As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 46.
ACHT LÉIRIÚCHÁIN, 1923.
Léiriú ar fhocail áirithe ghenerálta in Achtanna.
1.—(1) San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint—
(a) focail a chialluíonn an cineál fireann, folóid baineannacha:
(b) folóidh focail uathaidh an t-iolra, agus folóidh focail iolraidh an t-uatha:
(c) folóidh an focal ‘duine’ aon chólucht daoine corpruithe no nea-chorpruithe:
(d) ciallóidh an focal ‘mí’ mí caileandair:
(e) folóidh an focal ‘talamh’ measáistí, tionóntacháin, agus ionoighreachtaí, tithe agus foirgintí, d'aon tsórt sealbhaíochta;
(f) i gcás daoine dá mbeidh sé ceaduithe do réir dlí de thurus na huaire deimhniú no faisnéis do dhéanamh in ionad mionú, folóidh na focail ‘mionn’ agus ‘mionnscríbhinn’ deimhniú agus faisnéis, agus ina leithéid sin de chás folóidh an briathar ‘mionnuím’ deimhním agus faisním.
(2) I léiriú gach achtacháin a bhaineann le cionta in ar féidir duine do phionósú ar a dhíotáil no ar a dhaora ar an slí achmair, folóidh an focal ‘duine’ cólucht corpruithe mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint.
Brí focal áirithe oifigiúil in Achtanna.
2.—San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint beidh leis na focail seo a leanas na bríonna a cuirtar leo fé seach leis seo, eadhon:—
(1) ciallóidh na focail “an Bunreacht” agus “Bunreacht Shaorstáit Éireann” an Bunreacht atá leagtha amach sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht um Bunreacht Shaorstáit Éireann, 1922 (Uimh. 1 de 1922):
(2) ciallóidh an focal “an Seanascal” an Seanascal a bheidh ar Shaorstáit Éireann de thurus na huaire:
(3) ciallóidh an focal “An tArd-Scrúdóir” an té a bheidh ceaptha de thurus na huaire fé Acht an Ard-Scrúdóra, 1923 (Uimh. 1 de 1923), mar Smachtóir ar Fháltas agus Caiteachas Stát-Chiste Shaorstáit Éireann agus mar Ard-Scrúdóir ar Chuntaisí Puiblí:
(4) ciallóidh an focal “an Ard-Chomhairle” an Ard-Chomhairle a bheidh bunuithe agus ceaptha de thurus na huaire do réir forálacha an Bhunreachta:
(5) ciallóidh na foccil “an tUachtarán” agus “an Leas-Uachtarán” fé seach an tUachtarán agus an Leas-Uachtarán a bheidh ar an Ard-Chomhairle de thurus na huaire:
(6) ciallóidh an focal “Aire Feidhmiúcháin” Aire is ball den Ard-Chomhairle de thurus na huaire:
(7) ciallóidh an focal “an Chéad Dháil Éireann” an tionól de bhaill Pháirliminte a toghadh do dháilcheanntair in Éirinn i dToghachán Páirliminte a comóradh an 14adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag, 1918, agus a chéad-tháinig le chéile i bPáirlimint a comóradh an 2ladh lá d'Eanair, 1919, in áit chomhnaithe oifigiúil Ard-Mhéara Bhaile Atha Cliath dá ngairmtear Tigh an Ard-Mhéara i mBaile Atha Cliath, agus a dhin san áit sin bunreacht sealadach do tharrach suas agus do chraobhscaoile i gcóir an tionóil sin ina nDáil Éireann agus ina Rialtas ar Shaorstát Éireann:
(8) ciallóidh an focal “an Dara Dáil Éireann” an tionól de bhaill Pháirliminte a togadh do dháilcheanntair in Éirinn i dToghachán Páirliminte a comóradh an 13adh lá de Bhealtaine, 1921, agus a tháinig le chéile ina nDáil Éireann agus ina Rialtas ar Shaorstát Éireann i bPáirlimint a comóradh i mBaile Atha Cliath i dTigh roimhráite an Ard-Mhéara an 16adh lá de Lúnasa. 1921:
(9) ciallóidh an focal “an Tríú Dáil Éireann “an tionól de bhaill Pháirliminte a toghadh le Toghachán a comóradh do réir Rúin a rith an Dara Dáil Éireann an 20adh lá de Bhealtaine, 1922, agus ar an gcuma a luaidhtear go speisialta in Acht de Pháirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe dar teideal “an tAcht um Shaorstát Éireann (Socrú),1922,” Acht ina ngairmtear den Dáil Éireann san an Tigh den Pháirlimint dá mbeidh an Rialtas Sealadach freagarthach eadhon, an Dáil bhunaidh d'achtuigh an Bunreacht:
(10) ciallóidh an focal “Connra 1921” na hAirtiogail Có-aontuithe do Chonnra idir an Bhreatain Mhóir agus Éire a sighníodh i Lundain an 6adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag 1921, agus a moladh agus a deimhníodh ina dhiaidh sin ag an Dara Dáil Éireann agus ag Páirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe fé seach agus na bhfuil a théacs leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht um Bunreacht Shaorstáit Éireann, 1922 (Uimh. 1 de 1922):
(11) ciallóidh an focal “Páirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe” Páirlimint Ríochta Aontuithe na Breataine Móire agus na hÉireann a bhí ann le déanaí:
(12) ciallóidh an focal “Reacht Briotáineach” Acht de Pháirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe agus a cimeádadh i bhfeidhm agus in éifeacht i Saorstát Éireann le hAirtiogal 73 den Bhunreacht:
(13) ciallóidh an focal “Banc na hÉireann” Gobharnóir agus Cuideachta Bhanc na hÉireann no banc Ghobharnóir agus Cuideachta Bhanc na hÉireann, pe'ca is gá sa chás.
