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Uimhir 4 de 1998
AN tACHT TOGHCHÁIN (LEASÚ), 1998
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Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
An tAcht Toghcháin, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 25 |
Na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1992 go 1997 | |
Uimhir 4 de 1998
AN tACHT TOGHCHÁIN (LEASÚ), 1998
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO LEASÚ AN ACHTA TOGHCHÁIN, 1997, I dTAOBH SÍNTIÚIS A NOCHTADH A DHÉANTAR CHUN CRÍOCH POLAITÍOCHTA AGUS I dTAOBH RIALÁLA CAITEACHAIS TRÁTH TOGHCHÁIN AG PÁIRTITHE POLAITÍOCHTA AGUS AG IARRTHÓIRÍ AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA.
[31 Márta, 1998]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
Gearrtheideal, comhlua agus forléiriú.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Toghcháin (Leasú), 1998, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1992 go 1998, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1992 go 1997, agus den Acht seo le chéile agus déanfar iad a fhorléiriú le chéile mar aon Acht amháin.
Míniú.
2.—San Acht seo ciallaíonn “Acht 1997” an tAcht Toghcháin, 1997.
Leasú ar alt 3 d'Acht 1997.
3.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 3(1) d'Acht 1997 trí “24(1A) nó (4),” a chur in ionad “24(4),”.
Leasú ar alt 21 d'Acht 1997.
4.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 21(1) d'Acht 1997—
(a) i mír (a), tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (ii):
“(ii) nach dtoghfar amhlaidh ach, ag aon chéim den chomhaireamh vótaí sa toghchán, gur mó an líon uasta vótaí a bheidh creidiúnaithe dó nó di, i gcás olltoghcháin, ná aon cheathrú den chuóta, nó, i gcás corrthoghcháin, ná aon cheathrú den chuóta a bheadh ann sa toghcheantar sin dá mba rud é gur olltoghchán a bhí sa chorrthoghchán.”,
(b) i mír (b)(ii), trí “faoi alt 32(4)” a chur in ionad “faoi alt 32(1)(b)”, agus
(c) i mír (d)(iii), trí “, lena n-áirítear caiteachais (más ann) dá dtagraítear in alt 32(4) i ndáil leis an iarrthóir” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir”.
Leasú ar alt 22 d'Acht 1997.
5.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 22(2) d'Acht 1997—
(a) i mír (b), tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (iii):
“(iii) sochair—
(I) a fhaightear ó sheirbhís arna tabhairt ag pearsa aonair, lena n-áirítear úsáid mótarfheithicle na pearsan aonair, thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta, comhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas, ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa nó iarrthóra i dtoghchán Dála, Seanaid, Eorpach nó áitiúil i gcás gur seirbhís in aisce an tseirbhís sin agus nach cuid í d'obair na pearsan aonair sin arna cur i gcrích faoi chonradh fostaíochta, nó i gcás an phearsa aonair a bheith féinfhostaithe, i gcúrsa ghnó na pearsan aonair nó i gcleachtadh ghairm na pearsan aonair, nó
(II) a fhaightear ó sheirbhís arna tabhairt i dtoghchán ag pearsa aonair atá ar fostú ag páirtí polaitíochta, lena n-áirítear úsáid mótarfheithicle na pearsan aonair, cibé acu a íoctar luach saothair na pearsan aonair as acmhainní an pháirtí nó as an gciste poiblí, thar ceann iarrthóra de chuid an pháirtí sin i dtoghchán Dála, Seanaid, Eorpach nó áitiúil i gcás nach bhfuil luaíocht ná sochar comhchineáil ar bith á fáil nó á fháil ag an bpearsa aonair seachas a ghnáthluach saothair nó a gnáthluach saothair i gcomaoin na seirbhíse sin,”,
(b) i mír (b) (v), trí “nó Eorpach,” a chur in ionad “nó Eorpach;”,
(c) i mír (b), tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur leis:
“(vi) caiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag páirtí polaitíochta de bhun alt 32(1)(b) nó 33(1)(b), de réir mar a bheidh, thar ceann iarrthóra a bheidh fíordheimhnithe ag an bpáirtí polaitíochta i dtoghchán Dála nó Eorpach, seachas síntiús airgid;”,
agus
(d) i mír (c), trí na fomhíreanna seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhíreanna (i) agus (ii):
“(i) é a bheith tugtha do pháirtí polaitíochta má thugtar é don pháirtí, d'aon bhrainse nó d'aon fho-eagraíocht den pháirtí sin, d'aon iarrthóir de chuid an pháirtí i dtoghchán áitiúil, d'aon chomhalta den pháirtí ar comhalta d'údarás áitiúil é nó í, d'aon oifigeach, comhalta nó gníomhaire den pháirtí nó d'aon bhrainse nó d'aon fho-eagraíocht den pháirtí sin, nó, faoi réir fhomhír (ii), d'aon iarrthóir de chuid an pháirtí i dtoghchán Dála, Seanaid nó Eorpach, nó d'aon chomhalta den pháirtí ar comhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas é nó í nó ar ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa é nó í nó d'aon ghníomhaire nó d'aon duine eile atá ag gníomhú thar a cheann nó thar a ceann,
(ii) é a bheith tugtha do chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas, d'ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa nó d'iarrthóir i dtoghchán Dála, Seanaid nó Eorpach má thugtar é dó nó di nó d'aon ghníomhaire nó d'aon duine eile atá ag gníomhú thar a cheann nó thar a ceann mura rud é go gcuirtear an síntiús ar aghaidh chuig páirtí polaitíochta ar comhalta de é nó í agus go bhfaigheann an comhalta, an t-ionadaí nó an t-iarrthóir, de réir mar a bheidh, admháil i scríbhinn ón bpáirtí polaitíochta i leith an tsíntiúis agus, sa chás sin, measfar gur síntiús don pháirtí polaitíochta sin é,”.
