoi réir a bhforáltar ina dhiaidh seo san Acht seo, aon duine a bheas ciontach i gcion faoin Acht seo, dlífear, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná fiche punt a chur air agus, má leantar tar éis an chiontuithe den tsárú ar ciontaíodh ina leith amhlaidh é, beidh sé (faoi réir ailt 33) ciontach i gcion eile agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint a chur air in aghaidh gach lae a leanadh amhlaidh den tsárú.
Cumhacht na cúirte chun a ordú go leigheasfar ábhar sáruithe.
33.—Má ciontaítear áititheoir nó únaer oifige i gcion faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh an chúirt, i dteannta nó in ionad fíneáil a chur air, ordú a thabhairt dó pé bearta a sonrófar san ordú a dhéanamh, laistigh den am a sonrófar amhlaidh, chun na nithe a leigheas ar tharla an sárú ina leith, agus féadfaidh sí, ar iarratas d'fháil, an t-am a bheas sonraithe amhlaidh d'fhadú, agus i gcás ordú den tsaghas sin a dhéanamh ní bheidh an t-áititheoir nó an t-únear faoi dhliteanas do réir an Achta seo maidir leis an sárú a bheith ar leanúint le linn an ama a cheadós an chúirt, ach más rud é, ar bheith caite don am sin do réir mar sonraíodh i gcéadóir nó mar fadaíodh le hordú ina dhiaidh sin é, nach mbeidh an t-ordú comhlíonta, beidh an t-áititheoir nó an t-únaer, pé acu é, ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint a chur air in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den neamhchomhlíonadh.
Brionnú ar dheimhnithe, etc.
34.—Duine ar bith—
(a) a bhrionnós nó a ghóchumfas aon deimhniú is gá do réir nó faoi réim nó chun críocha an Achta seo nó aon orduithe nó rialacháin faoi,
(b) a bhéarfas nó a shíneos aon deimhniú den tsaghas sin agus a fhios aige é a bheith bréagach in aon tsonra ábhartha,
(c) a rithfeas nó a úsáidfeas go feasach aon deimhniú den tsaghas sin a bheas brionnaithe, góchumtha nó bréagach mar adúradh,
(d) a rithfeas nó a úsáidfeas go feasach, mar dheimhniú a bhaineas le duine ar bith, aon deimhniú den tsaghas sin nach mbaineann leis an duine sin,
(e) a phearsanós aon duine a bheas ainmnithe in aon deimhniú den tsaghas sin,
(f) a chuirfeas i gcéill go bréagach gur cigire é,
(g) a chúlcheadós go toiliúil aon bhrionnú, góchumadh, tabhairt, síniú, rith, úsáid, pearsanú nó cur-i-gcéill mar adúradh,
(h) a chuirfeas go toiliúil taifead bréagach in aon doiciméad is gá, de bhun rialachán faoin Acht seo, a choimeád nó a sheirbheáil nó a chur ar aghaidh,
(i) a dhéanfas nó a shíneos go toiliúil dearbhú bréagach agus é ag déanamh nó ag síniú dearbhuithe is gá do réir nó faoi réim nó chun críche an Achta seo nó aon rialacháin faoi,
(j) a úsáidfeas go feasach aon taifead nó dearbhú bréagach mar adúradh,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
Freagarthacht únaera foirgneamh.
35.—I gcás ina bhfuil uimhir oifigí san aon-fhoirgneamh nó i gcás nach n-úsáidtear ach cuid d'fhoirgneamh mar oifig, beidh únaer an fhoirgnimh freagarthach faoin Acht seo sna nithe seo a leanas:
(a) déanamh, cothabháil, soilsiú agus glaineacht áiseanna sláintíochta, urlár, céimeanna, staighrí, ardaitheoirí, pasáistí, stangart agus coda eile den fhoirgneamh nach bhfuil aon-cheart a n-úsáidte agus a n-áitithe ag áititheoir áirithe,
(b) socruithe maidir le slite éaluithe agus réamhchúraim i gcás tóiteáin sa mhéid go mbaineann na socruithe sin le nithe faoi urláimh an únaera.
Cion a bhfuil an t-áititheoir nó an t-únaer faoi dhliteanas ina leith dá dhéanamh iarbhír ag duine eile.
36.—Más rud é i gcás gníomh nó mainneachtana a bhfuil áititheoir nó únaer faoi dhliteanas ina leith faoin Acht seo gur gníomhaire nó seirbhíseach nó oibrí éigin, nó duine éigin eile, a rinne iarbhír an gníomh nó an mhainneachtaint, beidh an gníomhaire, an seirbhíseach, an t-oibrí nó an duine eile sin ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú go hachomair dlífear an fhíneáil chéanna a chur air a cuirfí air dá mba é an t-áititheoir nó an t-únaer é, do réir mar bheas.
An t-áititheoir nó an t-únaer a dhíolmhadh i gcásanna áirithe.
37.—Má cúisítear áititheoir nó únaer oifige i gcion faoin Acht seo, is cosaint mhaith dhó a chruthú go ndearna sé gach dícheall chun comhlíonadh na forála iomchuí den Acht seo nó de rialachán nó d'ordú faoi a chur i bhfeidhm.
Imeachta i gcoinne daoine seachas áititheoirí nó únaerí.
