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Uimhir 43 de 1937.
ACHT TOGHACHÁIN AN tSEANAID (BAILL AINMLIOSTA), 1937.
CUID I.
Roimhraiteach agus Generalta.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Féadfar Acht Toghacháin an tSeanaid (Baill Ainmliosta), 1937, do ghairm den Acht so.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht so i ngníomh díreach tar éis teacht i ngníomh do Bhunreacht na hÉireann d'achtuigh an pobal le déanaí.
Mínithe.
3.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí;
cialluíonn an abairt “toghachán Seanaid” an méid sin, d'olltoghachán do chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann a comórfar do réir Airteagail 18 den Bhunreacht, a bhaineas le togha na gcomhaltaí sin a ceangailtear leis an Airteagal san 18 do thogha as ainmliostaí;
cialluíonn an abairt “an chéad toghachán Seanaid” an chéad toghachán Seanaid a comórfar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so;
cialluíonn an abairt “toghachán Dála” olltoghachán do chomhaltaí de Dháil Éireann a comórfar de dhruim Dáil Éireann do scur;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so.
Na hAinmliostaí.
4.—(1) San Acht so—
nuair a húsáidtear an focal “ainmliost” gan coinníoll cialluíonn sé rolla d'iarrthóirí cóireofar do réir fo-ailt 1° d'alt 7 d'Airteagal 18 den Bhunreacht;
cialluíonn an abairt “an t-ainmliost saoidheachta agus oideachais” an rolla gur gá do réir an fho-ailt sin 1° ainmneacha daoine go n-eolas agus cleachtadh ar na gnóthaí agus na seirbhísí seo leanas do bheith air, eadhon, an Ghaedhilg agus an tsaoidheacht náisiúnta, litríocht, ealadhnacht, oideachas agus pé gairmeanna míneofar le dlí chun críche an ainmliosta so;
cialluíonn an abairt “an t-ainmliost talmhaíochta” an rolla gur gá do réir an fho-ailt sin 1° ainmneacha daoine go n-eolas agus cleachtadh ar na gnóthaí agus na seirbhísí seo leanas do bheith air, cadhon, talmhaíocht maille le gnóthaí bhaineann léi agus iascaireacht;
cialluíonn an abairt “an t-ainmliost oibreachais” an rolla gur gá do réir an fho-ailt sin 1° ainmneacha daoine go n-eolas agus cleachtadh ar na gnóthaí agus na seirbhísí seo leanas do bheith air, eadhon, oibreachas, pe'ca có-eagruithe dhó no nach eadh;
cialluíonn an abairt “an t-ainmliost tionnscail agus tráchtála” an rolla gur gá do réir an fho-ailt sin 1° ainmneacha daoine go n-eolas agus cleachtadh ar na gnóthaí agus na seirbhísí seo leanas do bheith air, eadhon, tionnscal agus tráchtáil, le n-a n-áirmhítear bancaeracht, airgeadas, cuntasaíocht, innealltóireacht agus foirgníocht;
cialluíonn an abairt “an t-ainmliost riaracháin” an rolla gur gá do réir an fho-ailt sin 1° ainmneacha daoine go n-eolas agus cleachtadh ar na gnóthaí agus na seirbhísí seo leanas do bheith air, eadhon, riarachán puiblí agus seirbhísí códhaonnacha, agus obair chódhaonnach dheontach d'áireamh.
(2) Mínítear leis seo gurb iad is gairmeanna chun crícheanna an ainmliosta shaoidheachta agus oideachais ná—
(a) an dlí, agus
(b) an liaghacht, le n-a n-áirmhítear an mháinliaghacht, an fhiaclóireacht, an tréidliaghacht, agus an cheimíocht chógaiseoireachta.
An ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid.
5.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so agus o am go ham ina dhiaidh sin fé mar is gá é ceapfaidh an tAire duine ceart oiriúnach chun bheith ina cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid chun crícheanna an Achta so.
(2) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach toghachán Seanaid do stiúradh, na vótanna bhéarfar ann do chóimhreamh, a thoradh do dhéanamh amach agus do dhearbhú do réir an Achta so, agus na nithe eile sin do dhéanamh maidir le gach toghachán den tsórt san is gá dhó do réir an Achta so do dhéanamh.
(3) Ullamhóidh an tAire Airgid o am go ham scála d'éilithe maximum don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid, agus íocfaidh an tAire sin leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, as an bPrímh-Chiste no as a thoradh fáis, a chuid éilithe réasúnta alos a sheirbhísí agus a chostaisí maidir le gach toghachán Seanaid, ar a n-áirmhítear ullamhú an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus athchóirithe bliantúla air, ach ní bheid san níos mó in aon chás ná na héilithe maximum a bheidh luaidhte sa scála san d'éilithe maximum a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire.
Laetheanta agus uaire do cheapadh.
6.—(1) Roimh gach toghachán Seanaid ceapfaidh an tAire le hordú, chun críche an toghacháin Seanaid sin—
(a) an lá agus an uair (dá ngairmtear san Acht so an ceann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost) ar a mbeidh deireadh leis an tréimhse gur le n-a linn a fhéadfaidh an ceann cóimbrimh Seanaid ainmnithe chun na n-ainmliost o chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin do ghlacadh;
(b) an lá agus an uair (dá ngairmtear san Acht so an ceann aimsire d'ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dála chun na n-ainmliost) ar a mbeidh deireadh leis an tréimhse gur le n-a linn a fhéadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dháil Éireann chun na n-ainmliost do ghlacadh;
(c) an lá agus an uair (dá ngairmtear san Acht so an ceann aimsire d'ainmnithe ex-officio) ar a mbeidh deireadh leis an tréimhse gur le n-a linn a fhéadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainmnithe ex-officio chun an ainmliosta riaracháin do ghlacadh;
(d) an lá shuidhfidh agus an áit ina suidhfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid chun na n-ainmliost do chríochnú;
(e) an lá (dá ngairmtear san Acht so lá eisithe na bpáipéirí ballóide) do bhéarfar amach agus a postálfar chun toghthóirí na páipéirí ballóide don toghachán Seanaid sin;
(f) an lá agus an uair (dá ngairmtear deireadh na vótaíochta san Acht so) a críochnófar an vótaíocht sa toghachán Seanaid sin;
(g) an seoladh, leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, chun a bhféadfar iarrataisí ar chlárú, páipéirí ainmniúcháin, agus scríbhinní eile do chur chuige.
(2) I gcás an chéad toghacháin Seanaid déanfar an t-ordú fén alt so chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so agus, i gcás gach toghacháin Seanaid ina dhiaidh sin, déanfar an t-ordú fén alt so fé cheann seacht lá tar éis an scuir ar Dháil Éireann dá dtiocfaidh an toghachán Seanaid sin.
(3) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach ordú dhéanfaidh an tAire fén alt so ach amháin an t-ordú déanfar amhlaidh chun crícheanna an chéad toghacháin Seanaid, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an lá ceapfar fén alt so ina cheann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost ní bheidh sé níos luatha ná ceithre seachtaine tar éis Dháil Éireann do scur agus, más féidir é, ní bheidh sé níos luatha ná an lá bheidh ceaptha chun Dáil Éireann d'ath-thionól tar éis an scuir sin;
(b) an lá ceapfar fén alt so ina cheann aimsire d'ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dála chun na n-ainmliost ní bheidh sé níos luatha ná seacht lá tar éis an lae ceapfar fén alt so ina cheann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost agus, más féidir é, beidh sé i ndiaidh an dáta bheidh ceaptha chun Dáil Éireann d'ath-thionól amhlaidh.
(4) An lá ceapfar le hordú fén alt so ina cheann aimsire d'ainmnithe ex-officio beidh sé i gcomhnaí i ndiaidh an lae ceapfar leis an ord céanna ina cheann aimsire d'ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dála chun na n-ainmliost.
(5) Gach ordú dhéanfaidh an tAire fén alt so foillseofar san Iris Oifigiúil é chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta.
Rialacháin.
7.—Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin do dhéanamh ag ordú éinní no aon ruda dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no le hordú.
Costaisí.
8.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar na costaisí uile fén n-a raghaidh an tAire chun an Achta so do chur i bhfeidhm.
CUID II.
An Rolla de Choluchtai Ainmniuchain.
An rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin.
9.—(1) Déanfar rolla (dá ngairmtear an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin san Acht so) de chóluchtaí (dá ngairmtear cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin san Acht so) a bheidh i dteideal daoine d'ainmniú chun na n-ainmliostaí d'iarrthóirí chun crícheanna gach toghacháin Seanaid do bhunú agus do chothabháil do réir an Achta so.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir leis an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is sa bhfuirm sin is dóich leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, le haontú an Aire, do bheith ceart a bheidh an rolla san;
(b) ní bheidh aon chólucht ionchláruithe ar an rolla alos aon ainmliosta áirithe (seachas an t-ainmliost riaracháin) mara mbeidh baint ag á gcuspóirí agus ag á ngníomhachas le ceann no níos mó, no mara mbeidh an cólucht san ionaduitheach do dhaoine bhíonn ag gabháil do cheann no níos mó, de sna gnóthaí agus na seirbhísí luaidhtear i bhfo-alt 1° d'alt 7 d'Airteagal 18 den Bhunreacht maidir leis an ainmliost áirithe sin;
(c) ní hionchláruithe ar an rolla san aon chólucht gurb é cúis, no gur mórchuid de chúis, a mbunuithe no a gcoimeádta ar siúl brabús do dhéanamh no darb aon-fheidhm no prímh-fheidhm aon trádáil no gnó do bheith ar siúl acu chun brabús do dhéanamh;
(d) ní hionchláruithe ar an rolla san aon chólucht a bheidh có-dhéanta ar fad no nach mór ar fad de dhaoine ar fostú ag an Stát no de dhaoine ar fostú ag údaráis áitiúla agus go mbeidh ar a gcuspóirí leas na ndaoine sin, maidir leis an bhfostaíocht san acu, do chur ar aghaidh no do chosaint;
(e) gach cólucht a clárófar ar an rolla san is alos aon ainmliosta amháin agus ní alos níos mó ná san a clárófar amhlaidh iad;
(f) lasmuich de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an bhfo-alt so, ní clárófar aon chólucht ar an rolla san ach do réir iarratais chuige sin ar n-a dhéanamh ag an gcólucht san do réir an Achta so;
(g) beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir leis an ainmliost riaracháin, sé sin le rá:—
(i) clárófar Comhairle Ghenerálta Chomhairlí Contae na hÉireann agus Comhlachas Udarásanna Cathardha na hÉireann ar an rolla san alos an ainmliosta san gan aon iarratas chuige sin fén Acht so, agus
(ii) ní clárófar aon chólucht eile ar an rolla san alos an ainmliosta san marab é is cuspóir agus is gníomhachas dóibh, ar fad no de mhórán, ná seirbhísí códhaonnacha deontacha, a bheidh carthannach no déirciúil, do dhéanamh;
(h) an méid cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin a clárófar ar an rolla san alos aon ainmliosta áirithe beidh teora leis i slí nach mó ná deichniúr is fiche an méid daoine ar fad is féidir le cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san.
(3) Beidh gach cólucht fé leith acu so leanas, agus ní bheidh aon chólucht eile, ina údarás áitiúil chun crícheanna an ailt seo, sé sin le rá:—
(a) comhairle chontae, chontae-bhuirge no bhuirge eile, no bhailecheanntair, coimisinéirí baile, bárdas cathrach agus bord caomhnóirí, agus
(b) duine bheidh bunuithe le haon reacht no dá réir chun aon cheann d'fheidhmeanna aon chóluchta dá luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so do chólíonadh, agus
(c) coiste no có-choiste d'aon chólucht no cóluchtaí dá luaidhtear i gceachtar de sna míreanna san roimhe seo den fho-alt so no coiste no có-choiste bheidh ceaptha ag aon chólucht no cóluchtaí acu san.
Iarrataisí ar chlárú ar an rolla.
10.—(1) Aon chólucht gur mian leo go gclárófaí iad ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin alos aon ainmliosta áirithe agus adeir gurb ionchláruithe ar an rolla san iad alos an ainmliosta san, féadfaid san d'iarraidh ar an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid do réir an ailt seo.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le hiarrataisí ar chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin le linn an rolla san do bheith á ullamhú sa bhliain 1938, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is i scríbhinn, ar pháipéar iarratais sa bhfuirm orduithe chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar fáil, a déanfar gach iarratas den tsórt san;
(b) ar n-a iarraidh sin air d'aon chólucht a bheidh ar intinn a iarraidh go gclárófaí iad ar an rolla san, bhéarfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar iarratais chuige sin dóibh in aisce;
(c) déanfar gach iarratas den tsórt san do sheachadadh don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no do chur chuige tríd an bpost ina oifig an 24adh lá d'Eanar, 1938, no roimhe sin, agus ní bhacfaidh ná ní bhreithneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid aon iarratas den tsórt san do gheobhfar san oifig sin tar éis an dáta san;
(d) luadhfar i ngach iarratas den tsórt san an t-ainmliost gur ina thaobh is mian leis an iarratasóir go gclárófaí é ar an rolla san agus na forais ar a ndeireann an t-iarratasóir gurb ionchláruithe amhlaidh é;
(e) luadhfar i ngach iarratas den tsórt san freisin gach eolas i dtaobh an iarratasóra a hiarrfar i bhfuirm orduithe an pháipéir iarratais.
Fógra d'fhoillsiú á rá go bhfuil an rolla á ullamhú.
11.—Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so, foillseoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, i ngach páipéar nuachta laethúil maidne foillsítear sa Stát agus sna páipéirí nuachta laethúla eile sin (más aon cheann é) is dóich leis, le ceadú an Aire, do bheith ceart, fógra sa bhfuirm orduithe á fhógairt go puiblí go bhfuil an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin á ullamhú, agus ag tabhairt na faisnéise agus na dtreoracha san is dóich leis an Aire do bheith ceart i dtaobh iarrataisí ar chlárú ar an rolla san.
An rolla d'ullamhú.
12.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an 24adh lá d'Eanar, 1938, agus ar aon chuma ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 5adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1938, ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus chuige sin—
(a) scrúdóidh gach iarratas ar chlárú ar an rolla san do gheobhaidh go cuibhe, agus
(b) dí-lomhálfaidh gach iarratas den tsórt san do chífear dó do bheith nea-rialta ina fhuirm agus gach iarratas gur dóich leis ina thaobh gan an t-iarratasóir do bheith ionchláruithe ar an rolla san in aon chor no alos an ainmliosta le n-a mbaineann an t-iarratas, agus
(c) féadfaidh aon iarrataisí do dhí-lomháil a húdaruítear dó leis na forálacha ina dhiaidh seo den alt so do dhí-lomháil, agus
(d) lomhálfaidh agus cláróidh ar an rolla san gach iarratas den tsórt san ná dí-lomhálfaidh do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den fho-alt so.
(2) Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid a cheangal ar aon chólucht a bheidh á iarraidh iad do chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin gach faisnéis, i dtaobh clárú an chóluchta san, do thabhairt dó a theastóidh uaidh do réir réasúin chun a chinneadh ce'ca lomhálfaidh no dhí-lomhálfaidh iarratas an chóluchta san, agus féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid iarratas do dhí-lomháil a thiocfaidh o aon chólucht ná déanfaidh no dhiúltóidh aon fhaisnéis áirithe do thabhairt uatha a hiarrfar ortha fén alt so.
(3) Beidh sé dleathach don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid iarratas, ar chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, do dhí-lomháil a gheobhfar—
(a) o aon chólucht is brainse de chólucht eile, no bheidh có-cheangailte no ag fo-ghabháil le cólucht cile, bheidh cláruithe cheana ar an rolla san no go mbeidh a n-iarratas ar a gclárú amhlaidh lomhálta aige, no
(b) o aon chólucht do chífear dó do bheith ionaduitheach do ghnóthaí agus do sheirbhísí gur leor an méid ionadaíochta deintear dóibh ag cólucht no cóluchtaí bheidh cláruithe cheana ar an rolla san no go mbeidh a n-iarratas ar a gclárú amhlaidh lomhálta aige.
(4) Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, as a chomhairle féin, leigint do chólucht a n-iarratas ar a gclárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin do leasú tráth ar bith no i slí ar bith.
(5) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag an trí fo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so maidir le gach athscrúdú bliantúil ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin chó maith le céad-ullamhú an rolla san.
(6) Lá nach déanaí ná an 5adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1938, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid tríd an bpost, chun gach cóluchta d'iarr go gclárófaí iad ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin (pe'ca lomháladh no dí-lomháladh a n-iarratas), cóip den rolla san fé mar d'ullamhuigh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid é fén alt so.
(7) Pé uair a dhí-lomhálfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid iarratas ar chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin déanfaidh, ar n-a iarraidh sin don chólucht do rinne an t-iarratas san, ráiteas ar na cúiseanna bhí aige leis an dí-lomháil sin do thabhairt don chólucht san.
(8) Nuair a lomhálfaidh no a dhí-lomhálfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid aon iarratas ar chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin ní bheidh dul thar a bhreith ach amháin go bhféadfar athchomhare do dhéanamh ina coinnibh mar a foráltar leis an Acht so.
An coiste athchomhairc do thogha.
13.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so agus ar aon chuma ar dháta nach déanaí ná an cúigiú lá shuidhfidh Dáil Éireann tar éis an tosaigh fheidhme sin toghfaidh Dáil Éireann coiste (dá ngairmtear an coiste athchomhairc san Acht so) ar a mbeidh cúig chomhalta dhéag de Dháil Éireann.
(2) Is le vótanna comhaltaí Dháil Éireann (no le vótanna an méid sin díobh gur mian leo vótáil), agus iad ag vótáil do réir phrínsiobal na hionadaíochta cionmhaire, a toghfar an coiste athchomhairc.
(3) Fé réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den alt so, isiad Dáil Éireann a rialálfaidh an nós imeachta chun an choiste athchomhairc do thogha.
(4) Naoi gcomhalta agus iad i láthair i bpearsain is quorum do chruinniú den choiste athchomhairc.
(5) Fé réir forálacha follasacha an Achta so, rialálfaidh an coiste athchomhairc a nós imeachta féin.
Athchomhairc chun an choiste athchomhairc.
14.—(1) Aon chólucht iarrfaidh iad do chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus go ndí-lomhálfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid a n-iarratas ar a gclárú amhlaidh féadfaid athchomharc do dhéanamh do réir an ailt seo chun an choiste athchomhairc i gcoinnibh na dí-lomhála san.
(2) Aon chólucht iarrfaidh iad do chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin alos aon ainmliosta áirithe (pe'ca bheidh a n-iarratas ar a gclárú amhlaidh lomhálta no dí-lomhálta ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid), féadfaid athchomharc do dhéanamh do réir an ailt seo chun an choiste athchomhairc i gcoinnibh an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid do lomháil iarratais o aon chólucht cile iarrfaidh iad do chlárú amhlaidh alos an ainmliosta chéanna.
(3) Gach athchomharc a déanfar fén alt so chun an choiste athchomhairc is i scríbhinn a déanfar é agus luadhfar ann na forais ar a mbeidh sé á dhéanamh agus seachadfar do Chléireach Dháil Éireann é no cuirfear chuige tríd an bpost é an 11adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1938, no roimhe sin, agus ní bhacfaidh ná ní bhreithneoidh an coiste athchomhairc aon athchomharc den tsórt san do gheobhaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann tar éis an dáta san.
(4) Beidh gach athchomharc fén alt so ar fáil chun a iniúchta ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach tráth réasúnta.
An coiste athchomhairc do thabhairt breithe ar athchomhairc.
15.—(1) Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis an 11adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1938, agus tráth nach déanaí ná ceithre lá roimh an gceann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost sa chéad toghachán Seanaid breithneoidh an coiste athchomhaire gach athchomharc a déanfar chúcha go cuibhe fén Acht so agus déanfaid, maidir le gach athchomharc fé leith den tsórt san, an bhreith ón gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gur ina coinnibh a bheidh an t-athchomharc á dhéanamh do chlaochlódh no an t-athchomharc do dhí-lomháil.
(2) Ní chlaochlóidh an coiste athchomhairc aon bhreith ón gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid mara vótálaidh naoi gcomhalta ar a laighead den choiste sin i bhfábhar í chlaochlódh amhlaidh.
(3) Mara dtugtar breith ar athchomhare chun an choiste athchomhairc an ceathrú lá no roimh an gceathrú lá roimh an gceann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost sa chéad toghachán Seanaid, tuigfear gur dhí-lomháil an coiste athchomhairc an t-athchomharc san agus beidh éifeacht dá réir sin ag an mbreith ón gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gur ina coinnibh do rinneadh an t-athchomharc san.
(4) Bhéarfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid don choiste athchomhairc pé faisnéis agus congnamh réasúnta iarrfaidh an coiste sin air.
(5) Beidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid i dteideal éisteacht d'fháil, más mian leis é, ón gcoiste athchomhairc maidir le gach athchomharc a bhreithneoidh an coiste sin do réir an ailt seo.
(6) Ní bheidh dul thar breith an choiste athchomhairc ar aon athchomharc a déanfar chun an choiste sin fén Acht so.
An rolla do chríochnú agus d'fholllsiú.
16.—(1) Mara ndeintear aon athchomharc go cuibhe chun an choiste athchomhairc cuirfidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann an méid sin in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid an 12adh lá d'Fheabhra, 1938, agus leis sin sighneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin d'ullamhuigh sé fé sna forálacha san roimhe seo den Acht so.
(2) Má deintear aon athchomharc go cuibhe chun an choiste athchomhairc cuirfidh an coiste sin in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid an bhreith (más ann di) do thugadar ar gach athchomharc den tsórt san agus leis sin déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin d'ullamhuigh sé fé sna forálacha san roimhe seo den Acht so, an leasú san (más aon leasú é) is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt don bhreith sin agus, nuair a bheidh breith tugtha ar gach athchomharc fé leith den tsórt san no bheidh sé tuigthe iad a bheith dí-lomhálta agus a bheidh na breitheanna (más ann dóibh) ar an gcéanna curtha in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid agus a bheidh deighleálta aige-sean leo, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, an tríú lá no roimh an tríú lá roimh an gceann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost sa chéad toghachán Seanaid, an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin mar d'ullamhuigh agus do leasuigh (má leasuigh in aon chor) é mar adubhradh do shighniú agus foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil é chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin.
(3) Ní bheidh dul thar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin mar a foillseofar san Iris Oifigiúil do réir an ailt seo é ná ní bheidh sé ion-athscrúduithe ag cúirt ar bith agus beidh sé i bhfeidhm don chéad toghachán Seanaid agus do gach toghachán Seanaid ina dhiaidh sin, ach san fé réir an athscrúduithe bhliantúil a foráltar leis an Acht so agus fé n-a réir sin amháin.
Athscrúdú bliantúil ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin.
17.—(1) Foillseoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an 1adh lá, no aon lá ina dhiaidh sin nach déanaí ná an 15adh lá, d'Eanar sa bhliain 1939 agus i ngach bliain ina dhiaidh sin, i ngach páipéar laethúil maidne foillsítear sa Stát agus sna páipéirí nuachta laethúla eile sin (más aon cheann é) is dóich leis an oifigeach san, le ceadú an Aire, do bheith ceart, fógra sa bhfuirm orduithe á fhógairt go puiblí go dtosnóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, an 15adh lá d'Fheabhra díreach ina dhiaidh sin no, más Domhnach an lá san, an 16adh lá d'Fheabhra díreach ina dhiaidh sin, ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin d'athscrúdú, agus ag tabhairt na faisnéise agus na dtreoracha san is dóich leis an Aire is ceart i dtaobh iarrataisí ar iontrála do chur isteach sa rolla san no do scriosadh amach as no do leasú ann.
(2) Aon chólucht ná beidh cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus gur mian leo go gclárófaí iad ar an rolla san agus adeir go bhfuilid ionchláruithe amhlaidh agus aon chólucht a bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla san agus gur mian leo go mbainfí dhe iad no go leasófaí in aon tslí an iontráil ina dtaobh ar an gclár san, féadfaid a iarraidh ar an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid i scríbhinn i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 15adh lá d'Eanar agus dar críoch an 15adh lá d'Fheabhra sa bhliain 1939 no in aon bhliain ina dhiaidh sin an clárú no an scriosadh amach no an leasú san, do réir mar a bheidh, do dhéanamh.
(3) Ar an 15adh lá d'Fheabhra no, más Domhnach an lá san, ar an 16adh lá d'Fheabhra sa bhliain 1939 agus i ngach bliain ina dhiaidh sin déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid athscrúdú (dá ngairmtear athscrúdú bliantúil san Acht so) ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus—
(a) lomhálfaidh agus cláróidh ar an rolla san gach cólucht go mbeidh iarrtha acu go cuibhe fén alt so iad do chlárú amhlaidh le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sin agus ná dí-lomhálfa sé a n-iarratas, agus
(b) scriosfaidh den rolla san clárú gach cóluchta go bhfeicfear dó iad do bheith tar éis scur de bheith ann no tar éis scur de bheith ionchláruithe amhlaidh no go bhfeicfear dó gur gá agus gur ceart a gclárú do scriosadh den rolla san toisc gur lomháladh iarratas o chólucht eile ar chlárú amhlaidh no chun go bhféadfaí an t-iarratas san do lomháil, agus
(c) déanfaidh gach leasú ar an rolla san do chífear dó do bheith riachtanach no ceart de bhíthin iarrataisí fén alt so no eile.
(4) Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na fiosruithe sin is ceart dar leis do dhéanamh chun críche aon athscrúduithe bhliantúil ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus féadfaidh, le linn aon athscrúduithe bhliantúil, na nithe sin do scriosadh den rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus na leasuithe sin do dhéanamh air do chífear dó do bheith riachtanach no ceart de bhíthin na bhfiosruithe sin, ach ní dhéanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid aon scriosadh amach ná leasú den tsórt san gan fógra ina thaobh do thabhairt don chólucht le n-a mbainfidh ná gan caoi réasúnta do thabhairt don chólucht san ar chúis do phlé ina thaobh.
(5) Aon uair a lomhálfaidh no a dhí-lomhálfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid aon iarratas fén alt so ar chólucht do chlárú ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin no do scriosadh dhe no ar an rolla san do leasú no a dhéanfaidh, le linn athscrúduithe bhliantúil, éinní do scriosadh den rolla san no an rolla san do leasú de bharr ruda seachas iarratas fén alt so, ní bheidh aon dul thar a bhreith ach amháin go bhféadfar athchomharc do dhéanamh ina coinnibh mar a foráltar leis an Acht so.
Athchomhairc chun an choiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil.
