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Number 7 of 1999
LOCAL ELECTIONS (DISCLOSURE OF DONATIONS AND EXPENDITURE) ACT, 1999
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. |
Election Expenses and Accountable Persons
6. | |
7. | |
8. | |
9. |
Contracts and Claims
10. | |
11. | |
12. |
Statements and Information
13. | |
14. | Details of statements, etc. to be furnished to members of local authority. |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | |
18. | |
19. |
Disqualifications, Prosecutions and Miscellaneous Amendments
20. | |
21. | |
22. | |
23. | |
24. |
Local Elections and European Parliament Elections Research
25. | Research into electronic methods of recording and counting of votes. |
Acts Referred to | ||
Electoral Act, 1992 | 1992, No. 23 | |
Electoral Act, 1997 | 1997, No. 25 | |
Electoral Acts, 1992 to 1998 | ||
Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1998 | 1998, No. 4 | |
European Parliament Elections Act, 1997 | 1997, No. 2 | |
European Parliament Elections Acts, 1992 to 1997 | ||
Local Elections Acts, 1974 to 1998 | ||
Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974 | 1974, No. 8 | |
Local Government Act, 1994 | 1994, No. 8 | |
Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Acts, 1938 to 1998 | ||
Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) (Amendment) Act, 1994 | 1994, No. 21 | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict., c. 93 | |
Statutory Declarations Act, 1938 | 1938, No. 37 | |
Number 7 of 1999
LOCAL ELECTIONS (DISCLOSURE OF DONATIONS AND EXPENDITURE) ACT, 1999
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title and collective citations.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999.
(2) The Electoral Acts, 1992 to 1998, and this Act may be cited together as the Electoral Acts, 1992 to 1999, and shall be construed together as one.
(3) The Local Elections Acts, 1974 to 1998, and this Act (other than subsection (4) and so much of section 25 as relates to the European Parliament elections) may be cited together as the Local Elections Acts, 1974 to 1999, and shall be construed together as one.
(4) The European Parliament Elections Acts, 1992 to 1997, this subsection and so much of sections 2 and 25 as relate to the European Parliament elections may be cited together as the European Parliament Elections Acts, 1992 to 1999, and shall be construed together as one.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
“the Act of 1992” means the Electoral Act, 1992;
“the Act of 1997” means the Electoral Act, 1997;
“the Act of 1998” means the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1998;
“the appropriate officer” has the meaning assigned to it in section 71 of the Act of 1997;
“candidate” means a candidate at a local election;
“clerk”, in relation to the corporation of a county or other borough, the council of an urban district or the commissioners of a town, means the town clerk;
“commercial price”, in relation to the supply of property, goods or services and the lending of property or goods, has the meaning assigned to it in section 2(1) of the Act of 1997;
“designated person” has the meaning assigned to it in section 8;
“donation” means any contribution given for political purposes by any person, whether or not a member of a political party, to a candidate at an election which is accepted in whole or in part by or duly on behalf of such person and includes—
(a) any donation of money,
(b) any donation of property or goods,
(c) any conferring of the right to use, without payment or other consideration, indefinitely or for a specified period of time, any property or goods,
(d) any supply of services without payment or other consideration therefor,
(e) any difference between the commercial price and the price charged for the purchase, acquisition or use of property or goods or the supply of any service where the price, fee or other consideration is less than the commercial price, and
(f) in the case of any contribution made by a person in connection with an event organised for the purpose of raising funds for a candidate at an election, any proportion attributable to that contribution of the net profit, if any, deriving from the event,
but does not include any payment relating to-
(i) any of the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (ix) of section 6(1)(b), or
(ii) any election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a political party by a national agent or designated person, as the case may be, on behalf of a candidate authenticated by the political party at an election, other than a donation of money;
“election”, other than in Part VI, means a local election and in Part VI means a local election or the European Parliament election, as appropriate;
“electoral area” means the area by reference to which a local election is held in accordance with section 24(6) of the Local Government Act, 1994;
“local authority” means the council of a county, the corporation of a county or other borough, the council of an urban district or the commissioners of a town;
“local authority concerned” means the local authority to which a candidate seeks or sought election to be a member;
“local electoral area” means the area by reference to which a local election is held in accordance with section 24(1) of the Local Government Act, 1994;
“the Minister” means the Minister for the Environment and Local Government;
“national level”, in relation to election expenses or expenditure, has the meaning assigned to it by section 6(4)(a);
“national agent” has the meaning assigned to it by section 7;
“person” includes an individual, a body corporate and an unincorporated body of persons and a body corporate and any subsidiary thereof shall be deemed to be one person;
“political party” means a party registered in the Register of Political Parties in accordance with section 25 of the Act of 1992 as a party organised to contest a local election;
“polling day” means the day appointed by order of the Minister to be polling day at a local election;
“prescribed” has the meaning assigned by section 3;
“property” means real and personal property;
“returning officer” means a returning officer at a local election;
“secretary”, in relation to a county council, means the county secretary or the officer in whom the functions of the county secretary are vested;
“specified local authority” means the local authority specified by order of the Minister in section 6;
“subsidiary organisation” has the meaning assigned to it by section 22(1) of the Act of 1997.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a Part or section is to a Part or section of this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended;
(b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended;
(c) a reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment including this Act.
Regulations.
3.—(1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed.
(2) 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 21 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.
Ministerial expenses.
4.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals.
5.—Sections 72 and 75 of the Electoral Act, 1997, are hereby repealed.
PART II
Election Expenses and Accountable Persons
Expenses and payments at election.
6.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), “election expenses” means all expenditure for electoral purposes incurred on the provision of property, goods or services for use at an election during the period referred to in subsection (3) in order—
(i) to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, the interests of a political party, or to present the policies or a particular policy of a political party or the comments of a political party on the policy or policies of another political party or of one or more than one candidate at the election, or
(ii) to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, the election of a candidate at the election or to solicit votes for or against a candidate or to present the policies or a particular policy of a candidate or the views of a candidate on any matter connected with the election or the comments of a candidate on the policy or policies of a political party or of any other candidate at the election, or
(iii) otherwise to influence the outcome of the election,
and shall be deemed to include all expenditure incurred in the taking of an opinion poll or other similar survey relating to an election within the period of 60 days before polling day at the election by or on behalf of a political party or one or more than one candidate at the election.
(b) The following shall be deemed not to be election expenses—
(i) the payment by or on behalf of a candidate of the deposit under article 15 of the Local Elections Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995);
(ii) expenditure on the purchase of copies of the register of electors or parts thereof;
(iii) the reasonable living expenses of a candidate or any person or persons working on behalf of the candidate on a voluntary basis;
(iv) any sum disbursed by any individual out of the individual's own resources for any minor expenses lawfully incurred in relation to the election if the said sum is not repaid to the person;
(v) any payment, service or facility provided to a person out of public funds or moneys provided by an institution of the European Community or other intergovernmental organisation to which the State is a party by virtue of being—
(I) a member of either House of the Oireachtas,
(II) a holder of a qualifying office within the meaning of the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Acts, 1938 to 1998,
(III) the holder of a position referred to in the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) (Amendment) Act, 1994,
(IV) a representative in the European Parliament,
(V) a political party,
(VI) a political group or any group of members of Dáil éireann,
(VII) the holder of an elective or other public office,
(VIII) a member of, delegate to or representative in a body established by or under an agreement or arrangement to which the State is a party, or
(IX) a member of a local authority;
(vi) benefits derived from—
(I) a service rendered by an individual, including the use of the individual's motor vehicle, on behalf of a political party or a candidate at an election where that service is gratuitous and—
(A) is not part of that individual's work carried out under a contract of employment, or
(B) where the individual is self-employed, is not in the course of the individual's business or in the practice of the individual's profession,
or
(II) a service rendered at an election by an individual in the employment of a political party, (whether remunerated out of the party's own resources or out of public funds) including the use of the individual's motor vehicle on behalf of a candidate of that party at an election where the individual is not in receipt of any reward or benefit-in-kind other than his or her normal remuneration in consideration of that service;
(vii) the publication in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication or the broadcast on radio or television of news, reports, articles, features, editorial or other comments, including the publication of letters to the editor, where such publication or broadcast is effected in the same manner as that of other material relating to issues of public interest or concern, and the newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication is not published for the purpose of promoting the interests of a political party or of a candidate at an election;
(viii) the transmission on radio or television of a broadcast on behalf of a political party or candidate at an election;
(ix) expenses incurred in the provision of property, goods or services used at an election where such property, goods or services was or were provided in respect of a previous Presidential, Dáil, European or local election and the cost of providing such property, goods or services was included in the statement of election expenses furnished to the Public Offices Commission or to a local authority in relation to the said previous election by the national agent of the political party, election agent, designated person or by the candidate, as the case may be.
(2) Where property, goods or services are provided to a political party or a candidate at an election without payment or other consideration therefor or at a price which is less than the commercial price, the provision of the property, goods or services shall be deemed to be an election expense and the property, goods or services shall be deemed to have been provided at the commercial price and shall be accounted for accordingly in the statements to be furnished under section 13 to the specified local authority or to the local authority concerned.
(3) The following shall be included in the statement to be furnished to the specified local authority or to the local authority concerned under section 13:
(a) all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a political party or a candidate at any time during the period commencing on the date of the order, made under section 21 of the Local Government Act, 1994, appointing polling day and ending on polling day at the election;
(b) subject to subsection (1)(b)(ix), all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a political party or a candidate at any time before the commencement of the relevant period referred to in paragraph (a) for the provision of property, goods or services for use at the election during the period referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) all payments made in respect of the election expenses referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
(4) Election expenses shall only be incurred at an election and any payment, advance or deposit shall only be made for such election expenses—
(a) on behalf of a political party in respect of an area other than a local electoral area or an electoral area (in this Act referred to as a “national level”), by the national agent of such party,
(b) on behalf of a political party in respect of a local electoral area or an electoral area, by the designated person, and
(c) on behalf of a candidate, by the candidate.
(5) In subsection (4), “national agent”, “designated person” and “candidate” shall be construed as including a person or persons authorised for the purpose of subsection (4) by the said national agent, designated person, or candidate, as the case may be, and any expenditure incurred or payment made by such person or persons shall be disclosed by the national agent, designated person or candidate in the statement to be provided under section 13.
(6) Where any election expenses are incurred at an election by a body which—
(a) was established by or on behalf of a political party or a candidate for the purposes of incurring election expenses or making payments in respect of such expenses or for any of the purposes referred to in subsection (1)(a), or
(b) is a member of or is a branch or subsidiary organisation of a political party, or
(c) is effectively controlled by a political party or by a candidate or is or appears to be so connected or associated with a political party or candidate that a reasonable person would believe that it is controlled or substantially influenced by that political party or candidate,
then such expenses shall be deemed to have been incurred on behalf of the party or the candidate concerned and shall be duly accounted for by the national agent, designated person or candidate.
(7) Before incurring any expenses at an election a person (other than the national agent of a political party or designated person or the candidate or a person authorised by any such agent, person or candidate for the purpose of subsection (4)) who proposes to incur election expenses shall furnish in writing to the specified local authority in the case of expenditure at a national level or to the local authority concerned in any other case—
(a) the name, address and description of the person proposing to incur the expenses,
(b) a statement of the nature, purpose and estimated amount of such expenses, and
(c) an indication of the person's connection, if any, with any party or candidate at the election.
(8) Where, notwithstanding sections 7 and 8, election expenses are incurred by or on behalf of a political party at an election before the appointment by the party of a national agent or a designated person, the political party shall furnish to the relevant agent or a designated person details of such expenses, together with all relevant vouchers, and such election expenses shall be deemed to be expenses incurred by the national agent or designated person.
(9) The publisher of a newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication shall not publish any advertisement or notice in relation to an election purporting to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, the interests of a political party or a candidate at that election at the request of any person other than the national agent of a political party, designated person or a person authorised in writing by such agent or designated person, or a candidate at the election or a person authorised in writing by such candidate, unless the person produces to the said publisher a certificate from the specified local authority or from the local authority concerned that that person has complied with the provisions of subsection (7) in relation to that election.
(10) This section shall not be construed so as to prevent or restrict the lawful publication of any matter in relation to an election in a newspaper or other publication or the broadcast of such matter by radio or television or the lawful expression of opinion on any matter of public interest by any person.
(11) The Minister may by order specify a local authority as a “specified local authority” for the purposes of this Act.
Appointment of national agent.
7.—(1) (a) Before incurring any election expenses at an election, each political party, except a party registered to contest an election in only a part of the State, which authenticates the candidature of a candidate at the election shall appoint for the purposes of this Act an agent (in this Act referred to as a “national agent”).
(b) Not later than the last day for receiving nominations for an election, each political party which is required to appoint a national agent by virtue of paragraph (a) shall notify the specified local authority in writing of the name of its national agent and the address of his or her office.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the appointment by a political party of a candidate at an election as the national agent.