Brí focal áirithe geograifigiúla in Achtanna
3.—San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint beidh leis na focail seo a leanas na bríonna a cuirtar leo fé seach leis seo, eadhon:—
(1) ciallóidh an focal “Saorstát Éireann” no a chó-fhocal Béarla “the Irish Free State” nuair a húsáidfar é chun baint aon dlí no leithe no achar aon údaráis, oblagáide no leaga do mhiniú an líomatáiste a bheidh de thurus na huaire laistigh d'údarás Páirlimint agus Rialtas Shaorstáit Éireann:
(2) ciallóidh an focal “Tuaisceart Éireann” pé cuid de Shaorstát Éireann ná beidh baint ag comhachta Pháirlimint agus Rialtas Shaorstáit Éireann léi de thurus na huaire:
(3) ciallóidh an focal “an Bhreatain Mhór” Sasana, an Bhreatain Bheag agus Alba:
(4) folóidh na focail “Sasana,” “an Bhreatain Bheag” “Alba,” “Éire” agus “Saorstát Éireann” fé seach na hoileáin (nách iad na Channel Islands iad ná Oileán Mhanainn) atá teoranta le n-a gcóstaí.
Brí focal áirithe breithiúnais in Achtanna.
4.—San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint beidh leis na focail seo a leanas na bríonna a cuirtar leo fé seach leis seo, eadhon:—
(1) ciallóidh an focal “Cúirt Uachtarach” an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais Uachtarach i Saorstát Éireann:
(2) ciallóidh an focal “Ard-Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt Bhreithiúnais i Saorstát Éireann:
(3) ciallóidh an focal “Cúirt Chuarda” an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais Chuarda i Saorstát Éireann:
(4) ciallóidh an focal “Cúirt Dúithche” an Chúirt Bhreithiúnais Dúithche i Saorstát Éireann:
(5) ciallóidh an focal “cúirt údaráis achmair” Cúirt Dúithche:
(6) ciallóidh an focal “na hAchtanna Údaráis Achmair,” maidir le Ceanntar Póilíneachta Cathrach Bhaile Atha Cliath, na hAchtanna uile a bheidh de thurus na huaire ag regleáil comhachtanna agus dualgaisí Giúistisí Dúithche agus na bpóilíní sa Cheanntar san, agus maidir le haon chuid eile de Shaorstát Éireann, Acht na nGearr-Shioson (Éirinn), 1851, agus gach Acht ag leasú an Achta san, a ritheadh no a rithfar, agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire:
(7) ciallóidh an focal “Achtanna na gClásanna Talmhan” Acht Có-dhlúite na gClásanna Talmhan, 1845, Acht Leasuithe Achtanna Có-dhlúite na gClásanna Talmhan, 1860, Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Éirinn), 1851, Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Éirinn), 1860, Acht na mBóthar Iarainn (Éirinn), 1864, agus Acht na mBóthar Iarainn i dtaobh Séana, agus gach Acht ag leasú na nAchtanna san no aon chinn acu agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire:
(8) ciallóidh an focal “Achtanna Luachála” na hAchtanna a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire agus a bhaineann le luacháil maoine ionrátuithe i Saorstát Éireann.
