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Uimhir 6 de 1977
AN tACHT UM PÁIRTEACHAS LUCHT OIBRE (FIONTAIR STÁIT), 1977
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
[4 Aibreán, 1977]
Léiriú.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1963” Acht na gCuideachtaí, 1963;
ciallaíonn “Aer Lingus”, ach amháin sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, Aer Lingus Teoranta;
ciallaíonn “Aerlínte” Aerlínte Éireann Teoranta;
tá le “líon iomchuí” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 23 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “caibidlí cómhargántaíochta” caibidlí idir aon fhostóir, aon eagraíocht fostóirí nó aon chomhlacht eile daoine atá ionadaitheach d'fhostóirí ar thaobh amháin agus aon eagraíocht nó aon chomhlacht eile daoine atá ionadaitheach d'fhostaithe ar an taobh eile, is caibidlí a bhaineann le luach saothair nó le téarmaí nó coinníollacha eile fostaíochta, nó le coinníollacha oibre, fostaithe;
ciallaíonn “cuideachta” cuideachta de réir brí alt 2 d'Acht 1963;
ciallaíonn “comhlacht ainmnithe” comhlacht lena mbaineann an tAcht seo (agus a shonraítear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo);
ciallaíonn “toghchán” toghchán de bhun an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn “bliain toghcháin” bliain is bliain toghcháin de bhua alt 6 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “toghthóir”, i ndáil le toghchán, duine atá i dteideal faoin Acht seo vótáil sa toghchán;
ciallaíonn “fostaí”, i ndáil le comhlacht ainmnithe, duine atá fostaithe i gcáil lánaimsire ag an gcomhlacht faoi chonradh seirbhíse nó printíseachta agus, chun críocha ailt 9 (4) (w) agus 10 den Acht seo, measfar gur fostaí de chuid Aer Lingus duine atá fostaithe sa cháil sin ag Aerlínte faoi chonradh den sórt sin;
tá le “liosta toghthóirí” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 9 (4) (w) den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an tAire”, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, an tAire Saothair;
ciallaíonn “lá ainmniúcháin”, faoi réir ailt 13 (6) agus 14 (3) den Acht seo, i ndáil le toghchán, an lá a shocróidh an tAire de bhun alt 6 (2) den Acht seo i leith an toghcháin;
ciallaíonn “gnáth-stiúrthóir” duine is stiúrthóir ar chuideachta ar comhlacht ainmnithe í agus atá ceaptha nó ainmnithe chun bheith ina stiúrthóir ar shlí seachas faoin Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “gnáth-chomhalta” duine is comhalta d'aon chomhlacht ainmnithe a shonraítear i gCuid I den Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo agus atá ceaptha chun a bheith ina chomhalta den sórt sin ar shlí seachas faoin Acht seo;
tá le “lá vótaíochta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 12 (1) den Acht seo;
tá le “tréimhse vótaíochta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 12 (1) den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “forordaithe” forordaithe le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire faoin Acht seo;
tá le “réamhvótaíocht” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 13 (1) den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “ceann comhairimh”, i ndáil le comhlacht ainmnithe, an duine arb é, chun críocha an Achta seo, maidir leis an gcomhlacht, an ceann comhairimh de thuras na huaire é de bhua alt 7 den Acht seo;
tá le “lá sonraithe” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 15 (2) den Acht seo;
tá le “lá luaite” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 8 den Acht seo;
tá le “ceardchumann” an bhrí chéanna atá leis sna hAchtanna Ceardchumann, 1871 go 1975.
An tAire iomchuí.
2.—Chun críocha an Achta seo is é an tAire iomchuí—
(a) i ndáil leis na comhlachtaí ainmnithe.
(i) maidir le Bord na Móna, Córas Iompair Éireann agus Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais, an Taoiseach.
(ii) maidir le Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta, an tAire Airgeadais,
(iii) maidir le Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta, an tAire Tionscail agus Tráchtála,
(iv) maidir le hAer Lingus agus leis an British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited, an tAire Iompair agus Cumhachta, agus
(b) i ndáil le toghchán, an tAire Stáit arb é, de bhua an méid sin roimhe seo, an tAire iomchuí é i ndáil leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán.
An lá ceaptha.
3.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire i ndáil le gach comhlacht ainmnithe lá a cheapadh le hordú le bheith ina lá ceaptha chun críocha alt 6 den Acht seo agus féadfar an lá céanna a cheapadh amhlaidh i ndáil le gach comhlacht ainmnithe nó i ndáil le haon dá chomhlacht ainmnithe nó níos mó.
(2) Ní bhainfidh alt 4 (2) den Acht seo le hordú a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin alt seo.
Orduithe agus rialacháin i gcoitinne.
4.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh d'fhorordú aon ní dá dtagraítear san Acht seo mar ní atá forordaithe.
(2) Faoi réir alt 3 (2) den Acht seo, féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin Acht seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(3) Gach rialachán a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
(4) I gcás a mbeartaítear ordú faoin Acht seo, seachas ordú faoi alt 3, a dhéanamh, leagfar dréacht den ordú faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach díobh sin.
Comhlachtaí lena mbaineann an tAcht.
5.—Baineann an tAcht seo le gach comhlacht a shonraítear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo.
Bliain toghcháin agus lá ainmniúcháin.
6.—(1) Maidir le comhlacht ainmnithe is iad na blianta toghcháin chun críocha an Achta seo—
(a) an bhliain ar lá di an lá a cheapfaidh an tAire faoi alt 3 den Acht seo i ndáil leis an gcomhlacht, agus
(b) gach tríú bliain chomhleanúnach ina dhiaidh sin.
(2) Tráth nach déanaí ná an 15ú lá de Mheán Fómhair, déanfaidh an tAire, gach bliain is bliain toghcháin i ndáil le comhlacht ainmnithe, lá a shocrú le rialacháin i ndáil leis an gcomhlacht sin le bheith, chun críocha an Achta seo, ina lá ainmniúcháin an bhliain toghcháin sin, agus i gcás ar bliain toghcháin an bhliain chéanna maidir le dhá chomhlacht ainmnithe nó níos mó, féadfar an lá céanna a fhorordú i ndáil le gach ceann de na comhlachtaí ainmnithe sin nó le haon dá cheann nó níos mó díobh.
Ceann comhairimh.
7.—(1) Maidir le comhlacht ainmnithe, is é an ceann comhairimh chun críocha an Achta seo—
(a) rúnaí an chomhlachta nó, mura bhfuil aon rúnaí den sórt sin ann, an t-oifigeach don chomhlacht a chomhlíonann feidhmeanna rúnaí don chomhlacht, nó
(b) in ionad an rúnaí nó an oifigigh sin, aon duine eile a mheasfaidh an rúnaí nó an t-oifigeach sin a bheith inniúil ar fheidhmeanna ceann comhairimh a chomhlíonadh agus a mbeidh glacadh leis—
(i) ag ceardchumann nó comhlacht eile daoine ar deimhin leis an rúnaí nó leis an oifigeach ina leith go bhfuil sé aitheanta ag an gcomhlacht ainmnithe chun críocha caibidlí cómhargántaíochta agus go bhfuil sé ionadaitheach do thromlach fostaithe an chomhlachta, nó
(ii) ag dhá cheann nó níos mó de cheardchumainn nó de chomhlachtaí eile daoine ar deimhin leis an rúnaí nó leis an oifigeach ina leith go bhfuil siad ionadaitheach i dteannta a chéile do thromlach na bhfostaithe sin agus ar deimhin leis an rúnaí nó leis an oifigeach maidir le gach ceann díobh go bhfuil an comhlacht aitheanta amhlaidh.
(2) Féadfaidh ceann comhairimh aon fheidhmeanna dá chuid, is feidhmeanna a bheidh forordaithe de thuras na huaire, a chomhlíonadh trí aon fhostaí eile de chuid an chomhlachta ainmnithe iomchuí nó trí aon duine eile a bheidh, i gceachtar cás, údaraithe go cuí aige i scríbhinn chuige sin.
(3) Ní bheidh an ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán i dteideal go n-ainmneofaí é mar iarrthóir, nó go n-ainmneodh sé iarrthóir, sa toghchán.
Lá luaite, etc.
8.—Déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán, tráth nach déanaí ná an lá is seachtó lá roimh an lá ainmniúcháin, maidir leis an toghchán—
(a) lá a shocrú chun críocha alt 10 (2) den Acht seo, dá ngairtear an “lá luaite” san Acht seo agus ar lá é nach luaithe ná an séú lá is caoga ná nach déanaí ná an dóú lá is daichead roimh an lá arb é an lá ainmniúcháin é maidir leis an toghchán, agus
(b) an tréimhse nó na tréimhsí a shocrú a nglacfar le hainmniúcháin sa toghchán an lá ainmniúcháin sin,
ar choinníoll nach lú ná trí huaire a chloig an tréimhse nó comhiomlán na dtréimhsí a shocrófar amhlaidh.
Seoladh toghchán.
9.—(1) Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, comórfar toghcháin de réir rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire agus féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo—
(a) baint ghinearálta a bheith acu le toghcháin,
(b) baint a bheith acu le toghcháin a bhaineann le comhlacht ainmnithe áirithe nó le comhlachtaí áirithe den sórt a bheidh sonraithe sna rialacháin, nó
(c) baint a bheith acu le toghchán áirithe nó le toghcháin áirithe a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an tAire rialacháin faoin alt seo ach amháin tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh—
(a) leis an Aire Stáit nó le gach Aire Stáit, de réir mar is iomchuí, arb é an tAire iomchuí é ó thaobh an chomhlachta ainmnithe lena mbainfidh na rialacháin, agus
(b) leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe nó le gach comhlacht ainmnithe, de réir mar is iomchuí, lena mbainfidh na rialacháin.
(3) I gcás ar toghchán iomaíochta toghchán, tógfar an vótaíocht trí rúnbhallóid agus de réir phrionsabal na hionadaíochta cionúire.