38.— I gcás ina ndéantar faoin Acht seo aon duine a chur in ionad an áititheora nó an únaera maidir le haon fhorála den Acht seo, ansin, más rud é chun críche aon fhorála acu go gceanglaítear nó go n-údaraítear leis an Acht seo nó faoi aon ordú, toghairm, fógra nó imeacht a sheirbheáil ar an áititheoir nó ar an únaer nó a thionscnamh ina leith, ceanglaítear nó údaraítear (do réir mar bheas) leis seo é a sheirbheáil ar an duine sin nó a thionscnamh ina leith.
Inchúiseamh i leith cionta, etc.
39.—(1) Féadfaidh an t-údaras forfheidhmiúcháin inchúiseamh a dhéanamh i leith aon chiona faoin Acht seo.
(2) Aon chion faoin Acht seo a líomhantar é a bheith arna dhéanamh ag únaer nó áititheoir oifige, féadfaidh duine a fostaítear san oifig sin, nó oifigeach do cheardchumann ar comhalta dhe an duine sin, inchúiseamh a dhéanamh ina leith.
(3) I dtoghairm i leith ciona faoin Acht seo is leor a líomhnadh gur oifig do réir bhrí an Achta seo an oifig agus ainm an duine a ndealraíonn sé gurb é áititheoir na hoifige é nó, más gnólucht an t-áititheoir, ainm an ghnóluchta a lua.
(4) Má déantar aon chion faoin Acht seo trí mhainneachtaint i scrúdú a dhéanamh, tuarascáil a chur isteach nó rud éigin eile a dhéanamh, tráth forordaithe nó laistigh de thréimhse fhorordaithe, measfar an cion a bheith ar leanúint go dtí go mbeidh an scrúdú déanta, an tuarascáil curtha isteach nó an rud eile déanta, pé acu é.
Achomhairc i gcoinne orduithe a rinneadh ar ghearán.
40.—Aon duine arb ábhar éagóra aige ordú a rinne an Chúirt Dúiche ag cinneadh gearáin faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh sé achomharc a dhéanamh ina choinne chun an bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda ar laistigh dá chuaird atá an teach cúirte inar tugadh breith na Cúirte Dúiche, agus beidh breith an bhreithimh den Chúirt Chuarda ar aon achomharc den tsaghas sin ina breith chríochnaitheach dochloíte agus ní féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh ina coinne.
Forála speisialta maidir le fianaise.
41.—Má gheibhtear duine in oifig (nach oifig gan d'fhostaithe inti ach daoine den aon-teaghlach a chónaíos inti) aon tráth a bheas obair ar siúl taobh amuigh de thrátha béilí nó scíthe, measfar chun críocha an Achta seo, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, é a bheith ar fostú an tráth sin san oifig.
Doiciméid a sheirbheáil agus a chur ar aghaidh.
42.—(1) Aon doiciméad (lena n-áirítear aon toghairm nó ordú) a gceanglaítear nó a n-údaraítear faoin Acht seo é a sheirbheáil ar dhuine ar bith, nó a chur chuige féadfar é a sheirbheáil nó é a chur ar aghaidh—
(a) trína sheachadadh don duine sin nó, i gcás comhpháirtíochta, d'aon duine de na comhpháirtithe, nó trína chur leis an bpost cláraithe go dtí áit chónaithe an duine sin,
(b) i gcás únaera nó áititheora oifige, ar aon mhodh acu sin adúradh nó tríd an doiciméad nó cóip dhílis de a sheachadadh d'aon duine san oifig a dhealraíos gan a bheith faoi bhun sé bliana déag d'aois.
(2) Féadfar aon doiciméad dá dtagartar i bhfo-alt (1) a sheoladh, chun é a sheirbheáil ar áititheoir oifige nó a chur chuige faoin Acht seo, go dtí “an t-áititheoir” ag seoladh poist ceart na hoifige gan aon ainm ná tuairisc thairis sin.
(3) Chun críocha an ailt seo, measfar cuideachta a cláraíodh faoi na hAchta Cuideachtan, 1908 go 1924, a bheith ina cónai ag a hoifig chláraithe, agus measfar gach comhlucht corpraithe eile agus gach comhlucht neamhchorpraithe a bheith ina chónaí ag a phríomh-oifig nó a phríomh-áit ghnótha sa Stát.
Cumhacht na Cúirte Cuarda chun comhaontuithe a mhodhnú.
43.—Má tharlaíonn, de dhroim comhaontuithe idir únaer agus áititheoir áitribh a bhfuil a iomlán nó aon chuid de ligthe mar oifig, go gcoisctear an t-únaer nó an t-áititheoir sin ó aon athruithe déanmhais nó athruithe eile a dhéanamh ar an áitreabh atá riachtanach chun go bhféadfaidh sé aon fhorála den Acht seo nó aon rialachán nó ordú faoi a chomhlíonadh, nó chun bheith i gcomhréir le haon chaighdeán nó ceanglas a forchuirtear leis an Acht seo nó faoi, féadfaidh sé ordú faoin alt seo d'iarraidh ar an gCúirt Chuarda agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis éisteacht a thabhairt do na páirtithe agus d'aon fhinnéithe is mian leo a ghairm, ordú a dhéanamh a chuirfeas ar ceal, nó a mhodhnós, téarmaí an chomhaontuithe do réir mar is dóigh leis an gCúirt cóir agus is cothrom in imthosca an cháis.