Brí focal áirithe generálta in Achtanna
5.—San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint beidh leis na focail seo a leanas na bríonna a cuirtar leo fé seach leis seo, eadhon:—
(1) ciallóidh an focal “bliain airgeadais,” maidir le nithe a bhaineann leis an bPrímh-Chiste, no le hairgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, no leis an Stát-Chiste, no le haon chánacha a bheidh leagtha ag Oireachtas Shaorstáit Éireann, no a bhaineann ar aon tslí eile le hairgeadas Shaorstáit Éireann, an dá mhí dhéag dar críoch an 3ladh lá de Mhárta:
(2) ciallóidh an focal “faisnéis reachtúil” faisnéis a déanfar de bhua Acht na bhFaisnéisí Reachtúla, 1835:
(3) ciallóidh an focal “mapa ordonáis” mapa a dineadh fé sna comhachta a bronnadh leisena hAchtanna Suirbhéireachta (Éirinn), 1825 go 1870, agus gach Acht ag leasú na nAchtanna san no aon chinn acu agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire.
Brí an fhocail “rialacha cuirte.”
6.—(1) San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint isé brí a bheidh leis an bhfocal “rialacha cúirte,” nuair a húsáidfar é maidir le haon chúirt, ná rialacha a bheidh déanta ag an údarás go mbeidh comhacht aige de thurus na huaire chun rialacha no orduithe do dhéanamh chun cleachta agus nós-imeachta na cúirte sin do regleáil.
(2) An chomhacht a bheidh ag gach údarás go mbeidh comhacht aige de thurus na huaire chun rialacha no orduithe do dhéanamh chun cleachta agus nós-imeachta aon chúirte do regleáil (pe'ca roimh rith an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin a bunuíodh an t-údarás san), folóidh sí comhacht chun rialacha cúirte do dhéanamh chun críche aon Achta a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so agus le n-a n-ordófar no le n-a n-údarófar éinní do dhéanamh i dtaobh na cúirte sin le rialacha cúirte.
Rialacha áirithe generálta chun Achtanna do léiriú.
7.—(1) San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint léireofar gach focal i dtaobh ama agus gach tagairt i dtaobh puinte ama, mar fhocail a bhaineann le meán-am Greenwich no a thagrann do, ach san a bheith fé réir forálacha aon achtacháin a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thurus na huaire agus le n-a bhforáltar tosach a bheith ag an am i Saorstát Éireann ar mheán-am Greenwich ar feadh aon tréimhse áirithe.
(2) Nuair a bheidh aon fhaid á thomhas chun crícheanna aon Achta a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, tomhasfar an fhaid sin ina líne dhíreach ar phlána leibhéalta mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint.
(3) San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint léireofar focail i dtaobh scríbhneoireachta mar fhocail a fholuíonn tagartha do chlódóireacht, clóscríbhneoireacht, liagrafaíocht, grianghrafaíocht, agus slite eile chun focail do thaisbeáint no do thabhairt amach i bhfuirm shofheicse.
(4) Sa chás go n-údarófar no go n-iarrfar le hAcht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so aon scríbhinn do sheirbheáil tríd an bpost, pe'ca an briathar “seirbheálaim” a húsáidfar ann no an briathar “tugaim,” “seachadaim,” no “cuirim chun” no aon bhriathar eile, ansan, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint tuigfar gur dineadh an tseirbheáil má dineadh sa cheart an seola do chur ar leitir ina raibh an scríbhinn, roimh-íoc aisti agus í phostáil, agus, mara gcruthuítear a mhalairt, isé uair a tuigfar a dineadh an tseirbheáil sin ná an uair a seachadfí an leitir i ngnáthchúrsa an phuist.
(5) Má bhíonn in aon Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so tuairisc ar aon Acht, instruimid no scríbhinn eile, no athrá as a leithéid, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint léireofar an tuairisc no an t-athrá san fé mar a bheadh foluithe ann an focal an t-alt no an pháirt eile a luadhadh no dar tagradh mar thosach no mar dheire ar an gcuid go raibh an tuairisc no an t-athrá san có-dhéanta dhi.
Dáta Achtanna do rith agus do theacht i bhfeidhm
8.—(1) Isé dáta rithte an Achta so, agus dáta rithte gach Achta eile den Oireachtas pe'ca roimh rith an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin a ritheadh é, ná an lá ar a gcuirfidh Ionadaí na Coróineach in úil, do réir Airtiogal 41 den Bhunreacht, aontú an Rí leis an mBille i gcóir an Achta san.
(2) Láithreach tar éis rithte an Achta so, agus láithreach tar éis rithte gach Achta eile a rithfar tar éis rithte an Achta so, cúlscríobhfidh Cléireach na Dála ar an Acht san, díreach fé bhun teideal an Achta san an dáta ar ar ritheadh an tAcht san, agus tuigfar gur cuid den Acht an chúl-scríbhinn sin.
(3) Gach Acht a rithfar tar éis rithte an Achta so, tiocfa sé i bhfeidhm láithreach tar éis a rithte mara gcuirtar a mhalairt in úil.
Ní cuid d'Acht nótaí ciumhais ná nótaí eile.
