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Number 1 of 1999
BRITISH-IRISH AGREEMENT ACT, 1999
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Waterways Ireland
8. | |
9. | |
10. | |
11. | |
12. | Compulsory acquisition of land and disposal of land by Body. |
13. |
The Food Safety Promotion Board
14. | |
15. | |
16. | |
17. |
TABLE
The Trade and Business Body
18. | |
19. | |
20. |
The Special EU Programmes Body
21. | |
22. | |
23. |
An Foras Teanga
24. | |
25. | |
26. | |
27. | |
28. | |
29. | |
30. |
AN TáBLA
The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission
31. | |
32. | |
33. | |
34. | |
35. | |
36. | |
37. | |
38. |
TABLE
Other Provisions
39. | |
40. | |
41. | Provisions consequent upon transfer of functions, assets and liabilities to a Body. |
42. | |
43. | |
44. | |
45. | |
46. | |
47. | |
48. | |
49. | |
50. | |
51. | |
52. | |
53. | |
54. | |
55. | |
56. | Application of Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993. |
Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing Implementation Bodies
Acts Referred To | ||
An tAcht um Bord na Gaeilge, 1978 | 1978, Uimh. 14 | |
Canals Act, 1986 | 1986, No. 3 | |
Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993 | 1993, No. 8 | |
Data Protection Act, 1988 | 1988, No. 25 | |
Documentary Evidence Act, 1925 | 1925, No. 24 | |
Dublin Port (1786) | 26 Geo. 3, c. 19 (Ir.) | |
Fisheries Act, 1980 | 1980, No. 1 | |
Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998 | 1998, No. 29 | |
Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952 | 1952, No. 5 | |
Foyle Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1961 | 1961, No. 44 | |
Holidays (Employees) Acts, 1973 and 1991 | ||
Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1980 | 1980, No. 10 | |
Local Government Act, 1941 | 1941, No. 23 | |
Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990 | ||
Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 1991 | ||
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998 | 1998, No. 7 | |
Ombudsman Act, 1980 | 1980, No. 26 | |
Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1991 | ||
Shannon Navigation Act, 1990 | 1990, No. 20 | |
Statute of Limitations, 1957 | 1957, No. 6 | |
Unfair Dismissals Acts, 1977 to 1993 | ||
Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1854 | 17 & 18 | |
Vict. c. 8 | ||
Number 1 of 1999
BRITISH-IRISH AGREEMENT ACT, 1999
[22nd March, 1999]
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as, by order or orders made by the Taoiseach under this section, may be fixed therefor either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions and for the repeal of different enactments effected by section 38(1).
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“the Agreement” means the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing Implementation Bodies done at Dublin on the 8th day of March, 1999, the text of which is set out in the Schedule to this Act;
“a Body” means an implementation body and “the Bodies” shall be construed accordingly;
“the British-Irish Agreement” means the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland done at Belfast on the 10th day of April, 1998;
“function” includes a power and a duty and a reference to the performance of a function includes, in respect of a power, a reference to the exercise of the power and, in respect of a duty, a reference to the carrying out of the duty;
“implementation body” means an implementation body established by the Agreement;
“the Multi-Party Agreement” means the Agreement reached in the Multi-Party Negotiations at Belfast on the 10th day of April, 1998, and set out in Annex 1 to the British-Irish Agreement;
“the Northern Ireland Minister” means any Minister in Northern Ireland or a department in Northern Ireland of which such a Minister is head;
“the North/South Ministerial Council” means the body established by the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing a North/South Ministerial Council done at Dublin on the 8th day of March, 1999.
(2) This Act shall be construed with due regard to the Multi-Party Agreement, the British-Irish Agreement and the Agreement (in so far as this Act makes provision in pursuance of, or supplementary or incidental to, the Agreement).
(3) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a Part or section is a reference to a Part or section of this Act unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended,
(b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and
(c) a reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended, whether before or after the passing of this Act, by or under any subsequent enactment.
Participation of members of Government and Ministers of State in North/South Ministerial Council.
3.—At meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council the Government may be represented by one or more of the following, that is to say, the Taoiseach, other Ministers of the Government and Ministers of State.
Participation of members of Government and Ministers of State in British-Irish Council.
4.— At meetings of the British-Irish Council established by the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing a British-Irish Council done at Dublin on the 8th day of March, 1999, the Government may be represented by one or more of the following, that is to say, the Taoiseach, other Ministers of the Government and Ministers of State.
Regulations to remove difficulties.
5.— If, in any respect, any difficulty arises in bringing any provision of this Act or the Agreement into operation or in relation to the operation of any such provision, the Taoiseach may by regulations do anything which appears to him or her to be necessary or expedient for removing that difficulty, for bringing that provision into operation or for securing or facilitating its operation, and any such regulations may modify any provision of this Act so far as may be necessary or expedient for carrying such provision into effect for the purposes aforesaid, but no regulations shall be made under this section in relation to any provision of this Act after the expiration of 3 years commencing on the day on which the provision came into operation.
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
6.— Whenever an order (other than an order under section 1(2)) or regulation is proposed to be made under this Act a draft of the order or regulation shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order or regulation, as the case may be, shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.
Expenses of Ministers of Government.
7.— The expenses incurred by the Minister for Finance in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas and the expenses incurred by any other Minister of the Government in such administration shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II
Waterways Ireland
Definitions (Part II).
8.— In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—
“the Act of 1990” means the Shannon Navigation Act, 1990;
“the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 9;
“the Council” means the North/South Ministerial Council when performing functions in relation to the Body, functions of the Body or the waterways;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands;
“the waterways” means the inland waterways in relation to which, pursuant to the Agreement, the Body for the time being performs functions and “waterway” shall be construed accordingly.
Status of Body.
9.—(1) The implementation body for inland waterways established by the Agreement and known as Waterways Ireland is referred to in this Part as “the Body”.
(2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue.
(3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name.
Functions of Body.
10.—(1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement, be those specified in Part 1 of Annex 1 to the Agreement and sections 11 and 41 have effect for the purpose of the said paragraph 1.
(2) The arrangements specified in Parts 1 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Agreement, apply to the Body.
(3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body.
(4) The Body shall not permanently close a waterway, or part of a waterway, without the approval of the Council.
(5) (a) The Minister may be order provide for the performance, in relation to any inland waterway specified in the order, of the functions of the Body, or such of its functions as may be so specified, from such date as may be so specified.
(b) The Minister may be order amend or revoke an order under this subsection.
Transfer of functions etc., to Body.
11.—(1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), the functions of the Minister in relation to the waterways are hereby transferred to the Body.
(2) References to, or which are to be construed as references to, the Minister or the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in any statute or instrument made under any statute and relating to any functions transferred by this section shall, in so far as they relate to those functions, be construed as references to the Body.
(3) The functions, assets, rights and liabilities of Bord Fáilte éireann as a member of Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Limited are hereby transferred to the Body and references in the Memorandum or Articles of Association of that Company to Bord Fáilte éireann shall be construed as references to the Body.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to the functions of the Minister under section 2 of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998, in so far as it relates to the waterways.
(5) The powers of the Body under—
(a) sections 6(f) and 7(1) of the Canals Act, 1986, and
(b) section 2(h) and subsections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Act of 1990,
shall not be exercised by the Body without the consent of the Minister.
Compulsory acquisition of land and disposal of land by Body.
12.—(1) The Body may, with the consent of the Council, acquire compulsorily any land (including an inland waterway or part of an inland waterway) or any right, easement, title or interest in, over or in respect of any land (including an inland waterway or part of an inland waterway).
(2) The Body shall not acquire or dispose of an inland waterway or part of an inland waterway without the consent of the Council.
(3) The Schedule to the Act of 1990 shall apply for the purposes of the compulsory acquisition of land (including an inland waterway or part of an inland waterway) by the Body as if—
(a) for the references to the Minister there were substituted references to Waterways Ireland,
(b) for paragraph 2 there were substituted the following paragraph:
“2. (1) The occupier or any owner of land in respect of which a notice under paragraph 1(1)(b) has been published may, within two months after the date of such publication, submit to Waterways Ireland an objection in writing to the proposed compulsory acquisition referred to in the notice.
(2) An objection under subparagraph (1) may be withdrawn by the person who submitted it by notice in writing sent to Waterways Ireland or to the Minister.
(3) (a) Where, in relation to the proposed compulsory acquisition of land under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999, an objection is submitted to Waterways Ireland in accordance with subparagraph (1) and is not withdrawn, the objection shall be considered by the Minister and the land shall not be acquired compulsorily without the consent of the Minister.
(b) Where a public right of way exists over land proposed to be compulsorily acquired under this Act, the land shall not be acquired compulsorily without the consent of the Minister.
(4) An application by Waterways Ireland for the consent of the Minister to the compulsory acquisition of land under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999, shall be accompanied by—
(a) a copy of any objection concerned under subparagraph (1),
(b) a copy of the newspaper containing the notice specified in paragraph 1(1)(b),
(c) a copy of the notice specified in paragraph 1(1)(c), and
(d) a copy of the map or plan of the land deposited in pursuance of paragraph 1(1)(a),
and Waterways Ireland shall furnish to the Minister such other information in relation to the acquisition as the Minister may require.
(5) On an application under subparagraph (4) in relation to land—
(a) in case the Minister is of opinion that the provisions of paragraph 1 have not been complied with in relation to the land or part of the land, he or she shall refuse to grant his or her consent to the compulsory acquisition of the land or, as the case may be, refuse to grant his or her consent to the compulsory acquisition of the part and grant his or her consent to the compulsory acquisition of the remainder of the land,
(b) in any other case, the Minister shall grant his or her consent to the compulsory acquisition of the land.”,
and
(c) for clause (c) of paragraph 3(1) there were substituted the following clause:
“(c) the Minister gives his or her consent to the compulsory acquisition thereof by Waterways Ireland,”,
and with any other necessary adaptations.
Repeals.
13.— The following are hereby repealed:
(a) section 6(d) (in so far as it relates to the compulsory acquisition of land or a right over land) of, and the Second Schedule to, the Canals Act, 1986,
(b) section 2(f) of the Act of 1990 (in so far as it relates to the compulsory acquisition of land or any right, easement, title or interest of any kind, in, over or in respect of land), and
(c) paragraph (a) (in so far as it relates to the waterways) and paragraph (d) (in so far as it relates to the functions of the Minister in relation to waterways) of section 5(1) of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998.
PART III
The Food Safety Promotion Board
“the Body”.
14.—In this Part “the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 15.
Status of Body.
15.—(1) The implementation body for food safety established by the Agreement and known as The Food Safety Promotion Board is referred to in this Part as “the Body”.
(2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue.
(3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name.
Functions of Body.
16.—(1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement, be those specified in Part 2 of Annex 1 to the Agreement.
(2) The arrangements specified in Parts 2 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Agreement, apply to the Body.
(3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body.
Amendment of Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998.
17.— The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998, is hereby amended as specified in the Table to this Part.
TABLE
Amendments Of The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998
The amendments to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998, are as follows:
1. For sections 11 and 12 there shall be substituted the following sections:
“11. (1) The principal function of the Authority shall be to take all reasonable steps to ensure that—
(a) food produced in the State (whether or not distributed or marketed in the State), and
(b) food distributed or marketed in the State,
meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably attainable.
(2) It shall, in particular, take all reasonable steps to ensure that such food complies—
(a) with any relevant food legislation in respect of food safety and hygiene standards, or
(b) in the absence of any such legislation, with the provisions of generally recognised standards or codes of good practice aimed at ensuring the achievement of high standards of food hygiene and food safety.
(3) At the request of the Food Safety Promotion Board, the Authority shall co-operate with it in the performance of its functions.
12. (1) In order to achieve the highest level of protection reasonably attainable in the interests of public health and consume protection and, for the purposes of section 11(2), the Authority shall foster at all stages of food production, from primary production through to final use by the consumer, the establishment and maintenance of high standards of food hygiene and safety.
(2) The Authority shall, for the purposes of subsection (1), undertake or arrange to have undertaken such activities as it deems appropriate to foster such standards and shall carry out or arrange to have carried out such food inspections as are required to determine compliance with food legislation.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of food legislation, the activities and food inspections to be undertaken by or on behalf of the Authority and referred to in subsection (2) shall be directed towards bringing about a general acceptance amongst producers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and caterers of the principle that, in respect of any food placed on the market, the primary responsibility for the safety and suitability of the food for human consumption is borne by them individually or, as appropriate, collectively, and, as a consequence, each of the persons mentioned shall take all reasonable steps to ensure, in so far as the person is concerned, the safety and hygienic standard of that food.
(4) The Authority shall, in the performance of its functions, endeavour to consult representatives of consumers, producers, retailers, distributors, caterers and manufacturers and, where appropriate, official agencies about the activities or other measures to be undertaken.”.
2. In section 15—
(a) for “or may, on its own initiative, provide such advice on—” there shall be substituted “and may, on its own initiative, provide such advice—”, and
(b) paragraphs (a), (b) and (h) are deleted.
3. In section 16, subsection (3) is deleted.
4. In section 18—
(a) in subsection (1), after “The Authority may” there shall be inserted “, in the performance of its functions,”, and
(b) in subsection (2), after “State” there shall be inserted “or by the Food Safety Promotion Board”.
5. In section 41(4)(b), for “context” there shall be substituted “content”.
6. For section 46 there shall be substituted the following section:
“46. For the purposes of section 11(2), the Authority shall carry out or arrange to have carried out on its behalf under section 48 the following:
(a) the determination of compliance with food legislation by means of—
(i) the inspection, approval, licensing or registration of premises and equipment, including premises or equipment used in connection with the manufacture, processing, disposal, transport and storage of food,
(ii) the inspection, sampling and analysis of food, including food ingredients, and
(iii) the inspection and analysis of food labelling,
and
(b) the provision of food safety and food hygiene education to producers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and caterers.”.
7. In section 48(9), for “inspections” there shall be substituted “its functions”.
8. In section 65—
(a) in paragraph (h), before “after” there shall be inserted “the insertion”, and
(b) in paragraph (i), for “to insert” there shall be substituted “the insertion of”.
PART IV
The Trade and Business Body
“the Body”.
18.—In this Part “the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 19.
Status of Body.
19.—(1) The implementation body for trade and business development established by the Agreement and known as The Trade and Business Development Body is referred to in this Part as “the Body”.
(2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue.
(3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name.
Functions of Body.
20.—(1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement, be those specified in Part 3 of Annex 1 to the Agreement.
(2) The arrangements specified in Parts 3 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Agreement, apply to the Body.
(3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body.
PART V
The Special EU Programmes Body
“the Body”.
21.—In this Part “the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 22.
Status of Body.
22.—(1) The implementation body for special European Union programmes and known as The Special EU Programmes Body is referred to in this Part, as “the Body”.
(2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue.
(3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name.
Functions of Body.
23.—(1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement, be those specified in Part 4 of Annex 1 to the Agreement.
(2) The arrangements specified in Parts 4 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Agreement, apply to the Body.
(3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body.
CUID VI
An Foras Teanga
Téacs i mBéarla.
24.—Tá an téacs i mBéarla den alt seo agus d'ailt 25 go 30 leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann eis an gCuid seo.
Mínithe (Cuid VI).
25.—Sa Chuid seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
déanfar “an Foras” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 26;
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle” an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas nuair atá sí ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna i ndáil leis an bhForas nó feidhmeanna de chuid an Fhorais.
Stádas an Fhorais.
26.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Foras” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh teanga a bhunaítear leis an gComhaontú agus ar a dtugtar i mBéarla “The North/South Language Body” nó i nGaeilge “An Foras Teanga” nó in Ultais “Tha Boord o Leid”.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Fhoras mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Foras a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Fhorais.
27.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Fhorais, de réir mhír 1 d' Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 5 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú agus tá éifeacht le hailt 28 agus 41 chun críche na míre sin 1.
(2) De réir mhír 2 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, beidh feidhm maidir leis an bhForas ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 5 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an bhForas.
Feidhmeanna a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
28.—(1) Déantar leis seo feidhmeanna Bhord na Gaeilge a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
(2) (a) Déantar leis seo feidhmeanna an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, a mhéid a bhaineann na feidhmeanna sin le maoiniú na n-eagraíochtaí deonacha Gaeilge a shonraítear sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo, a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
(b) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, le comhaontú roimh ré ón gComhairle, an Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo a leasú trí thagairt d'aon eagraíocht Ghaeilge eile a chur leis an Tábla sin, trí thagairt d'eagraíocht den sórt sin a scriosadh as an Tábla sin nó trí iontráil maidir le heagraíocht den sórt sin sa Tábla sin a leasú.
(3) Déantar leis seo feidhmeanna an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta—
(a) i ndáil le foilsitheoireacht ag an nGúm agus foilseacháin de chuid an Ghúim, agus
(b) i ndáil le forbairt téarmaíochta agus stóir focal ag an gCoiste Téarmaíochta,
i nGaeilge, a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
(4) Déanfar tagairtí, nó tagairtí atá le forléiriú mar thagairtí—
(a) don Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán nó don Roinn Stáit a bhfuil sé nó sí i gceannas uirthi,
(b) don Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta nó don Roinn Stáit a bhfuil sé nó sí i gceannas uirthi, nó
(c) do Bhord na Gaeilge,
in aon reacht nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon reacht agus a bhaineann le haon fheidhmeanna a aistrítear leis an alt seo a fhorléiriú, a mhéid a bhaineann siad leis na feidhmeanna sin, mar thagairtí don Fhoras.
AN TáBLA
1. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge | ||
2. Gael Linn | ||
3. Conradh na Gaeilge | ||
4. An tOireachtas | ||
5. An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta | ||
6. Cumann na bhFiann | ||
7. Comhluadar | ||
8. Iontaobhas Ultach |
Bord na Gaeilge a dhíscaoileadh.
29.—Díscaoiltear leis seo Bord na Gaeilge.
An tAcht um Bord na Gaeilge, 1978, a aisghairm.
30.—Aisghairtear leis seo an tAcht um Bord na Gaeilge, 1978.
AN TáBLA
English language text. | 24. The text in the English language of this section and sections 25 to 30 are set out in the Table to this Part. |
Definitions (Part VI). | 25. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires— |
“the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 26; | |
“the Council” means the North/South Ministerial Council when performing functions in relation to the Body or functions of the Body. | |
Status of Body. | 26. (1) The implementation body for language established by the Agreement and known in the English language as The North/South Language Body or in the Irish language as An Foras Teanga or in Ullans as Tha Boord o Leid is referred to in this Part as “the Body”. |
(2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue. | |
(3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name. | |
Functions of Body. | 27. (1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement, be those specified in Part 5 of Annex 1 to the Agreement and sections 28 and 41 have effect for the purpose of the said paragraph 1. |
(2) The arrangements specified in Parts 5 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Agreement, apply to the Body. | |
(3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body. | |
Transfer of functions to Body. | 28. (1) The functions of Bord na Gaeilge are hereby transferred to the Body. |
(2) (a) The functions of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, in so far as those functions relate to the funding of the voluntary Irish language organisations specified in the Table to this section, are hereby transferred to the Body. | |
(b) The Minister may, with the prior agreement of the Council, by order amend the Table to this section by adding a reference to any other Irish language organisation to, deleting a reference to such an organisation from, or amending an entry in respect of such an organisation in, the said Table. | |
(3) The functions of the Minister for Education and Science in relation to— | |
(a) publishing by and publications of An Gúm, and | |
(b) the development of terminology and vocabulary by An Coiste Téarmaíochta, | |
in the Irish language, are hereby transferred to the Body. | |
(4) References to, or which are to be construed as references to— | |
(a) the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands or the Department of State of which he or she has charge, | |
(b) the Minister for Education and Science or the Department of State of which he or she has charge, or | |
(c) Bord na Gaeilge, | |
in any statute or instrument made under any statute and relating to any functions transferred by this section shall, in so far as they relate to those functions, be construed as references to the Body. |
TABLE
1. Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge | ||
2. Gael Linn | ||
3. Conradh na Gaeilge | ||
4. An tOireachtas | ||
5. An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta | ||
6. Cumann na bhFiann | ||
7. Comhluadar | ||
8. Iontaobhas Ultach |
Dissolution of Bord na Gaeilge. | 29. Bord na Gaeilge is hereby dissolved. |
Repeal of Bord na Gaeilge Act, 1978. | 30. The Bord na Gaeilge Act, 1978, is hereby repealed. |
PART VII
The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission
Definitions (Part V).