Cumhacht na Cúirte Cuarda chun costais a chionroinnt.
44.—Má tharlaíonn, in aon áitreabh a bhfuil a iomlán nó aon chuid de ligthe mar oifig, gur gá aon athruithe déanmhais nó athruithe eile chun aon fhoráil den Acht seo nó aon rialachán nó ordú faoi a chomhlíonadh nó chun bheith i gcomhréir le haon chaighdeán nó ceanglas a forchuirtear leis an Acht seo nó faoi agus go líomhnóidh an t-únaer nó an t-áititheoir (pé acu é) gur ceart an t-iomlán nó aon chuid de chostais na n-athruithe a bheith ar an áititheoir nó ar an únaer, féadfaidh an t-únaer nó an t-áititheoir ordú faoin alt seo d'iarraidh ar an gCuirt Chuarda agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis éisteacht a thabhairt do na páirtithe agus d'aon fhinnéithe is mian leo a ghairm, ordú a dhéanamh maidir leis na costais nó lena gcionroinnt do réir mar is dóigh leis an gCúirt is cóir agus is cothrom in imthosca an cháis, ag féachaint do théarmaí aon chonartha idir na páirtithe, nó ar a mhalairt féadfaidh an Chúirt, má iarrann an t-únaer nó an t-áititheoir é, an léas d'fhorceannadh ar pé téarmaí, ag féachaint d'fhorála an léasa sin, is dóigh leis an gCuirt is cóir agus is cothrom.
CUID VII.
Ilghneitheach.
Cóiríocht agus saoráidí a chur ar fáil i gcomhar.
45.—An chóiríocht agus na saoráidí a bheas le cur ar fáil ag aon duine faoin Acht seo féadfaidh an duine sin an céanna a chur ar fáil é féin nó i gcomhar le daoine eile.
Dualgais dhaoine a fostaítear.
46.—Ní bhacfaidh aon duine a fostaítear in oifig, ná ní mhí-úsáidfidh sé, go toiliúil aon deis, fearas, feiste nó rud eile a bheas curtha ar fáil de bhun an Achta seo ar mhaithe le sláinte, sábháltacht nó leas na ndaoine a fostaítear san oifig.
Toirmeasc ar shuimeanna a bhaint as páigh.
47.—Ach amháin mar foráltar a mhalairt go sainráiteach faoin Acht seo, ní dhéanfaidh áititheoir oifige, i leith aon ní atá le déanamh nó le cur ar fáil aige de bhun an Achta seo, aon tsuim a bhaint as an méid a ndeachaigh sé i gconradh é d'íoc le haon duine ar fostú ná aon íocaíocht a ghlacadh, ná a cheadú d'aon duine ar fostú aige í a ghlacadh, ó aon duine den tsaghas sin.
AN SCEIDEAL.
Achtacháin a hAthghairmtear.
Siosón agus Caibidil | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
41 & 42 Vic., c. 52 | Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878. | Ailt 48 agus 107 sa mhéid go mbainid le hoifigí do réir bhrí an Achta seo. |
53 & 54 Vic., c. 59 | Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890. | Alt 22 sa mhéid go mbaineann sé le hoifigí do réir bhrí an Achta seo |
Number 3 of 1958.
OFFICE PREMISES ACT, 1958.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Health.
Application of Part VI of Shops (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1938, to clerical workers. | |
Safety.
Construction and maintenance of floors, passages and stairs. | |
Welfare.
Administration.
Provisions as to regulations, orders and certificates of the Minister. |
Offences, Penalties and Legal Proceedings.
Power of court to order cause of contravention to be remedied. | |
Offence by person actually committing offence for which occupier or owner is liable. | |
Miscellaneous.
Enactments Repealed
Acts Referred to | |
No. 4 of 1938 | |
No. 10 of 1955 | |
Number 3 of 1958.
OFFICE PREMISES ACT, 1958.
PART I
Preliminary and General.
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Office Premises Act, 1958.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister appoints by order.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Minister, as respects any particular requirement of this Act, that by reason of substantial expenditure involved through the necessity of providing new, or altering existing, buildings, or on account of other special difficulties, it would be right in the case either of offices generally or of any class or description of office that the requirement should not come into operation on the day appointed under subsection (2), he may by order postpone the date of coming into operation of the said requirement as respects offices generally or that class or description of office, until such date as he may think fit but not later than two years after the day appointed under subsection (2).
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2), section 24 shall come into operation on the passing of this Act.
Interpretation generally.
2.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“class or description”, in relation to offices, includes a group of offices described by reference to locality;
“clerical work” includes book-keeping, sorting and filing, typing, document reproduction, machine calculating, drawing, the handling of mail, telephone and telegraph operating and the handling of money;
“contravention” includes, in relation to any provision, a refusal or failure to comply with that provision, and “contravene” shall be construed accordingly;
“enforcing authority” has the meaning given to it by section 25;
“fume” includes gas or vapour;
“inspector” means an officer authorised by or under section 27 to act as an inspector for the purposes of this Act;
“maintained” means maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
“owner” means the person for the time being receiving the rack-rent of the premises in connection with which the word is used, whether on his own account or as agent or trustee for any other person, or who would receive the rack-rent if the premises were let at a rack-rent;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act;
“sanitary authority” means a sanitary authority within the meaning of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1952;
“sanitary conveniences” includes urinals, waterclosets, earthclosets, privies, ashpits, and any similar convenience;
“welfare regulations” means regulations made under section 23.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, an apprentice shall be deemed to be a person employed.