9.—Nuair a beifear ag léiriú no ag míniú an Achta so no aon Achta eile den Oireachtas, pe'ca roimh rith an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin a ritheadh é, ní háireofar mar chuid den Acht ná ní breithneofar ná ní bacfar i gcúrsaí breithiúnais aon nóta ciumhais, ceann-scríbhinn ná nóta eile a cuireadh ar leath-imeall, os cionn no ag bun aon ailt no grúpa d'altanna dhe chun abhar, lán no éifeacht an ailt sin no an ghrúpa san do chur in úil.
Tabharfar áird ar na hAchtanna i gcúrsaí breithiúnais, agus beidh gach alt ina achtachán fé leith.
10.—(1) Beidh an tAcht so, agus gach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, ina Acht puiblí agus tabharfar áird air i gcúrsaí breithiúnais mara bhforáltar a mhalairt go soiléir leis an Acht.
(2) Déanfar gach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so do roinnt in altanna a bheidh uimhrithe do réir a chéile.
(3) Gach alt den Acht so agus de gach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, beidh éifeacht aige mar achtachán fé leith gan focail tionscnaimh.
Rialacha léiriúcháin i dtaobh tosach feidhm Achtanna.
11.—(1) San Acht so agus i ngach Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, nuair a húsáidfar an focal “tosach feidhm” i dtaobh Achta ciallóidh sé am an Achta do theacht i bhfeidhm.
(2) Má abartar go dtiocfidh i bhfeidhm ar lá áirithe Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, no aon ordú, barántas, scéim, leitreacha paitinne, rialacha, rialacháin, no fo-dhlithe a dineadh, a deonadh, no a tugadh amach fé chomhacht a bronnadh le haon Acht den tsórt san, tuigfar an céanna do theacht i bhfeidhm díreach ar bheith caithte don lá roimhe sin.
(3) Má bhíonn Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so gan bheith le teacht i bhfeidhm láithreach tar éis é bheith rithte, agus gurb Acht é le n-a mbronntar comhacht chun aon cheapa do dhéanamh, chun aon instruimid, sé sin le rá, aon ordú, barántas, scéim, leitreacha paitinne, rialacha, rialacháin, no fodhlithe, do dhéanamh, do dheona no do thabhairt amach, chun fógraí do thabhairt, chun fuirmeacha do cheapa no chun éinní eile do dhéanamh chun crícheanna an Achta, féadfar mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, an chomhacht san d'fheidhmiú aon uair tar éis rithte an Achta, sa mhéid gur gá no gur oiriúnach é chun an tAcht do chur i bhfeidhm ar dháta tosach a fheidhme, ach aon instruimid a déanfar fén gcomhacht san ní thiocfa sí i bhfeidhm go dtí go dtiocfidh an tAcht i bhfeidhm mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint san Acht no mara mbeidh a mhalairt riachtanach chun an tAcht do chur i bhfeidhm.
Léiriú forálacha i dtaobh feidhmiú comhachtanna agus dualgaisí.
12.—(1) Má dintar le hAcht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so comhacht do bhronna no dualgas do cheapa, ansan, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, féadfar an chomhacht d'fheidhmiú agus déanfar an dualgas o am go ham fé mar is gá.
(2) Má dintar le hAcht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so comhacht do bhronna no dualgas do chur ar shealbhóir oifige mar shealbhóir oifige, ansan, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, féadfidh an té a bheidh i seilbh na hoifige de thurus na huaire an chomhacht d'fheidhmiú agus déanfa sé an dualgas.
(3) Má dintar le hAcht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so comhacht do bhronna chun aon rialacha, rialacháin, no fo-dhlithe do dhéanamh, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint tuigfar go bhfuil foluithe sa chomhacht san comhacht chun na rialacha, na rialacháin no na fo-dhlithe do chur ar neamhní, d'athghairm, do leasú no d'atharú, sé sin comhacht is infheidhmithe ar an gcuma gcéanna agus a bheidh fé réir an cheada chéanna agus na gcoinníoll gcéanna, más ann dóibh.
Léiriú agus éifeacht athghairm Achtanna.
13.—(1) Má dintar leis an Acht so no le haon Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so aon fhorálacha d'Acht a bhí ann roimhe d'athghairm agus d'athachtú, agus san i dteanta no d'éamais atharú dhéanamh ortha, déanfar, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, tagartha a dineadh in aon Acht eile do sna forálacha a hathghairmeadh amhlaidh do léiriú mar thagartha do sna forálacha a hathachtuíodh amhlaidh.