(2) Where a political party referred to in subsection (1) has not, before the latest time for withdrawal of candidature at an election, notified the name of the national agent and the address of the agent's office to the specified local authority, the appropriate officer appointed, or deemed to have been appointed, under section 71 of the Act of 1997, shall be deemed to be the national agent of the party, the party shall be deemed to have revoked the appointment of any other person as the national agent and the provisions of this Act shall apply to the said officer in the same manner as they apply to a national agent.
(3) A political party may, at any time, revoke the appointment of a national agent made by it under this section or deemed to be designated by it by virtue of subsection (2).
(4) (a) If, before the relevant statement of election expenses has been furnished to a specified local authority in accordance with section 13, the appointment of a national agent is revoked, or a person appointed as such national agent dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to act, another national agent shall be appointed forthwith by the political party concerned.
(b) The provisions of this section shall have effect in relation to an appointment under this subsection and a national agent so appointed shall be subject to the provisions of this Act in the same manner as a national agent appointed otherwise under this section.
(5) As soon as may be after receipt of notification of the appointment of a national agent by a political party, pursuant to subsection (1) or (4) or where, in the absence of such notification, an appointment is deemed to have been made, the specified local authority shall publish in the Iris Oifigiuil the name of the national agent appointed or deemed to have been appointed, as the case may be, under this section, the political party by whom the national agent was appointed, or deemed to have been appointed, and the address of the office of the national agent.
Appointment of designated person.
8.—(1) (a) Before incurring any election expenses at an election in a local electoral area or in an electoral area on behalf of a candidate, a political party shall appoint for the purposes of this Act, a person (in this Act referred to as the “designated person”) who shall be responsible for submitting a statement of election expenses under section 13.
(b) Not later than the last day for receiving nominations for an election, a political party which is required to appoint a designated person by virtue of paragraph (a) shall notify the local authority concerned in writing of the name of the said person and the address of his or her office.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the appointment by a political party of a candidate at an election as the designated person.
(2) Where a political party referred to in subsection (1) has not, before the latest time for withdrawal of candidature at an election, notified the name of the designated person and the address of the person's office to the local authority concerned, the appropriate officer appointed, or deemed to have been appointed, under section 71 of the Act of 1997, shall be deemed to be the designated person of the party, the party shall be deemed to have revoked the appointment of any other person as the designated person and the provisions of this Act shall apply to the said officer in the same manner as they apply to a designated person.
(3) A political party may, at any time, revoke the appointment of a designated person made by it under this section or deemed to be designated by it by virtue of subsection (2).
(4) (a) If, before the statement of election expenses has been furnished to the relevant local authority in accordance with section 13, the appointment of the designated person is revoked, or a person appointed as such dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to act, another designated person shall be appointed forthwith by the political party concerned.
(b) The provisions of this section shall have effect in relation to an appointment under this subsection and a designated person so appointed shall be subject to the provisions of this Act in the same manner as a designated person appointed otherwise under this section.
(5) As soon as may be after receipt of notification of the appointment of a designated person by a political party, pursuant to subsection (1) or (4), the local authority concerned shall publish in a newspaper circulating in the functional area of the local authority the name of the designated person appointed under this section, the political party by whom the designated person was appointed and the address of the office of the designated person.
Office of agent and designated person.
9.—(1) The national agent of a political party and a designated person appointed under section 7 and 8, respectively, shall each have in the State an office or place to which claims, notices, writs, summonses and other documents may be sent.
(2) Any claim, notice, writ, summons or document delivered at the office or place of the national agent of a political party or of the designated person and addressed to such agent or person shall be deemed to have been served on the agent or person and every such national agent or person may in respect of any matter connected with the election be sued in any court having competent jurisdiction at the place where the office of the agent or person is situate.
PART III
Contracts and Claims
Making of contracts.
10.—A contract (including a contract of employment and whether in writing or otherwise) by which any election expenses at an election exceeding £500 in value are incurred by or on behalf of a political party or by or on behalf of a candidate shall be made by the national agent of the political party or by the designated person concerned or by the candidate and shall not be enforceable against any of them unless so made.
Period for making claims relating to election expenses.
11.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any other enactment, every claim in respect of election expenses against a national agent of a political party, a designated person or a candidate or a person referred to in section 6(7) which is not delivered to such national agent, designated person, candidate or person on or before the forty-fifth day after the polling day at the election, shall not be paid and shall not be enforceable against the said agent, designated person, candidate or person.
Disputed claims relating to election expenses.
12.—If a national agent of a political party, designated person, candidate or person to whom section 6(7) applies disputes any claim delivered to such agent, designated person, candidate or person within the period allowed for delivery of such claims under section 11, the person by whom the claim is made may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order for payment of the claim and the court may, on being satisfied that the claim should be paid, make an order for payment and specify the amount which is payable.
PART IV
Statements and Information
Statement of donations and election expenses.
13.—(1) (a) (i) The national agent of a political party or a person who incurs election expenses under section 6(7) at a national level shall, within 90 days next following the polling day at an election, furnish in person to the specified local authority a statement in writing of all election expenses (whether paid or not) incurred by such agent or person in relation to the election and the several matters to which such expenses relate.
(ii) A designated person or a person who incurs election expenses under section 6(7) in respect of a local electoral area or electoral area in relation to a political party or otherwise at an election shall, within 90 days next following the polling day at an election, furnish in person to the local authority concerned, a statement in writing of all election expenses (whether paid or not) incurred by such designated person or person in relation to the election and the several matters to which such expenses relate.
(iii) A candidate shall, within 90 days following the polling day at an election, furnish in person to the local authority concerned a statement in writing of all election expenses (whether paid or not) incurred by such candidate in relation to the election, the several matters to which such expenses relate and details of donations referred to in paragraph (c).
(b) The national agent of a political party, a designated person or a person to whom section 6(7) applies shall include in the statement of election expenses furnished by him or her under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (a) details of the election expenses incurred by him or her. The statement shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by a statutory declaration made by the national agent, designated person or person to whom section 6(7) applies by whom the statement is furnished, to the effect that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief the statement is correct in every material respect and that he or she has taken all reasonable action in order to be satisfied as to the accuracy of the statement.
(c) (i) A candidate at an election shall include in the statement of donations and election expenses furnished by him or her under paragraph (a) (iii) details of the election expenses he or she incurred pursuant to section 6 and the source of the income, including details of each donation over £500, to meet such expenses.
(ii) Where a person makes more than one donation to a candidate in relation to the same election, all such donations shall, for the purposes of subparagraph (i), be aggregated and treated as a single donation.
(iii) The statement shall be accompanied by a statutory declaration, made by the candidate by whom the statement is furnished, to the effect that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief the statement is correct in every material respect and that he or she has taken all reasonable action in order to be satisfied as to the accuracy of the statement.
(d) Each statement furnished under this subsection shall include particulars of all disputed claims, if any, and all claims, if any, received after the day referred to in section 11.
(2) Where, after a statement is furnished under subsection (1), an order for payment of a claim is made by a court under section 12, the national agent, designated person, candidate or person referred to in section 6(7), as the case may be, shall, not later than 7 days after the date of the order of the court, furnish to the specified local authority or to the local authority concerned a copy of the said order together with a statement of the sum payable under the order.
(3) It shall be the duty of every national agent, designated person, candidate or other person who is required by this section to furnish a statement and make a statutory declaration to make such enquiries and maintain such records as are necessary for the purpose of furnishing the statement and making the declaration.
(4) Where a candidate standing nominated at an election dies—
(a) in any of the circumstances referred to in subarticle (1), (2) or (3) of article 28 of the Local Elections Regulations, 1995, or
(b) after the close of poll at the election and before a statement required under subsection (1) (a)(iii) has been furnished to the local authority concerned in respect of that candidate,
such statement shall not be required to be made to the local authority concerned.
(5) If a person to whom section 6(7) applies, dies before the expiration of the period for furnishing a statement under subsection (1), such statement shall not be required to be made to the local authority concerned.
Details of statements, etc. to be furnished to members of local authority.
14.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), as soon as may be after the receipt of a statement and a statutory declaration furnished pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of section 13(1)(a) the clerk or secretary of the local authority concerned shall furnish a copy of the statement and declaration together with a copy of any relevant court orders to members of that local authority.
(2) Where an error or omission in a statement furnished pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of section 13(1)(a) is corrected or made good, as the case may be, in accordance with section 18(2), the clerk or secretary of the local authority concerned shall furnish a copy of the statement as so corrected to members of that local authority.
Relief for non-compliance.
15.—(1) In any legal proceedings, where—
(a) the national agent of a political party fails to furnish to the specified local authority a statement of election expenses or any part of such statement or a statutory declaration which he or she was required to furnish under section 13(1)(a)(i) or there is an error, omission or false or misleading statement therein, or
(b) the designated person fails to furnish to the local authority concerned a statement of election expenses or any part of such statement or a statutory declaration which he or she was required to furnish under section 13(1)(a)(ii) or there is an error, omission or false or misleading statement therein, or
(c) a candidate at an election fails to furnish to the local authority concerned a statement of donations and election expenses or any part of such statement or a statutory declaration which he or she was required to furnish under section 13(1)(a)(iii) or there is an error, omission or false or misleading statement therein, or
(d) a person referred to in section 6(7) fails to furnish to the specified local authority or the local authority concerned a statement of election expenses or any part of such statement or a statutory declaration which the person was required to furnish under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of section 13(1)(a) or there is an error, omission or false or misleading statement therein,
the following provisions of this section shall apply.
(2) Where it is shown to the Circuit Court that the failure, error, omission or false or misleading statement arose—
(a) due to the illness of a party to the proceedings,
(b) where a party to the proceedings is a national agent, due to the death, illness, absence or misconduct of any employee or former employee of such agent,
(c) where a party to the proceedings is a designated person, due to the death, illness, absence or misconduct of any employee, or former employee of such person,
(d) where a party to the proceedings is a candidate, due to the death, illness, absence or misconduct of any employee, or former employee of such candidate,
(e) where a party to the proceedings is a person referred to in section 6(7), due to the death, illness, absence or misconduct of any employee or former employee of such person, or
(f) due to inadvertence or other reasonable cause not involving negligence on the part of such party to the proceedings, or the contravention, knowingly, by such party of the provisions of this Act,
and was not due to any lack of bona fides on the part of such party to the proceedings and where the proceedings are based wholly or partly on the grounds of misconduct on the part of any person, such misconduct was without the approval or knowledge of such party to the proceedings and such party took all reasonable action to prevent such misconduct, then the Circuit Court may, on application to it by such party, on being satisfied that it is appropriate so to do, make such order granting relief for the failure, error, omission or false or misleading statement the subject of the proceedings as it considers reasonable.
(3) An order made by virtue of subsection (2)—
(a) shall relieve the national agent, designated person, candidate, or person, as the case may be, the subject of the proceedings from any liability or consequences under this Act, and
(b) may make the granting of the relief conditional on the furnishing of a statement required under section 13 in a modified form or within an extended period of time and subject to compliance with such other conditions as seem proper to the court in order to give effect to this Act.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the relevant Circuit Court is that which sits in respect of the county where the principal office of the local authority to which an election was held is situated.
Power of court to require information.
16.—(1) Where, in dealing with legal proceedings referred to in section 15, it appears to the Circuit Court that any person who is, or has been, the national agent of a political party, designated person or a candidate at an election or a person to whom section 6(7) applies has refused or failed to furnish a statement pursuant to section 13, or to furnish the particulars necessary to enable the provisions of this Act in relation to the furnishing of such a statement to be complied with, the Circuit Court may, before making an order under section 15, order that person to attend before it.
(2) Unless a person referred to in subsection (1) shows cause to the contrary, the Circuit Court may order that person—
(a) to furnish the statement required under section 13 to the specified local authority or to the local authority concerned, or
(b) to furnish such particulars in the possession or procurement of that person as may be required for the purpose of furnishing such statement, as the Circuit Court thinks fit, within such period, to such person and in such manner as it directs, and may require that person to provide such explanation of such particulars as the Circuit Court directs.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the relevant Circuit Court is that which sits in respect of the county where the principal office of the local authority to which an election was held is situated.
Statements and fresh election.
17.—Where a fresh election is held in a local electoral area or electoral area under article 28, 70 or 71 of the Local Elections Regulations, 1995, the original election and the fresh election shall be deemed to be an election for the purposes of this Act and the provisions of this Act, including section 13, shall be complied with accordingly by the national agent, designated person, candidate or person referred to in section 6(7) as may be appropriate.
Review by local authority.
18.—(1) The clerk or secretary of a local authority shall register every statement furnished to a local authority pursuant to section 13 and shall give, by post or otherwise, notice in writing of the receipt of such statement to the person who furnished the statement.
(2) Where the local authority finds a minor error or omission in the statement, the local authority shall furnish to the unsuccessful candidate, elected member, designated person, national agent or other person concerned, as the case may be, by whom the statement was furnished details of the error or omission, as the case may be, and the local authority shall inform such person, that he or she may correct the error or make good the omission within the period of 14 days from the date on which the notification issued to such person.