(3) Any reference in this Act to the District Court shall be construed as a reference to the Justice of the District Court having jurisdiction in the District Court area where the office in question is situated.
Offices.
3.— (1) In this Act “office” means any premises, room, suite of rooms or other part of premises in which persons are employed on clerical work.
(2) This Act does not apply to an office in which the number of persons employed on clerical work does not exceed five. For the purpose of this provision, all parts of a building or group of buildings in which persons are employed on clerical work by the same employer shall be taken together as forming one office, notwithstanding that such parts may be structurally separated from one another.
(3) This Act does not apply—
(a) to premises or parts of premises occupied by the Defence Forces,
(b) to premises or parts of premises where clerical work is performed at irregular intervals and for short periods,
(c) to a shop to which the Shops (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1938 (No. 4 of 1938), applies,
(d) to such premises or classes of premises as are declared to be exempt in regulations made by the Minister.
(4) For the purposes of this section a person shall not be regarded as employed on clerical work if such work is merely incidental or subsidiary to his main occupation.
Application to offices belonging to the State.
4.—This Act applies to offices belonging to or in the occupation of the State but, in case of any public emergency, the Minister may, by order, to the extent and during the period named in the order exempt from this Act any office belonging to or in the occupation of the State or any office in respect of work which is being done on behalf of the State.
Expenses of Minister.
5.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Expenses of sanitary authorities.
6.—The expenses of a sanitary authority under this Act shall be raised and defrayed in like manner as their expenses under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1952, are raised and defrayed.
Repeals.
7.—The Acts mentioned in the Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of the Schedule.
PART II.
Health.
Cleanliness.
8.—(1) Every office shall be kept in a clean state and, without prejudice to the foregoing provision—
(a) accumulations of dirt, refuse, trade refuse and waste shall be removed daily by a suitable method from all rooms, staircases and passages,
(b) the floors shall be cleaned at least once in every week by washing or, if it is effective and suitable, by sweeping or other method.
(2) In fulfilling, on an occasion when work is in progress, the requirements of subsection (1), the methods used shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be such as not to give rise to dust.
(3) The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for Health, make regulations modifying the provisions of this section or prescribing further requirements as to cleanliness and, in particular, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, requirements as to the cleaning, painting, whitewashing or colourwashing of inside walls, partitions, ceilings or tops of rooms, and the walls, sides and tops of passages and staircases.
Overcrowding.
9.—(1) An office shall not, while work is carried on, be so overcrowded as to cause risk of injury to the health of the persons employed therein.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), an office shall be deemed to be so overcrowded as to cause risk of injury to the health of persons employed therein if the number of persons employed at a time in any room is such that the amount of space allowed for every person employed in the room is less than such amount as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Health, for offices or for any class or description of office.
Temperature.
10.—(1) Effective provision shall be made for securing and maintaining a reasonable temperature in each room, but no method shall be employed which results in the escape into the air of any room of any fume of such character and to such extent as to be likely to be injurious or offensive to persons employed therein.
(2) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Health, may, by regulations for offices or for any class or description of office or parts thereof, prescribe a standard of reasonable temperature and prohibit the use of any methods of maintaining a reasonable temperature which, in his opinion, are likely to be injurious to the persons employed, and direct that thermometers shall be provided and maintained in such places and position as may be specified.
Ventilation.
11.—(1) Effective and suitable provision shall be made for securing and maintaining by the circulation of fresh air in each room the adequate ventilation of the room and for preventing harmful draughts.
(2) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Health, may, by regulations, prescribe a standard of adequate ventilation for offices or for any class or description of office or parts thereof.
Lighting.
12.—(1) Effective provision shall be made for securing and maintaining sufficient and suitable lighting, whether natural or artificial, in every part of an office in which persons are working or passing.
(2) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Health, may, by regulations, prescribe a standard of sufficient and suitable lighting for offices or for any class or description of office or parts thereof or for any kind of clerical work.
(3) All glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of rooms shall, so far as practicable, be kept clean on both the inner and outer surfaces and free from obstruction.
(4) Subsection (3) shall not affect the whitewashing or shading of windows and skylights for the purposes of mitigating heat or glare or the reasonable use of protective or translucent screens.
(5) So far as is reasonably practicable arrangements shall be made so that there is not, by reason of—
(a) the brightness of the light, or
(b) unsuitable shading, or
(c) unsuitable placing of light sources or positions of work,
discomfort or injury from glare or from reflection of light into the eyes of the worker.
Sanitary conveniences.
13.—(1) Sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences for the persons employed in an office shall be provided, maintained and kept clean.
(2) The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for Health, make regulations determining for offices or for any class or description of office what is sufficient and suitable provision for the purposes of this section.
Unsuitable rooms.
14.—(1) Clerical work shall not be carried on in any room which is certified by the enforcing authority to be unsuitable for the purpose as regards construction, height, light or ventilation, or on any hygienic ground, or on the ground that adequate means of escape in case of fire are not provided.