Leasú ar alt 24 d'Acht 1997.
6.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 24 d'Acht 1997—
(a) i bhfo-alt (1), trí na míreanna seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (b):
“(b) Faoi réir mhír (c), déanfaidh gach páirtí polaitíochta—
(i) tráth nach déanaí ná an 30ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998, i leith na tréimhse dar tosach an 15ú lá de Bhealtaine, 1997, agus dar críoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig, 1997, agus
(ii) tráth nach déanaí ná an 31ú lá de Mhárta gach uile bhliain ina dhiaidh sin,
ráiteas i scríbhinn a thabhairt don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí, i bhfoirm a ordóidh an Coimisiún sin, ar ráiteas é, sa chás atá leagtha amach i bhfomhír (i), i leith na tréimhse dá dtagraítear san fhomhír sin, agus in aon chás eile, i leith na bliana roimhe sin, agus taispeánfar ann—
(iii) an bhfuair an páirtí, i rith na tréimhse sin nó na bliana sin, de réir mar a bheidh, síntiús ar mó a luach ná an méid iomchuí a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (4), agus
(iv) i leith gach síntiúis (más ann), luach an tsíntiúis agus ainm, tuairisc agus seoladh poist an duine a thug an síntiús nó ar tugadh an síntiús thar a cheann nó thar a ceann.
(c) Ní bheidh feidhm ag ní ar bith i mír (b) maidir le síntiús a thabharfaidh duine dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1A) do dhuine a bhí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta de pháirtí polaitíochta nuair a tugadh an síntiús.”,
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (1):
“(1A) (a) Faoi réir mhír (b), tráth nach déanaí ná an 31ú lá d'Eanáir gach uile bhliain dar tosach 1999, déanfaidh gach duine a thug síntiúis sa bhliain roimhe sin ar mó a luach comhiomlán ná £4,000—
(i) do bheirt duine nó níos mó a bhí, nuair a tugadh na síntiúis, ina gcomhaltaí den pháirtí polaitíochta céanna, nó
(ii) do dhuine amháin nó níos mó agus don pháirtí polaitíochta ar comhalta nó comhaltaí de an duine nó na daoine sin nuair a tugadh na síntiúis dóibh,
ráiteas i scríbhinn a thabhairt don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí, i bhfoirm a ordóidh an Coimisiún sin, i leith na bliana roimhe sin, agus taispeánfar ann—
(iii) luach comhiomlán na síntiús,
(iv) ainm an pháirtí polaitíochta lena mbaineann, agus
(v) ainm, tuairisc agus seoladh poist gach duine dár tugadh na síntiúis,
cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil na síntiúis faoi réir a n-áirithe i ráiteas síntiús atá le tabhairt ag aon duine de na daoine dár tugadh iad.
(b) Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (a)—
(i) maidir le síntiúis a thabharfar roimh thosach feidhme an Achta Toghcháin (Leasú), 1998, ná
(ii) maidir le síntiúis a thabharfaidh cuideachta, ceardchumann, cumann nó cumann foirgníochta dá dtagraítear in alt 26.
(c) D'ainneoin alt 22(2)(a), measfar gur síntiús chun críocha an fho-ailt seo luach comhlán síntiúis dá dtagraítear i bhfomhír (vi) den alt sin.”,
agus
(c) i bhfo-alt (3), trí “fho-alt (1), (1A) nó (2)” a chur in ionad “fho-alt (1) nó (2)”.
Alt nua a chur le hAcht 1997.