31.—In this Part—
“the Act of 1952” means the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952;
“the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 32;
“the Carlingford Area” has the same meaning as it has in paragraph 5 of Part 6 of Annex 2 to the Agreement;
“the Foyle Area” has the meaning assigned to it by section 3 of the Act of 1952;
“the Louth Area” means that part of the Carlingford Area that is in the State.
Status of Body.
32.—(1) The implementation body for aquaculture and marine matters established by the Agreement and known as The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is referred to in this Part as “the Body”.
(2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue.
(3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name.
Functions of Body.
33.—(1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement (but subject to Article 4 thereof), be those specified in Part 6 of Annex 1 to the Agreement and sections 34, 36 and 41 have effect for the purpose of the said paragraph 1.
(2) The arrangements specified in Parts 6 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of the said Article 2 (but subject to the said Article 4), apply to the Body.
(3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body.
Transfer of functions etc., to Body.
34.—(1) The functions vested in the Foyle Fisheries Commission immediately before the commencement of section 35 shall, as on and from such commencement, stand transferred to the Body and accordingly, references to, or which are to be construed as references to, the Foyle Fisheries Commission in any statute or instrument made under any statute shall be construed as references to the Body.
(2) The Act of 1952 shall apply to the Carlingford Area as it applies to the Foyle Area with the modification that references in that Act (other than in section 6) to—
(a) the Foyle Area shall be construed as including references to the Carlingford Area, and
(b) the Moville Area shall be construed as including references to the Louth Area,
and with any other necessary modifications.
(3) The Act of 1952 is hereby amended by—
(a) the insertion in section 2(1) of the following definitions:
“‘the Carlingford Area’ and ‘the Louth Area’ have the meanings assigned to them respectively by section 31 of the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999;
‘the Council’ means the North/South Ministerial Council within the meaning of the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999, when performing functions in relation to, or in relation to the functions of, The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission;”,
(b) the deletion in section 2(1) of the definitions of “the Advisory Council” and “the Ministry”,
(c) the substitution of the following section for section 6:
“6. (1) A copy of every order or regulation made under this Act that applies to the Foyle Area shall be deposited—
(a) with the county registrar for the county of Donegal,
(b) with the District Court Clerk of every District Court District which or part of which is situate in the Moville Area, and
(c) in every station of the Garda Síochána situate in the Moville Area.
(2) A copy of every order or regulation made under this Act that applies to the Carlingford Area shall be deposited—
(a) with the county registrar for the county of Louth,
(b) with the District Court Clerk of every District Court District which or part of which is situate in the Louth Area, and
(c) in every station of the Garda Síochána situate in the Louth Area.”,
and
(d) the substitution of “the Council” for “the Minister and the Ministry” in each place where it occurs.
(4) References in section 10 of the Foyle Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1961, and in section 76 of the Fisheries Act, 1980, to the Moville Area shall be construed as including references to the Louth Area.
(5) References in the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990, to the Foyle Area shall be construed as including references to the Carlingford Area.
Dissolution of Foyle Fisheries Commission.
35.—The Foyle Fisheries Commission is hereby dissolved.
Transfer of functions of Commissioners of Irish Lights.
36.—The functions vested in the Commissioners of Irish Lights immediately before the commencement of section 37 shall, as on and from such commencement, stand transferred to the Body and, accordingly, references to, or which are to be construed as references to, the Commissioners of Irish Lights in any statute or instrument made under any statute shall be construed as references to the Body.
Dissolution of Commissioners of Irish Lights.
37.—The Commissioners of Irish Lights are hereby dissolved.
Repeals and revocation.
38.—(1) The enactments specified in column (2) of the Table to this Part are hereby repealed to the extent specified in column (3) thereof.
(2) The Irish Lights Commissioners (Adaptation) Order, 1935 (S.R. & O., No. 661 of 1935), is hereby revoked.
TABLE
Repeal Of Enactments
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Long Title or Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
26 Geo. 3, c. 19. | An Act of the Irish Parliament entitled “an Act for promoting the Trade of Dublin by rendering its Port and Harbour more commodious”. | The whole Act. |
Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952. | Sections 5 and 15 to 22, Part IV, the Third Schedule (other than paragraphs 2 and 15) and the Fourth Schedule. |
PART VIII
Other Provisions
“appropriate Minister”.
39.—In this Part “the appropriate Minister” means—
(a) in relation to Waterways Ireland, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands,
(b) in relation to The Food Safety Promotion Board, the Minister for Health and Children,
(c) in relation to The Trade and Business Development Body, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment,
(d) in relation to The Special EU Programmes Body, the Minister for Finance,
(e) in relation to An Foras Teanga, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, or the Minister for Education and Science, as may be appropriate having regard to the functions of that Body,
(f) in relation to The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
Transfer of staff to Bodies.
40.—(1) (a) Where the appropriate Minister in relation to a particular Body designates an officer of his or hers for the purposes of this section, the officer shall, on such day as may be specified by the appropriate Minister, be transferred to, and become and be a member of, the staff of the Body.
(b) A designation may be made under paragraph (a) in relation to an officer of the appropriate Minister whose duties relate wholly or mainly to a function transferred to the Body to which the designation relates or who consents to the designation.
(c) A designation under this subsection may be made at any time before but not more than 2 years after the day on which the functions of the appropriate Minister are transferred under this Act.
(d) Before making a designation under this section the appropriate Minister shall consult the person concerned and any recognised trade union of which he or she is a member.
(2) Where the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands designates a person who immediately before the dissolution of Bord na Gaeilge was a member of its staff for the purposes of this section, the member shall, on such day as may be specified by that Minister of the Government, be transferred to, and become and be a member of, the staff of An Foras Teanga.
(3) Where the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources designates a person who immediately before the dissolution of the Foyle Fisheries Commission or the Commissioners of Irish Lights was a member of the staff of either of those bodies for the purposes of this section, the member shall, on such day as may be specified by that Minister of the Government, be transferred to, and become and be a member of, the staff of The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.
(4) (a) Where the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment designates a member of the staff of Enterprise Ireland or Forfás for the purposes of this section, the member shall, on such day as may be specified by that Minister of the Government, be transferred to and become a member of the staff of The Trade and Business Development Body.
(b) Paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of subsection (1) shall apply to a designation under this subsection as it applies to a designation under that subsection with any necessary modifications.
(5) (a) In this subsection “the transferor” means Bord na Gaeilge, the Foyle Fisheries Commission, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Enterprise Ireland or Forfás, as may be appropriate.
(b) The contract of employment between a person designated under subsection (2), (3) or (4) and the transferor shall have effect on and from the day specified by the appropriate Minister in relation to the designation as if originally made between the person and the Body of whose staff he or she becomes a member by virtue of the designation.
(c) Without prejudice to paragraph (b)—
(i) all the transferor's rights, powers, duties and liabilities under or in connection with a contract to which that paragraph applies shall by virtue of that paragraph be transferred to the Body aforesaid on the day referred to in that paragraph;
(ii) anything done before that day by or in relation to the transferor in respect of that contract or the person shall be deemed from that day to have been done by or in relation to the said Body.
(d) Paragraphs (b) and (c) are without prejudice to any right of a person designated as aforesaid to terminate his or her contract of employment if a substantial change is made to his or her detriment in his or her working conditions, but no such right shall arise by reason only of the change in employer effected by paragraph (b).
(6) In relation to staff transferred by this section, previous service in the civil service, Bord na Gaeilge, the Foyle Fisheries Commission, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Enterprise Ireland or Forfás shall be reckonable for the purposes of the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1991, the Holidays (Employees) Acts, 1973 and 1991, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 1991, and the Unfair Dismissals Acts, 1977 to 1993.
Provisions consequent upon transfer of functions, assets and liabilities to a Body.
41.—(1) Where any legal proceedings are pending to which a Minister, a Board or a Commission is a party and the proceedings have reference to functions transferred by the relevant section from that Minister, that Board or that Commission, the name of the Body to which the functions are transferred shall, in so far as the proceedings relate to any function transferred by the relevant section, be substituted in the proceedings for that of that Minister or that Board or that Commission or be added in the proceedings, as may be appropriate, and the proceedings shall not abate by reason of such substitution.
(2) Anything commenced and not completed before the transfer of a function under the relevant section by or under the authority of the person from whom the function is transferred may, in so far as it relates to that function, be carried on or completed on or after such commencement by the Body to which the function is so transferred.
(3) Every instrument made under statute and every other document (including any certificate or licence) granted or made in the exercise of a function transferred by the relevant section shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before such transfer, have effect on and after such transfer as if it had been granted or made by the Body to which the function is transferred, and the transfer of a function by the relevant section shall not affect the validity of any such document as granted or made or any other act done by or in relation to the person from whom the function is transferred before such transfer, and any such document or act shall, if in force immediately before that transfer, continue in force to the same extent and subject to the same provisions as if it had been duly granted, made or done by, or in relation to, that Body.
(4) References to a Minister, a Board or a Commission in the memorandum or articles of association of any company and relating to a function transferred from that Minister, that Board or that Commission by the relevant section shall, on and after the transfer, be construed as references to the Body to whom the function is transferred.
(5) All property, rights and liabilities held, enjoyed or incurred in relation to a function transferred by the relevant section shall, on such transfer, be and are hereby transferred to the Body to whom the function is transferred and, accordingly, without any further conveyance, transfer or assignment—
(a) the said property, real and personal, shall, on such transfer, vest in that Body,
(b) the said rights shall, as on and from such transfer, be enjoyed by that Body,
(c) the said liabilities shall, as on and from such transfer, be liabilities of that Body.
(6) Any moneys, stocks, shares or securities transferred by the relevant section that on such transfer are standing in the name of the person from whom they are transferred shall, on the request of the Body to which they are so transferred, be transferred into its name.
(7) The administration and business in connection with the performance of any function transferred by the relevant section are hereby transferred to the Body to which the function is so transferred.
(8) A certificate signed by a Minister that any property, right or liability has or, as the case may be, has not vested in a Body under the relevant section shall be sufficient evidence, unless the contrary is shown, of the fact so certified for all purposes.
(9) A Minister may by regulations make such adaptations and modifications of any statute (including sections 11, 28, 34 and 36) or instrument made under any statute or the memorandum or articles of association of any company as he or she considers necessary or expedient to enable this section and those sections to have full effect.
(10) In this section—
“a Board” means Bord na Gaeilge or Bord Fáilte éireann;
“a Commission” means the Foyle Fisheries Commission or the Commissioners of Irish Lights;
“Minister” means the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources or the Minister for Education and Science, as may be appropriate having regard to the function, asset or liability concerned (including a function, asset or liability of a Board or a Commission);
“the relevant section” means section 11, 28, 34 or 36.
Grants to Bodies.
42.—(1) The Minister for Finance may make grants to the Special EU Programmes Body out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of such amounts and subject to such conditions as he or she may determine for the purposes of expenditure by that Body in the performance of its functions.
(2) Any other appropriate Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make grants to a Body out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas of such amounts and subject to such conditions as the appropriate Minister may, with the like consent, determine for the purposes of expenditure by that Body in the performance of its functions.
Restriction on borrowing by Bodies.
43.—The power to borrow money conferred on a Body by paragraph 2.2 of Part 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall not be exercised without the consent of the Minister for Finance and the Northern Ireland Minister.
Fees.
44.—A Body may, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, charge fees and impose other charges in respect of the performance of its functions and any fee or other charge paid to a Body by virtue of this section or of any power transferred to it shall be retained by it and used for the purposes of the performance of its functions.
Gifts to Bodies.
45.—(1) A Body may, subject to the approval of the Minister for Finance, accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts or conditions (if any) as may be specified by the donor.
(2) A Body shall not accept a gift if the trusts or conditions attached to it would be inconsistent with its functions.
Restriction of sections 43 to 45.
46.—Notwithstanding section 1(2), a section, being section 43, 44 or 45, shall not come into operation in relation to a Body unless provision to the like effect is made in the financial memorandum relating to that Body referred to in paragraph 2.2 of Part 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement.
Directions for purpose of Article 7 of Agreement.
47.—The Minister for Foreign Affairs is hereby authorised to give a direction under Article 7 of the Agreement to a Body, and a Body shall act in accordance with any such direction.
Judicial notice of seals of Bodies.
48.—Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of each Body and a document purporting to be an instrument made by a Body and to be sealed with the seal of the Body (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with paragraph 4.2 of Part 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
Laying of reports of Bodies before Houses of Oireachtas.
49.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the appropriate Minister shall cause a copy of the annual report of a Body to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) In the case of An Foras Teanga, the reference in subsection (1) to the appropriate Minister shall be construed as a reference to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Application of Ombudsman Act, 1980.
50.—(1) In this section—
“the Act of 1980” means the Ombudsman Act, 1980;
“the Northern Ireland Ombudsman” means the person who performs in Northern Ireland functions corresponding to those of the Ombudsman.
(2) The Act of 1980 shall apply in relation to the Bodies with any necessary modifications and as if there were a reference to each of them in Part I of the First Schedule to that Act, but such application shall be restricted to actions taken in the State by or on behalf of a Body.
(3) During a preliminary examination or an investigation under the Act of 1980 of an action taken by or on behalf of a Body, the Ombudsman shall consult with the Northern Ireland Ombudsman in relation to the conduct of the examination or investigation and, where he or she considers it appropriate to do so, may make available to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman information (including a copy of a document) furnished to him or her for the purposes of the examination or investigation; but, any decision or recommendation falling to be made following such an examination or investigation shall be made solely by the Ombudsman and he or she shall furnish a statement in writing of any such decision or recommendation to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.
(4) Where a complaint is made to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman in relation to an action taken in the State by or on behalf of a Body and the matter is referred to the Ombudsman by the Northern Ireland Ombudsman, the Act of 1980 shall apply as if a complaint in relation to the matter had been duly made under that Act to the Ombudsman.
(5) Where a complaint is made to the Ombudsman in relation to an action taken in Northern Ireland by or on behalf of a Body, he or she shall refer the matter to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman and shall furnish to him or her any information (including a copy of a document) in relation to the matter in his or her possession.
(6) The Ombudsman shall, when so requested by the Northern Ireland Ombudsman in relation to the investigation by the Ombudsman for Northern Ireland of an action taken in Northern Ireland by or on behalf of a Body, liaise and consult with him or her in relation to the matter.
Application of Data Protection Act, 1988.
51.—(1) In this section—
“the Act of 1988” means the Data Protection Act, 1988;
“action” includes failure to act and references to taking an action include references to such a failure;
“the Commissioner” means the Data Protection Commissioner;
“data controller” and “data processor” have the meanings assigned to them by the Act of 1988;
“established” shall be construed in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 24 October 19951 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data;
“the Northern Ireland Commissioner” means the person who performs in Northern Ireland functions corresponding to those of the Commissioner.
(2) The Act of 1988 shall apply in relation to the Bodies with any necessary modifications and subject to the subsequent provisions of this section.
(3) Where the data controller concerned is established in the State only, the Act of 1988 shall apply in relation to any matter concerning that data controller.
(4) Where the data processor concerned is established in the State only, the Act of 1988 shall apply in relation to any matter concerning that data processor.
(5) Where the data controller concerned or the data processor concerned is established in the State and in Northern Ireland, the Act of 1988 shall apply in relation to any matter concerned only if the processing concerned takes place in the State.
(6) In so far as the Act applies to a Body or to a data processor of a Body, the Body shall be deemed to be a person to whom section 16 of the Act of 1988 applies.
(7) Where—
(a) a complaint is made to the Commissioner in relation to a Body or the data processor of a Body and the matter is one to which, by virtue of this section, the Act of 1988 does not apply, and
(b) the data controller concerned or the data processor concerned is situated in Northern Ireland or the processing takes place in Northern Ireland,
the Commissioner shall refer the matter to the Northern Ireland Commissioner and shall furnish to him or her any information in relation to the matter in his or her possession.
Exemption of Bodies from rates and taxes.
52.—(1) A Body shall not be liable to pay any rates under the Valuation Acts and any hereditament or tenement used or occupied by a Body shall, for the purpose of section 2 of the Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1854, be deemed to be of a public nature and occupied for the public service.
(2) A Body shall not be liable for the payment of any direct tax, or any duty, in respect of any lands or income.
Application of section 13 of Statute of Limitations, 1957, and section 70 of the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1980, to Bodies.
53.— A Body shall be deemed to be—
(a) a State authority for the purposes of section 13 of the Statute of Limitations, 1957, and
(b) an appropriate State authority for the purposes of section 70 of the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1980.
Proof of regulations and bye-laws made by a Body.
54.— Section 4 of the Documentary Evidence Act, 1925, shall apply to regulations and bye-laws made by a Body.
Functions for public bodies.
55.—(1) For the purpose of ensuring that the arrangements for the agreed co-operation referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9(i) of Strand Two of the Multi-Party Agreement, in so far as they relate to public bodies, will commence contemporaneously with the transfer of powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, public bodies concerned shall have such functions as are necessary or expedient for that purpose.
(2) In this section “public body” means a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941, a health board or any other body established by any enactment.
Application of Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.
56.— For the purposes of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993—
(a) the examination referred to in paragraph 2.5 of Part 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall be deemed to be an audit, and
(b) the value for money examinations referred to in paragraph 2.7 of that Part shall be deemed to be examinations provided for by section 9 of that Act.
SCHEDULE
Agreement Between The Government Of Ireland And The Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Establishing Implementation Bodies
The Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
Having regard to Article 2 of the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland done at Belfast on 10th April 1998 (“the British-Irish Agreement”), and to the Multi-Party Agreement reached at Belfast on 10th April 1998 (“the Multi-Party Agreement”), annexed to the British-Irish Agreement;
Recalling that the participants in the multi-party negotiations pledged that they would in good faith work to ensure the success of each and every one of the arrangements to be established under the Multi-Party Agreement, and that it was accepted that “all of the institutional and constitutional arrangements — an Assembly in Northern Ireland, a North/South Ministerial Council, implementation bodies, a British-Irish Council, and a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and any amendments to British Acts of Parliament and the Constitution of Ireland — are interlocking and interdependent and that in particular the functions of the Assembly and the North/South Council are so closely inter-related that the success of each depends on that of the other”;
Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Under and in furtherance of Article 2 of the British-Irish Agreement the following Bodies are hereby established:
(a) an implementation body for inland waterways, to be known as Waterways Ireland;
(b) an implementation body for food safety, to be known as The Food Safety Promotion Board;
(c) an implementation body for trade and business development, to be known as The Trade and Business Development Body;
(d) an implementation body for special EU programmes, to be known as The Special EU Programmes Body;
(e) an implementation body for language, to be known as The North/South Language Body, which shall be known in Irish as An Foras Teanga or in Ullans as Tha Boord o Leid;
(f) an implementation body for aquaculture and marine matters, to be known as The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.
ARTICLE 2
1. The functions of each Body shall be those specified in the relevant part of Annex 1 hereto insofar, in relation to Northern Ireland, as they relate to matters within the competence of Northern Ireland Ministers.
2. Each Body shall exercise its functions and be structured in accordance with the arrangements set out in the relevant parts of Annex 2 hereto.