18.—(1) Lá nach déanaí ná an 1adh lá de Mhárta sa bhliain 1939 agus i ngach bliain ina dhiaidh sin déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid mar leanas:—
(a) cuirfidh in úil do gach cólucht d'iarr go gclárófaí iad ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin no go scriosfaí dhe iad no go leasófaí é le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sa bhliain sin ce'ca lomháil no dhí-lomháil sé an t-iarratas san agus, má dhí-lomháil sé é, cadiad na cúiseanna bhí aige leis, agus
(b) bhéarfaidh, do gach cólucht le n-a mbainfidh aon scriosadh amach do rinne sé sa rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin no aon leasú do rinne sé air le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sa bhliain sin de bharr ruda seachas iarratas ón gcólucht san, mion-innste ar an scriosadh amach no ar an leasú san agus na cúiseanna bhí aige leis.
(2) Féadfaidh aon duine acu so leanas athchomharc do dhéanamh chun an choiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil i gcoinnibh na mbreitheanna san ón gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid a luaidhtear anso ina dhiaidh seo, sé in le rá:—
(a) i gcás iarratas do dhí-lomháil, an cólucht do rinne an t-iarratas san,
(b) i gcás iarratas ar chlárú do lomháil, aon chólucht ainmniúcháin a bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, agus aon chólucht d'iarr, le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sin, go gclárófaí iad ar an rolla san pe'ca lomháladh no dí-lomháladh an t-iarratas san,
(c) i gcás an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid do scriosadh éinní den rolla san no do dhéanamh leasuithe air de bharr ruda seachas iarratas fén Acht so, an cólucht le n-a mbainfidh an scriosadh no an leasú san.
(3) Gach athchomharc a déanfar fén alt so chun coiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil is i scríbhinn a déanfar é agus luadhfar ann na forais ar a mbeidh sé á dhéanamh agus seachadfar do Chléireach Dháil Éireann é no cuirfear chuige tríd an bpost é an 15adh lá no roimh an 15adh lá de Mhárta sa bhliain inar tugadh an bhreith go mbeifear ag athchomharc ina coinnibh.
(4) Beidh gach athchomharc fén alt so ar fáil chun a iniúchta ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach tráth réasúnta.
An t-athscrúdú bliantúil do chríochnú.
19.—(1) Má gheibheann Cléireach Dháil Éireann, in aon bhliain áirithe, athchomharc chun an choiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil fé cheann na haimsire luaidhtear chuige sin san Acht so toghfaidh Dáil Éireann, chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin, coiste (dá ngairmtear coiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil san Acht so) ar a mbeidh cúig chomhalta dhéag de Dháil Éireann.
(2) Na forálacha den Acht so bhaineann le togha, le quorum agus le nós imeachta an choiste athchomhairc agus leis an gcoiste sin d'éisteacht athchomharc agus le breitheanna an choiste sin bainfid le togha, le quorum agus le nós imeachta gach coiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhlaintúil agus le gach coiste den tsórt san d'éisteacht athchomharc agus le breitheanna gach coiste den tsórt san sa mhéid ná fuil na forálacha san buiniscionn leis na forálacha follasacha den Acht so bhaineann le coistí athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil.
(3) Lá nach déanaí ná an 20adh lá de Mhárta sa bhliain 1939 agus i ngach bliain ina dhiaidh sin athscrúdóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin sa tslí sin is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt do gach breith do thug sé uaidh le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sa bhliain sin agus ná dearnadh aon athchomharc ina coinnibh chun an choiste um athscrúdú bhliantúil fé cheann na haimsire luaidhtear chuige sin san Acht so, agus gach athscrúdú déanfar amhlaidh tiocfaidh i bhfeidhm an 21adh lá de Mhárta sa bhliain ina ndéanfar é.
(4) Cuirfidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid gach breith do bhearfaidh coiste um athscrúdú bhliantúil ar athchomharc a déanfar chun an choiste sin fén Acht so agus déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid láithreach an t-athscrúdú san (más aon athscrúdú é) ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmiúcháin is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt don bhreith sin agus tiocfaidh gach athscrúdú den tsórt san i bhfeidhm an lá i ndiaidh lae a dhéanta.
(5) Chó luath agus a bheidh aon athscrúdú bliantúil ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin críochnuithe do réir na Coda so den Acht so sighneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil an rolla san mar do hathscrúduíodh le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sin é agus beidh an rolla san, mar a foillseofar amhlaidh é, ina fhianaise dho-chlaoite ar na hatharuithe do rinneadh ar an rolla san le linn an athscrúduithe bhliantúil sin.
Táille d'íoc ar athchomharc.
20.—(1) Gach colúcht a dhéanfaidh athchomharc chun an choiste athchomhairc no chun coiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil íocfaid táille fiche punt le Cléireach Dháil Éireann agus beidh sé ina choinníoll nach foláir a chólíonadh sara mbreithneofar an t-athchomharc san ag an gcoiste athchomhairc no ag an gcoiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil, do réir mar a bheidh, an táille sin d'íoc fé cheann na haimsire ceaptar leis an Acht so chun an athchomhairc sin do chur go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann no do sheachadadh dhó.
(2) Gach táillc a híocfar le Cléireach Dháil Éireann do réir an ailt seo coinneoidh sé í go dtí go mbeidh breith tugtha, ar an athchomharc gur ina thaobh a híocadh an táille sin, ag an gcoiste athchomhairc no ag an gcoiste athchomhairc um athscrúdú bhliantúil (do réir mar a bheidh) agus—
(a) má chlaochluíonn an coiste sin an bhreith ón gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid go mbeifear ag athchomharc ina coinnibh no, i gcás athchomhairc chun an choiste athchomhairc, mara dtugaidh an coiste sin breith ar an athchomharc fé cheann na haimsire ceaptar chuige sin leis an Acht so, aisíocfaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann an táille sin láithreach leis an athchomhareach d'íoc leis í, agus
(b) i ngach cás eile déanfaidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann an táille sin d'íoc isteach sa Stát-Chiste no do chur chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste i pé slí ordóidh an tAire Airgid.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices (Fees) Act, 1879, maidir le táillí is iníoctha fén alt so.
CUID III.
Na hAinmliostai do Dheanamh.
Ceart ag comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann chun daoine d'ainmniú chun ainmliostaí.
21.—(1) I ngach toghachán Seanaid féadfaidh uimhir de chomhaltaí de Dháil Éireann nach lugha ná dhá chomhalta duine ar bith d'ainmniú do réir an Achta so chun aon ainmliosta dá mbunófar don toghachán san.
(2) Ní bheidh aon chomhalta de Dháil Éireann páirteach in ainmniú níos mó ná éinne amháin fén alt so in aon toghachán Seanaid áirithe.
Ceart ag cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin cláruithe chun daoine d'ainmniú chun ainmliostaí.
22.—(1) I ngach toghachán Seanaid beidh sé de theideal ag gach cólucht ainmniúcháin a bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin alos aon ainmliosta áirithe pé méid daoine socruítear chuige sin leis an alt so d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san.
(2) Na cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin uile agus fé seach a bheidh i dteideal daoine d'ainmniú chun ainmliosta áirithe beidh gach cólucht fé leith acu i dteideal an uimhir chéanna de dhaoine d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san agus is mar leanas a déanfar amach an uimhir sin, sé sin le rá:—
(a) maran lugha an uimhir de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin a bheidh i dteideal daoine d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san ná an uimhir de chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann a bheidh le togha as daoine ainmneoidh cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin chun an ainmliosta san, beidh gach cólucht ainmniúcháin fé leith acu san i dteideal beirt d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san;
(b) maran lugha an uimhir de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin a bheidh i dteideal daoine d'ainmniú mar adubhradh ná leath na huimhreach de chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann a bheidh le togha mar adubhradh ach gur lugha í ná an uimhir iomlán de sna comhaltaí sin, beidh gach cólucht ainmniúcháin fé leith acu san i dteideal triúr d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san;
(c) más mó ná aon chólucht amháin an uimhir de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin a bheidh i dteideal daoine d'ainmniú mar adubhradh ach gur lugha í ná leath na huimhreach de chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann a bheidh le togha mar adubhradh, beidh gach cólucht ainmniúcháin fé leith acu san i dteideal ceathrar d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san;
(d) mara mbeidh ach aon chólucht ainmniúcháin amháin i dteideal daoine d'ainmniú mar adubhradh, beidh an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin i dteideal uimhir de dhaoine d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san a bheidh có-ionann le dhá oiread na huimhreach de chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann a bheidh le togha mar adubhradh.
An modh ar a ndéanfaidh cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin ainmniú.
23.—(1) Ar na tráthanna so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin d'fhoillsiú san Iris Oifigiúil, agus
(b) fé cheann deich lá tar éis gach uair a scuirfidh Dáil Éireann,
cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid tríd an bpost, go dtí gach cólucht ainmniúcháin a bheidh cláruithe ar an rolla de chóluchtaí ainmniúcháin, fuirm pháipéir ainmniúcháin maraon le fógra sa bhfuirm orduithe á innsint don chólucht san é bheith de cheart acu daoine d'ainmniú chun ainmliosta áirithe agus cadé an méid daoine bheidh an cólucht san i dteideal d'ainmniú amhlaidh agus ag tabhairt na faisnéise agus na dtreoracha san don chólucht san, i dtaobh an ainmnithe do dhéanamh, is dóich leis an Aire is ceart d'ordú.
(2) Is do réir na bhforálacha so leanas a déanfar na hainmnithe uile dhéanfaidh cólucht ainmniúcháin chun ainmliosta, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is i scríbhinn agus ar pháipéar ainmniúcháin sa bhfuirm orduithe déanfar na hainmnithe sin;
(b) is leis an aon pháipéar ainmniúcháin amháin ainmneoidh gach cólucht ainmniúcháin fé leith na daoine uile bheid i dteideal d'ainmniú;
(c) beidh i ngach páipéar ainmniúcháin na mion-innste is gá, do réir fuirm orduithe an pháipéir ainmniúcháin, do luadh ann (agus ortha san ráiteas ar cháilíochta gach duine fé leith a hainmneofar leis i gcóir an ainmliosta chun a n-ainmneofar é) agus caithfe sé bheith sighnithe ag an gcólucht ainmniúcháin a bheidh ag déanamh ainmnithe leis;
(d) más cólucht corpruithe an cólucht ainmniúcháin isé slí ina sighneoidh an cólucht san an páipéar ainmniúcháin ná tré shéala an chóluchta san do chur ar an bpáipéar san sa tslí agus maille leis na contra-shighnithe is gá do réir chóirithe, airteagal comhlachais no rialachán eile an chóluchta san;
(e) maran cólucht corpruithe an cólucht ainmniúcháin déanfaidh duine éigin go n-údarás aige chuige an páipéar ainmniúcháin do shighniú in ainm an chóluchta.
(3) I gcás Comhairle Ghenerálta Chomhairlí Contae na hÉireann agus i gcás Comhlachas Udarásanna Cathardha na hÉireann isiad a roghnóidh na daoine bheidh le hainmniú chun an ainmliosta riaracháin ag na coluchtaí sin fé seach ná comhaltaí an chóluchta san agus iad ag vótáil do réir na hionadaíochta cionmhaire agus ar mhodh an aon-vóta ionaistrithe.
(4) Gach páipéar ainmniúcháin do bhéarfaidh le tuisgint é bheith séaluithe le séala cóluchta chorpruithe is cólucht ainmniúcháin agus é bheith contra-shighnithe tuigfear, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, é bheith séaluithe amhlaidh sa tslí, agus maille leis na contrashighnithe, is gá do réir chóirithe, airteagal comhlachais no rialachán eile an chóluchta san.
(5) Gach páipéar ainmniúcháin do bhéarfaidh le tuisgint é bheith sighnithe in ainm chóluchta neamh-ionchorpruithe is cólucht ainmniúcháin tuigfear, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, é bheith sighnithe amhlaidh ag duine go n-údarás aige chun a shighnithe in ainm an chóluchta san.
(6) Má bheireann cólucht ainmniúcháin le tuisgint níos mó no níos lugha daoine do bheith á n-ainmniú acu le páipéar ainmniúcháin chun ainmliosta ná mar a bheidh an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin i dteideal d'ainmniú amhlaidh beidh an páipéar ainmniúcháin sin gan brí ar bith.
(7) Ar n-a iarraidh sin air bhéarfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid saor in aisce do gach cólucht ainmniúcháin an méid sin d'fhuirmeacha de pháipéar ainmniúcháin (de bhreis ar an bhfuirm is gá dhó do réir an chéad fho-ailt den alt so do chur chun an chóluchta san) a theastóidh ón gcólucht san do réir réasúin.
Ainmliostai sealadacha d'ullamhú.
24.—(1) Déanfar páipéirí ainmniúcháin le n-a mbeidh daoine á n-ainmniú chun ainmliosta ag cólucht ainmniúcháin do sheachadadh don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no do chur chuige tríd an bpost.
(2) Láithreach tar éis an chinn aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, maidir le gach ainmliost fé leith, ainmliost sealadach ar a mbeidh ainmneacha na ndaoine uile go bhfuair sé ina dtaobh roimh an gceann aimsire sin, ainmnithe do rinne cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin chun an ainmliosta san.
(3) Beidh gach ainmliost sealadach sa bhfuirm chéanna (agus é roinnte ina dhá fho-ainmliost ar an gcuma gcéanna) agus beidh na mion-innste céanna ann a horduítear leis an Acht so no a hordófar fé alos na n-ainmliost deiridh.
(4) Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis an chinn aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann cóip de gach ainmliost sealadach maraon leis an méid sin d'fhuirmeacha de pháipéar ainmniúcháin, do chomhaltaí de Dháil Éireann, a theastóidh o Chléireach Dháil Éireann do réir réasúin.
An modh ar a ndéanfaidh comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann ainmniú
25.—(1) Gach uair a dhéanfaidh comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann duine d'ainmniú chun ainmliosta is do réir na bhforálacha so leanas a déanfar é, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is i scríbhinn agus ar pháipéar ainmniúcháin sa bhfuirm orduithe déanfar an t-ainmniú san;
(b) beidh i ngach páipéar ainmniúcháin den tsórt san na mioninnste is gá, do réir fuirme orduithe an pháipéir ainmniúcháin, do luadh ann agus go sonnrách ráiteas ar cháilíochta an duine a hainmneofar leis i gcóir an ainmliosta chun a n-ainmneofar amhlaidh é;
(c) caithfidh gach páipéar ainmniúcháin den tsórt san bheith sighnithe ag gach duine de sna comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann a bheidh ag déanamh ainmnithe leis;
(d) seachadfar gach páipéar ainmniúcháin den tsórt san don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no cuirfear chuige tríd an bpost é.
(2) Má dheineann comhalta de Dháil Éireann dhá pháipéar ainmniúcháin no níos mó do shighniú mar ainmnitheoir beidh gach ceann de sna páipéirí ainmniúcháin sin gan brí ar bith.
(3) Díreach tar éis an chinn aimsire d'ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dála chun na n-ainmliost cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid isteach sna háiteanna oiriúnacha i ngach ainmliost sealadach fé leith ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na ndaoine (más ann dóibh) a bheidh ainmnithe ag comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann roimh an gceann aimsire sin chun an ainmliosta le n-a mbainfidh an t-ainmliost sealadach san.
Ainmnithe ex-officio chun an ainmliosta riaracháin.
26.—(1) I ngach toghachán Seanaid—
(a) beidh an Taoiseach i dteideal an méid sin daoine, nach mó ná beirt, is oiriúnach leis d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta riaracháin, agus
(b) beidh duine ar bith (seachas an té is Taoiseach de thurus na huaire) do bhí tráth i seilbh oifige mar Thaoiseach no mar Uachtarán ar Ard-Chomhairle Shaorstáit Éireann no i seilbh an dá oifig sin i dteideal an méid sin daoine, nach mó ná beirt, is oiriúnach leis d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta riaracháin.
(2) Gach ainmniú déanfar fén alt so is do réir na bhforálacha so leanas a déanfar é, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is i scríbhinn agus ar pháipéar ainmniúcháin sa bhfuirm orduithe déanfar an t-ainmniú san;
(b) duine ar bith ainmneoidh beirt fén alt so is leis an aon pháipéar ainmniúcháin amháin ainmneoidh sé an bheirt sin;
(c) beidh i ngach páipéar ainmniúcháin na mion-innste is gá, do réir fuirm orduithe an pháipéir ainmniúcháin, do luadh ann (agus ortha san ráiteas ar cháilíochta gach duine fé leith a hainmneofar leis i gcóir an ainmliosta chun a n-ainmneofar amhlaidh é) agus caithfe sé bheith sighnithe ag an té bheidh ag déanamh ainmnithe leis;
(d) seachadfar an páipéar ainmniúcháin don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no cuirfear chuige tríd an bpost é.
(3) Má bheireann duine le tuisgint níos mó ná beirt do bheith á n-ainmniú aige le páipéar ainmniúcháin fén alt so beidh an páipéar ainmniúcháin sin gan brí ar bith.
(4) Díreach tar éis an chinn aimsire d'ainmnithe ex-officio cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid isteach san ainmliost sealadach a bhainfidh leis an ainmliost riaracháin ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na ndaoine (más ann dóibh) a bheidh ainmnithe fén alt so chun an ainmliosta san roimh an gceann aimsire sin.
(5) Duine ar bith a bheidh i dteideal ainmniú do dhéanamh fén alt so chun an ainmliosta riaracháin beidh sé i dteideal gach ceann no aon cheann de sna hainmliostaí sealadacha d'iniúchadh tráth ar bith tar éis an chinn aimsire d'ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dála chun na n-ainmliost agus roimh an gceann aimsire d'ainmnithe ex-officio.
(6) Ainmnithe ex-officio do bheirtear san Acht so ar ainmnithe fén alt so chun an ainmliosta riaracháin.
An ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid d'fholllsiú páipéirí ainmniúcháin.
27.—Pé uair do gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar ainmniúcháin (seachas páipéar ainmniúcháin a dearbhuítear leis an Acht so do bheith gan brí ar bith no páipéar ainmniúcháin do gheobhaidh tar éis na haimsire ceaptar leis an Acht so chun é ghlacadh) cuirfidh suas láithreach, san áit phuiblí sin i gcontaebhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath is dóich leis is oiriúnaighe, fógra á rá go bhfuair sé an páipéar ainmniúcháin sin agus ag tabhairt ainm agus seoladh agus tuairisc an duine bheirtear le tuisgint do bheith á ainmniú leis an bpáipéar ainmniúcháin sin (fé mar a bheid curtha síos sa pháipéar ainmniúcháin sin) agus ag luadh an ainmliosta go dtugtar le tuisgint an duine sin do bheith á ainmniú chuige.
Na hainmliostaí do chríochnú.
28.—(1) Ar a dó dhéag a chlog meán lac an lá chun na n-ainmliostaí do chríochnú beidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid san áit cheaptha agus comórfaidh suidhe ann (dá ngairmtear críochnú na n-ainmliost san Acht so) agus déanfaidh sa tsuidhe sin gach ní is gá dhó, do réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den Acht so, do dhéanamh ann.
(2) Nuair a bheidh na hainmliostaí sealadacha á n-ullamhú aige do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den Acht so ní chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar aon ainmliost sealadach ainm aon duine do bheirtear le tuisgint do bheith á ainmniú le páipéar ainmniúcháin a dearbhuítear leis an Acht so do bheith gan brí ar bith ná do gheobha sé tar éis na haimsire bheidh ceaptha sa chás chun ainmnithe do ghlacadh, ach, lasmuich de sna heisceachtaí sin, ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na hainmliostaí sealadacha gan breithniú ná fiosrú do dhéanamh i dtaobh dleathachta aon pháipéir ainmniúcháin ná an ainmnithe do bheirtear le tuisgint do bheith á dhéanamh leis agus gan áird do thabhairt ar aon ath-iontrálanna thárlóidh de chionn duine d'ainmniú le níos mó ná aon pháipéar ainmniúcháin amháin pe'ca chun an aon ainmliosta amháin no chun ainmliostaí deifriúla é.
(3) Le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost dó geobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid chuige na hainmliostaí sealadacha uile agus fé seach i ndiaidh a chéile agus ina gceann agus ina gceann agus, maidir le gach ainmliost sealadach fé leith—
(a) scrúdóidh gach páipéar ainmniúcháin gur hiontráladh duine ar an ainmliost sealadach san dá réir agus bhéarfaidh breith i dtaobh dleathachta no nea-dhleathachta gach páipéir ainmniúcháin fé leith acu san agus i dtaobh dleathachta no nea-dhleathachta an ainmnithe bheirtear le tuisgint do bheith á dhéanamh leis agus scriosfaidh den ainmliost sealadach san gach iontráil do rinneadh ann do réir pháipéir ainmniúcháin no do réir ainmnithe chinnfe sé do bheith nea-dhleathach, agus
(b) scrúdóidh ansan cáilíochta gach duine fé leith go mbeidh a ainm fós ar an ainmliost sealadach san tar éis an scriosadh amach san do bheith déanta agus scriosfaidh den ainmliost sealadach san ainm gach duine den tsórt san nach deimhin leis do bheith cáilithe fé fho-alt 1° d'alt 7 d'Airteagal 18 den Bhunreacht chun bheith ar an ainmliost le n-a mbaineann an t-ainmliost sealadach san, agus
(c) iontrálfaidh san ainmliost sealadach a bhaineann leis an ainmliost san, maidir le gach duine chinnfe sé do bheith cáilithe chun bheith ar an ainmliost san, ráiteas sa bhfuirm sin is dóich leis is ceart ar na cáilíochta go gcinnfidh gurb iad na cáilíochta iad atá ag an duine sin chun bheith ar an ainmliost san, agus
(d) scriosfaidh amach ansan gach ath-iontráil a bheidh fós ar an ainmliost sealadach san agus chuige sin bhéarfaidh tosach d'ainmniú o chólucht ainmniúcháin ar aon ainmniú eile agus, i gcás an ainmliosta riaracháin, bhéarfaidh tosach d'ainmniú o chomhaltaí de Dháil Éireann ar ainmniú ex-officio.
(4) Má gheibhtear, nuair a bheidh forálacha an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so cólíonta maidir leis na hainmliostaí sealadacha uile, go bhfuil duine ar bith iontrálta i dhá n-ainmliost shealadacha no níos mó beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) fágfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainm an duine sin ar an gceann san de sna hainmliostaí sealadacha san is rogha leis an duine sin no le n-a ghníomhaire;
(b) má dhiúltann no má fhaillíonn an duine sin no a ghníomhaire (do réir mar a bheidh) an rogha san do dhéanamh no mara mbeidh an duine sin ná a ghníomhaire i láthair ná ar fáil go saoráideach fágfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainm an duine sin ar an gceann san de sna hainmliostaí sealadacha san ar a gcinnfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid le crannchur;
(c) scriosfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainm an duine sin de sna hainmliostaí sealadacha san uile ach amháin an t-ainmliost sealadach gur gá dhó, do réir pé míre de sna míreanna san roimhe seo den fho-alt so bhaineann leis an gcás, ainm an duine sin d'fhágaint air.
(5) Nuair a bheidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ag cólíonadh na bhforálacha den Acht so bhaineann leis na himeachta le linn críochnú na n-ainmlíost, féachfaidh go cuibhe do gach breith ón réiteoir breithiúntais ar cheisteanna do chuir an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid fé n-a bhráid fén Acht so.
(6) Ní bheidh dul thar aon bhreith dá dtabharfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost, ach amháin go bhféadfar ceisteanna do chur fé bhráid an réiteora bhreichiúntais mar a foráltar leis an Acht so.
Ainmnithe ón Taoiseach chun na bhfo-ainmliost do chríochnú.
29.—(1) Má thárlann, nuair a bheidh forálacha an ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo cólíonta, ná beidh iontrálta in aon fho-ainmliost áirithe d'ainmliost sealadach beirt ar a laighead de bhreis ar an méid comhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann is gá, do réir an Achta so, do thogha as an bhfo-ainmliost san, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar athló, go dtí lá agus uair a bheidh caothúil, an chuid eile de sna himeachta bhaineann le críochnú na n-ainmliost agus tuairisceoidh don Taoiseach an t-casnamh san do bheith ar an bhfo-ainmliost san agus bhéarfaidh don Taoiseach cóip de sna hainmliostaí sealadacha mar a bheid socair díreach roimh an gcuid sin de sna himeachta do chur ar athló.
(2) Nuair do gheobhaidh an Taoiseach tuairisc den tsórt a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so ainmneoidh sé chun gach fo-ainmliosta go bhfuighe sé tuairisc den tsórt san ina thaobh an méid sin daoine is leor chun go mbeidh ar an bhfo-ainmliost san beirt (ach ní níos mó ná san) de bhreis ar an méid comhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann is gá, do réir an Achta so, do thogha as an bhfo-ainmliost san.
(3) Pé uair is gá don Taoiseach, do réir an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, daoine d'ainmniú chun fo-ainmliosta beidh sé dleathach dó daoine d'ainmniú chun an fho-ainmliosta san de bhreis ar an méid daoine is gá, do réir an fho-ailt sin, d'ainmniú, ach ní bheidh sna hainmnithe breise sin ach ainmnithe malartacha agus ní bheidh feidhm acu ach amháin más gá san agus sa mhéid gur gá san de dheascaibh ceann amháin no níos mó de sna hainmnithe eile bheidh déanta ag an Taoiseach fén alt so chun an ainmliosta san do bheith nea-dhleathach.
(4) Is do réir na bhforálacha so leanas a déanfar gach ainmniú dhéanfaidh an Taoiseach fén alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) is i scríbhinn agus ar pháipéar ainmniúcháin sa bhfuirm (agus í atharuithe mar is gá) a bheidh orduithe le haghaidh ainmnithe ex-officio déanfar an t-ainmniú san;
(b) is le páipéar ainmniúcháin fé leith a déanfar gach ainmniú fé leith den tsórt san;
(c) luadhfar i ngach páipéar ainmniúcháin fé leith an fo-ainmliost gur ina thaobh a bheidh an t-ainmniú á dhéanamh agus beidh ann freisin na mion-innste is gá, do réir fuirm orduithe sin an pháipéir ainmniúcháin, do luadh ann (agus ortha san ráiteas ar cháilíochta an duine a hainmneofar leis i gcóir an ainmliosta chun a n-ainmneofar amhlaidh é) agus caithfe sé bheith sighnithe ag an Taoiseach;
(d) seachadfar gach páipéar ainmniúcháin don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid no cuirfear chuige é, agus seachadfar dó no cuirfear chuige é i slí go bhfuighidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid é roimh an am chun ar cuireadh críochnú na n-ainmliost ar athló fén gcéad fho-alt den alt so.