(2) Where the enforcing authority certifies under subsection (1) as unsuitable any room which is in actual use, the authority shall suspend the operation of the certificate for such period as the authority considers reasonable with a view to enabling the room to be rendered suitable or enabling the occupier to obtain other premises and the authority shall serve a copy of the certificate and notice of any suspension thereof on the occupier and the owner.
(3) If the occupier or owner is aggrieved by any decision of the enforcing authority under this section—
(a) he may, within twenty-one days of the date of issue of the certificate, appeal by way of complaint to the District Court,
(b) pending the final determination of an appeal against a decision under subsection (1) in the case of a room in actual use, no offence shall be deemed to be committed by reference to that subsection in respect of the room to which the appeal relates,
(c) the decision of the Court shall in all cases be binding on the occupier, the owner and the enforcing authority.
Application of Part VI of Shops (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1938, to clerical workers.
15.—Part VI of the Shops (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1938 (No. 4 of 1938), shall apply to persons employed on clerical work in or in connection with a shop, as if they were employed to do shop work.
Health regulations.
16.—(1) Where the Minister is satisfied that any material, substance, process or description of work, used in offices, is of such a nature as to cause risk of injury to the health of persons employed,
or any class of those persons, he may, after consultation with the Minister for Health make such regulations as appear to him to be reasonably practicable and to meet the necessity of the case.
(2) Regulations under this section may, among other things—
(a) prohibit the employment of, or modify or limit the hours of employment of, all persons or any class of persons in connection with any process or description of work,
(b) prohibit, limit or control the use and storage of any material or substance, or the use of any process,
(c) modify with respect to any class or description of office any provisions of this Act imposing requirements as to health or safety,
(d) impose duties on owners, employed persons and other persons as well as on occupiers.
(3) Regulations under this section may apply to all offices in which the material, substance, process or description of work is used or to any specified class or description of such offices, and may provide for the exemption of any specified class or description of office either absolutely or subject to conditions.
PART III.
Safety.
Construction and maintenance of floors, passages and stairs.
17.—(1) All floors, steps, stairs, lifts, passages and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained.
(2) For every staircase in a building or affording a means of exit from a building, a substantial handrail shall be provided and maintained, which, if the staircase has an open side, shall be on that side, and, in the case of a staircase having two open sides, or in the case of a staircase which, owing to the nature of the construction thereof or the condition of the surface of the steps or other, special circumstances, is specially liable to cause accidents, such a handrail shall be provided and maintained on both sides. Any open side of a staircase shall also be guarded by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or other effective means.
Means of escape in case of fire.
18.—(1) While any person is within an office for the purpose of employment or meals, the doors of the office, and of any room therein in which the person is, and any doors which afford a means of exit for persons employed in the office from any building or from any enclosure in which the office is situated shall not be locked or fastened in such a manner that they cannot be easily and immediately opened from the inside.
(2) The contents of any room in which persons are employed shall be so arranged or disposed that there is a free passage way for all persons employed in the room to a means of escape in case of fire.
(3) Every window, door or other exit affording means of escape in case of fire, or giving access thereto, other than the means of exit in ordinary use, shall be distinctively and conspicuously marked by a notice in red letters of an adequate size.
(4) The Minister may make regulations for offices, or for any class or description of office, requiring that provision be made for giving such warning in case of fire as may be prescribed.
(5) Effective steps shall be taken to ensure that all the persons employed are familiar with the means of escape in case of fire and their use, and with the routine to be followed in case of fire.
(6) The Minister may make regulations for offices or for any class or description of office requiring that provision be made for fire preventive facilities.
PART IV.
Welfare.
Supply of drinking water.
19.—An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water shall be made conveniently available for the use of employed persons.
Washing facilities.
20.—(1) There shall be provided and maintained for the use of employed persons adequate and suitable facilities for washing and the facilities shall be conveniently accessible and shall be kept in a clean and orderly condition.
(2) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Health, may, by regulations, prescribe, either generally or as respects any class or description of office or any particular kind of work, a standard of adequate and suitable washing facilities.
(3) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Health, may, by regulations, provide for the exemption of offices from any of the requirements of this section in cases where, by reason of the difficulty of obtaining an adequate supply of water, or the fact that accommodation is restricted and adequate and suitable washing facilities are otherwise conveniently available or such other special circumstances as may be specified in the regulations, the application of the requirement would in his opinion be unreasonable.
Facilities for sitting.
21.—(1) Where any employed persons have in the course of their employment reasonable opportunities for sitting without detriment to their work or where a substantial proportion of any work done by employed persons can properly be done sitting, there shall be provided and maintained for their use suitable facilities for sitting.
(2) The Minister may, by regulations, prescribe a standard of suitable facilities for sitting for offices or any class or description of office or parts thereof, or for any particular kind of work.
First-aid.
22.—In every office there shall be provided and maintained so as to be readily accessible one or more first-aid boxes or cupboards suitably equipped.
Welfare regulations.
23.—(1) Where it appears to the Minister that provision requires to be made in relation to any of the matters to which this section applies for securing the welfare of the persons employed or any class of them, he may, after consultation with the Minister for Health, make regulations (in this Act referred to as welfare regulations) requiring such reasonable steps to be taken in connection therewith as may be specified in the regulations, either in addition to, or in substitution for, or by way of extension or variation of, any of the foregoing provisions of this Part.