ARTICLE 3
1. Each Body shall operate in accordance with the provisions of the Multi-Party Agreement, and shall in particular implement any decisions of the North/South Ministerial Council on policies and actions relating to matters within the scope of the Body's functions.
2. Each Body shall be funded in accordance with the provisions of the Multi-Party Agreement on the basis that it constitutes a necessary public function.
ARTICLE 4
In relation to the Body for aquaculture and marine matters, Articles 2 and 3 shall apply subject to any arrangements which the two Governments shall determine for the provision and maintenance of aids to navigation pursuant to paragraph 7.1 of Part 6 of Annex 2 hereto.
ARTICLE 5
The North/South Ministerial Council may propose to the two Governments amendments to Annexes 1 and 2 hereto. Such amendments may be made by the two Governments by exchange of notes.
ARTICLE 6
Each Body shall have legal personality. Its legal capacity shall include the capacity to contract, to acquire and dispose of property and to institute legal proceedings.
ARTICLE 7
1. Each Body shall act in accordance with any direction of the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs or the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs necessary to ensure compliance, within their respective jurisdictions, with any international obligations of the British Government or the Irish Government other than international obligations arising under this Agreement or the British-Irish Agreement.
2. Such directions shall be issued only in the event that the North/South Ministerial Council is unable to reach a decision on measures necessary to ensure compliance with the above international obligations.
ARTICLE 8
This Agreement supplements the provisions of the British-Irish Agreement and shall be read together with that Agreement.
ARTICLE 9
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the British-Irish Agreement enters into force.
In witness where of the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by the respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done in two originals at Dublin on the 8th day of March 1999.
For the Government of Ireland | For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
ANNEX 1
PART 1
Inland Waterways
A Body with the following functions:
Management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes:
immediately in respect of the Shannon-Erne Waterway and of the possible restoration and development of the Ulster Canal;
progressively thereafter, in respect of the wider Shannon-Erne system and the island's other waterways (principally the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow and Lagan).
The Body would take on the functions, together with the appropriate support functions, exercised in that regard by the Waterways Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland, and would also take over the functions of Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Ltd.
PART 2
Food Safety
A Body with the following functions:
— promotion of food safety
— research into food safety
— communication of food alerts
— surveillance of food-borne diseases
— promotion of scientific co-operation and linkages between laboratories
— development of cost-effective facilities for specialised laboratory testing.
PART 3
Trade and Business Development
A Body to exchange information and co-ordinate work on trade, business development and related matters, in areas where the two administrations specifically agree it would be in their mutual interest.
The specific areas of implementation would include:
— co-operation on business development opportunities, North and South;
— devising new approaches to business development in a cross-border context, in such areas as research, training, marketing and quality improvement;
— supporting business by making recommendations to increase enterprise competitiveness in a north-south context in areas such as skills availability, telecoms, IT and electronic commerce;
— promotion of north-south trade and supply chains, including through business linkages and partnerships;
— promoting cross-border trade events and marketing initiatives;
— identifying new areas of trade between North and South;
— promoting market awareness and trade development in a north-south context;
— undertaking specific projects and events in relation to trade promotion, when tasked jointly on a project by project basis;
— providing advice on specific aspects of trade promotion, when tasked jointly to do so.
Existing economic agencies North and South would continue to be funded by and operate under the direction of their respective administrations.
PART 4
Special EU Programmes
A Body with the following functions:
Until the conclusion of the current Community Initiatives
— the central secretariat, monitoring, research, evaluation, technical assistance and development roles currently exercised jointly in respect of INTERREG and PEACE by the Department of Finance and the Department of Finance and Personnel;
— administration of certain sectoral sub-programmes under INTERREG and PEACE (interest rate subsidy and cross border co-operation between public bodies).
In relation to post-1999 Structural Funds
— advising North/South Ministerial Council and two Departments of Finance on negotiation with the EU Commission of post-1999 Community Initiatives and of Common Chapter;
— preparing, for the approval of the two administrations in the Council and in close consultation with the two Departments of Finance and other relevant Departments, detailed programme proposals under the new Community Initiatives (likely to be INTERREG III, LEADER III and EQUAL, and possibly a successor to PEACE);
— central secretariat, monitoring, research, evaluation, technical assistance and development roles in respect of these Initiatives;
— grant-making and other managerial functions in respect of INTERREG III and of north-south elements of programmes under other Initiatives, within the framework of the relevant overall policies of North and South respectively, and subject to the expenditure allocations and specific programme parameters agreed between the two administrations and with the EU Commission;
— monitoring and promoting implementation of the Common Chapter, which would have a specific budgetary allocation.
PART 5
Language
One Body, with two separate parts, with the following functions:
Irish Language
— promotion of the Irish language;
— facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where where is appropriate demand;
— advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;
— undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;
— undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;
— developing terminology and dictionaries;
— supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.
Ulster Scots
— promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island.
PART 6
Aquaculture And Marine Matters
A Body with the following functions:
Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough
— promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough, for commercial and recreational purposes;
— existing functions of Foyle Fisheries Commission in regard to inland fisheries conservation, protection, management and development, and equivalent functions in respect of Carlingford Lough;
— development and licensing of aquaculture;
— development of marine tourism.
Lighthouses
— existing functions of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in respect of providing and maintaining aids to navigation along the coast of the whole island of Ireland and its adjacent seas and islands.
Given that the CIL functions in an East-West context, arrangements to maintain linkage with the relevant British authorities.
ANNEX 2
DEFINITIONS
In this Annex—
“the Finance Departments” means the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel and the Irish Department of Finance;
“the Finance Ministers” means the Northern Ireland Minister of Finance and Personnel and the Irish Minister for Finance;
“NSMC” means the North/South Ministerial Council.
PART 1
Inland Waterways
EXERCISE OF FUNCTIONS
Part 1 of Annex 1 sets out the functions of the Body. The Body will exercise these functions in accordance with the following arrangements and those set out in Part 7 below.
1.1 The Body will with immediate effect—
(a) be responsible for the management, maintenance and development principally for recreational purposes of the Shannon-Erne Waterway;
(b) take forward appropriate studies and appraisals in relation to the possible restoration of the Ulster Canal; and
(c) take over the control of Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Ltd.
1.2 With effect from 1 April 2000, the Body will assume responsibility for the management, maintenance and development principally for recreational purposes of the following inland waterways—
the Erne System
the Grand Canal (including the Barrow Navigation)
the Lower Bann Navigation
the Royal Canal
the Shannon Navigation.
1.3 If, in the light of the outcome of the studies and appraisals referred to at paragraph 1.1(b), NSMC so decides, the Body will, with effect from such date as NSMC may decide, be responsible for the restoration of the Ulster Canal and, following restoration, for its management, maintenance and development principally for recreational purposes.
1.4 With effect from such date as may be specified by legislation in each jurisdiction, following agreement in NSMC, the Body will assume responsibility for—
(a) the restoration of any other inland waterway specified in the legislation;
(b) the management, maintenance and development principally for recreational purposes of any other inland waterway so specified.
1.5 From 1 April 2000, there will be three regional divisions of the Body — Northern, Western and Eastern.
1.6 In the discharge of its management and development function principally for recreational purposes, the Body will engage in promotion, including marketing and development of the tourism and commercial potential of the inland waterways for which it has responsibility.
1.7 The Body will have all the powers necessary for, or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.
STRUCTURE
2.1 The Body will have a Chief Executive, appointed by NSMC.
2.2 The functions of the Body will be exercised by the Chief Executive or another member of the staff of the Body authorised by the Chief Executive. In exercising its functions the Body will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
PART 2
Food Safety
EXERCISE OF FUNCTIONS
Part 2 of Annex 1 sets out the functions of the Body. The Body will exercise these functions in accordance with the following arrangements and those set out in Part 7 below.
1. Promotion of food safety:
1.1 It will be a key and priority function of the Body to bring about general acceptance that responsibility for the provision of safe food is shared among producers, processors, distributors at all levels, caterers and the general public. This function includes:
(a) promoting awareness and knowledge of food safety issues among the public, professionals with an interest in, or responsibility for, food safety, and the food industry;
(b) arranging public awareness campaigns, conferences, training and strategic support;
(c) providing food safety advice and guidance (including advice on the nutritional aspects of various foods);
(d) establishing and maintaining links with key interests in the food safety field, including the Northern Ireland and Irish bodies responsible for food safety enforcement.
1.2 The Body will have a remit throughout the island of Ireland in relation to the promotion of food safety and will work in association with the Northern Ireland and Irish food safety agencies, which will continue to be responsible for inspection and enforcement. Existing arrangements for international negotiations, the setting of food standards and the promulgation of legislation and regulations will continue to apply. The Body may review and advise on the adequacy of food enforcement arrangements in place throughout the food chain in the island of Ireland, at the request of NSMC.
1.3 The Northern Ireland and Irish food safety enforcement agencies will retain a promotional role to support their inspection and enforcement functions.
2. Research into food safety:
The Body will have a general remit to promote research into all aspects of food safety, including:
(a) identifying priorities for research;
(b) commissioning and funding research projects as necessary to fill identified gaps;
(c) establishing and maintaining a database of research programmes and monitoring progress;
(e) disseminating research findings to relevant interests;
(f) recommending action arising from research findings;
(g) maintaining links with international research bodies.
3. Communication of food alerts:
The Body will have a responsibility to ensure prompt, accurate and complete dissemination of information on national and international food alerts by:
(a) developing and monitoring protocols for responding to food alerts;
(b) liaising with the Northern Ireland and Irish enforcement agencies;
(c) promoting and, where appropriate, arranging training for those likely to be involved in managing and responding to food alerts;
(d) developing cross-border emergency response procedures.
4. Surveillance of food borne diseases:
The Body will have a general responsibility to promote cross-border co-operation in the microbiological surveillance of food borne diseases:
(a) identifying priorities for the development of surveillance;
(b) establishing a forum for the exchange of information between relevant interests;
(c) promoting collaboration in surveillance-related activity, where appropriate, including training and professional development;
(d) accessing and analysing surveillance data held by the appropriate Northern Ireland and Irish authorities;
(e) publishing surveillance information and analysis;
(f) promoting harmonisation, where appropriate, in the development of surveillance systems including methodologies, approaches to reporting, and information technology systems.
5. Promotion of scientific co-operation and linkages between laboratories:
The Body will have a general remit to promote scientific co-operation and linkages between laboratories accredited, or working towards accreditation, under relevant EU directives:
(a) developing a strategy for such co-operation and linkages between laboratories, including proposed funding arrangements;
(b) developing a reporting system for rapid access to laboratory results;
(c) sharing knowledge and experience on methodologies of testing and surveillance;
(d) setting priorities for laboratory network development;
(e) advising on developing linkages and on the means to be employed;
(f) establishing and promoting appropriate information technology solutions;
(g) monitoring effectiveness of the linked laboratories system, including advising on its continuing development.
6. Developing of cost-effective facilities for specialised laboratory testing:
The Body will have a general remit to develop and sustain a strategy for the island of Ireland for the delivery of specialised laboratory services, including:
(a) conducting an early study of the relative cost-effectiveness of the available options, including use of laboratories in Great Britain, for the development of specialised laboratory services;
(b) preparing cost-effective proposals, including funding arrangements, for consideration by NSMC;
(c) overseeing the implementation of the strategy once approved by NSMC, including advising on its continuing development.
7.1 The Body will draw on the pool of scientific advice and expertise available separately to the Northern Ireland and Irish food safety regimes.
7.2 It is intended that the Body will provide an independent assessment, through independent scientific advice, of the safety and hygiene of food produced, distributed or marketed in the island of Ireland.
8. The Body will issue reports on specific issues related to its functions, either on request from NSMC, or on its own initiative.
9. The Body will have all the powers necessary for, or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.
STRUCTURE
10.1 The Body will have an Advisory Board consisting of not fewer than 8 and not more than 12 members, including a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. NSMC will appoint the members, including one member as Chairperson and one member as Vice-Chairperson.
10.2 Subject to the other provisions in this Annex, the remuneration, allowances and expenses of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other members, and any other terms and conditions on which they hold office, will be determined by NSMC, with the approval of the Finance Ministers.
11.1 The term of office of the first members of the Advisory Board will be 3 years. The term of subsequent appointments may be varied by NSMC to facilitate continuity of membership but will not exceed 5 years. Members will not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.
11.2 A person may resign as a member or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson by notice in writing to NSMC. NSMC may dismiss a person from his or her office as a member, or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, if —
(a) he or she fails without reasonable excuse to discharge his or her functions for a continuous period of 3 months;
(b) he or she is convicted of a criminal offence;
(c) a bankruptcy order is made against him or her, or he or she makes a composition or arrangement with his or her creditors; or
(d) he or she is unable or unfit to carry out his or her functions.
11.3 If a member dies, resigns or is removed from office, NSMC may appoint a person to fill the vacancy, and the person so appointed will be appointed in the same manner as the member who occasioned the vacancy. The person so appointed will hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member who occasioned the vacancy and will be eligible for reappointment as a member.
11.4 The Body will have a Chief Executive, appointed by NSMC.
11.5 The functions of the Body will be exercised by the Chief Executive or another member of the staff of the Body authorised by the Chief Executive. In exercising its functions the Body will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
11.6 NSMC will appoint an Advisory Committee including scientific experts and representatives of broader food safety interests.
PART 3
Trade and Business Development
EXERCISE OF FUNCTIONS
Part 3 of Annex 1 sets out the functions of the Body. The Body will exercise these functions in accordance with the following arrangements and those set out in Part 7 below.
1.1 The Body will develop co-operation on business development opportunities, North and South, including through:
(a) reviewing the scope, extent and effectiveness of relevant existing activities undertaken by government agencies and Departments, and recommend to NSMC for consideration and decision areas where cross-border co-operation would add value, and ways of extending and deepening such co-operation;
(b) administering a programme to enable companies to undertake joint product and process development projects of commercial benefit, with assistance of institutions where appropriate (this includes projects in which a company and an institution can co-operate on a North/South basis);
(c) administering a pre-competitive research programme aimed at supporting commercially focused research within the third level sector, encouraging in particular projects which bring together researchers, companies and institutions, North and South; and
(d) initiating new programmes to assist small and medium enterprises with researching and implementing joint venture partnerships on a North/South basis or jointly with overseas partners.
In this area the Body will also be tasked to bring forward to NSMC within 3 months proposals on the development of a North/South equity investment fund programme taking account of the effectiveness of the existing range of equity fund provision, North and South, for consideration and decision by NSMC.
1.2 The Body will devise new approaches to business development in a cross-border context, in such areas as research, training, marketing and quality improvement including through:
(a) reviewing research on business development and experience of business development, including relevant training, in appropriate comparative countries and regions, and in relevant international institutions, with a view to recommending new approaches to the NSMC for consideration and decision;
(b) examining options for the achievement of greater coherence and deepening of research and development, and for cementing and formalising ongoing industry and third level collaboration in the area, North and South;
(c) co-ordinating annual programmes of ‘Best Practice’ visits for companies on a North/South basis;
(d) implementing a science and technology awareness programme on a North/South basis;
(e) implementing an innovation award scheme on a North/South basis, with support from the private sector;
(f) drawing on findings and recommendations emerging from the Foresight initiatives (medium-to-long-term planning) in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and examining the possibility for their application on a North/South basis; and
(g) recommending to NSMC for implementation on a North/South basis specific measures regarding training and skills development.
In this area the Body will also be tasked to bring forward to NSMC, within 3 months proposals for consideration and decision by NSMC on:
(h) the development of graduate and other placement programmes on a North/South basis;
(i) the carrying out of a range of testing services for industry with a view to the development of testing services, North and South, on a fully commercial basis by private interests; and
(j) the implementation of standards development and certification programmes on a North/South basis.
1.3 The Body will support business by making recommendations to increase enterprise competitiveness in a North/South context in areas such as skills availability, telecoms, information technology and electronic commerce. In particular, it will:
(a) investigate the effectiveness of existing arrangements in regard to all aspects of competitiveness of business environment North and South, including skills availability, telecoms, information technology and infrastructure and make recommendations for consideration and decision by NSMC;
(b) promote an awareness of electronic commerce, including conducting research and advising on the co-ordination of electronic commerce infrastructure, North and South;
(c) implement on a North/South basis a number of actions to facilitate development of the Information Society in the interests of trade and business; and
(d) examine possibilities for promoting inter-regional economic development and co-operation, including through clusters and centres of excellence, particularly in border areas.
1.4 The Body will promote North/South trade and supply chains, including through business linkages and partnerships, including by:
(a) co-ordinating, gathering and disseminating information on linkage programmes matching suppliers and buyers on a North/South basis, including joint supplier databases; and
(b) organising public procurement programmes and events on a North/South basis.
1.5 The Body will, under its own brand, promote cross-border trade events and marketing initiatives, identify new areas of trade between North and South and promote market awareness and trade development in a North/South context, including through identifying sectors and products in which cross-border trade is relatively low, establishing the reasons for the low levels, and making recommendations where appropriate for raising the level of trade, including recommendations for the removal of any artificial impediments to trade.
1.6 The Body will undertake specific projects and events in relation to trade promotion and provide advice on specific aspects of trade promotion, when tasked jointly to do so.
The Body will bring forward proposals for consideration by NSMC on specific projects in these areas.
2. The Body will have all the powers necessary for, or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.
STRUCTURE
3.1 The Body will have a Board of not fewer than 8 and not more than 12 members, including a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. NSMC will appoint the members, including one member as Chairperson and one member as Vice-Chairperson.
3.2 The functions of the Body will be exercised by the Board. In exercising its functions the Body will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
3.3 Subject to the other provisions in this Annex, the remuneration, allowances and expenses of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other members, and any other terms and conditions on which they hold office, will be determined by NSMC, with the approval of the Finance Ministers.
4.1 The term of office of the first members of the Board will be 3 years. The term of subsequent appointments may be varied by NSMC to facilitate continuity of membership but shall not exceed 5 years. Members will not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.
4.2 A person may resign as a member or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson by notice in writing to NSMC. NSMC may dismiss a person from his or her office as a member, or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, if —
(a) he or she fails without reasonable excuse to discharge his or her functions for a continuous period of 3 months;
(b) he or she is convicted of a criminal offence;
(c) a bankruptcy order is made against him or her, or he or she makes a composition or arrangement with his or her creditors; or
(d) he or she is unable or unfit to carry out his or her functions.
4.3 If a member dies, resigns or is removed from office, NSMC may appoint a person to fill the vacancy, and the person so appointed will be appointed in the same manner as the member who occasioned the vacancy. The person so appointed will hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member who occasioned the vacancy and will be eligible for reappointment as a member.
4.4 NSMC will appoint a Chief Executive to the Body. The Chief Executive will be responsible for the management and control generally of the administration and business of the Body.
PART 4
Special EU Programmes
EXERCISE OF FUNCTIONS
Part 4 of Annex 1 sets out the functions of the Body. The Body will exercise these functions in accordance with the following arrangements and those set out in Part 7 below.
