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Uimhir 8 de 1974
AN tACHT UM THOGHCHÁIN ÁITIÚLA (ACHAINÍOCHA AGUS DÍCHAILÍOCHTAÍ), 1974
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1941” an tAcht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1963” an tAcht Toghcháin, 1963;
ciallaíonn “cléireach” an cléireach baile do bhardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile, do chomhairle ceantair uirbigh nó do choimisinéirí baile;
folaíonn “costais” muirir agus caiteachais;
folaíonn “contae” contae-bhuirg ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt;
ciallaíonn “cionta toghcháin” cionta faoi aon reacht nó ionstraim reachtúil a bhaineann le toghcháin áitiúla;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil” comhairle contae, bardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile, comhairle ceantair uirbigh nó coimisinéirí baile;
ciallaíonn “toghchán áitiúil” toghchán de bhun alt 81 d'Acht 1963 nó toghchán nua de réir brí Chuid IV d'Acht 1941;
ciallaíonn “toghlimistéar áitiúil” an limistéar nó aon cheann de na limistéir (de réir mar is cuí) ar dá réir a dhéantar toghchán áitiúil;
folaíonn “comhalta” ardmhéara, méara, cathaoirleach, leaschathaoirleach, seanóir, comhairleoir agus coimisinéir baile;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Rialtais Áitiúil ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt;
ciallaíonn “achainí” achainí arna tíolacadh faoin Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “ceann comhairimh” rúnaí nó cléireach údaráis áitiúil agus folaíonn sé duine arna cheapadh ag an rúnaí nó ag an gcléireach sin le gníomhú mar leascheann comhairimh chun comhaltaí an údaráis sin a thoghadh;
ciallaíonn “rúnaí” rúnaí comhairle contae.
(2) Ach amháin a mhéid a éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, déanfar aon tagairt san Acht seo d'aon achtachán eile a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú nó arna chur chun feidhme le haon achtachán eile (lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo) nó faoi.
(3) Déanfar aon tagairt san Acht seo do chruinniú nó do chomhalta údaráis áitiúil a fhorléiriú, i gcás gur bardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile an t-údarás áitiúil atá i dtrácht, mar thagairt do chruinniú nó do chomhalta den chomhairle atá bunaithe le dlí i leith na contae-bhuirge nó na buirge eile sin.
(4) Déanfar aon tagairt san Acht seo d'oifigeach áirithe a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt d'aon duine atá ceaptha go cuí mar ionadaí don oifigeach sin nó le gníomhú in ionad an oifigigh sin le linn dó bheith as láthair nó faoi éagumas nó le linn folúntas a bheith ina oifig.
Toghchán áitiúil a thabhairt faoi cheist.
2.—(1) Féadfar toghchán áitiúil a thabhairt faoi cheist trí achainí chun na Cúirte Cuarda agus is mar sin amháin a fhéadfar é a thabhairt faoi cheist.
(2) Má dhealraíonn sé don Ard-Aighne difear a bheith déanta do thoghchán áitiúil de bharr cionta toghcháin, féadfaidh sé an toghchán a thabhairt faoi cheist de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo.
Urrús i leith costas.
3.—(1) Ní ghlacfar le hachainí, seachas achainí arna tíolacadh ag an Ard-Aighne, lena taisceadh sa chúirt mura dtaiscfidh an t-achainíoch, i dteannta na hachainí, urrús i leith na gcostas a thiocfadh chun bheith iníoctha aige.
(2) Suim trí chéad punt méid an urrúis a cheanglaíonn fo-alt (1) den alt seo a thabhairt agus tabharfar é trí chúirtbhannaí faoina rachaidh aon líon nach mó ná ceithre cinn d'urraithe lena nglacfaidh an chúirt nó trí airgead a thaisceadh, nó go páirteach ar shlí amháin agus go páirteach ar an tslí eile.
Achainí a thíolacadh.
4.—(1) Féadfaidh aon duine a bhfuil ocht mbliana déag d'aois slán aige achainí a thíolacadh agus tíolacfar í trína taisceadh in oifig an chláraitheora contae don chontae ina bhfuil príomh-oifig an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann an achainí.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo, ní thíolacfar achainí ach amháin laistigh den ocht lá is fiche tar éis toradh an toghcháin a dhearbhú.
(3) Faoi réir alt 19 den Acht seo, i gcás ina líomhnófar in achainí go ndearnadh breabaireacht agus ina líomhnófar go sonrach gur tugadh nó gur ghluais íocaíocht nó comaoin eile tar éis toradh an toghcháin áitiúil a dhearbhú, ansin, 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 an lae a líomhnaítear a tugadh nó a ghluais an íocaíocht nó an chomaoin sin.
(4) I gcás achainí a bheith taiscthe leis an gcúirt, déanfaidh an t-achainíoch, a luaithe is féidir, cóip den achainí a thabhairt—
(a) d'aon duine a mbaineann an achainí lena thoghadh,
(b) don Aire,
(c) do rúnaí nó do chléireach an údaráis áitiúil iomchuí, agus
(d) ach amháin i gcás achainí arna tíolacadh ag an Ard-Aighne, don Ard-Aighne.
Forais achainí.
5.—(1) Faoi réir alt 82 (6) d'Acht 1963, féadfar toghchán áitiúil a thabhairt faoi cheist ar fhoras díth cáilíochta, seoladh an toghcháin a bhac nó a chosc nó a thoirmeasc ar aon bhealach eile, nó dearmad nó mírialacht eile ar dhóigh dóibh, dá gcruthófaí iad, difear a dhéanamh do thoradh an toghcháin agus gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo, féadfar aon fhoras acu seo a leanas a shonrú in achainí:
(a) bhain earráid don toghchán áitiúil nó níor críochnaigh an ceann comhairimh é nó ní dhearna sé, ar shlí eile, é a sheoladh de réir dlí,
(b) bhain cionta toghcháin le toghchán áitiúil,
(c) bhí duine i dtoghchán áitiúil gan bheith cáilithe, ar dháta a ainmnithe, le bheith ina chomhalta den údarás áitiúil iomchuí.
(2) D'ainneoin aon fhorála eile den Acht seo, ní dhíbheofar achainí mar gheall ar aon neamhfhoirmiúlacht inti nach ndéanann difear ábhartha dá brí.
Sonraí in achainí.
6.—Sonróidh achainí—
(a) an toghchán áitiúil lena mbaineann sí,
(b) na forais atá léi,
(c) an leigheas a iarrann sí, agus
(d) ainm agus seoladh an achainígh agus a aturnae nó a ghníomhaire, más ann,
agus beidh sí sínithe ag an achainíoch.
Achainí a thriail.
7.—(1) Is é a thriailfidh achainí Breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda a bheidh sannta de thuras na huaire don chuaird ina bhfuil príomhoifig an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann an achainí agus, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, déanfar tagairtí san Acht seo don chúirt a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don Chúirt Chuarda.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas maidir le hachainí a thriail:
(a) nuair a bheidh dáta na trialach á shocrú agus an triail á seoladh, déileálfaidh an chúirt leis an ábhar a luaithe is féidir le réasún;
(b) is sa chontae ina bhfuil príomh-oifig an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann an achainí a bheidh an triail;
(c) d'ainneoin aon duine a mbaineann achainí lena thoghadh d'fháil bháis, nó d'éirí as oifig mar chomhalta den údarás áitiúil iomchuí nó do scor ar dhóigh éigin eile de bheith ina chomhalta den sórt sin, leanfar den triail go dtí go gcinnfear a toradh;
(d) féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne ionadaí uaidh a bheith ag an triail agus bheith páirteach inti mar pháirtí, ar aon chéim di, ar fhoriarratas uaidh féin nó ar iarratas ón gcúirt;
(e) beidh an ceann comhairimh don toghchán áitiúil iomchuí, ar an gcúirt á iarraidh sin, i láthair ag an triail agus tabharfaidh sé cibé cúnamh a iarrfaidh an chúirt air, ach sin gan dochar do é a bheith ina pháirtí sna himeachtaí ná d'aon pháirtí den sórt sin glaoch air mar fhinné.