(3) (a) Where the local authority receives a complaint or report in writing, in relation to a statement furnished to it pursuant to section 13, and is of the opinion that there may have been a contravention of this Act, the clerk or secretary of the local authority shall furnish to the person who provided the statement details of the possible contravention and the clerk or secretary of the local authority shall inform that person that he or she may furnish comments on the matter to the local authority within 14 days from the date on which the notification issued to that person and that any such comments will be considered by the local authority before considering the matter further.
(b) Where the person to whom a notification issues under paragraph (a) furnishes to the local authority his or her comments on the matter referred to in the notification within the period referred to in paragraph (a), the local authority shall have regard to those comments.
(c) Where, following consideration of any comments which the person to whom a notification issues under paragraph (a), or where such person fails to make any such comments, the local authority continues to be of the opinion that there may have been a contravention of the provisions of this Act, the local authority may either initiate summary proceedings against the person concerned or furnish a written report on the matter (together with any relevant document or other thing in its possession) to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be commenced—
(a) at any time within 12 months from the date on which the offence was committed,
(b) at any time within 6 months from the date on which evidence sufficient, in the opinion of the local authority by whom the proceedings are initiated, to justify the proceedings, comes to such authority's knowledge,
whichever is the later, but no such proceedings shall be initiated later than 5 years from the date on which the offence concerned was committed.
(5) A local authority may make such inquiries as it considers appropriate and may require any person to furnish any information, document or thing in the possession or procurement of the person which the local authority may require for the purposes of its duties under this Act.
(6) A local authority—
(a) shall from time to time draw up and publish to persons to whom a provision of this Act applies guidelines concerning the steps to be taken by such persons to ensure compliance by them with this Act generally, and
(b) may, at the request of a person to whom a provision of this Act applies, give advice to the person in relation to any provision of this Act or as to the application, in any particular case, of any such provision.
(7) Where a request is made under subsection (6)(b) in relation to a particular case, the provisions of section 13 shall not, as respects the person who made the request, apply in relation to that case during the period from the making of the request to the time when advice is given by the local authority in relation to the case or the local authority declines to give such advice.
(8) The local authority shall, within 21 days of the receipt by it of a request for advice under subsection (6)(b), furnish the advice to the person concerned or notify the person of its decision to decline to do so.
Inspection of documents.
19.—(1) A local authority shall retain for a period ending at least 3 years from the latest date for furnishing statements referred to in section 13—
(a) every statement and declaration furnished to it pursuant to section 13,
(b) a copy of any court order made pursuant to section 15 or 16 which relates to the local authority, and
(c) a copy of any notice published pursuant to subsection (2).
(2) A local authority shall, within 14 days after the latest date for receipt of the statements referred to in section 13, publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in its functional area of—
(a) the time and place at which the statements can be inspected, and
(b) the names of unsuccessful candidates, elected members, designated persons, national agents and persons who are referred to in section 6(7) who have not furnished statements in accordance with section 13.
(3) A local authority shall permit any person to inspect any documents to which this section relates, free of charge, and to take a copy thereof or an extract therefrom on payment of a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of copying, at such times and subject to such conditions as the authority considers appropriate.
PART V
Disqualifications, Prosecutions and Miscellaneous Amendments
Disqualifications.
20.—(1) Where an unsucessful candidate at an election fails to furnish to the local authority concerned, within the period specified for this purpose, a statement of donations and election expenses or a statutory declaration pursuant to section 13(1)(a)(iii), the person shall, on the expiry of such specified period, be disqualified for membership of any local authority for the remainder of the terms of office of the members of the local authority concerned.
(2) Where a member of a local authority elected at the election fails to furnish to the local authority concerned, within the period specified for this purpose, a statement of donations and election expenses or a statutory declaration pursuant to section 13(1)(a)(iii) the member shall be suspended from membership of the authority for the period of 7 days commencing on the expiry of the time specified for this purpose, or a lesser period ending on the compliance by the member with the requirements of section 13, and if at the end of that period the member has not complied with the requirements of section 13, the member shall be disqualified for membership of any local authority.
(3) A disqualification arising pursuant to subsection (2) shall come into effect on the eighth day following the last day for compliance with the requirements of section 13 and the disqualification shall apply and have effect for the remainder of the term in office of the members of the local authority concerned.
(4) Where an unsuccessful candidate or an elected member of a local authority furnishes to the local authority concerned a statement of donations and election expenses which to the person's knowledge is false or misleading in a material respect, the local authority concerned may bring summary proceedings against the unsuccessful candidate or elected member for making a false or misleading statutory declaration under the Statutory Declarations Act, 1938.
(5) If a person is convicted by a court of an offence following proceedings initiated under subsection (4), in addition to any penalty imposed by the court, the person shall be disqualified for membership of any local authority and the disqualification shall apply and have effect for the remainder of the term in office of the members of the local authority concerned.
(6) Where a member of a local authority becomes disqualified for membership of a local authority pursuant to subsection (2) or (5), that person shall, immediately on such occurance cease to be such member and a vacancy shall exist accordingly in the membership of the local authority.
(7) A person who ceases to be a member of a local authority pursuant to this section shall on such cesser also cease to be a member of any body to which that person was elected, nominated or appointed by a local authority, or of which the person is a member by virtue of being a member of a local authority; but nothing in this subsection shall be construed so as to affect the validity of anything previously done by the person while he or she was a member of that body.
Offences and penalties.
21.—(1) The national agent of a political party shall be guilty of an offence if at an election he or she—
(a) fails to furnish to the specified local authority, within the period specified for this purpose, a statement of election expenses or a statutory declaration pursuant to section 13(1)(a)(i), or
(b) furnishes to the specified local authority a statement of election expenses which, to the agent's knowledge, is false or misleading in a material respect, or
(c) fails otherwise to comply with the provisions of section 13.
(2) A designated person shall be guilty of an offence if at an election he or she—
(a) fails to furnish to the local authority concerned, within the period specified for this purpose, a statement of election expenses or a statutory declaration pursuant to section 13 (1)(a)(ii), or
(b) furnishes to the local authority concerned a statement of election expenses which, to the person's knowledge, is false or misleading in a material respect, or
(c) fails otherwise to comply with the provisions of section 13.
(3) A person to whom section 6(7) applies shall be guilty of an offence if at an election he or she—
(a) fails to notify the specified local authority or the local authority concerned in accordance with that subsection of his or her intention to incur election expenses, or
(b) fails to furnish to the relevant local authority within the period specified for this purpose, a statement of election expenses or a statutory declaration pursuant to subparagraph (i) or (ii) of section 13(1)(a), or
(c) furnishes to the relevant local authority a statement of election expenses which, to the person's knowledge, is false or misleading in a material respect, or
(d) fails otherwise to comply with the provisions of section 13.
(4) A person shall be guilty of an offence if he or she publishes in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication of which he or she is publisher an advertisement or notice in relation to an election purporting to promote or oppose the interests of a political party or a candidate at that election at the request of any person other than the national agent or designated person of a political party, or a person authorised in writing by such agent or person or a candidate at the election or a person authorised in writing by such candidate unless that person produces to the said publisher a certificate from a local authority referred to in section 6(9).
(5) (a) Where a person is guilty of an offence under this section—
(i) he or she shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500,
(ii) where the offence is an offence to which subsection (1) (b), (2) (b) or (3) (c) relates, he or she shall be liable, on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(b) Where a conviction relates to a failure to furnish a statement of election expenses under section 13 the person concerned shall be guilty of a further offence on every day on which the failure continues after such conviction and for each such offence the person concerned shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £100.
(6) Proceedings for an offence under this section shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Cost of prosecutions.
22.—Where a person is convicted of an offence in proceedings brought by a local authority under this Act, the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not so doing, order the person to pay to the local authority, the costs and expenses, measured by the court, incurred by the local authority in relation to the investigation, detection and prosecution of the offence and in respect of the remuneration and other expenses of employees, consultants and advisers, as the case may be.
Local election petition.
23.—The Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974, is hereby amended:
(a) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (3) of section 4:
“(3A) Where a petition alleges an irregularity or non-compliance with any provision of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999, whether before or after the result of the local election was declared by the returning officer, notwithstanding the fact that another petition relating to the same election may have been previously presented or tried, the petition may be presented within the twenty eight days next after the publication of a notice by a local authority under section 19 (2).”,
(b) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1) of section 5:
“(1A) A local election shall not be declared invalid because of a non-compliance with any provision of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999, or mistake in the use of forms provided for in regulations made under that Act, where it appears to the court that a candidate, national agent, designated person (within the meaning of that Act) or person to whom section 6 (7) of that Act applies, as the case may be, complied with the principles laid down in that Act taken as a whole and that such non-compliance or mistake did not materially affect the result of the election.”.
Amendment of section 6 of Local Government Act, 1994.
24.—Section 6 of the Local Government Act, 1994, is hereby amended by the deletion of subsections (1) (g) and (3).
PART VI
Local Elections and European Parliament Elections Research
Research into electronic methods of recording and counting of votes.
25.—(1) (a) For the purpose of research relating to the introduction of electronic methods of recording votes on ballot papers by electors and the counting of such votes and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in—
(i) section 20(1) of, and Part XII of the Second Schedule to, the European Parliament Elections Act, 1997, or
(ii) Part XIV of the Local Elections Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 297 of 1995),
the Minister may, in respect of any election held in the year 1999 for the purpose of electing persons as members of the European Parliament or of a local authority, by order provide for the inspection of counted ballot papers and, accordingly, references in the said Part XII or the said Part XIV relating to—
(I) the retention in the manner provided of ballot papers shall not apply to the extent provided for by the Minister by order under this subsection, and
(II) the destruction of ballot papers at the expiration period stated in those provisions shall apply subject to such longer period as may be provided for by the Minister by order under this subsection.
(b) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may authorise—
(i) the carrying out of research for the purposes of this section by, or
(ii) the disclosure of information or a specified part thereof to,
such class or classes of persons as are specified in the order under this subsection.
(c) An order under this subsection may include such other matters as the Minister considers consequential to, or necessary for, the purposes of this subsection.
(d) An order under this subsection may be amended or revoked by the Minister by order.
(2) Research carried out by virtue of subsection (1) shall be conducted so as to ensure that the manner in which any voter voted shall not be disclosed as a consequence of conducting such research.
(3) No research shall be carried out by virtue of subsection (1) in connection with any constituency, electoral area or local electoral area until the expiry of the period specified for presenting a petition questioning the European Parliament election or local election or, if an election petition is lodged in court in connection with any such constituency, electoral area or local electoral area, until the court concerned has made an order determining the matter at issue in the petition or in the event of an appeal on a question of law against the decision of the court, until the matter has been finally determined.
(4) A person who is engaged in any capacity on the research referred to in subsection (1) and who communicates any information obtained at such research to any person without lawful authorisation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500.
(5) In this section “lawful authorisation” means in accordance with an order made under subsection (1) and not in contravention of subsection (2).
Uimhir 7 de 1999
AN tACHT UM THOGHCHÁIN ÁITIÚLA (SÍNTIÚIS AGUS CAITEACHAS A NOCHTADH), 1999
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. |
Caiteachais Toghcháin agus Daoine Cuntasacha.
6. | |
7. | |
8. | |
9. |
Conarthaí agus Éilimh.
10. | |
11. | An tréimhse chun éilimh a dhéanamh maidir le caiteachais toghcháin. |
12. |
Ráitis agus Faisnéis
13. | |
14. | Sonraí faoi na ráitis, etc. atá le tabhairt do chomhaltaí údaráis áitiúil. |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | |
18. | |
19. |
Dícháilíochtaí, Ionchúisimh agus Leasuithe Ilghnéitheacha
20. | |
21. | |
22. | |
23. | |
24. |
Taighde ar Thoghcháin Áitiúla agus ar Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa
25. | Taighde ar mhodhanna leictreonacha chun vótaí a thaifeadadh agus a chomhaireamh. |
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
An tAcht Toghcháin, 1992 | 1992, Uimh. 23 |
An tAcht Toghcháin, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 25 |
Na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1992 go 1998 | |
An tAcht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 2 |
Na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1992 go 1997 | |
Na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1974 go 1998 | |
An tAcht um Thoghcháin Áitiúla (Achainíocha agus Dícháilíochtaí), 1974 | |
An tAcht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1994 | 1994, Uimh. 8 |
Na hAchtanna um Oifigí Aireachta agus Parlaiminte, 1938 go 1998 | |
An tAcht um an Oireachtas (Liúntais do Chomhaltaí) (Leasú), 1994 | 1994, Uimh. 21 |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 14 & 15 Vict., c.93 |
Uimhir 7 de 1999
AN tACHT UM THOGHCHÁIN ÁITIÚLA (SÍNTIÚIS AGUS CAITEACHAS A NOCHTADH), 1999
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ MAIDIR LE NOCHTADH SÍNTIÚS AGUS CAITEACHAIS I LEITH TOGHCHÁN ÁITIÚIL AGUS THAIRIS SIN DO LEASÚ NA nACHTANNA UM THOGHCHÁIN ÁITIÚLA, 1974 GO 1998, DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ MAIDIR LE PÁIPÉIR BHALLÓIDE A ÚSÁID LE hAGHAIDH TAIGHDE AR MHODHANNA LEICTREONACHA CHUN VÓTAÍ I dTOGHCHÁIN ÁITIÚLA AGUS I dTOGHCHÁIN DO PHARLAIMINT NA hEORPA A DHÉANFAR SA BHLIAIN 1999 A THAIFEADADH AGUS A CHOMHAIREAMH AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE COMHGHAOLMHARA. [18 Bealtaine, 1999]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Thoghcháin Áitiúla (Síntiúis agus Caiteachas a Nochtadh), 1999, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1992 go 1999, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Toghcháin, 1992 go 1998, agus den Acht seo le chéile, agus forléireofar le chéile iad mar aon ní amháin.