(4) Féadfaidh rialacháin faoin alt seo, go háirithe agus gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, socrú a dhéanamh le haghaidh gach ní nó aon ní de na nithe seo a leanas i ndáil le toghcháin :
(a) ainmniúcháin,
(b) iarrthóirí do tharraingt siar agus iarrthóirí d'fháil bháis,
(c) an nós imeachta i gcás gan aon iarrthóir a bheith ainmnithe,
(d) an líon iarrthóirí a chinneadh is féidir le comhlachtaí is comhlachtaí cáilithe chun críocha alt 11 den Acht seo a ainmniú de bhun an ailt sin i dtoghcháin,
(e) foirm an pháipéir bhallóide a úsáidfear,
(f) an tráth agus an modh le hiarraidh go n-eiseofar foirmeacha ainmniúcháin agus an tráth agus an modh a n-eiseofar na foirmeacha sin,
(g) na sonraí a bheidh i bpáipéir bhallóide,
(h) an modh chun foirmeacha ainmniúcháin agus páipéir bhallóide a chomhlánú agus a shíniú,
(i) an nós imeachta,
(i) chun na comhlachtaí a fhionnadh atá i dteideal iarrthóirí a ainmniú faoi alt 11 den Acht seo aon bhliain toghcháin,
(ii) chun na daoine a fhionnadh atá i dteideal a n-ainmneacha a bheith ar taifead ar liosta toghthóirí, agus
(iii) chun céannacht na ndaoine a shuíomh a bheidh ag moladh daoine lena n-ainmniú mar iarrthóirí i dtoghcháin, na ndaoine a bheidh ag vótáil in aon réamhvótaíocht nó vótaíocht eile faoin Acht seo agus na ndaoine a bheidh molta amhlaidh,
(j) dearbhuithe reachtúla a thógáil agus a ghlacadh i ndáil le céannacht—
(i) daoine a bheidh ag vótáil le linn réamhvótaíocht nó vótaíocht eile a bheith á tógáil faoin Acht seo, agus
(ii) daoine a bheidh molta amhlaidh lena n-ainmniú,
(k) an tréimhse nó na tréimhsí le linn uaire forordaithe (nach lú ná dhá uair déag a chloig an tréimhse sin nó comhiomlán na dtréimhsí sin) ina ndéanfar réamhvótaíochtaí nó vótaíochtaí eile i dtoghcháin,
(l) an tráth agus an modh chun páipéir bhallóide a eisiúint, tríd an bpost nó ar dhóigh eile, chuig daoine a bhfuil vótaí acu,
(m) an modh a dtabharfar fógra faoin méid seo a leanas, is é sin, an tráth nó na tráthanna agus an áit nó na háiteanna—
(i) a n-eiseofar páipéir bhallóide,
(ii) a dtógfar vótaíocht,
(iii) a bhféadfar iniúchadh a dhéanamh de bhun alt 10 (5) den Acht seo,
(n) na daoine a eiseoidh na foirmeacha ainmniúcháin agus na páipéir bhallóide,
(o) an tráth agus an modh chun foirmeacha ainmniúcháin comhlánaithe agus páipéir bhallóide (seachas páipéir phostbhallóide) a eisíodh i dtoghchán a chur chuig an gceann comhairimh,
(p) an tráth agus an modh chun páipéir phostbhallóide a eisíodh i dtoghchán a chur chuig an gceann comhairimh nó chuig duine éigin a bheidh údaraithe go cuí chun iad a ghlacadh thar a cheann,
(q) rúndacht vótála a choimeád,
(r) iniúchadh na bpáipéar ballóide ag an gceann comhairimh,
(s) an tréimhse ar laistigh di a dhéanfaidh agus an modh a ndéanfaidh duine ag a bhfuil údarás páipéir phostbhallóide a ghlacadh thar ceann an cheann comhairimh na páipéir bhallóide sin a thabhairt ar ais don cheann comhairimh,
(t) coimeád páipéar ballóide agus an modh a ndiúscrófar iad tar éis an toghcháin,
(u) an tráth agus an modh chun vótaí a chomhaireamh,
(v) an ceann comhairimh do dhiúltú do pháipéir bhallóide agus do dhícheadú vótaí,
(w) maidir le gach comhlacht ainmnithe, liosta singil a ullmhú agus a chothabháil ar leithligh d'ainmneacha daoine atá i dteideal vótáil i dtoghcháin a bhaineann leis an gcomhlacht (is liosta dá ngairtear an “liosta toghthóirí” san Acht seo), agus an modh a mbeidh an liosta sin ar fáil lena iniúchadh ag fostaithe de chuid an chomhlachta,
(x) aon ní eile a bhaineann le seoladh toghchán.
Ceart vótála, etc.
10.—(1) I gcás a mbeidh iomaíocht i dtoghchán, beidh gach duine a mbeidh a ainm ar an liosta toghthóirí iomchuí agus ar duine é, an lá a bheidh socraithe chun an réamhvótaíocht nó vótaíocht eile a thógáil sa toghchán, is fostaí de chuid an chomhlachta ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán i dteideal vóta amháin sa vótaíocht, agus ní bheidh daoine seachas na daoine réamhráite i dteideal vótáil i réamhvótaíocht ná i vótaíocht eile faoin Acht seo.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo, gach duine is fostaí don chomhlacht ainmnithe iomchuí an lá luaite—
(a) agus nach bhfuil faoi bhun ocht mbliana déag d'aois an lá sin, agus
(b) ar fostaí den sórt sin é le tréimhse leanúnach nach giorra na bliain a chríochnaigh díreach roimh an lá sin,
beidh sé i dteideal a ainm a bheith ar taifead sa liosta toghthóirí a bheidh ullmhaithe agus á chothabháil ag an gceann comhairimh agus ar iarratas chuige sin a bheith déanta déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh, ar bheith deimhin dó go gcomhlíonann an duine sin ceanglais míreanna (a) agus (b) den fho-alt seo, ainm an duine a thaifeadadh ar an liosta sin.
(3) I gcás a ndéanfar toghchán, ní bheidh duine i dteideal iarratas a dhéanamh de bhun fho-alt (2) den alt seo chun an cheann comhairimh tráth ar bith an lá arb é an lá ainmniúcháin é maidir leis an toghchán, agus i gcás iomaíocht a bheith sa toghchán, beidh an duine sin, ina theannta sin, ó theideal amhlaidh ar feadh na tréimhse dar tosach an lá i ndiaidh an lae ainmniúcháin sin agus dar críoch,
(a) i gcás a ndéanfar réamhvótaíocht de bhun an Achta seo agus go mbeidh tromlach na vótaí sa réamhvótaíocht in aghaidh dul ar aghaidh níos faide leis an toghchán, an lá a fhionnfar toradh na réamhvótaíochta, agus
(b) in aon chás eile, an lá a chuirfidh an ceann comhairimh, de bhun alt 12 (5) den Acht seo, ainmneacha aon iarrthóirí a toghadh sa toghchán in iúl don Aire iomchuí.
(4) Dearbhaítear leis seo nach bhforléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a choisceann ar dhuine vótáil i dtoghchán nó a ainm a bheith ar taifead ar liosta toghthóirí a bheidh ullmhaithe agus á chothabháil faoin Acht seo ar an aonchúis go bhfuil an duine ar fostú ag comhlacht ainmnithe ar iasacht chuig comhlacht nó chuig duine eile.
(5) Féadfaidh aon fhostaí de chuid comhlachta ainmnithe an liosta toghthóirí iomchuí a iniúchadh de réir rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire chuige sin faoi alt 9 den Acht seo.
Iarrthóirí a ainmniú agus tacú leo.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh aon cheardchumann nó aon chomhlacht eile daoine is comhlacht cáilithe chun críocha an ailt seo i ndáil le toghchán, aon tráth i rith na tréimhse nó na dtréimhsí a bheidh socraithe ag an gceann comhairimh de bhun alt 8 den Acht seo chun ainmniú cháin sa toghchán a ghlacadh, féadfaidh sé daoine a mholadh, de réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, lena n-ainmniú mar iarrthóirí sa toghchán arb amhlaidh do gach duine díobh,
(a) gur fostaí é don chomhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán, agus
(b) nach lú ná ocht mbliana déag ná nach mó ná cúig bliana is seasca d'aois é an lá arb é an lá luaite é i ndáil leis an toghchán, agus
(c) gur fostaí é don chomhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán an lá sin le tréimhse leanúnach nach giorra ná trí bliana a chríochnaigh díreach roimh an lá sin.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh comhlacht cáilithe iarrthóir a mholadh i dtoghchán lena ainmniú de réir rialacháin faoi alt 9 (4) (d) den Acht seo nó féadfaidh dhá chomhlacht cháilithe nó níos mó é a mholadh i gcomhpháirt le chéile lena ainmniú de réir na rialachán sin; ar choinníoll nach mbeidh comhlacht cáilithe i dteideal sa toghchán iarrthóir amháin nó níos mó a ainmniú ar a chonlán féin agus iarrthóir amháin nó níos mó a ainmniú i gcomhpháirt le comhlacht cáilithe eile nó le comhlachtaí cáilithe eile.
(3) Is i scríbhinn san fhoirm fhorordaithe a dhéanfar ainmniúchán i dtoghchán agus cuirfear é go dtí an ceann comhairimh ar an modh forordaithe.
(4) Nuair a bheidh deireadh leis an tréimhse chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh i dtoghchán, déanfaidh an ceann comhairimh, a luaithe is féidir, rialú ar bhailíocht gach ainmniúchán a fuair sé, agus más deimhin leis, agus amháin más deimhin leis, nach bhfuil an duine lena mbaineann an t-ainmniúchán cáilithe lena ainmniú mar iarrthóir sa toghchán nó nach bhfuil an páipéar ainmniúcháin déanta amach nó sínithe i gceart, nó go bhfuil an coinníoll a ghabhann le fo-alt (2) den alt seo sáraithe ag comhlacht cáilithe i ndáil leis an duine, rialóidh sé go bhfuil an t-ainmniúchán neamhbhailí agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach neamh-inachomhairc an cinneadh sin.
(5) (a) Féadfaidh comhlacht cáilithe, seachas comhlacht cáilithe a ainmneoidh iarrthóir i dtoghchán i gcomhpháirt nó ar dhóigh eile, le comhaontú an chomhlachta cháilithe nó na gcomhlachtaí cáilithe a d'ainmnigh an t-iarrthóir, fógra a thabhairt don cheann comhairimh, laistigh den tréimhse fhorordaithe agus ar an modh forordaithe, go dtacaíonn an comhlacht leis an iarrthóir sa toghchán.
(b) I gcás a dtabharfar, de bhun an ailt seo, fógra cuí don cheann comhairimh i dtoghchán go dtacaíonn comhlacht cáilithe le hiarrthóir sa toghchán, ansin, i gcás a mbeidh vótaíocht sa toghchán agus faoi réir an t-iarrthóir a bheith ainmnithe go cuí, cuirfear an tacaíocht sin in iúl ar an modh forordaithe sna páipéir bhallóide iomchuí.
(6) I ndáil le toghchán, is comhlacht cáilithe chun críocha an ailt seo ceardchumann nó aon chomhlacht eile daoine más rud é, agus amháin más rud é, gur deimhin leis an gceann comhairimh go bhfuil, an lá ainmniúcháin, an ceardchumann nó an comhlacht eile aitheanta chun críocha caibidlí cómhargántaíochta ag an gcomhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán.
(7) I gcás a mbeidh, i dtoghchán, díospóid—
(a) i dtaobh an comhlacht cáilithe i ndáil leis an toghchán nó nach ea ceardchumann nó comhlacht eile daoine,
(b) i dtaobh an líon iarrthóirí a fhéadfaidh comhlacht cáilithe, chun críocha an ailt seo, a mholadh sa toghchán faoin alt seo nó faoi rialacháin faoin Acht seo nó a fhéadfaidh dhá chomhlacht cháilithe nó níos mó a mholadh amhlaidh i gcomhpháirt faoin alt seo nó faoi rialacháin den sórt sin,
cinnfidh an ceann comhairimh an díospóid agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach neamh-inachomhairc an cinneadh sin.
(8) Ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, san alt seo ciallaíonn “comhlacht cáilithe” comhlacht daoine is comhlacht cáilithe de thuras na huaire chun críocha an ailt seo.