(3) Féadfaidh aon pháirtí in achainí achomharc a dhéanamh ar cheist dlí chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí in aghaidh cinneadh ón gcúirt ar an achainí agus faoi réir an mhéid sin roimhe seo is cinneadh críochnaitheach neamhinachomhairc an cinneadh.
(4) Chun críocha alt 22 d'Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961, is caingean de réir brí Chuid III den Acht sin achainí.
Vótaí a chomhaireamh as an nua.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt, chun críocha achainí a thriail, a ordú, más cuí léi—
(a) go ndéanfar na vótaí go léir a caitheadh sa toghchán a chomhaireamh as an nua,
(b) go ndéanfar na vótaí go léir a caitheadh amhlaidh i dtoghlimistéar áirithe a chomhaireamh amhlaidh, nó
(c) go ndéanfar na vótaí go léir a caitheadh amhlaidh agus a bheidh taifeadta ar na páipéir bhallóide i mbeartán áirithe a chomhaireamh amhlaidh,
agus má ordaíonn an chúirt amhlaidh, beidh éifeacht ag forálacha na bhfo-alt seo a leanas.
(2) Déanfar vótaí lena mbaineann ordú faoin alt seo a chomhaireamh as an nua faoi stiúradh na cúirte agus, faoi réir fho-ailt (3) agus (4) den alt seo agus cibé modhnuithe (más ann) a mheasfaidh an chúirt a bheith riachtanach, beidh feidhm maidir leis an gcomhaireamh sin ag forálacha aon rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire faoi alt 82 d'Acht 1963 a bhaineann le comhaireamh vótaí i dtoghchán áitiúil.
(3) I gcás vótaí a chomhaireamh as an nua de bhun ordú faoin alt seo, cuirfidh an chúirt faoi deara neamhshuim a dhéanamh díobh seo a leanas:
(a) vótaí roghna a taifeadadh ar pháipéir bhallóide atá neamhbhailí de bhua rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire de bhun alt 82 d'Acht 1963,
(b) vótaí roghna a taifeadadh ar pháipéir bhallóide bhrionnaithe nó ghóchumtha, agus
(c) vótaí roghna a taifeadadh d'aon duine a gcinnfidh an chúirt, maidir leis an toghchán iomchuí, nach raibh sé cáilithe le bheith ina chomhalta den údarás áitiúil.
(4) Beidh cumhacht ag an gcúirt aon chinneadh a rinne ceann comhairimh le linn an chomhairimh thosaigh a fhreaschur.
(5) Is é an t-údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann a íocfaidh na costais a ghabhfaidh le éifeacht a thabhairt d'ordú faoin alt seo.
Achainí a tharraingt siar.
9.—(1) Ní tharraingeofar achainí siar gan cead ón gcúirt agus le linn don chúirt bheith ag tabhairt an cheada sin ní mór di a bheith sásta gurbh fhógra réasúnach an fógra a thug an t-achainíoch de bhun fho-ailt (3) agus (4) den alt seo, agus i dteannta an mhéid sin roimhe seo, i gcás gur líon is mó ná duine amháin a thíolaic achainí, ní mór don chúirt, sula dtabharfaidh sí an cead sin, a bheith sásta go dtoilíonn na hachainígh go léir leis an tarraingt siar.
(2) Ach amháin i gcás achainí arna tíolacadh ag an Ard-Aighne, cuirfidh an t-achainíoch, nuair a bheidh cead á iarraidh aige an achainí a tharraingt siar, faoi bhráid na cúirte mionnscríbhinn a inseoidh:
(a) na cúiseanna leis an tarraingt siar atá beartaithe, agus
(b) nach ndearnadh ná nár tugadh, de réir mar is fearr is eol don achainíoch agus mar a chreideann sé, comhaontú ná gealltanas maidir leis an achainí a tharraingt siar i gcomaoin aon íocaíochta nó scor de chomhaltas údaráis áitiúil nó ar aon chúis mhór eile nach luaitear sa mhionnscríbhinn.
(3) Tabharfaidh an t-achainíoch fógra go bhfuil ar intinn aige cead a iarraidh achainí a tharraingt siar trí fhógra sa chéill sin a fhoilsiú in dhá nuachtán ar a laghad a léitear sa toghlimistéar áitiúil lena mbaineann an achainí agus luafaidh an fógra freisin an tráth agus an áit a n-éistfear an t-iarratas agus gur féidir le haon duine a iarraidh ar an gcúirt é féin a chur in ionad an achainígh.
(4) Ach amháin i gcás achainí arna tíolacadh ag an Ard-Aighne, tabharfaidh an t-achainíoch don Ard-Aighne cóip den mhionnscríbhinn a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo mar aon le fógra faoin tráth agus faoin áit a n-éistfear an t-iarratas agus féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne ionadaí uaidh a bheith i láthair le linn an iarratais agus féadfaidh sé, más cuí leis, cur i gcoinne an iarratais.
(5) I gcás gur líon is mó ná duine amháin a thíolaic an achainí, ní mór do na hachainígh go léir an mhionnscríbhinn a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo a dhéanamh mura n-ordóidh an chúirt a mhalairt.
(6) Ní dhéanfaidh achainí a tharraingt siar de bhun an ailt seo difear do dhliteanas aon duine (nó a eastáit) costais a tabhaíodh roimhe sin a íoc.
Pionós mar gheall ar achainí a tharraingt siar go héillitheach.
10.—Beidh aon duine ciontach i gcion a dhéanfaidh aon chomhaontú nó a thabharfaidh aon ghealltanas maidir le hachainí a tharraingt siar i gcomaoin aon íocaíochta nó scor de chomhaltas údaráis áitiúil nó ar aon chúis mhór eile nach mbeidh luaite sa mhionnscríbhinn dá dtagraítear in alt 9 (2) den Acht seo agus, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, dlífear príosúnacht ar feadh aon téarma nach faide ná trí mhí nó fíneáil nach mó ná trí chéad punt nó, de rogha na cúirte a chiontaigh é, an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile a chur air.
Achainíoch nua nuair a tharraingítear siar.
11.—(1) Ar iarratas a éisteacht ag iarraidh cead achainí a tharraingt siar, féadfaidh aon duine a iarraidh ar an gcúirt é féin a cheapadh mar achainíoch ionaid, agus féadfaidh an chúirt, más cuí léi, é a cheapadh amhlaidh.