1. Until the conclusion of the current Community Initiatives:—
1.1 The Body will—
(a) prepare documentation relating to financial progress of programmes, monitoring of performance, associated reports, agendas and summary records of meetings, preparation of annual report, publicity requirements;
(b) chair the Monitoring Committee for INTERREG II, and act as secretariat to the PEACE Monitoring Committee which will continue to be jointly chaired by the Finance Departments until 31 December 1999 or such later date as NSMC may agree; collect from Departmental Sub-Programme leaders all financial returns relating to EU expenditure and commitments (i.e. allocations under the Programmes), prepare financial tables for the Monitoring Committees, collate progress reports from Departments, prepare and submit overview reports regarding overall progress of the Programmes to the Monitoring Committees and manage physical and impact indicator monitoring;
(c) commission any research in the form of evaluation exercises on a Programme-wide basis which may be agreed by the Monitoring Committees;
(d) ensure that the legal requirements for evaluation in terms of agreeing and monitoring performance indicators (financial, non-financial and impact) for the Programmes, as laid down in the Structural Funds Regulations and Programme documents, are met;
(e) be responsible for managing the technical assistance Measures of the Programmes;
(f) manage the contract with the INTERREG Development Officer, who will continue to work with Measure Leaders in functional Departments, and liaise with the Consultative Forum within the PEACE programme;
(g) oversee the remaining co-ordination tasks in relation to INTERREG II and act as Sub-Programme Leader in relation to the cross-border elements of PEACE, including the completion of the allocation of funds for the Cross-Border Development Sub-Programme as a whole;
(h) act as Measure Leader for the Co-operation between Public Bodies and Business and Cultural Linkages Measures of that Sub-programme.
1.2 Internal audit and financial control functions will remain with Departments, while public expenditure overview will remain with Ministers. The implementation of the measures, including decision-making on allocation of grant, will continue to be dealt with as at present through Northern Ireland and Irish Departments and other relevant non-Governmental bodies.
2. In relation to post-1999 Structural Funds:—
2.1 The Body will advise NSMC and the Finance Departments on the negotiation with the European Commission of the post-1999 Community Initiatives (CIs) and the Common Chapter on co-operation between Northern Ireland and Ireland in the Structural Funds Plans relating to the next round of funding for 2000-2006. It will be asked to bring forward, following consultation with all relevant interests, proposals in relation to the application of the post-1999 CIs and the Common Chapter which would take account of the policy objectives of the EU, best fulfil the policy objectives of the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Ministers and appropriately reflect the needs of the target areas. On the relevant defined areas of responsibility, the Body's advice will be considered in the context of:—
(a) the Irish Government's negotiating strategy in respect of the CIs and the Common Chapter; and
(b) the views of Northern Ireland Ministers represented to the British Government to contribute to the UK's negotiating strategy on these topics.
2.2 On the Common Chapter, the Body will provide views to assist Ministers in drawing up their Structural Funds Plans.
2.3 The Body will be responsible for preparing, for the approval of NSMC and in close consultation with the Finance Departments and other relevant Departments, detailed Programme proposals under the new CIs (likely to be INTERREG III, LEADER III and EQUAL and possibly a successor to PEACE). These will reflect the Guidelines for the CIs as agreed by the EU and any guidance issued, following agreement in NSMC, by the Finance Ministers. Before the proposals are put to NSMC, there will be consultation and agreement on the proposed programmes between the Body, the Finance Departments and the appropriate lead Departments in order to provide a clear basis for discussion in NSMC. The Body will contribute as appropriate to negotiations with the European Commission on these matters undertaken by representatives of the British and Irish Governments.
2.4 The proposals will include recommendations on:—
(a) the structure of Measures for inclusion;
(b) the allocations to Measures;
(c) the objectives of each Measure, so that clear output objectives and eligibility criteria can be drawn up; and
(d) the implementation mechanism ie what body would have the role of authorising specific grant allocations to programmes and projects.
2.5 The arrangements set out at paragraph 1.1 will be continued for the CIs as appropriate having regard to the particular features of the Programmes under these Initiatives.
2.6 The Body will be responsible for grant-making and other managerial functions in respect of INTERREG III and of North/South elements of Programmes under other Initiatives, within the framework of the relevant overall policies of the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Ministers respectively, and subject to the expenditure allocations agreed between the two administrations and specific Programme parameters. The Body will be given guidance on these matters, which will be issued, following agreement in NSMC, by the Finance Ministers. When the Programmes are formally approved, they will be overseen by the relevant Monitoring Committee, and the latter will be serviced by the Body which will also provide analysis and advice on any subsequent amendments that may be appropriate. In developing these, there will be consultation in order to secure agreement between the Body, the Finance Departments and the appropriate lead Northern Ireland and Irish Departments to provide a clear basis for discussion and agreement in NSMC.
2.7 For INTERREG III and the North/South elements of Programmes under other Initiatives, the Body will, as appropriate, pay grant directly or contract with government Departments (which in turn might subcontract as appropriate to other agencies) or contract directly with other agencies to deliver the Measures. In all cases, it will be the responsibility of the Body to agree with the Finance Ministers and the Ministers of the lead Departments, as appropriate, how to ensure that the specific funding proposals are consistent with the relevant overall policies of the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Ministers respectively and with the expenditure allocations agreed by the two administrations.
2.8 The Body will be responsible for monitoring and promoting implementation of North/South co-operative actions through the medium of the Common Chapter; the Common Chapter to set out the allocation of funding for such actions. The Body may commission studies as appropriate to identify and alleviate constraints affecting such co-operation, for which purpose a specific budget will be allocated to the Body.
3. The Body will ensure that all the relevant reporting requirements of the EU are met. The Body will also be responsible for producing the full documentation, including progress reports and a technical annual report, for the Monitoring Committees.
4. The Body's operations will be overseen by the relevant Monitoring Committees established according to the EU Structural Funds Regulations.
5. The Finance Ministers will each appoint a senior official to each Monitoring Committee to work closely with the Chief Executive and ensure that the accountability obligations of each jurisdiction are fulfilled.
6. The Body will have all the powers necessary for, or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.
STRUCTURE
7.1 The Body will have a Chief Executive, appointed by NSMC.
7.2 The functions of the Body will be exercised by the Chief Executive or another member of the staff of the Body authorised by the Chief Executive. In exercising its functions the Body will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
PART 5
Language
EXERCISE OF FUNCTIONS
Part 5 of Annex 1 sets out the functions of the Body. The Body will exercise these functions in accordance with the following arrangements and those set out in Part 7 below.
1.1 The functions of Bord na Gaeilge in regard to the promotion of the Irish language and its staff, assets and obligations will be transferred to the Body. Bord na Gaeilge will be dissolved. The functions of the Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in relation to financial support for certain voluntary Irish language organisations will also be transferred to the Body.
1.2 In carrying out its functions of developing terminology and dictionaries and supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish, the Body, having regard to the legislative and other curriculum requirements applicable to each jurisdiction—
(a) (i) may review the curriculum resources made available for Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish, including the provision of appropriate textbooks, other teaching materials and teaching aids;
(ii) may conduct research into any matters relating to the provision of Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish in schools or other places, including the methods of teaching employed, the curricula taught and the assessment procedures adopted;
(iii) may publish, in such form as it considers appropriate, the outcomes of its research and reviews, including recommendations for action;
(b) will exercise the functions exercised prior to the establishment of the Body by the Irish Department of Education and Science, through An Gúm, with respect to the publication of books in Irish in support of Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish in schools and elsewhere;
(c) will exercise the functions exercised prior to the establishment of the Body by the Irish Department of Education and Science, through An Coiste Téarmaíochta with respect to the development of terminology and vocabulary in Irish; and
(d) will facilitate co-operation between the body to be established in accordance with Section 31 of the Irish Education Act, 1998 and any promotional body funded under Article 89 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
1.3 Arising out of research or a review carried out under paragraph 1.2 (a) the Body may give advice or make recommendations for action in relation to Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.
1.4 The functions of the Body in relation to the Irish language will be exercised by an Irish language agency of the Body. The working language of the agency will be Irish, subject to the provisions of the Financial Memorandum. Subject to the agreement of the Body the agency will decide its own title. In carrying out the Body's functions, the Irish language agency will have regard to the positions of the Irish language in the two jurisdictions. In Northern Ireland this position will be the British Government's commitments in respect of the Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity section of the Multi-Party Agreement and any relevant legislation. In Ireland, this position will be the constitutional and legal position of the Irish language, Irish Government policy and the measures and practices built up to foster and promote the language.
1.5 An Education Unit within this agency will carry out the functions outlined in paragraphs 1.2 and 1.3.
1.6 In carrying out its functions in relation to Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues the Body may, having regard to the contexts in both jurisdictions—
(a) provide advice to both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;
(b) undertake research and promotional campaigns; and
(c) undertake support of projects and grant-aid bodies and groups as necessary; but this does not exclude Ulster-Scots bodies and groups operating exclusively in Northern Ireland from accessing Northern Ireland Government funding programmes.
1.7 “Ullans” is to be understood as the variety of the Scots language traditionally found in parts of Northern Ireland and Donegal. “Ulster-Scots cultural issues” relate to the cultural traditions of the part of the population of Northern Ireland and the border counties which is of Scottish ancestry and the influence of their cultural traditions on others, both within the island of Ireland and in the rest of the world.
1.8 The functions of the Body in relation to Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues will be exercised by an Ulster-Scots agency of the Body. Subject to the agreement of the Body, the agency will decide its own title.
1.9 The Body will have all the powers necessary for, or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.
1.10 The annual report of the Body will incorporate reports of the agencies on their activities.
1.11 NSMC will designate the amounts of the grants received under paragraph 2.1 of Part 7 to be applied for
(a) the functions of the Body in relation to the Irish language; and
(b) the functions of the Body in relation to Ullans and Ulster Sch. Scots cultural issues.
1.12 The Body will require each of the agencies to keep proper accounts and financial records and to prepare a statement of accounts in respect of each year.
STRUCTURE
2.1 The Body will have a Board of 24 members appointed by NSMC. Of those members—
(a) 16 will be drawn from among persons appearing to NSMC to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Body in relation to Irish language and
(b) 8 will be drawn from among persons appearing to NSMC to have an interest in, or experience of, matters relating to the functions of the Body in relation to Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues.
2.2 The 16 members appointed under paragraph 2.1(a) will have responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Body through the Irish language agency. One member will be appointed by NSMC as Chairperson of that agency. In exercising the functions of the Body, the agency will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
2.3 The 8 members appointed under paragraph 2.1(b) will have responsibility for the exercise of the functions of the Body through the Ulster-Scots agency. One member will be appointed by NSMC as Chairperson of that agency. In exercising the functions of the Body, the agency will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
2.4 The Chairperson of the Irish language agency and the Chairperson of the Ulster-Scots agency will be joint Chairpersons of the Body.
2.5 Subject to the other provisions in this Annex, the remuneration, allowances and expenses of the Chairpersons and other members, and any other terms and conditions on which they hold office, will be determined by NSMC, with the approval of the Finance Ministers.
2.6 The term of office of the first members of the Board will be 3 years. The term of subsequent appointments may be varied by NSMC to facilitate continuity of membership but shall not exceed 5 years. Members will not serve more than two consecutive terms.
2.7 A person may resign as a member or as a Chairperson by notice in writing to NSMC. NSMC may dismiss a person from his or her office as a member, or as a Chairperson, if—
(a) he or she fails without reasonable excuse to discharge his or her functions for a continuous period of 3 months;
(b) he or she is convicted of a criminal offence;
(c) a bankruptcy order is made against him or her, or he or she makes a composition or arrangement with his or her creditors; or
(d) he or she is unable or unfit to carry out his or her functions.
2.8 If a member dies, resigns or is removed from office, NSMC may appoint a person to fill the vacancy, and the person so appointed will be appointed in the same manner as the member who occasioned the vacancy. The person so appointed will hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member who occasioned the vacancy and will be eligible for reappointment as a member.
2.9 The staff assigned to each agency will be responsible to and report to the Body through that agency.
2.10 The Body will appoint a Chief Executive for each agency subject to the approval of NSMC. The Chief Executive will be responsible for the management and control generally of the administration and business of the agency.
PART 6
Aquaculture and Marine Matters
EXERCISE OF FUNCTIONS
Part 6 of Annex 1 sets out the functions of the Body. The Body will exercise these functions in accordance with the following arrangements and those set out in Part 7 below.
1. Promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes:
1.1 This function is restricted to marine, fishery and aquaculture matters and will include the preparation of a strategic plan for commercial and recreational development of the Foyle and Carlingford Areas, and the promotion (including by grant aid) and co-ordination of the delivery of the development strategy;
2. Existing functions of the Foyle Fisheries Commission in regard to inland fisheries conservation, protection, management and development, and equivalent functions in respect of Carlingford Lough:
2.1 The Body will exercise the functions formerly exercised by the Foyle Fisheries Commission, which will be dissolved, and corresponding functions in relation to the Carlingford Area. Legislation will be introduced to provide for the exercise of an inland fisheries development function in relation to the Foyle and Carlingford Areas as set out in paragraph 6 below.
3. Development and licensing of aquaculture:
3.1 Legislation will be required to provide for the aquaculture development and licensing functions in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas. This will be introduced as set out in paragraph 6 below.
4. Development of marine tourism:
4.1 This function will include the preparation of a strategic plan for marine tourism in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas and the promotion and marketing of those Areas (including by grant aid) and co-ordination of the delivery of the development strategy.
5. The Carlingford Area means—
(a) the whole of the sea along the coast between the low water line of the most southerly point of Cranfield Point in the County of Down and the low water line of the most easterly point of Ballaghan Point, in the County of Louth, and within a straight line between those points, and any islands or rocks within the same, with the whole of the tideway along the said coast; and
(b) the whole of all lakes, rivers and their tributaries which flow into the sea within the area defined in sub-paragraph (a) and all of the land catchment from which water drains into those lakes and rivers.
6. The legislation required to provide for the development and licensing of aquaculture and for the exercise of a development function in relation to inland fisheries in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas will, following consultation with NSMC, be brought forward in both jurisdictions before the end of 1999. Pending the enactment of such legislation, the existing statutory provisions in each jurisdiction will continue to apply.
7. Existing functions of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in respect of providing and maintaining aids to navigation along the coast of the whole island of Ireland and its adjacent seas and islands:
7.1 United Kingdom and Irish legislation will be required for the Body to become the General Lighthouse Authority for the island of Ireland. Such legislation will be brought forward by the British and Irish Governments, if possible, before the entry into force of this Agreement or, in any event, as soon as possible thereafter. In the event that the functions of the Body as the General Lighthouse Authority are not brought within the competence of Northern Ireland Ministers, the two Governments agree to determine any additional arrangements necessary to enable the Body to exercise the functions of the General Lighthouse Authority for the island of Ireland in accordance with Article 4 of this Agreement. The Body will receive funding from the General Lighthouse Fund, subject to financial arrangements with the Trustees of the Fund.
8. The Body will have all the powers necessary for, or incidental to, the exercise of its functions.
STRUCTURE
9.1 The Body will have a Board of not more than 12 members, including a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. NSMC will appoint the members, including one member as Chairperson and one member as Vice-Chairperson.
9.2 The functions of the Body will be exercised by the Board. In exercising its functions the Body will at all times act in accordance with any directions (whether of a general or specific nature) given by NSMC.
9.3 Subject to the other provisions in this Annex, the remuneration, allowances and expenses of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other members, and any other terms and conditions on which they hold office, will be determined by NSMC, with the approval of the Finance Ministers.
10.1 The term of office of the first members of the Board will be 3 years. The term of subsequent appointments may be varied by NSMC to facilitate continuity of membership but shall not exceed 5 years. Members will not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.
10.2 A person may resign as a member or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson by notice in writing to NSMC. NSMC may dismiss a person from his or her office as a member or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson, if—
(a) he or she fails without reasonable excuse to discharge his or her functions for a continuous period of 3 months;
(b) he or she is convicted of a criminal offence;
(c) a bankruptcy order is made against him or her, or he or she makes a composition or arrangement with his or her creditors; or
(d) he or she is unable or unfit to carry out his or her functions.
10.3 If a member dies, resigns or is removed from office, NSMC may appoint a person to fill the vacancy, and the person so appointed will be appointed in the same manner as the member who occasioned the vacancy. The person so appointed will hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member who occasioned the vacancy and will be eligible for reappointment as a member.
10.4 The functions of the Body in relation to the Foyle and Carlingford Areas will be exercised through an agency of the Body known as the Loughs Agency. The functions of the Body referred to in paragraph 7 above will be exercised through an agency of the Body known as the Lights Agency.
10.5 The Body will appoint a Chief Executive to each agency subject to the approval of NSMC. The Chief Executives will be responsible for the management and control generally of the administration and business of the agencies.
PART 7
Common Arrangements
The following arrangements will apply to all six implementation bodies.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING
1.1 The Body will prepare annually a corporate plan, subject to the approval of NSMC, including Finance Ministers. The Plan will include a description of the proposed activities of the Body and the funding implications.
1.2 The Body will submit a report on its activities in each year to NSMC at such date and in such form as NSMC may direct.
1.3 A copy of the report will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas.
1.4 The Body will provide NSMC or a relevant Minister with such other reports and information as NSMC or the Minister may from time to time require.
1.5 A member of the Body or of its staff will, if so requested, appear before, or otherwise co-operate with—
(a) a Northern Ireland Assembly Committee or a Committee or sub-Committee of either House or both Houses of the Oireachtas, in accordance with normal practice and relevant legislation within each jurisdiction;
(b) NSMC.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
2.1 The Body will receive grants from money voted by the Northern Ireland Assembly and Dáil éireann. NSMC will, with the approval of the Finance Ministers, make recommendations as to the amount of such grants. The initial grants will be made from money appropriated by the Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and from money voted by Dáil éireann.
2.2 The Body will comply with the provisions of a Financial Memorandum drawn up for the Body by the Northern Ireland and Irish departments paying grants to the Body and the Finance Departments. It will prescribe the detailed financial arrangements, including those in relation to accounts, the accounting year and currency, to be complied with by the Body. Subject to any terms and conditions specified in the Financial Memorandum, the Body may borrow money for the purposes of its functions.
2.3 For the purposes of its functions the Body may provide financial assistance to any body or person whether directly or indirectly in accordance with arrangements to be approved by NSMC and Finance Ministers. Such assistance may be by any description of investment or lending or by making grants.
2.4 The Body will keep proper accounts and financial records and will prepare a statement of accounts in respect of each year containing such information and in such form as the Northern Ireland and Irish departments paying grants to the Body may direct with the approval of the Finance Departments.
2.5 The Body will submit copies of the above statement to NSMC as well as to the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General who will in co-operation examine and certify the accounts.
2.6 The statement will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas. Any report concerning the Body by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and any such report by the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General will be laid before both such Houses.
2.7 The Body will also permit officers of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General access to all records as may be required to carry out the above functions or value for money examinations and will require any person or body receiving grant from the Body to permit such access.
STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS
3.1 The Body may for the purposes of its functions—
(a) employ staff; and
(b) employ the services of such other persons as the Body considers expedient for any particular purpose.
3.2 The Body may be staffed by open recruitment, temporary secondment and the transfer of staff. The Body will, with the approval of NSMC and the Finance Ministers, determine the remuneration, grading, numbers and other conditions of service of the Chief Executive and other staff of the Body. The Body may, in the case of such of its staff as may be determined by it with the approval of NSMC and the Finance Ministers, pay such pensions, allowances or gratuities, or provide and maintain such pension schemes, as may be so determined.
3.3 Remuneration and other conditions of service for transferred staff will not be less favourable than those to which the transferred staff were subject immediately before their transfer, save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with a recognised trade union. Superannuation arrangements for transferred staff will not be less favourable than those to which transferred staff were subject immediately before their transfer and any dispute relating thereto shall be determined by the Irish Minister for Finance or the Department of Finance and Personnel, as may be appropriate.
3.4 The Finance Departments will draw up staffing principles.
3.5 Pending the appointment of the first Chief Executive of the Body, or of an agency of the Body, the functions of the Chief Executive will be exercised by such person as will, prior to the entry into force of this Agreement, have been designated by the Irish Government and the British Government.
PROCEDURE
4.1 The Body will determine its own procedures.
4.2 The Body will have a seal, the application of which will be authenticated by the signature of—
(a) the Chief Executive of the Body or of an agency of the Body; or
(b) another member of the staff of the Body authorised in Sch. that behalf by the Chief Executive of the Body or of an agency of the Body.