An nós imeachta tar éis ainmnithe.
12.—(1) Más rud é i dtoghchán—
(a) i gcás a ndéanfaidh an ceann comhairimh de bhun alt 8 den Acht seo tréimhse a shocrú a nglacfar le hainmniúcháin lena linn, díreach tar éis an tréimhse sin do dhul in éag. nó
(b) i gcás a socróidh an ceann comhairimh dhá thréimhse nó níos mó den sórt sin amhlaidh, díreach tar éis an ceann is deireanaí de na tréimhsí sin do dhul in éag,
nach mó an líon iarrthóirí a bheidh ainmnithe go cuí ná an líon is iomchuí i ndáil leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe áirithe, dearbhóidh an ceann comhairimh láithreach gach iarrthóir díobh sin, nó i gcás nach mbeidh ach iarrthóir amháin mar sin ann, an t-iarrthóir sin, a bheith tofa chun a cheaptha faoi alt 15 den Acht seo ag an Aire Stáit arb é an tAire iomchuí é i ndáil leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe sin; ach más mó an tráth sin an líon iarrthóirí a bheidh ainmnithe amhlaidh ná an líon iomchuí sin cuirfidh an ceann comhairimh an toghchán ar atráth chun vótaíocht a thógáil de bhun an Achta seo lá áirithe, is lá nach luaithe ná an seachtú lá tar éis an lae ainmniúcháin agus dá ngairtear an “lá vótaíochta” san Acht seo, a shocróidh sé tráth an atrátha, nó i rith tréimhse is faide ná lá amháin ach nach faide ná cúig lá a socrófar amhlaidh an chéad lá díobh agus ar lá é nach luaithe ná an seachtú lá sin, agus an “tréimhse vótaíochta” a ghairtear den tréimhse sin san Acht seo.
(2) I gcás nach mbeidh aon iarrthóir ainmnithe go cuí i dtoghchán an tráth dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, ní rachaidh an ceann comhairimh ar aghaidh níos faide leis an toghchán agus cuirfidh sé, a luaithe is féidir, in iúl i scríbhinn don Aire iomchuí nár ainmníodh go cuí aon iarrthóir sa toghchán agus nach bhfuiltear ag dul ar aghaidh leis an toghchán.
(3) I gcás a gcuirfear toghchán ar atráth chun vótaíocht a thógáil, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas, is é sin :
(a) i gcás a socrófar lá vótaíochta de bhun an ailt seo maidir leis an toghchán, tógfar an vótaíocht an lá sin agus ní dhéanfar postvótáil, agus
(b) i gcás tréimhse vótaíochta a bheith socraithe amhlaidh, tógfar an vótaíocht le linn na tréimhse sin ach ní fhéadfar vótaí, seachas postvótaí, a chaitheamh ach le linn na tréimhse lá áirithe a cheapfaidh an ceann comhairimh chun críocha na míre seo an tráth a shocróidh sé an tréimhse vótaíochta.
(4) Má chuirtear toghchán ar atráth chun vótaíocht a thógáil, tabharfaidh an ceann comhairimh, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an atrátha agus ar cibé modh is iomchuí leis, fógra—
(a) faoin lá vótaíochta nó faoin tréimhse vótaíochta, de réir mar is iomchuí,
(b) faoin áit nó na háiteanna agus faoin lá nó na laethanta a bhféadfar, agus faoi na huaire a chloig ar lena linn a fhéadfar, vótaí, seachas postvótaí, a chaitheamh,
(c) i gcás tréimhse vótaíochta a bheith socraithe i ndáil leis an toghchán, faoin áit a nglacfaidh an ceann comhairimh nó a nglacfar thar a cheann, nó faoin tréimhse ar lena linn agus roimh éag di a ghlacfaidh sé nó a ghlacfar thar a cheann, páipéir phostbhallóide, agus
(d) faoi ainmneacha agus tuairiscí na n-iarrthóirí mar a bheidh taifeadta ina bhfoirmeacha ainmniúcháin, agus na moltóirí,
agus is é dualgas an cheann comhairimh cibé boscaí ballóide, páipéir bhallóide agus nithe eile a sholáthar agus cibé daoine a cheapadh agus cibé bearta agus nithe eile a dhéanamh is gá chun an vótaíocht a thógáil go héifeachtach de réir an Achta seo.
(5) Cuirfidh an ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán in iúl i scríbhinn, a luaithe is féidir, don Aire iomchuí cé acu a cuireadh nó nár cuireadh toghchán ar atráth chun vótaíocht a thógáil agus,
(a) i gcás nach mbeidh an toghchán curtha ar atráth amhlaidh, cuirfidh sé an tráth céanna ainmneacha aon iarrthóirí a dearbhaíodh de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo a bheith tofa in iúl don Aire iomchuí, agus
(b) i gcás an toghchán a bheith curtha ar atráth amhlaidh, cuirfidh sé, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an vótaíocht a thógáil, ainmneacha aon iarrthóirí a toghadh sa toghchán in iúl amhlaidh freisin don Aire sin.
Ní rachfar ar aghaidh le toghcháin i gcúinsí áirithe.
13.—(1) Más rud é i dtoghchán go bhfaighidh an ceann comhairimh sa tréimhse seacht lá dar tosach an lá luaite—
(a) ó cheardchumann nó ó chomhlacht eile daoine ar deimhin leis an gceann comhairimh,
(i) i gcás baint a bheith ag an toghchán le hAer Lingus, go bhfuil sé aitheanta chun críocha caibidlí cómhargántaíochta ag an gcuideachta sin nó ag Aerlínte agus go bhfuil sé ionadaitheach do chúig déag faoin gcéad ar a laghad d'fhostaithe na gcuideachtaí sin, ar fostaithe iad atá i dteideal vótáil sa toghchán, nuair a dhéantar líon na bhfostaithe atá ar fostú acu agus atá i dteideal amhlaidh a shuimiú le chéile,
(ii) i gcás baint a bheith ag an toghchán le haon chomhlacht ainmnithe eile, go bhfuil sé aitheanta chun na gcríocha sin ag an gcomhlacht ainmnithe sin agus go bhfuil sé ionadaitheach do chúig déag faoin gcéad ar a laghad d'fhostaithe an chomhlachta sin atá i dteideal vótáil sa toghchán, nó
(b) ó gach ceann de dhá cheardchumann nó de dhá chomhlacht eile daoine nó níos mó ar deimhin leis an gceann comhairimh iad a bheith ionadaitheach i dteannta a chéile do chúig déag faoin gcéad ar a laghad de na fostaithe sin agus ar deimhin leis an gceann comhairimh maidir le gach ceann díobh go bhfuil an comhlacht sin aitheanta amhlaidh,
iarratas i scríbhinn á iarraidh air gan dul ar aghaidh leis an toghchán, déanfaidh sé, chun a fhionnadh an bhfuil nó nach bhfuil tromlach na ndaoine atá i dteideal vótáil sa toghchán i bhfabhar dul ar aghaidh leis an toghchán, a shocrú go dtógfar láithreach vótaíocht faoin alt seo (is vótaíocht dá ngairtear “réamhvótaíocht” san Acht seo) agus lá, nó tréimhse is faide ná lá amháin ach nach faide ná cúig lá, a cheapadh arb é an lá nó an tréimhse laethanta, cibé acu é, is luaithe chun an vótaíocht a thógáil.
(2) Is cinneadh críochnaitheach neamh-inachomhairc cinneadh ó cheann comhairimh i dtaobh ceardchumann nó comhlacht eile daoine a bheith i dteideal i gcás áirithe iarratas a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas i ndáil le réamhvótaíocht :
(a) bainfidh alt 9 (seachas fo-alt (3)) agus alt 12 (3) den Acht seo leis an vótaíocht mar a bhaineann siad le vótaíocht a thógáil i dtoghchán,
(b) beidh gach duine atá i dteideal vótáil i dtoghchán maidir leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe iomchuí i dteideal vótáil sa vótaíocht,
(c) is trí rúnbhallóid a thabharfar na vótaí sa vótaíocht agus is páipéar (dá ngairtear páipéar ballóide san alt seo) a bheidh i mballóid gach vótálaí,
(d) is san fhoirm fhorordaithe a bheith gach páipéar ballóide sa vótaíocht,
(e) aon pháipéar ballóide—
(i) nach mbeidh aon vóta ar aon chor curtha air, nó
(ii) nach mbeidh an vóta curtha air i slí a léireoidh cé acu a aontaíonn nó nach n-aontaíonn an vótálaí leis an toghchán iomchuí a dhéanamh, nó
(iii) ar a mbeidh vótaí tugtha i bhfabhar agus in aghaidh an toghchán iomchuí a dhéanamh, nó
(iv) ar a mbeidh aon ní scríofa nó marcáilte as a bhféadfaí an vótálaí a aithint,
beidh sé neamhbhailí agus ní chomhairfear é.
(4) A luaithe is féidir tar éis réamhvótaíocht a thógáil, comhairfidh an ceann comhairimh na vótaí a taifeadadh ar na páipéir bhallóide agus gheobhaidh sé amach líon na vótaí a tugadh tríothu i bhfabhar an toghchán iomchuí a dhéanamh agus líon na vótaí a tugadh tríothu in aghaidh an toghchán sin a dhéanamh agus taifeadfaidh sé gach líon díobh faoi seach.
(5) I gcás tromlach na vótaí i réamhvótaíocht a bheith in aghaidh dul ar aghaidh níos faide leis an toghchán iomchuí, ní rachaidh an ceann comhairimh, d'ainneoin aon fhorála eile den Acht seo, ar aghaidh níos faide leis an toghchán, agus cuirfidh sé, a luaithe is féidir, in iúl i scríbhinn don Aire agus don Aire iomchuí nach bhfuil sé ag dul ar aghaidh níos faide leis an toghchán.
(6) I gcás a ndéanfar réamhvótaíocht agus go mbeidh cuid nach lú ná leath de líon na vótaí sa vótaíocht i bhfabhar dul ar aghaidh níos faide leis an toghchán iomchuí, rachaidh an ceann comhairimh ar aghaidh leis an toghchán agus féadfaidh sé, más cuí leis, lá ainmniúcháin nua a shocrú in ionad an lae ainmniúcháin a socraíodh roimhe sin i ndáil leis an toghchán agus i gcás lá ainmniúcháin a shocrú de bhun an fho-ailt seo, is é an lá sin, agus ní hé an lá a socraíodh roimhe sin faoi alt 6 den Acht seo, an lá ainmniúcháin chun na gcríocha a bhaineann leis an toghchán iomchuí agus leis an Acht seo, a mhéid a bhaineann sé leis an toghchán sin.
Imeachtaí i gcás cur isteach a dhéanamh ar ainmniú nó ar vótaíocht nó nach féidir dul ar aghaidh leis.