(2) I gcás ina gceapfaidh an chúirt achainíoch ionaid faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo agus gur dóigh léi gur de thoradh aon chomhaontú nó gealltanas a ndearbhaítear le halt 10 den Acht seo gur cion é a dhéanamh nó a thabhairt a rinneadh an t-iarratas ar chead chun an achainí a tharraingt siar, féadfaidh an chúirt ordú a thabhairt go bhfanfaidh an t-urrús i leith costas a thug an t-achainíoch tosaigh mar urrús i leith na gcostas a thabhóidh an t-achainíoch ionaid agus go ndlífidh an t-achainíoch tosaigh agus a urraithe, más ann, costais an achainígh ionaid a íoc go feadh méid na suime a bheidh luaite san urrús.
Achainígh ionaid.
12.—(1) Faoi réir alt 11 (2) den Acht seo, beidh achainíoch ionaid, a mhéid is féidir é, ar aon staid agus faoi réir na ndliteanas céanna leis an achainíoch tosaigh.
(2) I gcás ina gceapfaidh an chúirt achainíoch ionaid faoi alt 11 den Acht seo agus nach dtabharfaidh sí ordú faoi fho-alt (2) den alt sin, nó i gcás ina gceapfaidh an chúirt achainíoch ionaid faoi alt 13 den Acht seo, tabharfaidh an t-achainíoch ionaid an t-urrús a cheanglaítear le halt 3 den Acht seo i gcás achainí nua agus faoi réir na gcoinníollacha céanna, agus i gcás nach dtabharfar an t-urrús sin amhlaidh ní bheidh aon imeachtaí eile ann ar an achainí agus rachaidh an achainí ar ceal, ach ní dhéanfaidh an cealú difear do dhliteanas aon duine (nó a eastáit) costais a tabhaíodh roimhe sin a íoc.
Achainí do dhul ar ceal.
13.—(1) Rachaidh achainí ar ceal ar éag d'achainíoch aonair nó do mharthanóir achainíoch iomaí.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh cealú achainí de bhua fho-alt (1) den alt seo difear do dhliteanas an achainígh nó aon duine eile (nó a eastáit) costais a tabhaíodh roimhe sin a íoc.
(3) Tráth ar bith laistigh den cheithre lá dhéag tar éis lá aon chealaithe den sórt sin, féadfaidh aon duine a iarraidh ar an gcúirt é a cheapadh mar achainíoch ionaid agus féadfaidh an chúirt, más cuí léi, é a cheapadh mar achainíoch ionaid dá réir sin, agus i gcás ina ndéanfaidh an chúirt ordú faoin alt seo tiocfaidh feidhm san achainí arís.
Ábhair a bhaineann le hordú críochnaitheach ar achainí a thriail.
14.—(1) Nuair a bheifear ag triail achainí nach ndíbhfidh an chúirt, cinnfidh an chúirt an t-ábhar atá i saincheist san achainí agus beidh ina hordú ag cinneadh na hachainí—
(a) dearbhú ar thoradh ceart an toghcháin áitiúil, nó
(b) má mheasann sí nach féidir léi toradh ceart an toghcháin a chinneadh, dearbhú go raibh an toghchán go léir nó cuid shonraithe den toghchán neamhfheidhmiúil maille le ráiteas ag insint na gcúiseanna leis an dearbhú a dhéanamh.
(2) Beidh de chumhacht ag an gcúirt cibé leasuithe a mheasfaidh sí is gá de dhroim a breithe ar achainí a dhéanamh ar an bhfreagra faoi dhaoine a toghadh a thug ceann comhairimh d'údarás áitiúil.
(3) Déanfaidh an chúirt cóip den ordú do chinneadh na hachainí a thabhairt láithreach do gach n-aon díobh seo a leanas, is é sin, aon duine a mbaineann an t-ordú lena thoghadh, an tAire, rúnaí nó cléireach an údaráis áitiúil iomchuí agus an tArd-Aighne.
Éifeacht dearbhuithe áirithe ón gcúirt.
15.—(1) Má dhearbhaítear san ordú ón gcúirt i dtaobh achainí nár toghadh duine go cuí mar chomhalta d'údarás áitiúil nó nach raibh sé cáilithe le bheith ina chomhalta d'údarás áitiúil nó go raibh an toghchán go léir nó cuid de neamhfheidhmiúil, scoirfidh an duine lena mbainfidh an dearbhú, nó aon duine a toghadh sa toghchán neamhfheidhmiúil sin nó sa chuid neamhfheidhmiúil sin de thogchán (de réir mar a bheidh) de bheith ina chomhalta den údarás áitiúil an lá (ach ní roimh an lá) díreach i ndiaidh an lae a gheobhaidh rúnaí nó cléireach an údaráis áitiúil cóip den ordú ón gcúirt arna thabhairt de bhun alt 14 den Acht seo agus, faoi réir alt 16 den Acht seo agus fho-alt (2) den alt seo, beidh folúntas ann dá réir sin.
(2) Má dhearbhaíonn ordú a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo gur fionnadh, in áit aon duine áirithe a ndearbhaíonn an t-ordú nár toghadh go cuí é nó nach raibh sé cáilithe le bheith ina chomhalta d'údarás áitiúil, duine sonraithe eile seachas é a bheith tofa, beidh an duine eile sin arna thoghadh mar chomhalta den údarás áitiúil an lá (ach ní roimh an lá) díreach i ndiaidh an lae a gheobhaidh rúnaí nó cléireach an údaráis áitiúil cóip den ordú mar a dúradh.
(3) Faoi réir alt 16 den Acht seo, má bhíonn ordú ón gcúirt ag cinneadh achainí gan an dearbhú a thuairiscítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo a bheith ann, áireofar agus líonfar mar chorrfholúntais na folúntais a tharlóidh de thoradh an ordaithe i gcomhaltas an údaráis áitiúil lena mbaineann.
(4) Déanfaidh an rúnaí nó an cléireach, a luaithe is féidir tar éis cóip d'ordú a bheith tugtha dó de bhun alt 14 den Acht seo, fógra a thabhairt do gach comhalta den údarás áitiúil ag insint téarmaí an ordaithe.
(5) I gcás freagra a bheith tugtha gur toghadh duine ina chomhalta d'údarás áitiúil agus, tar éis an freagra sin a bheith tugtha faoi, go suífidh an duine, go vótálfaidh sé nó go mbeidh sé páirteach ar dhóigh éigin eile mar chomhalta i ngnó an údaráis nó go n-airbheartóidh sé aon ní a dhéanamh de bhua bheith ina chomhalta den údarás agus go ndearbhóidh an chúirt freisin nár toghadh go cuí é chun fónamh mar chomhalta den údarás nó nach raibh sé cáilithe le bheith ina chomhalta den údarás, ansin, d'fhonn amhras a sheachaint, dearbhaítear leis seo gur ní bailí éifeachtúil, d'ainneoin an ordaithe, aon ní a rinne an duine sin le linn dó bheith páirteach amhlaidh agus aon ní a airbheartaíonn go ndearnadh amhlaidh é, an lá, nó roimh an lá, a gheobhaidh rúnaí nó cléireach an údaráis áitiúil cóip den ordú sin mar a dúradh.
(6) I gcás ina ndícháileoidh ordú faoin alt seo duine ó bheith ina chomhalta d'údarás áitiúil, scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta d'aon chomhlacht eile chun ar ceapadh é mar ionadaí don údarás áitiúil sin.
Ábhair a leanann as achainí.