OMBUDSMAN
5. The Body will be brought within the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman and of the Irish Ombudsman who will liaise and consult with each other.
CODE OF CONDUCT
6.1 The Body will as soon as practicable draw up a code of conduct for approval by NSMC.
6.2 The code will cover the Body's aims and values, its obligations to the public, and the accountability and conduct of its members and staff (including membership of or employment by other organisations, acceptance of gifts or other benefits and the disclosure of other interests relevant to the work of the Body and confidentiality).
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
7. The Irish and Northern Ireland Ministers with responsibility for freedom of information will as soon as practicable draw up a code of practice on access to information for approval by NSMC.
DATA PROTECTION
8. The Body will be subject to the data protection legislation applicable in each jurisdiction. In carrying out investigations into complaints relating to the Body the United Kingdom Data Protection Commissioner and the Irish Data Protection Commissioner will liaise and consult with each other.
Uimhir 1 de 1999
AN tACHT UM CHOMHAONTÚ NA BREATAINE-NA hÉIREANN, 1999
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Uiscebhealaí Éireann
8. | |
9. | |
10. | |
11. | |
12. | An Comhlacht d'fháil talún go héigeantach agus do dhiúscairt talún. |
13. |
An Bord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia
14. | |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | Leasú ar an Acht um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, 1998. |
An Comhlacht Trádála agus Gnó
18. | |
19. | |
20. |
Comhlacht na gClár Speisialta AE
21. | |
22. | |
23. |
An Foras Teanga
24. | |
25. | |
26. | |
27. | |
28. | |
29. | |
30. |
Coimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann
31. | |
32. | |
33. | |
34. | |
35. | |
36. | |
37. | |
38. |
Forálacha Eile
39. | |
40. | |
41. | Forálacha de dhroim feidhmeanna, sócmhainní agus dliteanais a aistriú chuig Comhlacht. |
42. | |
43. | |
44. | |
45. | |
46. | |
47. | |
48. | |
49. | Tuarascálacha ó Chomhlachtaí a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais. |
50. | |
51. | |
52. | |
53. | |
54. | Cruthúnas ar rialacháin agus ar fhodhlíthe arna ndéanamh ag Comhlacht. |
55. | |
56. | Feidhm Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993. |
Comhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann ag Bunú Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993 | 1993, Uimh. 8 |
Dublin Port (1786) | 26 Geo. 3, c. 19 (Ir.) |
Na hAchtanna um Laethanta Saoire (Fostaithe), 1973 agus 1991 | |
Na hAchtanna Rialtais Áitiúil (Truailliú Uisce), 1977 agus 1990 | |
Na hAchtanna um Fhógra Íosta agus Téarmaí Fostaíochta, 1973 go 1991 | |
Acht an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán (Cumhachtaí agus Feidhmeanna), 1998 | |
Na hAchtanna um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967 go 1991 | |
Na hAchtanna um Dhífhostú Éagórach, 1977 go 1993 | |
Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1854 | 17 & 18 Vict. c. 8 |
Uimhir 1 de 1999
AN tACHT UM CHOMHAONTÚ NA BREATAINE-NA hÉIREANN, 1999
[An tiontú oifigiúil
ACHT DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I nDÁIL LEIS AN gCOMHAIRLE AIREACHTA THUAIDH/THEAS, LEIS NA COMHLACHTAÍ FORFHEIDHMITHE AGUS LE COMHAIRLE NA BREATAINE-NA hÉIREANN, ARNA mBUNÚ FAOIN gCOMHAONTÚ IDIR RIALTAS NA hÉIREANN AGUS RIALTAS RÍOCHT AONTAITHE NA BREATAINE MÓIRE AGUS THUAISCEART ÉIREANN ARNA DHÉANAMH I mBÉAL FEIRSTE AN 10ú LÁ D'AIBREÁN, 1998, AGUS AR MHAITHE LEIS AN gCOMHAONTÚ SIN A CHUR AR AGHAIDH, DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ CHUN CRÍOCHA AN CHOMHAONTAITHE IDIRNÁISIÚNTA AG BUNÚ NA gCOMHLACHTAÍ FORFHEIDHMITHE AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA. [22 Márta, 1999]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocrófar chuige sin, le hordú nó le horduithe ón Taoiseach faoin alt seo, i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe, agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú amhlaidh chun críocha éagsúla a agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla agus chun achtacháin éagsúla a aisghairm le halt 38(1).
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “an Comhaontú” an Comhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann ag bunú Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe arna dhéanamh i mBaile Átha Cliath an 8ú lá de Mhárta, 1999, a bhfuil a théacs leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “Comhlacht” comhlacht forfheidhmithe agus forléireofar “na Comhlachtaí” dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “Comhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann” an Comhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann arna dhéanamh i mBéal Feirste an 10ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998;
folaíonn “feidhm” cumhacht agus dualgas agus folaíonn tagairt d'fheidhm a chomhlíonadh, i leith cumhachta, tagairt don chumhacht a fheidhmiú agus, i leith dualgais, tagairt don dualgas a chomhall;
ciallaíonn “comhlacht forfheidhmithe” comhlacht forfheidhmithe arna bhunú leis an gComhaontú,
ciallaíonn “an Comhaontú Ilpháirtí” an Comhaontú ar thángthas air sna Caibidlí Ilpháirtí i mBéal Feirste an 10ú lá d'Aibreán, 1998, agus atá leagtha amach in Iarscríbhinn A a ghabhann le Comhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann;
ciallaíonn “Aire Thuaisceart Éireann” aon Aire i dTuaisceart Éireann nó roinn i dTuaisceart Éireann arb é nó í an tAire sin a ceann;
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas” an comhlacht arna bhunú leis an gComhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann ag bunú Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas arna dhéanamh i mBaile Átha Cliath an 8ú lá de Mhárta, 1999.
(2) Forléireofar an tAcht seo ag féachaint go cuí don Chomhaontú Ilpháirtí, do Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann agus don Chomhaontú (a mhéid a dhéantar socrú leis an Acht seo ar socrú é a dhéantar de bhun an Chomhaontaithe, is forlíonadh air nó a ghabhann leis).
(3) 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'fhoráil 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, agus
(c) aon tagairt d'aon achtachán, forléireofar í mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú, arna oiriúnú nó arna leathnú, cibé acu roimh an Acht seo a rith nó dá éis, le haon achtachán ina dhiaidh sin nó faoi.
Páirteachas comhaltaí den Rialtas agus Airí Stáit sa Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas.
3.—Ag cruinnithe den Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas, féadfaidh duine amháin nó níos mó díobh seo a leanas ionadaíocht a dhéanamh thar ceann an Rialtais, is é sin le rá, an Taoiseach, Airí eile den Rialtas agus Airí Stáit.
Páirteachas comhaltaí den Rialtas agus Airí Stáit i gComhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann.
4.—Ag cruinnithe de Chomhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann arna bunú leis an gComhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann ag bunú Comhairle de chuid na Breataine-na hÉireann arna dhéanamh i mBaile Átha Cliath an 8ú lá de Mhárta, 1999, féadfaidh duine amháin nó níos mó díobh seo a leanas ionadaíocht a dhéanamh thar ceann an Rialtais, is é sin le rá, an Taoiseach, Airí eile den Rialtas agus Airí Stáit.
Rialacháin chun deacrachtaí a dhíchur.
5.—Más rud é, in aon slí, go dtarlóidh aon deacracht maidir le haon fhoráil den Acht seo nó den Chomhaontú a thabhairt i ngníomh nó i ndáil le hoibriú aon fhorála den sórt sin, féadfaidh an Taoiseach, le rialacháin, aon ní a dhéanamh a fheictear dó nó di a bheith riachtanach nó fóirsteanach chun an deacracht sin a dhíchur, chun an fhoráil sin a thabhairt i ngníomh nó chun a hoibriú a áirithiú nó a éascú agus féadfar, le haon rialacháin den sórt sin, aon fhoráil den Acht seo a mhodhnú a mhéid is riachtanach nó is fóirsteanach chun aon fhoráil den sórt sin a thabhairt in éifeacht chun na gcríoch réamhráite, ach ní dhéanfar rialacháin ar bith faoin alt seo i ndáil le haon fhoráil den Acht seo tar éis 3 bliana, dar tosach an lá a thiocfaidh an fhoráil i ngníomh, a bheith caite.
Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
6.—Aon uair a bheartófar ordú (seachas ordú faoi alt 1(2)) nó rialachán a dhéanamh faoin Acht seo, leagfar dréacht den ordú nó den rialachán faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú nó an rialachán, de réir mar a bheidh, go dtí go mbeidh rún lena gceadófar an dréacht rite ag an dá Theach sin.
Caiteachais Airí den Rialtas.
7.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire Airgeadais ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas agus déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh aon Aire eile den Rialtas ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
CUID II
Uiscebhealaí Éireann
Mínithe (Cuid II).
8.—Sa Chuid seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1990” Acht Uiscebhealach na Sionainne, 1990;
déanfar “an Comhlacht” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 9;
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle” an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas nuair atá sí ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna i ndáil leis an gComhlacht, feidhmeanna de chuid an Chomhlachta nó na n-uiscebhealaí;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán;
ciallaíonn “na huiscebhealaí” na huiscebhealaí intíre a ndéanann an Comhlacht, de bhun an Chomhaontaithe, feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh de thuras na huaire i ndáil leo agus forléireofar “uiscebhealach” dá réir sin.
Stádas an Chomhlachta.
9.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Comhlacht” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh uiscebhealaí intíre a bhunaítear leis an gComhaontú agus ar a dtugtar Uiscebhealaí Éireann.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Chomhlacht mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Comhlacht a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
10.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta, de réir mhír 1 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 1 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú agus tá éifeacht le hailt 11 agus 41 chun críche na míre sin 1.
(2) De réir mhír 2 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, beidh feidhm maidir leis an gComhlacht ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 1 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an gComhlacht.
(4) Ní dhéanfaidh an Comhlacht uiscebhealach, nó cuid d'uiscebhealach, a dhúnadh go buan gan ceadú na Comhairle.
(5) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, socrú a dhéanamh maidir le feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta i ndáil le haon uiscebhealach intíre a shonrófar san ordú nó cibé feidhmeanna dá chuid a shonrófar amhlaidh a chomhlíonadh ó cibé dáta a shonrófar amhlaidh.
(b) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
Feidhmeanna etc., a aistriú chuig an gComhlacht.
11.—(1) Faoi réir fho-ailt (4) agus (5), déantar feidhmeanna an Aire i ndáil leis na huiscebhealaí a aistriú leis seo chuig an gComhlacht.
(2) Déanfar tagairtí don Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán nó don Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, nó tagairtí atá le forléiriú mar thagairtí don chéanna, in aon reacht, nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon reacht, a bhaineann le haon fheidhmeanna a aistrítear leis an alt seo a fhorléiriú, a mhéid a bhaineann siad leis na feidhmeanna sin, mar thagairtí don Chomhlacht.
(3) Déantar feidhmeanna, sócmhainní, cearta agus dliteanais Bhord Fáilte Éireann mar chomhalta de Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Limited a aistriú leis seo chuig an gComhlacht agus déanfar tagairtí i Meabhrán Comhlachais nó in Airteagail Chomhlachais na Cuideachta sin do Bhord Fáilte Éireann a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don Chomhlacht.
(4) Níl feidhm ag fo-alt (1) maidir le feidhmeanna an Aire faoi alt 2 d'Acht an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán (Cumhachtaí agus Feidhmeanna), 1998, a mhéid a bhaineann sé leis na huiscebhealaí.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh an Comhlacht cumhachtaí an Chomhlachta—
(a) faoi ailt 6(f) agus 7(1) d'Acht na gCanálacha, 1986, agus
(b) faoi alt 2(h) agus faoi fho-ailt (1) agus (3) d'alt 3 d'Acht 1990,
a fheidhmiú gan toiliú an Aire.
An Comhlacht d'fháil talún go héigeantach agus do dhiúscairt talún.
12.—(1) Féadfaidh an Comhlacht, le toiliú na Comhairle, aon talamh (lena n-áirítear uiscebhealach intíre nó cuid d'uiscebhealach intíre) nó aon cheart, éasúint, teideal nó leas in aon talamh, thar aon talamh nó i leith aon talún (lena n-áirítear uiscebhealach intíre nó cuid d'uiscebhealach intíre), a fháil go héigeantach.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an Comhlacht uiscebhealach intíre nó cuid d'uiscebhealach intíre a fháil nó a dhiúscairt gan toiliú na Comhairle.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag an Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht 1990 maidir leis an gComhlacht d'fháil talún (lena n-áirítear uiscebhealach intíre nó cuid d'uiscebhealach intíre) go héigeantach amhail is dá ndéanfaí—
(a) tagairtí d'Uiscebhealaí Éireann a chur in ionad na dtagairtí don Aire,
(b) an mhír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír 2:
“2. (1) Féadfaidh áititheoir talún, nó aon úinéir talún, a mbeidh fógra faoi mhír 1(1)(b) foilsithe ina leith agóid i scríbhinn a chur faoi bhráid Uiscebhealaí Éireann, laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis dháta an fhoilsithe sin, i gcoinne na fála éigeantaí beartaithe dá dtagraítear san fhógra.
(2) Féadfaidh an duine a mbeidh agóid faoi fhomhír (1) curtha faoi bhráid Uiscebhealaí Éireann aige nó aici an agóid sin a tharraingt siar trí fhógra i scríbhinn a chur chuig Uiscebhealaí Éireann nó chuig an Aire.
(3) (a) Más rud é, i ndáil le fáil éigeantach bheartaithe talún faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999, go gcuirfear agóid faoi bhráid Uiscebhealaí Éireann de réir fhomhír (1) agus nach dtarraingeofar siar í, breithneoidh an tAire an agóid agus ní dhéanfar an talamh a fháil go héigeantach gan toiliú an Aire.
(b) I gcás ina mbeidh ceart slí poiblí ann thar thalamh a bheartaítear a fháil go héigeantach faoin Acht seo, ní dhéanfar an talamh a fháil go héigeantach gan toiliú an Aire.
(4) Beidh ag gabháil le hiarratas ó Uiscebhealaí Éireann ar thoiliú an Aire le talamh a fháil go héigeantach faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999—
(a) cóip d'aon agóid lena mbaineann faoi fhomhír (1),
(b) cóip den nuachtán ina bhfuil an fógra a shonraítear i mír 1(1)(b),
(c) cóip den fhógra a shonraítear i mír 1(1)(c), agus
(d) cóip den léarscáil nó den phlean den talamh a taisceadh de bhun mhír 1(1)(a),
agus tabharfaidh Uiscebhealaí Éireann don Aire cibé faisnéis eile a éileoidh an tAire i ndáil leis an bhfáil.
(5) Ar iarratas a bheith déanta faoi fhomhír (4) i ndáil le talamh—
(a) i gcás arb é tuairim an Aire nár comhlíonadh forálacha mhír 1 i ndáil leis an talamh nó i ndáil le cuid den talamh, diúltóidh sé nó sí a thoiliú nó a toiliú a thabhairt leis an talamh a fháil go héigeantach nó, de réir mar a bheidh, diúltóidh sé nó sí a thoiliú nó a toiliú a thabhairt leis an gcuid den talamh a fháil go héigeantach agus tabharfaidh sé nó sí a thoiliú nó a toiliú leis an gcuid eile den talamh a fháil go héigeantach,
(b) in aon chás eile, tabharfaidh an tAire a thoiliú nó a toiliú leis an talamh a fháil go héigeantach.”,
agus
(c) an clásal seo a leanas a chur in ionad chlásal (c) de mhír 3(1):
“(c) go dtabharfaidh an tAire a thoiliú nó a toiliú le hUiscebhealaí Éireann d'fháil na talún sin go héigeantach,”,
agus fara aon oiriúnuithe eile is gá.
Aisghairm.
13.—Aisghairtear leis seo iad seo a leanas:
(a) alt 6(d) (a mhéid a bhaineann sé le talamh nó ceart thar thalamh a fháil go héigeantach) d'Acht na gCanálacha, 1986, agus an Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin,
(b) alt 2(f) d'Acht 1990 (a mhéid a bhaineann sé le talamh nó le haon cheart, éasúint, teideal nó leas d'aon chineál i dtalamh, thar thalamh nó i leith talún, a fháil go héigeantach), agus
(c) mír (a) (a mhéid a bhaineann sí leis na huiscebhealaí) agus mír (d) (a mhéid a bhaineann sí le feidhmeanna an Aire i ndáil le huiscebhealaí) d'alt 5(1) d'Acht an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán (Cumhachtaí agus Feidhmeanna), 1998.
CUID III
An Bord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia
“an Comhlacht”.
14.—Sa Chuid seo, déanfar “an Comhlacht” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 15.
Stádas an Chomhlachta.
15.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Comhlacht” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh sábháilteachta bia a bhunaítear leis an gComhaontú agus ar a dtugtar an Bord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Chomhlacht mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Comhlacht a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
16.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta, de réir mhír 1 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 2 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(2) De réir mhír 2 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, beidh feidhm maidir leis an gComhlacht ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 2 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an gComhlacht.
Leasú ar an Acht um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, 1998.
17.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, 1998, de réir mar a shonraítear sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an gCuid seo.