14.—(1) Más deimhin le ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán—
(a) nach féidir, mar gheall ar thrasnaíl, dul ar aghaidh le hainmniú iarrthóirí ná le réamhvótaíocht nó vótaíocht eile a dhéanamh nó a chríochnú, nó
(b) nach féidir, mar gheall ar chúinsí eile nach bhfuil aon neart aige orthu, dul ar aghaidh leis an ainmniú sin ná le haon vótaíocht den sórt sin a dhéanamh nó a chríochnú,
cuirfidh sé ar atráth, agus más gá sin cuirfidh sé ar atráth arís, an t-ainmniú sin nó an vótaíocht go ceann cibé tréimhse a mheasfaidh sé is iomchuí a chuirfidh ar a chumas, ar bheith éagtha di, dul ar aghaidh leis an ainmniú nó leis an vótaíocht nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, an céanna a chríochnú.
(2) I gcás a ndéanfaidh an ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán ainmniú iarrthóirí nó réamhvótaíocht nó vótaíocht eile a chur ar atráth de bhun an ailt seo, cuirfidh sé an t-atráthú in iúl i scríbhinn, a luaithe is féidir, don Aire, agus tabharfaidh sé faisnéis mar an gcéanna don Aire Stáit arb é an tAire iomchuí é maidir leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán.
(3) I gcás a gcuirfear ainmniú iarrthóirí ar atráth faoin alt seo, measfar gurb é an lá a chríochnófar an t-ainmniú tar éis an atrátha an lá ainmniúcháin chun na gcríocha a bhaineann leis an toghchán iomchuí agus leis an Acht seo, a mhéid a bhaineann sé leis an toghchán.
Comhaltaí agus stiúrthóirí a cheapadh faoin Acht.
15.—(1) I gcás a gcuirfidh ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán ainmneacha iarrthóirí a toghadh nó a dearbhaíodh a bheith tofa sa toghchán in iúl d'Aire Stáit de bhun alt 12 (5) den Acht seo, déanfaidh an tAire Stáit sin, a luaithe is féidir, ceapachán faoin alt seo i leith gach duine de na hiarrthóirí sin agus i ndáil leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe ar maidir leis a rinneadh an toghchán.
(2) Is i scríbhinn a bheidh ceapachán faoin alt seo agus sonróidh an ceapachán an comhlacht ainmnithe ar i ndáil leis a rinneadh é agus an lá ar a mbeidh agus óna mbeidh, agus an tréimhse ar lena linn a bheidh, éifeacht leis (is lá dá ngairtear an “lá sonraithe” san Acht seo).
(3) Oibreoidh ceapachán faoin alt seo do cheapadh an duine ar ina leith a rinneadh é,
(a) i gcás an ceapachán a dhéanamh i leith aon cheann de na comhlachtaí ainmnithe seo a leanas, is é sin, Bord na Móna, Córas Iompair Éireann, nó Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais, ina chomhalta den chomhlacht ainmnithe ar ina leith a rinneadh an ceapachán, agus
(b) i gcás an ceapachán a dhéanamh i leith comhlacht ainmnithe is cuideachta, ina stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht.
Measfar folúntas i gcomhlacht ainmnithe tarlú i gcúinsí áirithe.
16.—I gcás a dtarlóidh idir an tráth a dhéanfaidh an ceann comhairimh dearbhú faoi alt 12 den Acht seo nó an t-am a fhionnfar toradh toghcháin, de réir mar is iomchuí, agus,
(a) i gcás ar cuideachta an comhlacht ainmnithe iomchuí, an lá a thiocfaidh bord an chomhlachta le chéile den chéad uair tar éis an dearbhaithe nó na fionnachtana sin,
(b) in aon chás eile, an lá a thiocfaidh an comhlacht le chéile den chéad uair dá éis sin,
go bhfaighidh iarrthóir a toghadh i dtoghchán bás nó go scoirfidh sé de bheith ina fhostaí don comhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann an toghchán nó, de bhua an Achta seo, go dtiocfaidh sé chun bheith dícháilithe chun a cheaptha ag an Aire iomchuí de bhun alt 15 den Acht seo, ansin, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas :
(c) i gcás nach ndearna an tAire sin ceapachán de bhun an ailt sin 15 maidir leis an iarrthóir ón tráth a rinneadh an dearbhú sin nó a fionnadh an toradh sin, ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt sin 15 sa chás áirithe agus dá réir sin ní dhéanfar an ceapachán sin,
(d) i gcás a ndearnadh ceapachán den sórt sin, scoirfidh an ceapachán d'éifeacht a bheith leis agus, dá réir sin, ní rachaidh an t-iarrthóir i mbun oifige mar chomhalta den chomhlacht ainmnithe iomchuí, nó mar stiúrthóir air, ar scór an cheapacháin, agus
(e) i gceachtar cás, measfar, maidir le folúntas i measc na gcomhaltaí den chomhlacht ainmnithe iomchuí, nó na stiúrthóirí ar an gcomhlacht ainmnithe iomchuí, a fhéadfar a cheapadh de bhun an ailt sin 15, gurb é an lá díreach i ndiaidh an lae a luaitear i mír (a) nó (b), de réir mar is iomchuí, den alt seo, a tharla sé.
Téarmaí oifige comhaltaí nó stiúrthóirí a cheapfar faoin Acht, etc.
17.—(1) Tosóidh téarma oifige duine lena mbaineann ceapachán faoin alt 15 den Acht seo mar chomhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó mar stiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe an lá a shonrófar sa cheapachán mar lá sonraithe.
(2) Críochnóidh téarma oifige comhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe, nó stiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe, a cheapfar faoin Acht seo ar dheireadh a bheith leis an tréimhse a mbeidh éifeacht lena linn leis an gceapachán iomchuí faoi alt 15 den Acht seo, mura n-éagfaidh sé, mura n-éireoidh sé as oifig nó mura dtiocfaidh sé faoi dhícháilíocht roimhe sin.
(3) Beidh comhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó stiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe a cheapfar faoin Acht seo cáilithe, faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, lena ainmniú mar iarrthóir agus lena thoghadh i dtoghchán.
Luach saothair, etc. comhaltaí nó stiúrthóirí a cheapfar faoin Acht.
18.—(1) I gcás a mbeidh an luach saothair nó an liúntas le haghaidh caiteachas is iníoctha le comhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó le stiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe á chinneadh ag an gcomh lacht, ní chuirfidh an comhlacht san áireamh gur faoin Acht seo, nó nach faoin Acht seo, de réir mar a bheidh, a ceapadh an comhalta nó an stiúrthóir.
(2) Duine a cheapfar de bhun an Achta seo chun bheith ina chomhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó ina stiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe agus ar dualgais nach dualgais lánaimsire a dhualgais mar chomhalta nó mar stiúrthóir den sórt sin, ní bhainfidh aon laghdú dó sa luach saothair agus sna liúntais ar chuí dó súil a bheith aige sin a fháil mar fhostaí don chomhlacht dá mba nár chomhalta nár chomhalta ná stiúrthóir den sórt sin é.
Comhaltaí nó stiúrthóirí a ceapadh faoin Acht d'éirí as oifig agus a chur as oifig.
19.—(1) Féadfaidh comhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó stiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe a ceapadh faoin Acht seo éirí as oifig trí litir a bheidh dírithe chun an Aire iomchuí agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí as amhail ar an dáta agus ón dáta a gheobhaidh an tAire sin an litir.
(2) I gcás cumhacht a bheith ag Aire Stáit gnáthchomhalta de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó gnáthstiúrthóir ar chomhlacht ainmnithe a chur as oifig, beidh an chumhacht chéanna aige comhalta den chomhlacht, nó stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht, a cheap sé faoin Acht seo a chur as oifig, agus i gcás nach mbeidh an chumhacht duine a chur as oifig infheidhmithe ach amháin le toiliú nó le ceadú Aire Stáit eile, is faoi réir an toilithe nó an cheadaithe sin a bheidh an chumhacht a thugtar don Aire Stáit leis an alt seo infheidhmithe.
Stiúrthóirí Aerlínte nó comhaltaí de chomhlachtaí ainmnithe nó stiúrthóirí ar chomhlachtaí ainmnithe do nochtadh leasanna áirithe.
20.—(1) I gcás aon ábhar acu seo a leanas a bheith i dtrácht ag cruinniú d'Aerlínte nó de chomhlacht ainmnithe, is é sin :
(a) comhshocraíocht inar páirtí an chuideachta nó an comhlacht nó comhshocraíocht den sórt sin a bheidh beartaithe, nó
(b) conradh nó comhaontú eile leis an gcuideachta nó leis an gcomhlacht nó conradh nó comhaontú eile den sórt sin a bheidh beartaithe,
ansin, aon chomhalta den chuideachta nó den chomhlacht, nó aon stiúrthóir ar an gcuideachta nó ar an gcomhlacht, a bheidh i láthair ag an gcruinniú agus a mbeidh, ar shlí seachas ina cháil mar chomhalta nó mar stiúrthóir den sórt sin nó mar phríomh-oifigeach feidhmiúcháin don chuideachta nó don chomhlacht (cibé acu an Bainisteoir Ginearálta, an Bainisteoir nó aon ainm eile a thugtar air), leas aige, in aon slí, díreach nó neamhdhíreach, san ábhar, nochtfaidh sé ag an gcruinniú don chuideachta nó don chomhlacht go bhfuil an leas sin aige agus cad é an leas é agus ní vótálfaidh sé ar chinneadh i ndáil leis an ábhar, agus, i gcás a nochtfar leas de bhun an ailt seo, taifeadfar an nochtadh i miontuairiscí an chruinnithe áirithe agus fad a bheidh an cruinniú ag déileáil leis an ábhar lena mbaineann an nochtadh ní dhéanfar an comhalta nó an stiúrthóir a rinne an nochtadh a áireamh ar an gcóram a bheidh i láthair ag an gcruinniú.
(2) I gcás a n-éireoidh ceist ag cruinniú d'Aerlínte nó de chomhlacht ainmnithe i dtaobh ar mhainneachtain nó nár mhainneachtain ag comhalta den chéanna nó ag stiúrthóir ar an gcéanna ceanglais fho-alt (1) den alt seo a chomhlíonadh iompar áirithe aige, féadfaidh cathaoirleach an chruinnithe an cheist a chinneadh agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach a chinneadh agus, i gcás a gcinnfear ceist den sórt sin amhlaidh, taifeadfar sonraí an chinnte i miontuairiscí an chruinnithe.
(3) Ní bhainfidh alt 194 d'Acht 1963 le stiúrthóir ar Aerlínte nó ar chomhlacht ainmnithe.
Dícháilíochtaí.
21.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, beidh feidhm, maidir le ceapadh daoine faoi alt 15 nó 22 den Acht seo agus le daoine a cheapfar amhlaidh ina gcomhaltaí de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó ina stiúrthóirí ar chomhlacht ainmnithe, ag na dícháilíochtaí a oibríonn, ar leith ón Acht seo, de thuras na huaire, le duine a chosc ar bheith, nó lena chur faoi deara go scoirfidh duine de bheith, ina ghnáthchomhalta den chomhlacht nó ina ghnáthstiúrthóir air, agus aon duine a bheidh dícháilithe mar gheall ar aon dícháilíocht den sórt sin, ansin, fad a bheidh sé dícháilithe amhlaidh,
(a) beidh sé dícháilithe dá réir sin chun a cheaptha mar chomhalta den chomhlacht, nó mar stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht, faoin Acht seo, agus
(b) ina theannta sin, beidh sé dícháilithe chun a ainmnithe mar iarrthóir i dtoghchán a bhaineann leis an gcomhlacht sin.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh comhlacht ainmnithe is cuideachta a airteagail chomhlachais a athrú lena shocrú, amhail idir gnáthstiúrthóirí ar an gcomhlacht agus stiúrthóirí eile ar an gcomhlacht, go n-oibreoidh dícháilíochtaí difriúla chun a chur faoi deara go scoirfidh duine is stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht de bheith ina stiúrthóir den sórt sin.