16.—Más rud é, de thoradh achainí a chinneadh ag cúirt, go ndearbhófar toghchán a bheith neamhfheidhmiúil, nó gur lú ná an córam is gá le haghaidh cruinnithe den údarás áitiúil an líon daoine a toghadh go bailí ina gcomhaltaí den údarás, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha seo a leanas:
(a) measfar nach ndearnadh an toghchán lena mbaineann an achainí agus measfar nár tháinig na daoine a toghadh sa toghchán sin in oifig,
(b) gach gníomh a rinneadh tar éis an toghchán sin a chríochnú agus ar an lá nó roimh an lá a fuair rúnaí nó cléireach an údaráis áitiúil cóip den ordú ag cinneadh na hachainí ar gníomh é a rinne na daoine nó duine amháin nó níos mó de na daoine a dearbhaíodh a bheith tofa sa toghchán sin agus a d'airbheartaigh gur gníomh é a rinne an t-údarás áitiúil, beidh an gníomh sin chomh bailí éifeachtúil agus dá mbeadh na daoine go léir a dearbhaíodh a bheith tofa sa toghchán sin tofa go bailí agus cáilithe chun gníomhú mar chomhaltaí den údarás áitiúil,
(c) gach gníomh den sórt sin a rinne duine aonair a dearbhaíodh a bheith tofa sa toghchán sin agus a toghadh dá éis sin chun oifige mar chathaoirleach, leas-chathaoirleach, ardmhéara nó méara an údaráis áitiúil agus a d'airbheartaigh gur gníomh é a rinneadh de bhua na hoifige sin, beidh an gníomh sin chomh bailí éifeachtúil agus dá mbeadh na daoine go léir a dearbhaíodh a bheith tofa sa toghchán sin tofa go bailí agus cáilithe chun gníomhú mar chomhaltaí den údarás áitiúil agus gur toghadh an duine aonair sin go bailí chun na hoifige sin, agus
(d) faoi réir na bhforálacha sin roimhe seo den alt seo, beidh éifeacht ag Cuid IV d'Acht 1941 maidir leis an údarás áitiúil amhail is dá mba gur cuireadh comhaltaí an údaráis áitiúil sin as oifig faoin gCuid sin díreach tar éis dóibh teacht in oifig nó, má ba thoghchán nua de réir brí na Coda sin an toghchán sin, amhail is dá mba gur cuireadh na comhaltaí sin as oifig amhlaidh arís faoin gCuid sin.
Toghchán nua i gcásanna áirithe.
17.—Má tharlaíonn de thoradh ordú ó chúirt gur lú líon na ndaoine a toghadh go bailí i dtoghlimistéar ná tromlach na gcomhaltaí sin measfar nach raibh an toghchán sin ann agus beidh toghchán nua sa toghlimistéar sin faoi Chuid IV den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941.
Ní dhéanfar beart in imthosca áirithe chun folúntas in údarás áitiúil a líonadh.
18.—Ní dhéanfar, ach amháin comhaltaí uile údaráis áitiúil a thoghadh, aon bheart chun folúntas a líonadh a tharla i gcomhaltas údaráis áitiúil de bharr duine a bhí ina chomhalta de d'fháil bháis nó d'éirí as oifig nó do scor ar shlí eile de bheith ina chomhalta de le linn triail achainí a bhain leis a bheith ar feitheamh nó ar siúl.
Bailíocht toghcháin áitiúil.
19.—Mura ndéanfar toghchán áitiúil a thabhairt faoi cheist trí achainí sa tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag dar tosach an lá a dhearbhófar an toradh, ní dhéanfar, amhail ar éag agus ó éag na tréimhse sin, an toghchán a thabhairt faoi cheist ar aon fhoras agus measfar an toghchán a bheith bailí chun gach críche.
Finnéithe.
20.—(1) Beidh an chúirt i dteideal dá rogha féin ordú a thabhairt, aon tráth le linn achainí a bheith á triail, duine áirithe a thabhairt os comhair na cúirte agus go dtabharfaidh sé fianaise ag an triail, agus i gcás ina dtabharfaidh an chúirt ordú den sórt sin áireofar mar chuid de chostais na hachainí na costais a thabhófar ag tabhairt an duine sin os comhair na cúirte (lena n-áirítear aon airgead is iníoctha leis mar chaiteachas finné).
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo, aon duine a nglaofar air mar fhinné le linn achainí a bheith á triail ní shaorfar é ó aon cheist a fhreagairt maidir le haon chion sa toghchán áitiúil iomchuí nó i ndáil leis an toghchán sin ar an bhforas go ndéanfadh nó go bhféadfadh freagairt na ceiste sin é a inchoiriú nó ar fhoras pribhléide; ach sin ar an gcoinníoll—
(a) go mbeidh finné a shásóidh an chúirt gur fhreagair sé go fírinneach na ceisteanna go léir a cheangail an chúirt air a fhreagairt i dteideal deimhniú a fháil ón gcúirt á rá gur fhreagair an finné amhlaidh, agus
(b) nach mbeidh freagra ó fhinné a fuair deimhniú den sórt sin ar cheist a cuireadh le linn achainí a bheith á triail nach mbeidh sé, ach amháin i gcás aon imeachta coiriúla mar gheall ar mhionnú éithigh i leith na fianaise, in aon imeacht, sibhialta nó coiriúil, inghlactha i bhfianaise ina choinne.
(3) Ní cheanglófar ar dhuine, le linn achainí a bheith á triail, a rá conas a vótáil sé ná cé dó ar vótáil sé.
(4) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a dhéanann difear do cheart aon pháirtí in achainí aon duine a ghairm mar fhinné.
Costais achainí.
21.—(1) Is de réir mar is rogha leis an gcúirt a shocrófar na costais go léir, seachas na costais a bhaineann le vótaí a chomhaireamh as an nua faoi alt 8 den Acht seo, a bhaineann nó a ghabhann le hachainí agus beidh de chumhacht ag an gcúirt a ordú go mbeidh na costais sin nó aon chuid de na costais sin a thabhaigh aon pháirtí san achainí le híoc ag páirtí éigin eile dá shórt, agus, i gcás ina n-ordófar go mbeidh na costais nó aon chuid de na costais a thabhaigh aon pháirtí den sórt sin le híoc ag an achainíoch, déanfaidh an chúirt socruithe, más gá, le go n-íocfar na costais sin, go feadh méid na suime a bheidh ainmnithe san urrús a thug an t-achainíoch, amach as an urrús sin nó tríd.
(2) Gan dochar d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo, más léir leis an gcúirt ar achainí a thriail, go ndearna aon duine nó daoine cionta toghcháin i ndáil leis an toghchán iomchuí, féadfaidh an chúirt, tar éis di caoi a thabhairt don duine nó do na daoine sin éisteacht a fháil chun cúis a shuíomh nach ndéanfaí an t-ordú, a ordú, más cuí léi, go n-íocfaidh an duine sin nó na daoine sin nó aon duine nó daoine díobh na costais go léir nó cuid de na costais a bhain leis an achainí seachas na costais a bhain le comhaireamh vótaí as an nua faoi alt 8 den Acht seo, agus féadfaidh sí a ordú, i gcás nach féidir na costais sin a ghnóthú go hiomlán ón duine nó ó na daoine, go n-íocfaidh duine nó daoine eile de na daoine sin na costais sin.
Costais a dámhadh in aghaidh ceann comhairimh.
22.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, is é an t-údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann a íocfaidh na costais a dhámhfar in aghaidh ceann comhairimh ar achainí a thriail.
(2) Más deimhin leis an gcúirt go raibh an ceann comhairimh mórfhaillíoch ag comhlíonadh a dhualgas, féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú go ndlífidh sé aon chostais a dhámh an chúirt ina aghaidh a íoc.