7.—Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1997 tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh alt 24:
“Toirmeasc ar ghlacadh le síntiúis in imthosca áirithe. | 24A.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le duine— (a) ar iarrthóir de chuid páirtí polaitíochta é nó í i dtoghchán Dála, Seanaid, Eorpach nó áitiúil, (b) ar comhalta de pháirtí polaitíochta é nó í agus— (i) ar comhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas é nó í, (ii) ar comhalta d'údarás áitiúil é nó í, nó (iii) ar ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa é nó í, nó (c) ar aon oifigeach, comhalta nó gníomhaire eile é nó í de pháirtí polaitíochta nó d'aon bhrainse nó d'aon fho-eagraíocht den pháirtí sin. (2) Duine lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, ní ghlacfaidh sé nó sí le síntiús más eol dó nó di nó má tá cúis aige nó aici lena chreidiúint i dtaobh an duine a thairgeann an síntiús— (a) go mbeidh air nó uirthi, de thoradh an tsíntiúis sin agus síntiúis eile, ráiteas i scríbhinn a thabhairt faoi alt 24(1A) ar ráiteas é ina mbeidh luach an tsíntiúis a bheidh á thairiscint san áireamh, agus (b) nach mbeartaíonn sé nó sí an ceanglas sin a chomhlíonadh. (3) Más rud é, d'ainneoin fho-alt (2), go dtabharfar síntiús do dhuine a dtoirmisctear air nó uirthi leis an bhfo-alt sin glacadh leis an síntiús, déanfaidh sé nó sí, laistigh de 14 lá tar éis dó nó di an síntiús a fháil— (a) fógra a thabhairt i scríbhinn don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí i dtaobh an síntiús a fháil agus i dtaobh ainm agus seoladh an tsíntiúsóra, agus (b) an síntiús nó luach an tsíntiúis a chur chuig an gCoimisiún sin. (4) Déanfaidh an Coimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí— (a) a chur faoi deara go ndéanfar cóip de gach aon fhógra a gheofar faoi fho-alt (3) a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas, agus (b) an t-airgead, an mhaoin nó na hearraí go léir a gheofar faoin bhfo-alt sin a dhiúscairt i cibé slí a ordóidh an tAire Airgeadais.”. |
Leasú ar alt 25 d'Acht 1997.
8.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 25 d'Acht 1997 trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (1):
“(1A) Beidh duine a gceanglaítear air nó uirthi le halt 24(1A) ráiteas síntiús a thabhairt, ciontach i gcion más rud é—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí, ar an dáta sonraithe iomchuí nó roimhe, an ráiteas sin a thabhairt agus an dearbhú reachtúil a dhéanamh mar a cheanglaítear le halt 24(3), nó
(b) go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí, go feasach, ráiteas a thabhairt nó dearbhú reachtúil a dhéanamh atá bréagach nó míthreorach in aon phonc ábhartha.
(1B) Beidh duine lena mbaineann alt 24A ciontach i gcion más rud é—
(a) go nglacfaidh sé nó sí go feasach le síntiús a thoirmisctear glacadh leis le halt 24A(2),
(b) go mainneoidh sé nó sí fógra a thabhairt don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí de réir alt 24A(3) go bhfuarthas síntiús a thoirmisctear glacadh leis le halt 24A(2), nó
(c) go mainneoidh sé nó sí síntiús den sórt sin nó luach an tsíntiúis sin a chur chuig an gCoimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí de réir alt 24A(3).”.
Leasú ar alt 30 d'Acht 1997.
9.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 30(1)(b) d'Acht 1997 trí “(seachas caiteachais toghcháin a mheasfar faoi alt 32(1)(b)(ii) nó 33(1)(b)(ii) a bheith ina gcaiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir sin)” a scriosadh.
Leasú ar alt 31 d'Acht 1997.
10.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 31 d'Acht 1997—
(a) i bhfo-alt (1)(a), tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad gach ní roimh fhomhír (i):
“Sa Chuid seo, faoi réir mhír (b), ciallaíonn ‘caiteachais toghcháin’ an caiteachas uile chun críoch toghcháin a thabhófar ag soláthar maoine, earraí nó seirbhísí lena húsáid nó lena n-úsáid i dtoghchán i rith na tréimhse dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (3) d'fhonn na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh—”,
(b) i bhfo-alt (1)(b), tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (v):
“(v) aon cheann de na nithe dá dtagraítear i bhfomhíreanna (i) go (v) d'alt 22(2)(b);”,
(c) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) Áireofar na nithe seo a leanas chun críocha na Coda seo agus cuirfear san áireamh iad sa ráiteas atá le tabhairt don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí faoi alt 36:
(a) na caiteachais toghcháin uile a thabhóidh páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóir nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann tráth ar bith i rith na tréimhse dar tosach—
(i) i gcás olltoghcháin Dála, dáta lánscor na Dála arb é faoi deara an toghchán a bheith ann,
(ii) i gcás corrthoghcháin Dála, dáta eisiúna an eascaire, agus
(iii) i gcás toghcháin Eorpaigh, dáta an ordaithe lena gceaptar an lá vótaíochta, agus
dar críoch an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán;
(b) faoi réir fho-alt (1)(b)(vi), na caiteachais toghcháin uile a thabhóidh páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóir nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann aon tráth roimh thosach na tréimhse iomchuí dá dtagraítear i mír (a) chun maoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a chur ar fáil lena húsáid nó lena n-úsáid i dtoghchán le linn na tréimhse dá dtagraítear i mír (a);
(c) na híocaíochtaí uile a dhéanfar i leith na gcaiteachas toghcháin dá dtagraítear i míreanna (a) agus (b).”,
agus
(d) i bhfo-alt (4)(b), trí “(seachas caiteachais toghcháin a mheasfar faoi alt 32(1)(b)(ii) nó 33(1)(b)(ii) a bheith ina gcaiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir sin)” a scriosadh.
Leasú ar alt 32 d'Acht 1997.