(3) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1974 go 1999, a ghairm de na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1974 go 1998, agus den Acht seo (seachas fo-alt (4) agus cibé méid d'alt 25 a bhaineann leis na toghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa) le chéile, agus forléireofar le chéile iad mar aon ní amháin.
(4) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1992 go 1999, a ghairm le chéile de na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1992 go 1997, den fho-alt seo agus de cibé méid d'ailt 2 agus 25 a bhaineann leis na toghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, agus forléireofar le chéile iad mar aon ní amháin.
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1992” an tAcht Toghcháin, 1992;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1997” an tAcht Toghcháin, 1997;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1998” an tAcht Toghcháin (Leasú), 1998;
tá le “an t-oifigeach cuí” an bhrí a shanntar dó in alt 71 d'Acht 1997;
ciallaíonn “iarrthóir” iarrthóir i dtoghchán áitiúil;
ciallaíonn “cléireach”, i ndáil le bardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile, comhairle ceantair uirbigh nó coimisinéirí baile, an cléireach baile;
tá le “praghas tráchtála”, i ndáil le maoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a sholáthar agus maoin nó earraí a thabhairt ar iasacht, an bhrí a shanntar dó in alt 2(1) d'Acht 1997;
tá le “duine ainmnithe” an bhrí a shanntar dó in alt 8;
ciallaíonn “síntiús” aon ranníoc arna thabhairt chun críoch polaitíochta ag aon duine, cibé acu is comhalta de pháirtí polaitíochta nó nach ea, d'iarrthóir i dtoghchán ar ranníoc é a nglacann an duine sin leis nó a nglactar leis go cuí thar ceann an duine sin, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, agus folaíonn sé—
(a) aon síntiús airgid,
(b) aon síntiús maoine nó earraí,
(c) ceart a thabhairt ar aon slí chun aon mhaoin nó earraí a úsáid, gan íocaíocht nó comaoin eile, gan teorainn ama nó ar feadh tréimhse sonraithe ama,
(d) seirbhísí a sholáthar ar aon slí gan íocaíocht nó comaoin eile ina leith,
(e) aon difríocht idir an praghas tráchtála agus an praghas a mhuirearaítear ar cheannach, ar fháil nó ar úsáid maoine nó earraí nó ar sholáthar aon seirbhíse i gcás inar lú an praghas, an táille nó an chomaoin eile ná an praghas tráchtála, agus
(f) i gcás aon ranníoca a thugann duine i dtaca le hócáid a eagraítear chun cistí a chruinniú d'iarrthóir i dtoghchán, aon chion den bhrabús glan, más ann, is inchurtha síos don ranníoc sin agus a thig ón ócáid,
ach ní fholaíonn sé aon íocaíocht—
(i) a bhaineann le haon cheann de na nithe dá dtagraítear i bhfomhíreanna (i) go (ix) d'alt 6(1)(b), nó
(ii) a bhaineann le haon chaiteachais toghcháin arna dtabhú ag páirtí polaitíochta nó thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta ag gníomhaire náisiúnta nó ag duine ainmnithe, de réir mar a bheidh, thar ceann iarrthóra agus arna bhfíordheimhniú ag an bpáirtí polaitíochta i dtoghchán, seachas síntiús airgid;
ciallaíonn “toghchán”, seachas i gCuid VI, toghchán áitiúil agus i gCuid VI ciallaíonn sé toghchán áitiúil nó an toghchán do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, de réir mar is cuí;
ciallaíonn “toghlimistéar” an limistéar ar faoina threoir a dhéantar toghchán áitiúil de réir alt 24 (6) den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1994;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil” comhairle contae, bardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile, comhairle ceantair uirbigh nó coimisinéirí baile;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann” an t-údarás áitiúil a dtéann nó a ndeachaigh iarrthóir ar aghaidh lena thoghadh nó lena toghadh mar chomhalta de;
ciallaíonn “toghlimistéar áitiúil” an limistéar ar faoina threoir a dhéantar toghchán áitiúil de réir alt 24 (1) den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1994;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Comhshaoil agus Rialtais Áitiúil;
tá le “leibhéal náisiúnta”, i ndáil le caiteachais nó caiteachas toghcháin, an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 6(4)(a);
tá le “gníomhaire náisiúnta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 7;
folaíonn “duine” pearsa aonair, comhlacht corpraithe agus comhlacht neamhchorpraithe daoine agus measfar gur duine amháin comhlacht corpraithe agus aon fhochomhlacht dá chuid;
ciallaíonn “páirtí polaitíochta” páirtí arna chlárú i gClár na bPáirtithe Polaitíochta de réir alt 25 d'Acht 1992 mar pháirtí atá eagraithe chun bheith san iomaidh i dtoghchán áitiúil;
ciallaíonn “lá vótaíochta” an lá a cheapfar le hordú ón Aire le bheith ina lá vótaíochta i dtoghchán áitiúil;
tá le “forordaithe” an bhrí a shanntar le halt 3;
ciallaíonn “maoin” maoin réadach agus phearsanta;
ciallaíonn “ceann comhairimh” ceann comhairimh i dtoghchán áitiúil;
ciallaíonn “rúnaí”, i ndáil le comhairle contae, an rúnaí contae nó an t-oifigeach dá ndílsítear feidhmeanna an rúnaí contae;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil sonraithe” an t-údarás áitiúil a shonraítear le hordú ón Aire in alt 6;
tá le “fo-eagraíocht” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 22(1) d'Acht 1997.
(2) San Acht seo—
(a) aon tagairt do Chuid nó d'alt is tagairt í do Chuid nó d'alt den Acht seo, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe;
(b) aon tagairt d'fho-alt, do mhír nó d'fhomhír is tagairt í don fho-alt, don mhír nó don fhomhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe;
(c) déanfar tagairt d'aon achtachán a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú, arna oiriúnú nó arna leathnú le haon achtachán ina dhiaidh sin nó faoi, lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo.
Rialacháin.
3.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh lena bhforordófar aon ní nó rud, dá dtagraítear san Acht seo mar ní nó rud atá forordaithe.
(2) 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 21 lá 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.
Caiteachais an Aire.
4.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Aisghairm.
5.—Aisghairtear leis seo ailt 72 agus 75 den Acht Toghcháin, 1997.
CUID II
Caiteachais Toghcháin agus Daoine Cuntasacha
Caiteachais agus íocaíochtaí i dtoghchán.
6.—(1) (a) Faoi réir mhír (b), ciallaíonn “caiteachais toghcháin” an caiteachas go léir chun críoch toghcháin a thabhófar ar mhaoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a sholáthar lena húsáid nó lena n-úsáid i dtoghchán i rith na tréimhse dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (3) d'fhonn na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh—
(i) leasanna páirtí polaitíochta a chur chun cinn, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó cur ina gcoinne, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó beartais nó beartas áirithe de chuid páirtí polaitíochta nó tráchtaí páirtí polaitíochta maidir le beartas nó beartais de chuid páirtí polaitíochta eile nó de chuid iarrthóir amháin nó nó níos mó sa toghchán a chur i láthair, nó
(ii) toghadh iarrthóra sa toghchán a chur chun cinn, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó cur i gcoinne toghadh iarrthóra, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó vótaí a shireadh ar son nó i gcoinne iarrthóra nó beartais nó beartas áirithe de chuid iarrthóra nó tuairimí iarrthóra maidir le haon ní i dtaca leis an toghchán nó tráchtaí iarrthóra maidir le beartas nó beartais de chuid páirtí polaitíochta nó de chuid aon iarrthóra eile sa toghchán a chur i láthair, nó
(iii) tionchar a imirt ar thoradh an toghcháin ar shlí eile,
agus measfar go bhfolaíonn sé gach caiteachas a thabhófar ar phobalbhrath nó suirbhé eile dá samhail maidir le toghchán a thógáil laistigh den tréimhse 60 lá roimh an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán ag páirtí polaitíochta nó thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó ag iarrthóir amháin nó níos mó sa toghchán nó thar ceann iarrthóir amháin nó níos mó sa toghchán.
(b) Measfar nach caiteachais toghcháin an méid seo a leanas—
(i) íoc na héarlaise ag iarrthóir nó thar ceann iarrthóra faoi airteagal 15 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1995 (I.R. Uimh. 297 de 1995);
(ii) caiteachas ar chóipeanna de chlár na dtoghthóirí nó de chodanna den chlár sin a cheannach;
(iii) caiteachais mhaireachtála réasúnacha iarrthóra nó aon duine nó daoine a oibríonn thar ceann an iarrthóra ar bhonn deonach;
(iv) aon suim arna heisíoc ag aon phearsa aonair as acmhainní na pearsan aonair féin le haghaidh aon mhionchaiteachas a thabhaítear go dleathach i ndáil leis an toghchán mura n-aisíoctar an tsuim sin leis an duine;
(v) aon íocaíocht, seirbhís nó saoráid a sholáthraítear do dhuine as cistí poiblí nó as airgead a sholáthraíonn institiúid de na Comhphobail Eorpacha nó eagraíocht idir-rialtasach eile ar páirtí inti an Stát de bhua gurb é atá sa duine ná—
(I) comhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas,
(II) sealbhóir ar oifig cháilitheach de réir bhrí na nAchtanna um Oifigí Aireachta agus Parlaiminte, 1938 go 1998,
(III) sealbhóir ar phost dá dtagraítear san Acht um an Oireachtas (Liúntais do Chomhaltaí) (Leasú), 1994,
(IV) ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa,
(V) páirtí polaitíochta,
(VI) grúpa polaitíochta nó aon ghrúpa comhaltaí de Dháil Éireann,
(VII) sealbhóir ar oifig thoghaí nó ar oifig phoiblí eile,
(VIII) comhalta de chomhlacht, toscaire chuig comhlacht nó ionadaí i gcomhlacht arna bhunú le comhaontú nó comhshocraíocht inar páirtí an Stát nó faoi chomhaontú nó faoi chomhshocraíocht den sórt sin, nó
(IX) comhalta d'údarás áitiúil;
(vi) sochair a gheofar—
(I) as seirbhís a thabharfaidh pearsa aonair, lena n-áirítear mótarfheithicil na pearsan aonair a úsáid, thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra i dtoghchán i gcás an tseirbhís sin a bheith in aisce agus—
(A) nach cuid í d'obair na pearsan aonair sin arna déanamh faoi chonradh fostaíochta, nó
(B) i gcás an phearsa aonair a bheith féinfhostaithe, nach dtabharfar í i gcúrsa ghnó na pearsan aonair nó i gcleachtadh ghairm na pearsan aonair,
nó
(II) as seirbhís arna tabhairt i dtoghchán ag pearsa aonair atá ar fostú ag páirtí polaitíochta, (cibé acu a thugtar a luach saothair as acmhainní an pháirtí féin nó as cistí poiblí), lena n-áirítear mótarfheithicil na pearsan aonair a úsáid thar ceann iarrthóra de chuid an pháirtí sin i dtoghchán i gcás nach bhfuil an phearsa aonair ag fáil aon luaíochta nó sochar comhchineáil seachas an gnáthluach saothair a fhaigheann sé nó sí i gcomaoin na seirbhíse sin;
(vii) nuacht, tuarascálacha, ailt, gné-ailt, tráchtaí eagarfhocail nó tráchtaí eile a fhoilsiú, lena n-áirítear litreacha chuig an eagarthóir a fhoilsiú, i nuachtán, in iris nó i bhfoilseachán tréimhsiúil eile nó na nithe sin a chraoladh ar an raidió nó ar an teilifís, i gcás ina ndéantar an foilsiú nó an craoladh sin sa tslí chéanna le hábhar eile a bhaineann le saincheisteanna ar díol spéise nó imní poiblí iad, agus i gcás nach bhfoilsítear an nuachtán, an iris nó an foilseachán tréimhsiúil eile chun leasanna páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra i dtoghchán a chur chun cinn;
(viii) craoladh a tharchur ar an raidió nó ar an teilifís thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra i dtoghchán;
(ix) caiteachais arna dtabhú maidir le maoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a úsáidtear i dtoghchán a sholáthar i gcás inar soláthraíodh an mhaoin, na hearraí nó na seirbhísí sin i leith toghcháin Uachtaráin, toghcháin Dála, toghcháin Eorpaigh nó toghcháin áitiúil roimhe sin agus go raibh an costas a ghabh le soláthar na maoine, na n-earraí nó na seirbhísí sin san áireamh sa ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin a thug gníomhaire náisiúnta an pháirtí polaitíochta, an gníomhaire toghcháin, an duine ainmnithe nó an t-iarrthóir, de réir mar a bheidh, don Choimisiún um Oifigí Poiblí nó d'údarás áitiúil i ndáil leis an toghchán roimhe sin a dúradh.