(2) This section applies to—
(a) the matters dealt with in the foregoing provisions of this Part,
(b) accommodation for clothing,
(c) facilities for preparing and taking meals,
(d) the supply of protective clothing,
(e) ambulance and first-aid arrangements,
(f) rest rooms,
(g) arrangements for the supervision of persons employed,
(3) This section shall not apply to offices in which the only persons employed are members of the same family dwelling there.
(4) Welfare regulations may—
(a) be made for a particular office or for offices of any class or description,
(b) be made contingent in respect of particular requirements upon application being made by a specified number or proportion of the employed persons concerned, and prescribe the manner in which the views of the persons employed are to be ascertained,
(c) provide for the employed persons concerned being associated in the management of the arrangements, accommodation or other facilities for which provision is made, in any case where a portion of the cost is contributed by the persons employed; but no contribution shall be required from the persons employed in any office, except for the purpose of providing additional or special benefits which, in the opinion of the Minister, could not reasonably be required to be provided by the employer alone, and unless two-thirds at least of the employed persons affected in that office, on their views being ascertained in the prescribed manner, assent.
(5) Welfare regulations may impose duties on owners and, so far as relates to the use of any facilities provided, on employed persons.
(6) The Minister may, by regulations, extend the matters to which this section applies so as to include other matters affecting the welfare of employed persons or any class of them.
PART V.
Administration.
Advisory Council.
24.—(1) There shall be a council consisting of a chairman and not more than eleven ordinary members (in this Act referred to as the Advisory Council) to perform the functions assigned to it by this section.
(2) The Advisory Council shall consider and advise the Minister on any matters arising on or in relation to the execution of this Act (including any proposals by the Minister to make, amend or revoke any orders or regulations under this Act) which the Minister may refer to the Council.
(3) The Advisory Council may, as they consider necessary from time to time, advise the Minister on—
(a) the desirability of making, amending or revoking any orders or regulations under this Act,
(b) matters relating to the enforcement of the provisions of this Act or of orders or regulations made under this Act.
(4) The chairman and the ordinary members of the Advisory Council shall be appointed by the Minister.
(5) The first such appointment shall be made as soon as conveniently may be after the passing of this Act and subsequent appointments shall be made from time to time as occasion requires.
(6) In appointing persons to be ordinary members of the Advisory Council, the Minister shall include persons representative of organisations of employees, organisations of employers, and sanitary authorities.
(7) The chairman and the ordinary members of the Advisory Council shall hold office for such period as the Minister may decide.
(8) The chairman of the Advisory Council may be paid such remuneration and allowance for expenses as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.
(9) On the request of the Advisory Council and subject to the consent of the Minister, an inspector who is an officer of the Minister may attend a meeting of the Advisory Council for the purpose of giving any information which the Advisory Council may request for the purposes of discharging its functions.
(10) On the request of the Advisory Council and subject to the consent of a sanitary authority, an officer designated by that sanitary authority may attend a meeting of the Advisory Council for the purpose of giving any information which the Advisory Council may request for the purposes of discharging its functions.
Enforcing authority.
25.—The provisions of this Act shall be enforced—
(a) in the case of offices in the occupation of the State—by the Minister,
(b) in the case of offices in places to which the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), applies—by the sanitary authority in respect of section 13, and by the Minister in respect of the other provisions of this Act,
(c) in every other case—by the sanitary authority,
and “enforcing authority” shall be construed accordingly.
Exemption certificates.
26.—(1) An enforcing authority may by certificate exempt from all or any of the provisions of this Act or of regulations made thereunder any premises in respect of which, and to the extent to which, it is the enforcing authority.
(2) A certificate shall not be granted for a period exceeding two years but may be renewed for one further period, not exceeding one year.
(3) Conditions may be attached to the grant or renewal of a certificate.
Inspectors.
27.—(1) An enforcing authority may authorise any of its officers or any other suitable person to act as an inspector for the purposes of its functions under this Act.
(2) An inspector appointed by the Minister under the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), shall be an inspector for the purposes of this Act.
Powers of inspectors.
28.—(1) An inspector shall, for the purposes of the execution of this Act, have power to do all or any of the following things, that is to say—
(a) to enter, inspect and examine at all reasonable times, by day and night, an office, and every part thereof, when he has reasonable cause to believe that any person is employed therein, and to enter by day any place which he has reasonable cause to believe to be an office and any part of any building of which an office forms part and in which he has reasonable cause to believe that explosive or highly inflammable materials are stored or used;
(b) to take with him a member of the Garda Síochána if he has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of his duty;
(c) to require the production of any documents, required to be kept in pursuance of regulations under this Act, and to inspect, examine and copy any of them;
(d) to make such examination and inquiry as may be necessary to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act and the enactments for the time being in force relating to public health are complied with, so far as respects an office and any persons employed in an office;
(e) to require any person whom he finds in an office and whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be employed in the office to give such information as it is in his power to give as to who is the occupier of the office;
(f) to examine, either alone or in the presence of any other person, as he thinks fit, with respect to matters under this Act, every person whom he finds in an office, or whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be or to have been within the preceding two months employed in an office, and to require every such person to be so examined and to sign a declaration of the truth of the matters respecting which he is so examined ;
(g) to exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying this Act into effect.