11.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 32 d'Acht 1997—
(a) i bhfo-alt (1)(a), trí “Faoi réir mhír (b), ní bheidh comhiomlán” a chur in ionad “Ní bheidh comhiomlán”,
(b) i bhfo-alt (1)(b)(i), trí “nach mó ná caoga faoin gcéad” a scriosadh,
(c) i bhfo-alt (1)(b)(ii), trí “, agus measfar, chun críocha mhír (a), na caiteachais toghcháin sin a bheith ina gcaiteachais arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir sin” a scriosadh, agus
(d) trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur leis i ndiaidh fho-alt (2):
“(3) Maidir le caiteachas ag páirtí polaitíochta i dtoghchán i dtoghcheantar (seachas caiteachas a thabhóidh gníomhaire náisiúnta de chuid an pháirtí sin nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann) thar ceann iarrthóra a mbeidh a iarrthóireacht nó a hiarrthóireacht fíordheimhnithe ag an bpáirtí, measfar gur caiteachas é arna thabhú ag an iarrthóir agus tabharfaidh gníomhaire toghcháin an iarrthóra cuntas ann dá réir sin.
(4) Maidir le caiteachais toghcháin a thabhóidh páirtí polaitíochta de bhun an ailt seo i dtoghcheantar i ndáil le hiarrthóir i dtoghchán Dála (lena n-áirítear caiteachas a thabhóidh gníomhaire náisiúnta an pháirtí sa toghcheantar nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann), measfar, chun críocha alt 21, gur caiteachais iad arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir.”.
Leasú ar alt 33 d'Acht 1997.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 33 d'Acht 1997—
(a) i bhfo-alt (1)(a), trí “Faoi réir mhír (b), ní bheidh comhiomlán” a chur in ionad “Ní bheidh comhiomlán”,
(b) i bhfo-alt (1)(b)(i), trí “nach mó ná caoga faoin gcéad” a scriosadh,
(c) i bhfo-alt (1)(b)(ii), trí “, agus measfar, chun críocha mhír (a), na caiteachais toghcháin sin a bheith ina gcaiteachais arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir sin” a scriosadh, agus
(d) trí na fo-ailt seo a leanas a chur leis i ndiaidh fho-alt (3):
“(4) Maidir le caiteachas ag páirtí polaitíochta i dtoghchán i dtoghcheantar (seachas caiteachas a thabhóidh gníomhaire náisiúnta de chuid an pháirtí sin nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann) thar ceann iarrthóra a mbeidh a iarrthóireacht nó a hiarrthóireacht fíordheimhnithe ag an bpáirtí, measfar gur caiteachas é arna thabhú ag an iarrthóir agus tabharfaidh gníomhaire toghcháin an iarrthóra cuntas ann dá réir sin.
(5) Maidir le caiteachais toghcháin a thabhóidh páirtí polaitíochta de bhun an ailt seo i dtoghcheantar i ndáil le hiarrthóir i dtoghchán Eorpach (lena n-áirítear caiteachas a thabhóidh gníomhaire náisiúnta an pháirtí sa toghcheantar nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann), measfar, chun críocha rialachán arna ndéanamh faoi alt 21, gur caiteachais iad arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir.”.
Leasú ar alt 36 d'Acht 1997.
13.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 36(1)(b) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (ii):
“(ii) ainm gach aon iarrthóra ar fhíordheimhnigh an páirtí a iarrthóireacht nó a hiarrthóireacht sa toghchán sin agus a mbeidh caiteachais toghcháin tabhaithe ag an ngníomhaire sin ina leith, an toghcheantar ina raibh gach aon iarrthóir den sórt sin ina iarrthóir nó ina hiarrthóir sa toghchán agus méid na gcaiteachas toghcháin (más ann) dá dtagraítear in alt 32(4) nó 33(5), de réir mar is cuí, arna dtabhú ag an bpáirtí thar ceann gach aon iarrthóra den sórt sin, agus”.
Leasú ar alt 40 d'Acht 1997.
14.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 40(b) d'Acht 1997 trí “(seachas caiteachais toghcháin a mheasfar faoi alt 32(1)(b)(ii) nó 33(1)(b)(ii) a bheith ina gcaiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir sin)” a scriosadh.
Leasú ar alt 43 d'Acht 1997.
15.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 43(1)(b) d'Acht 1997 trí “(seachas caiteachais toghcháin a mheasfar faoi alt 32(1)(b)(ii) nó 33(1)(b)(ii) a bheith ina gcaiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag an iarrthóir sin)” a scriosadh.
Leasú ar alt 46 d'Acht 1997.
16.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 46(2)(b) d'Acht 1997—
(a) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (iii):
“(iii) sochair—
(I) a fhaightear ó sheirbhís a thabharfaidh pearsa aonair thar ceann iarrthóra i dtoghchán uachtaráin, lena n-áirítear úsáid mótarfheithicle na pearsan aonair, i gcás gur seirbhís in aisce an tseirbhís sin agus nach cuid í d'obair na pearsan aonair sin a dhéantar faoi chonradh fostaíochta, nó i gcás inar duine féinfhostaithe an phearsa aonair, i gcúrsa ghnó na pearsan aonair nó i gcleachtadh ghairm na pearsan aonair, nó
(II) a fhaightear ó sheirbhís arna tabhairt i dtoghchán uachtaráin ag pearsa aonair atá ar fostú ag páirtí polaitíochta, lena n-áirítear úsáid mótarfheithicle na pearsan aonair, cibé acu a íoctar luach saothair na pearsan aonair as acmhainní an pháirtí nó as an gciste poiblí, thar ceann iarrthóra sa toghchán uachtaráin i gcás nach bhfuil luaíocht ná sochar comhchineáil ar bith seachas a ghnáthluach saothair nó a gnáthluach saothair á fáil nó á fháil ag an bpearsa aonair i gcomaoin na seirbhíse sin,”,
(b) i bhfomhír (v), trí “nó ar theilifís,” a chur in ionad “nó ar theilifís;”, agus
(c) tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur leis i ndiaidh fhomhír (v):
“(vi) caiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag páirtí polaitíochta thar ceann iarrthóra i dtoghchán uachtaráin, seachas síntiús airgid;”.