(2) Más rud é go ndéanfar maoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a sholáthar do pháirtí polaitíochta nó d'iarrthóir i dtoghchán gan íocaíocht nó comaoin eile a thabhairt ina leith nó ar phraghas is lú ná an praghas tráchtála, measfar gur caiteachas toghcháin soláthar na maoine, na n-earraí nó na seirbhísí agus measfar gur soláthraíodh an mhaoin, na hearraí nó na seirbhísí ar an bpraghas tráchtála agus tabharfar cuntas ina leith dá réir sin sna ráitis atá le tabhairt faoi alt 13 don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(3) Áireofar an méid seo a leanas sa ráiteas atá le tabhairt don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann faoi alt 13:
(a) na caiteachais toghcháin go léir arna dtabhú ag páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóir nó thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra aon tráth i rith na tréimhse dar tosach dáta an ordaithe, arna dhéanamh faoi alt 21 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1994, lena gceaptar an lá vótaíochta agus dar críoch an lá vótaíochta sa toghchán;
(b) faoi réir fho-alt (1) (b) (ix), na caiteachais toghcháin go léir arna dtabhú ag páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóir nó thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra aon tráth roimh thosach na tréimhse iomchuí dá dtagraítear i mír (a) chun maoin, earraí nó seirbhísí a sholáthar lena húsáid nó lena n-úsáid sa toghchán i rith na tréimhse dá dtagraítear i mír (a);
(c) na híocaíochtaí go léir a thugtar i leith na gcaiteachas toghcháin dá dtagraítear i míreanna (a) agus (b).
(4) Is iad na daoine seo a leanas amháin a thabhóidh caiteachais toghcháin i dtoghchán agus a thabharfaidh aon íocaíocht, airleacan nó éarlais le haghaidh caiteachas toghcháin den sórt sin—
(a) thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta i leith limistéir seachas toghlimistéar áitiúil nó toghlimistéar (dá ngairtear “leibhéal náisiúnta” san Acht seo), gníomhaire náisiúnta an pháirtí sin,
(b) thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta i leith toghlimistéir áitiúil nó toghlimistéir, an duine ainmnithe, agus
(c) thar ceann iarrthóra, an t-iarrthóir.
(5) I bhfo-alt (4), forléireofar “gníomhaire náisiúnta”, “duine ainmnithe” agus “iarrthóir” mar abairtí a fholaíonn duine nó daoine a bheidh údaraithe chun críche fho-alt (4) ag an ngníomhaire náisiúnta sin, ag an duine ainmnithe sin, nó ag an iarrthóir sin, de réir mar a bheidh, agus déanfaidh an gníomhaire náisiúnta, an duine ainmnithe nó an t-iarrthóir aon chaiteachas a thabhóidh, nó aon íocaíocht a thabharfaidh, an duine nó na daoine sin a nochtadh sa ráiteas atá le soláthar faoi alt 13.
(6) I gcás ina dtabhóidh comhlacht aon chaiteachais toghcháin i dtoghchán ar comhlacht é—
(a) a bhunaigh páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóir nó a bunaíodh thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra chun caiteachais toghcháin a thabhú nó íocaíochtaí a thabhairt i leith caiteachas den sórt sin nó chun aon cheann de na críocha dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) (a), nó
(b) is comhalta nó brainse nó fo-eagraíocht de chuid páirtí polaitíochta, nó
(c) atá faoi rialú le fírinne ag páirtí polaitíochta nó ag iarrthóir nó atá nó a dhealraíonn a bheith chomh bainteach nó chomh gaolmhar le páirtí polaitíochta nó le hiarrthóir go gcreidfeadh duine réasúnach go bhfuil sé faoi rialú nó faoi thionchar substainteach an pháirtí polaitíochta nó an iarrthóra sin,
ansin measfar gur tabhaíodh na caiteachais sin thar ceann an pháirtí nó an iarrthóra lena mbaineann agus tabharfaidh an gníomhaire náisiúnta, an duine ainmnithe nó an t-iarrthóir cuntas cuí ina leith.
(7) Sula ndéanfaidh sé nó sí aon chaiteachais a thabhú i dtoghchán, déanfaidh duine (seachas gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta nó duine ainmnithe nó an t-iarrthóir nó duine a bheidh údaraithe ag aon ghníomhaire, duine nó iarrthóir den sórt sin chun críche fho-alt (4)) a bheartaíonn caiteachais toghcháin a thabhú, na nithe seo a leanas a thabhairt i scríbhinn don údarás áitiúil sonraithe i gcás caiteachais ag leibhéal náisiúnta nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann in aon chás eile—
(a) ainm, seoladh agus tuairisc an duine a bheartaíonn na caiteachais a thabhú,
(b) ráiteas maidir le cineál, cuspóir agus méid measta na gcaiteachas sin, agus
(c) léiriú ar an mbaint, más ann, atá ag an duine le haon pháirtí nó iarrthóir sa toghchán.
(8) Más rud é, d'ainneoin ailt 7 agus 8, go dtabhóidh páirtí polaitíochta caiteachais toghcháin, nó go dtabhófar caiteachais toghcháin thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta, i dtoghchán sula gceapfaidh an páirtí gníomhaire náisiúnta nó duine ainmnithe, déanfaidh an páirtí polaitíochta sonraí faoi na caiteachais sin, agus gach dearbhán iomchuí, a thabhairt don ghníomhaire nó don duine ainmnithe iomchuí, agus measfar gur caiteachais arna dtabhú ag an ngníomhaire náisiúnta nó ag an duine ainmnithe na caiteachais toghcháin sin.
(9) Ní dhéanfaidh foilsitheoir nuachtáin, irise nó foilseacháin thréimhsiúil eile aon fhógrán nó fógra a fhoilsiú i ndáil le toghchán a airbheartaíonn leasanna páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra sa toghchán sin a chur chun cinn, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, nó cur i gcoinne leasanna den sórt sin, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, ar iarraidh ó aon duine seachas gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta, an duine ainmnithe nó duine a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn ag an ngníomhaire nó ag an duine ainmnithe sin, nó iarrthóir sa toghchán nó duine a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn ag iarrthóir den sórt sin, mura rud é go ndéanfaidh an duine deimhniú ón údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó ón údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann a thabhairt ar aird don fhoilsitheoir sin á rá gur chomhlíon an duine sin forálacha fho-alt (7) i ndáil leis an toghchán sin.
(10) Ní fhorléireofar an t-alt seo ar shlí a choiscfidh nó a shrianfaidh foilsiú dleathach aon ní i ndáil le toghchán i nuachtán nó i bhfoilseachán eile nó craoladh an ní sin ar an raidió nó ar an teilifís nó aon duine do chur tuairime in iúl go dleathach maidir le haon ní ar díol spéise poiblí é.
(11) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú údarás áitiúil a shonrú mar “údarás áitiúil sonraithe” chun críocha an Achta seo.
Gníomhaire náisiúnta a cheapadh.
7.—(1) (a) Sula dtabhóidh siad aon chaiteachais toghcháin i dtoghchán, déanfaidh gach páirtí polaitíochta, seachas páirtí nach bhfuil cláraithe chun bheith san iomaidh i dtoghchán ach amháin i gcuid den Stát, a fhíordheimhneoidh iarrthóireacht iarrthóra sa toghchán gníomhaire (dá ngairtear “gníomhaire náisiúnta” san Acht seo) a cheapadh chun críocha an Achta seo.
(b) Tráth nach déanaí ná an lá deireanach chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh le haghaidh toghcháin, déanfaidh gach páirtí polaitíochta ar a gceanglaítear gníomhaire náisiúnta a cheapadh de bhua mhír (a), ainm a ghníomhaire náisiúnta agus seoladh a oifige nó a hoifige a chur in iúl i scríbhinn don údarás áitiúil sonraithe.
(c) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a thoirmiscfidh ar pháirtí polaitíochta iarrthóir i dtoghchán a cheapadh mar ghníomhaire náisiúnta.
(2) Más rud é, roimh an tráth is déanaí chun iarrthóireacht i dtoghchán a tharraingt siar, nach mbeidh ainm an ghníomhaire náisiúnta agus seoladh oifig an ghníomhaire curtha in iúl don údarás áitiúil sonraithe ag páirtí polaitíochta dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1), measfar gurb é nó gurb í an t-oifigeach cuí a ceapadh, nó a mheasfar a bheith ceaptha, faoi alt 71 d'Acht 1997, gníomhaire náisiúnta an pháirtí, measfar go bhfuil an páirtí tar éis ceapachán aon duine eile mar ghníomhaire náisiúnta a chúlghairm agus beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Achta seo maidir leis an oifigeach sin sa tslí chéanna a bheidh feidhm acu maidir le gníomhaire náisiúnta.
(3) Féadfaidh páirtí polaitíochta, aon tráth, ceapachán gníomhaire náisiúnta a bheidh déanta aige faoin alt seo, nó a mheasfar a bheith ainmnithe aige de bhua fho-alt (2), a chúlghairm.
(4) (a) Más rud é, sula mbeidh an ráiteas iomchuí caiteachas toghcháin tugtha d'údarás áitiúil sonraithe de réir alt 13, go gcúlghairfear ceapachán gníomhaire náisiúnta, nó go bhfaighidh duine a ceapadh mar ghníomhaire náisiúnta den sórt sin bás, go n-éireoidh sé nó sí as oifig nó nach mbeidh sé nó sí, ar shlí eile, in ann gníomhú, déanfaidh an páirtí polaitíochta lena mbaineann gníomhaire náisiúnta eile a cheapadh láithreach.
(b) Beidh éifeacht le forálacha an ailt seo i ndáil le ceapachán faoin bhfo-alt seo agus beidh gníomhaire náisiúnta a cheapfar amhlaidh faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo sa tslí chéanna le gníomhaire náisiúnta a cheapfar ar shlí eile faoin alt seo.
(5) A luaithe is féidir tar éis fógra a fháil faoi ghníomhaire náisiúnta a bheith ceaptha ag páirtí polaitíochta, de bhun fho-alt (1) nó (4) nó más rud é, d'éagmais fógra den sórt sin, go measfar ceapachán a bheith déanta, déanfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil sonraithe ainm an ghníomhaire náisiúnta a cheapfar nó a mheasfar a bheith ceaptha, de réir mar a bheidh, faoin alt seo, ainm an pháirtí polaitíochta a mbeidh an gníomhaire náisiúnta ceaptha aige, nó a mheasfar é nó í a bheith ceaptha aige, agus seoladh oifig an ghníomhaire náisiúnta a fhoilsiú san Iris Oifigiúil.
Duine ainmnithe a cheapadh.
8.—(1) (a) Sula dtabhóidh sé aon chaiteachais toghcháin i dtoghchán i dtoghlimistéar áitiúil nó i dtoghlimistéar thar ceann iarrthóra, déanfaidh páirtí polaitíochta, chun críocha an Achta seo, duine (dá ngairtear an “duine ainmnithe” san Acht seo) a cheapadh agus beidh an duine sin freagrach i ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin a thabhairt faoi alt 13.
(b) Tráth nach déanaí ná an lá deireanach chun ainmniúcháin a ghlacadh le haghaidh toghcháin, déanfaidh páirtí polaitíochta ar a gceanglaítear duine ainmnithe a cheapadh de bhua mhír (a) ainm an duine sin agus seoladh a oifige nó a hoifige a chur in iúl i scríbhinn don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(c) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a thoirmiscfidh ar pháirtí polaitíochta iarrthóir i dtoghchán a cheapadh mar an duine ainmnithe.
(2) Más rud é, roimh an tráth is déanaí chun iarrthóireacht i dtoghchán a tharraingt siar, nach mbeidh ainm an duine ainmnithe agus seoladh oifig an duine curtha in iúl don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann ag páirtí polaitíochta dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1), measfar gurb é nó gurb í an t-oifigeach cuí a ceapadh, nó a mheasfar a bheith ceaptha, faoi alt 71 d'Acht 1997, duine ainmnithe an pháirtí, measfar go bhfuil an páirtí tar éis ceapachán aon duine eile mar an duine ainmnithe a chúlghairm agus beidh feidhm ag forálacha an Achta seo maidir leis an oifigeach sin sa tslí chéanna a bheidh feidhm acu maidir le duine ainmnithe.
(3) Féadfaidh páirtí polaitíochta, aon tráth, ceapachán duine ainmnithe a bheidh déanta aige faoin alt seo, nó a mheasfar a bheith ainmnithe aige de bhua fho-alt (2), a chúlghairm.