Corrfholuntais.
22.—(1) I gcás a dtarlóidh folúntas (dá ngairtear “corrfholúntas” san alt seo) sa líon iomchuí comhaltaí de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó sa líon iomchuí stiúrthóirí ar chomhlacht ainmnithe de dhroim comhalta nó stiúrthóir den sórt sin d'fháil bháis nó d'éirí as oifig nó bheith dícháilithe de bhua alt 21 den Acht seo, nó de dhroim gan aon iarrthóir, nó líon iarrthóirí ba lú ná an líon folúntas a bhí le líonadh, a bheith ainmnithe sa toghchán deiridh a bhain leis an gcomhlacht, nó de dhroim alt 16 den Acht seo, féadfaidh an tAire iomchuí duine a cheapadh chun an folúntas a líonadh.
(2) Le linn don Aire iomchuí duine a cheapadh chun corrfholúntas a líonadh, beidh, i gcás a ndearnadh vótaíocht sa toghchán deiridh roimhe sin a bhain leis an gcomhlacht ainmnithe áirithe, aird aige ar an vótaíocht sin sula ndéanfaidh sé an ceapachán.
(3) Duine a cheapfar chun corrfholúntas a líonadh beidh sé, mura n-éagfaidh sé, mura n-éireoidh sé as oifig nó mura dtiocfaidh sé faoi dhícháilíocht roimhe sin, i seilbh oifige go ceann a mbeidh gan chaitheamh den tréimhse a mbeadh an comhalta nó an stiúrthóir ba bhun leis an bhfolúntas i seilbh oifige ar a feadh dá leanfadh sé de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina stiúrthóir.
Féadfar an líon comhaltaí de chomhlacht ainmnithe nó de stiúrthóiri ar chomhlacht ainmnithe a athrú lena fhoráil nach lú ná trian an líon comhaltaí nó stiúrthóirí den sórt sin a cheapfar faoin Acht.
23.—(1) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfaidh an tAire maidir le haon chomhlacht ainmnithe, tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh leis an Aire Airgeadais agus, i gcás ar Aire Stáit seachas an tAire sin an tAire iomchuí maidir leis an gcomhlacht, leis an Aire Stáit eile sin, a fhoráil le hordú gurb é, ar agus ó lá a shocrófar leis an ordú, an líon comhaltaí den chomhlacht nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, an líon stiúrthóirí ar an gcomhlacht, is é sin le rá, an líon a chuimsíonn,
(i) na comhaltaí den chomhlacht nó na stiúrthóirí ar an gcomhlacht a fhéadfar a cheapadh faoin Acht seo,
agus
(ii) na gnáthchomhaltaí den chomhlacht nó na gnáthstiúrthóirí ar an gcomhlacht,
cibé líon a shonrófar san ordú.
(b) Is é an líon comhaltaí nó stiúrthóirí a shonrófar in ordú faoin alt seo cibé líon is cuí leis an Aire ag féachaint d'fhorálacha an Achta seo agus d'fheidhmeanna an chomhlachta ainmnithe lena mbaineann an t-ordú.
(2) Socrófar le hordú faoin alt seo líon (dá ngairtear an “líon iomchuí” san Acht seo) comhaltaí den chomhlacht ainmnithe, nó, de réir mar is iomchuí, an líon stiúrthóirí ar an gcomhlacht ainmnithe, lena mbaineann an t-ordú a bheidh, de thuras na huaire, ceaptha faoin Acht seo, agus is é an líon a shocrófar amhlaidh,
(a) i gcás ar iolrú ar thrí an líon a shonróidh an tAire san ordú de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo, an tríú cuid den líon a shonrófar amhlaidh, agus
(b) i gcás nach iolrú den sórt sin an líon a shonrófar amhlaidh, an líon comhaltaí nó stiúrthóirí, de réir mar is iomchuí, díreach os cionn an líon arb é an tríú cuid é den líon a shonrófar amhlaidh.
(3) I gcás a mbaineann ordú faoin alt seo le comhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann achtachán a luaitear i bhfo-alt (4) den alt seo, ansin, fad a bheidh an t-ordú i bhfeidhm, forléireofar an t-achtachán agus beidh éifeacht leis de réir an ordaithe.
(4) Is iad na hachtacháin dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (3) den alt seo, alt 2 (3) den Acht Leictreachais (Soláthar), 1927, mír 3 den Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht Déantóireachta Siúicre, 1933 (a cuireadh isteach le halt 4 den Acht Déantóireachta Siúcra (Leasú), 1973), alt 8 (1) den Acht Forbartha Móna, 1946, alt 6 (1) (b) den Acht Iompair, 1950, alt 8 (1) den Acht um an British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited (Fáil), 1965, agus alt 12 (1) d'Acht na nAerchuideachtaí, 1966.
Féadfar a cheangal ar chomhlachtaí ainmnithe fógra a thabhairt d'fhostaithe faoi fhorálacha áirithe.
24.—Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh á cheangal ar chomhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann na rialacháin cibé forálacha díobh seo a leanas nó iad araon a chur in iúl dá bhfostaithe ar mhodh forordaithe, is é sin le rá :
(a) na forálacha sin den Acht seo a shonrófar sna rialacháin,
(b) na forálacha sin de rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoin Acht seo (ar leith ón alt seo) a shonrófar amhlaidh,
agus féadfaidh baint a bheith ag rialacháin faoin alt seo le gach comhlacht ainmnithe nó le cibé comhlacht nó comhlachtaí ainmnithe a shonrófar sna rialacháin.
Córaim comhlachtaí ainmnithe.
25.—(1) D'ainneoin na n-achtachán atá i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfaidh an tAire iomchuí, tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh leis an Aire, córam a shocrú le hordú—
(a) do chruinniú de bhord comhlachta ainmnithe is cuideachta,
(b) do chruinniú de chomhlacht ainmnithe nach cuideachta,
agus i gcás a ndéanfaidh an tAire iomchuí ordú faoin alt seo maidir le comhlacht ainmnithe lena mbaineann aon achtachán den sórt sin, ansin, fad a bheidh an t-ordú i bhfeidhm, forléireofar an t-achtachán agus beidh éifeacht leis de réir an ordaithe.
(2) Is iad na hachtacháin dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, alt 6 (2) den Acht Leictreachais (Soláthar), 1927, alt 14 (3) den Acht Forbartha Móna, 1946, alt 9 (3) den Acht Iompair, 1950, agus alt 8 (8) den Acht um an British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited (Fáil), 1965.
Meabhráin agus airteagail chomhlachais comhlachtaí ainmnithe áirithe a athrú.
26.—Déanfaidh gach comhlacht ainmnithe is cuideachta cibé bearta is gá faoi Acht 1963 chun a mheabhrán agus a airteagail chomhlachais a athrú lena gcur ar comhréir leis an Acht seo nó le haon ordú faoi alt 23 nó 25 den Acht seo a bhaineann leis an gcomhlacht.
Costas toghchán.
27.—(1) Is é an comhlacht ainmnithe lena mbainfidh toghchán a iompróidh costais agus caiteachais an toghcháin (lena n-áirítear na costais agus na caiteachais a bhainfidh le réamhvótaíocht a thógáil) seachas caiteachais a thabhóidh iarrthóirí thar a gceann féin.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh do dhéanamh socrú le haghaidh gach ní nó aon ní díobh seo a leanas :
(a) an tslí a ndéanfaidh, agus an tréimhse ar lena linn a dhéanfaidh, ceann comhairimh a chuntais a thíolacadh,
(b) an tslí a ndéanfaidh, agus an tréimhse ar lena linn a dhéanfaidh, daoine ag a mbeidh éilimh de bhua an ailt seo a n-éilimh a thíolacadh,
(c) díospóidí a bhreithniú.
Aerlínte.
28.—(1) I gcás a ndéanfaidh an tAire Iompair agus Cumhachta ceapachán faoi alt 15 nó 22 den Acht seo i ndáil le hAer Lingus, déanfaidh sé, an tráth céanna, an duine áirithe a cheapadh ina stiúrthóir ar Aerlínte.
(2) I gcás a gceapfar duine faoin alt seo ina stiúrthóir ar Aerlínte, is é a théarma oifige mar stiúrthóir den sórt sin a théarma oifige mar stiúrthóir ar Aer Lingus, agus dá réir sin i gcás a scoirfidh an duine de bheith ina stiúrthóir ar Aer Lingus scoirfidh sé an tráth céanna de bheith ina stiúrthóir ar Aerlínte.
(3) I gcás duine is stiúrthóir ar Aerlínte a ceapadh de bhun an ailt seo do scor de bheith ina stiúrthóir ar an gcuideachta sin, scoirfidh sé an tráth céanna de bheith ina stiúrthóir ar Aer Lingus.
(4) Ní bheidh feidhm ag fo-alt (4) d'alt 12 d'Acht na nAerchuideachtaí, 1966, maidir le stiúrthóir ar Aerlínte a cheapfar de bhun an ailt seo, agus déanfar fo-alt (6) den alt sin 12 a fhorléiriú agus beidh éifeacht leis faoi réir forálacha an ailt seo.
(5) Bainfidh ailt 18 agus 19 den Acht seo le duine a cheapfar faoin alt seo mar a bhaineann siad le daoine arna gceapadh ar shlí seachas de bhun an Achta seo.
(6) D'ainneoin alt 12 (2) d'Acht na nAerchuideachtaí, 1966, féadfaidh an tAire, chun éifeacht a thabhairt d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo, a fhoráil le hordú gurb é líon stiúrthóirí Aerlínte, amhail ar agus ó lá a shocrófar leis an ordú, cibé líon a shonrófar san ordú, agus i gcás a ndéanfaidh an tAire ordú faoin alt seo, ansin, fad a bheidh an t-ordú i bhfeidhm, forléireofar an t-alt sin 12 (2) agus beidh éifeacht leis de réir an ordaithe.
(7) Déanfaidh Aerlínte cibé bearta is gá faoi Acht 1963 chun a mheabhrán agus a airteagail chomhlachais a athrú lena gcur ar comhréir leis an Acht seo nó le haon ordú faoin alt seo.
Caiteachais.
29.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire nó aon Aire Stáit eile ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Cosaint.
30.—I gcás duine is ranníocóir fostaithe de réir brí na nAchtanna Leasa Shóisialaigh, 1952 go 1976, a cheapadh ina chomhalta nó ina stiúrthóir faoi alt 15, 22 nó 28 den Acht seo, ní scoirfidh sé de bhíthin amháin an cheapacháin sin de bheith ina ranníocóir den sórt sin.