(5) Nuair a hath-chromfar ar chríochnú na n-ainmliost tar éis é chur ar athló fén gcéad fho-alt den alt so breithneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na hainmnithe bheidh déanta ag an Taoiseach fén alt so agus bhéarfaidh breith ortha (ar a n-áirmhítear scrúdú do dhéanamh agus breith do thabhairt ar cháilíochta gach duine fé leith a bheidh ainmnithe amhlaidh i gcóir an ainmliosta chun a mbeidh sé ainmnithe amhlaidh) agus iontrálfaidh ina n-ionad ceart ar an ainmliost sealadach ceart ainm agus seoladh agus tuairisc gach duine fé leith a gheobha sé bheith ainmnithe amhlaidh go dleathach maraon le ráiteas, sa bhfuirm sin is dóich leis is ceart, ar na cáilíochta go gcinnfidh gurb iad na cáilíochta iad atá ag an duine sin chun bheith ar an ainmliost san.
An réiteoir breithiúntais.
30.—(1) Beidh Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, no breitheamh éigin eile den Ard-Chúirt ainmneoidh seisean, i láthair le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost agus suidhfidh agus gníomhóidh ansan ina réiteoir bhreithiúntais chun na gcrícheanna luaidhtear san Acht so.
(2) Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid uaidh féin agus déanfaidh, ar iarratas o aon duine go mbeidh a ainm ar an ainmliost sealadach a bheidh á bhreithniú de thurus na huaire no o ghníomhaire aon duine den tsórt san, aon cheist do chur fé bhráid an réiteora bhreithiúntais a eireoidh le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost maidir le haon pháipéar ainmniúcháin, le hainmniú aon duine chun ainmliosta, le cáilíochta aon duine i gcóir ainmliosta, le ráiteas an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid ar na cáilíochta san no le héinní eile bhainfidh leis na hainmliostaí sealadacha.
(3) San áit agus san am san cinnfidh agus craolfaidh an réiteoir breithiúntais a bhreith ar gach ceist a chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid fé n-a bhráid fén alt so.
(4) Ní bheidh dul thar breith an réiteora bhreithiúntais ar aon cheist a chuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid fé n-a bhráid fén alt so agus ní bheidh sí ion-athscrúduithe ag cúirt ar bith.
(5) Féadfar ceist do chur fé bhráid an réiteora bhreithiúntais fén alt so pe'ca bheidh breith tugtha uirthi ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid féin no ná beidh.
Ceisteanna féadfar a tharrac anuas le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost.
31.—(1) Le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid no duine ar bith go mbeidh a ainm ar an ainmliost sealadach a bheidh á bhreithniú de thurus na huaire no gníomhaire aon duine den tsórt san ceist ar bith do tharrac anuas a bhaineann le duine d'ainmniú chun ainmliosta, agus leis sin áirmhítear dleathacht pháipéirí ainmniúcháin, dóthanacht no cruinneas aon ráitis i bpáipéar ainmniúcháin, dleathacht aon ainmnithe, agus cáilíochta aon duine i gcóir aon ainmliosta áirithe.
(2) Mara mbeidh amhras ar bith i dtaobh cé hé an duine do bheirtear le tuisgint do bheith á ainmniú le páipéar ainmniúcháin ní diúltófar don pháipéar ainmniúcháin sin, ná ní dearbhófar é bheith nea-dhleathach, de bhíthin ainm no seoladh no tuairisc an duine sin do bheith curtha síos ann go nea-chruinn no go neamh-iomlán agus dá bhíthin sin amháin.
(3) Chun breith do thabhairt ar aon cheist a bheidh ann le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus an réiteoir breithiúntais, gach duine ar leith acu, fianaise, o bhéal no i scríbhinn, a tairgfear dó ag aon duine no thar ceann aon duine le n-a mbainfidh an cheist sin do ghlacadh agus gníomhú dá réir agus féadfaidh, más ceart san dar leis, a chur de cheangal an fhianaise sin do thabhairt fé mhionn agus féadfaidh chuige sin daoine do chur fé mhionn.
Na daoine dar ceaduithe bheith i láthair le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost.
32.—Beidh na daoine seo leanas agus ní bheidh éinne eile i láthair le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus a chongantóirí;
(b) an réiteoir breithiúntais agus duine amháin do bhéarfaidh leis chun freastal air;
(c) duine ar bith go mbeidh a ainm ar ainmliost sealadach;
(d) gníomhaire amháin do gach duine fé leith go mbeidh a ainm ar ainmliost sealadach;
(e) fínnithe ag tabhairt fianaise o bhéal, ach ní bheidh siad san i láthair ach faid a bheid ag tabhairt na fianaise sin;
(f) pé daoine eile is dóich leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid is ceart do leigint isteach.
Na himeachta bhaineann le críochnú na n-ainmliost do bheith leanúnach.
33.—(1) Sa mhéid gur féidir é raghfar ar aghaidh go leanúnach leis na himeachta bhainfidh le críochnú na n-ainmliost ach féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid iad do chur ar fiunraoi tráth ar bith le toiliú an réiteora bhreithiúntais go ceann pé tréimhse is dóich leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid is ceart chun bia no deoch do chaitheamh no mar gheall ar an oíche no ar aon chúis eile chífear dó is leor.
(2) Pé uair a cuirfear ar fiunraoi fén alt so na himeachta bhaineann le críochnú na n-ainmliost déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach ní is gá chun na bpáipéirí ainmniúcháin, na n-ainmliostaí sealadacha, agus na scríbhinní eile bhainfidh leis an scéal do choimeád sábhálta.
Iarrthóir d'fháil bháis no do theacht fé dhí-cháilíocht.
34.—(1) Má chuireann cólucht ainmniúcháin ina luighe ar an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, roimh an gceann aimsire d'ainmnithe generálta chun na n-ainmliost, go bhfuil duine d'ainmnigh an cólucht ainmniúcháin sin chun ainmliosta tar éis bháis no tar éis teacht chun bheith dí-cháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann cealóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ainmniú an duine sin láithreach agus leis sin tuigfear, chun crícheanna an Achta so, gan an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid d'fháil an ainmnithe sin riamh agus beidh sé dleathach don chólucht ainmniúcháin sin duine d'ainmniú chun an ainmliosta san do réir an Achta so in ionad an duine do fuair bás no do tháinig chun bheith dí-cháilithe amhlaidh.
(2) Más deimhin leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, roimh an gceann aimsire d'ainmnithe o chomhaltaí Dála chun na n-ainmliost, duine d'ainmnigh comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann chun ainmliosta do bheith tar éis bháis no tar éis teacht chun bheith dí-cháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann cealóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an t-ainmniú san láithreach agus leis sin tuigfear ná dearnadh an t-ainmniú san riamh.
(3) Nuair a beifear ag cóimhreamh na vótanna tugadh i dtoghachán Seanaid ní tabharfar áird ar aon rogha dar breacadh d'iarrthóir go mbeidh a ainm ar ainmliost agus gur deimhin leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta, do bheith marbh (pe'ca roimh chríochnú an ainmliosta san d'éag sé no dá éis sin) agus ina ionad san féachfar do sna céad roghna eile bheidh ar fáil.
(4) Fé réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den alt so, má gheibheann iarrthóir go mbeidh a ainm ar ainmliost bás no má thagann chun bheith dí-cháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann (pe'ca roimh chríochnú an ainmliosta san no dá éis sin é no roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta no dá éis sin é) ní thiocfaidh de sin an t-ainmliost san no ainmniú an iarrthóra san chuige no aon roghna breacfar dó do bheith nea-dhleathach ná dochar do dhéanamh don chéanna, agus má toghtar é ní bheidh a thogha nea-dhleathach de bhíthin é d'fháil bháis no é theacht chun bheith dí-cháilithe amhlaidh ach tuigfear é d'eirge as bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann díreach tar éis é thogha chuige.
Na hainmliostaí d'ullamhú agus d'fhoillsiú.
35.—(1) Nuair a déanfar, le linn críochnú na n-ainmliost, na himeachta dá bhforáltar sna hailt sin roimhe seo den Acht so do chríochnú ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an cúig ainmliost agus isé bheidh i ngach ceann fé leith acu ná liost (agus é socair do réir na bhforálacha ina dhiaidh seo den alt so) de sna daoine gheobhfar do bheith ainmnithe go dleathach chuige.
(2) Beidh gach ceann fé leith de sna hanmliostaí ina dhá roinn (dá ngairmtear fo-ainmliostaí san Acht so), agus isé bheidh i roinn acu san (dá ngairmtear san Acht so fo-ainmliost na gcólucht ainmniúcháin) ná liost de sna daoine bheidh ainmnithe chúichi ag cóluchtaí ainmniúcháin agus isé bheidh sa roinn eile (dá ngairmtear san Acht so fo-ainmliost na Dála) ná liost de sna daoine bheidh ainmnithe chúichi ag comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann no, i gcás an ainmliosta riaracháin, ag comhaltaí den tsórt san no tré ainmnithe ex-officio.
(3) Isé tuairisc do bhéarfar in ainmliost ar na daoine bheidh luaidhte san ainmliost san ná a n-ainm, a seoladh agus a dtuairisc mar a bheid ar a bpáipéirí ainmniúcháin fé seach agus cuirfear le tuairisc gach duine acu san ráiteas ar na cáilíochta atá aige i gcóir an ainmliosta san mar a bheid iontrálta ar an ainmliost sealadach oiriúnach do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den Acht so.
(4) Déanfar na daoine bheidh luaidhte i roinn d'ainmliost do shocrú sa roinn sin in ord aibítre a sloinnte agus, más mar a chéile aon dá shloinne no níos mó, in ord aibítre a n-ainmneacha eile.
(5) Nuair a bheidh an cúig ainmliost ullamh ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid foillseoidh sé iad san Iris Oifigiúil.
(6) Na hainmliostaí uile agus fé seach mar ullamhóidh agus mar fhoillseoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid iad do réir an ailt seo ní bheidh aon dul thársa ná ní bheid ion-athscrúduithe ag Cúirt ar bith.
CUID IV.
An Votaiocht.
An toghlucht.
36.—Isiad is toghlucht i ngach toghachán Seanaid ná—
(a) i gcás an chéad toghacháin Seanaid, na comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann a luaidhtear in Airteagal 54 den Bhunreacht no, i gcás gach toghacháin Seanaid ina dhiaidh sin, na comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann a toghfar sa toghachán Dála bheidh ann de dhruim an scuir sin ar Dháil Éireann dá dtiocfaidh an toghachán Seanaid sin, agus
(b) na daoine toghfar chuige sin ag comhairlí contae no contae-bhuirge no ag na seana-chomhaltaí de chomhairlí den tsórt san do réir na bhforálacha atá san Acht so chuige sin.
Comhairlí do thogha toghthóirí.
37.—(1) Ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 31adh lá d'Eanar, 1938, i gcás an chéad toghacháin Seanaid no, i gcás gach toghacháin Seanaid in dhiaidh sin, ar dháta nach déanaí ná mí tar éis an scuir sin ar Dháil Éireann dá dtiocfaidh an toghachán Seanaid sin toghfaidh gach comhairle chontae no chontae-bhuirge, do réir an ailt seo agus do réir rialachán ar n-a ndéanamh fé, seachtar (dá ngairmtear toghthóirí san alt so) chun an toghluchta don toghachán Seanaid sin agus, más togha comórtasach a bheidh sa togha san, tionólfaid cruinniú den chomhairle sin agus déanfar an togha san ag an gcruinniú san.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le toghthóirí do thogha do réir an ailt seo, sé sin le rá:—
(a) gach duine fé leith a bheidh á iarraidh go dtoghfaí ina thoghthóir é caithfe sé bheith ainmnithe i scríbhinn ag dhá chomhalta den chomhairle (dá ngairmtear an chomhairle thoghthach san alt so) a bheidh ag déanamh an toghtha san;
(b) ní bheidh éinne iontoghtha mar thoghthóir maran comhalta den chomhairle thoghthach é;
(c) maran togha comórtasach a bheidh sa togha san cuirfidh rúnaí na comhairle toghthaighe chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid, díreach tar éis críochnú na n-ainmnithe, ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na dtoghthóirí do hainmníodh amhlaidh go cuibhe;
(d) más togha comórtasach a bheidh sa togha san toghfar na toghthóirí ag na comhaltaí den chomhairle sin a bheidh ar an gcruinniú san (no ag an méid sin díobh gur mian leo vótáil) agus iad ag vótáil tré rún-bhallóid do réir na hionadaíochta cionmhaire agus ar mhodh an aon-vóta ionaistrithe;
(e) chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis na vótála san do bheith críochnuithe cuirfidh rúnaí na comhairle sin chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid na páipéirí ballóide uile le n-ar tugadh vótanna sa togha san agus cóimhreoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na vótanna san ina oifig no in áit chaothúil eile agus déanfaidh amach uatha toradh an toghtha;
(f) chó luath agus a bheidh tortha na dtoghtha uile déanfar do réir an ailt seo déanta amach ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amhlaidh, ullamhóidh agus sighneoidh agus foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil liost de sna daoine do toghadh sna toghtha san agus na daoine do toghadh ag gach comhairle thoghthach fé leith á dtaisbeáint ar leithligh air, agus beidh an ráiteas san, mar a foillseofar amhlaidh é, ina dhearbhú ná beidh aon dul thairis ar thoradh gach toghtha den tsórt san;
(g) na costaisí bhainfidh le gach togha déanfar do réir an ailt seo (seachas na costaisí bhainfidh le nithe gur gá don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid do réir an fho-ailt seo iad do dhéanamh) is ar an gcomhairle thoghthach a bheid agus isé slí ina gcruinneofar iad ná, i gcás comhairle contae, tríd an ráta dealbhais mar mhuirear ar an gcontae go hiomlán agus, i gcás contae-bhuirgí Bhaile Atha Cliath agus Luimnigh, tríd an ráta cathardha agus, i gcás contae-bhuirgí Chorcaighe agus Phortláirge, tríd an ráta dealbhais no an ráta eile sin ordóidh an tAire.
(3) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach comhairle chontae no chontae-bhuirge bheidh scurtha de thurus na huaire fé alt 72 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúla, 1925 (Uimh. 5 de 1925), sé sin le rá:—
(a) na daoine bheidh ar marthain (dá ngairmtear sa Chuid seo den Acht so na seana-chomhaltaí den chomhairle sin) agus ba chomhaltaí den chomhairle sin díreach roimh í scur amhlaidh agus nár tháinig, o am an scurtha san, fé bhreithiúntas féimhíoctha ná fé chiontú i gcoir ná i gcionta do chuirfeadh deireadh le n-a mbeith ina gcomhaltaí den chomhairle sin mara scuirtí amhlaidh í toghfaid as a measc féin na toghthóirí gur ghá don chomhairle sin, do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den alt so, iad do thogha mara scuirtí an chomhairle sin amhlaidh no toghfar na toghthóirí sin amhlaidh ag an méid sin de sna daoine sin gur mian leo bheith páirteach sa togha san;
(b) gach duine fé leith a bheidh á iarraidh go dtoghfaí sa togha san é caithfe sé bheith ainmnithe i scríbhinn ag beirt de sna seana-chomhaltaí den chomhairle sin;
(c) más togha comórtasach a bheidh sa togha san, gairmfear cruinniú de sna seana-chomhaltaí den chomhairle sin agus déanfar an togha ar an gcruinniú san ag na seanachomhaltaí den chomhairle sin a bheidh ar an gcruinniú san (no ag an méid sin díobh gur mian leo vótáil) agus iad ag vótáil tré rún-bhallóid do réir na hionadaíochta cionmhaire agus ar mhodh an aon-vóta ionaistrithe;
(d) sa mhéid ná fuilid buiniscionn leis na forálacha san roimhe seo den alt so beidh feidhm ag forálacha an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo gus na hatharuithe sin is gá no bheidh orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh fén alt so.
(4) Mara ndeinidh comhairle no na seana-chomhaltaí de chomhairle scurtha togha do réir an ailt seo no má thoghann comhairle no na seana-chomhaltaí de chomhairle scurtha níos lugha ná seacht dtoghthóirí, ní dhéanfaidh san dochar ná deifir do dhleathacht na dtoghtha dhéanfaidh comhairlí eile no na seana-chomhaltaí de chomhairlí eile do réir an ailt seo ná do dhleathach ná do dhosháruitheacht an rolla de thoghthóirí ná, más lugha ná seacht dtoghthóirí toghfar amhlaidh, do dhleathacht toghtha an mhéide sin toghthóirí toghfar amhlaidh.
(5) Déanfaidh an tAire pé rialacháin agus féadfaidh pé treoracha do thabhairt uaidh is dóich leis is ceart chun an ailt seo do chur in éifeacht (agus leis sin áirmhítear aimsir theoranta do cheapadh chun aon ghníomh no ní do dhéanamh), agus beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach comhairle chontae no chontae-bhuirge agus ar oifigigh gach comhairle den tsórt san (ar a n-áirmhítear oifigigh an té bheidh ag cólíonadh dualgaisí comhairle scurtha) déanamh do réir gach rialacháin agus treorach acu san.
An rolla de thoghthóirí.
38.—(1) Ar dháta nach déanaí ná an 31adh lá d'Eanar, 1938, i gcás an chéad toghacháin Seanaid no, i gcás gach toghacháin Seanaid ina dhiaidh sin, fé cheann trí lá tar éis na bhfreagraí uile ar riteacha an toghacháin Dála bheidh i gceist d'fháil dó, cuirfidh Cléireach Dháil Éireann chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid ráiteas ar ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na gcomhaltaí de Dháil Éireann a bheidh i dteideal fén Acht so bheith ina gcomhaltaí den toghlucht sa toghachán Seanaid sin.
(2) Chó luath agus gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid o Chléireach Dháil Éireann an ráiteas, maidir le toghachán Seanaid, a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so agus a dhéanfaidh amach toradh gach toghtha toghthóirí bheidh déanta go cuibhe do réir an Achta so ag comhairlí contae no contae-bhuirge (ar a n-áirmhítear aon toghtha bheidh déanta ag seana-chomhaltaí d'aon chomhairle den tsórt san a bheidh scurtha de thurus na huaire) maidir leis an toghachán Seanaid sin, ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid don toghachán Seanaid sin rolla de thoghthóirí ar a mbeidh ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na ndaoine uile go bhfeicfear ón ráiteas san agus o sna torthaí sin gurb iad is toghlucht don toghachán Seanaid sin.
(3) Má bhíonn duine ina bhall den toghlucht do thoghachán Seanaid de bhuadh níos mó ná aon cháilíocht amháin ní déanfar, dá ainneoin sin, a ainm do chur ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghachán Seanaid sin ach aon uair amháin.
(4) Beidh sé dleathach don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid pé fiosrú agus pé nithe eile do dhéanamh is dóich leis is ceart chun teacht ar ainm agus seoladh agus tuairisc cheart gach duine gur gá a ainm do chur ar rolla de thoghthóirí ach ní bheidh aon rolla de thoghthóirí nea-dhleathach de dheascaibh ainm no seoladh no tuairisc aon duine do bheith curtha síos go nea-chruinn ar an rolla san de thoghthóirí.
(5) Déanfar na daoine go gcuirfear a n-ainmneacha ar rolla de thoghthóirí do chóiriú ar an rolla san in ord aibítre a sloinnte agus, más mar a chéile aon dá shloinne no níos mó, in ord aibítre a n-ainmneacha eile, agus uimhreofar go leanúnach san ord san iad.
(6) Ní bheidh dul thar aon rolla de thoghthóirí a hullamhófar fén alt so ná ní bheidh sé ion-athscrúduithe ag cúirt ar bith agus na daoine go mbeidh a n-ainmneacha ar aon rolla den tsórt san de thoghthóirí beidh siad-san, agus ní bheidh éinne eile, i dteideal vótáil sa toghachán Seanaid le n-a mbainfidh an rolla san de thoghthóirí.
(7) Má éagann duine go mbeidh a ainm ar rolla de thoghthóirí ní dhéanfaidh san dochar ná deifir do dhleathacht ná d'oibriú an rolla san de thoghthóirí, pe'ca roimh an rolla san de thoghthóirí d'ullamhú no dá éis sin éagfaidh an duine sin.
Cóip de sna hainmliostaí do thabhairt amach do gach toghthóir.
39.—Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis críochnú an rolla de thoghthóirí no foillsiú na n-ainmliost san Iris Oifigiúil (pe'ca aca san is déanaí thárlóidh) agus ar aon chuma roimh an lá bheidh ceaptha chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid tríd an bpost chun gach duine go mbeidh a ainm ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, go dtí a sheoladh mar a bheidh sé luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, cóip den chúig ainmliost mar a bheid foillsithe san Iris Oifigiúil, ach go luadhfar sa chóip sin, maidir le gach duine bheidh ar aon ainmliost, an cólucht no an duine no na daoine gur de bharr ainmnithe uaidh no uatha cuireadh ar an ainmliost san é.
Na páipéirí ballóide.
40.—(1) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir leis na páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán Seanaid, sé sin le rá:—
(a) beidh i ngach páipéar ballóide ainmneacha agus seolta agus tuairiscí na n-iarrthóirí uile bheidh luaidhte sna hainmliostaí iomdha agus iad socair in ord aibítre a sloinnte agus, más mar a chéile aon dá shloinne no níos mó, in ord aibítre a n-ainmneacha eile, agus san in aon cholún leanúnach amháin no i dhá cholún no níos mó fé mar is dóich leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, le toiliú an Aire, is caothúla;
(b) luadhfar i ngach páipéar ballóide freisin, maidir le gach iarrthóir a bheidh luaidhte ann, an t-ainmliost agus an fo-ainmliost ina mbeidh sé luaidhte mar iarrthóir;
(c) beidh sloinnte na n-iarrthóirí uile agus fé seach clóbhuailte ar na páipéirí ballóide i litreacha móra agus beidh a n-ainmneacha eile agus a seolta agus a dtuairiscí clóbhuailte i litreacha beaga, ach más mar a chéile sloinnte dhá iarrthóir no níos mó beidh ainmneacha eile na n-iarrthóirí sin (chó maith le n-a sloinnte) clóbhuailte i litreacha móra agus fós oiread de sheoladh no de thuairisc, no de sheoladh agus de thuairisc, gach iarrthóra fé leith acu san agus a dhéanfaidh idirdhealú éifeachtúil eatorra dar leis an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid.
(2) Fé réir forálacha an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so is sa bhfuirm orduithe bheidh na páipéirí ballóide agus beidh uimhir clóbhuailte ar chúl gach páipéir bhallóide fé leith agus beidh có-dhuille ag gabháil leis agus an uimhir chéanna clóbhuailte ar aghaidh an chó-dhuille sin agus le linn gach páipéar ballóide fé leith do thabhairt amach marcálfar gach taobh de le marc oifigiúil a stampálfar air no tollfar ann.
An modh chun vótanna do mharcáil ar na páipéirí ballóide.
41.—(1) Caithfidh toghthóir agus é ag tabhairt a vóta an figiúir 1 do chur ar an bpáipéar ballóide os coinne ainm an iarrthóra le n-a mbeidh sé ag vótáil agus féadfaidh ina theanta san na figiúirí 2 agus 3, no 2, 3 agus 4 agus mar sin de do chur ar an bpáipéar ballóide os coinne ainmneacha iarrthóirí eile in ord a rogha.
(2) Aon pháipéar ballóide—
(a) ná beidh an marc oifigiúil air, no
(b) ná beidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar curtha air in aon chor no ná beidh sé curtha air i slí go dtaisbeánfaidh céad-rogha d'iarrthóir éigin, no
(c) ar a mbeidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céad-rogha, curtha os coinne ainm níos mó ná aon iarrthóir amháin, no
(d) ar a mbeidh an figiúir 1 ina aonar, ag taisbeáint céad-rogha, maraon le huimhir éigin eile curtha os coinne ainm an aon iarrthóra amháin, no
(e) ar a mbeidh éinní, ach an uimhir ar an gcúl, scríobhtha no marcálta tré n-ar féidir an vótálaí d'aithint,
beidh sé gan bhrí agus ní cóimhreofar é.
Páipéirí ballóide do chur chun na dtoghthóirí.
42.—(1) An lá bheidh ceaptha chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach i dtoghachán Seanaid déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar ballóide maraon le fuirm dhearbhú céannachta do chur tríd an bpost cláruithe chun gach duine go mbeidh a ainm ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghachán san, go dtí an seoladh bheidh luaidhte ar an rolla san de thoghthóirí.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh duine gur cheart páipéar ballóide do thoghachán Seanaid do chur chuige fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so a chur in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid i scríbhinn go bhfuil níos mó ná ceithre huaire fichead a chluig imithe ón am ba cheart an páipéar ballóide sin do sheachadadh dhó i ngnáth-chúrsa an phuist agus ná fuair sé an páipéar ballóide sin agus gur mian leis go dtabharfaí amach dó páipéar ballóide dúbláideach agus dearbhú céannachta dúbláideach, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid láithreach, má gheibheann an scríbhinn sin am nach déanaí ná ocht n-uaire is dachad a chluig roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, no féadfaidh, má gheibheann an scríbhinn sin níos lugha ná ocht n-uaire is dachad a chluig roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, páipéar ballóide agus dearbhú céannachta do chur tríd an bpost cláruithe chun an duine sin, go dtí an seoladh luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo, agus é soiléir ortha araon, tré n-a mbeith clóbhuailte ar pháipéar ar dhath ar leithligh no tré shlí eile, gur dúbláidí iad den pháipéar bhallóide agus den fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta do céad-chuireadh chun an duine sin fén alt so.
(3) Is sa bhfuirm orduithe bheidh gach dearbhú céannachta.
(4) Nuair a bheidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ag cur amach páipéirí ballóide do réir an ailt seo cólíonfaidh na rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
An modh vótála.
43.—(1) Gach duine bheidh i dteideal vótáil i dtoghachán Seanaid is sa tslí seo leanas agus ní hin aon tslí eile bheidh sé i dteideal vótáil sa toghachán san, sé sin le rá, tríd an bpáipéar ballóide cuirfear chuige fén alt so do mharcáil agus do chur chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid tríd an bpost cláruithe no tríd an ngnáth-phost maraon leis an bhfuirm dhearbhú céannachta cuirfear chuige amhlaidh i dteanta an pháipéir bhallóide sin agus an dearbhú san déanta agus críochnuithe go cuibhe aige.