AN TÁBLA
Leasuithe ar an Acht um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, 1998 Is iad seo a leanas na leasuithe ar an Acht um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, 1998: 1. Cuirfear na hailt seo a leanas in ionad ailt 11 agus 12: “11. (1) Is í príomhfheidhm an Údaráis gach beart réasúnach a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go mbeidh— (a) bia a tháirgtear sa Stát (cibé acu a dhéantar é a dháileadh nó a mhargú sa Stát nó nach ndéantar), agus (b) bia a dháiltear nó a mhargaítear sa Stát, de réir na gcaighdeán is airde ó thaobh sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais a bheidh ar fáil go réasúnach. (2) Déanfaidh sé, go háirithe, gach beart réasúnach chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann bia den sórt sin— (a) aon reachtaíocht iomchuí bia i leith caighdeán sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais, nó (b) d'éagmais aon reachtaíochta den sórt sin, forálacha caighdeán nó cód dea-chleachtais a aithnítear i gcoitinne agus arb é is aidhm dóibh a chinntiú go mbainfear amach ardchaighdeáin sláinteachais bia agus sábháilteachta bia. (3) Ar iarratas ón mBord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia, comhoibreoidh an tÚdarás leis maidir le comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna. 12. (1) Chun go mbainfear amach an méid is mó cosanta a bheidh ar fáil go réasúnach ar mhaithe le sláinte an phobail agus cosaint tomhaltóirí agus, chun críocha alt 11(2), déanfaidh an tÚdarás, ar gach céim de tháirgeadh bia, ó tháirgeadh príomhúil go dtí an úsáid deiridh ag an tomhaltóir, bunú agus cothabháil ardchaighdeán sláinteachais bia agus sábháilteachta bia a chothú. (2) Gabhfaidh an tÚdarás de láimh, nó socróidh sé go ngabhfar de láimh, chun críocha fho-alt (1), cibé gníomhaíochtaí is cuí leis chun caighdeáin den sórt sin a chothú agus cuirfidh sé i gcrích, nó socróidh sé go gcuirfear i gcrích, cibé iniúchtaí bia is gá chun a chinneadh an bhfuil reachtaíocht bia á comhlíonadh. (3) Gan dochar d'fhorálacha reachtaíochta bia, déanfar na gníomhaíochtaí agus na hiniúchtaí bia atá le gabháil de láimh ag an Údarás nó thar a cheann agus dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) a dhíriú ar an méid seo a leanas a thabhairt i gcrích i measc táirgeoirí, monaróirí, dáileoirí, miondíoltóirí agus lónadóirí, is é sin le rá, go nglacfaidh siad i gcoitinne leis an bprionsabal, i leith aon bhia a chuirfear ar an margadh, gur orthu féin go leithleach, nó de réir mar is cuí, i dteannta a chéile, atá an phríomhfhreagracht as sábháilteacht an bhia agus as oiriúnacht an bhia lena chaitheamh ag an duine, agus, dá dhroim sin, déanfaidh gach aon duine de na daoine a luaitear gach beart réasúnach chun sábháilteacht agus caighdeán sláinteachais an bhia sin a áirithiú, a mhéid a bhaineann leis an duine sin. (4) Féachfaidh an tÚdarás, i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna, le dul i gcomhairle le hionadaithe tomhaltóirí, táirgeoirí, miondíoltóirí, dáileoirí, lónadóirí agus monaróirí agus, más cuí, le gníomhaireachtaí oifigiúla i dtaobh na ngníomhaíochtaí nó na mbeart eile a bheidh le gabháil de láimh.”. 2. In alt 15— (a) cuirfear “agus féadfaidh sé, ar a thionscnamh féin, comhairle den sórt sin a thabhairt—” in ionad “nó féadfaidh sé, ar a thionscnamh féin, comhairle den sórt sin a thabhairt i dtaobh an mhéid seo a leanas—”, agus (b) scriostar míreanna (a), (b) agus (h). 3. In alt 16, scriostar fo-alt (3). 4. In alt 18— (a) i bhfo-alt (1), cuirfear “, i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna,” isteach i ndiaidh “Féadfaidh an tÚdarás”, agus (b) i bhfo-alt (2), cuirfear “nó ag an mBord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia” isteach i ndiaidh “Stát”. 5. In alt 41(4) (b), cuirfear “ábhar” in ionad “comhthéacs”. 6. Cuirfear an t-alt seo a leanas in ionad alt 46: “46. Chun críocha alt 11(2), cuirfidh an tÚdarás an méid seo a leanas i gcrích nó socróidh sé go gcuirfear an méid seo a leanas i gcrích thar a cheann faoi alt 48: (a) comhlíonadh reachtaíochta bia a chinneadh tríd an méid seo a leanas a dhéanamh— (i) áitreabh agus trealamh, lena n-áirítear áitreabh nó trealamh a úsáidtear i ndáil le monarú, próiseáil, diúscairt, iompar agus stóráil bia, a iniúchadh, a cheadú, a cheadúnú nó a chlárú, (ii) bia, lena n-áirítear comhábhair bhia, a iniúchadh, a shampláil agus a anailísiú, agus (iii) lipéadú bia a iniúchadh agus a anailísiú, agus (b) oideachas sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais bia a sholáthar do tháirgeoirí, do mhonaróirí, do dháileoirí, do mhiondíoltóirí agus do lónadóirí.”. 7. In alt 48(9), cuirfear “a fheidhmeanna” in ionad “iniúchtaí”. 8. In alt 65 den téacs Béarla— (a) i mír (h), cuirfear isteach “the insertion” roimh “after”, agus (b) i mír (i), cuirfear “the insertion of” in ionad “to insert”. |
CUID IV
An Comhlacht Trádála agus Gnó
“an Comhlacht”.
18.—Sa Chuid seo, déanfar “an Comhlacht” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 19.
Stádas an Chomhlachta.
19.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Comhlacht” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh forbartha trádála agus gnó a bhunaítear leis an gComhaontú agus ar a dtugtar an Comhlacht Forbartha Trádála agus Gnó.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Chomhlacht mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Comhlacht a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
20.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta, de réir mhír 1 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 3 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(2) De réir mhír 2 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, beidh feidhm maidir leis an gComhlacht ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 3 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an gComhlacht.
CUID V
Comhlacht na gClár Speisialta AE
“an Comhlacht”.
21.—Sa Chuid seo, déanfar “an Comhlacht” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 22.
Stádas an Chomhlachta.
22.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Comhlacht” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh clár speisialta de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh agus ar a dtugtar Comhlacht na gClár Speisialta AE.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Chomhlacht mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Comhlacht a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
23.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta, de réir mhír 1 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 4 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(2) De réir mhír 2 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, beidh feidhm maidir leis an gComhlacht ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 4 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an gComhlacht.
CUID VI
An Foras Teanga
Téacs i mBéarla.
24.—Tá an téacs i mBéarla den alt seo agus d'ailt 25 go 30 leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an gCuid seo.
Mínithe (Cuid VI).
25.—Sa Chuid seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
déanfar “an Foras” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 26;
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle” an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/ Theas nuair atá sí ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna i ndáil leis an bhForas nó feidhmeanna de chuid an Fhorais.
Stádas an Fhorais.
26.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Foras” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh teanga a bhunaítear leis an gComhaontú agus ar a dtugtar i mBéarla “The North/South Language Body” nó i nGaeilge “An Foras Teanga” nó in Ultais “Tha Boord o Leid”.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Fhoras mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Foras a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Fhorais.
27.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Fhorais, de réir mhír 1 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 5 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú agus tá éifeacht le hailt 28 agus 41 chun críche na míre sin 1.
(2) De réir mhír 2 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú, beidh feidhm maidir leis an bhForas ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 5 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an bhForas.
Feidhmeanna a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
28.—(1) Déantar leis seo feidhmeanna Bhord na Gaeilge a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
(2) (a) Déantar leis seo feidhmeanna an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, a mhéid a bhaineann na feidhmeanna sin le maoiniú na n-eagraíochtaí deonacha Gaeilge a shonraítear sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo, a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
(b) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, le comhaontú roimh ré na Comhairle, an Tábla a ghabhann leis seo a leasú trí thagairt d'aon eagraíocht Ghaeilge eile a chur leis an Tábla sin, trí thagairt d'eagraíocht den sórt sin a scriosadh as an Tábla sin nó trí iontráil maidir le heagraíocht den sórt sin sa Tábla sin a leasú.
(3) Déantar leis seo feidhmeanna an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta—
(a) i ndáil le foilsitheoireacht ag an nGúm agus foilseacháin de chuid an Ghúim, agus
(b) i ndáil le forbairt téarmaíochta agus stóir focal ag an gCoiste Téarmaíochta,
i nGaeilge, a aistriú chuig an bhForas.
(4) Déanfar tagairtí, nó tagairtí atá le forléiriú mar thagairtí—
(a) don Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán nó don Roinn Stáit a bhfuil sé nó sí i gceannas uirthi,
(b) don Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta nó don Roinn Stáit a bhfuil sé nó sí i gceannas uirthi, nó
(c) do Bhord na Gaeilge,
in aon reacht nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon reacht agus a bhaineann le haon fheidhmeanna a aistrítear leis an alt seo a fhorléiriú, a mhéid a bhaineann siad leis na feidhmeanna sin, mar thagairtí don Fhoras.
AN TÁBLA | |||
1. | Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge | ||
2. | Gael Linn | ||
3. | Conradh na Gaeilge | ||
4. | An tOireachtas | ||
5. | An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta | ||
6. | Cumann na bhFiann | ||
7. | Comhluadar | ||
8. | Iontaobhas Ultach | ||
Bord na Gaeilge a dhíscaoileadh.
29.—Díscaoiltear leis seo Bord na Gaeilge.
An tAcht um Bord na Gaeilge, 1978, a aisghairm.
30.—Aisghairtear leis seo an tAcht um Bord na Gaeilge, 1978.
AN TÁBLA
English language text. | 24. The text in the English language of this section and sections 25 to 30 are set out in the Table to this Part. |
Definitions (Part VI). | 25. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires— “the Body” shall be construed in accordance with section 26; “the Council” means the North/South Ministerial Council when performing functions in relation to the Body or functions of the Body. |
Status of Body. | 26. (1) The implementation body for language established by the Agreement and known in the English language as The North/South Language Body or in the Irish language as An Foras Teanga or in Ullans as Tha Boord o Leid is referred to in this Part as “the Body”. (2) The Body shall be recognised as, and as having all the attributes of, a body corporate, including perpetual succession, the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property and the power to sue. (3) The Body may be sued in its corporate name. |
Functions of Body. | 27. (1) The functions of the Body shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agreement, be those specified in Part 5 of Annex 1 to the Agreement and sections 28 and 41 have effect for the purpose of the said paragraph 1. (2) The arrangements specified in Parts 5 and 7 of Annex 2 to the Agreement shall, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Agreement, apply to the Body. (3) Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Agreement shall apply to the Body. |
Transfer of functions to Body. | 28. (1) The functions of Bord na Gaeilge are hereby transferred to the Body. (2) (a) The functions of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, in so far as those functions relate to the funding of the voluntary Irish language organisations specified in the Table to this section, are hereby transferred to the Body. (b) The Minister may, with the prior agreement of the Council, by order amend the Table to this section by adding a reference to any other Irish language organisation to, deleting a reference to such an organisation from, or amending an entry in respect of such an organisation in, the said Table. (3) The functions of the Minister for Education and Science in relation to— (a) publishing by and publications of An Gúm, and (b) the development of terminology and vocabulary by An Coiste Téarmaíochta, in the Irish language, are hereby transferred to the Body. (4) References to, or which are to be construed as references to— (a) the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands or the Department of State of which he or she has charge, (b) the Minister for Education and Science or the Department of State of which he or she has charge, or (c) Bord na Gaeilge, in any statute or instrument made under any statute and relating to any functions transferred by this section shall, in so far as they relate to those functions, be construed as references to the Body. |
TABLE | |||
1. | Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge | ||
2. | Gael Linn | ||
3. | Conradh na Gaeilge | ||
4. | An tOireachtas | ||
5. | An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta | ||
6. | Cumann na bhFiann | ||
7. | Comhluadar | ||
8. | Iontaobhas Ultach | ||
Dissolution of Bord na Gaeilge. | 29. Bord na Gaeilge is hereby dissolved. |
Repeal of Bord na Gaeilge Act, 1978. | 30. The Bord na Gaeilge Act, 1978, is hereby repealed. |
CUID VII
Coimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann
Mínithe (Cuid V).
31.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1952” Acht Iascaigh an Fheabhail, 1952;
déanfar “an Comhlacht” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 32;
tá le “Limistéar Chairlinn” an bhrí chéanna atá leis i mír 5 de Chuid 6 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú;
tá le “Limistéar an Fheabhail” an bhrí a shanntar do “Líomatáiste an Fheabhail” le halt 3 d'Acht 1952;
ciallaíonn “Limistéar Lú” an chuid sin de Limistéar Chairlinn atá sa Stát.
Stádas an Chomhlachta.
32.—(1) Sa Chuid seo, gairtear “an Comhlacht” den chomhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh cúrsaí dobharshaothraithe agus mara a bhunaítear leis an gComhaontú agus ar a dtugtar Coimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann.
(2) Tabharfar aitheantas don Chomhlacht mar chomhlacht corpraithe agus mar chomhlacht ag a bhfuil na tréithe go léir de chuid comhlachta chorpraithe, lena n-áirítear comharbas suthain, an chumhacht chun talamh nó maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus an chumhacht chun agairt a dhéanamh.
(3) Féadfar an Comhlacht a agairt faoina ainm corpraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
33.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta, de réir mhír 1 d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú (ach faoi réir Airteagal 4 de), ná na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear i gCuid 6 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú agus tá éifeacht le hailt 34, 36 agus 41 chun críche na míre sin 1.
(2) De réir mhír 2 den Airteagal sin 2 (ach faoi réir an Airteagail sin 4), beidh feidhm maidir leis an gComhlacht ag na socruithe a shonraítear i gCuid 6 agus i gCuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag mír 1 d'Airteagal 3 den Chomhaontú maidir leis an gComhlacht.
Feidhmeanna etc., a aistriú chuig an gComhlacht.
34.—(1) Beidh na feidhmeanna a bheidh dílsithe do Choimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail díreach roimh thosach feidhme alt 35, amhail ar an agus ón tosach feidhme sin, arna n-aistriú chuig an gComhlacht agus dá réir sin déanfar tagairtí, nó tagairtí atá le forléiriú mar thagairtí, do Choimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail in aon reacht nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon reacht a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don Chomhlacht.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag Acht 1952 maidir le Limistéar Chairlinn mar atá feidhm aige maidir le Limistéar an Fheabhail fairis an modhnú go ndéanfar tagairtí san Acht sin (seachas in alt 6)—
(a) do Líomatáiste an Fheabhail a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí do Limistéar Chairlinn, agus
(b) do Líomatáiste Mhagh Bhile a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí do Limistéar Lú,
agus fara aon mhodhnuithe eile is gá.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo Acht 1952—
(a) trí na mínithe seo a leanas a chur isteach in alt 2(1):
“tá le ‘Limistéar Chairlinn’ agus ‘Limistéar Lú’ na bríonna a shanntar dóibh faoi seach le halt 31 den Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999;
ciallaíonn ‘an Chomhairle’ an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas de réir bhrí an Achta um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999, nuair atá sí ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna i ndáil le Coimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann nó feidhmeanna i ndáil le feidhmeanna an Choimisiúin;”,
(b) trí na mínithe ar “an Chomhairle Chomhairlitheach” agus ar “an Aireacht” in alt 2(1) a scriosadh,
(c) tríd an alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 6:
“6. (1) Déanfar cóip de gach ordú nó rialachán a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo agus a bhfuil feidhm aige maidir le Líomatáiste an Fheabhail a thaisceadh—
(a) leis an gcláraitheoir contae do chontae Dhún na nGall,
(b) leis an gCléireach Cúirte Dúiche de gach Dúiche Chúirte Dúiche atá, nó a bhfuil cuid di, i Líomatáiste Mhagh Bhile, agus
(c) i ngach stáisiún Garda Síochána i Líomatáiste Mhagh Bhile.
(2) Déanfar cóip de gach ordú nó rialachán a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo agus a bhfuil feidhm aige maidir le Limistéar Chairlinn a thaisceadh—
(a) leis an gcláraitheoir contae do chontae Lú,
(b) leis an gCléireach Cúirte Dúiche de gach Dúiche Chúirte Dúiche atá, nó a bhfuil cuid di, i Limistéar Lú, agus
(c) i ngach stáisiún Garda Síochána i Limistéar Lú.”,
agus
(d) trí “sa Chomhairle” a chur in ionad “san Aire agus san Aireacht” gach áit a bhfuil sé, “chun na Comhairle” a chur in ionad “chun an Aire agus chun na hAireachta” gach áit a bhfuil sé, “na Comhairle” a chur in ionad “an Aire agus na hAireachta” gach áit a bhfuil sé, “ag an gComhairle” a chur in ionad “ag an Aire agus ag an Aireacht” gach áit a bhfuil sé, “an Chomhairle” a chur in ionad “an tAire agus an Aireacht” gach áit a bhfuil sé agus “don Chomhairle” a chur in ionad “don Aire agus don Aireacht” gach áit a bhfuil sé.
(4) Déanfar tagairtí in alt 10 d'Acht Iascaigh an Fheabhail (Leasú), 1961, do Limistéar Mhagh Bhile agus in alt 76 den Acht Iascaigh, 1980, do Líomatáiste Mhagh Bhile agus do Limistéar Bhun an Phobail a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí do Limistéar Lú.
(5) Déanfar tagairtí sna hAchtanna Rialtais Áitiúil (Truailliú Uisce), 1977 agus 1990, do Limistéar an Fheabhail a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí do Limistéar Chairlinn.
Coimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail a dhíscaoileadh.
35.—Díscaoiltear leis seo Coimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail.
Feidhmeanna Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann a aistriú.
36.—Beidh na feidhmeanna a bheidh dílsithe do Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann díreach roimh thosach feidhme alt 37, amhail ar an agus ón tosach feidhme sin, arna n-aistriú chuig an gComhlacht agus, dá réir sin, déanfar tagairtí do Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann, nó tagairtí atá le forléiriú mar thagairtí dóibh, in aon reacht nó in aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon reacht a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don Chomhlacht.
Coimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann a dhíscaoileadh.
37.—Díscaoiltear leis seo Coimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann.
Aisghairm agus cúlghairm.
38.—(1) Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a shonraítear i gcolún (2) den Tábla a ghabhann leis an gCuid seo a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear i gcolún (3) den Tábla sin.
(2) Déantar leis seo an tOrdú um Choimisinéirí Soillse na hÉireann (Oiriúnú), 1935 (R. & O.R., Uimh. 661 de 1935), a chúlghairm.
AN TÁBLA
Achtacháin a Aisghairm
Seisiún agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Teideal Fada nó Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
26 Geo. 3, c. 19. | Acht de chuid Pharlaimint na hÉireann dar teideal “an Act for promoting the Trade of Dublin by rendering its Port and Harbour more commodious”. | An tAcht go léir. |
Ailt 5 agus 15 go 22, Cuid IV, an Tríú Sceideal (seachas míreanna 2 agus 15) agus an Ceathrú Sceideal. |
CUID VIII
Forálacha Eile
“an tAire cuí”.
39.—Sa Chuid seo, ciallaíonn “an tAire cuí”—
(a) i ndáil le hUiscebhealaí Éireann, an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán,
(b) i ndáil leis an mBord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia, an tAire Sláinte agus Leanaí,
(c) i ndáil leis an gComhlacht Forbartha Trádála agus Gnó, an tAire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta,
(d) i ndáil le Comhlacht na gClár Speisialta AE, an tAire Airgeadais,
(e) i ndáil leis an bhForas Teanga, an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, nó an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, de réir mar is cuí ag féachaint d'fheidhmeanna an Chomhlachta sin,
(f) i ndáil le Coimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann, Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha.
Foireann a aistriú chuig Comhlachtaí.
40.—(1) (a) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an tAire cuí i ndáil le Comhlacht áirithe oifigeach dá chuid nó dá cuid a ainmniú chun críocha an ailt seo, déanfar an t-oifigeach a aistriú chuig foireann an Chomhlachta, agus tiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith agus beidh sé nó sí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann an Chomhlachta cibé lá a shonróidh an tAire cuí.
(b) Féadfar ainmniú a dhéanamh faoi mhír (a) i ndáil le hoifigeach de chuid an Aire chuí a mbaineann a dhualgais nó a dualgais go hiomlán nó go formhór le feidhm a aistrítear chuig an gComhlacht lena mbaineann an t-ainmniú nó i ndáil le hoifigeach de chuid an Aire chuí a thoilíonn leis an ainmniú.
(c) Féadfar ainmniú faoin bhfo-alt seo a dhéanamh aon tráth roimh an lá a aistreofar feidhmeanna an Aire chuí faoin Acht seo nó aon tráth nach faide ná 2 bhliain tar éis an lae sin.
(d) Sula ndéanfaidh an tAire cuí ainmniú faoin alt seo, rachaidh sé nó sí i gcomhairle leis an duine lena mbaineann agus le haon cheardchumann aitheanta a bhfuil an duine sin ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta de.
(2) I gcás ina n-ainmneoidh an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán duine a bhí, díreach roimh dhíscaoileadh Bhord na Gaeilge, ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta dá fhoireann chun críocha an ailt seo, déanfar an comhalta a aistriú chuig foireann an Fhorais Teanga, agus tiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith agus beidh sé nó sí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann an Fhorais Teanga, cibé lá a shonróidh an tAire sin den Rialtas.
(3) I gcás ina n-ainmneoidh Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha duine a bhí, díreach roimh dhíscaoileadh Choimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail nó Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann, ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann ceachtar de na comhlachtaí sin chun críocha an ailt seo, déanfar an comhalta a aistriú chuig foireann Choimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann, agus tiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith agus beidh sé nó sí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann Choimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann, cibé lá a shonróidh an tAire sin den Rialtas.