Aisghairm.
31.—Aisghairtear leis seo na hachtacháin seo a leanas :
(b) alt 12 den Acht Forbartha Móna, 1946, agus
(c) alt 7 (6) (c) den Acht Iompair, 1950.
Gearrtheideal.
32.—Féadfar an tAcht um Páirteachas Lucht Oibre (Fiontair Stáit), 1977, a ghairm den Acht seo.
AN SCEIDEAL
COMHLACHTAI AINMNITHE
CUID I
Bord na Móna.
Córas Iompair Éireann.
Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais.
CUID II
Aer Lingus Teoranta.
British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited.
Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta.
Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta.
Number 6 of 1977
WORKER PARTICIPATION (STATE ENTERPRISES) ACT, 1977
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PART II
Acts Referred to | |
1963, No. 33 | |
1927, No. 27 | |
1933, No. 31 | |
1973, No. 6 | |
1946, No. 10 | |
1950, No. 12 | |
British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited (Acquisition) Act, 1965 | 1965, No. 5 |
1966, No. 4 | |
Number 6 of 1977
WORKER PARTICIPATION (STATE ENTERPRISES) ACT, 1977
Interpretation.
1.—In this Act—
“the Act of 1963” means the Companies Act, 1963;
“Aer Lingus”, except in the Schedule to this Act, means Aer Lingus Teoranta;
“Aerlinte” means Aerlinte Éireann Teoranta;
“appropriate number” has the meaning assigned to it by section 23 of this Act;
“collective bargaining negotiations” means negotiations between any employer, employers' organisation or other body of persons representative of employers on the one hand and any organisation or other body of persons representative of employees on the other hand, being negotiations which are concerned with the remuneration or other terms or conditions of employment, or the working conditions, of employees;
“company” means a company within the meaning of section 2 of the Act of 1963;
“designated body” means a body to which this Act applies (and which is specified in the Schedule to this Act);
“election” means an election pursuant to this Act;
“election year” means a year which by virtue of section 6 of this Act is an election year;
“elector” means, in relation to an election, a person who is entitled under this Act to vote at the election;
“employee” means, in relation to a designated body, a person employed in a whole-time capacity by the body under a contract of service or apprenticeship and for the purposes of sections 9 (4) (w) and 10 of this Act a person employed in such a capacity by Aerlinte under such a contract shall be regarded as being an employee of Aer Lingus;
“list of electors” has the meaning assigned to it by section 9 (4) (w) of this Act;
“the Minister”, save where the context otherwise requires, means the Minister for Labour;
“nomination day”, subject to sections 13 (6) and 14 (3) of this Act, means in relation to an election, the day fixed by the Minister pursuant to section 6 (2) of this Act as regards the election;
“ordinary director” means a person who is a director of a company which is a designated body and who is appointed or nominated to be such director otherwise than under this Act;
“ordinary member” means a person who is a member of any designated body specified in Part 1 of the Schedule to this Act and who is appointed to be such member otherwise than under this Act;
“polling day” has the meaning assigned to it by section 12 (1) of this Act;
“polling period” has the meaning assigned to it by section 12 (1) of this Act;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act;
“preliminary poll” has the meaning assigned to it by section 13 (1) of this Act;
“returning officer” means, in relation to a designated body, the person who as regards the body is for the time being by virtue of section 7 of this Act the returning officer for the purposes of this Act;
“specified day” has the meaning assigned to it by section 15 (2) of this Act;
“stated day” has the meaning assigned to it by section 8 of this Act;
“trade union” has the same meaning as in the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1975.
Appropriate Minister.
2.—For the purposes of this Act the appropriate Minister shall be—
(a) in relation to the designated bodies,
(i) with regard to Bord na Móna, Córas Iompair Éireann and the Electricity Supply Board, the Taoiseach,
(ii) with regard to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta, the Minister for Finance,
(iii) with regard to Nitrigin Éireann Teoranta, the Minister for Industry and Commerce,
(iv) with regard to Aer Lingus and the British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited, the Minister for Transport and Power, and
(b) in relation to an election, the Minister of State who, in relation to the designated body to which the election relates, is by virtue of the foregoing the appropriate Minister.
Appointed day.
3.—(1) The Minister may in relation to each designated body by order appoint a day to be the appointed day for the purposes of section 6 of this Act and the same day may be so appointed in relation to all or any two or more of the designated bodies.
(2) Section 4 (2) of this Act shall not apply to an order made by the Minister under this section.
Orders and regulations generally.
4.—(1) The Minister may make regulations for prescribing any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed.
(2) Subject to section 3 (2) of this Act, the Minister may by order amend or revoke an order made under this Act (including an order made under this subsection).
(3) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
(4) Where an order under this Act, other than an order under section 3, is proposed to be made, a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.
Bodies to which Act applies.
5.—This Act applies to each of the bodies specified in the Schedule to this Act.
Election year and nomination day.
6.—(1) As regards a designated body the election years for the purposes of this Act shall be—
(a) the year in which the day appointed by the Minister under section 3 of this Act in relation to the body falls, and
(b) each successive third year thereafter.
(2) Not later than the 15th day of September, the Minister shall in each year which in relation to a designated body is an election year by regulations fix in relation to the body a day to be, for the purposes of this Act, the nomination day in that election year, and in case the same year is as regards any two or more designated bodies an election year, the same day may be prescribed in relation to all or to any two or more of those designated bodies.
Returning officer.
7.—(1) As regards a designated body, the returning officer for the purposes of this Act shall be—
(a) the secretary of the body, or in case there is no such secretary, the officer of the body who performs the functions of secretary of the body, or
(b) in lieu of such secretary or officer, any other person who in the opinion of such secretary or officer is both competent to perform the functions of returning officer and acceptable to—
(i) a trade union or other body of persons which the secretary or officer is satisfied is both recognised by the designated body for the purposes of collective bargaining and representative of a majority of the employees of the body, or
(ii) two or more trade unions or other bodies of persons which the secretary or officer is satisfied between them collectively represent a majority of such employees and as regards each of which the secretary or officer is satisfied that the body is so recognised.
(2) A returning officer may perform any of his functions, being functions which are for the time being prescribed, through or by any other employee of the relevant designated body or through or by any other person who, in either case, is duly authorised by him in writing in that behalf.
(3) The returning officer at an election shall not be entitled to be nominated as, or to nominate, a candidate at the election.
Stated day, etc.
8.—The returning officer at an election shall, not later than the day which is seventy days before the nomination day, as regards the election fix—
(a) for the purposes of section 10 (2) of this Act a day, which is in this Act referred to as the “stated day”, being a day which is neither earlier than the fifty-sixth nor later than the forty-second day before the day which as regards the election is the nomination day, and
(b) the period or periods during which, on such nomination day, nominations at the election will be received,
provided that the period, or the aggregate of the periods, so fixed shall not be less than three hours.
Conduct of elections.
9.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, elections shall be held in accordance with regulations made by the Minister and regulations under this section may apply—
(a) generally to elections,
(b) to elections which relate to a particular designated body or particular such bodies specified in the regulations, or
(c) to a particular election or to particular elections so specified.
(2) Regulations under this section shall be made by the Minister only after consultation with,
(a) the Minister of State or every Minister of State, as may be appropriate, who as regards a designated body to which the regulations are to apply is the appropriate Minister, and
(b) the designated body or every designated body, as may be appropriate, to which the regulations are to apply.
(3) Where an election is contested, the poll shall be taken by secret ballot and according to the principle of proportional representation.
(4) Regulations under this section may, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, make provision for all or any of the following matters in relation to elections:
(a) nominations,
(b) withdrawal and death of candidates,
(c) procedure when no candidate stands nominated,
(d) the determination of the number of candidates which pursuant to section 11 of this Act may be nominated at elections by bodies which are qualified bodies for the purposes of that section,
(e) the form of the ballot paper to be used,
(f) the time for and manner of applying for the issue of nomination forms and the time for and manner of issuing such forms,
(g) the particulars to be contained in ballot papers,
(h) the manner of completing and subscribing nomination forms and ballot papers,
(i) the procedure for,
(i) ascertaining the bodies entitled in any election year to nominate candidates under section 11 of this Act,
(ii) ascertaining the persons entitled to have their names entered on a list of electors, and
(iii) establishing the identity of persons proposing persons for nomination as candidates at elections, of persons voting in any preliminary or other poll under this Act and of persons so proposed,
(j) the taking and receiving of statutory declarations in relation to the identity of—
(i) persons voting at the taking of preliminary or other polls under this Act, and
(ii) persons so proposed for nomination,
(k) the period or periods during prescribed hours (which period or the aggregate of such periods shall not be less than twelve hours) during which preliminary or other polls at elections shall be held,
(l) the time for and the manner of issuing ballot papers, whether by post or otherwise, to persons having votes,
(m) the manner in which notice of the following is to be given, namely, the time or times and place or places at which—
(i) ballot papers will be issued,
(ii) a poll will be taken,
(iii) inspections pursuant to section 10 (5) of this Act may be made,
(n) the persons by whom the nomination forms and ballot papers shall be issued,
(o) the time for and manner of sending completed nomination forms and ballot papers (other than postal ballot papers) issued at an election to the returning officer,
(p) the time for and manner of sending postal ballot papers issued at an election to the returning officer or to someone duly authorised to receive them on his behalf,
(q) the maintenance of secrecy of voting,
(r) the scrutiny of ballot papers by the returning officer,
(s) the time within which and the manner in which a person authorised to receive postal ballot papers on behalf of the returning officer is to return the ballot papers to the returning officer,
(t) the custody of ballot papers and the manner in which, after the election, they are to be disposed of,
(u) the time for and manner of counting votes,
(v) the rejection of ballot papers and the disallowance of votes by the returning officer,
(w) as regards each designated body, the separate preparation and maintenance of a single list of the names of persons entitled to vote at elections relating to the body (which list is in this Act referred to as the “list of electors”), and the manner in which such list is to be available for inspection by employees of the body,
(x) any other matter relating to the conduct of elections.
Right to vote, etc.
10.—(1) Where an election is contested, every person whose name is on the relevant list of electors and who is, on the day fixed for the taking of the preliminary or other poll at the election, an employee of the designated body to which the election relates shall be entitled to one vote at the poll, and persons other than the foregoing shall not be entitled to vote at a preliminary or other poll under this Act.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, every person who on the stated day is an employee of the relevant designated body and who—
(a) on that day is not less than eighteen years of age, and
(b) has for a continuous period of not less than one year ending immediately before that day been such an employee,
shall be entitled to have his name entered on the list of electors prepared and maintained by the returning officer and on an application being made in that behalf the returning officer, on being satisfied that the person complies with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, shall enter the name of the person on such list.
(3) Where an election is held, a person shall not be entitled to make an application pusuant to subsection (2) of this section to the returning officer at any time on the day which as regards the election is the nomination day, and in case the election is contested, the person in addition shall be so disentitled during the period beginning on the day following such nomination day and ending on,
(a) in case a preliminary poll is held pursuant to this Act and a majority of the votes at the preliminary poll is against continuing further with the election, the day on which the result of the preliminary poll is ascertained, and
(b) in any other case, the day on which, pursuant to section 12 (5) of this Act, the returning officer informs the appropriate Minister of the names of any candidates elected at the election.