Leasú ar alt 52 d'Acht 1997.
17.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 52 d'Acht 1997—
(a) i bhfo-alt (1), tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (a):
“(a) Sa Chuid seo, faoi réir mhír (b), ciallaíonn ‘caiteachais toghcháin’ an caiteachas uile chun críoch toghcháin a thabhófar ag soláthar maoine, earraí nó seirbhísí lena húsáid nó lena n-úsáid i dtoghchán uachtaráin i rith na tréimhse dar tosach dáta an ordaithe lena gceaptar an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán sin agus dar críoch an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán sin d'fhonn na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh—
(i) toghadh iarrthóra a chur chun cinn, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó cur i gcoinne toghadh iarrthóra, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó vótaí a shireadh ar son nó i gcoinne iarrthóra,
(ii) beartais nó beartas áirithe iarrthóra nó tuairimí iarrthóra ar aon ní a bhfuil baint aige leis an toghchán nó tráchtaí iarrthóra ar bheartas nó ar bheartais iarrthóra eile sa toghchán uachtaráin, a chur i láthair, nó
(iii) tionchar a imirt ar thoradh an toghcháin ar shlí eile,
agus measfar go bhfolóidh sé an caiteachas uile a thabhófar ar phobalbhrath nó suirbhé eile dá shamhail a bhaineann leis an toghchán uachtaráin a thógáil, ag an iarrthóir nó thar a cheann nó thar a ceann, laistigh den tréimhse 60 lá roimh an lá vótaíochta.”,
(b) i bhfo-alt (1)(b), tríd an bhfomhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad fhomhír (iv):
“(iv) aon cheann de na nithe dá dtagraítear i bhfomhíreanna (i) go (v) d'alt 46(2)(b);”,
agus
(c) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (3):
“(3) Áireofar na nithe seo a leanas chun críocha na Coda seo agus cuirfear san áireamh iad sa ráiteas atá le tabhairt don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí faoi alt 56:
(a) na caiteachais toghcháin uile a thabhóidh iarrthóir nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann i dtoghchán uachtaráin aon tráth i rith na tréimhse dar tosach dáta an ordaithe lena gceaptar an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán sin agus dar críoch an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán sin;
(b) na caiteachais toghcháin uile a thabhóidh iarrthóir nó a thabhófar thar a cheann nó thar a ceann i dtoghchán uachtaráin aon tráth roimh thosach na tréimhse iomchuí dá dtagraítear i mír (a), chun maoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a chur ar fáil lena húsáid nó lena n-úsáid sa toghchán i rith na tréimhse sin;
(c) na híocaíochtaí uile a dhéanfar i leith na gcaiteachas toghcháin dá dtagraítear i míreanna (a) agus (b).”.
Forálacha idirthréimhseacha.
18.—(1) Más rud é go gcomhlíonann aon cheann de na ráitis seo a leanas ceanglais Acht 1997 mar a bhí sé sular leasaíodh é leis an Acht seo nó ceanglais Acht 1997, arna leasú leis an Acht seo, measfar an ráiteas sin a bheith bailí:
(a) ráiteas síntiús a tugadh don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo agus ar an dáta iomchuí a shonraítear in alt 24 d'Acht 1997, nó roimhe;
(b) ráiteas síntiús nó ráiteas faoi chaiteachais toghcháin a tugadh don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí laistigh den tréimhse a shonraítear chun na críche sin faoi alt 24 nó 36, de réir mar a bheidh, d'Acht 1997 agus a bhaineann le toghchán arna dhéanamh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo;
(c) ráiteas sintiús i leith na bliana 1998 arna thabhairt don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí ar an dáta iomchuí a shonraítear in alt 24 d'Acht 1997, nó roimhe, a mhéid a bhaineann an ráiteas le síntiúis a bheidh faighte i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 1ú lá d'Eanáir, 1998, agus dar críoch díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo;
(d) ráiteas síntiús maidir le toghchán uachtaráin a tugadh don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo agus ar an dáta iomchuí a shonraítear in alt 48 d'Acht 1997, nó roimhe.
(2) Más rud é go dtabharfaidh gníomhaire toghcháin iarrthóra ráiteas faoi chaiteachais toghcháin dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1)(b), déanfar caiteachais toghcháin a aisíoc leis an iarrthóir amhail is dá mba rud é go raibh ailt 4 agus 11 den Acht seo i ngníomh an tráth ar tabhaíodh na caiteachais toghcháin.
Number 4 of 1998
ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1998
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Acts Referred to | |
1997, No. 25 | |
Electoral Acts, 1992 to 1997 | |
Number 4 of 1998
ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1998
Short title, collective citation and construction.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1998.