(4) (a) I gcás ina n-ainmneoidh an tAire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta comhalta d'fhoireann Fhiontraíocht Éireann nó Fhorfás chun críocha an ailt seo, déanfar an comhalta a aistriú chuig foireann an Chomhlachta Forbartha Trádála agus Gnó, agus tiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith agus beidh sé nó sí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann an Chomhlachta Forbartha Trádála agus Gnó, cibé lá a shonróidh an tAire sin den Rialtas.
(b) Beidh feidhm ag míreanna (b), (c) agus (d) d'fho-alt (1) maidir le hainmniú faoin bhfo-alt seo mar atá feidhm acu maidir le hainmniú faoin bhfo-alt sin fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá.
(5) (a) San fho-alt seo, ciallaíonn “an t-aistreoir” Bord na Gaeilge, Coimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail, Coimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann, Fiontraíocht Éireann nó Forfás, de réir mar is cuí.
(b) Beidh éifeacht leis an gconradh fostaíochta idir duine a ainmneofar faoi fho-alt (2), (3) nó (4) agus an t-aistreoir, amhail ar an agus ón lá a shonróidh an tAire cuí i ndáil leis an ainmniú amhail is dá mba go ndearnadh i dtosach é idir an duine agus an Comhlacht a dtagann sé nó sí chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta dá fhoireann de bhua an ainmnithe.
(c) Gan dochar do mhír (b)—
(i) déanfar, de bhua na míre sin, cearta, cumhachtaí, dualgais agus dliteanais uile an aistreora faoi chonradh nó i dtaca le conradh a bhfuil feidhm ag an mír sin maidir leis, a aistriú chuig an gComhlacht réamhráite an lá dá dtagraítear sa mhír sin;
(ii) aon ní a bheidh déanta roimh an lá sin ag an aistreoir nó i ndáil leis an aistreoir i leith an chonartha sin nó i leith an duine, measfar, ón lá sin, é a bheith déanta ag an gComhlacht sin nó i ndáil leis.
(d) Ní dochar míreanna (b) ná (c) d'aon cheart atá ag duine a ainmneofar mar a dúradh a chonradh fostaíochta nó a conradh fostaíochta a fhoirceannadh má dhéantar athrú mór, chun a aimhleasa nó a haimhleasa, ar a choinníollacha oibre nó a coinníollacha oibre ach ní éireoidh aon cheart den sórt sin de bhíthin amháin an athraithe ar an bhfostóir a dhéantar le mír (b).
(6) I ndáil le foireann a aistreofar leis an alt seo, beidh seirbhís roimh ré sa státseirbhís, i mBord na Gaeilge, i gCoimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail, i gCoimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann, i bhFiontraíocht Éireann nó i bhForfás ináirithe chun críocha na nAchtanna um Íocaíochtaí Iomarcaíochta, 1967 go 1991, na nAchtanna um Laethanta Saoire (Fostaithe), 1973 go 1991, na nAchtanna um Fhógra Íosta agus Téarmaí Fostaíochta, 1973 go 1991, agus na nAchtanna um Dhífhostú Éagórach, 1977 go 1993.
Forálacha de dhroim feidhmeanna, sócmhainní agus dliteanais a aistriú chuig Comhlacht.
41.—(1) I gcás ina mbeidh aon imeachtaí dlí ar feitheamh, ar páirtí iontu Aire, Bord nó Coimisiún agus go bhfuil tagairt sna himeachtaí d'fheidhmeanna a aistrítear leis an alt iomchuí ón Aire sin, ón mBord sin nó ón gCoimisiún sin, déanfar ainm an Chomhlachta a n-aistrítear na feidhmeanna chuige, a mhéid a bhaineann na himeachtaí le haon fheidhm a aistrítear leis an alt iomchuí, a chur sna himeachtaí in ionad ainm an Aire sin nó an Bhoird sin nó an Choimisiúin sin nó a chur leis na himeachtaí, de réir mar is cuí, agus ní rachaidh na himeachtaí ar ceal mar gheall ar an gcur in ionad sin.
(2) Maidir le haon ní a thosófar agus nach gcríochnófar roimh aistriú feidhme faoin alt iomchuí le húdarás nó faoi údarás an duine óna n-aistrítear an fheidhm, féadfaidh an Comhlacht a n-aistrítear an fheidhm chuige, a mhéid a bhaineann sé leis an bhfeidhm sin, leanúint ar aghaidh leis nó é a chríochnú tráth an tosaithe sin nó dá éis.
(3) Gach ionstraim a dhéanfar faoi reacht agus gach doiciméad eile (lena n-áirítear aon deimhniú nó ceadúnas) a dheonófar nó a dhéanfar i bhfeidhmiú feidhme a aistrítear leis an alt iomchuí, beidh éifeacht léi nó leis, tráth an aistrithe sin agus dá éis, más rud é go raibh an ionstraim nó an doiciméad sin i bhfeidhm agus a mhéid a bhí an ionstraim nó an doiciméad sin i bhfeidhm díreach roimh an aistriú sin, amhail is dá mba rud é gur dheonaigh nó go ndearna an Comhlacht a n-aistrítear an fheidhm chuige í nó é, agus ní dhéanfaidh aistriú feidhme leis an alt iomchuí difear do bhailíocht aon doiciméid den sórt sin arna dheonú nó arna dhéanamh, nó aon ghnímh eile a bheidh déanta, ag an duine nó i ndáil leis an duine óna n-aistrítear an fheidhm roimh an aistriú sin, agus leanfaidh aon doiciméad nó gníomh den sórt sin, má bhíonn sé i bhfeidhm díreach roimh an aistriú sin, i bhfeidhm go feadh an méid chéanna agus faoi réir na bhforálacha céanna amhail is dá mba rud é gur dheonaigh nó go ndearna an Comhlacht sin go cuí é nó gur deonaíodh nó go ndearnadh i ndáil leis an gComhlacht sin é.
(4) Déanfar tagairtí d'Aire, do Bhord nó do Choimisiún atá i meabhrán comhlachais nó in airteagail chomhlachais aon chuideachta agus a bhaineann le feidhm a aistrítear ón Aire sin, ón mBord sin nó ón gCoimisiún sin leis an alt iomchuí, a fhorléiriú, tráth an aistrithe agus dá éis, mar thagairtí don Chomhlacht a n-aistrítear an fheidhm chuige.
(5) An mhaoin, na cearta agus na dliteanais go léir a shealbhaítear, a theachtar nó a thabhaítear i ndáil le feidhm a aistrítear leis an alt iomchuí, déanfar, tráth an aistrithe, agus déantar leis seo, iad a aistriú chuig an gComhlacht a n-aistrítear an fheidhm chuige agus, dá réir sin, gan aon tíolacas, aistriú nó sannadh breise—
(a) beidh an mhaoin sin, réadach agus pearsanta, dílsithe don Chomhlacht sin, tráth an aistrithe sin,
(b) beidh na cearta sin á dteachtadh ag an gComhlacht sin, amhail ar an agus ón aistriú sin,
(c) amhail ar an agus ón aistriú sin, is dliteanais de chuid an Chomhlachta sin a bheidh sna dliteanais sin.
(6) Aon airgead, stoic, scaireanna nó urrúis a aistrítear leis an alt iomchuí agus a bheidh, tráth an aistrithe sin, in ainm an duine óna n-aistrítear iad, déanfar, ar iarratas ón gComhlacht a n-aistrítear chuige amhlaidh iad, iad a aistriú isteach in ainm an Chomhlachta sin.
(7) Déantar an riaradh agus an gnó i dtaca le comhlíonadh aon fheidhme a aistrítear leis an alt iomchuí a aistriú leis seo chuig an gComhlacht a n-aistrítear an fheidhm chuige amhlaidh.
(8) Beidh deimhniú arna shíniú ag Aire á rá gur dílsíodh nó, de réir mar a bheidh, nár dílsíodh, aon mhaoin, ceart nó dliteanas do Chomhlacht faoin alt iomchuí, ina fhianaise leormhaith, mura suífear a mhalairt, ar an bhfíoras a bheidh deimhnithe amhlaidh chun gach críche.
(9) Féadfaidh Aire, le rialacháin, cibé oiriúnuithe agus modhnuithe a dhéanamh ar aon reacht (lena n-áirítear ailt 11, 28, 34 agus 36) nó ar ionstraim arna déanamh faoi aon reacht nó ar mheabhrán comhlachais nó airteagail chomhlachais aon chuideachta a mheasann sé nó sí is gá nó is fóirsteanach chun a chumasú lánéifeacht a bheith leis an alt seo agus leis na hailt sin.
(10) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “Bord” Bord na Gaeilge nó Bord Fáilte Éireann;
ciallaíonn “Coimisiún” Coimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail nó Coimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann;
ciallaíonn “Aire” an tAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán, Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha nó an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, de réir mar is cuí ag féachaint don fheidhm, don tsócmhainn nó don dliteanas lena mbaineann (lena n-áirítear feidhm, sócmhainn nó dliteanas de chuid Boird nó Coimisiúin);
ciallaíonn “an t-alt iomchuí” alt 11, 28, 34 nó 36.
Deontais do Chomhlachtaí.
42.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais deontais a thabhairt do Chomhlacht na gClár Speisialta AE as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas ar deontais iad ina mbeidh cibé méideanna, agus a bheidh faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, a chinnfidh sé nó sí chun críocha caiteachais ag an gComhlacht sin le linn a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Féadfaidh aon Aire cuí eile, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, deontais a thabhairt do Chomhlacht as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas ar deontais iad ina mbeidh cibé méideanna, agus a bheidh faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, a chinnfidh an tAire cuí, leis an toiliú céanna, chun críocha caiteachais ag an gComhlacht sin le linn don Chomhlacht a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
Srian le Comhlachtaí d'fháil airgid ar iasacht.
43.—Ní dhéanfar aon chumhacht chun airgead a fháil ar iasacht a thugtar do Chomhlacht le mír 2.2 de Chuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú, a fheidhmiú gan toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus Aire de chuid Thuaisceart Éireann.
Táillí.
44.—Féadfaidh Comhlacht, le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais, táillí a mhuirearú agus muirir eile a fhorchur i leith chomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna, agus déanfaidh an Comhlacht, aon táille nó muirear eile a íocfar leis de bhua an ailt seo nó de bhua aon chumhachta eile a aistreofar chuige, a choimeád agus a úsáid chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
Bronntanais do Chomhlachtaí.
45.—(1) Féadfaidh Comhlacht, faoi réir cheadú an Aire Airgeadais, bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ar cibé iontaobhais nó coinníollacha (más ann) a shonróidh an deontóir.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh Comhlacht bronntanas más rud é go mbeadh na hiontaobhais nó na coinníollacha atá ag gabháil leis ar neamhréir lena fheidhmeanna.
Srian le hailt 43 go 45.
46.—D'ainneoin alt 1(2), ní thiocfaidh alt, ar alt 43, 44 nó 45 é, i ngníomh i ndáil le Comhlacht mura rud é go ndéanfar foráil a bhfuil éifeacht den tsamhail chéanna léi sa mheamram airgeadais a bhaineann leis an gComhlacht sin agus dá dtagraítear i mír 2.2 de Chuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú.
Ordacháin chun críche Airteagal 7 den Chomhaontú.
47.—Údaraítear leis seo don Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha ordachán a thabhairt do Chomhlacht faoi Airteagal 7 den Chomhaontú, agus gníomhóidh Comhlacht de réir aon ordacháin den sórt sin.
Aird bhreithiúnach a thabhairt ar shéalaí Comhlachtaí.
48.—Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala gach Comhlachta agus déanfar doiciméad a airbheartaíonn a bheith ina ionstraim arna déanamh ag Comhlacht agus a bheith séalaithe le séala an Chomhlachta (a airbheartaíonn a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir mhír 4.2 de Chuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú) a ghlacadh i bhfianaise agus measfar gurb é an ionstraim sin é gan chruthúnas mura rud é go suífear a mhalairt.
Tuarascálacha ó Chomhlachtaí a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
49.—(1) Faoi réir fhomhír (2), cuirfidh an tAire cuí faoi deara cóip de thuarascáil bhliantúil Comhlachta a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) I gcás an Fhorais Teanga, forléireofar an tagairt i bhfo-alt (1) don Aire cuí mar thagairt don Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán.
Feidhm an Achta Ombudsman, 1980.
50.—(1) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1980” an tAcht Ombudsman, 1980;
ciallaíonn “Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann” an duine a chomhlíonann feidhmeanna i dTuaisceart Éireann ar feidhmeanna iad a chomhfhreagraíonn d'fheidhmeanna an Ombudsman.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag Acht 1980 maidir leis na Comhlachtaí fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá agus amhail is dá mbeadh tagairt do gach ceann acu i gCuid I den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht sin, ach ní bhainfidh an fheidhm sin ach le gníomhartha arna ndéanamh sa Stát ag Comhlacht nó thar a cheann.
(3) Le linn réamhscrúdú nó imscrúdú a dhéanamh faoi Acht 1980 ar ghníomh a rinne Comhlacht nó a rinneadh thar a cheann, rachaidh an tOmbudsman i gcomhairle le hOmbudsman Thuaisceart Éireann i ndáil le seoladh an scrúdaithe nó an imscrúdaithe agus, i gcás ina measann sé nó sí gur cuí déanamh amhlaidh, féadfaidh sé nó sí faisnéis (lena n-áirítear cóip de dhoiciméad) a bheidh tugtha dó nó di chun críocha an scrúdaithe nó an imscrúdaithe a chur ar fáil d'Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann; ach, is é nó is í an tOmbudsman amháin a dhéanfaidh aon chinneadh nó moladh a bheidh le déanamh tar éis scrúdaithe nó imscrúdaithe den sórt sin agus tabharfaidh sé nó sí ráiteas i scríbhinn maidir le haon chinneadh nó moladh den sórt sin d'Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann.
(4) I gcás ina ndéanfar gearán le hOmbudsman Thuaisceart Éireann i ndáil le gníomh arna dhéanamh sa Stát ag Comhlacht nó thar ceann Comhlachta, agus go ndéanfaidh Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann an ní a tharchur chuig an Ombudsman, beidh feidhm ag Acht 1980 amhail is dá mba rud é go ndearnadh gearán go cuí leis an Ombudsman i ndáil leis an ní faoin Acht sin.
(5) I gcás ina ndéanfar gearán leis an Ombudsman i ndáil le gníomh arna dhéanamh i dTuaisceart Éireann ag Comhlacht nó thar ceann Comhlachta, déanfaidh sé nó sí an ní a tharchur chuig Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann agus déanfaidh sé nó sí aon fhaisnéis (lena n-áirítear cóip de dhoiciméad) i ndáil leis an ní a bheidh ina sheilbh nó ina seilbh a thabhairt dó nó di.
(6) Nuair a gheobhaidh an tOmbudsman iarratas ó Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann i ndáil le himscrúdú ag Ombudsman Thuaisceart Éireann ar ghníomh arna dhéanamh i dTuaisceart Éireann ag Comhlacht nó thar ceann Comhlachta, rachaidh an tOmbudsman i mbun idirchaidrimh leis nó léi agus glacfaidh comhairle leis nó léi i ndáil leis an ní.
Feidhm an Achta um Chosaint Sonraí, 1988.
51.—(1) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1988” an tAcht um Chosaint Sonraí, 1988;
folaíonn “gníomh” mainneachtain gníomhú agus folaíonn tagairtí do ghníomh a dhéanamh tagairtí do mhainneachtain den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “an Coimisinéir” an Coimisinéir Cosanta Sonraí;
tá le “rialaitheoir sonraí” agus “próiseálaí sonraí” na bríonna a shanntar dóibh le hAcht 1988;
forléireofar “bunaithe” de réir Threoir 95/46/CE an 24 Deireadh Fómhair 1995 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle1 maidir le daoine aonair a chosaint i dtaca le próiseáil sonraí pearsanta agus maidir le saorghluaiseacht sonraí den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “Coimisinéir Thuaisceart Éireann” an duine a chomhlíonann feidhmeanna i dTuaisceart Éireann a chomhfhreagraíonn d'fheidhmeanna an Choimisinéara.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag Acht 1988 maidir leis na Comhlachtaí fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá agus faoi réir na bhforálacha sin ina dhiaidh seo den alt seo.
(3) I gcás gur sa Stát amháin atá an rialaitheoir sonraí lena mbaineann bunaithe, beidh feidhm ag Acht 1988 maidir le haon ní a bhaineann leis an rialaitheoir sonraí sin.
(4) I gcás gur sa Stát amháin atá an próiseálaí sonraí lena mbaineann bunaithe, beidh feidhm ag Acht 1988 maidir le haon ní a bhaineann leis an bpróiseálaí sonraí sin.
(5) I gcás gur sa Stát agus i dTuaisceart Éireann atá an rialaitheoir sonraí lena mbaineann nó an próiseálaí sonraí lena mbaineann bunaithe, ní bheidh feidhm ag Acht 1988 maidir le haon ní lena mbaineann ach amháin i gcás gur sa Stát a tharlaíonn an phróiseáil lena mbaineann.
(6) A mhéid a bhaineann an tAcht le Comhlacht nó le próiseálaí sonraí Comhlachta, measfar an Comhlacht a bheith ina phearsa a bhfuil feidhm ag alt 16 d'Acht 1988 maidir léi.
(7) Más rud é—
(a) go ndéanfar gearán leis an gCoimisinéir i ndáil le Comhlacht nó i ndáil le próiseálaí sonraí Comhlachta agus go bhfuil an ní ar cheann de na nithe nach bhfuil feidhm ag Acht 1988 maidir leis de bhua an ailt seo, agus
(b) go bhfuil an rialaitheoir sonraí lena mbaineann nó an próiseálaí sonraí lena mbaineann i dTuaisceart Éireann nó gur i dTuaisceart Éireann a tharlaíonn an phróiseáil,
déanfaidh an Coimisinéir an ní a tharchur chuig Coimisinéir Thuaisceart Éireann agus déanfaidh sé nó sí aon fhaisnéis i ndáil leis an ní a bheidh ina sheilbh nó ina seilbh a thabhairt dó nó di.
Comhlachtaí a dhíolmhú ó rátaí agus ó chánacha.
52.—(1) Ní bheidh Comhlacht faoi dhliteanas rátaí ar bith a íoc faoi na hAchtanna Luachála agus measfar, chun críche alt 2 den Valuation (Ireland) Act, 1854, maidir le haon oidhreachtán nó tionóntán a bheidh in úsáid nó ar áitiú ag Comhlacht, gur de chineál poiblí é agus go bhfuil sé ar áitiú don tseirbhís phoiblí.
(2) Ní bheidh Comhlacht faoi dhliteanas cáin dhíreach ar bith, nó dleacht ar bith, a íoc i leith aon tailte ná ioncaim.
Feidhm alt 13 de Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957, agus alt 70 den Acht um Thiarnaí Talún agus Tionóntaí (Leasú), 1980, maidir le Comhlachtaí.
53.—Measfar maidir le Comhlacht—
(a) gur údarás Stáit é chun críocha alt 13 de Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957, agus
(b) gur údarás Stáit iomchuí é chun críocha alt 70 den Acht um Thiarnaí Talún agus Tionóntaí (Leasú), 1980.
Cruthúnas ar rialacháin agus ar fhodhlíthe arna ndéanamh ag Comhlacht.
54.—Beidh feidhm ag alt 4 den Acht um Fhianaise Scríbhinne, 1925, maidir le rialacháin agus fodhlíthe a dhéanfaidh Comhlacht.
Feidhmeanna le haghaidh comhlachtaí poiblí.