(2) No one shall be required by virtue of paragraph (f) of subsection (1) to answer any question or to give any evidence tending to criminate himself.
(3) The occupier of every office, his agents and servants, shall furnish the means required by an inspector as necessary for any entry, inspection, examination, inquiry or other power under this Act, in relation to that office.
(4) If any person wilfully delays an inspector in the exercise of any power under this section, or fails to comply with the requisition of an inspector in pursuance of this section, or to produce any document which he is required in pursuance of regulations under this Act to produce, or wilfully withholds any information as to who is the occupier of any office, or conceals or prevents, or attempts to conceal or prevent, a person from appearing before or being examined by an inspector, that person shall be deemed to obstruct an inspector in the execution of his duties under this Act.
(5) Where an inspector is obstructed in the execution of his powers or duties under this Act—
(a) if the obstruction is in an office, the occupier, and, if the person obstructing the inspector is not the occupier, also the person obstructing the inspector, shall be guilty of an offence ;
(b) in any other case, the person obstructing the inspector shall be guilty of an offence.
Certificate of authorisation to act as inspector.
29.—Every inspector shall be furnished with a certificate of his authorisation to act as an inspector, and when visiting an office or place to which any of the provisions of this Act apply, shall, if so required, produce the said certificate to the occupier or any other person holding a responsible position of management at the office or place.
Provisions as to regulations, orders and certificates of the Minister.
30.—(1) Every regulation made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation has been laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
(2) The Minister shall, before making any orders or regulations under this Act, refer his proposals to the Advisory Council.
(3) Any regulations made by the Minister under this Act may be made for a limited period or without limit of period and may be made subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, and may contain such supplemental and consequential provisions as he considers necessary for giving full effect to the regulations and may, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, be varied or revoked by subsequent regulations made in like manner as the original regulations.
(4) Except where otherwise provided, any certificate issued by an enforcing authority under this, Act may be issued for a limited period or without limit of period and may be varied or revoked by the enforcing authority.
PART VI.
Offences, Penalties and Legal Proceedings.
Offences generally.
31.—(1) In the event of a contravention in or in connection with or in relation to an office of any provision of this Act or any regulation made thereunder, the occupier, or (if the contravention is one in respect of which the owner is by or under this Act made responsible) the owner of the office shall, subject as hereinafter in this Act provided, be guilty of an offence.
(2) In the event of a contravention by an employed person of section 46 or of a contravention by any person of any regulation made under this Act which expressly imposes any duty upon him, that person shall be guilty of an offence and the occupier or owner, as the case may be, shall not be guilty of an offence by reason only of the contravention of that section, or the contravention of the regulation, as the case may be, unless it is proved that he failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the contravention, but this subsection shall not be taken as affecting any liability of the occupier or owner in respect of the same matters by virtue of some provision other than that section or regulation.
(3) If the occupier of an office avails himself of any special exception allowed by or under this Act and fails to comply with any of the conditions attached to the exception, he shall be deemed to have contravened the relevant provision of this Act or a regulation thereunder.
(4) Where an offence under this Act committed by a company is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been facilitated by any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, he, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Penalties.
32.—Subject as hereinafter in this Act provided, any person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds, and, if the contravention in respect of which he was so convicted is continued after the conviction, he shall (subject to section 33) be guilty of a further offence and liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds for each day on which the contravention was so continued.
Power of court to order cause of contravention to be remedied.
33.—Where the occupier or owner of an office is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may, in addition to or instead of inflicting a fine, order him, within the time specified in the order, to take such steps as may be so specified for remedying the matters in respect of which the contravention occurred, and may, on application, enlarge the time so specified, and where such an order is made, the occupier or owner shall not be liable under this Act in respect of the continuation of the contravention during the time allowed by the court, but if, after the expiration of that time as originally specified or enlarged by subsequent order, the order is not complied with, the occupier or owner, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds for each day on which the non-compliance continues.
Forgery of certificates, etc.
34.—If any person—
(a) forges or counterfeits any certificate required by, under or for the purposes of this Act or any order or regulation made thereunder,
(b) gives or signs any such certificate knowing it to be false in any material particular,
(c) knowingly utters or makes use of any such certificate so forged, counterfeited or false as aforesaid,
(d) knowingly utters or makes use of as applying to any person any such certificate which does not so apply,
(e) personates any person named in any such certificate,
(f) falsely pretends to be an inspector,
(g) wilfully connives at any such forging, counterfeiting, giving, signing, uttering, making use, personating or pretending as aforesaid,
(h) wilfully makes a false entry in any document required in pursuance of regulations under this Act to be kept or served or sent,
(i) wilfully makes or signs a false declaration when making or signing a declaration required by, under or for the purpose of this Act or any regulation made thereunder,
(j) knowingly makes use of any such false entry or declaration as aforesaid,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
Responsibility of owner of buildings.
35.—Where there are a number of offices in the same building or where part only of a building is used as an office, the owner of the building shall be responsible under this Act for the following matters:
(a) construction, maintenance, lighting and cleanliness of sanitary conveniences, floors, steps, stairs, lifts, passages, gangways and other parts of the building of which a particular occupier has not the sole right of use and occupation,
(b) provisions as to means of escape and safety precautions in case of fire so far as those provisions relate to matters within the owner's control.