(2) Pé uair a dhéanfaidh duine bheidh i dteideal vótáil i dtoghachán Seanaid a chur in úil don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid i scríbhinn gur chuir sé thar n-ais chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid go cuibhe, tríd an bpost cláruithe, an páipéar ballóide agus an fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta do cuireadh chuige fén alt so agus ná dearnadh, do réir dheallraimh, iad do sheachadadh don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid agus gur mian leis go dtabharfaí amach dó páipéar ballóide dúbláideach agus dearbhú céannachta dúbláideach, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid láithreach, má gheibheann an scríbhinn sin am nach déanaí ná ocht n-uaire is dachad a chluig roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, no féadfaidh, má gheibheann an scríbhinn sin níos lugha ná ocht n-uaire is dachad a chluig roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta sa toghachán san, páipéar ballóide agus fuirm dhearbhú céannachta do chur tríd an bpost cláruithe chun an duine sin, go dtí n-a sheoladh mar a bheidh san luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, agus é soiléir ortha araon, tré n-a mbeith clóbhuailte ar pháipéar ar dhath ar leithligh no tré shlí eile, gur dúbláidí iad den pháipéar bhallóide agus den fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta do céad-chuireadh chun an duine sin fén alt so.
(3) Ag glacadh na bpáipéirí ballóide dhó i dtoghachán Seanaid agus ag deighleáil leo ar gach slí eile dhó cólíonfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
Na comhaltaí do roinnt ar na hainmliostaí.
44.—Isiad so leanas na huimhreacha de chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann a toghfar as gach ceann fé leith de sna hainmliostaí, sé sin le rá:—
(a) toghfar cúig chomhalta as an ainmliost saoidheachta agus oideachais, eadhon, duine as fo-ainmliost na Dála den ainmliost san agus ceathrar as fo-ainmliost na gcólucht ainmniúcháin den ainmliost san;
(b) toghfar aon chomhalta dhéag as an ainmliost talmhaíochta, eadhon, seisear as fo-ainmliost na Dála den ainmliost san agus cúigear as fo-ainmliost na gcólucht ainmniúcháin den ainmliost san;
(c) toghfar aon chomhalta dhéag as an ainmliost oibreachais, eadhon, seisear as fo-ainmliost na Dála den ainmliost san agus cúigear as fo-ainmliost na gcólucht ainmniúcháin den ainmliost san;
(d) toghfar naoi gcomhalta as an ainmliost tionnscail agus tráchtála, eadhon, cúigear as fo-ainmliost na Dála den ainmliost san agus ceathrar as fo-ainmliost na gcólucht ainmniúcháin den ainmliost san;
(e) toghfar seacht gcomhalta as an ainmliost riaracháin, eadhon, ceathrar as fo-ainmliost na Dála den ainmliost san agus triúr as fo-ainmliost na gcólucht ainmniúcháin den ainmliost san.
Toradh an toghacháin do dhéanamh amach.
45.—(1) Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis críochnú na vótaíochta déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amach ar leithligh, i bhfianaise na n-iarrthóirí bheidh i láthair agus do réir an Achta so agus go sonnrách do réir na rialacha atá sa Chéad Sceideal agus sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, toradh an toghacháin maidir le gach ainmliost fé leith agus dearbhóidh na hiarrthóirí sin do bheith toghtha as an ainmliost san a déanfar amach amhlaidh do bheith toghtha.
(2) Ní bheidh dul thar breith an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid ar aon cheist eireoidh i dtaobh na bpáipéirí ballóide no na ndearbhuithe céannachta no na gclúdach ina mbeid ná ar aon chúrsa eile eireoidh i dtaobh na bpáipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach no d'fháil no i dtaobh na vótanna do chóimhreamh, ach beidh sí ion-athscrúduithe ag cúirt a thrialfaidh achuinghe toghacháin maidir leis an toghachán.
Rún do choimeád ar an vótáil.
46.—(1) Déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, agus gach oifigeach agus cléireach go mbeidh baint acu leis na páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach no d'fháil no leis na vótanna do chóimhreamh i dtoghachán Seanaid agus gach iarrthóir a bheidh i láthair le linn na tabhartha amach no na fála no an chóimhrimh sin, rún do choimeád agus cabhrú chun rún do choimeád ar an vótáil sa toghachán san agus ní thabharfaid uatha roimh chríochnú an toghacháin, ach amháin chun críche éigin le n-a mbeidh údarás dlí, aon eolas i dtaobh ce'ca vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe sa toghachán san no nár vótáil, ná i dtaobh an mhaire oifigiúil, agus ní thabharfaid d'éinne uair ar bith aon eolas, do gheobhfar le linn no i gcúrsa na tabhartha amach no na fála no an chóimhrimh sin, i dtaobh cé hé an t-iarrthóir le n-ar vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe ná i dtaobh ce'ca vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe no nár vótáil ná i dtaobh na huimhreach ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide do cuireadh chun aon toghthóra áirithe.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh éinne cur isteach ná iarracht ar chur isteach ar aon toghthóir i dtoghachán Seanaid d'fháil no do mharcáil a pháipéir bhallóide no do chur an pháipéir sin thar n-ais.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh éinne go díreach ná go nea-dhíreach a thabhairt ar aon toghthóir i dtoghachán Seanaid a pháipéar ballóide do thaisbeáint, tar éis é dá mharcáil, i slí go nochtfaí don duine sin no d'éinne eile ainm aon iarrthóra 'nar mharcáil sé a vóta leis ar an bpáipéar ballóide sin.
(4) Gach éinne ghníomhóidh contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear príosúntacht ar feadh téarma ar bith nach sia ná sé mhí do chur air.
Achuingheacha toghacháin i dtaobh toghacháin Seanaid.
47.—Na hachtacháin a bhaineann le tíolacadh agus le triail achuingheacha toghacháin i dtaobh toghachán chun comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann do thogha bainfid le toghacháin Seanaid ach san gus na hatharuithe seo leanas ortha, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an chúirt a bheidh ag triail achuinghe toghacháin i dtaobh toghacháin Seanaid ní bheidh comhacht aici a dhearbhú an toghachán uile do bheith gan bhrí ach féadfaidh a dhearbhú togha aon iarrthóra áirithe no níos mó do tuairiscíodh do toghadh sa toghacháin do bheith gan bhrí no do bheith dleathach do réir mar is gá do réir chirt;
(b) má dhearbhuíonn an chúirt sin amhlaidh togha aon iarrthóra áirithe do bheith gan bhrí dearbhóidh an chúirt gur toghadh an duine sin is gá do réir chirt de sna hiarrthóirí nár tuairiscíodh do bheith toghtha;
(c) beidh comhacht ag an gcúirt sin na leasuithe sin, is gá chun éifeacht do thabhairt dá breitheanna, do dhéanamh ar dheimhniú an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid ar thoradh an toghacháin;
(d) ní bheidh sé d'fhiachaibh ar an gcúirt sin athchóimhreamh do chur á dhéanamh ar na vótanna tugadh do sna hiarrthóirí, ná scrúdú do dhéanamh ar an vótáil ná ar chóimhreamh na vótanna maidir leis na hiarrthóirí, ar ainmliost gur deimhin leis an gcúirt sin ina thaobh gan an vótáil do rinneadh maidir leis na hiarrthóirí air do bheith i gceist san achuinghe sin;
(e) léireofar mar thagairtí do Sheanad Éireann tagairtí do Dháil Éireann (ar a n-áirmhítear tagairtí deintear tré oiriúnú) agus léireofar mar thagairtí do Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann tagairtí do Cathaoirleach no do Cheann Chomhairle Dháil Éireann (ar a n-áirmhítear tagairtí deintear tré oiriúnú).
(2) Ní déanfar, in aon imeachta dlí chun togha no tuairisciú aon iarrthóra i dtoghachán Seanaid do dhiospóid, a cheangal ar dhuine ar bith do vótáil sa toghachán san a rá cé leis gur vótáil sé.
Rialacha d'fhágaint gan cólíonadh.
48.—Ní dearbhófar togha aon iarrthóra i dtoghachán Seanaid do bheith gan bhrí de bhíthin na rialacha atá in aon Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so do bheith fágtha gan cólíonadh ná de bhíthin aon dearmhaid in úsáid na bhfuirmeacha bheidh orduithe fén Acht so agus dá bhíthin sin amháin, má chítear don bhínse 'na mbeidh an cheist os a chóir gur stiúradh an toghachán do réir na bprínsiobal atá leagtha amach i gcorp an Achta so agus ná dearna an nea-chólíonadh no an dearmhad san deifir do thoradh an toghacháin.
Seirbhísí puist.
49.—Na seirbhísí puist go léir (ar a n-áirmhítear na seirbhísí clárathachta go léir) a déanfar ar fad laistigh d'Éirinn maidir le páipéirí ballóide i dtoghachán Seanaid do thabhairt amach agus do chur thar n-ais, déanfaidh an tAire Puist agus Telegrafa iad gan na héilithe ina dtaobh do roimh-íoc leis agus tuigfear gur cuid de chostaisí an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid gach éileamh den tsórt san agus íocfar iad dá réir sin.
CUID V.
Ilghneitheach.
Eirghe as comhaltas Sheanad Éireann.
50.—(1) Féadfaidh comhalta de Sheanad Éireann a toghfar fén Acht so eirghe as bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann dá dheoin féin tré fhógra i scríbhinn do thabhairt do Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann agus craolfaidh seisean an t-eirghe-as san do Sheanad Éireann ag an gcéad chruinniú eile bheidh acu.
(2) Má eiríonn comhalta de Sheanad Éireann as fén alt so beidh éifeacht ag an eirghe-as san díreach ar Chathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann do chraoladh an chéanna do réir an ailt seo.
Duine do thogha mar chomhalta ollscoile agus mar chomhalta ainmliosta.
51.—Pé uair a thárlóidh, in olltoghachán do chomhaltaí de Sheanad Éireann, go dtoghfaidh ollscoil duine mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann (dá ngairmtear comhalta ollscoile san alt so) agus go dtoghfar an duine sin fén Acht so freisin mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann (dá ngairmtear comhalta ainmliosta san alt so), beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh an duine sin, tré scríbhinn fé n-a láimh a seachadfar do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann roimh a shuidheachán do thógaint i gceachtar feadhmannas a dhearbú ce'ca mar chomhalta ollscoile no mar chomhalta ainmliosta shuidhfidh i Seanad Éireann:
(b) mara ndeinidh an duine sin, laistigh de mhí tar éis an chéad chruinnithe bheidh ag Seanad Éireann tar éis an olltoghacháin sin, an dearbhú san a luaidhtear sa mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do sheachadadh do Chléireach Sheanad Éireann do réir na míre sin, tuigfear gur dhearbhuigh an duine sin i ndeireadh an mhí sin gur mar chomhalta ollscoile do shuidhfeadh i Seanad Éireann;
(c) chó luath agus a dhearbhóidh an duine sin no a tuigfear gur dhearbhuigh ce'ca de sna feadhmannaisí sin ina suidhfidh i Seanad Éireann, tuigfear é d'eirghe as a shuidheachán i Seanad Éireann mar chomhalta den chéanna sa bhfeadhmannas eile acu san.
CEAD SCEIDEAL.
An Toghachan do Stiuradh.
1. An lá chun páipéirí ballóide do thabhairt amach i dtoghachán Seanaid, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, sa tslí a horduítear sna Rialacha so leanas, páipéar ballóide do thabhairt amach do gach toghthóir a bheidh luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí don toghachán san.
2. Beidh gach iarrthóir i dtoghachán Seanaid i dteideal bheith i láthair le linn na bpáipéirí ballóide bheith á dtabhairt amach i gcóir an toghacháin sin agus, ar n-a iarraidh sin air d'aon iarrthóir den tsórt san, cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid in úil don iarrthóir sin cathain do bhéarfar agus cá háit ina dtabharfar na páipéirí ballóide sin amach.
3. Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus a chongantóirí, agus aon iarrthóir agus aon ghníomhaire bheidh ceaptha ag iarrthóir, agus ní fhéadfaidh éinne eile ach amháin le cead an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid, bheith i láthair le linn na bpáipéirí ballóide bheith á dtabhairt amach.
4. Bhéarfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar ballóide amach do gach toghthóir fé leith tré sna nithe seo leanas do dhéanamh no a chur fé ndeár iad do dhéanamh maidir leis an toghthóir sin san ord so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) glaofar amach uimhir, ainm, seoladh agus tuairisc an toghthóra mar a bheid san luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí;
(b) marcálfar uimhir sin an toghthóra ar chó-dhuille an pháipéir bhallóide bheidh le cur chuige;
(c) cuirfear mare ar an rolla de thoghthóirí os coinne ainm an iarrthóra air chun a thaisbeáint gur tugadh amach páipéar ballóide don toghthóir sin gan a nochtadh cadé an páipéar ballóide é;
(d) marcálfar an páipéar ballóide ar a dhá thaobh leis an marc oifigiúil;
(e) déanfar an uimhir a bheidh ar chúl an pháipéir bhallóide do mharcáil ar fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta agus ar chlúdach (dá ngairmtear an clúdach páipéir bhallóide anso feasta) a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe;
(f) cuirfear na scríbhinní seo leanas i gclúdach (dá ngairmtear an forchlúdach anso feasta) a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe agus é dírithe chun an toghthóra ag á sheoladh mar a bheidh san luaidhte ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, sé sin le rá:—
(i) páipéar ballóide, agus
(ii) an fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta san, agus
(iii) clúdach (dá ngairmtear an clúdach clúdacháin anso feasta) a bheidh sa bhfuirm orduithe agus é dírithe chun an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid, agus
(iv) an clúdach páipéir bhallóide sin;
(g) dúnfar an forchlúdach go héifeachtúil;
(h) nuair a bheidh na forálacha san roimhe seo den Riail seo cólíonta maidir leis na toghthóirí uile go mbeidh a n-ainmneacha ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, baileofar, cóimhreofar agus postálfar na forchlúdaigh dhúnta san go léir.
5. Gach iarratas ar pháipear ballóide dúbláideach do thabhairt amach a gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid cúl-scríobhfaidh air, ar é fháil dó, an lá agus an uair do fuair agus fós uimhir leanúnach, agus gach páipéar ballóide dúbláideach do bhéarfar amach do bhun aon iarratais den tsórt san bhéarfar amach é do réir forálacha na Rialach san roimhe seo sa mhéid go mbainfid leis an gcás ach amháin go marcálfar ar chó-dhuille an pháipéir bhallóide sin, in ionad na huimhreach a bheidh ar an rolla de thoghthóirí, an uimhir leanúnach do cúl-scríobhadh ar an iarratas gur dá bhun a bheidh an páipéar ballóide sin á thabhairt amach agus, nuair a bheidh an páipéar ballóide sin tugtha amach, go ndéanfar leis an iarratas san fé mar is gá do réir na Rialacha so déanamh leis an gcóip mharcálta den rolla de thoghthóirí.
6. Postálfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na forchlúdaigh dhúnta san tré sna forchlúdaigh sin do sheachadadh don cheannoifig phuist is goire dhó, no do pé oifig eile ar a socrófar leis an gceann-mháistir puist, agus stampálfaidh an máistir puist san oifig sin, leis an dát-stampa post-oifige, fuirm admhála thíolacfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus an méid forchlúdach do seachadadh amhlaidh luaidhte ann, agus cuirfidh na forchlúdaigh sin ar aghaidh láithreach tríd an bpost cláruithe chun a seachadtha do sna daoine chun a mbeid dírithe.
7. Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis tabhairt-amach na bpáipéirí ballóide do bheith críochnuithe agus i bhfianaise na n-iarrthóirí agus na ngníomhairí sin a bheidh i láthair déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid pacáidí ar leithligh den chóip mharcálta den rolla de thoghthóirí agus de chó-dhuillí na bpáipéirí ballóide, agus séalófar na pacáidí sin le n-a shéala féin agus le séalaí an mhéide sin de sna hiarrthóirí no de sna gníomhairí sin gur mian leo a séalaí do chur ortha.
8. Cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid bosca ballóide ar fáil, agus “Bosca ballóide an tSeanaid” marcálta air, chun na gclúdach clúdacháin do chur isteach ann nuair a chuirfidh na vótálaithe thar n-ais iad, agus ar thabhairt-amach na bpáipéirí ballóide do bheith críochnuithe taisbeánfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an bosca ballóide sin, ar oscailt agus folamh, do sna hiarrthóirí agus do sna gníomhairí (más ann dóibh) a bheidh i láthair, agus séalóidh an bosca ballóide sin le n-a shéala agus déanfaidh socrú chun an bhosca bhallóide sin do choimeád slán sábhálta.
9. Gach clúdach clúdacháin do gheobhaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta, cuirfidh láithreach, gan oscailt, isteach i mbosca ballóide an tSeanaid é, agus na clúdaigh chlúdacháin uile do gheobhaidh tar éis críochnú na vótaíochta, cuirfidh, gan oscailt, i bpacáiste ar leithligh fé shéala iad, agus fós na forchlúdaigh uile cuirfear thar n-ais chuige mar rudaí nár seachadadh, cuirfidh, gan oscailt, i bpacáiste ar leithligh fé shéala iad.
10. Trí lá ar a laighead roimh chríochnú na vótaíochta cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid tríd an bpost chun gach iarrthóra, go dtí n-a sheoladh mar a bheidh san luaidhte sna hainmliostaí d'iarrthóirí, fógra i scríbhinn i dtaobh an ama dhéanfaidh agus na háite ina ndéanfaidh bosca ballóide an tSeanaid d'oscailt agus na vótanna do chóimhreamh.
11. Chó luath agus a bheidh caoi ann chuige sin tar éis críochnú na vótaíochta osclóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid bosca ballóide an tSeanaid agus cóimhreoidh na vótanna.
12. Féadfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus a chongantóirí. agus aon iarrthóir agus aon ghníomhaire bheidh ceaptha ag iarrthóir, agus ní fhéadfaidh éinne eile ach amháin le cead an chinn chóimhrimh Seanaid, bheith i láthair le linn bosca ballóide an tSeanaid d'oscailt no le linn na vótanna bheith á gcóimhreamh.
13. Nuair a hosclófar bosca ballóide an tSeanaid déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na nithe seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) na clúdaigh chlúdacháin uile do thógaint amach as bosca ballóide an tSeanaid agus iad do chóimhreamh agus a líon do nótú;
(b) gach clúdach clúdacháin acu san d'oscailt agus aon cheann de sna clúdaigh sin ina mbeidh dearbhú céannachta tugadh amach mar dhúbláid d'fhuirm dhearbhú céannachta do chur ar leithligh;
(c) gach ceann fé leith de sna clúdaigh chlúdacháin sin nár cuireadh ar leithligh amhlaidh do thógaint ina aonar agus an dearbhú céannachta ann do scrúdú agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú san do chur i gcompráid leis an uimhir ar chlúdach an pháipéir bhallóide sa chlúdach chlúdacháin sin;
(d) más mar a chéile na huimhreacha san agus go bhfaighfear an dearbhú céannachta do bheith críochnuithe agus déanta go cuibhe, cuirfidh an dearbhú céannachta agus clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide i dhá ngabhadán ar leithligh;
(e) maran deimhin leis an dearbhú céannachta do bheith críochnuithe agus déanta go cuibhe cúl-scríobhfaidh “diúltuíodh don vóta” ar an dearbhú céannachta agus ceanglóidh clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide dhe gan an clúdach san d'oscailt no, mara mbeidh aon chlúdach den tsórt san ann, ceanglóidh an páipéar ballóide dhe;
(f) má gheibheann sé nach mar a chéile an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta agus an uimhir ar chlúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, no mara mbeidh aon uimhir ar an gclúdach, osclóidh an clúdach agus, más mar a chéile an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta, cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide sa ghabhadán speisialta bheidh curtha ar fáil aige i gcóir páipéirí ballóide;
(g) maran mar a chéile an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus an uimhir ar an dearbhú céannachta, cuirfe sé an páipéar ballóide thar n-ais ina chlúdach, más ann dó, ceanglóidh an clúdach no an páipéar ballóide sin (do réir mar a bheidh) den dearbhú chéannachta, agus cúlscríobhfaidh “diúltuíodh don vóta” ar an dearbhú céannachta;
(h) má dheallruíonn sé ná fuil dearbhú céannachta i dteanta clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, osclóidh sé clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide, agus má gheibhtear an dearbhú céannachta do bheith ann déanfaidh leis an dearbhú agus leis an gclúdach páipéir bhallóide sin do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den riail seo;
(i) marcálfa sé an focal “diúltuithe” ar gach dearbhú céannachta ná beidh páipéar ballóide ina theanta agus ar gach páipéar ballóide ná beidh dearbhú céannachta ina theanta;
(j) nuair a bheidh deighleálta fé sna forálacha san roimhe seo den Riail seo leis na clúdaigh chlúdacháin sin uile nár cuireadh ar leithligh amhlaidh, déanfa sé gach ceann fé leith de sna clúdaigh chlúdacháin sin do cuireadh ar leithligh toisc go raibh dearbhú céannachta ionta tugadh amach mar dhúbláid de dhearbhú chéannachta do thógaint ina aonar agus an dearbhú céannachta bheidh ann (dá ngairmtear an dearbhú dúbláideach anso feasta) do scrúdú agus féachaint a ndearnadh roimhe sin dearbhú céannachta i dtaobh an duine chéanna do scrúdú fén Riail seo no ná dearnadh;
(k) má scrúduíodh dearbhú céannachta i dtaobh an duine chéanna roimhe sin fén Riail seo marcálfá sé “diúltuíodh don vóta” ar an dearbhú dúbláideach agus ceanglóidh clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide dhe gan an clúdach san d'oscailt no, mara mbeidh aon chlúdach den tsórt san ann, ceanglóidh an páipéar ballóide dhe;
(l) marar scrúduíodh dearbhú céannachta i dtaobh an duine chéanna roimhe sin fén Riail seo déanfa sé leis an dearbhú dúbláideach, agus fós le clúdach an pháipéir bhallóide agus leis an bpáipéar ballóide bheidh i dteanta an dearbhuithe sin, do réir na bhforálacha san roimhe seo den Riail seo ach amháin an dá mhír dheiridh sin roimhe seo dhi.
14. Más in éineacht do gheobhfar páipéar ballóide agus dearbhú céannachta agus gur mar a chéile na huimhreacha ar an bpáipéar ballóide sin agus ar an dearbhú céannachta san, ní diúltófar don pháipéar bhallóide sin mara mbeidh d'fhoras leis sin ach go raibh an páipéar ballóide sin agus an dearbhú céannachta san gan bheith sna clúdaigh chearta no go raibh aon chlúdach acu san gan bheith daingnithe.
15. Taisbeánfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid do sna hiarrthóirí agus do sna gníomhairí (más ann dóibh) a bheidh i láthair aon dearbhú céannachta go mbeidh sé chun diúltú dhó ar an scór nár críochnuíodh agus ná dearnadh sa cheart é agus má chuireann aon iarrthóir no gníomhaire acu san i gcoinnibh na breithe sin uaidh cuirfidh leis an gcúl-scríbhinn na focail “cuireadh i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe”.
16. Déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na dearbhuithe uile dá ndiúltófar, maraon leis na clúdaigh no leis na páipéirí ballóide, do réir mar a bheidh, a bheidh ceangailte dhíobh, do choimeád ar deighilt o scríbhinní eile.
17. Nuair a bheidh na clúdaigh chlúdacháin uile i mbosca ballóide an tSeanaid oscailte agus a bheidh deighleálta fé sna Rialacha san roimhe seo le n-a mbeidh ionta, osclóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach clúdach páipéir bhallóide ná beidh oscailte agus cuirfidh an uimhir ar an gclúdach i gcompráid leis an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide agus, más mar a chéile an uimhir ar an gclúdach agus an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide, cuirfidh an páipéar ballóide isteach sa ghabhadán speisialta bheidh curtha ar fáil aige i gcóir páipéirí ballóide ach, maran mar a chéile an uimhir ar an gclúdach agus an uimhir ar an bpáipéar ballóide, ceanglóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an páipéar ballóide sin agus an clúdach san dá chéile agus marcálfaidh “diúltuithe” ortha.
18. Chó luath agus a bheidh na páipéirí ballóide uile curtha isteach sa ghabhadán speisialta san ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid cuirfidh i bpacáidí ar leithligh fé shéala (1) na dearbhuithe céannachta bhí i dteanta aon pháipéiri ballóide le n-ar glacadh go cuibhe; (2) aon dearbhuithe céannachta dar diúltuíodh; agus (3) aon pháipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh; agus, sa dá chás deiridh sin, na clúdaigh (más ann dóibh) a bheidh ceangailte dhíobh.
19. Nuair a bheidh na Rialacha san roimhe seo den Sceideal so cólíonta ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid meascfaidh go maith ar a chéile na páipéirí ballóide bheidh sa ghabhadán speisialta san a bheidh curtha ar fáil aige i gcóir páipéirí ballóide agus cóimhreoidh, do réir na Rialacha atá sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, na vótanna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide sin.
20. Cúl-scríobhfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid “diúltuithe” ar aon pháipéar ballóide dá ndiúltóidh sé mar pháipéar gan bhrí agus má chuireann aon iarrthóir no gníomhaire i gcoinnibh na breithe sin uaidh le n-ar dhiúltuigh don pháipéar bhallóide cuirfidh leis an gcúl-scríbhinn sin “cuireadh i gcoinnibh an diúltuithe”.
21. Sa mhéid gur féidir é déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na himeachta fén Sceideal so tar éis an bhosca bhallóide d'oscailt agus fós cóimhreamh na vótanna do choimeád ar siúl gan sos ach féadfaidh tráth ar bith, na himeachta no an cóimhreamh san do chur ar fiunraoi go ceann pé tréimhse is ceart, dar leis, chun bia no deoch do chaitheamh no mar gheall ar an oíche no ar aon réasún eile chífear dó is leor, agus pé uair a chuirfidh na himeachta san no an cóimhreamh san ar fiunraoi amhlaidh glacfaidh gach réamh-chúram is cóir chun na bpáipéirí ballóide, na gclúdach, na vótanna, agus na scríbhinní eile bhainfidh leis an toghachán do choimeád sábhálta.
22. Déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid agus gach éinne dá chongantóirí thógfaidh páirt in aon cheann de sna himeachta fén Sceideal so no i gcóimhreamh na vótanna agus gach iarrthóir agus gníomhaire bheidh i láthair le linn aon imeachta dhíobh san no le linn an chóimhrimh sin geallúint sa bhfuirm orduithe do shighniú, sara dtógfaid páirt amhlaidh no sara mbeid i láthair amhlaidh, go gcoimeádfaid rún ar an vótáil.
23. Chó luath agus a bheidh cóimhreamh na vótanna críochnuithe ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid i ndúbláid maidir le gach ainmliost fé leith deimhniú, sa bhfuirm orduithe, ina luadhfar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí do toghadh as an ainmliost san, uimhir iomlán na vótanna do tugadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith (pe'ca toghadh é no nár toghadh), gach aistriú fiúntaisí do rinneadh fén Acht so agus an fiúntas iomlán do bhí creidiúnuithe do gach iarrthóir fé leith i ndeireadh an chóimhrimh ina ndearnadh gach aistriú fé leith den tsórt san, agus pé nithe eile bheidh orduithe, agus sighneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an deimhniú dúbláideach san ansan agus cuirfidh ceann de sna dúbláidí sin go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann agus (ach amháin i gcás an chéad toghacháin Seanaid) an ceann eile de sna dúbláidí sin go dtí Cléireach Sheanad Éireann.