(4) It is hereby declared that nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a person from voting at an election or from having his name entered on a list of electors prepared and maintained under this Act by reason only of the fact that the person is employed by a designated body on secondment to another body or person.
(5) Any employee of a designated body may in accordance with regulations made by the Minister in that behalf under section 9 of this Act inspect the relevant list of electors.
Nomination and support of candidates.
11.—(1) At any time during the period or periods fixed by the returning officer pursuant to section 8 of this Act for the receiving of nominations at an election, any trade union or other body of persons which in relation to the election is a qualified body for the purposes of this section may, in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, propose for nomination as candidates at the election persons each of whom,
(a) is an employee of the designated body to which the election relates, and
(b) on the day which is as regards the election the stated day, is not less than eighteen or more than sixty-five years of age, and
(c) has on such day for a continuous period of not less than three years ending immediately before that day been an employee of the designated body to which the election relates.
(2) Subject to subsection (1) of this section, at an election a candidate may be proposed for nomination in accordance with regulations under section 9 (4) (d) of this Act by a qualified body or he may be jointly proposed for nomination in accordance with such regulations by two or more qualified bodies; provided that a qualified body shall not be entitled at the election both to nominate one or more candidates of its own accord and to nominate one or more candidates jointly with another qualified body or with other qualified bodies.
(3) A nomination at an election shall be made in writing and be in the prescribed form and be sent to the returning officer in the prescribed manner.
(4) When the period for receiving nominations at an election expires, the returning officer shall, as soon as may be, rule on the validity of each nomination received by him and if, but only if, he is satisfied that the person to whom the nomination relates is not qualified for nomination as a candidate at the election or that the nomination paper is not properly made out or subscribed, or that in relation to the person the proviso to subsection (2) of this section has been contravened by a qualified body, he shall rule that the nomination is invalid and his decision shall be final and shall not be appealable.
(5) (a) A qualified body, other than a qualified body by whom a candidate at an election is jointly or otherwise nominated, may, with the agreement of the qualified body or qualified bodies by whom the candidate is nominated, within the prescribed period and in the prescribed manner notify the returning officer that the body supports the candidate at the election.
(b) Where pursuant to this section the returning officer at an election is duly notified that a candidate is supported at the election by a qualified body, then, in case there is a poll at the election and subject to the candidate's having been duly nominated, the fact of such support shall be indicated in the prescribed manner on the relevant ballot papers.
(6) In relation to an election a trade union or any other body of persons shall be a qualified body for the purposes of this section if, but only if, the returning officer is satisfied that on the nomination day the trade union or other body is recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining negotiations by the designated body to which the election relates.
(7) Where at an election there is a dispute as to—
(a) whether or not a trade union or other body of persons is a qualified body in relation to the election,
(b) the number of candidates which under this section or regulations made under this Act a qualified body for the purposes of this section may propose at the election or which under this section or such regulations may be so proposed jointly by two or more qualified bodies,
the dispute shall be determined by the returning officer whose decision shall be final and shall not be appealable.
(8) Save where the context otherwise requires, in this section “qualified body” means a body of persons which is for the time being a qualified body for the purposes of this section.
Procedure after nomination.
12.—(1) If at an election immediately after,
(a) in case the returning officer fixes pursuant to section 8 of this Act a period during which nominations will be received, the expiration of the period, or
(b) in case the returning officer so fixes two or more such periods, the expiration of the later or latest, as may be appropriate, of those periods,
the number of candidates standing duly nominated does not exceed the number which as regards the designated body concerned is appropriate, the returning officer shall forthwith declare each of such candidates, or in case there is only one such candidate that candidate, to be elected for appointment under section 15 of this Act by the Minister of State who in relation to such designated body is the appropriate Minister; but if at that time the number of candidates standing so nominated exceeds such appropriate number the returning officer shall adjourn the election for the taking of a poll pursuant to this Act either on a day, being a day which is not earlier than the seventh day after the nomination day and which is in this Act referred to as the “polling day”, fixed by him at the time of the adjournment, or during a period of more than one but not more than five days the first of which is so fixed and is not earlier than the said seventh day, which period is in this Act referred to as the “polling period”.
(2) Where at the time referred to in subsection (1) of this section no candidate stands duly nominated at an election, the returning officer shall not proceed further with the election and he shall, as soon as may be, inform the appropriate Minister in writing that no candidate was duly nominated at the election and that the election is not being proceeded with.
(3) When an election is adjourned for the purpose of taking a poll, the following provisions shall apply, namely:
(a) in case a polling day is fixed pursuant to this section as regards the election, the poll shall be taken on that day and postal voting shall not be used, and
(b) in case a polling period is so fixed, the poll shall be taken during that period but votes, other than postal votes, may only be cast during the period on a particular day appointed for the purposes of this paragraph by the returning officer at the time he fixes the polling period.
(4) If an election is adjourned for the purpose of taking a poll the returning officer shall, as soon as practicable after the adjournment, give, in such manner as he considers appropriate, notice of—
(a) the polling day or the polling period, as may be appropriate,
(b) the place or places at which, the day or days on which and the hours during which votes, other than postal votes, may be cast,
(c) in case a polling period is fixed in relation to the election, the place at which and the period during which and before the expiration of which postal ballot papers are to be received by or on behalf of the returning officer, and
(d) the names and descriptions of the candidates as entered in their nomination forms, and of the proposers,
and it shall be the duty of the returning officer to provide such ballot boxes, ballot papers and other things and appoint such persons and do such other acts and things as may be necessary for effectively taking the poll in accordance with this Act.
(5) The returning officer at an election shall, as soon as may be, inform the appropriate Minister in writing as to whether or not an election has been adjourned for the taking of a poll and,
(a) in case the election is not so adjourned, he shall at the same time so inform the appropriate Minister of the names of any candidates declared pursuant to subsection (1) of this section to have been elected, and
(b) in case the election is so adjourned, he shall, as soon as may be after the taking of the poll, also so inform such Minister of the names of any candidates elected at the election.
Elections not to be proceeded with in certain circumstances.
13.—(1) If at an election the returning officer receives during the period of seven days beginning on the stated day from—
(a) a trade union or other body of persons which the returning officer is satisfied,
(i) in case the election relates to Aer Lingus, is both recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining either by that company or by Aerlinte and represents not less than fifteen per cent. of the employees of those companies, being employees entitled to vote at the election, when the numbers of employees employed by them and being so entitled are each added together,
(ii) in case the election relates to any other designated body, is both recognised for such purposes by that designated body and represents not less than fifteen per cent. of the employees of that body who are entitled to vote at the election, or
(b) each of two or more trade unions or other bodies of persons which the returning officer is satisfied between them collectively represent not less than fifteen per cent. of such employees and as regards each of which the returning officer is satisfied that the body is so recognised,
an application in writing requesting him not to proceed with the election, for the purposes of ascertaining whether or not a majority of those entitled to vote at the election is in favour of proceeding further with the election he shall arrange forthwith for the taking of a poll under this section (which poll is in this Act referred to as a “preliminary poll”) and appoint either a day, or a period of more than one but not more than five days, which shall be the earliest day or period of days, as the case may be, for the taking of the poll.
(2) A decision of a returning officer as to whether or not in a particular case a trade union or other body of persons is entitled to make an application under subsection (1) of this section shall be final and shall not be appealable.
(3) The following provisions shall apply in relation to a preliminary poll:
(a) section 9 (other than subsection (3)) and section 12 (3) of this Act shall apply to the poll in the manner in which they apply to the taking of a poll at an election,
(b) every person who is entitled to vote at an election regarding the relevant designated body shall be entitled to vote at the poll,
(c) the votes at the poll shall be given by secret ballot and the ballot of each voter shall consist of a paper (in this section referred to as a ballot paper),
(d) every ballot paper at the poll shall be in the prescribed form,
(e) any ballot paper—
(i) on which no vote is placed at all, or
(ii) on which the vote is not so placed as to indicate that the voter approves or does not approve of the holding of the relevant election, or
(iii) on which votes are given both for and against the holding of the relevant election, or
(iv) on which anything by which the voter can be identified is written or marked,
shall be invalid and shall not be counted.
(4) As soon as may be after the taking of a preliminary poll, the returning officer shall count the votes recorded on the ballot papers and ascertain the number of votes thereby given in favour of holding the relevant election and the number of votes thereby given against holding that election and shall record the said numbers respectively.
(5) In case the majority of the votes at a preliminary poll is against proceeding further with the relevant election, the returning officer shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, not proceed further with the election, and as soon as may be he shall inform the Minister and the appropriate Minister in writing that he is not proceeding further with the election.
(6) Where a preliminary poll is held and not less than half of the votes at the poll are in favour of proceeding further with the relevant election, the returning officer shall proceed with the election and may, if he thinks fit, in lieu of the nomination day already fixed in relation to the election, fix a new nomination day and in case a nomination day is fixed pursuant to this subsection, that day and not the day previously fixed under section 6 of this Act, shall, for the purposes both of the relevant election and this Act, in so far as it relates to that election, be the nomination day.
Proceedings in case nomination or poll is interrupted or cannot be proceeded with.
14.—(1) If at an election a returning officer is satisfied that—
(a) due to interruption the nomination of candidates or the taking of a preliminary or other poll cannot be proceeded with or completed, or
(b) due to other circumstances outside his control such nomination or the taking of any such poll cannot be proceeded with or completed,
he shall adjourn, and if necessary further adjourn, such nomination or the poll for such period as he considers appropriate to enable him, on its expiration, to proceed with or complete, as may be appropriate, the nomination or poll.
(2) Where at an election the returning officer adjourns pursuant to this section a nomination of candidates or a preliminary or other poll, he shall, as soon as may be, inform in writing the Minister of the adjournment and he shall also so inform the Minister of State who, as regards the designated body to which the election relates, is the appropriate Minister.
(3) Where a nomination of candidates is adjourned under this section, the day on which the nomination is completed after the adjournment shall be deemed to be the nomination day for the purposes of both the relevant election and this Act, in so far as it applies to the election.
Appointment under Act of members and directors.
15.—(1) Where a Minister of State is informed pursuant to section 12 (5) of this Act by a returning officer at an election of the names of candidates elected or declared to have been elected at the election, he shall, as soon as may be, make an appointment under this section in respect of each of those candidates and in relation to the designated body as regards which the election was held.
(2) An appointment under this section shall be in writing and shall specify the designated body in relation to which it is made and the day on and from which and the period during which it is to have effect (which day is in this Act referred to as the “specified day”).
(3) An appointment under this section shall operate to appoint the person in respect of whom it is made,
(a) in case the appointment is made in respect of any of the following designated bodies, namely, Bord na Móna, Córas Iompair Éireann, or the Electricity Supply Board, to membership of the designated body in respect of which it is made, and
(b) in case the appointment is made in respect of a designated body which is a company, a director of the body.
Vacancy in designated body to be deemed to occur in certain circumstances.