(3) I gcás ordú a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt sin roimhe seo beidh aon chostais a dhámhfar in aghaidh oifigigh agus a íocfar as airgead arna sholáthar ag an údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann ina fhiach ar an oifigeach ag an údarás, agus mura n-íocfar an fiach sin féadfar é a ghnóthú mar fhiach conartha shimplí in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla.
Cás a shonrú don Chúirt Uachtarach.
23.—(1) Ag aon chéim de thriail achainí féadfaidh an chúirt, más cuí léi, uaithi féin nó ar iarratas ó aon pháirtí san achainí, cás a shonrú le tuairim na Cúirte Uachtaraí a fháil ar aon cheist dlí a éireoidh ag an triail.
(2) D'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, i gcás ina sonrófar cás faoin alt seo ní dhéanfaidh an chúirt cinneadh faoin achainí go dtí go mbeidh a breith tugtha ag an gCúirt Uachtarach agus féadfaidh sí an triail nó aon chuid den triail a chur ar athló go dtí go mbeidh an bhreith sin tugtha.
(3) Déanfar na costais a tabhaíodh maidir le cás a sonraíodh faoin alt seo a áireamh chun gach críche mar chuid de na costais a tabhaíodh i ndáil leis an achainí.
Dícháilíochtaí áirithe maidir le comhaltas in údaráis áitiúla agus i gcomhlachtaí gaolmhara áirithe a chealú.
1840, c. 108.
1898, c. 37.
24.—Cuirtear gach ceann de na dícháilíochtaí seo a leanas ar ceal leis seo, is é sin,
(a) an dícháilíocht chun bheith ina chomhalta d'údarás áitiúil i gcás eachtrannaigh, duine in ord beannaithe nó duine is ministir d'aon sainaicme creidimh nó duine a bhfuil oifig luach saothair nó ionad sochair aige faoi údarás áitiúil, agus
(b) an dícháilíocht chun bheith ina chomhalta de choiste gairmoideachais nó de choiste talmhaíochta i gcás eachtrannaigh nó duine ag a bhfuil oifig luach saothair nó ionad sochair aige faoin gcoiste,
agus dá réir sin,
(i) scoirfidh alt 58 den Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840, alt 94 (1) den Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, d'éifeacht a bheith acu,
(ii) déanfar mír (a) d'Airteagal 12 (4) den Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898, a fhorléiriú agus beidh éifeacht aici amhail is dá mba gur scriosadh “or an alien”,
(iii) scoirfidh mír (d) den Airteagal sin 12 (4) d'éifeacht a bheith aici, agus
(iv) beidh éifeacht ag alt 3 den Acht Talmhaíochta (Leasú), 1944, agus ag alt 2 den Acht Gairm-Oideachais (Leasú), 1944 (ailt a chuireann an tAirteagal sin 12 (4) chun feidhme maidir le coistí talmhaíochta agus coistí gairmoideachais, faoi seach), amhail is dá mba éard iad na tagairtí sna hailt sin d'Airteagal 12 den Sceideal sin arna leasú le haon achtachán dá éis sin tagairtí don Airteagal sin 12 arna leasú le haon achtachán dá éis sin lena n-áirítear an t-alt seo.
Modhnú an tsrianta ar oifig a shealbhú nó a bheith ar fostú faoi údaráis áitiúla agus comhlachtaí gaolmhara áirithe.
25.—(1) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, aicme, tuairisc nó grád oifigí nó fostaíochtaí a ainmniú chun críche mhír (b) den fho-alt seo.
(b) Fad a bheidh ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo i bhfeidhm ní bheidh feidhm maidir le hoifig nó fostaíocht d'aicme, de thuairisc nó de ghrád a bheidh ainmnithe leis an ordú ag alt 21 (1) den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1955.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire Oideachais, le hordú, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, aicme, tuairisc nó grád oifigí nó fostaíochtaí a ainmniú chun críche mhír (b) den fho-alt seo.
(b) Fad a bheidh ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo i bhfeidhm ní bheidh feidhm maidir le hoifig nó fostaíocht d'aicme, de thuairisc nó de ghrád a bheidh ainmnithe leis an ordú ag alt 70 (1) den Acht Rialtais Áitiúla, 1925, mar a chuirtear chun feidhme é le halt 26 den Acht Oideachais Ghairme Beatha, 1930.
(3) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh, le hordú, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, aicme, tuairisc nó grád oifigí nó fostaíochtaí a ainmniú chun críche mhír (b) den fho-alt seo.
(b) Fad a bheidh ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo i bhfeidhm ní bheidh feidhm maidir le hoifig nó fostaíocht d'aicme, de thuairisc nó de ghrád a bheidh ainmnithe leis an ordú ag alt 70 (1) den Acht Rialtais Áitiúla, 1925, mar a chuirtear chun feidhme é le halt 20 den Acht Talmhaíochta, 1931.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire Stáit a dhéanfaidh ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) an t-ordú a leasú nó a chúlghairm le hordú; ar an gcoinníoll, murab é an tAire an tAire Stáit lena mbainfidh, nach ndéanfar ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo ach amháin tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh leis an Aire.
(5) Gach ordú a dhéanfar roimh an lú lá d'Iúil, 1975, faoin alt seo, leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta, agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú.
(6) Beidh éifeacht ag alt 70 (1) den Acht Rialtais Áitiúla, 1925, mar a chuirtear chun feidhme é le halt 26 den Acht Oideachais Ghairme Beatha, 1930, nó le halt 20 den Acht Talmhaíochta, 1931, ionann is dá mba gur scriosadh “, ná laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag tar éis do scur de bheith,”.
(7) Má bheartaítear ordú faoin alt seo a dhéanamh an lú lá d'Iúil, 1975, nó dá éis, leagfar dréacht de faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach den Oireachtas.
Seirbheáil doiciméad.
26.—I gcás ina gceanglaíonn an tAcht seo cóip d'ordú, d'achainí nó de dhoiciméad eile a thabhairt do dhuine, beidh sí dírithe chuige agus tabharfar dó í ar dhóigh éigin díobh seo a leanas:
(a) trína seachadadh dó;
(b) trína fágáil ag an seoladh ag a gcónaíonn sé de ghnáth nó, i gcás seoladh le haghaidh seirbheála a bheith tugtha, ag an seoladh sin;
(c) trína cur chuige leis an bpost i litir chláraithe réamhíoctha a dhíreofar chuige ag an seoladh ag a gcónaíonn sé de ghnáth, nó i gcás seoladh le haghaidh seirbheála a bheith tugtha, ag an seoladh sin.
Aisghairm.
27.—Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaitear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a aisghairm a mhéid a luaitear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
28.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Thoghcháin Áitiúla (Achainíocha agus Dícháilíochtaí), 1974, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1963 go 1974, a ghairm de na hAchtanna um Thoghcháin Áitiúla, 1963 go 1973, agus den Acht seo le chéile.