I gcás gach deimhniú a hullamhófar fén Riail seo maidir leis an gcéad toghachán Seanaid, déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid, tar éis dó dúbláid amháin den deimhniú san do chur go dtí Cléireach Dháil Éireann, an dúbláid eile den deimhniú san do choimeád agus cuirfidh an dúbláid eile sin go dtí Cléireach Sheanad Éireann no seachadfaidh dó é chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis an Chléirigh sin do bheith ceaptha.
24. Ullamhóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid freisin agus foillseoidh san Iris Oifigiúil ráiteas sa bhfuirm orduithe ina luadhfar ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí do toghadh as gach ainmliost fé leith.
25. Ar chríochnú chóimhreamh na vótanna dhó cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid i bpacáidí ar leithligh fé shéala na páipéirí ballóide cóimhrithe agus na páipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh mar pháipéirí gan bhrí.
26. Coinneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid go ceann sé mhí tar éis críochnú na vótaíochta na pacáidí uile agus fé seach a bheidh fé shéala agus ina mbeidh an chóip mharcálta den rolla de thoghthóirí, có-dhuillí na bpáipéirí ballóide, na clúdaigh chlúdacháin do fuarthas tar éis críochnú na vótaíochta, na forchlúdaigh do cuireadh thar n-ais mar rudaí nár seachadadh, na dearbhuithe céannachta le n-ar glacadh, na dearbhuithe céannachta dar diúltuíodh, na páipéirí ballóide dar diúltuíodh, na páipéirí ballóide cóimhrithe, agus na páipéirí ballóide gan bhrí agus i gcionn na tréimhse sin de sé mhí dítheoidh na pacáidí séaluithe sin uile mara mbeidh a mhalairt orduithe ag bínse toghacháin.
27. Ní leigfear do dhuine ar bith iniúchadh do dhéanamh ar aon cheann de sna pacáidí séaluithe sin a choinneoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ná ar éinní dá mbeidh ionta ach amháin fé ordú bhínse thoghacháin agus dá réir sin.
28. Féadfaidh bínse toghacháin a údarú do dhuine ar bith iniúchadh do dhéanamh ar a mbeidh in aon cheann de sna pacáidí séaluithe sin ar ar gá do réir chirt san do dhéanamh ach nuair a bheidh aon iniúchadh den tsórt san á dhéanamh bhéarfar aire ná déanfar an tslí in ar vótáil aon toghthóir áirithe d'fháil amach go dtí go mbeidh cruthuithe chun sástachta bhínse thoghacháin gur vótáil an toghthóir sin agus go mbeidh dearbhuithe ag an mbínse sin a vóta do bheith gan bhrí.
29. Cólíonfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach ordú a dhéanfaidh bínse toghacháin i dtaobh na bpacáidí séaluithe sin d'iniúchadh agus do thabhairt i láthair agus i dtaobh cad déanfar leo.
30. Má orduíonn bínse toghacháin don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid aon scríbhinn no pacáid scríbhinní ina sheilbh a bhainfidh le toghachán áirithe do thabhairt i láthair agus má dheineann an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid an scríbhinn no an phacáid scríbhinní sin do thabhairt i láthair do réir an orduithe sin beidh an tabhairt-i-láthair sin ina fianaise dho-chlaoite go mbaineann an scríbhinn no an phacáid scríbhinní sin leis an toghachán áirithe sin, agus an chúl-scríbhinn a bheidh curtha ag an gceann cóimhrimh Seanaid do réir an Sceidil seo ar aon scríbhinn no pacáid scríbhinní den tsórt san beidh sí ina fianaise dho-chlaoite gurb é ní an scríbhinn no an phacáid sin ná an ní go ndeirtear sa chúlscríbhinn sin gurb í é.
31. Má dheineann an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid páipéar ballóide do thabhairt i láthair a bhéarfaidh le tuisgint gur húsáideadh é in aon toghachán agus có-dhuille go mbeidh an uimhir chlóbhuailte chéanna marcálta air agus go mbeidh uimhir marcálta i scríbhinn air, beidh an tabhairt-i-láthair sin ina fianaise prima facie gurb éinne amháin an duine do vótáil leis an bpáipéar ballóide sin agus an duine gur mar a chéile a uimhir ar an rolla de thoghthóirí bhainfidh leis an toghachán san agus an uimhir a bheidh marcálta amhlaidh ar an gcó-dhuille sin.
32. Pé uair is gá don cheann chóimhrimh Seanaid, do réir an Sceidil seo, aon scríbhinní do chur i bpacáid ar leithligh fé shéala cúl-scríobhfaidh ar an bpacáid sin ráiteas ina luadhfar líon agus cineál na scríbhinní sin agus an toghachán le n-a mbainid.
33. Sa Sceideal so cialluíonn an abairt “bínse toghacháin” cúirt ag á mbeidh údarás go dleathach chun deighleáil le hachuingheacha ag gearán mar gheall ar thuairisciú neachuibhe no ar thogha nea-chuibhe i dtoghachán Seanaid.
DARA SCEIDEAL.
Coimhreamh na Votanna.
1. Diúltóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid d'aon pháipéirí ballóide bheidh gan bhrí.
2. Déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amach ansan cadé an uimhir de chéad-roghna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide do gach iarrthóir fé leith, agus ansan cóireoidh na hiarrthóirí ar liost (dá ngairmtear “an t-ord rogha” anso feasta) in ord na huimhreach de chéad-roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith ag tosnú leis an iarrthóir dar breacadh an uimhir is mó de chéad-roghna. Más có-mhéid an uimhir de chéad-roghna do breacadh d'aon dá iarrthóir no níos mó (dá ngairmtear “iarrthóirí có-ionannacha” anso feasta) déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amach eadé an uimhir de dhara roghna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide uile do gach duine fé leith de sna hiarr thóirí có-ionannacha agus cóireoidh na hiarrthóirí có-ionannacha ar an ord rogha, in eagar eatorra féin, in ord na ndara roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith acu, ag tosnú leis an iarrthóir dar breacadh an uimhir is mó de dhara roghna. Más có-mhéid an uimhir de chéad-roghna agus de dhara roghna do breacadh d'aon dá iarrthóir chó-ionannacha no níos mó déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amach sa tslí chéanna cadé an uimhir de threas roghna do breacadh ar na páipéirí ballóide uile do gach duine fé leith de sna hiarrthóirí có-ionannacha san is déanaí luaidhtear agus cóireoidh na hiarrthóirí sin ar an ord rogha dá réir sin, agus mar sin de go mbeidh na hiarrthóirí uile cóirithe in ord ar an ord rogha. Más có-mhéid an uimhir de chéad-roghna, de dhara roghna, de threas roghna agus de sna roghna eile go léir do breacadh d'aon dá iarrthóir chó-ionannacha no níos mó cinnfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid le crann-chur an t-ord ina mbeidh na hiarrthóirí sin le cóiriú ar an ord rogha.
3. Socróidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ansan na páipéirí ballóide dleathacha ina mbeartáin do réir na gcéad-roghna do breacadh do gach iarrthóir fé leith.
4. Chun gurb usa déanfar an obair a horduítear leis na Rialacha so tuigfear gur fiú míle gach páipéar ballóide dleathach fé leith
5. Cóimhreoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ansan an méid páipéirí ballóide bheidh i ngach beartán fé leith agus, do réir na Rialach san roimhe seo, creidiúnóidh do gach iarrthóir fé leith fiúntas na bpáipéirí ballóide dleathacha ar ar breacadh céad-rogha don iarrthóir sin.
6. Ansan cuirfidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid le chéile fiúntaisí na mbeartán uile agus roinnfidh an fiúntas iomlán ar uimhir go mbeidh aon de bhreis aici ar an uimhir d'fholúntaisí bheidh le líonadh. A thoradh san, ach aon do chur leis agus gan áird do thabhairt ar aon iarmhar briste, an fiúntas is leor chun iarrthóir do thogha. An “quota” gairmtear den fhiúntas so sa Sceideal so.
7. Más có-ionann leis an quota no más mó ná an quota an fiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe d'iarrthóir i ndeireadh aon chóimhrimh no i ndeireadh aistriú aon bheartáin no fo-bheartáin le hiarrthóir do dúnadh amach no le hiarrthóir go dtuigfear nach iarrthóir leanúnach é, tuigfear, fé réir forálacha na Rialacha ina dhiaidh seo, an t-iarrthóir sin do bheith toghtha.
8. (1) Más có-ionann leis an quota no más mó ná an quota an fiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe d'aon iarrthóir áirithe no níos mó i ndeireadh cóimhrimh agus gur ar an aon fho-ainmliost amháin do sna hiarrthóirí sin (má bhíonn níos mó ná éinne amháin acu ann) agus gur có-ionann leis an méid iarrthóirí bheidh creidiúnuithe amhlaidh an méid folúntaisí bheidh le líonadh fós as an bhfo-ainmliost san, tuigfear na hiarrthóirí sin uile do bheith toghtha agus, sara ndéanfar aon iarrthóir eile do dhúnadh amach no barrachas aon iarrthóra eile d'aistriú, déanfar páipéirí na n-iarrthóirí (más aon iarrthóir é) a bheidh fágtha ar an bhfo-ainmliost san d'aistriú do réir na bhforálacha de sna Rialacha so bhaineann le hiarrthóirí do dhúnadh amach ach amháin gurb iad páipéirí an iarrthóra dá mbeidh an fiúntas is mó creidiúnuithe is túisce a haistreofar agus mar sin de, agus leis sin tuigfear, chun críche na Rialacha so, nach iarrthóirí leanúnacha na hiarrthóirí sin a bheidh fágtha.
(2) Má thárlann, i ndeireadh cóimhrimh, an méid iarrthóirí ar fho-ainmliost a bheidh creidiúnuithe le fiúntas is mó ná an quota no is có-ionann leis do bheith níos mó ná an méid folúntaisí bheidh le líonadh fós as an bhfo-ainmliost san, ní tuigfear a bheith toghtha ach an méid sin de sna hiarrthóirí sin is có-ionann leis an méid folúntaisí bheidh le líonadh fós amhlaidh. Isiad na hiarrthóirí tuigfear amhlaidh do bheith toghtha ná na hiarrthóirí ag á mbeidh na barrachaisí is mó. Más có-ionann barrachas do gach duine de dhá iarrthóir no níos mó acu san tuigfear an t-iarrthóir dá raibh an fiúntas ba mhó creidiúnuithe sa chéad chóimhreamh nár chó-ionann na fiúntaisí bhí creidiúnuithe do sna hiarrthóirí sin, no (má ba chó-ionann i ngach cóimhreamh na fiúntaisí bhí creidiúnuithe amhlaidh) an t-iarrthóir is aoirde san ord rogha, do bheith toghtha. Tuigfear nach iarrthóirí leanúnacha no hiarrthóirí bheidh fágtha ar an bhfo-ainmliost san agus, sara ndéanfar aon iarrthóir eile do dhúnadh amach no barrachas aon iarrthóra eile d'aistriú, aistreofar a bpáipéirí (pe'ca is mó no is lugha ná an quota, no is có-ionann leis. na fiúntaisí bheidh creidiúnuithe dhóibh fé seach) sa tslí chéanna in ar gá fé sna Rialacha so páipéirí iarrthóra do dúnadh amach d'aistriú ach amháin gurb iad páipéirí an iarrthóra dá mbeidh an fiúntas is mó creidiúnuithe is túisce a haistreofar agus mar sin de.
(3) Tuigfear chun críche na Rialach so barrachas do bheith ag iarrthóir a bheidh creidiúnuithe le fiúntas is có-ionann leis an quota.
(4) Má thárlann, i ndeireadh aon chóimhrimh, gur gá do réir na Rialacha so a thuisgint i dtaobh dhá iarrthóir no níos mó nach iarrthóirí leanúnacha iad, agus ná beidh na hiarrthóirí sin uile ar an aon fho-ainmliost amháin, isiad páipéirí an iarrthóra dá mbeidh an fiúntas is mó creidiúnuithe an uair sin is túisce a haistreofar. Má bhíonn dhá iarrthóir no níos mó acu san creidiúnuithe leis an aon fhiúntas amháin isiad páipéirí an iarrthóra dá raibh an fiúntas ba mhó creidiúnuithe sa chéad chóimhreamh nár chó-ionann na fiúntaisí bhí creidiúnuithe dhóibh, no (má ba chó-ionann i ngach cóimhreamh na fiúntaisí bhí creidiúnuithe amhlaidh) páipéirí an iarrthóra is aoirde ar an ord rogha, is túisce a haistreofar.
9. Má thárlann, i ndeireadh aon chóimhrimh, gur mó ná an quota an fiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe d'iarrthóir (dá ngairmtear an t-iarrthóir toghtha sa Riail seo) aistreofar an barrachas chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh no na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha bheidh curtha in úil ar na páipéirí vótála i mbeartán no i bhfo-bheartán an iarrthóra thoghtha do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha, agus bainfidh na forálacha so leanas leis an aistriú san do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más as bun-vótanna amháin a tháinig an fiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe don iarrthóir toghtha, scrúdóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na páipéirí ballóide uile i mbeartán an iarrthóra thoghtha agus socróidh na páipéirí ionaistrithe bheidh ann ina bhfo-bheartáin do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha agus déanfaidh fo-bheartán ar leithligh de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe;
(b) más as bun-vótanna agus as vótanna aistrithe, no as vótanna aistrithe amháin, a tháinig an fiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe don iarrthóir toghtha, scrúdóidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid na páipéirí ballóide bheidh sa bhfobheartán is déanaí fuair an t-iarrthóir toghtha agus socróidh na páipéirí ionaistrithe bheidh ann ina bhfobheartáin eile do réir na gcéad roghna infheadhma eile do breacadh ortha agus déanfaidh fo-bheartán ar leithligh de sna páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe;
(c) i gceachtar de sna cásanna dá dtagartar sna míreanna san roimhe seo (a) agus (b) déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amach cadé an méid páipéirí ballóide agus cad is fiúntas iomlán do sna páipéirí ballóide bheidh i ngach fo-bheartán fé leith de pháipéirí ionaistrithe agus sa bhfo-bheartán de pháipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe;
(d) más có-ionann leis an mbarrachas san, no más lugha ná é, fiúntas iomlán na bpáipéirí sna fo-bheartáin uile de pháipéirí ionaistrithe, aistreoidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach fo-bheartán fé leith de pháipéirí ionaistrithe chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh go mbeidh curtha in úil ortha gurb é céad rogha infheadhma eile an vótálaí é, agus is ar an bhfiúntas ar a bhfuair an t-iarrthóir toghtha é a haistreofar gach páipéar fé leith, agus (más lugha ná an barrachas san an fiúntas iomlán san) cuirfear na páipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe i leataoibh mar pháipéirí neamh-éifeachtacha, ar fhiúntas is có-ionann leis an deifríocht idir an barrachas san agus an fiúntas iomlán san;
(e) más mó ná an barrachas san fiúntas iomlán na bpáipéirí sna fo-bheartáin uile de pháipéirí ionaistrithe déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach páipéar fé leith sa bhfo-bheartán san de pháipéirí ionaistrithe d'aistriú chun an iarrthóra leanúnaigh go mbeidh curtha in úil air gurb é céad rogha infheadhma eile an vótálaí é, agus isé slí ina ndéanfar amach an fiúntas ar a n-aistreofar gach páipéar fé leith ná tríd an mbarrachas do roinnt ar an uimhir iomlán de pháipéirí ionaistrithe, gan áird do thabhairt ar iarmhair bhriste ach amháin go gcuirfear síos ar leathán an tortha an fiúntas a caillfear dá dhruim sin;
(f) barrachas a thiocfaidh de bharr aon chóimhrimh áirithe is túisce deighleálfar leis ná mar a deighleálfar le barrachas a thiocfaidh de bharr cóimhrimh a déanfar ina dhiaidh;
(g) má thagann dhá bharrachas no níos mó de bharr an aon chóimhrimh amháin is leis an gceann is mó is túisce deighleálfar agus is in ord a méide deighleálfar leis na cinn eile;
(h) má bhíonn ag dhá iarrthóir no níos mó barrachas có-ionann a thiocfaidh de bharr an aon chóimhrimh amháin is le barrachas an iarrthóra dá raibh an fiúntas ba mhó creidiúnuithe sa chéad chóimhreamh nár chó-ionann na fiúntaisí bhí creidiúnuithe do sna hiarrthóirí sin is túisce deighleálfar, agus má ba chóionann i ngach cóimhreamh na fiúntaisí bhí creidiúnuithe do sna hiarrthóirí sin is le barrachas an iarrthóra is aoirde san ord rogha is túisce dheighleálfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid.
10. Má thárlann, i ndeireadh aon chóimhrimh, gan barrachas do bheith ag iarrthóir ar bith agus folúntas no folúntaisí do bheith gan líonadh dúnfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid amach an t-iarrthóir (dá ngairmtear sa Riail seo an t-iarrthóir do dúnadh amach) dá mbeidh an fiúntas is lugha creidiúnuithe an uair sin agus aistreoidh a pháipéirí chun na n-iarrthóirí leanúnacha fé seach go mbeidh curtha in úil ar na páipéirí ballóide i mbeartán no i bhfo-bheartáin an iarrthóra do dúnadh amach gurb iad cead rogha infheadhma eile an vótálaí iad agus creidiúnóidh na hiarrthóirí leanúnacha san le fiúntas na bpáipéirí a haistreofar amhlaidh, agus bainfidh na rialacha so leanas leis an aistriú san do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) isé an beartán ina mbeidh bun-vótanna is túisce a haistreofar, agus is míle is fiúntas do gach páipéar fé leith le linn é aistriú;
(b) déanfar ansan na fo-bheartáin ina mbeidh vótanna aistrithe d'aistriú san ord ina bhfuair agus ar an bhfiúntas ar a bhfuair an t-iarrthóir do dúnadh amach iad;
(c) chun a chinneadh ce'ca iarrthóir leanúnach iarrthóir áirithe no nach eadh áirmheofar aistriú gach beartáin no fo-bheartáin fé leith mar chóimhreamh ar leithligh;
(d) le linn gach beartán no fo-bheartán fé leith d'aistriú déanfar fo-bheartán fé leith de sna páipéirí neamhionaistrithe agus cuirfear i leataoibh iad ar an bhfiúntas ar a bhfuair an t-iarrthóir do dúnadh amach iad;
(e) más rud é, nuair is gá iarrthóir do dhúnadh amach fén Riail seo, gur có-ionann an fiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe an uair sin do gach duine fé leith de dhá iarrthóir no níos mó agus gurb iad is ísle féachfar don fhiúntas iomlán de bhun-vótanna bheidh creidiúnuithe do gach iarrthóir fé leith acu san agus dúnfar amach an t-iarrthóir is lugha fiúntas iomlán den tsórt san, agus más có-ionann na fiúntaisí iomlána san féachfar don fhiúntas iomlán de vótanna do bhí creidiúnuithe do gach iarrthóir fé leith acu san sa chéad chóimhreamh nár chó-ionann na fiúntaisí bhí acu, agus dúnfar amach an t-iarrthóir ba lugha fiúntas iomlán den tsórt san sa chóimhreamh san, agus má ba chó-ionann an fiúntas iomlán de vótanna bhí creidiúnuithe do gach iarrthóir fé leith acu san i ngach cóimhreamh dúnfar amach an t-iarrthóir acu san is ísle san ord rogha;
(f) más có-ionann an méid iarrthóirí leanúnacha ar fho-ainmliost agus an méid folúntaisí bheidh le líonadh fós as an bhfo-ainmliost san, scuirfidh an Riail seo de bhaint leis na hiarrthóirí leanúnacha san.
11. Ar gach aistriú fé leith do dhéanamh fén Riail seo, déanfar gach fo-bheartán fé leith de pháipéirí a haistreofar do chur ar bharr an bheartáin no an fho-bheartáin (más ann dó) de pháipéirí an iarrthóra chun a ndéanfar an t-aistriú agus creidiúnófar don iarrthóir sin fiúntas na bpáipéar a haistreofar chuige amhlaidh, ar n-a dhéanamh amach do réir na Rialacha so.
12. Más rud é, nuair ná beidh aon bharrachas le haistriú agus toisc an méid iarrthóirí bheidh dúnta amach cheana, gur có-ionann an méid folúntas a bheidh le líonadh fós o gach fo-ainmliost fé leith agus an méid iarrthóirí leanúnacha bheidh ar na fo-ainmliostaí sin fé seach, tuigfear leis sin na hiarrthóirí leanúnacha san uile bheith toghtha.
13. I ndeireadh gach cóimhrimh breacfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid ar leathán tortha bheidh so bhfuirm orduithe iomlán na bhfiúntas a bheidh creidiúnuithe do gach iarrthóir fé leith i ndeireadh an chóimhrimh sin agus fós fiúntas na bpáipéirí neamh-ionaistrithe ná raibh éifeachtach sa chóimhreamh san agus an fiúntas do cailleadh sa chóimhreamh san de dheascaibh gan áird do thabhairt ar chodáin.
14. Faid a bheidh na vótanna á gcóimhreamh coimeádfar na páipéirí ballóide ar a mbéal in áirde sa mhéid gur féidir é agus déanfaidh an ceann cóimhrimh Seanaid gach ní is ceart chun ná féadfar na huimhreacha ar chúl na bpáipéirí ballóide d'fheiscint.
15. Sna Rialacha so—
(1) cialluíonn an abairt “iarrthóir leanúnach” aon iarrthóir ná tuigfear a bheith toghtha agus ná beidh dúnta amach;
(2) cialluíonn an focal “céad-rogha” an figiúir “1” ina aonar, cialluíonn an abairt “dara rogha” an figiúir “2” ina aonar i leanúntas an fhigiúra “1”, agus cialluíonn an abairt “treas rogha” an figiúir “3” ina aonar i leanúntas na bhfigiúirí “1” agus “2” os coinne ainme aon iarrthóra, agus mar sin de;
(3) cialluíonn an abairt “an chéad rogha infheadhma eile” dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin ar n-a bhreacadh in ord uimhreach có-leantach d'iarrthóir leanúnach, gan áird do thabhairt ar an gcéad rogha eile do réir úird ar an bpáipéar ballóide d'iarrthóirí a tuigfear a bheith toghtha no beidh dúnta amach cheana;
(4) cialluíonn an abairt “páipéar ionaistrithe” páipéar ballóide ar a mbeidh, i ndiaidh céad-rogha, dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha in ord uimhreach d'iarrthóir leanúnach;
(5) cialluíonn an abairt “páipéar neamh-ionaistrithe” páipéar ballóide—
(a) ná beidh aon dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha air d'iarrthóir leanúnach, no
(b) ar a mbeidh ainmneacha dhá iarrthóir no níos mó (pe'ca iarrthóirí leanúnacha iad no nach cadh) marcálta leis an aon uimhir amháin, agus iad ina gcéad iarrthóirí eile in ord rogha, no
(c) ar a mbeidh ainm an chéad iarrthóra cile in ord rogha (pe'ca iarrthóir leanúnach é no nach eadh) marcálta le huimhir ná tagann in ord leanúnach i ndiaidh uimhreach éigin eile ar an bpáipéar ballóide no le dhá uimhir no níos mó, no
(d) a bheidh gan bhrí toisc nea-chinnteachta;
(6) cialluíonn an focal “bun-vóta,” maidir le haon iarrthóir, vóta o pháipéar bhallóide ar a mbeidh céad-rogha breactha don iarrthóir sin;
(7) cialluíonn an abairt “vóta aistrithe,” maidir le haon iarrthóir, vóta o pháipéar bhallóide ar a mbeidh dara rogha no rogha ina dhiaidh sin breactha don iarrthóir sin;
(8) cialluíonn an focal “barrachas” an méid thar an quota a bheidh fiúntas iomlán na vótanna, idir bhun-vótanna agus vótanna aistrithe, a bheidh creidiúnuithe d'aon iarrthóir;
(9) cialluíonn an focal “cóimhreamh” (do réir mar is gá sa chóthéacs)—
(a) gach oibriú is gá do dhéanamh chun na gcéad-roghna bheidh breactha d'iarrthóirí do chóimhreamh, no
(b) gach oibriú is gá do dhéanamh chun barrachas iarrthóra thoghtha d'aistriú, no
(c) gach oibriú is gá do dhéanamh chun vótanna iarrthóra do dúnadh amach d'aistriú, no
(d) páipéirí iarrthóra go dtuigfear gan é bheith ina iarrthóir leanúnach d'aistriú do bhun na Rialacha so;
(10) cialluíonn an abairt “tuigfear a bheith toghtha” tuigfear a bheith toghtha chun na críche bhaineann le cóimhreamh do dhéanamh, ach beidh san gan dochar do thoradh an toghacháin do dhearbhú;
(11) cialluíonn an abairt “cinneadh le crannchur” cinneadh do réir na dtreoracha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
tar éis ainmneacha na n-iarrthóirí le n-a mbainfidh do scríobhadh ar bhlúirí páipéir có-chosúla agus na blúirí d'fhilleadh i slí ná haithneofar thar a chéile iad agus iad do mheascadh agus do tharrac gan ordú gan eagar, déanfar na hiarrthóirí le n-a mbainfidh do shocrú eatorra féin ar an ord rogha san ord ina dtarraiceofar na blúirí páipéir ar a mbeidh a n-ainmneacha, ag tosnú leis an iarrthóir go mbeidh a ainm ar an gcéad bhlúire páipéir a tarraiceofar.
Number 43 of 1937.
SEANAD ELECTORAL (PANEL MEMBERS) ACT, 1937.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Register of Nominating Bodies
Formation of the Panels
Right of registered nominating bodies to nominate to panels. | |
Publication of nomination papers by Seanad returning officer. | |
The Poll
Miscellaneous
Conduct of Election
The Counting of the Votes
Act Referred to | |
No. 5 of 1925 | |
Number 43 of 1937.
SEANAD ELECTORAL (PANEL MEMBERS) ACT, 1937.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act, 1937.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation immediately after the coming into operation of the Constitution of Ireland lately enacted by the people.
Definitions.
3.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Local Government and Public Health;
the expression “Seanad election”means so much of a general election of members of Seanad Eireann held in pursuance of Article 18 of the Constitution as relates to the election of those members who are required by the said Article 18 to be elected from panels;
the expression “the first Seanad election” means the first Seanad election held after the commencement of this Act;
the expression “Dáil election” means a general election of members of Dáil Eireann held in consequence of a dissolution of Dáil Eireann;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act.