(2) The Electoral Acts, 1992 to 1997, and this Act may be cited together as the Electoral Acts, 1992 to 1998, and shall be construed together as one Act.
Definition.
2.—In this Act “the Act of 1997” means the Electoral Act, 1997.
Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1997.
3.—Section 3(1) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended by the substitution of “section 24(1A) or (4),” for “section 24(4),”.
Amendment of section 21 of Act of 1997.
4.—Section 21(1) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in paragraph (a) by the substitution of the following for subparagraph (ii):
“(ii) is not so elected but the greatest number of votes credited to him or her at any stage of the counting of votes at the election exceeds, in the case of a general election, one quarter of the quota, or, in the case of a bye-election, one quarter of what would have been the quota in that constituency had the bye-election been a general election.”,
(b) in paragraph (b)(ii) by the substitution of “under section 32(4)” for “under section 32(1)(b)”, and
(c) in paragraph (d)(iii) by the addition of “, including expenses (if any) referred to in section 32(4) in relation to the candidate” after “incurred by the candidate”.
Amendment of section 22 of Act of 1997.
5.—Section 22(2) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in paragraph (b) by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (iii):
“(iii) benefits derived from—
(I) a service rendered by an individual, including the use of the individual's motor vehicle, on behalf of a political party, a member of either House of the Oireachtas, a representative in the European Parliament or a candidate at a Dáil, Seanad, European or local election where that service is gratuitous and is not part of that individual's work carried out under a contract of employment, or where the individual is self employed, in the course of the individual's business or in the practice of the individual's profession, or
(II) a service rendered at an election by an individual in the employment of a political party, including the use of the individual's motor vehicle, whether the individual's remuneration is paid out of the party's resources or out of public funds, on behalf of a candidate of that party at a Dáil, Seanad, European or local election where the individual is not in receipt of any reward or benefit in kind other than his or her normal remuneration in consideration of that service,”,
(b) in paragraph (b) (v) by the substitution of “European election,” for “European election;”,
(c) in paragraph (b) by the addition of the following subparagraph:
“(vi) election expenses incurred by a political party pursuant to section 32(1)(b) or 33(1)(b), as the case may be, on behalf of a candidate authenticated by the political party at a Dáil or European election, other than a donation of money;”,
and
(d) in paragraph (c) by the substitution of the following subparagraphs for subparagraphs (i) and (ii):
“(i) to a political party if it is made to the party, to any branch or subsidiary organisation thereof, to any candidate of the party at a local election, to any member of the party who is a member of a local authority, to any officer, member or agent of the party or of any branch or subsidiary organisation thereof, or, subject to subparagraph (ii), to any candidate of the party at a Dáil, Seanad or European election, or to any member of the party who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas or a representative in the European Parliament or to any agent or other person acting for him or her,
(ii) to a member of either House of the Oireachtas, a representative in the European Parliament or a candidate at a Dáil, Seanad or European election if it is made to him or her or to any agent or other person acting for him or her unless the donation is passed on to a political party of which he or she is a member and a written acknowledgment is received by the member, representative or candidate, as the case may be, from the political party in respect of the donation, in which case, it shall be deemed to be a donation to that political party,”.
Amendment of section 24 of Act of 1997.
6.—Section 24 of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1) by the substitution of the following paragraphs for paragraph (b):
“(b) Subject to paragraph (c), each political party shall furnish to the Public Offices Commission—
(i) not later than the 30th day of April, 1998, in respect of the period commencing on the 15th day of May, 1997, and ending on the 31st day of December, 1997, and
(ii) not later than the 31st day of March in every year thereafter,
a written statement, in a form directed by that Commission, in respect of, in the case set out in subparagraph (i), the period referred to in that subparagraph and, in any other case, the preceding year, indicating—
(iii) whether during that period or year, as the case may be, the party received a donation exceeding in value the relevant amount specified in subsection (4), and
(iv) in respect of each donation (if any), the value of the donation and the name, description and postal address of the person by or on whose behalf the donation was made.
(c) Nothing in paragraph (b) shall apply to a donation made by a person referred to in subsection (1A) to a person who was a member of a political party when the donation was made.”,
(b) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1):
“(1A) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), not later than the 31st day of January in every year commencing with 1999, each person who in the preceding year made donations, the aggregate value of which exceeds £4,000—
(i) to two or more persons who, when the donations were made, were members of the same political party, or
(ii) to one or more persons and to the political party of which such person or persons were members when the donations were made to them,
shall furnish to the Public Offices Commission a written statement, in a form directed by that Commission, in respect of the preceding year, indicating—
(iii) the aggregate value of the donations,
(iv) the name of the political party concerned, and
(v) the name, description and postal address of each person to whom the donations were made,
whether or not the donations are subject to inclusion in a donation statement to be furnished by any of the persons to whom they were made.
(b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply—
(i) to donations made before the commencement of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1998, and
(ii) to donations made by a company, trade union, society or building society referred to in section 26.
(c) Notwithstanding section 22(2)(a), the gross value of a contribution referred to in subparagraph (vi) of that section shall be deemed to be a donation for the purposes of this subsection.”,
and
(c) in subsection (3) by the substitution of “subsection (1), (1A) or (2)” for “subsection (1) or (2)”.