(4) (a) Más rud é, sula mbeidh an ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin tugtha don údarás áitiúil iomchuí de réir alt 13, go gcúlghairfear ceapachán an duine ainmnithe, nó go bhfaighidh duine a ceapadh sa cháil sin bás, go n-éireoidh sé nó sí as oifig nó nach mbeidh sé nó sí, ar shlí eile, in ann gníomhú, déanfaidh an páirtí polaitíochta lena mbaineann duine ainmnithe eile a cheapadh láithreach.
(b) Beidh éifeacht le forálacha an ailt seo i ndáil le ceapachán faoin bhfo-alt seo agus beidh duine ainmnithe a cheapfar amhlaidh faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo sa tslí chéanna le duine ainmnithe a cheapfar ar shlí eile faoin alt seo.
(5) A luaithe is féidir tar éis fógra a fháil faoi dhuine ainmnithe a bheith ceaptha ag páirtí polaitíochta, de bhun fho-alt (1) nó (4), déanfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann ainm an duine ainmnithe a cheapfar faoin alt seo, ainm an pháirtí polaitíochta a mbeidh an duine ainmnithe ceaptha aige, agus seoladh oifig an duine ainmnithe, a fhoilsiú i nuachtán a scaiptear i limistéar feidhme an údaráis áitiúil.
Oifig an ghníomhaire agus an duine ainmnithe.
9.—(1) Beidh ag gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta agus ag duine ainmnithe a cheapfar faoi ailt 7 agus 8, faoi seach, oifig nó áit sa Stát a bhféadfar éilimh, fógraí, eascairí, toghairmeacha agus doiciméid eile a chur chuici.
(2) Aon éileamh, fógra, eascaire, toghairm nó doiciméad a sheachadfar ag oifig nó áit gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta nó an duine ainmnithe agus a bheidh dírithe chuig an ngníomhaire nó chuig an duine sin, measfar gur seirbheáladh an céanna ar an ngníomhaire nó ar an duine agus beidh gach gníomhaire náisiúnta nó duine den sórt sin inagartha i leith aon ní i dtaca leis an toghchán in aon chúirt ag a bhfuil dlínse inniúil san áit ina bhfuil oifig an ghníomhaire nó an duine suite.
CUID III
Conarthaí agus Éilimh
Conarthaí a dhéanamh.
10.—Is é nó is í gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta nó an duine ainmnithe lena mbaineann nó an t-iarrthóir a dhéanfaidh conradh (lena n-áirítear conradh fostaíochta agus cibé acu i scríbhinn nó ar shlí eile) trína dtabhóidh an páirtí polaitíochta aon chaiteachais toghcháin i dtoghchán ar mó a luach ná £500, nó trína dtabhófar caiteachais den sórt sin thar ceann páirtí polaitíochta nó trína dtabhóidh iarrthóir caiteachais den sórt sin, nó trína dtabhófar caiteachais den sórt sin thar ceann iarrthóra, agus ní bheidh sé infhorfheidhmithe in aghaidh aon duine acu mura ndéanfar amhlaidh é.
An tréimhse chun éilimh a dhéanamh maidir le caiteachais toghcháin.
11.—D'ainneoin aon ní atá in aon achtachán eile, maidir le gach éileamh i leith caiteachas toghcháin in aghaidh gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta, duine ainmnithe nó iarrthóra nó duine dá dtagraítear in alt 6(7) ar éileamh é nach seachadfar ar an ngníomhaire náisiúnta, ar an duine ainmnithe, ar an iarrthóir nó ar an duine sin ar an gcúigiú lá is daichead tar éis an lae vótaíochta sa toghchán, nó roimhe, ní íocfar é agus ní bheidh sé infhorfheidhmithe in aghaidh an ghníomhaire sin, an duine ainmnithe sin, an iarrthóra sin nó an duine sin.
Éilimh dhíospóidithe maidir le caiteachais toghcháin.
12.—Má dhíospóideann gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta, duine ainmnithe, iarrthóir nó duine lena mbaineann alt 6(7) aon éileamh a sheachadfar ar an ngníomhaire sin, ar an duine ainmnithe sin, ar an iarrthóir sin nó ar an duine sin laistigh den tréimhse a cheadaítear chun na héilimh sin a sheachadadh faoi alt 11, féadfaidh an duine a dhéanfaidh an t-éileamh iarratas a dhéanamh chuig cúirt dlínse inniúla ar ordú chun an t-éileamh a íoc agus féadfaidh an chúirt, ar bheith deimhin di gur ceart an t-éileamh a íoc, ordú a dhéanamh go n-íocfar é agus an méid is iníoctha a shonrú.
CUID IV
Ráitis agus Faisnéis
Ráiteas síntiús agus caiteachas toghcháin.
13.—(1) (a) (i) Déanfaidh gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta nó duine a thabhóidh caiteachais toghcháin faoi alt 6 (7) ag leibhéal náisiúnta ráiteas i scríbhinn a thabhairt go pearsanta don údarás áitiúil sonraithe laistigh de 90 lá díreach tar éis an lae vótaíochta i dtoghchán, ar ráiteas é ar na caiteachais toghcháin go léir (cibé acu a íocadh nó nár íocadh iad) a thabhaigh an gníomhaire nó an duine sin i ndáil leis an toghchán agus ar na nithe éagsúla lena mbaineann na caiteachais sin.
(ii) Déanfaidh duine ainmnithe nó duine a thabhóidh caiteachais toghcháin faoi alt 6 (7) i leith toghlimistéir áitiúil nó toghlimistéir i ndáil le páirtí polaitíochta nó ar shlí eile ráiteas i scríbhinn a thabhairt go pearsanta don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann laistigh de 90 lá díreach tar éis an lae vótaíochta i dtoghchán, ar ráiteas é ar na caiteachais toghcháin go léir (cibé acu a íocadh nó nár íocadh iad) a thabhaigh an duine ainmnithe nó an duine sin i ndáil leis an toghchán agus ar na nithe éagsúla lena mbaineann na caiteachais sin.
(iii) Déanfaidh iarrthóir, laistigh de 90 lá tar éis an lae vótaíochta i dtoghchán, ráiteas i scríbhinn a thabhairt go pearsanta don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann ar na caiteachais toghcháin go léir (cibé acu a íocadh nó nár íocadh iad) a thabhaigh an t-iarrthóir sin i ndáil leis an toghchán, ar na nithe éagsúla lena mbaineann na caiteachais sin agus ar shonraí na síntiús dá dtagraítear i mír (c).
(b) Déanfaidh gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta, duine ainmnithe nó duine lena mbaineann alt 6 (7) sonraí i dtaobh na gcaiteachas toghcháin a thabhaigh sé nó sí a chur san áireamh sa ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin a thabharfaidh sé nó sí faoi fhomhír (i) nó (ii) de mhír (a). Beidh an ráiteas san fhoirm fhorordaithe agus beidh ag gabháil leis dearbhú reachtúil arna dhéanamh ag an ngníomhaire náisiúnta, ag an duine ainmnithe nó ag an duine lena mbaineann alt 6 (7) a thabharfaidh an ráiteas, á rá go bhfuil an ráiteas ceart i ngach ponc ábhartha, de réir mar is fearr is eol dó nó di agus mar a chreideann sé nó sí, agus go bhfuil gach gníomh réasúnach déanta aige nó aici chun bheith deimhin de go bhfuil an ráiteas cruinn.
(c) (i) Déanfaidh iarrthóir i dtoghchán sonraí i dtaobh na gcaiteachas toghcháin a thabhaigh sé nó sí de bhun alt 6 agus foinse an ioncaim, lena n-áirítear sonraí i dtaobh gach síntiúis os cionn £500, faoi chomhair na gcaiteachas sin, a chur san áireamh sa ráiteas síntiús agus caiteachas toghcháin a thabharfaidh sé nó sí faoi mhír (a) (iii).
(ii) Más rud é go dtabharfaidh duine níos mó ná síntiús amháin d'iarrthóir i ndáil leis an toghchán céanna, déanfar, chun críocha fhomhír (i), na síntiúis sin go léir a chomhiomlánú agus a áireamh mar shíntiús amháin.
(iii) Beidh dearbhú reachtúil, arna dhéanamh ag an iarrthóir a thabharfaidh an ráiteas, ag gabháil leis an ráiteas, á rá go bhfuil an ráiteas ceart i ngach ponc ábhartha, de réir mar is fearr is eol dó nó di agus mar a chreideann sé nó sí, agus go bhfuil gach gníomh réasúnach déanta aige nó aici chun bheith deimhin de go bhfuil an ráiteas cruinn.
(d) Beidh sonraí i dtaobh na n-éileamh díospóidithe go léir, más ann, agus i dtaobh na n-éileamh go léir, más ann, a gheofar tar éis an lae dá dtagraítear in alt 11 san áireamh i ngach ráiteas a thabharfar faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(2) Más rud é, tar éis ráiteas a thabhairt faoi fho-alt (1), go ndéanfaidh cúirt ordú faoi alt 12 chun éileamh a íoc, déanfaidh an gníomhaire náisiúnta, an duine ainmnithe, an t-iarrthóir nó an duine dá dtagraítear in alt 6 (7), de réir mar a bheidh, tráth nach déanaí ná 7 lá tar éis dháta ordú na cúirte, cóip den ordú sin mar aon le ráiteas ar an tsuim is iníoctha faoin ordú a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(3) Is é dualgas gach gníomhaire náisiúnta, gach duine ainmnithe, gach iarrthóra nó gach duine eile ar a gceanglaítear leis an alt seo ráiteas a thabhairt agus dearbhú reachtúil a dhéanamh cibé fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh agus cibé taifid a choimeád is gá chun an ráiteas a thabhairt agus an dearbhú a dhéanamh.
(4) Más rud é go bhfaighidh iarrthóir a bheidh arna ainmniú nó arna hainmniú i dtoghchán bás—
(a) in aon cheann de na himthosca dá dtagraítear i bhfo-airteagal (1), (2) nó (3) d'airteagal 28 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1995, nó
(b) tar éis chríochnú na vótaíochta sa toghchán agus sula mbeidh ráiteas a cheanglaítear a thabhairt faoi fho-alt (1) (a) (iii) tugtha don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann i leith an iarrthóra sin,
ní bheidh gá leis an ráiteas sin a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(5) Más rud é go bhfaighidh duine lena mbaineann alt 6 (7) bás roimh dheireadh na tréimhse chun ráiteas a thabhairt faoi fho-alt (1), ní bheidh gá leis an ráiteas sin a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann.
Sonraí faoi na ráitis, etc. atá le tabhairt do chomhaltaí údaráis áitiúil.
14.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), a luaithe is féidir tar éis ráiteas agus dearbhú reachtúil arna dtabhairt de bhun fhomhír (ii) nó (iii) d'alt 13 (1) (a) a fháil déanfaidh cléireach nó rúnaí an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann cóip den ráiteas agus den dearbhú, maille le cóip d'aon orduithe cúirte iomchuí, a thabhairt do chomhaltaí an údaráis áitiúil sin.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfar earráid nó easnamh atá i ráiteas arna thabhairt de bhun fhomhír (ii) nó (iii) d'alt 13 (1) (a) a cheartú nó a shlánú, de réir mar a bheidh, de réir alt 18(2), déanfaidh cléireach nó rúnaí an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann cóip den ráiteas arna cheartú amhlaidh a thabhairt do chomhaltaí an údaráis áitiúil sin.
Saoradh maidir le neamhchomhlíonadh.
15.—(1) Más rud é, in aon imeachtaí dlí—
(a) go mainneoidh gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin nó aon chuid de ráiteas den sórt sin nó dearbhú reachtúil a bhí le tabhairt aige nó aici faoi alt 13 (1) (a) (i) a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó go bhfuil earráid, easnamh nó ráiteas bréagach nó míthreorach sa chéanna, nó
(b) go mainneoidh an duine ainmnithe ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin nó aon chuid de ráiteas den sórt sin nó dearbhú reachtúil a bhí le tabhairt aige nó aici faoi alt 13 (1) (a) (ii) a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann nó go bhfuil earráid, easnamh nó ráiteas bréagach nó míthreorach sa chéanna, nó
(c) go mainneoidh iarrthóir i dtoghchán ráiteas síntiús agus caiteachas toghcháin nó aon chuid de ráiteas den sórt sin nó dearbhú reachtúil a bhí le tabhairt aige nó aici faoi alt 13 (1) (a) (iii) a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann nó go bhfuil earráid, easnamh nó ráiteas bréagach nó míthreorach sa chéanna, nó
(d) go mainneoidh duine dá dtagraítear in alt 6 (7) ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin nó aon chuid de ráiteas den sórt sin nó dearbhú reachtúil a bhí le tabhairt aige nó aici faoi fhomhír (i) nó (ii) d'alt 13(1) (a) a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann nó go bhfuil earráid, easnamh nó ráiteas bréagach nó míthreorach sa chéanna,
beidh feidhm ag na forálacha sin ina dhiaidh seo den alt seo.