The panels.
4.—(1) In this Act—
the word “panel” when used without qualification means a panel of candidates formed in pursuance of sub-section 1° of section 7 of Article 18 of the Constitution;
the expression “the cultural and educational panel” means the panel required by the said sub-section 1° to contain the names of persons having knowledge and practical experience of the following interests and services, namely, the national language and culture, literature, art, education and such professional interests as may be defined by law for the purpose of this panel;
the expression “the agricultural panel” means the panel required by the said sub-section 1° to contain the names of persons having knowledge and practical experience of the following interests and services, namely, agriculture and allied interests, and fisheries;
the expression “the labour panel” means the panel required by the said sub-section 1° to contain the names of persons having knowledge and practical experience of the following interests and services, namely, labour, whether organised; or unorganised;
the expression “the industrial and commercial panel” means the panel required by the said sub-section 1° to contain the names of persons having knowledge and practical experience of the following interests and services, namely, industry and commerce, including banking, finance, accountancy, engineering, and architecture;
the expression “the administrative panel” means the panel required by the said sub-section 1° to contain the names of persons having knowledge and practical experience of the following interests and services, namely, public administration and social services, including voluntary social activities.
(2) The professional interests for the purposes of the cultural and educational panel are hereby defined as—
(a) law, and
(b) medicine, including surgery, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
The Seanad returning officer.
5.—(1) As soon as practicable after the commencement of this Act and from time to time thereafter as occasion requires, the Minister shall appoint a fit and proper person to be the Seanad returning officer for the purposes of this Act.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Seanad returning officer to conduct every Seanad election, to count the votes cast thereat, to ascertain and declare the result thereof in accordance with this Act, and to do such other things in respect of every such election as he is required by this Act to do.
(3) The Minister for Finance shall from time to time prepare a scale of maximum charges for the Seanad returning officer, and the Seanad returning officer shall be paid by the said Minister out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof his reasonable charges in respect of his services and expenses in relation to every Seanad election including the preparation of the register of nominating bodies and annual revisions thereof, but not exceeding in any case the maximum charges specified in the said scale of maximum charges for the time being in force.
Appointment of days and times.
6.—(1) Before every Seanad election the Minister shall by order appoint for the purpose of such Seanad election—
(a) the day and hour (in this Act referred to as the expiration of the time for general panel nominations) on and at which the period during which the Seanad returning officer may receive nominations to the panels by nominating bodies shall expire;
(b) the day and hour (in this Act referred to as the expiration of the time for Dáil panel nominations) on and at which the period during which the Seanad returning officer may receive nominations to the panels by members of Dáil Eireann shall expire;
(c) the day and hour (in this Act referred to as the expiration of the time for ex-officio nominations) on and at which the period during which the Seanad returning officer may receive ex-officio nominations to the administrative panel shall expire;
(d) the day on which and the place at which the Seanad returning officer will sit for the completion of the panels;
(e) the day (in this Act referred to as the day of issue of ballot papers) on which the ballot papers for the said Seanad election are to be issued and posted to electors;
(f) the day and hour (in this Act referred to as the close of the poll) at which the poll at the said Seanad election is to be closed;
(g) the address of the Seanad returning officer to which applications for registration, nomination papers, and other communications may be sent to him.
(2) In the case of the first Seanad election, the order under this section shall be made as soon as conveniently may be after the commencement of this Act and, in the case of every subsequent Seanad election, the order under this section shall be made within seven days after the dissolution of Dáil Eireann which occasions such Seanad election.
(3) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every order made by the Minister under this section except the order so made for the purposes of the first Seanad election, that is to say:—
(a) the day appointed under this section for the expiration of the time for general panel nominations shall not be less than four weeks after the dissolution of Dáil Eireann and, where practicable, shall not be prior to the date fixed for the reassembly of Dáil Eireann after such dissolution;
(b) the day appointed under this section for the expiration of the time for Dáil panel nominations shall not be less than seven days after the day appointed under this section for the expiration of the time for general panel nominations and, where practicable, shall be subsequent to the date fixed for the said reassembly of Dáil Eireann.
(4) The day appointed by an order under this section for the expiration of the time for ex-officio nominations shall always be subsequent to the day appointed by the same order for the expiration of the time for Dáil panel nominations.
(5) Every order made by the Minister under this section shall be published in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as may be after it is made.
Regulations.
7.—The Minister may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Expenses.
8.—All expenses incurred by the Minister in the execution of this Act shall, to such extent as shall be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II.
Register of Nominating Bodies.
The register of nominating bodies.
9.—(1) A register (in this Act referred to as the register of nominating bodies) of bodies (in this Act referred to as nominating bodies) entitled to nominate persons to the panels of candidates for the purposes of every Seanad election shall be set up and maintained in accordance with this Act.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the register of nominating bodies, that is to say:—
(a) the said register shall be in such form as the Seanad returning officer shall, with the approval of the Minister, think proper;
(b) no body shall be eligible to be registered in the register in respect of any particular panel (other than the administrative panel) unless its objects and activities relate to or are connected with or it is representative of persons engaged in one or more of the interests and services mentioned in sub-section 1° of section 7 of Article 18 of the Constitution in respect of that particular panel;
(c) no body which is formed or carried on wholly or substantially for profit or which carries on, as its sole or principal function, any trade or business for profit shall be eligible for registration in the said register;
(d) no body which is composed wholly or mainly of persons who are in the employment of the State or of persons who are in the employment of local authorities and the objects of which include the advancement or protection of the interests of such persons in relation to their said employment shall be eligible for registration in the said register;
(e) every body which is registered in the said register shall be so registered in respect of one, and only one, panel;
(f) except as otherwise provided by this sub-section, no body shall be registered in the said register save in pursuance of an application in that behalf made by such body in accordance with this Act;
(g) the following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the administrative panel, that is to say:—
(i) the Irish County Councils General Council and the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland shall be registered in the said register in respect of the said panel without any application in that behalf under this Act, and
(ii) no other body shall be registered in the said register in respect of the said panel unless its objects and activities consist, wholly or substantially, of voluntary social services of a charitable or eleemosynary character;
(h) the number of nominating bodies registered in the said register in respect of any particular panel shall be so limited that the full number of persons which may be nominated to such panel by nominating bodies shall not exceed thirty.
(3) Each of the following bodies, and no other body, shall be a local authority for the purposes of this section, that is to say:—
(a) the council of a county, a county or other borough, or an urban district, the commissioners of a town, a municipal corporation and a board of guardians, and
(b) a person who is established by or in pursuance of any statute to perform any of the functions of any of the bodies mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section, and
(c) a committee or joint committee of or appointed by any one or more of the bodies mentioned in either of the preceding paragraphs of this sub-section.
Applications for registration in the register.
10.—(1) Any body which desires to be registered in the register of nominating bodies in respect of any particular panel and claims to be eligible for registration in that register in respect of that panel may apply for that purpose to the Seanad returning officer in accordance with this section.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to applications for registration in the register of nominating bodies at the preparation of that register in the year 1938, that is to say:—
(a) every such application shall be made in writing on an application paper in the prescribed form provided by the Seanad returning officer;
(b) the Seanad returning officer shall furnish free of charge on request to any body which proposes to apply for registration in the said register an application paper for that purpose;
(c) every such application shall be delivered or sent by post to the Seanad returning officer at his office on or before the 24th day of January, 1938, and no such application which is received at the said office after the said date shall be entertained or considered by the Seanad returning officer;
(d) every such application shall state the panel in respect of which the applicant desires to be registered in the said register and the grounds on which the applicant claims to be eligible to be so registered;
(e) every such application shall also state all such things in relation to the applicant as are indicated in that behalf in the prescribed form of application paper
Publication of notice of the preparation of the register.
11.—As soon as practicable after the commencement of this Act, the Seanad returning officer shall publish in every morning daily newspaper published in the State and in such other (if any) daily newspapers as he shall, with the sanction of the Minister, think proper a notice in the prescribed form giving public notice that the register of nominating bodies is being prepared, and giving such information and instructions in relation to applications for such registration as the Minister shall think proper.
Preparation of the register.
12.—(1) As soon as practicable after the 24th day of January, 1938, and in any event not later than the 5th day of February, 1938, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare the register of nominating bodies and for that purpose—
(a) shall examine all applications for registration in the said register duly received by him, and
(b) shall disallow all such applications as appear to him to be irregular in form and all applications in respect of which he is of opinion that the applicant is not eligible for registration in the said register either at all or in respect of the panel to which the application relates, and
(c) may disallow any applications which he is authorised by the subsequent provisions of this section to disallow, and
(d) shall allow and register in the said register all such applications as he does not disallow in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this sub-section.
(2) The Seanad returning officer may require from any applicant for registration in the register of nominating bodies all such information relevant to the registration of such applicant as he shall reasonably require for the determination by him of the allowance or disallowance of the application of such applicant, and the Seanad returning officer may disallow the application of any applicant which fails or refuses to give any information required of it under this section.
(3) It shall be lawful for the Seanad returning officer to disallow an application for registration in the register of nominating bodies made by—
(a) any body which is a branch of or affiliated or subsidiary to a body which is already registered in the said register or whose application for such registration he has allowed, or
(b) any body which appears to him to be representative of interests and services the representation of which is adequately provided for by a body or bodies already registered in the said register or whose application for such registration he has allowed.
(4) The Seanad returning officer may, at his absolute discretion, allow an application for registration in the register of nominating bodies to be amended by the applicant at any time or in any respect.
(5) The three next preceding sub-sections of this section shall apply and have effect in relation to every annual revision of the register of nominating bodies as well as the first preparation of that register.
(6) Not later than the 5th day of February, 1938, the Seanad returning officer shall send by post to every body which applied for registration in the register of nominating bodies (whether its application has been allowed or disallowed) a copy of the said register as prepared by the Seanad returning officer under this section.
(7) Whenever the Seanad returning officer has disallowed an application for registration in the register of nominating bodies he shall, on the request of the body which made such application, furnish to such body a statement of his reasons for such disallowance.
(8) The allowance or disallowance by the Seanad returning officer of any application for registration in the register of nominating bodies shall be final and conclusive, subject only to such appeal as is provided for by this Act.
Election of the appeal committee.
13.—(1) As soon as practicable after the commencement of this Act and in any event not later than the fifth day on which Dáil Eireann shall have sat after such commencement, Dáil Eireann shall elect a committee (in this Act referred to as the appeal committee) consisting of fifteen members of Dáil Eireann.
(2) The appeal committee shall be elected by the votes of the members of Dáil Eireann (or of such of them as may think proper to vote) voting on the principles of proportional representation.
(3) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, Dáil Eireann shall regulate the procedure for the election of the appeal committee.
(4) The quorum for a meeting of the appeal committee shall be nine members personally present.
(5) Subject to the express provisions of this Act, the appeal committee shall regulate its own procedure.
Appeals to the appeal committee.
14.—(1) Any applicant for registration in the register of nominating bodies whose application for such registration has been disallowed by the Seanad returning officer may appeal in accordance with this section to the appeal committee against such disallowance.
(2) Any applicant for registration in the register of nominating bodies in respect of any particular panel (whether its application for such registration has been allowed or has been disallowed by the Seanad returning officer) may appeal in accordance with this section to the appeal committee against the allowance by the Seanad returning officer of the application of any other applicant for such registration in respect of the same panel.
(3) Every appeal under this section to the appeal committee shall be made in writing and shall state the grounds on which the appeal is made and shall be delivered or sent by post to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann on or before the 11th day of February, 1938, and no such appeal which is received by the Clerk of Dáil Eireann after the said date shall be entertained or considered by the appeal committee.
(4) Every appeal under this section shall be open to inspection at all convenient times by the Seanad returning officer.
Decision of appeals by the appeal committee.
15.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the 11th day of February, 1938, and not later than four days before the time for the expiration of general panel nominations at the first Seanad election the appeal committee shall consider every appeal duly made to it under this Act and shall, in respect of each such appeal, either reverse the decision of the Seanad returning officer which is the subject of the appeal or disallow the appeal.
(2) No decision of the Seanad returning officer shall be reversed by the appeal committee unless at least nine members of that committee vote in favour of such reversal.
(3) If an appeal to the appeal committee is not decided on or before the fourth day before the expiration of the time for general panel nominations at the first Seanad election, such appeal shall be deemed to have been disallowed by the appeal committee, and the decision of the Seanad returning officer which was the subject of such appeal shall have effect accordingly.
(4) The Seanad returning officer shall give to the appeal committee such information and assistance as that committee shall reasonably require of him.
(5) The Seanad returning officer shall be entitled, if he so desires, to be heard by the appeal committee in respect of every appeal considered by that committee in pursuance of this section.
(6) The decision of the appeal committee on any appeal to that committee under this Act shall be final and conclusive.
Completion and publication of the register.
16.—(1) If no appeal is duly made to the appeal committee, the Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall, on the 12th day of February, 1938, inform the Seanad returning officer of that fact and the Seanad returning officer shall thereupon sign and publish in the Iris Oifigiúil the register of nominating bodies prepared by him under the foregoing provisions of this Act.
(2) If any appeal is duly made to the appeal committee, that committee shall communicate to the Seanad returning officer their decision (if any) on every such appeal and the Seanad returning officer shall thereupon make such (if any) amendment in the register of nominating bodies prepared by him under the foregoing provisions of this Act as may be necessary to give effect to such decision and, when all such appeals have been decided or deemed to have been disallowed and the decisions (if any) thereon have been communicated to and dealt with by the Seanad returning officer, the Seanad returning officer shall on or before the third day before the expiration of the time for general panel nominations at the first Seanad election, sign the register of nominating bodies as so prepared and amended (if at all) by him as aforesaid and shall publish the same in the Iris Oifigiúil as soon as conveniently may be.
(3) The register of nominating bodies as published in the Iris Oifigiúil in pursuance of this section shall be final and conclusive and shall not be open to review by any court and shall be in force for the first and every subsequent Seanad election, subject only to such annual revision as is provided for by this Act.
Annual revision of register of nominating bodies.
17.—(1) The Seanad returning officer shall, on or after the 1st, but not later than the 15th day of January in the year 1939 and every subsequent year, publish in every morning daily newspaper published in the State and in such other (if any) daily newspapers as the said officer shall, with the sanction of the Minister, think proper a notice in the prescribed form giving public notice that, on the 15th day of February next following or, if that day is a Sunday, the 16th day of February next following, the Seanad returning officer will proceed to revise the register of nominating bodies, and giving such information and instructions in relation to applications for insertion, deletion, or amendment of entries in that register as the Minister shall think proper.
(2) Any body not registered in the register of nominating bodies, which desires to be registered in that register and claims to be eligible for such registration, and any body registered in the said register which desires to be removed therefrom or desires that the entry in respect of it in such register should be amended in any way, may apply to the Seanad returning officer in writing during the period beginning on the 15th day of January and ending on the 15th day of February in the year 1939 or any subsequent year, for such registration, deletion, or amendment, as the case may be.
(3) On the 15th day of February or, if that day is a Sunday, on the 16th day of February in the year 1939 and every subsequent year the Seanad returning officer shall revise (in this Act referred to as an annual revision) the register of nominating bodies by—
(a) allowing and registering in the said register all bodies which have duly applied under this section for such registration at such annual revision and whose applications he does not disallow, and
(b) deleting from the said register the registration of every body which appears to him to have ceased to exist or to have ceased to be eligible for such registration or the deletion of which from the said register appears to him to be necessary and proper in consequence of or to permit the allowance of the application of another body for such registration, and
(c) making all such amendments in the said register as appear to him, by virtue of applications under this section or otherwise, to be requisite or proper.
(4) The Seanad returning officer may make such inquiries as he shall think proper for the purpose of any annual revision of the register of nominating bodies and may, at any annual revision, make all such deletions from and amendments of the register of nominating bodies which appear to him, in consequence of such inquiries, to be requisite or proper, but the Seanad returning officer shall not make any such deletion or amendment without giving notice thereof to the body affected thereby or without giving such body a reasonable opportunity of making representations in regard thereto.
(5) Every allowance or disallowance by the Seanad returning officer of any application under this section for registration in, deletion from, or amendment of the register of nominating bodies, and every deletion from or amendment of the said register made by the Seanad returning officer at an annual revision otherwise than on an application under this section, shall be final and conclusive, subject only to such appeal as is provided for by this Act.
Appeals to the annual revision appeal committee.
18.—(1) Not later than the 1st day of March in the year 1939 and every subsequent year, the Seanad returning officer shall—
(a) inform every body which applied for registration in, deletion from, or amendment of the register of nominating bodies at the annual revision in that year whether he allowed or disallowed such application and, in the case of disallowance, his reasons therefor, and
(b) communicate to every body affected by a deletion from or amendment of the register of nominating bodies made by him at the annual revision in that year otherwise than on an application by such body the particulars of such deletion or amendment and his reasons therefor.
(2) Any of the following persons may appeal to the annual revision appeal committee against such of the decisions of the Seanad returning officer as are hereinafter specified, that is to say:—
(a) in the case of a disallowance of an application, the body by which such application was made,
(b) in the case of an allowance of an application for registration, any nominating body registered in the register of nominating bodies, and any body which applied at such annual revision for registration in the said register, whether such application was allowed or disallowed,
(c) in the case of a deletion from or amendment of the said register made by the Seanad returning officer otherwise than on an application under this Act, the body affected by such deletion or amendment.
(3) Every appeal under this section to an annual revision appeal committee shall be made in writing and shall state the grounds on which the appeal is made and shall be delivered or sent by post to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann on or before the 15th day of March in the year in which the decision appealed against was given.
(4) Every appeal under this section shall be open to inspection at all convenient times by the Seanad returning officer.
Completion of annual revision.
19.—(1) If in any year an appeal to the annual revision appeal committee is received by the Clerk of Dáil Eireann within the time limited in that behalf by this Act, Dáil Eireann shall, as soon as conveniently may be, elect a committee (in this Act referred to as an annual revision appeal committee) consisting of fifteen members of Dáil Eireann.
(2) The provisions of this Act in relation to the election, quorum and procedure of, the hearing of appeals by, and the decisions of the appeal committee shall apply to the election, quorum and procedure of, the hearing of appeals by, and the decisions of every annual revision appeal committee so far as such provisions are not inconsistent with the express provisions of this Act in relation to annual revision appeal committees.
(3) Not later than the 20th day of March in the year 1939 and in every subsequent year the Seanad returning officer shall revise the register of nominating bodies in such manner as may be requisite to give effect to all decisions given by him at the annual revision in that year against which no appeal to the annual revision committee has been made within the time limited in that behalf by this Act, and every revision so made shall come into force on the 21st day of March of the year in which it is made.
(4) The Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall communicate to the Seanad returning officer every decision by an annual revision committee on an appeal under this Act to such committee, and the Seanad returning officer shall forthwith make such (if any) revision of the register of nominating bodies as is necessary to give effect to such decision, and every such revision shall come into force on the day after the day on which it is made.
(5) As soon as any annual revision of the register of nominating bodies has been completed in accordance with this Part of this Act, the Seanad returning officer shall sign and publish in the Iris Oifigiúil the said register as revised at such annual revision and the said register as so published shall be conclusive evidence of the alterations made in the said register at such annual revision.
Payment of fee on appeal.
20.—(1) Every body which appeals to the appeal committee or to an annual revision appeal committee shall pay to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann a fee of twenty pounds, and the payment of such fee before the expiration of the time limited by this Act for sending or delivering such appeal to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall be a condition precedent to the entertainment of such appeal by the appeal committee or the annual revision appeal committee, as the case may be.
(2) Every fee paid to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann in pursuance of this section shall be retained by him until the appeal in respect of which such fee was paid has been decided by the appeal committee or annual revision appeal·committee (as the case may be) and—
(a) if such committee reverses the decision of the Seanad returning officer which is the subject of such appeal or if, in the case of an appeal to the appeal committee, such committee fails to decide the appeal within the time limited in that behalf by this Act, the Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall forthwith repay such fee to the appellant by whom it was paid to him, and
(b) in every other case, the Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall pay such fee into, or dispose of it for the benefit of, the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance shall direct.
(3) The Public Offices (Fees) Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect of fees payable under this section.
PART III.
Formation of the Panels.
Right of members of Dáil Eireann to nominate to panels.
21.—(1) At every Seanad election, any person may be nominated in accordance with this Act by not less than two members of Dáil Eireann to any of the panels constituted for that election.
(2) No member of Dáil Eireann shall join in the nomination under this section of more than one person at any particular Seanad election.
Right of registered nominating bodies to nominate to panels.
22.—(1) At every Seanad election, every nominating body which is registered in the register of nominating bodies in respect of any particular panel shall be entitled to nominate to such panel such number of persons as is provided in that behalf by this section.
(2) The several nominating bodies entitled to nominate persons to a particular panel shall each be entitled to nominate the same number of persons to such panel and that number shall be ascertained as follows, that is to say:—
(a) if the number of nominating bodies entitled to nominate persons to such panel is not less than the number of members of Seanad Eireann to be elected from persons nominated to such panel by nominating bodies, each such nominating body shall be entitled to nominate two persons to such panel;
(b) if the number of nominating bodies entitled to nominate as aforesaid is not less than one-half but is less than the whole of the number of members of Seanad Eireann to be elected as aforesaid, each such nominating body shall be entitled to nominate three persons to such panel;
(c) if the number of nominating bodies entitled to nominate as aforesaid exceeds one but is less than one-half of the number of members of Seanad Eireann to be elected as aforesaid, each such nominating body shall be entitled to nominate four persons to such panel;
(d) if only one nominating body is entitled to nominate as aforesaid, such nominating body shall be entitled to nominate to such panel a number of persons equal to twice the number of members of Seanad Eireann to be elected as aforesaid.
Method of nomination by nominating bodies.
23.—(1) At the following times, that is to say:—
(a) as soon as practicable after the publication of the register of nominating bodies in the Iris Oifigiúil, and
(b) within ten days after every dissolution of Dáil Eireann,
the Seanad returning officer shall send by post to every nominating body registered in the register of nominating bodies a form of nomination paper and also a notice in the prescribed form informing such body of its right to nominate persons to a specified panel and of the number of persons which such body is entitled so to nominate and giving to such body such information and instructions in relation to the making of the nomination as the Minister shall think proper to prescribe.
(2) All nominations to a panel by a nominating body shall be made in accordance with the following provisions, that is to say:—
(a) such nominations shall be made in writing on a nomination paper in the prescribed form;
(b) every nominating body shall nominate by one and the same nomination paper all the persons which it is entitled to nominate;
(c) every nomination paper shall contain the particulars required by the prescribed form of nomination paper to be stated therein (including a statement of the qualifications of every person thereby nominated for the panel to which he is nominated) and shall be signed by the nominating body making a nomination thereby;
(d) where the nominating body is a body corporate, the nomination paper shall be signed by such body by affixing to such paper the seal of such body in the manner and with the counter-signatures required by the constitution, articles of association, or other regulations of such body;
(e) where the nominating body is not a body corporate, the nomination paper shall be signed in the name of the body by some person having authority to sign in that name.
(3) In the case of the Irish County Councils' General Council and in the case of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, the persons to be nominated to the administrative panel by such bodies respectively shall be chosen by the members of such body voting on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
(4) Every nomination paper which purports to be sealed with the seal of a body corporate which is a nominating body and to be countersigned shall until the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been so sealed in the manner and with the counter-signatures required by the constitution, articles of association, or other regulations of such body.
(5) Every nomination paper which purports to be signed in the name of an unincorporated body which is a nominating body shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been so signed by a person having authority to sign in that name.
(6) Where a nominating body purports to nominate by a nomination paper either more persons or less persons to a panel than such nominating body is entitled so to nominate, such nomination paper shall be wholly void.
(7) The Seanad returning officer shall furnish free of charge on request to every nominating body such number of forms of nomination paper (in addition to the form which he is required by the first sub-section of this section to send to such body) as such body shall reasonably require.
Preparation of provisional panels.
24.—(1) Nomination papers nominating persons to a panel by a nominating body shall be delivered or sent by post to the Seanad returning officer.
(2) Immediately after the expiration of the time for general panel nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare, in respect of each panel, a provisional panel containing the names of all persons in respect of whom he has received, before the expiration of the said time, nominations to such panel by nominating bodies.
(3) Every provisional panel shall be in the like form (including division into two sub-panels) and contain the like particulars as are prescribed by or under this Act in respect of the final panels.
(4) As soon as conveniently may be after the expiration of the time for general panel nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall send to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann a copy of every provisional panel together with such number of forms of nomination papers by members of Dáil Eireann as the Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall reasonably require.
Method of nomination by members of Dáil Eireann.
25.—(1) Every nomination of a person to a panel by members of Dáil Eireann shall be made in accordance with the following provisions, that is to say:—
(a) such nomination shall be made in writing on a nomination paper in the prescribed form;
(b) every such nomination paper shall contain the particulars required by the prescribed form of nomination paper to be stated therein and in particular a statement of the qualifications of the person thereby nominated for the panel to which he is so nominated;
(c) every such nomination paper shall be signed by every of the members of Dáil Eireann making a nomination thereby;
(d) every such nomination paper shall be delivered or sent by post to the Seanad returning officer.
(2) If a member of Dáil Eireann signs as a nominator two or more nomination papers, both or all of such nomination papers shall be wholly void.
(3) Immediately after the expiration of the time for Dáil panel nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall insert in the appropriate places in each provisional panel the names, addresses, and descriptions of the persons (if any) who have been nominated by members of Dáil Eireann before the expiration of the said time to the panel to which such provisional panel relates.
Ex-officio nominations to the administrative panel.
26.—(1) At every Seanad election—
(a) the Taoiseach shall be entitled to nominate to the administrative panel such number of persons, not exceeding two, as he shall think fit, and
(b) any person (other than the Taoiseach for the time being) who has previously held the office of Taoiseach or the office of President of the Executive Council of Saorstát Eireann or both of those offices shall be entitled to nominate to the administrative panel such number of persons, not exceeding two, as he shall think fit.
(2) Every nomination made under this section shall be made in accordance with the following provisions, that is to say:—
(a) such nomination shall be made in writing on a nomination paper in the prescribed form;
(b) any person who nominates two persons under this section shall nominate both such persons by one and the same nomination paper;
(c) every nomination paper shall contain the particulars required by the prescribed form of nomination paper to be stated therein (including a statement of the qualifications of every person thereby nominated for the panel to which he is so nominated) and shall be signed by the person making a nomination thereby;
(d) the nomination paper shall be delivered or sent by post to the Seanad returning officer.
(3) Where a person purports to nominate by a nomination paper under this section more than two persons, such nomination paper shall be wholly void.
(4) Immediately after the expiration of the time for ex-officio nominations, the Seanad returning officer shall insert in the provisional panel relating to the administrative panel the names, addresses, and descriptions of the persons (if any) who have been nominated under this section to that panel before the expiration of the said time.