Addition of new section to Act of 1997.
7.—The Act of 1997 is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 24:
“Prohibition on acceptance of donations in certain circumstances.
24A.—(1) This section applies to a person who—
(a) is a candidate of a political party at a Dáil, Seanad, European or local election,
(b) is a member of a political party and is—
(i) a member of either House of the Oireachtas,
(ii) a member of a local authority, or
(iii) a representative in the European Parliament, or
(c) is any other officer, member or agent of a political party or of any branch or subsidiary organisation thereof.
(2) A person to whom this section applies shall not accept a donation if he or she knows or has reason to believe that the person proffering the donation—
(a) will, as a result of that donation and another donation, be required to furnish a written statement under section 24(1A) that includes the value of the donation being proffered, and
(b) does not intend to comply with that requirement.
(3) Where, notwithstanding subsection (2), a donation is made to a person who is prohibited by that subsection from accepting the donation, he or she shall, within 14 days after receiving the donation—
(a) notify the Public Offices Commission in writing of its receipt and of the name and address of the donor, and
(b) remit the donation or its value to that Commission.
(4) The Public Offices Commission shall—
(a) cause a copy of each notification received under subsection (3) to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and
(b) dispose of all moneys, property or goods received under that subsection in such manner as may be directed by the Minister for Finance.”.
Amendment of section 25 of Act of 1997.
8.—Section 25 of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (1):
“(1A) A person who is required by section 24(1A) to furnish a donation statement shall be guilty of an offence if he or she—
(a) fails to furnish that statement and make the statutory declaration required by section 24(3) on or before the relevant specified date, or
(b) knowingly furnishes a statement or makes a statutory declaration which is false or misleading in any material respect.
(1B) A person to whom section 24A applies shall be guilty of an offence if he or she—
(a) knowingly accepts a donation the acceptance of which is prohibited by section 24A(2),
(b) fails to notify the Public Offices Commission in accordance with section 24A(3) of the receipt of a donation acceptance of which is prohibited by section 24A(2), or
(c) fails to remit to the Public Offices Commission in accordance with section 24A(3) such a donation or its value.”.
Amendment of section 30 of Act of 1997.
9.—Section 30(1)(b) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended by the deletion of “(other than election expenses deemed under section 32(1)(b)(ii) or 33(1)(b)(ii) to be election expenses incurred by that candidate)”.
Amendment of section 31 of Act of 1997.
10.—Section 31 of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1)(a) by the substitution of the following for everything before subparagraph (i):
“In this Part, subject to paragraph (b), ‘election expenses’ means all expenditure for electoral purposes incurred on the provision of property, goods or services for use at an election during the period referred to in subsection (3) in order—”,
(b) in subsection (1)(b) by the substitution of the following sub-paragraph for subparagraph (v):
“(v) any of the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (v) of section 22(2)(b);”,
(c) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
“(3) The following shall be reckoned for the purposes of this Part and shall be included in the statement to be furnished to the Public Offices Com mission under section 36:
(a) all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a political party or a candidate at any time during the period commencing—
(i) in the case of a Dáil general election, on the date of the dissolution of the Dáil which occasioned the election,
(ii) in the case of a Dáil bye-election, on the date of the issue of the writ, and
(iii) in the case of a European election, on the date of the order appointing polling day, and
ending on polling day at the election;
(b) subject to subsection (1)(b)(vi), all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a political party or a candidate at any time before the commencement of the relevant period referred to in paragraph (a) for the provision of property, goods or services for use at the election during the period referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) all payments made in respect of the election expenses referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).”,
and
(d) in subsection (4)(b) by the deletion of “(other than election expenses deemed under section 32(1)(b)(ii) or 33(1)(b)(ii) to be election expenses incurred by that candidate)”.
Amendment of section 32 of Act of 1997.
11.—Section 32 of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1)(a) by the substitution of “Subject to paragraph (b), the aggregate” for “The aggregate”,
(b) in subsection (1)(b)(i) by the deletion of “not exceeding fifty per cent.”,
(c) in subsection (1)(b)(ii) by the deletion of “, and the said election expenses shall be deemed for the purposes of paragraph (a) to be expenses incurred by that candidate”, and
(d) by the addition of the following subsections after subsection (2):
“(3) Expenditure by a political party at an election in a constituency (other than expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a national agent of that party) on behalf of a candidate whose candidature is authenticated by the party shall be deemed to be expenditure incurred by the candidate and shall be accounted for accordingly by the candidate's election agent.
(4) Election expenses incurred pursuant to this section by a political party in a constituency in relation to a candidate at a Dáil election (including expenditure incurred in the constituency by or on behalf of the national agent of the party) shall be deemed for the purposes of section 21 to be expenses incurred by the candidate.”.
Amendment of section 33 of Act of 1997.
12.—Section 33 of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1)(a) by the substitution of “Subject to paragraph (b), the aggregate” for “The aggregate”,
(b) in subsection (1)(b)(i) by the deletion of “not exceeding fifty per cent.”,
(c) in subsection (1)(b)(ii) by the deletion of “, and the said election expenses shall be deemed for the purposes of paragraph (a) to be expenses incurred by that candidate”, and
(d) by the addition of the following subsections after subsection (3):
“(4) Expenditure by a political party at an election in a constituency (other than expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a national agent of that party) on behalf of a candidate whose candidature is authenticated by the party shall be deemed to be expenditure incurred by the candidate and shall be accounted for accordingly by the candidate's election agent.