(2) I gcás ina suífear don Chúirt Chuarda gur tharla an mhainneachtain, an earráid, an t-easnamh nó an ráiteas bréagach nó míthreorach—
(a) mar gheall ar pháirtí sna himeachtaí a bheith breoite,
(b) má tá gníomhaire náisiúnta ina pháirtí nó ina páirtí sna himeachtaí, mar gheall ar bhás, breoiteacht, asláithreacht nó mí-iompar aon fhostaí nó iarfhostaí de chuid an ghníomhaire sin,
(c) má tá duine ainmnithe ina pháirtí nó ina páirtí sna himeachtaí, mar gheall ar bhás, breoiteacht, asláithreacht nó mí-iompar aon fhostaí nó iarfhostaí de chuid an duine sin,
(d) má tá iarrthóir ina pháirtí nó ina páirtí sna himeachtaí, mar gheall ar bhás, breoiteacht, asláithreacht nó mí-iompar aon fhostaí nó iarfhostaí de chuid an iarrthóra sin,
(e) má tá duine dá dtagraítear in alt 6 (7) ina pháirtí nó ina páirtí sna himeachtaí, mar gheall ar bhás, breoiteacht, asláithreacht nó mí-iompar aon fhostaí nó iarfhostaí de chuid an duine sin, nó
(f) mar gheall ar neamhaire nó ar chúis réasúnach eile nach bhfuil faillí ar thaobh an pháirtí sin sna himeachtaí, nó sárú feasach ag an bpáirtí sin ar fhorálacha an Achta seo, ag gabháil léi,
agus nár tharla an céanna mar gheall ar aon easpa bona fides ar thaobh an pháirtí sin sna himeachtaí agus i gcás na himeachtaí a bheith bunaithe go hiomlán nó go páirteach ar fhorais mí-iompair ar thaobh aon duine, gan an mí-iompar sin a bheith ceadaithe ag an bpáirtí sin sna himeachtaí nó gan eolas a bheith aige nó aici ina leith agus go ndearna an páirtí sin gach gníomh réasúnach chun an mí-iompar sin a chosc, ansin, féadfaidh an Chúirt Chuarda, ar iarratas chuici ón bpáirtí sin, ar a bheith deimhin di gur cuí déanamh amhlaidh, cibé ordú a dhéanamh, a mheasfaidh sí a bheith réasúnach, chun saoradh a thabhairt i leith na mainneachtana, na hearráide, an easnaimh nó an ráitis bhréagaigh nó míthreorach is ábhar do na himeachtaí.
(3) Maidir le hordú arna dhéanamh de bhua fho-alt (2)—
(a) déanfar an gníomhaire náisiúnta, an duine ainmnithe, an t-iarrthóir, nó an duine, de réir mar a bheidh, is ábhar do na himeachtaí, a shaoradh leis ó aon dliteanas nó iarmhairtí faoin Acht seo, agus
(b) féadfar a chur faoi deara leis go dtabharfar an saoradh ar an gcoinníoll gur i bhfoirm mhodhnaithe nó laistigh de thréimhse fhadaithe ama agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha eile a chomhlíonadh is dealraitheach don chúirt a bheith cuí chun éifeacht a thabhairt don Acht seo a thabharfar ráiteas a cheanglaítear a thabhairt faoi alt 13.
(4) Chun críocha an ailt seo, is í an Chúirt Chuarda iomchuí an chúirt sin a shuíonn i leith an chontae ina bhfuil príomhoifig an údaráis áitiúil chun a ndearnadh toghchán suite.
Cumhacht na cúirte faisnéis a éileamh.
16.—(1) Más rud é, le linn a bheith ag déileáil le himeachtaí dlí dá dtagraítear in alt 15, gur dealraitheach don Chúirt Chuarda gur dhiúltaigh nó gur mhainnigh aon duine ar gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta, duine ainmnithe nó iarrthóir i dtoghchán nó duine lena mbaineann alt 6 (7) atá nó a bhí ann nó inti ráiteas a thabhairt de bhun alt 13, nó na sonraí a thabhairt is gá chun comhlíonadh fhorálacha an Achta seo a chumasú i ndáil le ráiteas den sórt sin a thabhairt, féadfaidh an Chúirt Chuarda, sula ndéanfaidh sí ordú faoi alt 15, a ordú don duine sin freastal os a comhair.
(2) Mura rud é go suífidh duine dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) cúis dá mhalairt, féadfaidh an Chúirt Chuarda a ordú don duine sin—
(a) an ráiteas a éilítear faoi alt 13 a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann, nó
(b) cibé sonraí is cuí leis an gCúirt Chuarda a thabhairt laistigh de cibé tréimhse, do cibé duine agus i cibé slí a ordóidh sí, is sonraí atá ar seilbh nó ar fáil ag an duine sin agus is gá chun ráiteas den sórt sin a thabhairt, agus féadfaidh sí a cheangal ar an duine sin cibé míniú a sholáthar ar na sonraí sin a ordóidh an Chúirt Chuarda.
(3) Chun críocha an ailt seo, is í an Chúirt Chuarda iomchuí an chúirt sin a shuíonn i leith an chontae ina bhfuil príomhoifig an údaráis áitiúil chun a ndearnadh toghchán suite.
Ráitis agus toghchán úr.
17.—Más rud é go ndéanfar toghchán úr i dtoghlimistéar áitiúil nó i dtoghlimistéar faoi airteagal 28, 70 nó 71 de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1995, measfar gur toghchán chun críocha an Achta seo an toghchán bunaidh agus an toghchán úr agus déanfaidh an gníomhaire náisiúnta, an duine ainmnithe, an t-iarrthóir nó an duine dá dtagraítear in alt 6 (7) de réir mar is cuí forálacha an Achta seo, lena n-áirítear alt 13, a chomhlíonadh dá réir sin.
Athbhreithniú ag údarás áitiúil.
18.—(1) Déanfaidh cléireach nó rúnaí údaráis áitiúil gach ráiteas a thabharfar d'údarás áitiúil de bhun alt 13 a chlárú agus tabharfaidh sé nó sí, leis an bpost nó ar shlí eile, fógra i scríbhinn don duine a thabharfaidh an ráiteas sin á rá go bhfuarthas an ráiteas.
(2) Más rud é go n-aimseoidh an t-údarás áitiúil mionearráid nó mioneasnamh sa ráiteas, tabharfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil sonraí maidir leis an earráid nó an easnamh, de réir mar a bheidh, don iarrthóir nár éirigh leis nó léi, don chomhalta tofa, don duine ainmnithe, don ghníomhaire náisiúnta nó don duine eile lena mbaineann, de réir mar a bheidh, a thug an ráiteas agus cuirfidh an t-údarás áitiúil in iúl don duine sin go bhféadfaidh sé nó sí an earráid a cheartú nó an t-easnamh a shlánú laistigh den tréimhse 14 lá ón dáta a eiseofar an fógra chuig an duine sin.
(3) (a) Más rud é go bhfaighidh an t-údarás áitiúil gearán nó tuarascáil i scríbhinn, i ndáil le ráiteas a thabharfar dó de bhun alt 13, agus gurb é a thuairim go bhféadfadh sé go ndearnadh sárú ar an Acht seo, déanfaidh cléireach nó rúnaí an údaráis áitiúil sonraí faoin sárú a d'fhéadfadh a bheith déanta a thabhairt don duine a mbeidh an ráiteas tugtha aige nó aici agus cuirfidh cléireach nó rúnaí an údaráis áitiúil in iúl don duine sin go bhféadfaidh sé nó sí tráchtaí a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil maidir leis an ní laistigh de 14 lá ón dáta a eiseofar an fógra chuig an duine sin agus go mbreithneoidh an t-údarás áitiúil aon tráchtaí den sórt sin roimh an ní a bhreithniú tuilleadh.
(b) Más rud é go ndéanfaidh duine a n-eiseofar fógra chuige nó chuici faoi mhír (a) a thráchtaí nó a tráchtaí ar an ní dá dtagraítear san fhógra a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil laistigh den tréimhse dá dtagraítear i mír (a), tabharfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil aird ar na tráchtaí sin.
(c) Más rud é, tar éis breithniú a dhéanamh ar aon tráchtaí a dhéanfaidh duine a n-eiseofar fógra chuige nó chuici faoi mhír (a), nó i gcás ina mainneoidh an duine sin aon tráchtaí den sórt sin a dhéanamh, go leanfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil de bheith den tuairim go bhféadfadh sé go ndearnadh sárú ar fhorálacha an Achta seo, féadfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil imeachtaí achoimre a thionscnamh i gcoinne an duine lena mbaineann nó tuarascáil i scríbhinn maidir leis an ní (mar aon le haon doiciméad iomchuí nó aon rud eile a bheidh ina sheilbh) a thabhairt don Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí.
(4) D'ainneoin fhorálacha alt 10 (4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachtaí achoimre i leith ciona faoin Acht seo a thosú—
(a) aon tráth laistigh de 12 mhí ón dáta a rinneadh an cion,
(b) aon tráth laistigh de 6 mhí ón dáta a thiocfaidh fianaise is leor, i dtuairim an údaráis áitiúil a thionscnaíonn na himeachtaí, chun na himeachtaí a fhírinniú, ar iúl an údaráis sin,
cibé acu is déanaí, ach ní thionscnófar aon imeachtaí den sórt sin níos déanaí ná 5 bliana ón dáta a rinneadh an cion lena mbaineann.
(5) Féadfaidh údarás áitiúil cibé fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh is cuí leis agus féadfaidh sé a cheangal ar aon duine aon fhaisnéis, doiciméad nó rud a thabhairt atá ar seilbh nó ar fáil ag an duine agus a éileoidh an t-údarás áitiúil chun críocha a dhualgas faoin Acht seo.
(6) Maidir le húdarás áitiúil—
(a) déanfaidh sé, ó am go ham, treoirlínte a dhréachtú agus a fhoilsiú chuig daoine lena mbaineann foráil den Acht seo ar treoirlínte iad a bhaineann leis na bearta atá le déanamh ag na daoine sin chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfaidh siad an tAcht seo i gcoitinne, agus
(b) féadfaidh sé, ar iarraidh a fháil ó dhuine lena mbaineann foráil den Acht seo, comhairle a thabhairt don duine i ndáil le haon fhoráil den Acht seo nó i dtaobh fheidhm aon fhorála den sórt sin, in aon chás áirithe.
(7) Más rud é go ndéanfar iarraidh faoi fho-alt (6) (b) i ndáil le cás áirithe, ní bheidh feidhm, maidir leis an duine a rinne an iarraidh, ag forálacha alt 13 i ndáil leis an gcás sin i rith na tréimhse ó thráth déanta na hiarrata go dtí an uair a thugann an t-údarás áitiúil comhairle i ndáil leis an gcás nó a dhiúltaíonn an t-údarás áitiúil comhairle den sórt sin a thabhairt.
(8) Déanfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil, laistigh de 21 lá ón tráth a gheobhaidh sé iarraidh ar chomhairle faoi fho-alt (6) (b), an chomhairle a thabhairt don duine lena mbaineann nó fógra a thabhairt don duine faoina chinneadh diúltú déanamh amhlaidh.
Doiciméid a iniúchadh.
19.—(1) Déanfaidh údarás áitiúil na nithe seo a leanas a choinneáil ar feadh tréimhse dar críoch 3 bliana ar a laghad ón dáta is déanaí chun ráitis dá dtagraítear in alt 13 a thabhairt—
(a) gach ráiteas agus dearbhú arna thabhairt dó de bhun alt 13,
(b) cóip d'aon ordú cúirte arna dhéanamh de bhun alt 15 nó 16 agus a bhaineann leis an údarás áitiúil, agus
(c) cóip d'aon fhógra arna fhoilsiú de bhun fho-alt (2).
(2) Déanfaidh údarás áitiúil, laistigh de 14 lá tar éis an dáta is déanaí chun na ráitis dá dtagraítear in alt 13 a fháil, fógra a fhoilsiú i nuachtán a scaiptear ina limistéar feidhme—
(a) maidir leis an am agus leis an áit a bhféadfar na ráitis a iniúchadh, agus
(b) maidir le hainmneacha iarrthóirí nár éirigh leo, comhaltaí tofa, daoine ainmnithe, gníomhairí náisiúnta agus daoine dá dtagraítear in alt 6 (7) agus nár thug ráitis de réir alt 13.
(3) Ceadóidh údarás áitiúil d'aon duine aon doiciméid lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a iniúchadh, saor in aisce, agus cóip díobh nó sliocht astu a thógáil ar tháille a íoc nach mó ná an costas réasúnach cóipeála, cibé amanna agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a mheasfaidh an t-údarás is cuí.
CUID V
Dícháilíochtaí, Ionchúisimh agus Leasuithe Ilghnéitheacha
Díchailíochtaí.