AN SCEIDEAL
Achtacháin a Aisghairtear
Seisiún agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
41 agus 42 Vict., c. 52 | Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878. | In alt 270, na focail go léir ó “; and if any member of any such authority or board shall so act,” go dtí deireadh an ailt. |
45 agus 46 Vict., c. 50 | Municipal Corporations Act, 1882. | An méid den Acht a bhaineann le hachainíocha toghcháin. |
47 agus 48 Vict., c. 70 | Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884. | An méid den Acht a bhaineann le hachainíocha toghcháin. |
Ailt 4 agus 5. | ||
Alt 46. | ||
Alt 21 (3). |
Number 8 of 1974
LOCAL ELECTIONS (PETITIONS AND ISQUALIFICATIONS) ACT, 1974
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
No action to be taken in certain circumstances to fill vacancy in local authority. | |
Removal of certain disqualifications for membership of local authorities and certain related bodies. | |
Enactments Repealed
Acts Referred to | |
1941, No. 23 | |
1963, No. 19 | |
1961, No. 39 | |
Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840 | 1840, c. 108 |
Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898 | 1898, c. 37 |
1944, No. 3 | |
1944, No. 9 | |
1955, No. 9 | |
1925, No. 5 | |
1930, No. 29 | |
1931, No. 8 | |
Number 8 of 1974
LOCAL ELECTIONS (PETITIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS) ACT, 1974
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“the Act of 1941” means the Local Government Act, 1941;
“the Act of 1963” means the Electoral Act, 1963;
“clerk” means the town clerk of the corporation of a county or other borough, the council of an urban district or the commissioners of a town;
“costs” includes charges and expenses;
“county”, except where the context otherwise requires, includes a county borough;
“electoral offences” means offences under any statute or statutory instrument relating to local elections;
“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 election” means an election held pursuant to section 81 of the S.I Act of 1963 or a new election within the meaning of Part IV of the Act of 1941;
“local electoral area” means the area or any of the areas (as may be appropriate) by reference to which a local election is held;
“member” includes a lord mayor, mayor, chairman, vice-chairman, alderman, councillor and a commissioner of a town;
“the Minister”, except where the context otherwise requires, means the Minister for Local Government;
“petition” means a petition presented under this Act;
“returning officer” means the secretary or clerk of a local authority and includes a person appointed by such secretary or clerk to act as a deputy returning officer for the election of members of such authority;
“secretary” means the secretary of a county council.
(2) Any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall, except so far as the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or applied by or under any other enactment (including this Act).
(3) Any reference in this Act to a meeting or member of a local authority shall, where the local authority in question is the corporation of a county or other borough, be construed as a reference to a meeting or member of the council established by law in respect of such county or other borough.
(4) Any reference in this Act to a particular officer shall be construed as including a reference to any person duly appointed either as deputy for such officer or to act in the place of such officer during his absence or incapacity or during a vacancy in his office.
Questioning of local election.
2.—(1) A local election may, and may only, be questioned by a petition to the Circuit Court.
(2) Where it appears to the Attorney General that a local election may have been affected by the commission of electoral offences, he may question the election pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
Security for costs.
3.—(1) A petition, other than a petition presented by the Attorney General, shall not be accepted for lodgement with the court unless the petitioner lodges with the petition security for costs which may become payable by him.
(2) The security required to be given by subsection (1) of this section shall be an amount of three hundred pounds and shall be given either by recognisances entered into by any number of sureties satisfactory to the court not exceeding four or by a deposit of money, or partly in one way and partly in the other.
Presentation of petition.
4.—(1) A petition may be presented by any person who has reached the age of eighteen years and shall be presented by being lodged in the office of the county registrar for the county in which is situate the principal office of the local authority to which the petition relates.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, a petition shall not be presented save within the twenty-eight days next after the result of the election is declared.
(3) Subject to section 19 of this Act, where a petition alleges bribery and specifically alleges a payment or other consideration to have been made or to have passed after the result of the local election was declared, 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 day on which the said payment or consideration is alleged to have been made or to have passed.
(4) Where a petition has been lodged with the court, as soon as may be the petitioner shall give a copy of the petition—
(a) to any person to whose election the petition relates,
(b) to the Minister,
(c) to the secretary or clerk of the relevant local authority, and
(d) except in the case of a petition presented by the Attorney General, to the Attorney General.
Grounds for petition.
5.—(1) Subject to section 82 (6) of the Act of 1963, a local election may be questioned on the grounds of want of qualification, obstruction of or interference with or other hindrance to the conduct of the election, or mistake or other irregularity which, if established, are likely to have affected the result of the election and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any of the following grounds may be specified in a petition:
(a) a local election was affected by error or was not completed or was otherwise not conducted by the returning officer in accordance with law,
(b) a local election was affected by electoral offences,
(c) a person at a local election was, on the date of his nomination, not qualified for membership of the relevant local authority.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a petition shall not be dismissed on account of an informality in its contents which does not materially affect its substance.
Particulars in petition.
6.—A petition shall specify—
(a) the local election to which it relates,
(b) the grounds on which it is based,
(c) the remedy it seeks, and
(d) the name and address of the petitioner and his solicitor or agent, if any,
and shall be signed by the petitioner.
Trial of petition.
7.—(1) A petition shall be tried by a Judge of the Circuit Court assigned for the time being to the circuit in which is situate the principal office of the local authority to which the petition relates and references in this Act to the court shall, save where the context otherwise requires, be construed as references to the Circuit Court.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to the trial of a petition:
(a) in fixing the date for and conducting the trial, the court shall deal with the matter as soon as is reasonably possible;
(b) the trial shall take place in the county in which is situate the principal office of the local authority to which the petition relates;
(c) notwithstanding the death of any person to whose election a petition relates, his resignation as a member of the relevant local authority or his otherwise ceasing to be such member, the trial shall be continued until its result is determined;
(d) the Attorney General may at any stage be represented at and take part in the trial as a party, whether of his own motion or at the request of the court;
(e) the returning officer for the relevant local election shall, at the request of the court, attend the trial and give such assistance as shall be requested of him by the court, but without prejudice to his being a party to the proceedings or being called as a witness by any such party.
(3) Any party to a petition may appeal on a question of law to the Supreme Court against a decision of the court on the petition and subject to the foregoing the decision shall be final and not appealable.
(4) A petition shall, for the purposes of section 22 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961, be an action within the meaning of Part III of that Act.
Counting of votes afresh.
8.—(1) The court may, for the purposes of the trial of a petition, if it thinks fit, order—
(a) that all the votes cast at the election shall be counted afresh,
(b) that all the votes so cast in a particular electoral area shall be so counted, or
(c) that all the votes so cast and recorded on the ballot papers contained in a particular parcel shall be so counted,
and where the court so orders, the provisions of the following subsections shall have effect.
(2) Votes to which an order under this section relates shall be counted afresh under the direction of the court and, subject to subsections (3) and (4) of this section and to such modifications (if any) as the court considers necessary, the provisions of any regulations made by the Minister under section 82 of the Act of 1963 relating to the counting of votes at a local election shall apply to such counting.
(3) Where votes are counted afresh pursuant to an order under this section, the court shall cause the following to be ignored:
(a) preferences recorded on ballot papers which are invalid by virtue of regulations made by the Minister pursuant to section 82 of the Act of 1963,
(b) preferences recorded on forged or counterfeited ballot papers, and
(c) preferences recorded for any person who, with respect to the relevant election, is found by the court not to have been qualified for membership of the local authority.
(4) The court shall have power to reverse any decision of a returning officer at the original count.
(5) The costs of giving effect to an order under this section shall be paid by the local authority concerned.
Withdrawal of petition.