(5) Election expenses incurred pursuant to this section by a political party in a constituency in relation to a candidate at a European election (including expenditure incurred in the constituency by or on behalf of the national agent of the party) shall be deemed for the purposes of regulations made under section 21 to be expenses incurred by the candidate.”.
Amendment of section 36 of Act of 1997.
13.—Section 36(1)(b) is hereby amended by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (ii):
“(ii) the name of each candidate whose candidature was authenticated by the party at that election and in respect of whom election expenses are incurred by the said agent, the constituency in which each such candidate was a candidate at the election and the amount of election expenses (if any) referred to in section 32(4) or 33(5), as may be appropriate, incurred by the party on behalf of each such candidate, and”.
Amendment of section 40 of Act of 1997.
14.—Section 40(b) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended by the deletion of “(other than election expenses deemed under section 32 (1)(b)(ii) or 33(1)(b)(ii) to be election expenses incurred by that candidate)”.
Amendment of section 43 of Act of 1997.
15.—Section 43(1)(b) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended by the deletion of “(other than election expenses deemed under section 32(1)(b)(ii) or 33(1)(b)(ii) to be election expenses incurred by that candidate)”.
Amendment of section 46 of Act of 1997.
16.—Section 46(2)(b) of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (iii):
“(iii) benefits derived from—
(I) a service rendered by an individual on behalf of a candidate at a presidential election, including the use of the individual's motor vehicle, where that service is gratuitous and is not part of that individual's work carried out under a contract of employment, or where the individual is self employed, in the course of the individual's business or in the practice of the individual's profession, or
(II) a service rendered at a presidential election by an individual in the employment of a political party, including the use of the individual's motor vehicle, whether the individual's remuneration is paid out of the party's resources or out of public funds, on behalf of a candidate at the presidential election where the individual is not in receipt of any reward or benefit in kind other than his or her normal remuneration in consideration of that service,”,
(b) in subparagraph (v) by the substitution of “on behalf of a candidate,” for “on behalf of a candidate;”, and
(c) by the addition of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (v):
“(vi) election expenses incurred by a political party on behalf of a candidate at a presidential election other than a donation of money;”.
Amendment of section 52 of Act of 1997.
17.—Section 52 of the Act of 1997 is hereby amended—
(a) in subsection (1) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (a):
“(a) In this Part, subject to paragraph (b), ‘election expenses’ means all expenditure for electoral purposes incurred on the provision of property, goods or services for use at a presidential election during the period commencing on the date of the order appointing polling day at that election and ending on polling day at that election in order—
(i) to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, the election of a candidate or to solicit votes for or against a candidate,
(ii) to present the policies or a particular policy of a candidate or the views of a candidate on any matter connected with the election or the comments of a candidate on the policy or policies of another candidate at the presidential election, or
(iii) otherwise to influence the outcome of the election,
and shall be deemed to include all expenditure incurred in the taking of an opinion poll or other similar survey relating to the presidential election within the period of 60 days before polling day at the election by or on behalf of a candidate at the election.”,
(b) in subsection (1)(b) by the substitution of the following sub paragraph for subparagraph (iv):
“(iv) any of the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (v) of section 46(2)(b);”,
and
(c) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
“(3) The following shall be reckoned for the purposes of this Part and shall be included in the statement to be furnished to the Public Offices Commission under section 56:
(a) all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate at a presidential election at any time during the period commencing on the date of the order appointing polling day at that election and ending on polling day at that election;
(b) all election expenses incurred, by or on behalf of a candidate at a presidential election at any time before the commencement of the relevant period referred to in paragraph (a), for the provision of property, goods or services for use at the election during that period;
(c) all payments made in respect of the election expenses referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).”
Transitional provisions.
18.—(1) If any of the following statements meets either the requirements of the Act of 1997 as it was before it was amended by this Act or the requirements of the Act of 1997 as amended by this Act that statement shall be deemed to be valid:
(a) a donation statement which was furnished to the Public Offices Commission before the commencement of this Act and on or before the relevant date specified in section 24 of the Act of 1997;
(b) a donation statement or a statement of election expenses which was furnished to the Public Offices Commission within the period specified for the purpose under section 24 or 36, as the case may be, of the Act of 1997 and which relates to an election held before the commencement of this Act;
(c) a donation statement in respect of the year 1998 furnished to the Public Offices Commission on or before the relevant date specified in section 24 of the Act of 1997 insofar as the statement relates to donations received during the period commencing on the 1st day of January, 1998, and ending immediately before the commencement of this Act;
(d) a presidential election donation statement which was furnished to the Public Offices Commission before the commencement of this Act and on or before the relevant date specified in section 48 of the Act of 1997.
(2) Where a candidate's election agent furnishes a statement of election expenses referred to in subsection (1)(b), election expenses shall be reimbursed to the candidate as though sections 4 and 11 of this Act had been in operation at the time the election expenses were incurred.