(5) At any time after the expiration of the time for Dáil panel nominations and before the expiration of the time for ex-officio nominations, any person entitled to make a nomination under this section to the administrative panel shall be entitled to inspect all or any of the provisional panels.
(6) Nominations under this section to the administrative panel are in this Act referred to as ex-officio nominations.
Publication of nomination papers by Seanad returning officer.
27.—Whenever the Seanad returning officer receives a nomination paper (other than a nomination paper declared by this Act to be wholly void and a nomination paper so received after the time limited by this Act for such receipt), he shall forthwith post up, in such public place in the county borough of Dublin as he shall consider most suitable, a notice stating the fact of the receipt by him of such nomination paper and the name, address, and description (as stated in such nomination paper) of the person purported to be nominated by such nomination paper and the panel to which such person purports to be so nominated.
The completion of the panels.
28.—(1) At twelve o'clock noon on the day for the completion of the panels the Seanad returning officer shall attend at the appointed place and there hold a sitting (in this Act referred to as the completion of the panels) at which he shall do all such things as he is required by the subsequent provisions of this Act to do at such sitting.
(2) When preparing the provisional panels in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Seanad returning officer shall not insert in any provisional panel the name of any person purported to be nominated by a nomination paper which is declared by this Act to be wholly void or which is received by him after the expiration of the relevant time for receiving nominations, but, with those exceptions, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare the provisional panels without considering or inquiring into the validity of any nomination paper or the nomination purported to be made thereby and without regard to any duplication of entries which may occur by reason of a person being nominated by more than one nomination paper, whether to the same or to different panels.
(3) At the completion of the panels, the Seanad returning officer shall take the several provisional panels successively one by one and shall, in respect of each provisional panel,—
(a) examine each nomination paper in pursuance of which a person was entered in such provisional panel and shall rule upon the validity or invalidity of each such nomination paper and the validity or invalidity of the nomination purported to be made thereby and shall delete from such provisional panel every entry made therein in pursuance of a nomination paper or a nomination which he decides to be invalid, and
(b) shall then examine the qualifications of each person whose name remains on such provisional panel after the said deletions and shall delete from such provisional panel the name of every such person in respect of whom he is not satisfied that such person is qualified under sub-section 1° of section 7 of Article 18 of the Constitution to be on the panel to which such provisional panel relates, and
(c) shall, in respect of every person whom he determines to be qualified to be on such panel, enter in the provisional panel relating to such panel a statement, in such form as he thinks proper, of the qualifications which he determines to be in fact the qualifications of such person to be on such panel, and
(d) shall then delete all duplicate entries remaining on such provisional panel and shall for that purpose give preference to a nomination by a nominating body as against any other nomination and, in the case of the administrative panel, give preference to a nomination by members of Dáil Eireann as against an ex-officio nomination.
(4) If, when the provisions of the next preceding sub-section of this section have been complied with in respect of all the provisional panels, any person is found to be entered in two or more provisional panels, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the Seanad returning officer shall retain the name of such person on such one of those provisional panels as such person or his agent shall elect;
(b) if such person or his agent (as the case may be) refuses or fails to make such election or neither such person nor his agent is present or reasonably available, the Seanad returning officer shall retain the name of such person on such one of the said provisional panels as the Seanad returning officer shall determine by lot;
(c) the Seanad returning officer shall delete the name of such person from all the said provisional panels except the provisional panel on which he is required, by whichever of the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section is applicable, to retain the name of such person.
(5) In carrying out the provisions of this Act in relation to the proceedings at the completion of the panels the Seanad returning officer shall have due regard to all decisions of the judicial referee on questions referred to him under this Act by the Seanad returning officer.
(6) All decisions by the Seanad returning officer at the completion of the panels shall be final and conclusive subject only to such reference to the judicial referee as is provided for by this Act.
Nominations by the Taoiseach to complete the sub-panels.
29.—(1) If, when the provisions of the next preceding section have been complied with, the number of persons whose names are entered in any sub-panel of a provisional panel does not exceed by at least two the number of members of Seanad Eireann required by this Act to be elected from such sub-panel, the Seanad returning officer shall adjourn to a convenient day and hour the further proceedings at the completion of the panels and shall report to the Taoiseach the said deficiency in the said sub-panel and furnish to the Taoiseach a copy of the provisional panels as settled immediately before the said adjournment.
(2) Upon receiving such report as is mentioned in the next preceding sub-section of this section, the Taoiseach shall nominate to every sub-panel in respect of which he receives such report such number of persons as will be sufficient to bring the number of persons on such sub-panel up to a number exceeding by two (and no more) the number of members of Seanad Eireann required by this Act to be elected from such sub-panel.
(3) Whenever the Taoiseach is required by the next preceding sub-section of this section to make nominations to a sub-panel, it shall be lawful for him to make additional nominations to such sub-panel in excess of the number of nominations required by the said sub-section, but such additional nominations shall be substitutional only and shall be operative only if and so far as is requisite by reason of the invalidity of one or more of the other nominations made by the Taoiseach under this section to such sub-panel.
(4) Every nomination made by the Taoiseach under this section shall be made in accordance with the following provisions, that is to say:—
(a) such nomination shall be made in writing on a nomination paper in the form (modified as requisite) prescribed for ex-officio nominations;
(b) every such nomination shall be made by a separate nomination paper;
(c) every nomination paper shall state the sub-panel in respect of which the nomination is made and shall also contain the particulars required by the said prescribed form of nomination paper to be stated therein (including a statement of the qualifications of the person thereby nominated for the panel to which he is so nominated) and shall be signed by the Taoiseach;
(d) every nomination paper shall be delivered or sent to the Seanad returning officer and shall be so sent or delivered that it is received by the Seanad returning officer before the time to which the completion of the panels was adjourned under the first sub-section of this section.
(5) On the resumption of the completion of the panels after the adjournment thereof under the first sub-section of this section, the Seanad returning officer shall consider and rule upon the nominations made by the Taoiseach under this section (including examining and ruling upon the qualifications of every person so nominated for the panel to which he is so nominated) and shall enter in the proper place in the proper provisional panel the name, address, and description of every person whom he finds to be validly so nominated together with a statement, in such form as he thinks proper, of the qualifications which he determines to be in fact the qualifications of such person to be on such panel.
The judicial referee.
30.—(1) The President of the High Court or some other judge of the High Court nominated by him shall attend at the completion of the panels and there sit and act as judicial referee for the purposes specified in this Act.
(2) The Seanad returning officer may, on his own motion, and shall, if so requested by any person whose name is on the provisional panel for the time being under consideration or by the agent of any such person, refer to the judicial referee any question arising during the completion of the panels in relation to any nomination paper, the nomination of any person to a panel, the qualifications of any person for a panel, the statement by the Seanad returning officer of such qualifications, or any other matter connected with the provisional panels.
(3) The judicial referee shall there and then decide and announce his decision on every question referred to him under this section by the Seanad returning officer.
(4) The decision of the judicial referee on any question referred to him under this section by the Seanad returning officer shall be final and conclusive and shall not be open to review by any court.
(5) A question may be referred to the judicial referee under this section whether the Seanad returning officer has or has not himself given a decision thereon.
Questions raisable at the completion of the panels.
31.—(1) At the completion of the panels every question relevant to the nomination of a person to a panel, including the validity of nomination papers, the sufficiency or the correctness of any statement in a nomination paper, the validity of any nomination and the qualifications of any person for any panel, may be raised by the Seanad returning officer or by any person whose name is on the provisional panel for the time being under consideration or by the agent of any such person.
(2) Where the identity of the person purported to be nominated by a nomination paper is free from doubt, such nomination paper shall not be rejected or declared invalid merely because of an error in, or the incompleteness of, the statement therein of the name, address, or description of such person.
(3) The Seanad returning officer and the judicial referee may each, for the purpose of deciding any question at issue during the completion of the panels, receive and act upon evidence, whether oral or written, tendered to him by or on behalf of any person affected by such question, and may, if he so thinks proper, require such evidence to be given on oath and may for that purpose administer an oath.
Persons permitted to attend the completion of the panels.
32.—The following and no other persons shall be present at the completion of the panels, that is to say:—
(a) the Seanad returning officer and his assistants;
(b) the judicial referee and one person brought by him to attend on him;
(c) any person whose name is on a provisional panel;
(d) one agent of each person whose name is on a provisional panel;
(e) witnesses giving oral evidence, but only while giving such evidence;
(f) such other persons as the Seanad returning officer shall think proper to admit.
Continuity of proceedings at the completion of the panels.
33.—(1) The proceedings at the completion of the panels shall, so far as practicable, be proceeded with continuously, but may at any time be suspended by the Seanad returning officer, with the consent of the judicial referee, for such period as the Seanad returning officer thinks proper for refreshment, night-time, or other reason appearing to him to be sufficient.
(2) Whenever the proceedings at the completion of the panels are suspended under this section, the Seanad returning officer shall take all proper precautions for the security of the nomination papers, provisional panels, and other relevant documents.
Death or disqualification of a candidate.
34.—(1) Where, before the expiration of the time for general panel nominations, a nominating body satisfies the Seanad returning officer that a person nominated to a panel by such nominating body has died or become disqualified for membership of Seanad Eireann, the Seanad returning officer shall forthwith cancel the nomination of such person, and thereupon such nomination shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act never to have been received by the Seanad returning officer and it shall be lawful for such nominating body to nominate in accordance with this Act a person to such panel in the place of the person who has so died or become disqualified.
(2) Where, before the expiration of the time for Dáil panel nominations, the Seanad returning officer is satisfied that a person nominated to a panel by members of Dáil Eireann has died or become disqualified for membership of Seanad Eireann, the Seanad returning officer shall forthwith cancel such nomination and thereupon such nomination shall be deemed never to have been made.
(3) In the counting of the votes cast at a Seanad election all the preferences recorded for a candidate named in a panel of whose death (whether before or after the completion of such panel) the Seanad returning officer is satisfied before the close of the poll shall be disregarded and regard shall be had in lieu thereof to the next available preferences.
(4) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, the fact that a candidate named in a panel has (whether before or after the completion of such panel or before or after the close of the poll) died or become disqualified for membership of Seanad Eireann shall not invalidate or prejudice such panel or the nomination of such candidate thereto or any preferences recorded for him, and, if he is elected, his election shall not be invalidated by reason of his having so died or become disqualified, but he shall be deemed to have vacated his membership of Seanad Eireann immediately after his said election thereto.
Preparation and publication of the panels.
35.—(1) When, at the completion of the panels, the proceedings provided for in the foregoing sections of this Act have been completed, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare the five panels, each of which shall consist of a list (arranged in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this section) of the persons who have been found to be validly nominated thereto.
(2) Each of the panels shall be divided into two parts (in this Act referred to as sub-panels), one of which (in this Act referred to as the nominating bodies sub-panel) shall consist of a list of the persons nominated thereto by nominating bodies, and the other of which (in this Act referred to as the Dáil sub-panel) shall consist of a list of the persons nominated thereto by members of Dáil Eireann or, in the case of the administrative panel, either by such members or by ex-officio nominations.
(3) The persons named in a panel shall be described therein by their names, addresses and descriptions as stated in their respective nomination papers, and there shall be added to the description of every such person a statement of his qualifications for such panel as entered in the relevant provisional panel in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this Act.
(4) The persons named in a part of a panel shall be arranged in such part in the alphabetical order of their surnames and, in the case of identity of surnames, of their other names.
(5) When the Seanad returning officer has prepared the five panels he shall publish them in the Iris Oifigiúil.
(6) The several panels as prepared and published by the Seanad returning officer in pursuance of this section shall be final and conclusive and not open to review by any Court.
PART IV.
The Poll.
The electorate.
36.—At every Seanad election the electorate shall consist of—
(a) in the case of the first Seanad election, the members of Dáil Eireann mentioned in Article 54 of the Constitution or, in the case of every subsequent Seanad election, the members of Dáil Eireann elected at the Dáil election consequent on the dissolution of Dáil Eireann which occasioned such Seanad election, and
(b) the persons elected for the purpose by the councils of counties or county boroughs or the former members of such councils in pursuance of the provisions in that behalf of this Act.
Election of electors by councils.
37.—(1) Not later than, in the case of the first Seanad election, the 31st day of January, 1938, or, in the case of every subsequent Seanad election, one month after the dissolution of Dáil Eireann which occasions such Seanad election, every council of a county or a county borough shall elect in accordance with this section and regulations made thereunder seven persons (in this section referred to as electors) to the electorate for such Seanad election and shall, if such election is contested, hold a meeting of such council at which such election shall be held.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the election of electors in pursuance of this section, that is to say:—
(a) every candidate for election as an elector shall be nominated in writing by two members of the council (in this section referred to as the electing council) by which the election is being made;
(b) no person shall be elegible for election as an elector unless he is a member of the electing council;
(c) if such election is not contested, the secretary of the electing council shall, immediately after the close of the nominations, send to the Seanad returning officer the names, addresses, and descriptions of the electors who were duly so nominated;
(d) if such election is contested, the electors shall be elected by the members of such council present at the said meeting (or such of them as think proper to vote) voting by secret ballot on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote;
(e) as soon as practicable after the said voting is closed, the secretary of such council shall send to the Seanad returning officer all the ballot papers by which votes were given at such election and the Seanad returning officer shall count such votes in his office or other convenient place and ascertain therefrom the result of the election
(f) as soon as the Seanad returning officer has so ascertained the results of all the elections held in pursuance of this section, he shall prepare, sign, and publish in the Iris Oifigiúil a list of the persons elected at such elections, showing separately the persons elected by each electing council, and such statement as so published shall be a conclusive and final declaration of the result of every such election;
(g) the expenses of every election held in pursuance of this section (other than the expenses of things required by this sub-section to be done by the Seanad returning officer) shall be borne by the electing council and shall be raised, in the case of the council of a county, by means of the poor rate as a county-at-large charge and, in the case of the county boroughs of Dublin and Limerick, by means of the municipal rate and, in the case of the county boroughs of Cork and Waterford, by means of the poor rate or such other rate as the Minister shall direct.
(3) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every council of a county or a county borough which is for the time being dissolved under section 72 of the Local Government Act, 1925 (No. 5 of 1925), that is to say:—
(a) the electors who, if such council were not so dissolved, would be required, by the foregoing provisions of this section to be elected by such council shall be elected from amongst themselves by the surviving persons (in this Part of this Act referred to as the former members of such council) who were members of such council immediately before it was so dissolved and have not, since such dissolution, suffered an adjudication in bankruptcy or a conviction of a crime or offence which would have terminated their membership of such council if it had not been so dissolved or such of such persons as think fit to take part in such election;
(b) every candidate for election at such election shall be nominated in writing by two of the former members of such council;
(c) if such election is contested, a meeting of the former members of such council shall be summoned and the election shall be made at such meeting by the former members of such council present at such meeting (or such of them as think proper to vote) voting by secret ballot on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote;
(d) the provisions of the next preceding sub-section, so far as they are not inconsistent with the foregoing provisions of this section, shall apply with such modifications as shall be necessary or shall be prescribed by regulations made under this section.
(4) Neither the failure of a council or the former members of a dissolved council to hold an election in pursuance of this section nor the election by a council or the former members of a dissolved council of less than seven electors shall prejudice or affect the validity of the elections held in pursuance of this section by other councils or the former members of other councils or the validity and conclusiveness of the electoral roll or, where less than seven electors are so elected, the validity of the election of so many electors as are so elected.
(5) The Minister shall make such regulations and may give such instructions as he shall think proper for carrying this section into execution (including prescribing a limited time for the doing of any act or thing), and it shall be the duty of every council of a county or a county borough and the officers of every such council (including the officers of the person performing the duties of a dissolved council) to comply with all such regulations and instructions.
The electoral roll.
38.—(1) The Clerk of Dáil Eireann shall, not later than, in the case of the first Seanad election, the 31st day of January, 1938, or, in the case of every subsequent Seanad election, three days after he has received all the returns to the writs for the relevant Dáil election, send to the Seanad returning officer a statement of the names, addresses, and descriptions of the members of Dáil Eireann who are entitled under this Act to be members of the electorate at such Seanad election.
(2) So soon as the Seanad returning officer has received from the Clerk of Dáil Eireann the statement in relation to a Seanad election mentioned in the next preceding sub-section of this section and has ascertained the result of all the elections of electors duly held in pursuance of this Act by councils of counties or county boroughs (including any elections by former members of any such council which is for the time being dissolved) in relation to such Seanad election, the Seanad returning officer shall prepare for such Seanad election an electoral roll containing the names, addresses, and descriptions of all the persons who appear from such statement and results to constitute the electorate for such Seanad election.
(3) Where a person is a member of the electorate for a Seanad election by virtue of more than one qualification, his name shall nevertheless be entered once only in the electoral roll for such Seanad election.
(4) It shall be lawful for the Seanad returning officer to make such inquiries and take such steps as he shall think proper for ascertaining the correct name, address, and description of every person whose name is required to be entered in an electoral roll, but no inaccuracy in the name, address, or description of any person in an electoral roll shall invalidate such electoral roll.
(5) The persons whose names are entered in an electoral roll shall be arranged in such roll in the alphabetical order of their surnames and, in cases of identity of surname, of their other names, and shall be numbered consecutively in that order.
(6) Every electoral roll prepared under this section shall be final and conclusive and not open to review by any court, and the persons whose names are set out in any such electoral roll, and no other person, shall be entitled to vote at the Seanad election to which such electoral roll relates.
(7) The death of a person whose name is entered in an electoral roll shall not prejudice or affect the validity or operation of such electoral roll, whether such death occurred before or occurs after the preparation of such electoral roll.
Issue of copy of panels to electors.
39.—As soon as practicable after the completion of the electoral roll or the publication of the panels in the Iris Oifigiúil (whichever shall later happen) and in any event before the day appointed for the issue of ballot papers, the Seanad returning officer shall send by post to each person whose name is on the electoral roll, at his address stated on the electoral roll, a copy of the five panels as published in the Iris Oifigiúil, but with the modification that there shall, in such copy, be inserted in respect of every person on any panel a statement of the body or person or persons on whose nomination he was put on such panel.
The ballot papers.
40.—(1) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the ballot papers at a Seanad election, that is to say:—
(a) every ballot paper shall contain the names, addresses, and descriptions of all the candidates named in the several panels arranged in the alphabetical order of their surnames and, in cases of identity of surname, of their other names, and either in one continuous column or in two or more columns as the Seanad returning officer shall, with the consent of the Minister, consider to be most convenient;
(b) every ballot paper shall also state, in respect of every candidate named therein, the panel and sub-panel in which he is named as a candidate;
(c) the surnames of the several candidates shall be printed on the ballot papers in large characters and their other names and their addresses and descriptions shall be printed in small characters, save that, whenever the surnames of two or more candidates are the same, there shall be printed in large characters (in addition to their surnames) the other names of such candidates and so much of the address or the description or of both the address and the description of each such candidate as will, in the opinion of the Seanad returning officer, effectively distinguish such candidate.
(2) Subject to the provisions of the next preceding sub-section of this section, the ballot papers shall be in the prescribed form and each ballot paper shall have a number printed on the back thereof and shall have attached thereto a counterfoil with the same number printed on the face of such counterfoil, and every ballot paper shall, at the time of issue thereof, be marked on both sides thereof with an official mark either stamped or perforated.
Method of marking votes on the ballot paper.
41.—(1) An elector in giving his vote must place on the ballot paper the figure 1 opposite the name of the candidate for whom he votes, and he may in addition place on the ballot paper the figures 2 and 3, or 2, 3 and 4, and so on opposite the names of other candidates in the order of his preference.
(2) Any ballot paper—
(a) which does not bear the official mark, or
(b) on which the figure 1 standing alone is not placed at all or is not so placed as to indicate a first preference for some candidate, or
(c) on which the figure 1 standing alone indicating a first preference is set opposite the name of more than one candidate, or
(d) on which the figure 1 standing alone indicating a first preference and some other number is set opposite the name of the same candidate, or
(e) on which anything except the number on the back is written or marked by which the voter can be identified,
shall be invalid and shall not be counted.
Sending of ballot papers to electors.
42.—(1) On the day appointed for the issue of ballot papers at a Seanad election the Seanad returning officer shall send by registered post to each person whose name is on the electoral roll for that election at the address stated on such electoral roll a ballot paper together with a form of declaration of identity.
(2) Whenever a person to whom a ballot paper for a Seanad election should be sent under the foregoing sub-section of this section states in writing to the Seanad returning officer that more than twenty-four hours have elapsed since such ballot paper should have been delivered to him in the ordinary course of post and that he has not received such ballot paper and that he desires a duplicate ballot paper and declaration of identity to be issued to him, the Seanad returning officer, if such statement is received by him not less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, shall forthwith or, if such statement is received by him less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, may send by registered post to such person at the address mentioned in the foregoing sub-section a ballot paper and a declaration of identity all of which, by being printed on paper of a special colour or otherwise, are clearly distinguished as duplicates of the ballot paper and form of declaration of identity originally sent to such person under this section.
(3) Every declaration of identity shall be in the prescribed form.
(4) The Seanad returning officer shall, when sending out ballot papers in pursuance of this section, observe the rules contained in the First Schedule to this Act.
Method of voting.
43.—(1) Every person entitled to vote at a Seanad election shall be entitled to vote at that election in the following and no other manner, that is to say, by marking and returning by registered or ordinary post to the Seanad returning officer the ballot paper sent to him under this section together with the form of declaration of identity similarly sent to him therewith duly made and completed by him.
(2) Whenever a person entitled to vote at a Seanad election states in writing to the Seanad returning officer that he duly returned by registered post to the Seanad returning officer the ballot paper and form of declaration of identity sent to him under this section and that the same does not appear to have been delivered to the Seanad returning officer and that he desires a duplicate ballot paper and declaration of identity to be issued to him, the Seanad returning officer, if such statement is received by him not less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, shall forthwith or, if such statement is received by him less than forty-eight hours before the close of the poll at such election, may send by registered post to such person at his address as stated on the electoral roll a ballot paper together with a form of declaration of identity all of which, by being printed on paper of a special colour or otherwise, are clearly distinguished as duplicates of the ballot paper and form of declaration of identity originally sent to such person under this section.
(3) The Seanad returning officer in receiving and otherwise dealing with the ballot papers at a Seanad election shall observe the rules contained in the First Schedule to this Act.
Allocation of members amongst the panels.
44.—The numbers of members of Seanad Eireann to be elected from each of the panels shall be as follows, that is to say:—
(a) five members shall be elected from the cultural and educational panel, of whom one shall be elected from the Dáil sub-panel of that panel and four shall be elected from the nominating bodies sub-panel of the said panel;
(b) eleven members shall be elected from the agricultural panel, of whom six shall be elected from the Dáil sub-panel of that panel and five shall be elected from the nominating bodies sub-panel of the said panel;
(c) eleven members shall be elected from the labour panel, of whom six shall be elected from the Dáil sub-panel of that panel, and five shall be elected from the nominating bodies sub-panel of the said panel;
(d) nine members shall be elected from the industrial and commercial panel, of whom five shall be elected from the Dáil sub-panel of that panel and four shall be elected from the nominating bodies sub-panel of the said panel;
(e) seven members shall be elected from the administrative panel, of whom four shall be elected from the Dáil sub-panel of that panel and three shall be elected from the nominating bodies sub-panel of the said panel.
Ascertainment of the result of the election.
45.—(1) As soon as conveniently may be after the closing of the poll, the Seanad returning officer shall, in the presence of such candidates as may be in attendance, ascertain separately, in accordance with this Act and in particular the rules contained in the First and Second Schedules to this Act, the result of the election in respect of each panel and shall declare to be elected from such panel the candidates who are so ascertained to be elected.
(2) The decision of the Seanad returning officer as to any question arising on the ballot papers, the declarations of identity, or the envelopes containing the same or any other matter arising on the issue or the receipt of the ballot papers or on the counting of the votes shall be final, subject to review by a court trying an election petition in relation to the election.
Preservation of the secrecy of the voting.
46.—(1) The Seanad returning officer and every officer and clerk concerned in the issue or the receipt of the ballot papers or the counting of the votes at a Seanad election and every candidate present at such issue, receipt, or counting shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting at such election and shall not, before the completion of the election, communicate, except for some purpose authorised by law, any information as to whether any elector has or has not voted at such election or as to the official mark, and shall not at any time communicate to any person any information obtained at or in connection with such issue, receipt, or counting as to the candidate for whom any elector has voted or as to whether any elector has or has not voted or as to the number on the back of the ballot paper sent to any elector.
(2) No person shall interfere with or attempt to interfere with the receipt, marking, or return of his ballot paper by any elector at a Seanad election.
(3) No person shall directly or indirectly induce any elector at a Seanad election to display his ballot paper after he shall have marked the same so as to make known to such person or to any other person the name of any candidate for whom he has marked his vote on such ballot paper.
(4) Every person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months.
Election petitions in relation to Seanad elections.
47.—(1) The enactments relating to the presentation and trial of election petitions in relation to elections of members of Dáil Eireann shall apply to Seanad elections with the following modifications, that is to say:—
(a) the court trying an election petition in relation to a Seanad election shall not have power to declare the whole election to be void but may declare the election of any one or more of the candidates returned as elected at the election to be void or to be valid as justice may require;
(b) where the said court so declares the election of a candidate to be void, the court shall declare that such one as justice may require of the candidates not returned as elected was elected;
(c) the said court shall have power to make such amendments as may be necessary to give effect to its decisions in the certificate of the Seanad returning officer of the result of the election;
(d) it shall not be obligatory on the said court to cause a recount to be made of the votes given for, or to investigate the voting or the counting of the votes in respect of, the candidates on a panel in relation to which the said court is satisfied that the voting in respect of the candidates on such panel is not in issue on such petition;
(e) references (including references by adaptation) to Dáil Eireann shall be construed as references to Seanad Eireann, and references (including references by adaptation) to the Chairman or the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Eireann shall be construed as references to the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann.
(2) No person who has voted at a Seanad election shall in any legal proceedings to question the election or return of any candidate at such election be required to state for whom he has voted.
Non-compliance with rules.
48.—No election of a candidate at a Seanad election shall be declared void by reason only of a non-compliance with the rules contained in any Schedule to this Act, or any mistake in the use of the forms prescribed under this Act, if it appears to the tribunal having cognisance of the question that the election was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the body of this Act, and that such non-compliance or mistake did not affect the result of the election.
Postal services.
49.—All postal services (including all registration services) wholly within Ireland in relation to the issue and return of ballot papers at a Seanad election shall be performed by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs without prepayment of the charges therefor, and all such charges shall be deemed to be part of the Seanad returning officer's expenses and shall be defrayed accordingly.
PART V.
Miscellaneous.
Resignation of membership of Seanad Eireann.