20.—(1) Más rud é go mainneoidh iarrthóir nach n-éireoidh leis nó léi i dtoghchán ráiteas síntiús agus caiteachas toghcháin nó dearbhú reachtúil a thabhairt de bhun alt 13 (1) (a) (iii) don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann, laistigh den tréimhse atá sonraithe chuige sin, beidh an duine, ar éag don tréimhse shonraithe sin, dícháilithe le haghaidh comhaltais d'aon údarás áitiúil ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige chomhaltaí an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(2) Más rud é go mainneoidh comhalta d'údarás áitiúil a thoghfar sa toghchán ráiteas síntiús agus caiteachas toghcháin nó dearbhú reachtúil a thabhairt de bhun alt 13 (1) (a) (iii) don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann, laistigh den tréimhse atá sonraithe chuige sin, déanfar an comhalta a chur ar fionraí ó chomhaltas an údaráis ar feadh thréimhse 7 lá dar tosach deireadh na tréimhse atá sonraithe chuige sin, nó ar feadh tréimhse is lú dar críoch an tráth a chomhlíonfaidh an comhalta ceanglais alt 13, agus más rud é ag deireadh na tréimhse sin nach mbeidh ceanglais alt 13 comhlíonta ag an gcomhalta, beidh an comhalta dícháilithe le haghaidh comhaltais d'aon údarás áitiúil.
(3) Tiocfaidh dícháilíocht a éireoidh de bhun fho-alt (2) in éifeacht ar an ochtú lá tar éis an lae dheireanaigh chun ceanglais alt 13 a chomhlíonadh agus beidh feidhm ag an dícháilíocht, agus beidh éifeacht léi, ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige chomhaltaí an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(4) Más rud é go ndéanfaidh iarrthóir nach n-éireoidh leis nó léi nó comhalta tofa d'údarás áitiúil ráiteas síntiús agus caiteachas toghcháin a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann ar ráiteas é is eol don duine a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach i bponc ábhartha, féadfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann imeachtaí achoimre a thionscnamh i gcoinne an iarrthóra nach n-éireoidh leis nó léi nó i gcoinne an chomhalta thofa mar gheall ar dhearbhú reachtúil bréagach nó míthreorach a dhéanamh faoin Acht i dtaobh Dearbhuithe Reachtúla, 1938.
(5) Más rud é go gciontóidh cúirt duine i gcion tar éis imeachtaí arna dtionscnamh faoi fho-alt (4), beidh an duine, i dteannta aon phionóis a fhorchuirfidh an chúirt air nó uirthi, dícháilithe le haghaidh comhaltais d'aon údarás áitiúil agus beidh feidhm ag an dícháilíocht, agus beidh éifeacht léi, ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige chomhaltaí an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(6) Más rud é go dtiocfaidh comhalta d'údarás áitiúil chun bheith dícháilithe le haghaidh comhaltais d'údarás áitiúil de bhun fho-alt (2) nó (5), scoirfidh an duine sin, láithreach tar éis dó sin tarlú, de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den sórt sin agus beidh folúntas ann dá réir sin i gcomhaltas an údaráis áitiúil.
(7) Duine a scoirfidh de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'údarás áitiúil de bhun an ailt seo scoirfidh sé nó sí freisin, ar an scor sin, de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'aon chomhlacht ar thogh, ar ainmnigh nó ar cheap údarás áitiúil an duine sin chuige nó ar comhalta de an duine de bhua a bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'údarás áitiúil; ach ní fhorléireofar aon ní san fho-alt seo chun difear a dhéanamh do bhailíocht aon ní a rinne an duine sin roimhe sin le linn dó nó di a bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den chomhlacht sin.
Cionta agus pionóis.
21.—(1) Beidh gníomhaire náisiúnta páirtí polaitíochta ciontach i gcion más rud é i dtoghchán—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin nó dearbhú reachtúil a thabhairt de bhun alt 13 (1) (a) (i) don údarás áitiúil sonraithe laistigh den tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe chuige sin, nó
(b) go dtabharfaidh sé nó sí ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin don údarás áitiúil sonraithe ar ráiteas é is eol don ghníomhaire a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach i bponc ábhartha, nó
(c) go mainneoidh sé nó sí ar shlí eile forálacha alt 13 a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh duine ainmnithe ciontach i gcion más rud é i dtoghchán—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin nó dearbhú reachtúil a thabhairt de bhun alt 13 (1) (a) (ii) don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann laistigh den tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe chuige sin, nó
(b) go dtabharfaidh sé nó sí don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin is eol don duine a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach i bponc ábhartha, nó
(c) go mainneoidh sé nó sí ar shlí eile forálacha alt 13 a chomhlíonadh.
(3) Beidh duine lena mbaineann alt 6 (7) ciontach i gcion más rud é i dtoghchán—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí fógra a thabhairt don údarás áitiúil sonraithe nó don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann de réir an fho-ailt sin á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige nó aici caiteachais toghcháin a thabhú, nó
(b) go mainneoidh sé nó sí ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin nó dearbhú reachtúil a thabhairt de bhun fhomhír (i) nó (ii) d'alt 13 (1) (a) don údarás áitiúil iomchuí laistigh den tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe chuige sin, nó
(c) go dtabharfaidh sé nó sí don údarás áitiúil iomchuí ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin is eol don duine a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach i bponc ábhartha, nó
(d) go mainneoidh sé nó sí ar shlí eile forálacha alt 13 a chomhlíonadh.
(4) Beidh duine ciontach i gcion má dhéanann sé nó sí aon fhógrán nó fógra i ndáil le toghchán a airbheartaíonn leasanna páirtí polaitíochta nó iarrthóra sa toghchán sin a chur chun cinn, nó cur i gcoinne leasanna den sórt sin, a fhoilsiú i nuachtán, in iris nó i bhfoilseachán tréimhsiúil eile arb é nó í is foilsitheoir air nó uirthi ar iarraidh ó aon duine seachas gníomhaire náisiúnta nó duine ainmnithe de chuid páirtí polaitíochta, nó duine a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn ag an ngníomhaire nó ag an duine sin, nó iarrthóir sa toghchán nó duine a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn ag iarrthóir den sórt sin, mura rud é go ndéanfaidh an duine sin deimhniú ó údarás áitiúil dá dtagraítear in alt 6 (9) a thabhairt ar aird don fhoilsitheoir sin.
(5) (a) Más rud é go mbeidh duine ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo—
(i) dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 a chur air nó uirthi,
(ii) más rud é gur cion é an cion lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) (b), (2)(b) nó (3) (c), dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £20,000 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh tréimhse nach faide ná 3 bliana nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile a chur air nó uirthi.
(b) Más rud é go mbainfidh ciontú le mainneachtain ráiteas caiteachas toghcháin a thabhairt faoi alt 13, beidh an duine lena mbaineann ciontach i gcion breise ar gach lá a leanfar den mhainneachtain tar éis ciontú den sórt sin agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 a chur ar an duine lena mbaineann, in aghaidh gach ciona den sórt sin.
(6) Ní dhéanfar imeachtaí i leith ciona faoin alt seo a thionscnamh ach amháin ag an Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí nó le toiliú uaidh nó uaithi.
Costas ionchúiseamh.
22.—I gcás ina gciontófar duine i gcion in imeachtaí arna dtionscnamh ag údarás áitiúil faoin Acht seo, déanfaidh an chúirt, mura deimhin léi go bhfuil cúiseanna speisialta agus substaintiúla ann gan déanamh amhlaidh, a ordú don duine na costais agus na caiteachais, arna dtomhas ag an gcúirt, a thabhaigh an t-údarás áitiúil i ndáil leis an gcion a imscrúdú, a bhrath agus a ionchúiseamh agus i leith luach saothair agus caiteachas eile fostaithe, sainchomhairleoirí agus comhairleoirí, de réir mar a bheidh, a íoc leis an údarás áitiúil.
Achainí toghcháin áitiúil.
23.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Thoghcháin Áitiúla (Achainíocha agus Dícháilíochtaí), 1974:
(a) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (3) d'alt 4:
“(3A) I gcás ina líomhnófar in achainí go raibh neamhrialtacht ann nó nár comhlíonadh aon fhoráil den Acht um Thoghcháin Áitiúla (Síntiúis agus Caiteachas a Nochtadh), 1999, cibé acu roimh thoradh an toghcháin áitiúil a fhógairt ag an gceann comhairimh nó dá éis, d'ainneoin go mb'fhéidir gur tíolacadh nó gur triaileadh roimhe sin achainí eile maidir leis an toghchán céanna, féadfar an achainí a thíolacadh laistigh den ocht lá is fiche tar éis d'údarás áitiúil fógra a fhoilsiú faoi alt 19 (2).”,
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (1) d'alt 5:
“(1A) Ní dhearbhófar toghchán áitiúil a bheith neamhbhailí mar gheall ar aon fhoráil den Acht um Thoghcháin Áitiúla (Síntiúis agus Caiteachas a Nochtadh), 1999, a bheith gan chomhlíonadh, nó mar gheall ar dhearmad in úsáid foirmeacha dá bhforáiltear i rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoin Acht sin, más dealraitheach don chúirt gur chomhlíon iarrthóir, gníomhaire náisiúnta, duine ainmnithe (de réir bhrí an Achta sin) nó duine lena mbaineann alt 6 (7) den Acht sin, de réir mar a bheidh, na prionsabail atá leagtha síos san Acht sin arna nglacadh ina n-iomláine agus nach ndearna an neamhchomhlíonadh nó an dearmad sin difear ábhartha do thoradh an toghcháin.”.
Leasú ar alt 6 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1994.
24.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 6 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1994, trí fho-ailt (1) (g) agus (3) a scriosadh.
CUID VI
Taighde ar Thoghcháin Áitiúla agus ar Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa.
Taighde ar mhodhanna leictreonacha chun vótaí a thaifeadadh agus a chomhaireamh.
25.—(1) (a) Chun críche taighde a bhaineann le modhanna leictreonacha a thabhairt isteach le haghaidh taifeadadh vótaí ag toghthóirí ar pháipéir bhallóide agus le haghaidh chomhaireamh na vótaí sin agus d'ainneoin aon ní dá mhalairt—
(i) atá in alt 20 (1) den Acht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997, agus i gCuid XII den Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin, nó
(ii) atá i gCuid XIV de na Rialacháin um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1995 (I.R. Uimh. 297 de 1995),
féadfaidh an tAire, i leith aon toghcháin a dhéanfar sa bhliain 1999 chun daoine a thoghadh mar chomhaltaí de Pharlaimint na hEorpa nó d'údarás áitiúil, foráil a dhéanamh le hordú i dtaobh iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar pháipéir bhallóide a mbeidh comhaireamh déanta orthu agus, dá réir sin, aon tagairtí sa Chuid XII sin nó sa Chuid XIV sin—
(I) a bhaineann le páipéir bhallóide a choinneáil sa tslí a fhoráiltear, ní bheidh feidhm acu go feadh an méid a ndéanfaidh an tAire foráil ina leith le hordú faoin bhfo-alt seo, agus
(II) a bhaineann le páipéir bhallóide a scriosadh ag deireadh na tréimhse a bheidh luaite sna forálacha sin, beidh feidhm acu faoi réir cibé tréimhse is faide a ndéanfaidh an tAire foráil ina leith le hordú faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(b) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), féadfaidh an tAire, maidir le cibé aicme nó aicmí daoine a shonraítear san ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo—
(i) a údarú di nó dóibh taighde a dhéanamh chun críocha an ailt seo, nó
(ii) a údarú faisnéis nó cuid shonraithe d'fhaisnéis a nochtadh di nó dóibh.
(c) Féadfaidh cibé nithe eile a mheasfaidh an tAire a leanann as críocha an fho-ailt seo nó atá riachtanach dóibh a bheith in ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(d) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(2) Maidir le taighde a dhéantar de bhua fho-alt (1) déanfar é ar shlí a chinnteoidh nach nochtfar, de dhroim an taighde sin a dhéanamh, an tslí inar vótáil aon vótálaí.
(3) Ní dhéanfar aon taighde de bhua fho-alt (1) i dtaca le haon toghlach, toghlimistéar nó toghlimistéar áitiúil go dtí deireadh na tréimhse atá sonraithe chun achainí a thíolacadh ina ndéantar an toghchán do Pharlaimint na hEorpa nó an toghchán áitiúil a thabhairt faoi cheist nó, má thaisctear achainí toghcháin sa chúirt i dtaca le haon toghlach, toghlimistéar nó toghlimistéar áitiúil den sórt sin, go dtí go ndéanfaidh an chúirt ordú lena gcinntear an ní atá faoi shaincheist san achainí nó i gcás achomhairc ar cheist dlí in aghaidh na breithe ón gcúirt, go dtí go gcinnfear an ní go críochnaitheach.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ag gabháil in aon cháil don taighde dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) agus a dhéanfaidh aon fhaisnéis a fhaightear le linn an taighde sin a chur in iúl d'aon duine gan údarú dleathach, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 a chur air nó uirthi.
(5) San alt seo ciallaíonn “údarú dleathach” údarú atá de réir ordaithe arna dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) agus nach sáraíonn fo-alt (2).