(2) Má athghairmtear aon achtachán eile leis an Acht so no le haon Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so, ansan, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, ní dhéanfidh an athghairm—
(a) aithbheochaint ar éinní a bheidh gan bheith i bhfeidhm no gan bheith ann le linn an athghairm do theacht in éifeacht; ná
(b) baint le haon oibriú a dhin aon achtachán a hathghairmeadh amhlaidh ná le héinní a dineadh ná a fuluingeadh go cuibhe fé aon achtachán a hathghairmeadh amhlaidh; ná
(c) baint le haon cheart, príbhléid, oblagáid ná fiachas a fuarthas, d'fhás no fé n-ar chuathas fé aon achtachán a hathghairmeadh amhlaidh; ná
(d) baint le haon pheannaid, cailliúint, ná pionós a tuilleadh mar gheall ar aon chionta a dineadh i gcoinnibh aon achtacháin a hathghairmeadh amhlaidh; ná
(e) baint le haon lorgaireacht, imeacht dlí, ná leigheas i dtaobh aon chirt, príbhléide, oblagáide, fiachais, peannaide, cailliúna, ná pionóis den tsórt san roimhráite;
agus féadfar aon lorgaireacht, imeacht dlí no leigheas den tsórt san do bhunú, do chimeád ar siúl no do chur i bhfeidhm, agus féadfar aon pheannaid, cailliúint, no pionós den tsórt san do ghearra, fé is dá mba ná rithfí an tAcht ath-ghairme.
(3) Má dintar le hAcht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so aon achtachán a bhí ann roimhe d'athghairm i bpáirt no go hiomlán agus forálacha do chur in ionad an achtacháin a hathghairmeadh, fanfidh an t-achtachán athghairmthe i bhfeidhm go dtí go dtiocfidh na forálacha san i bhfeidhm.
Léiriú rialacha reachtúla, etc.
14.—Má dintar le haon Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so comhacht do bhronna chun aon instruimid, sé sin le rá, aon ordú, barántas, scéim, leitreacha paitinne, rialacha, rialacháin no fo-dhlithe, do dhéanamh, do dheona no do thabhairt amach, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, beidh leis na focail agus na habairtí a húsáidfar san instruimid na bríonna céanna fé seach a bheidh leo san Acht le n-a mbronnfar an chomhacht.
Forálacha i dtaobh ciontaí fé dhá dhlí no níos mó.
15.—I gcás gníomh no faillí do bheith ina chionta fé dhá Acht no níos mó, no fé Acht agus sa dlí choitianta in éineacht, pe'ca roimh thosach feidhm an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin a ritheadh aon Acht den tsórt san, féadfar, mara mbeidh a mhalairt i dtuisgint, an dlí do chur ar an gciontathóir agus é phionósú fé cheachtar no aon cheann de sna hAchtanna no fén dlí choitianta ach ní féadfar é phionósú fé dhó san aon chionta amháin.
Féadfar Achtanna d'athghairm, etc., sa tsiosón chéanna.
16.—Féadfar Acht a ritheadh in aon tsiosón den Oireachtas d'atharú, do leasú, no d'athghairm le haon Acht a rithfar níos déanaí sa tsiosón chéanna.
Luadh Achtanna.
17.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht so, agus gach Acht eile den Oireachtas, pe'ca roimh rith an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin a ritheadh é, do luadh in aon Acht, instruimid, no scríbhinn tré ghearr-theideal an Achta do luadh no tríd an mbliain chaileandair in ar ritheadh an tAcht agus uimhir leantach an Achta sa bhliain sin do luadh.
(2) Aon achtachán den Oireachtas san Acht so, no in aon Acht eile den Oireachtas, pe'ca roimh rith an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin a ritheadh é, féadfar é luadh tríd an alt no an fo-alt den Acht ina bhfuil an t-achtachán do luadh.
Baint an Achta Léiriúcháin, 1889.
18.—(1) An tAcht Léiriúcháin, 1889, fé mar atá sé atharuithe agus oiriúnuithe leis an Acht um Oiriúnú Achtanna, 1922 (Uimh. 2 de 1922), no fé, bainfe sé, agus tuigfar gur bhain sé riamh, le gach Acht den Oireachtas a ritheadh roimh thosach feidhm an Achta so (ach amháin an tAcht so), agus le gach ordú, riail, rialachán, no instruimid eile a dineadh, roimh thosach feidhm an Achta so no ina dhiaidh sin, fé údarás Achta den Oireachtas a ritheadh roimh thosach feidhm an Achta so no i bpáirt fé údarás an Achta san agus i bpáirt fé údarás Achta de Pháirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe.
(2) Ní bhainfidh an tAcht Léiriúcháin, 1889, leis an Acht so ná le haon Acht a rithfar tar éis tosach feidhm an Achta so ná le haon riail, rialachán, ná instruimid eile a déanfar fé údarás aon Achta den tsórt san no i bpáirt fé údarás aon Achta den tsórt san agus i bpáirt fé údarás Achta a rith an tOireachtas roimh thosach feidhm an Achta so no fé údarás Achta de Pháirlimint na Ríochta Aontuithe.