50.—(1) A member of Seanad Eireann elected under this Act may voluntarily resign his membership of Seanad Eireann by notice in writing to the Chairman of Seanad Eireann who shall announce such resignation to Seanad Eireann at the next meeting thereof.
(2) The resignation under this section of a member of Seanad Eireann shall take effect immediately upon the announcement thereof by the Chairman of Seanad Eireann in pursuance of this section.
Election as university member and as panel member.
51.—Whenever at a general election of members of Seanad Eireann a person is elected as a member of Seanad Eireann by a university (in this section referred to as a university member) and is also elected as a member of Seanad Eireann under this Act (in this section referred to as a panel member), the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) such person shall, by writing under his hand delivered to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann before taking his seat in either capacity, declare whether he will sit in Seanad Eireann as a university member or as a panel member;
(b) if such person does not deliver within one month after the first meeting of Seanad Eireann after such general election, such declaration as is mentioned in the next preceding paragraph of this section to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann in accordance with that paragraph, such person shall be deemed to have declared at the expiration of such month that he will sit in Seanad Eireann as a university member;
(c) as soon as such person has declared or is deemed to have declared in which of the said capacities he will sit in Seanad Eireann, he shall be deemed to have resigned his seat in Seanad Eireann as a member thereof in the other of those capacities.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Conduct of Election.
Issue of ballot papers.
1. On the day of issue of ballot papers at a Seanad election the Seanad returning officer shall issue, in the manner directed in the following Rules, a ballot paper to every elector named on the electoral roll for that election.
Attendance of candidates.
2. Every candidate at a Seanad election shall be entitled to attend at the issue of ballot papers for that election, and the Seanad returning officer shall, on the request of any such candidate, inform such candidate of the time and place at which such issue of ballot papers will be made.
Persons present at issue of ballot papers.
3. The Seanad returning officer and his assistants, any candidate and any agent appointed by a candidate, and no other person, except with the permission of the Seanad returning officer, may be present at the issue of ballot papers.
Method of issuing ballot papers.
4. The Seanad returning officer shall issue a ballot paper to each elector by doing or causing to be done in respect of such elector the following things in the following order, that is to say:—
(a) the number, name, address, and description of the elector as stated in the electoral roll shall be called out;
(b) the elector's said number shall be marked on the counterfoil of the ballot paper to be sent to him;
(c) a mark shall be placed on the electoral roll opposite the elector's name thereon to indicate that a ballot paper has been issued to such elector, but without disclosing the identity of such ballot paper;
(d) the ballot paper shall be marked on both sides with the official mark;
(e) the number on the back of the ballot paper shall be marked upon a form of declaration of identity and upon an envelope (hereinafter referred to as the ballot paper envelope) in the prescribed form;
(f) there shall be placed in an envelope (hereinafter referred to as the outer envelope) in the prescribed form addressed to the elector at his address stated in the electoral roll the following documents, that is to say:—
(i) a ballot paper, and
(ii) the said form of declaration of identity, and
(iii) an envelope (hereinafter referred to as the covering envelope) in the prescribed form addressed to the Seanad returning officer, and
(iv) the said ballot paper envelope;
(g) the outer envelope shall be effectually closed;
(h) when the foregoing provisions of this Rule have been complied with in respect of all the electors whose names are on the electoral roll, all the said closed outer envelopes shall be collected, counted, and posted.
Issue of duplicate ballot papers.
5. Every request for the issue of a duplicate ballot paper shall, when received by the Seanad returning officer, be endorsed by him with the day and hour of the receipt thereof by him and with a consecutive number, and every duplicate ballot paper issued in pursuance of any such request shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing Rule so far as the same are applicable save that, in lieu of the number on the electoral roll, there shall be marked on the counterfoil of such ballot paper the consecutive number endorsed on the request in pursuance of which such ballot paper is issued and that when such ballot paper has been issued the said request shall be disposed of in like manner as the marked copy of the electoral roll is required by these Rules to be disposed of.
Posting of ballot papers.
6. The Seanad returning officer shall post the said closed outer envelopes by delivering such envelopes to the nearest head post office, or such other office as may be arranged with the head postmaster, and the postmaster at such office shall stamp with the post office date stamp a form of receipt to be presented by the Seanad returning officer stating the number of envelopes so delivered, and shall immediately forward such envelopes by registered post for delivery to the persons to whom they are addressed.
Preservation of electoral roll and counterfoils.
7. The Seanad returning officer, as soon as practicable after the completion of the issue of the ballot papers and in the presence of such candidates and agents as are in attendance, shall make up in separate packets, sealed with his own seal and sealed by such of the said candidates or agents as desire to affix their seals, the marked copy of the electoral roll and the counterfoils of the ballot papers.
Seanad ballot box.
8. The Seanad returning officer shall provide a ballot box marked “Seanad ballot box” for the reception of the covering envelopes when returned by the voters, and on the completion of the issue of the ballot papers the Seanad returning officer shall show such ballot box open and empty to the candidates and agents (if any) present, and shall seal such ballot box with his seal and shall make provision for the safe custody of such ballot box.
Disposal of covering envelopes on receipt.
9. The Seanad returning officer shall forthwith place unopened in the Seanad ballot box every covering envelope received by him before the close of the poll and shall seal up unopened in a separate package all covering envelopes received by him after the close of the poll and shall also seal up unopened in a separate package all outer envelopes returned to him as undelivered.
Notice of counting of votes.
10. Not less than three days before the close of the poll the Seanad returning officer shall send by post to every candidate at his address as stated in the panels of candidates notice in writing of the time and place at which he will open the Seanad ballot box and count the votes.
Opening of Seanad ballot box.
11. As soon as conveniently may be after the close of the poll the Seanad returning officer shall open the Seanad ballot box and count the votes.
Persons present at counting of votes.
12. The Seanad returning officer and his assistants, any candidate and any agent appointed by a candidate, and no other person, except with the permission of the Seanad returning officer, may be present at the opening of the Seanad ballot box or the counting of the votes.
Procedure on opening of Seanad ballot box.
13. When the Seanad ballot box has been opened the Seanad returning officer shall do the following things, that is to say:—
(a) take all the covering envelopes out of the Seanad ballot box and count and note the number thereof;
(b) open each such covering envelope and segregate any of those envelopes containing a declaration of identity issued as a duplicate form of declaration of identity;
(c) take up separately each of the said covering envelopes not so segregated, examine the declaration of identity therein and compare the number on such declaration with the number on the ballot paper envelope in such covering envelope;
(d) if the said numbers agree and the declaration of identity is found to be duly completed and made, he shall place the declaration of identity and the ballot paper envelope in separate receptacles;
(e) if he is not satisfied that the declaration of identity has been duly completed and made he shall endorse the declaration of identity “vote rejected,” and shall attach thereto the ballot paper envelope, without opening such envelope, or if there is no such envelope, the ballot paper;
(f) if he finds that the numbers on the declaration of identity and on the ballot paper envelope do not agree, or if the envelope has no number on it, he shall open the envelope, and if the number on the ballot paper agrees with the number on the declaration of identity he shall place the ballot paper in the special receptacle provided by him for ballot papers;
(g) where the number on the ballot paper does not agree with the number on the declaration of identity, he shall replace the ballot paper in its envelope, if any, attach such envelope or ballot paper (as the case may be) to the declaration of identity, and endorse the declaration of identity “vote rejected”;
(h) where a declaration of identity does not appear to accompany the ballot paper envelope, he shall open the ballot paper envelope, and if it is found to contain the declaration of identity he shall deal with such declaration and ballot paper envelope in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Rule;
(i) he shall mark with the word “rejected” every declaration of identity which is not accompanied by a ballot paper, and every ballot paper which is not accompanied by a declaration of identity;
(j) when all the said covering envelopes not so segregated have been dealt with under the foregoing provisions of this Rule, he shall take up separately each of the said covering envelopes segregated as containing a declaration of identity issued as a duplicate form of declaration of identity, examine the declaration of identity therein (hereinafter referred to as the duplicate declaration) and ascertain whether a declaration of identity in respect of the same person has or has not been previously examined under this Rule;
(k) if a declaration of identity in respect of the same person has been previously examined under this Rule he shall mark the duplicate declaration “vote rejected” and shall attach thereto the ballot paper envelope, without opening such envelope, or, if there is no such envelope, the ballot paper;
(l) if a declaration of identity in respect of the same person has not been previously examined under this Rule he shall deal with the duplicate declaration and the ballot paper envelope and ballot paper accompanying the same in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Rule other than the two last preceding paragraphs thereof.
Ballot paper and declaration not in proper envelopes.
14. Where a ballot paper and a declaration of identity are received together and the numbers on such ballot paper and on such declaration agree, such ballot paper shall not be rejected solely on the ground that such ballot paper and such declaration were not placed in the proper envelopes or that any of such envelopes was not fastened.
Rejection of declarations of identity.
15. The Seanad returning officer shall show any declaration of identity which he proposes to reject on the ground that it has not been properly completed and made to the candidates and agents (if any) present, and if an objection is made by any such candidate or agent to his decision shall add to the endorsement the words “rejection objected to”.
Separation of rejected declarations.
16. The Seanad returning officer shall keep all rejected declarations, with the attached envelopes or ballot papers as the case may be, separate from other documents.
Opening of ballot paper envelopes.
17. When all the covering envelopes in the Seanad ballot box have been opened and their contents dealt with under the preceding Rules, the Seanad returning officer shall open each unopened ballot paper envelope and compare the number on the envelope with the number on the ballot paper and if the number on the envelope and the number on the ballot paper agree, he shall place the ballot paper in the special receptacle provided by him for ballot papers, but if the number on the envelope and the number on the ballot paper do not agree, the Seanad returning officer shall fasten such ballot paper and such envelope together and mark them “rejected”.
Preservation of declarations, ballot papers, etc.
18. As soon as the Seanad returning officer has completed the placing of the ballot papers in the said special receptacle he shall seal up in separate packets (1) the declarations of identity which accompanied any ballot papers duly accepted; (2) any rejected declarations of identity; and (3) any rejected ballot papers; in the two latter cases with the envelopes (if any) attached thereto.
Counting the votes.
19. When the Seanad returning officer has complied with the foregoing Rules of this Schedule, he shall mix together thoroughly the ballot papers contained in the special receptacle provided by him for ballot papers and shall count, in accordance with the Rules contained in the Second Schedule to this Act, the votes recorded on such ballot papers.
Rejection of invalid ballot papers.
20. The Seanad returning officer shall endorse “rejected” on any ballot paper which he rejects as invalid and if an objection be made by any candidate or agent to his decision rejecting the ballot paper, he shall add to the said endorsement “rejection objected to”.
Continuity of proceedings under this Schedule.
21. The Seanad returning officer shall so far as practicable proceed continuously with the proceedings under this Schedule subsequent to the opening of the Seanad ballot box and with the counting of the votes but may at any time suspend such proceedings or counting for refreshment, night-time, or other reason appearing to him to be sufficient for such period as he thinks proper, and whenever he does so suspend such proceedings or such counting he shall take all proper precautions for the security of the ballot papers, envelopes, votes, and other documents relating to the election.
Declaration of secrecy.
22. The Seanad returning officer and every of his assistants taking part in any of the proceedings under this Schedule or the counting of the votes and every candidate and agent attending any of the said proceedings or the said counting shall, before so taking part or so attending, sign an undertaking in the prescribed form to preserve the secrecy of the voting.
Certificate of result of the poll.
23. As soon as the counting of the votes is completed the Seanad returning officer shall prepare in duplicate in respect of each panel a certificate in the prescribed form setting out the names of the candidates elected from such panel, the total number of votes given for each candidate (whether elected or not), every transfer of values made under this Act, and the total value credited to each candidate at the end of the count at which each such transfer took place, and such other matters as shall be prescribed, and the Seanad returning officer shall then sign the said duplicate certificate and shall send one such duplicate to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann and (except in the case of the first Seanad election) the other such duplicate to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann.
In the case of every certificate prepared under this Rule in relation to the first Seanad election, the Seanad returning officer shall, after he has sent one duplicate of such certificate to the Clerk of Dáil Eireann, retain the other duplicate thereof and shall send or deliver such other duplicate to the Clerk of Seanad Eireann as soon as may be after such Clerk has been appointed.
Publication of result of election.
24. The Seanad returning officer shall also prepare and publish in the Iris Oifigiúil a statement in the prescribed form of the names of the candidates elected from each panel.
Preservation of ballot papers.
25. Upon the completion of the counting of the votes the Seanad returning officer shall seal up in separate packets the counted ballot papers and the ballot papers rejected as invalid.·
Retention of documents by Seanad returning officer.
26. The Seanad returning officer shall retain for six months from the close of the poll the several sealed packets of the marked copy of the electoral roll, the counterfoils of the ballot papers, the covering envelopes received after the close of the poll, the outer envelopes returned as undelivered, the accepted declarations of identity, the rejected declarations of identity, the rejected ballot papers, the counted ballot papers, and the invalid ballot papers, and shall at the end of the said period of six months destroy all the said sealed packets unless an election tribunal shall have otherwise ordered.
Inspection of sealed packets.
27. No person shall be allowed to inspect any of the said sealed packets retained by the Seanad returning officer nor any of the contents thereof save under and in accordance with an order of an election tribunal.
Authority for inspection of sealed packets.
28. An election tribunal may authorise the inspection by any person of the contents of any of the said sealed packets as justice may require but on any such inspection care shall be taken that the mode in which any particular elector has voted shall not be discovered until he has been proved to the satisfaction of an election tribunal to have voted and such tribunal has declared his vote to be invalid.
Compliance with orders of election tribunal.
29. The Seanad returning officer shall comply with every order made by an election tribunal in relation to the inspection, production, and disposal of the said sealed packets.
Conclusiveness of production by Seanad returning officer.
30. Where an order is made by an election tribunal for the production by the Seanad returning officer of any document or packet of documents in his possession relating to a specified election, the production by the Seanad returning officer of such document or packet of documents in pursuance of such order shall be conclusive evidence that such document or packet of documents relates to the said specified election and the endorsement made by the Seanad returning officer in pursuance of this Schedule on any such document or packet of documents shall be conclusive evidence that such document or packet is what it is stated in such endorsement to be.
Evidence of voting.
31. The production by the Seanad returning officer of a ballot paper purporting to have been used at any election and of a counterfoil marked with the same printed number and having a number marked thereon in writing shall be prima facie evidence that the person who voted by such ballot paper was the person whose number on the electoral roll relating to such election was the same as the number so marked on such counterfoil.
Endorsement of packets by Seanad returning officer.
32. Whenever the Seanad returning officer is required by this Schedule to seal up any documents in a separate packet he shall endorse on such packet a statement of the number and character of such documents and the election to which they relate.
Election tribunal.
33. In this Schedule the expression “election tribunal” means a court lawfully having cognisance of petitions complaining of undue return or undue election at a Seanad election.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
The Counting of the Votes.
Rejection of invalid ballot papers.
1. The Seanad returning officer shall reject any ballot papers that are invalid.
The order of preferences.
2. The Seanad returning officer shall then ascertain the number of first preferences recorded on the ballot papers for each candidate, and shall then arrange the candidates on a list (hereinafter called “the order of preferences”) in the order of the number of first preferences recorded for each candidate, beginning with the candidate for whom the greatest number of first preferences is recorded. If the number of first preferences recorded for any two or more candidates (hereinafter called “equal candidates”) is equal, the Seanad returning officer shall ascertain the number of second preferences recorded on all the ballot papers for each of the equal candidates, and shall arrange the equal candidates as amongst themselves on the order of preferences in the order of the second preferences recorded for each such candidate, beginning with the candidate for whom the greatest number of second preferences is recorded. If the number of first and second preferences recorded for any two or more equal candidates is equal, the Seanad returning officer shall, in like manner, ascertain the number of third preferences recorded on all the ballot papers for each of such last-mentioned equal candidates, and arrange such candidates on the order of preferences accordingly, and so on until all the candidates are arranged in order on the order of preferences. If the number of first, second, third, and all other preferences recorded for any two or more equal candidates is equal the Seanad returning officer shall determine by lot the order in which such candidates are to be arranged on the order of preferences.
Arrangement of ballot papers in parcels.
3. The Seanad returning officer shall then arrange the valid ballot papers in parcels, according to the first preferences recorded for each candidate.
Value of each ballot paper.
4. For the purpose of facilitating the processes prescribed by these Rules, each valid ballot paper shall be deemed to be of the value of one thousand.
Crediting values of first preferences.
5. The Seanad returning officer shall then count the number of ballot papers in each parcel, and in accordance with the preceding Rule credit each candidate with the value of the valid ballot papers on which a first preference has been recorded for such candidate.
Ascertainment of quota.
6. The Seanad returning officer shall then add together the values in all the parcels and divide the full total value by a number exceeding by one the number of vacancies to be filled. The result increased by one, any fractional remainder being disregarded, shall be the value sufficient to secure the return of a candidate. This value is in this Schedule called the “quota”.
Candidates with quota deemed elected.
7. If, at the end of any count or at the end of the transfer of any parcel or sub-parcel of an excluded candidate or a candidate deemed not to be a continuing candidate, the value credited to a candidate is equal to or greater than the quota, that candidate shall, subject to the provisions of the subsequent Rules, be deemed to be elected.
Candidates on same sub-panel with quota.
8. (1) If at the end of a count the value credited to one or more candidates is equal to or greater than the quota and such candidates (if more than one) are on the same sub-panel and the number of vacancies then remaining to be filled from that sub-panel is equal to the number of candidates so credited, all such, candidates shall be deemed to be elected, and the papers of the remaining candidates (if any) on the said sub-panel shall, before any other candidate is excluded or the surplus of any other candidate is transferred, be transferred in accordance with the provisions of these Rules relating to the exclusion of candidates, save that the papers of the candidate credited with the greatest value shall be transferred first and so on, and thereupon such remaining candidates shall for the purpose of these Rules be deemed not to be continuing candidates.
(2) If at the end of a count the number of candidates on a sub-panel credited with a value greater than or equal to the quota is greater than the number of vacancies then remaining to be filled from such sub-panel, only such number of those candidates as is equal to the said number of vacancies shall be deemed to be elected. The candidates who are so to be deemed to be elected shall be the candidates who have the largest surpluses. If two or more of such candidates have each an equal surplus the candidate credited with the greatest value at the earliest count at which the values credited to those candidates were unequal, or (where the values so credited were equal at all counts) the candidate who is highest in the order of preferences, shall be deemed to be elected. The remaining candidates on the said sub-panel shall be deemed not to be continuing candidates and their papers shall, before any other candidate is excluded or the surplus of any other candidate is transferred, be transferred (whether the values credited to them respectively are greater, equal to, or less than the quota) in the same manner as the papers of an excluded candidate are required to be transferred under these Rules save that the papers of the candidate credited with the greatest value shall be transferred first and so on.
(3) A candidate credited with a value equal to the quota shall be deemed, for the purpose of this Rule, to have a surplus.
(4) If at the conclusion of any count two or more candidates are by these Rules required to be deemed not to be continuing candidates, and such candidates are not all on the same sub-panel, the papers of the candidate then credited with the greatest value shall be transferred first. If two or more of such candidates are credited with the same value the papers of the candidate credited with the greatest value at the earliest count at which the values credited to them were unequal, or (where the values so credited were equal at all counts) the candidate who is highest in the order of preferences shall be first transferred.
Transfer of surplus.
9. If at the end of any count the value credited to a candidate (in this Rule referred to as the elected candidate) is greater than the quota, the surplus shall be transferred to the continuing candidate or candidates indicated on the voting papers in the parcel or sub-parcel of the elected candidate according to the next available preferences recorded thereon, and the following provisions shall apply to the making of such transfer, that is to say:—
(a) if the value credited to the elected candidate arises out of original votes only, the Seanad returning officer shall examine all the ballot papers in the parcel of the elected candidate and shall arrange the transferable papers therein in sub-parcels according to the next available preferences recorded thereon and shall make a separate sub-parcel of the non-transferable papers;
(b) if the value credited to the elected candidate arises partly out of original and partly out of transferred votes or out of transferred votes only, the Seanad returning officer shall examine the ballot papers contained in the sub-parcel last received by the elected candidate and shall arrange the transferable papers therein in further sub-parcels according to the next available preferences recorded thereon and shall make a separate sub-parcel of the non-transferable papers;
(c) in either of the cases referred to in the foregoing paragraphs (a) and (b) the Seanad returning officer shall ascertain the number of ballot papers and their total value in each sub-parcel of transferable papers and in the sub-parcel of non-transferable papers;
(d) if the total value of the papers in all the sub-parcels of transferable papers is equal to or less than the said surplus, the Seanad returning officer shall transfer each sub-parcel of transferable papers to the continuing candidate indicated thereon as the voter's next available preference, each paper being transferred at the value at which it was received by the elected candidate, and (where the said total value is less than the said surplus) the non-transferable papers shall be set aside as not effective, at a value which is equal to the difference between the said surplus and the said total value;
(e) if the total value of the papers in all the sub-parcels of transferable papers is greater than the said surplus the Seanad returning officer shall transfer each paper in such sub-parcel of transferable papers to the continuing candidate indicated thereon as the voter's next available preference, and the value at which each paper shall be transferred shall be ascertained by dividing the surplus by the total number of transferable papers, fractional remainders being disregarded except that the consequential loss of value shall be noted on the result sheet;
(f) a surplus which arises on the completion of any count shall be dealt with before a surplus which arises at a subsequent count;
(g) when two or more surpluses arise out of the same count the largest shall be first dealt with and the others shall be dealt with in the order of their magnitude;
(h) if two or more candidates have an equal surplus arising out of the same count, the surplus of the candidate credited with the greatest value at the earliest count at which the values credited to those candidates were unequal shall be first dealt with, and where the values credited to such candidates were equal at all counts, the Seanad returning officer shall deal first with the surplus of the candidate who is highest in the order of preferences.
Exclusion of candidates.
10. If at the end of any count no candidate has a surplus and one or more vacancies remain unfilled, the Seanad returning officer shall exclude the candidate (in this Rule referred to as the excluded candidate) then credited with the lowest value and shall transfer his papers to the continuing candidates respectively indicated on the ballot papers in the parcel or sub-parcels of the excluded candidate as the voter's next available preference, and shall credit such continuing candidates with the value of the papers so transferred, and the following rules shall apply to the making of such transfer, that is to say:—
(a) the parcel containing original votes shall first be transferred, the transfer value of each paper being one thousand;
(b) the sub-parcels containing transferred votes shall then be transferred in the order in which and at the value of which the excluded candidate obtained them;
(c) for the purpose of determining whether a candidate is a continuing candidate the transfer of each parcel or sub-parcel shall be regarded as a separate count;
(d) in the transfer of each parcel or sub-parcel a separate sub-parcel shall be made of the non-transferable papers which shall be set aside at the value at which the excluded candidate obtained them;
(e) if when a candidate has to be excluded under this Rule, two or more candidates are each then credited with the same value and are lowest regard shall be had to the total value of original votes credited to each of those candidates and the candidate with the smallest such total value shall be excluded, and where such total values are equal regard shall be had to the total value of votes credited to each of those candidates at the earliest count at which they had unequal values, and the candidate with the smallest such total value at that count shall be excluded, and if those candidates were each credited with the same total value of votes at all counts that one of those candidates who is lowest in the order of preferences shall be excluded;
(f) if the number of continuing candidates on a sub-panel is equal to the number of vacancies remaining to be filled from such sub-panel, this Rule shall cease to apply in respect of such continuing candidates.
Disposal of papers on transfer.
11. On every transfer made under these Rules, each sub-parcel of papers transferred shall be placed on top of the parcel or sub-parcel (if any) of papers of the candidate to whom the transfer is made and that candidate shall be credited with the value ascertained in accordance with these Rules of the papers so transferred to him.
Equality of vacancies and candidates.
12. If, when there is no surplus to be transferred and, by reason of the number of candidates already excluded, the number of vacancies remaining to be filled from each sub-panel is equal to the number of continuing candidates on such sub-panels respectively, all such continuing candidates shall thereupon be deemed to be elected.
Result sheet.
13. At the end of every count the Seanad returning officer shall record on a result sheet in the prescribed form the total of the values credited to each candidate at the end of that count and also the value of the non-transferable papers not effective on that count and the loss of value on that count owing to disregard of fractions.
Precautions for preservation of secrecy.
14. While the votes are being counted the ballot papers shall so far as it is practicable be kept face upwards and all proper precautions shall be taken by the Seanad returning officer for preventing the numbers on the backs of the ballot papers being seen.
Definitions.
15. In these Rules—
(1) the expression “continuing candidate” means any candidate not deemed to be elected and not excluded;
(2) the expression “first preference” means the figure “1” standing alone, the expression “second preference” means the figure “2” standing alone in succession to the figure “1”and the expression “third preference” means the figure “3” standing alone in succession to the figures “1” and “2” set opposite the name of any candidate, and so on;
(3) the expression “next available preference” means a second or subsequent preference recorded in consecutive numerical order for a continuing candidate, the preference next in order on the ballot paper for candidates already deemed to be elected or excluded being ignored;
(4) the expression “transferable paper” means a ballot paper on which following a first preference a second or subsequent preference is recorded in numerical order for a continuing candidate;
(5) the expression “non-transferable paper” means a ballot paper—
(a) on which no second or subsequent preference is recorded for a continuing candidate; or
(b) on which the names of two or more candidates (whether continuing or not) are marked with the same number, and are next in order of preference, or
(c) on which the name of the candidate next in order of preference (whether continuing or not) is marked by a number not following consecutively after some other number on the voting paper or by two or more numbers, or
(d) which is void for uncertainty;
(6) the expression “original vote” in regard to any candidate means a vote derived from a ballot paper on which a first preference is recorded for that candidate;
(7) the expression “transferred vote” in regard to any candidate means a vote derived from a ballot paper on which a second or subsequent preference is recorded for that candidate;
(8) the expression “surplus” means the number by which the total value of the votes, original and transferred, credited to any candidate exceeds the quota;
(9) the expression “count” means (as the context may require) either—
(a) all the operations involved in the counting of the first preferences recorded for candidates; or
(b) all the operations involved in the transfer of the surplus of a selected candidate; or
(c) all the operations involved in the transfer of the votes of an excluded candidate; or
(d) the transfer in pursuance of these Rules of the papers of a candidate deemed not to be a continuing candidate.
(10) the expression “deemed to be elected” means deemed to be elected for the purpose of counting, but without prejudice to the declaration of the result of the election;
(11) the expression “determine by lot” means determine in accordance with the following directions, that is to say:—
the names of the candidates concerned having been written on similar slips of paper, and the slips having been folded so as to prevent identification and mixed and drawn at random, the candidates concerned shall as amongst themselves be arranged on the order of preferences in the order in which the slips containing their names are drawn, beginning with the candidate whose name is on the slip drawn first.