9.—(1) A petition shall not be withdrawn without the leave of the court and in giving such leave the court shall be satisfied that the notice given by the petitioner pursuant to subsections (3) and (4) of this section was reasonable, and in addition to the foregoing, where a petition is presented by more than one petitioner the court, before giving such leave, shall be satisfied that all the petitioners agree to the withdrawal.
(2) Except in the case of a petition presented by the Attorney General, when applying for leave for the withdrawal of the petition, the petitioner shall submit to the court an affidavit stating:
(a) the reasons for the proposed withdrawal, and
(b) that, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge and belief, neither an agreement nor an undertaking has been made or entered into in relation to the withdrawal of the petition in consideration of any payment or the cesser of membership of a local authority or for any substantial reason not stated in the affidavit.
(3) Notice of intention to apply for leave to withdraw a petition shall be given by the petitioner by the publication in at least two newspapers circulating in the local electoral area to which the petition relates of a notice to that effect and the notice shall also state the time and place at which the application will be heard and that any person may apply to the court to be substituted for the petitioner.
(4) Except in the case of a petition presented by the Attorney General, a copy of the affidavit mentioned in subsection (2) of this section together with notice of the time and place at which the application will be heard shall be given by the petitioner to the Attorney General who may be represented at, and if he thinks fit, oppose the application.
(5) Where the petition has been presented by more than one petitioner, the affidavit mentioned in subsection (2) of this section shall, unless the court otherwise directs, be made by all the petitioners.
(6) The withdrawal of a petition pursuant to this section shall not affect the liability of any person (or of his estate) for the payment of costs previously incurred.
Penalty for corrupt withdrawal of petition.
10.—A person who makes any agreement or enters into any undertaking in relation to the withdrawal of a petition in consideration of any payment or the cesser of membership of a local authority or for any substantial reason not stated in the affidavit referred to in section 9 (2) of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction on indictment, be liable to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding three hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the court by whom he is convicted, to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Substitution of new petitioner following withdrawal.
11.—(1) On the hearing of an application for leave to withdraw a petition, any person may apply to the court to be substituted as a petitioner, and the court may, if it thinks fit, substitute him accordingly.
(2) In case the court substitutes a petitioner under subsection (1) of this section and is of opinion that the application for leave to withdraw the petition was the result of any agreement or undertaking the making of which or the entering into which is declared by section 10 of this Act to be an offence, the court may direct that the security for costs given by the original petitioner shall remain as security for the costs that may be incurred by the substituted petitioner and that, to the extent of the sum named in the security, the original petitioner and his sureties, if any, shall be liable to pay the costs of the substituted petitioner.
Substituted petitioners.
12.—(1) Subject to section 11 (2) of this Act, a substituted petitioner shall, as nearly as may be, stand in the same position and be subject to the same liabilities as the original petitioner.
(2) In case the court substitutes a petitioner under section 11 of this Act and does not make a direction under subsection (2) of that section, or in case the court substitutes a petitioner under section 13 of this Act, the security required by section 3 of this Act in the case of a new petition, and subject to the like conditions, shall be given by the substituted petitioner, and in case such security is not so given no further proceedings shall be had on the petition and the petition shall abate, but the abatement shall not affect the liability of any person (or of his estate) for the payment of costs previously incurred.
Abatement of petition.
13.—(1) A petition shall be abated by the death of a sole petitioner or of the survivor of several petitioners.
(2) The abatement of a petition by virtue of subsection (1) of this section shall not affect the liability of the petitioner or any other person (or of his estate) for the payment of costs previously incurred.
(3) At any time within the fourteen days next after the day of any such abatement, any person may apply to the court to be substituted as a petitioner and the court may, if it thinks fit, substitute him accordingly, and in case the court makes an order under this section the petition shall thereupon be revived.
Matters relating to final order on trial of petition.
14.—(1) At the trial of a petition which the court does not dismiss, the court shall determine the matter at issue in the petition and shall in its order determining the petition include either—
(a) a declaration of the correct result of the local election, or
(b) if it considers that it is unable to determine the correct result of the election, a declaration that the whole of the election or a specified part of the election was void together with a statement of its reasons for making the declaration.
(2) The court shall have power to make such amendments in the return of persons elected made to a local authority by a returning officer as it considers necessary in consequence of its decision on a petition.
(3) A copy of the order determining the petition shall be given forthwith by the court to each of the following, namely, any person to whose election the order relates, the Minister, the secretary or clerk of the relevant local authority and the Attorney General.
Effect of certain declarations by court.
15.—(1) Where the order of the court relating to a petition declares that a person was not duly elected as a member of a local authority or was not qualified for membership of a local authority or that the whole or part of a local election was void, the person to whom the declaration relates, or any person elected at such void election or void part of an election (as the case may be) shall cease to be a member of the local authority on (but not before) the day next following the day on which a copy of the order of the court given pursuant to section 14 of this Act is received by the secretary or clerk of the local authority and, subject to section 16 of this Act and subsection (2) of this section, a vacancy shall exist accordingly.
(2) Where an order mentioned in subsection (1) of this section declares that, in the place of any person declared by the order not to have been duly elected or not to have been qualified for membership of a local authority, a specified other person was ascertained to have been elected, that other person shall stand elected as a member of the local authority on (but not before) the day next following the day on which a copy of the order is received as aforesaid by the secretary or clerk of the local authority.
(3) Subject to section 16 of this Act, where an order of the court determining a petition does not contain a declaration described in subsection (2) of this section, the vacancies occurring as a result of the order in the membership of the local authority concerned shall be treated and filled as casual vacancies.
(4) As soon as practicable after a copy of an order is given to him pursuant to section 14 of this Act, the secretary or clerk shall give notice to each member of the local authority of the terms of the order.
(5) Where a person has been returned as a member of a local authority and, subsequent to being so returned, the person sits, votes or otherwise participates as a member in the business of the authority or purports to do anything by virtue of membership of the authority and is also declared by the court not to have been duly elected to serve as a member of the authority or not to have been qualified for membership of the authority, for the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that anything done by the person while so participating and anything purporting to have been so done, either on or before the day on which a copy of the said order is received as aforesaid by the secretary or clerk of the local authority shall, notwithstanding the order, be valid and effectual.
(6) Where an order under this section disqualifies a person from membership of a local authority, he shall cease to be a member of any other body to which he had been appointed to represent that local authority.
Matters consequential on petition.
16.—Where as a result of the determination by a court of a petition an election is declared void or the number of persons validly elected to membership of a local authority is less than the quorum required for meetings of the authority, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) the election to which the petition relates shall be deemed not to have been held and the persons elected at such election shall be deemed not to have come into office,
(b) every act done after the completion of such election and on or before the day on which a copy of the order determining the petition is received by the secretary or clerk of the local authority which was done by the persons or any one or more of the persons declared elected at such election and which purported to be an act of the local authority shall be as valid and effectual as if all the persons declared elected at such election had been validly elected and qualified to act as members of the local authority,
(c) every such act which was done by an individual person declared elected at such election and subsequently elected to the office of chairman, vice-chairman, lord mayor or mayor of the local authority and which purported to be an act done by virtue of the said office shall be as valid and effectual as if all the persons declared elected at such election had been validly elected and qualified to act as members of the local authority and the individual person had been validly elected to the said office, and
(d) subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, Part IV of the Act of 1941 shall have effect in relation to the local authority as if the members thereof had, immediately after coming into office, been removed from office under that Part or, if such election was a new election within the meaning of that Part, as if such members had again been so removed from office under that Part.
New election in certain cases.