Gearr-Theideal.
19.—Féadfar an tAcht Léiriúcháin, 1923, do ghairm den Acht so agus tiocfa sé i bhfeidhm an 1adh lá d'Eanair, 1924.
Number 46.
INTERPRETATION ACT, 1923.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Acts to be judicially noticed, and sections to be substantive enactments. | |
Construction of provisions as to exercise of powers and duties. | |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 1 of 1922 | |
No. 1 of 1923 | |
No. 2 of 1922 | |
Number 46.
INTERPRETATION ACT, 1923.
Construction of certain general words in Acts.
1.—(1) In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
(a) words importing the masculine gender shall include females:
(b) words in the singular shall include the plural, and words in the plural shall include the singular:
(c) the word ‘person’ shall include any body of persons corporate or un-incorporate:
(d) the word ‘month’ shall mean calendar month:
(e) the word ‘land’ shall include messuages, tenements, and hereditaments, houses and buildings, of any tenure:
(f) the words ‘oath’ and ‘affidavit’ shall, in the case of persons for the time being allowed by law to affirm or declare instead of swearing, include affirmation and declaration, and the word ‘swear’ shall, in the like case, include affirm and declare.
(2) In the construction of every enactment relating to an offence punishable on indictment or on summary conviction, the word ‘person’ shall, unless the contrary intention appears, include a body corporate.
Meaning of certain official expressions in Acts.
2.—In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, the following expressions shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, namely:—
(1) the expressions “the Constitution” and “the Constitution of Saorstát Eireann” shall mean the Constitution set forth in the First Schedule annexed to the Constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) Act, 1922 (No. 1 of 1922):
(2) the expression “the Governor-General” shall mean the Governor-General of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) for the time being:
(3) the expression “the Comptroller and Auditor-General” shall mean the Comptroller of the Receipt and Issue of the Exchequer of Saorstát Eireann and Auditor-General of Public Accounts for the time being appointed under the Comptroller and Auditor-General Act, 1923 (No. 1 of 1923):
(4) the expression “the Executive Council” shall mean the Executive Council for the time being constituted and appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution:
(5) the expressions “the President” and “the Vice-President” shall respectively mean the President and the Vice-President for the time being of the Executive Council:
(6) the expression “an Executive Minister” shall mean a Minister who is for the time being a member of the Executive Council:
(7) The expression “the First Dáil Eireann” shall mean the assembly of members of Parliament elected for constituencies in Ireland at a Parliamentary Election held on the 14th day of December, 1918, who first came together in a Parliament held on the 21st day of January, 1919, in the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin called the Mansion House at Dublin, and there drew up and promulgated a provisional constitution for the said assembly as Dáil Eireann and Government of Saorstát Eireann:
(8) the expression “the Second Dáil Eireann” shall mean the assembly of members of Parliament elected for constituencies in Ireland at a Parliamentary Election held on the 13th day of May, 1921, who met as Dáil Eireann and Government of Saorstát Eireann in a Parliament held at Dublin in the Mansion House aforesaid on the 16th day of August, 1921:
(9) the expression “the Third Dáil Eireann” shall mean the assembly of members of Parliament elected by an Election held pursuant to a Resolution of the Second Dáil Eireann passed on the 20th day of May, 1922, and in manner particularly mentioned in an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament entitled “The Irish Free State (Agreement) Act, 1922,” in which Act the said Dáil Eireann is referred to as the House of the Parliament to which the Provisional Government shall be responsible being the constituent assembly which enacted the Constitution:
(10) the expression “the Treaty of 1921” shall mean the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland signed at London on the 6th day of December, 1921, and subsequently approved and ratified by the Second Dáil Eireann and by the United Kingdom Parliament respectively, the text whereof is set forth in the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) Act, 1922 (No. 1 of 1922):
(11) the expression “the United Kingdom Parliament” shall mean the Parliament of the late United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland:
(12) the expression “British Statute” shall mean an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament continued in force and effect in Saorstát Eireann by Article 73 of the Constitution:
(13) the expression “the Bank of Ireland” shall mean, as circumstances require, the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland or the bank of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland.
Meaning of certain geographical expressions in Acts.
3.—In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, the following expressions shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, namely:—
(1) the expression “Saorstát Eireann” or its equivalent in English “the Irish Free State” when used for the purpose of defining the application of any law or the extent or incidence of any authority, obligation or imposition shall mean the area for the time being within the jurisdiction of the Parliament and Government of Saorstát Eireann:
(2) the expression “Northern Ireland” shall mean such part of Ireland as the powers of the Parliament and Government of Saorstát Eireann shall for the time being not extend to:
(3) the expression “Great Britain” shall mean England, Wales and Scotland:
(4) the expressions “England,” “Wales,” “Scotland,” “Ireland” and “Saorstát Eireann” shall respectively include the islands (other than the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) adjacent to the coasts thereof.