Offence by person actually committing offence for which occupier or owner is liable.
36.—Where an act or default for which an occupier or owner is liable under this Act is in fact the act or default of some agent, servant, worker or other person, that agent, servant, worker or other person shall be guilty, of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to the like fine as if he were the occupier or owner, as the case may be.
Exemption of occupier or owner in certain cases.
37.—Where the occupier or owner of an office is charged with an offence under this Act it shall be a good defence for him to prove that he used all diligence to enforce the execution of the relevant provision of this Act or regulation or order made thereunder.
Proceedings against persons other than occupiers or owners.
38.—Where, under this Act, any person is substituted for the occupier or owner with respect to any provisions of this Act, any order, summons, notice or proceedings, which for the purpose of any of those provisions is by or under this Act required or authorised to be served on or taken in relation to the occupier or owner, is hereby required or authorised (as the case may be) to be served on or taken in relation to that person.
Prosecution of offences, etc.
39.—(1) Any offence under this Act may be prosecuted by the enforcing authority.
(2) An offence under this Act alleged to have been committed by the owner or occupier of an office may be prosecuted by a person employed in that office or by an official of a trade union of which that person is a member.
(3) It shall be sufficient in a summons in respect of an offence under this Act to allege that the office is an office within the meaning of this Act and to state the name of the ostensible occupier of the office or, where the occupier is a firm, the name of the firm.
(4) Where any offence is committed under this Act by reason of a failure to make an examination, enter a report or do any other thing, at or within a prescribed time, the offence shall be deemed to continue until the examination is made, the report entered or the other thing done, as the case may be.
Appeals from orders made on complaint.
40.—Any person aggrieved by an order made by the District Court on determining a complaint under this Act may appeal therefrom to the judge of the Circuit Court within whose circuit is situate the courthouse in which the decision of the District Court was given, and the decision of the judge of the Circuit Court on any such appeal shall be final and conclusive and not appealable.
Special provisions as to evidence.
41.—If a person is found in an office (not being an office in which the only persons employed are members of the same family dwelling there) at any time at which work is going on, except during the intervals for meals or rest, he shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have been employed in the office.
Service and sending of documents.
42.—(1) Any document (including any summons or order) required or authorised to be served or sent under this Act on or to any person may be served or sent—
(a) by delivering it to such person or, in the case of a partnership, to any of the partners, or by sending it by registered post to the residence of such person;
(b) in the case of the owner or occupier of an office, in any such manner as aforesaid or by delivering it, or a true copy thereof, to any person apparently not under the age of sixteen years at the office.
(2) Any document referred to in subsection (1) may be addressed, for the purpose of the service or sending thereof under this Act on or to the occupier of an office, to “the occupier” at the proper postal address of the office, without further name or description.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a company registered under the Companies Acts, 1908 to 1924, shall be deemed to reside at its registered office, and every other body corporate and every unincorporated body shall be deemed to reside at its principal office or place of business in the State.
Power of Circuit Court to modify agreements.
43.—If, by reason of an agreement between the owner and the occupier of premises the whole or any part of which has been let as an office, the owner or occupier is prevented from carrying out any structural or other alterations in the premises which are necessary to enable him to comply with any provisions of this Act or any regulation or order made thereunder or in order to conform with any standard or requirement imposed by or under this Act, he may apply to the Circuit Court for an order under this section and the Court, after hearing the parties and any witnesses whom they desire to call, may make such an order setting aside or modifying the terms of the agreement as the Court considers just and equitable in the circumstances of the case.
Power of Circuit Court to apportion expenses.
44.—Where, in any premises the whole or any part of which has been let as an office, any structural or other alterations are required in order to comply with any provision of this Act or any regulation or order made thereunder or in order to conform with any standard or requirement imposed by or under this Act and the owner or occupier (as the case may be) alleges that the whole or any part of the expenses of the alterations ought to be borne by the occupier or owner, the owner or occupier may apply to the Circuit Court for an order under this section and the Court, after hearing the parties and any witnesses whom they desire to call, may make such an order concerning the expenses or their apportionment as the Court considers just and equitable in the circumstances of the case, regard being had to the terms of any contract between the parties, or in the alternative the Court may at the request of the owner or occupier determine the lease on such terms, having regard to the provisions of such lease, as the Court considers just and equitable.
PART VII.
Miscellaneous.
Communal provision of accommodation and facilities.
45.—Accommodation and facilities to be provided by any person under this Act may be provided by that person either alone or in conjunction with other persons.
Duties of persons employed.
46.—A person employed in an office shall not wilfully interfere with or misuse any means, appliance, convenience or other thing provided in pursuance of this Act for securing the health, safety or welfare of the persons employed in the office.
Prohibition of deductions from wages.
47.—Save as otherwise expressly provided under this Act, the occupier of an office shall not in respect of anything to be done or provided by him in pursuance of this Act make any deductions from the sum contracted to be paid by him to any person employed or receive or allow any person in his employment to receive any payment from any such person.
SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Session and Chapter | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
41 & 42 Vic., c. 52 | Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878. | Sections 48 and 107 so far as they relate to offices within the meaning of this Act. |
53 & 54 Vic., c. 59 | Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890. | Section 22 so far as it relates to offices within the meaning of this Act. |