16.—Where, between the making of a declaration under section 12 of this Act by the returning officer or the ascertainment of the result of an election, as may be appropriate, and,
(a) in case the relevant designated body is a company, the day on which the board of the body next meets after such declaration or ascertainment,
(b) in any other case, the day on which the body so next meets, a candidate elected at an election either dies or otherwise ceases to be an employee of the designated body to which the election relates or, by virtue of this Act, becomes disqualified for appointment by the appropriate Minister pursuant to section 15 of this Act, then the following provisions shall apply:
(c) in case since the making of such declaration or ascertainment of such result an appointment has not been made by such Minister pursuant to the said section 15 as regards the candidate, the said section 15 shall not apply in the particular case and accordingly such appointment shall not be made,
(d) in case such an appointment has been made, the appointment shall cease to have effect and accordingly the candidate shall not take up office as a member or director of the relevant designated body on foot of the appointment, and
(e) in either case a vacancy amongst the members or directors of the relevant designated body who may be appointed pursuant to the said section 15 shall be deemed to have occurred on the day next following the day mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b), as may be appropriate, of this section.
Terms of office of members or directors appointed under Act, etc.
17.—(1) The term of office of a person to whom an appointment under section 15 of this Act relates as a member or director of a designated body shall commence on the day specified in the appointment as the specified day.
(2) The term of office of a member or director of a designated body who is appointed under this Act shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified, terminate on the expiration of the period during which the relevant appointment under section 15 of this Act has effect.
(3) A member or director of a designated body appointed under this Act shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be eligible for nomination as a candidate and for election at an election.
Remuneration, etc. of members or directors appointed under Act.
18.—(1) Where the remuneration or allowance for expenses payable to a member or director of a designated body is being determined by the body, the body shall not have regard to the fact that the member or director was, or was not, as the case may be, appointed under this Act.
(2) A person who is appointed pursuant to this Act to be a member or director of a designated body and whose duties as such member or director are not whole-time shall not suffer any reduction in the remuneration and allowances which, as an employee of the body, he would, if he were not such a member or director, normally expect to receive.
Resignation and removal from office of members or directors appointed under Act.
19.—(1) A member or director of a designated body who is appointed under this Act may resign his office by letter addressed to the appropriate Minister and the resignation shall take effect as on and from the date of receipt of the letter by such Minister.
(2) Where a Minister of State has power to remove an ordinary member or an ordinary director of a designated body from office, he shall have like power to remove a member or director of the body appointed by him under this Act from office, and in case such power to remove is exercisable only with the consent or approval of another Minister of State, the power conferred on the Minister of State by this section shall be exercisable subject to such consent or approval.
Disclosure by directors of Aerlinte or by members or directors of designated bodies of certain interests.
20.—(1) Where at a meeting of Aerlinte or a designated body any of the following matters arises, namely:
(a) an arrangement to which the company or body is a party or a proposed such arrangement, or
(b) a contract or other agreement with the company or body or a proposed such contract or other agreement,
then any member or director of the company or body present at the meeting who, otherwise than in his capacity as such a member or director or as the chief executive officer of the company or body (whether called the General Manager, the Manager or by any other name), is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in the matter shall at the meeting disclose to the company or body the fact of such interest and the nature thereof and shall not vote on a decision relating to the matter, and where an interest is dis- closed pursuant to this section, the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting concerned and for so long as the matter to which the disclosure relates is being dealt with by the meeting the member or director by whom the disclosure is made shall not be counted in the quorum present at the meeting.
(2) Where at a meeting of Aerlinte or a designated body a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a member or director thereof would be a failure by him to comply with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the question may be determined by the chairman of the meeting whose decision shall be final and in case such a question is so determined, particulars of the determination shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
(3) Section 194 of the Act of 1963 shall not apply to a director of Aerlinte or a designated body.
Disqualifications.
21.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the disqualifications which, apart from this Act, for the time being operate either to prevent a person being, or to cause a person to cease to be, an ordinary member or an ordinary director of a designated body shall apply as regards the appointment of persons under section 15 or 22 of this Act and to persons who are so appointed to be members or directors of the body, and any person who is disqualified by any such disqualification shall, for so long as he is so disqualified,
(a) accordingly be disqualified for being appointed a member or director of the body under this Act, and
(b) in addition be disqualified for being nominated as a candidate at an election relating to that body.
(2) A designated body which is a company shall not alter its articles of association so as to provide, as between ordinary directors of the body and other directors of the body, for different disqualifications operating to cause a person who is a director of the body to cease to be such a director.
Casual vacancies.
22.—(1) Where a vacancy (in this section referred to as a “casual vacancy”) occurs in the appropriate number of members or directors of a designated body by reason of the death or resignation, or the disqualification by virtue of section 21 of this Act, of such a member or director, or by reason of no candidate, or of less candidates than there were places to be filled, having been nominated at the last election relating to the body, or by reason of section 16 of this Act, the vacancy may be filled by a person appointed by the appropriate Minister.
(2) In appointing a person to fill a casual vacancy, the appropriate Minister shall, in case there was a poll at the last preceding election relating to the designated body concerned, before making the appointment, have regard to that poll.
(3) A person appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified, hold office for the remainder of the period for which the member or director occasioning the vacancy, if he had continued to be a member or director, would have held office.
Number of members or directors of designated body may be altered to provide that the number of such members or directors appointed under Act shall constitute not less than one third.
23.—(1) (a) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Minister may as regards any designated body, after consultation with the Minister for Finance and, in case a Minister of State other than that Minister is, as regards the body, the appropriate Minister, that other Minister of State, by order provide that on and from a day fixed by the order the number of members or directors, as may be appropriate, of the body, that is to say, the number comprising,
(i) the members or directors of the body who may be appointed under this Act, and
(ii) the ordinary members or ordinary directors of the body,
shall be such number as is specified in the order.
(b) The number of members or directors specified in an order under this section shall be such as the Minister, having regard to the provisions of this Act and to the functions of the designated body to which the order relates, considers appropriate.
(2) An order under this section shall fix the number (in this Act referred to as the “appropriate number”) of members or directors, as may be appropriate, of the designated body to which the order relates who may for the time being stand appointed under this Act, and the number so fixed shall be,
(a) in case the number specified by the Minister in the order pursuant to subsection (1) of this section is a multiple of three, one third of the number so specified, and
(b) in case the number so specified is not such a multiple, the number of members or directors, as may be appropriate, which is next above the number which is one third of the number so specified.
(3) Where an order under this section relates to a designated body to which an enactment mentioned in subsection (4) of this section applies, then for so long as the order is in force, the enactment shall be construed and shall have effect in accordance with the order.
(4) The enactments referred to in subsection (3) of this section are section 2 (3) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927, paragraph 3 of the Schedule to the Sugar Manufacture Act, 1933 (inserted by section 4 of the Sugar Manufacture (Amendment) Act, 1973), section 8 (1) of the Turf Development Act, 1946, section 6 (1) (b) of the Transport Act, 1950, section 8 (1) of the British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited (Acquisition) Act, 1965, and section 12 (1) of the Air Companies Act, 1966.
Designated bodies may be required to give notice to employees of certain provisions.
24.—The Minister may make regulations requiring a designated body to which the regulations apply to bring to the notice, in a prescribed manner, of their employees either or both of the following, namely:
(a) such provisions of this Act as are specified in the regulations,
(b) such provisions of regulations made under this Act (apart from this section) as are so specified,
and regulations under this section may apply either to every designated body or to such designated body or bodies as are specified in the regulations.
Quorums of designated bodies.
25.—(1) Notwithstanding the enactments contained in subsection (2) of this section the appropriate Minister may, after consultation with the Minister, by order fix the quorum for—
(a) a meeting of the board of a designated body which is a company,
(b) a meeting of a designated body which is not a company,
and in case the appropriate Minister makes an order under this section as regards a designated body to which any such enactment applies, the enactment shall, for so long as the order is in force, be construed and have effect in accordance with the order.
(2) The enactments referred to in subsection (1) of this section are section 6 (2) of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927, section 14 (3) of the Turf Development Act, 1946, section 9 (3) of the Transport Act, 1950, and section 8 (8) of the British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited (Acquisition) Act, 1965.
Alteration of memoranda and articles of association of certain designated bodies.
26.—Each designated body which is a company shall take such steps as may be necessary under the Act of 1963 to alter its memorandum and articles of association to make them consistent with this Act or any order under section 23 or 25 of this Act which applies to the body.
Cost of elections.
27.—(1) The costs and expenses of an election (including the costs and expenses of the taking of a preliminary poll), other than expenses incurred by candidates on their own behalf, shall be borne by the designated body to which the election relates.
(2) The Minister may make regulations providing for all or any of the following matters:
(a) the way and period in or during which a returning officer shall present his accounts,
(b) the way and period in or during which persons having claims by virtue of this section shall present their claims,
(c) the adjudication of disputes.
Aerlinte.
28.—(1) In case the Minister for Transport and Power makes an appointment under section 15 or 22 of this Act in relation to Aer Lingus he shall at the same time appoint the person concerned to be a director of Aerlinte.
(2) In case a person is appointed under this section to be a director of Aerlinte, his term of office as such director shall be co-terminous with his term of office as a director of Aer Lingus, and accordingly in case the person ceases to be a director of Aer Lingus he shall at the same time cease to be a director of Aerlinte.
(3) In case a person who is a director of Aerlinte appointed pursuant to this section ceases to be a director of that company, he shall at the same time cease to be a director of Aer Lingus.
(4) Subsection (4) of section 12 of the Air Companies Act, 1966, shall not apply as regards a director of Aerlinte who is appointed pursuant to this section, and subsection (6) of the said section 12 shall be construed and shall have effect subject to the provisions of this section.
(5) Sections 18 and 19 of this Act shall apply to a person appointed under this section in like manner as they apply to persons otherwise appointed pursuant to this Act.
(6) Notwithstanding section 12 (2) of the Air Companies Act, 1966, the Minister may, for the purpose of giving effect to subsection (1) of this section, by order provide that on and from a day fixed by the order the number of directors of Aerlinte shall be such number as is specified in the order, and in case the Minister makes an order under this section, then for so long as the order is in force the said section 12 (2) shall be construed and shall have effect in accordance with the order.
(7) Aerlinte shall take such steps as may be necessary under the Act of 1963 to alter its memorandum and articles of association to make them consistent with this Act or any order under this section.
Expenses.
29.—The expenses incurred by the Minister or by any other Minister of State in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Saver.
30.—Where a person who is an employed contributor within the meaning of the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 to 1976, is appointed to be a member or director under section 15, 22 or 28 of this Act, he shall not cease by reason only of the appointment to be such a contributor.
Repeals.
31.—The following enactments are hereby repealed:
(a) section 10 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927,
(b) section 12 of the Turf Development Act, 1946, and
(c) section 7 (6) (c) of the Transport Act, 1950.
Short title.
32.—This Act may be cited as the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act, 1977.
SCHEDULE
DESIGNATED BODIES
PART I
Bord na Móna. |
Córas Iompair Éireann. |
Electricity Supply Board. |
PART II
Aer Lingus Teoranta. |
British and Irish Steam Packet Company Limited. |
Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta. |
Nitrigin Éireann Teoranta. |