Meaning of certain judicial expressions in Acts.
4.—In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, the following expressions shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, namely:—
(1) the expression “Supreme Court” shall mean the Supreme Court of Justice in Saorstát Eireann:
(2) the expression “High Court” shall mean the High Court of Justice in Saorstát Eireann:
(3) the expression “Circuit Court” shall mean the Circuit Court of Justice in Saorstát Eireann:
(4) the expression “District Court” shall mean the District Court of Justice in Saorstát Eireann:
(5) the expression “court of summary jurisdiction” shall mean a District Court:
(6) the expression “the Summary Jurisdiction Acts” shall mean, as respects the Dublin Metropolitan Police District, the several Acts for the time being regulating the powers and duties of District Justices and the police in that District, and as respects any other part of Saorstát Eireann, the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, and all Acts past and future for the time being in force amending that Act:
(7) the expression “Lands Clauses Acts” shall mean the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, the Lands Clauses Consolidation Acts Amendment Act, 1860, the Railways Act (Ireland), 1851, the Railways Act (Ireland), 1860, the Railways Act (Ireland), 1864, and the Railways Traverse Act, and every Act for the time being in force amending those Acts or any of them:
(8) the expression “Valuation Acts” shall mean the Acts for the time being in force relating to the valuation of rateable property in Saorstát Eireann.
Meaning of certain general expressions in Acts.
5.—In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, the following expressions shall unless the contrary intention appears, have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, namely:—
(1) the expression “financial year” shall mean as respects any matters relating to the Central Fund, or to money provided by the Oireachtas, or to the Exchequer, or to any taxes imposed by the Oireachtas of Saorstát Eireann, or otherwise to the finance of Saorstát Eireann, the twelve months ending on the 31st day of March:
(2) the expression “statutory declaration” shall mean a declaration made by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835:
(3) the expression “ordnance map” shall mean a map made under the powers conferred by the Survey (Ireland) Acts, 1825 to 1870, and every Act for the time being in force amending those Acts or any of them.
Meaning of the expression “rules of court.”
6.—(1) In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, the expression “rules of court” when used in relation to any court, shall mean rules made by the authority having for the time being power to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of such court.
(2) The power of every authority having for the time being power to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of any court shall (whether such authority was established before or after the passing of this Act) include a power to make rules of court for the purpose of any Act passed after the commencement of this Act and directing or authorising anything to be done in relation to that court by rules of court.
Certain general rules for the construction of Acts.
7.—(1) In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act all expressions relating to time, and every reference to a point of time shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as relating or referring to Greenwich mean time, but subject to the provisions of any enactment for the time being in force providing for the time in Saorstát Eireann being in advance of Greenwich mean time during any specified period.
(2) In the measurement of any distance for the purposes of any Act passed after the commencement of this Act, that distance shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane.
(3) In this Act and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, expressions referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including references to printing, typewriting, lithography, photography, and other modes of representing or reproducing words in a visible form.
(4) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act authorises or requires any document to be served by post, whether the expression “serve,” or the expression “give,” “deliver” or “send,” or any other expression is used, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the service shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, prepaying, and posting a letter containing the document, and, unless the contrary is proved, such service shall be deemed to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
(5) In any Act passed after the commencement of this Act a description of or citation from any other Act, instrument or document shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including the word, section, or other part mentioned or referred to as forming the beginning or as forming the end of the portion comprised in the description or citation.
Date of passing and coming into operation of Acts.
8.—(1) The date of the passing of this Act and every other Act of the Oireachtas whether passed before or after this Act shall be the day on which the Representative of the Crown signifies, pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution, the King's assent to the Bill for such Act.
(2) Immediately after the passing of this Act and immediately after the passing of every Act passed after this Act, the Clerk of the Dáil shall endorse on such Act immediately after the title thereof the date on which such Act was passed, and such endorsement shall be taken to be part of the Act.
(3) Every Act passed after this Act shall come into operation immediately on the passing thereof unless the contrary intention is expressed.
Marginal and other notes not part of Act.
9.—No marginal note, heading, or other note placed at the side, head, or foot of any section or group of sections of this Act or of any other Act of the Oireachtas, whether passed before or after this Act, to indicate the subject, contents, or effect of the section or group of sections shall be taken to be part of the Act or be considered or judicially noticed in relation to the construction or interpretation of the Act.
Acts to be judicially noticed, and sections to be substantive enactments.
10.—(1) This Act and every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, shall be a public Act and shall be judicially noticed unless the contrary is expressly provided by the Act.
(2) Every Act passed after the commencement of this Act shall be divided into sections numbered consecutively.