17.—Where as a result of a court order the number of persons validly elected in an electoral area is less than a majority of such members the election shall be deemed not to have taken place and a new election shall take place in that electoral area under Part IV of the Local Government Act, 1941.
No action to be taken in certain circumstances to fill vacancy in local authority.
18.—Except by an election of all the members of a local authority, no action shall be taken to fill a vacancy in the membership of a local authority caused by the death or cesser of such membership of a person who has died or resigned or otherwise ceased to be such member while the trial of a petition relating to him is pending or proceeding.
Validity of local election.
19.—Where a local election is not questioned by a petition within the period of twelve months beginning on the day on which the result is declared, as on and from the expiration of that period the election shall not be questioned on any grounds and the election shall be deemed to be valid for all purposes.
Witnesses.
20.—(1) The court shall be entitled of its own volition, at any time during the trial of a petition, to direct that a particular person shall be brought before the court and shall give evidence at the trial, and where the court so directs the costs of bringing the person before the court (including any moneys payable to him as witness's expenses) shall be regarded as part of the costs of the petition.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, a person who is called as a witness at the trial of a petition shall not be excused from answering any question relating to any offence at or connected with the relevant local election on the ground that the answer thereto may incriminate or tend to incriminate him or on grounds of privilege; provided that—
(a) a witness who satisfies the court that he has answered truly all the questions which he is required by the court to answer shall be entitled to receive from the court a certificate stating that the witness has so answered, and
(b) an answer by a witness who has received such a certificate to a question put at the trial of a petition shall not, except in the case of any criminal proceeding for perjury in respect of the evidence, be in any proceeding, civil or criminal, admissible in evidence against him.
(3) A person shall not at the trial of a petition be required to indicate how or for whom he voted.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the right of any party to a petition to call any person as a witness.
Costs of petition.
21.—(1) All costs, other than the costs of counting votes afresh under section 8 of this Act, of and incidental to a petition shall be in the discretion of the court which shall have power to order such costs or any part of such costs of any party to the petition to be paid by any other such party, and, where the costs or any part of the costs of any such party are so ordered to be paid by the petitioner, the court shall, where necessary, make provisions for the payment of those costs, to the extent of the amount named in the security given by the petitioner, out of or by means of such security.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) of this section, where on the trial of a petition, it appears to the court that any person or persons committed electoral offences in relation to the relevant election, the court may, after giving the person or persons an opportunity of being heard to show cause why the order should not be made, if it so thinks fit order the whole or part of the costs of the petition other than the costs of counting votes afresh under section 8 of this Act to be paid by that person, or those persons or any of them, and may order that in case such costs cannot be wholly recovered from the person or persons they shall be paid by some other or others of those persons.
Costs awarded against returning officer.
22.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, costs awarded against a returning officer at the trial of a petition shall be paid by the local authority concerned.
(2) Where the court is satisfied that the returning officer has been grossly negligent in the discharge of his duties, the court may order that the officer shall be liable for any costs awarded against him by the court.
(3) Where an order is made under the foregoing subsection any costs awarded against an officer which are paid out of moneys provided by the local authority concerned shall be a debt due to the authority by the officer, and such debt, in default of being discharged, shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Statement of case to Supreme Court.
23.—(1) At any stage of the trial of a petition the court may, if it so thinks proper, on its own motion or on the application of any party to the petition, state a case for the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law arising at the trial.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where a case is stated under this section the court shall not determine the petition until the Supreme Court has given its decision and may adjourn the trial or any part thereof until such decision is given.
(3) Costs incurred in relation to a case stated under this section shall for all purposes be part of the costs incurred in relation to the petition.
Removal of certain disqualifications for membership of local authorities and certain related bodies.
24.—Each of the following disqualifications is hereby removed, namely,
(a) the disqualification for membership of a local authority, of an alien, a person who is in holy orders or is a minister of any religious denomination or a person holding a paid office or place of profit under a local authority, and
(b) the disqualification for membership of a vocational education committee or a committee of agriculture of an alien or a person holding a paid office or place of profit under the committee,
and accordingly,
(i) section 58 of the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act, 1840, section 94 (1) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, shall cease to have effect,
(ii) paragraph (a) of Article 12 (4) of the Schedule to the Local Government (Application of Enactments) Order, 1898, shall be construed and have effect as if “or an alien” were deleted,
(iii) paragraph (d) of the said Article 12 (4) shall cease to have effect, and
(iv) section 3 of the Agriculture (Amendment) Act, 1944, and section 2 of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act, 1944 (which sections apply the said Article 12 (4) to committees of agriculture and vocational education committees, respectively), shall have effect as if the references therein to Article 12 of the said Schedule as amended by any subsequent enactment were references to the said Article 12 as amended by any subsequent enactment including this section.
Modification of restriction on holding office or being employed under local authorities and certain related bodies.
25.—(1) (a) The Minister may for the purpose of paragraph (b) of this subsection by order designate a class, description or grade of offices or employments.
(b) For so long as an order under this subsection is in force, section 21 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1955, shall not apply as regards an office or employment which is of a class, description or grade designated by the order.
(2) (a) The Minister for Education may, after consultation with the Minister, for the purpose of paragraph (b) of this subsection by order designate a class, description or grade of offices or employments.
(b) For so long as an order under this subsection is in force, section 70 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1925, as applied by section 26 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, shall not apply as regards an office or employment which is of a class, description or grade designated by the order.
(3) (a) The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries may, after consultation with the Minister, for the purpose of paragraph (b) of this subsection by order designate a class, description or grade of offices or employments.
(b) For so long as an order under this subsection is in force section 70 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1925, as applied by section 20 of the Agriculture Act, 1931, shall not apply as regards an office or employment which is of a class, description or grade designated by the order.
(4) The Minister of State by whom an order under this section (including an order under this subsection) is made may by order amend or revoke the order; provided that in case the Minister of State concerned is not the Minister, an order under this subsection shall only be made after consultation with the Minister.
(5) Every order made before the 1st day of July, 1975, under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
(6) Section 70 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1925, as applied by section 26 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930, or by section 20 of the Agriculture Act, 1931, shall have effect as if “or within twelve months after he has ceased to be” were deleted.
(7) Where an order under this section is proposed to be made on or after the 1st day of July, 1975, a draft thereof shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas.
Service of documents.
26.—Where a copy of an order, petition or other document is required by this Act to be given to a person, it shall be addressed to him and shall be given to him in some one of the following ways:
(a) by delivering it to him;
(b) by leaving it at the address at which he ordinarily resides or, in a case in which an address for service has been furnished, at that address;
(c) by sending it by post in a prepaid registered letter addressed to him at the address at which he ordinarily resides, or in a case in which an address for service has been furnished, at that address.
Repeals.
27.—The enactments mentioned in the Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
Short title and collective citation.
28.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974.
(2) The Local Elections Acts, 1963 to 1973, and this Act may be cited together as the Local Elections Acts, 1963 to 1974.
SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
41 and 42 Vict., c. 52 | Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878. | In section 270, all the words from “; and if any member of any such authority or board shall so act,” to the end of the section. |
45 and 46 Vict., c. 50 | Municipal Corporations Act, 1882. | So much of the Act as relates to election petitions. |
47 and 48 Vict., c. 70 | Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884. | So much of the Act as relates to election petitions. |
No. 55 of 1936 | Sections 4 and 5. | |
No. 23 of 1941 | ||
No. 9 of 1955 | Section 21 (3). |