(3) Every section of this Act and of every Act passed after the commencement of this Act shall have effect as a substantive enactment without introductory words.
Rules of construction relating to the commencement of Acts.
11.—(1) In this Act, and in every Act passed after the commencement of this Act, the word “commencement,” when used with reference to an Act, shall mean the time at which the Act comes into operation.
(2) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act, or any order, warrant, scheme, letters patent, rules, regulations, or byelaws made, granted, or issued under a power conferred by any such Act, is expressed to come into operation on a particular day, the same shall be construed as coming into operation immediately on the expiration of the previous day.
(3) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act is not to come into operation immediately on the passing thereof, and confers power to make any appointment, to make, grant, or issue any instrument, that is to say, any order, warrant, scheme, letters patent, rules, regulations, or byelaws, to give notices, to prescribe forms, or to do any other thing for the purposes of the Act, that power may, unless the contrary intention appears, be exercised at any time after the passing of the Act, so far as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of bringing the Act into operation at the date of the commencement thereof, subject to this restriction, that any instrument made under the power shall not, unless the contrary intention appears in the Act, or the contrary is necessary for bringing the Act into operation, come into operation until the Act comes into operation.
Construction of provisions as to exercise of powers and duties.
12.—(1) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act confers a power or imposes a duty, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed from time to time as occasion requires.
(2) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act confers a power or imposes a duty on the holder of an office as such, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed by the holder for the time being of the office.
(3) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act confers a power to make any rules, regulations, or byelaws, the power shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including a power, exerciseable in the like manner and subject to the like consent and conditions, if any, to rescind, revoke, amend, or vary the rules, regulations, or byelaws.
Construction and effect of repeals of Acts.
13.—(1) Where this Act or any Act passed after the commencement of this Act repeals and re-enacts with or without modification, any provisions of a former Act, references in any other Act to the provisions so repealed, shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as references to the provisions so re-enacted.
(2) Where this Act or any Act passed after the commencement of this Act repeals any other enactment, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the repeal shall not—
(a) revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal takes effect; or
(b) affect the previous operation of any enactment so repealed or anything duly done or suffered under any enactment so repealed; or
(c) affect any right, privilege, obligation, or liability acquired, accrued, or incurred under any enactment so repealed; or
(d) affect any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any enactment so repealed; or
(e) affect any investigation, legal proceeding, or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment as aforesaid;
and any such investigation, legal proceeding, or remedy may be instituted, continued, or enforced, and any such penalty, forfeiture, or punishment may be imposed, as if the repealing Act had not been passed.
(3) Where an Act passed after the commencement of this Act, repeals wholly or partially any former enactment and substitutes provisions for the enactment repealed, the repealed enactment shall remain in force until the substituted provisions come into operation.
Construction of statutory rules, etc.
14.—Where any Act, passed after the commencement of this Act, confers power to make, grant, or issue any instrument, that is to say, any order, warrant, scheme, letters patent, rules, regulations, or byelaws, words and expressions used in the instrument shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the same respective meanings as in the Act conferring the power.
Provisions as to offences under two or more laws.
15.—Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more Acts, or both under an Act and at common law, whether any such Act was passed before or after the commencement of this Act, the offender shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or any of those Acts or at common law, but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same offence.
Acts may be repealed, etc., in the same session.
16.—An Act passed in any session of the Oireachtas may be altered, amended, or repealed by any Act passed later in the same session.
Citation of Acts.
17.—(1) This Act and every other Act of the Oireachtas, whether passed before or after this Act, may be cited in any Act, instrument, or document by reference to the short title of the Act or by reference to the calendar year in which the Act was passed and the consecutive number of the Act in that year.
(2) Any enactment of the Oireachtas contained in this Act or in any other Act of the Oireachtas, whether passed before or after this Act, may be cited by reference to the section or sub-section of the Act in which the enactment is contained.
Application of the Interpretation Act 1889.
18.—(1) The Interpretation Act, 1889, as modified and adapted by or under the Adaptation of Enactments Act, 1922 (No. 2 of 1922) shall apply and be deemed always to have applied to every Act of the Oireachtas passed before the commencement of this Act (except this Act), and to every order, rule, regulation, or other instrument made, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, under the authority of an Act of the Oireachtas passed before the commencement of this Act or partly under the authority of such Act and partly under the authority of an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament.
(2) The Interpretation Act, 1889, shall not apply to this Act or to any Act passed after the commencement of this Act or to any order, rule, regulation, or other instrument made under the authority of any such Act or partly under the authority of any such Act and partly under the authority of an Act passed by the Oireachtas before the commencement of this Act or of an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament.
Short Title.
19.—This Act may be cited as the Interpretation Act, 1923, and shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1924.