55.—(1) Chun a chinntiú, maidir leis na socruithe le haghaidh an chomhoibrithe chomhaontaithe dá dtagraítear i míreanna 8 agus 9(i) de Shraith a Dó den Chomhaontú Ilpháirtí, a mhéid a bhaineann siad le comhlachtaí poiblí, go dtosóidh siad i gcomhthráth leis an aistriú cumhachtaí chuig Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann, beidh ag comhlachtaí poiblí lena mbaineann cibé feidhmeanna is gá nó is fóirsteanach chun na críche sin.
(2) San alt seo, ciallaíonn “comhlacht poiblí” údarás áitiúil chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941, bord sláinte nó aon chomhlacht eile arna bhunú le haon achtachán.
Feidhm Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993.
56.—Chun críocha Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993—
(a) measfar gur iniúchadh an scrúdú dá dtagraítear i mír 2.5 de Chuid 7 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis an gComhaontú, agus
(b) measfar gur scrúduithe dá bhforáiltear le halt 9 den Acht sin na scrúduithe luach ar airgead dá dtagraítear i mír 2.7 den Chuid sin.
AN SCEIDEAL
Comhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann ag Bunú Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe
Tá Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann:
Ag féachaint d'Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú idir Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann arna dhéanamh i mBéal Feirste an 10 Aibreán 1998 (“Comhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann”), agus don Chomhaontú Ilpháirtí ar thángthas air i mBéal Feirste an 10 Aibreán 1998 (“an Comhaontú Ilpháirtí”), atá i gceangal le Comhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann;
Ag meabhrú dóibh gur gheall na rannpháirtithe sna caibidlí ilpháirtí go n-oibreoidís, de mheon macánta, chun a chinntiú go n-éireodh le gach uile cheann de na socruithe atá le bunú faoin gComhaontú Ilpháirtí, agus gur glacadh leis “maidir leis na socruithe institiúideacha agus bunreachtúla go léir — Tionól i dTuaisceart Éireann, Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas, comhlachtaí forfheidhmithe, Comhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann, agus Comhdháil Idir-Rialtasach na Breataine-na hÉireann agus aon leasuithe ar Achtanna Parlaiminte na Breataine agus ar Bhunreacht na hÉireann — go bhfuil siad cónasctha agus idirspleách agus go háirithe go bhfuil gaol chomh dlúth sin idir feidhmiú an Tionóil agus feidhmiú na Comhairle Thuaidh/Theas go bhfuil rath ceann acu ag brath ar rath an chinn eile”;
Tar éis comhaontú mar a leanas:
AIRTEAGAL 1
Faoi Airteagal 2 de Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann agus ar mhaithe lena chur chun cinn, bunaítear leis seo na Comhlachtaí seo a leanas:
(a) comhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh uiscebhealaí intíre, ar a dtabharfar Uiscebhealaí Éireann;
(b) comhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh sábháilteachta bia, ar a dtabharfar an Bord um Chur chun Cinn Sábháilteachta Bia;
(c) comhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh forbartha trádála agus gnó, ar a dtabharfar an Comhlacht Forbartha Trádála agus Gnó;
(d) comhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh chláir speisialta AE, ar a dtabharfar Comhlacht na gClár Speisialta AE;
(e) comhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh teanga ar a dtabharfar The North/South Language Body agus ar a dtabharfar i nGaeilge an Foras Teanga nó in Ultais Tha Boord o Leid;
(f) comhlacht forfheidhmithe le haghaidh cúrsaí dobharshaothraithe agus mara, ar a dtabharfar Coimisiún an Fheabhail, Chairlinn agus Shoilse na hÉireann.
AIRTEAGAL 2
1. Is iad feidhmeanna gach Comhlachta na feidhmeanna sin a shonraítear sa chuid iomchuí d'Iarscríbhinn 1 a ghabhann leis seo a mhéid, i ndáil le Tuaisceart Éireann, a bhaineann siad le nithe atá faoi inniúlacht Airí Thuaisceart Éireann.
2. Feidhmeoidh gach Comhlacht a fheidhmeanna agus beidh a struchtúr de réir na socruithe a leagtar amach sna codanna iomchuí d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis seo.
AIRTEAGAL 3
1. Oibreoidh gach Comhlacht de réir fhorálacha an Chomhaontaithe Ilpháirtí, agus cuirfidh sé chun feidhme, go háirithe, aon chinntí de chuid na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas maidir le beartais agus gníomhartha a bhaineann le nithe atá faoi raon fheidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
2. Maoineofar gach Comhlacht de réir fhorálacha an Chomhaontaithe Ilpháirtí ar an mbonn gur feidhm riachtanach phoiblí é.
AIRTEAGAL 4
I ndáil leis an gComhlacht le haghaidh cúrsaí dobharshaothraithe agus mara, beidh feidhm ag Airteagail 2 agus 3 faoi réir aon socruithe a chinnfidh an dá Rialtas chun áisíní loingseoireachta a sholáthar agus a chothabháil de bhun mhír 7.1 de Chuid 6 d'Iarscríbhinn 2 a ghabhann leis seo.
AIRTEAGAL 5
Féadfaidh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas leasuithe ar Iarscríbhinní 1 agus 2 a ghabhann leis seo a mholadh don dá Rialtas. Féadfaidh an dá Rialtas na leasuithe sin a dhéanamh trí nótaí a mhalartú.
AIRTEAGAL 6
Beidh pearsantas dlíthiúil ag gach Comhlacht. Folóidh a inniúlacht dhlíthiúil an inniúlacht chun conarthaí a dhéanamh, chun maoin a fháil agus a dhiúscairt agus chun imeachtaí dlí a thionscnamh.
AIRTEAGAL 7
1. Gníomhóidh gach Comhlacht de réir aon ordacháin ó Státrúnaí Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Gnóthaí Comhlathais na Breataine nó ó Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha na hÉireann ar ordachán é is gá chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar aon oibleagáidí idirnáisiúnta de chuid Rialtas na Breataine nó de chuid Rialtas na hÉireann, seachas oibleagáidí idirnáisiúnta a éiríonn faoin gComhaontú seo nó faoi Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, a chomhlíonadh laistigh dá ndlínsí faoi seach.
2. Ní eiseofar ordacháin den sórt sin ach amháin i gcás nach féidir leis an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas teacht ar chinneadh maidir le bearta is gá chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfar na hoibleagáidí idirnáisiúnta thuasluaite.
AIRTEAGAL 8
Is forlíonadh an Comhaontú seo ar fhorálacha Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann agus léifear in éineacht leis an gComhaontú sin é.
AIRTEAGAL 9
Tiocfaidh an Comhaontú seo i bhfeidhm an dáta a thiocfaidh Comhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann i bhfeidhm.
Dá fhianú sin tá na daoine sin a bhfuil a sínithe anseo thíos, agus iad údaraithe go cuí chuige sin ag na Rialtais faoi seach, tar éis an Comhaontú seo a shíniú.
Arna dhéanamh in dhá scríbhinn bhunaidh i mBaile Átha Cliath an 8ú lá de Mhárta 1999.
Thar ceann Rialtas na hÉireann | Thar ceann Rialtas Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann |
IARSCRÍBHINN 1
CUID 1
Uiscebhealaí Intíre
Comhlacht a bhfuil na feidhmeanna seo a leanas aige:
An córas uiscebhealaí intíre inseolta ar fud an oileáin a bhainistiú, a chothabháil, a fhorbairt agus a athchóiriú chun críocha áineasa go príomha:
láithreach i leith Uiscebhealach na Sionainne-na hÉirne agus i leith an athchóirithe agus na forbartha a d'fhéadfaí a dhéanamh ar Chanáil Uladh;
de réir a chéile dá éis sin, i leith mhórchóras na Sionainne-na hÉirne agus uiscebhealaí eile an oileáin (an Chanáil Ríoga, an Chanáil Mhór, an Bhearú agus Abhainn an Lagáin go príomha).
Rachadh an Comhlacht i mbun na bhfeidhmeanna, mar aon leis na feidhmeanna cuí tacaíochta, a fheidhmíonn Seirbhís Uiscebhealaí na Roinne Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán agus Gníomhaireacht Aibhneacha na Roinne Talmhaíochta i dTuaisceart Éireann ina leith sin, agus dhéanfadh sé feidhmeanna Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Ltd. a ghabháil chuige féin freisin.
CUID 2
Sábháilteacht Bia
Comhlacht a bhfuil na feidhmeanna seo a leanas aige:
— sábháilteacht bia a chur chun cinn
— taighde ar shábháilteacht bia
— rabhaidh bhia a thabhairt
— faireachas a dhéanamh ar ghalair bhia-iompartha
— comhoibriú agus nasc-cheangail eolaíochta idir saotharlanna a chur chun cinn
— saoráidí atá éifeachtach ó thaobh costas de a fhorbairt le haghaidh saintástáil saotharlainne.
CUID 3
Forbairt Trádála agus Gnó
Comhlacht chun faisnéis a mhalartú agus obair a chomhordú maidir le trádáil, forbairt ghnó agus nithe gaolmhara, i réimsí a n-aontaíonn an dá lucht riaracháin go sonrach ina leith gurbh é a leas frithpháirteach é sin a dhéanamh.
Bheadh na nithe seo a leanas san áireamh sna réimsí sonracha forfheidhmithe:
— comhoibriú i leith deiseanna forbartha gnó, Thuaidh agus Theas;
— modhanna nua a cheapadh i leith forbartha gnó i gcomhthéacs trasteorann i réimsí ar nós taighde, oiliúint, margaíocht, feabhsú caighdeán;
— tacú le gnó trí mholtaí a dhéanamh chun iomaíochas fiontraíochta a mhéadú i gcomhthéacs thuaidh-theas i réimsí ar nós fáil ar scileanna, teileachumarsáid, teicneolaíocht eolais agus tráchtáil leictreonach;
— trádáil agus slabhraí soláthair thuaidh-theas a chur chun cinn, lena n-áirítear trí nasc-cheangail ghnó agus trí chomhpháirtíochtaí gnó;
— imeachtaí trádála agus tionscnaimh mhargaíochta trasteorann a chur chun cinn;
— réimsí nua trádála idir an Tuaisceart agus an Deisceart a shainaithint;
— feasacht mhargaidh agus forbairt ghnó a chur chun cinn i gcomhthéacs thuaidh-theas;
— tionscadail shonracha agus imeachtaí sonracha i ndáil le cur chun cinn trádála a ghabháil de láimh, nuair a chuirfear de chúram air é sin a dhéanamh i gcomhpháirt ar bhonn tionscadail i ndiaidh tionscadail;
— comhairle a chur ar fáil i dtaobh gnéithe sonracha de chur chun cinn trádála, nuair a chuirfear de chúram air é sin a dhéanamh i gcomhpháirt.
Leanfadh gníomhaireachtaí eacnamaíocha láithreacha Thuaidh agus Theas de bheith á maoiniú ag a lucht riaracháin faoi seach agus de bheith ag oibriú faoi stiúradh a lucht riaracháin faoi seach.
CUID 4
Cláir Speisialta AE
Comhlacht ag a bhfuil na feidhmeanna seo a leanas:
Go dtí go dtiocfaidh na Tionscnaimh Chomhphobail reatha chun críche
— na rólanna maidir le rúnaíocht lárnach, faireachán, taighde, meastóireacht, cúnamh teicniúil agus forbairt atá á bhfeidhmiú i gcomhpháirt faoi láthair i leith INTERREG agus PEACE ag an Roinn Airgeadais agus ag an Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra;
— fochláir rannacha áirithe a riaradh faoi INTERREG agus PEACE (fóirdheontas rátaí úis agus comhoibriú trasteorann idir comhlachtaí poiblí).
I ndáil le Cistí Struchtúracha iar-1999
— comhairle a thabhairt don Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/ Theas agus don dá Roinn Airgeadais maidir le caibidliú Tionscnamh Comhphobail iar-1999 agus na Caibidle Comhchoitinne le Coimisiún an Aontais Eorpaigh;
— tograí mionsonraithe do chláir faoi na Tionscnaimh Chomhphobail nua (ar dóigh gurb iad INTERREG III, LEADER III agus EQUAL, agus b'fhéidir comharba ar PEACE iad), a ullmhú lena gceadú ag an dá lucht riaracháin sa Chomhairle agus i ndlúthchomhairle leis an dá Roinn Airgeadais agus le Ranna iomchuí eile;
— rólanna maidir le rúnaíocht lárnach, faireachán, taighde, meastóireacht, cúnamh teicniúil agus forbairt i leith na dTionscnamh sin;
— feidhmeanna maidir le deontais a thabhairt agus feidhmeanna bainistíochta eile i leith INTERREG III agus i leith eilimintí thuaidh-theas de chláir faoi Thionscnaimh eile, laistigh de chreat bheartais fhoriomlána iomchuí an Tuaiscirt agus an Deiscirt faoi seach, agus faoi réir na leithrannta caiteachais agus na bparaiméadar sonrach do chláir a comhaontaíodh idir an dá lucht riaracháin agus le Coimisiún an Aontais Eorpaigh;
— faireachán agus cur chun cinn a dhéanamh i leith fhorfheidhmiú na Caibidle Comhchoitinne, ag a mbeadh leithroinnt bhuiséadach shonrach.
CUID 5
Teanga
Foras amháin, ina bhfuil dhá chuid ar leith, agus na feidhmeanna seo a leanas aige:
An Ghaeilge
— an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn;
— úsáid na Gaeilge a éascú agus a spreagadh sa chaint agus sa scríbhneoireacht sa saol poiblí agus sa saol príobháideach sa Deisceart agus, i gcomhthéacs Chuid III den Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh, i dTuaisceart Éireann mar a mbeidh éileamh cuí ann;
— comhairle a thabhairt don dá lucht riaracháin, do chomhlachtaí poiblí agus do ghrúpaí eile san earnáil phríobháideach agus dheonach;
— tionscadail tacaíochta a ghabháil de láimh, agus cúnamh deontais a thabhairt do chomhlachtaí agus do ghrúpaí de réir mar a mheasfar is gá;
— taighde, feachtais tionscnaimh, agus caidreamh poiblí agus caidreamh leis na meáin, a ghabháil de láimh;
— téarmaíocht agus foclóirí a fhorbairt;
— tacú le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge.
Cúrsaí Ultach-Albanacha
— Eolas níos fearr faoi Ultais agus úsáid Ultaise agus saincheisteanna cultúir Ultach-Albanacha a chur chun cinn, laistigh de Thuaisceart Éireann agus ar fud an oileáin.
CUID 6
Cúrsaí Dobharshaothraithe agus Mara
Comhlacht a bhfuil na feidhmeanna seo a leanas aige:
Loch Feabhail agus Loch Cairlinn
— forbairt Loch Feabhail agus Loch Cairlinn a chur chun cinn, chun críocha tráchtála agus áineasa;
— feidhmeanna láithreacha Choimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail maidir le hiascaigh intíre a chaomhnú, a chosaint, a bhainistiú agus a fhorbairt, agus feidhmeanna coibhéiseacha i leith Loch Cairlinn;
— dobharshaothrú a fhorbairt agus a cheadúnú;
— turasóireacht mhara a fhorbairt.
Tithe solais
— feidhmeanna láithreacha Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann i leith áisíní loingseoireachta a sholáthar agus a chothabháil feadh chósta oileán uile na hÉireann mar aon leis na farraigí agus na hoileáin atá tadhlach leis.
A chur san áireamh go bhfeidhmíonn Coimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann i gcomhthéacs Thoir-Thiar, socruithe chun nasc-cheangal a choinneáil le húdaráis iomchuí na Breataine.
IARSCRÍBHINN 2
MÍNITHE
San Iarscríbhinn seo—
ciallaíonn “na Ranna Airgeadais” Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra Thuaisceart Éireann agus Roinn Airgeadais na hÉireann; ciallaíonn “na hAirí Airgeadais” Aire Airgeadais agus Pearsanra Thuaisceart Éireann agus Aire Airgeadais na hÉireann;
ciallaíonn “CATT” an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas.
CUID 1
Uiscebhealaí Intíre
FEIDHMEANNA A FHEIDHMIÚ
I gCuid 1 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Feidhmeoidh an Comhlacht na feidhmeanna sin de réir na socruithe seo a leanas agus de réir na socruithe sin atá leagtha amach i gCuid 7 anseo thíos.
1.1 Maidir leis an gComhlacht, le héifeacht láithreach—
(a) beidh sé freagrach as Uiscebhealach na Sionainne-na hÉirne a bhainistiú, a chothabháil agus a fhorbairt chun críocha áineasa go príomha;
(b) déanfaidh sé staidéir chuí agus breithmheasanna cuí a thabhairt chun cinn i ndáil leis an athbhunú a d'fhéadfaí a dhéanamh ar Chanáil Uladh; agus
(c) déanfaidh sé rialú Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Ltd. a ghabháil chuige féin.
1.2 Le héifeacht ón 1 Aibreán 2000, gabhfaidh an Comhlacht air féin freagracht as na huiscebhealaí seo a leanas a bhainistiú, a chothabháil agus a fhorbairt chun críocha áineasa go príomha—
Córas na hÉirne
an Chanáil Mhór (lena n-áirítear Uiscebhealach na Bearú)
Uiscebhealach na Banna Íochtair
an Chanáil Ríoga
Uiscebhealach na Sionainne.
1.3 Más rud é, i bhfianaise thoradh na staidéar agus na mbreithmheasanna dá dtagraítear i mír 1.1(b), go gcinnfidh CATT amhlaidh, beidh an Comhlacht freagrach, le héifeacht ó cibé dáta a chinnfidh CATT, as athbhunú Chanáil Uladh agus, tar éis an athbhunaithe, beidh sé freagrach as a bainistiú, as a cothabháil agus as a forbairt chun críocha áineasa go príomha.
1.4 Le héifeacht ó cibé dáta a shonrófar le reachtaíocht sa dá dhlínse, tar éis comhaontú a dhéanamh in CATT, gabhfaidh an Comhlacht an fhreagracht air féin—
(a) as aon uiscebhealach intíre eile a shonraítear sa reachtaíocht a athbhunú;
(b) as aon uiscebhealach intíre eile a shonrófar amhlaidh a bhainistiú, a chothabháil agus a fhorbairt chun críocha áineasa go príomha.
1.5 Ón 1 Aibreán 2000, beidh trí rannán réigiúnacha den Chomhlacht ann — Rannán Réigiúnach an Tuaiscirt, Rannán Réigiúnach an Iarthair agus Rannán Réigiúnach an Oirthir.
1.6 Le linn a feidhm bhainistíochta agus forbartha a chomhlíonadh chun críocha áineasa go príomha, gabhfaidh an Comhlacht do chur chun cinn, lena n-áirítear acmhainneacht turasóireachta agus tráchtála na n-uiscebhealaí intíre a bhfuil freagracht air astu a mhargú agus a fhorbairt.
1.7 Beidh ag an gComhlacht na cumhachtaí go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú nó atá coimhdeach le feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin.
STRUCHTÚR
2.1 Beidh Príomh-Fheidhmeannach ag an gComhlacht, agus CATT a cheapfaidh é nó í.
2.2 Feidhmeoidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach, nó comhalta eile d'fhoireann an Chomhlachta a bheidh údaraithe ag an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach, feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Le linn a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an Comhlacht gach tráth de réir aon treoracha (cibé acu treoracha ginearálta nó treoracha sonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
CUID 2
Sábháilteacht Bia
FEIDHMEANNA A FHEIDHMIÚ
I gCuid 2 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Feidhmeoidh an Comhlacht na feidhmeanna sin de réir na socruithe seo a leanas agus de réir na socruithe sin atá leagtha amach i gCuid 7 anseo thíos.
1. Sábháilteacht bia a chur chun cinn:
1.1 Is feidhm ríthábhachtach thosaíochta de chuid an Chomhlachta a chur faoi deara go nglacfar i gcoitinne leis gur ar tháirgeoirí, ar phróiseálaithe, ar dháileoirí ag gach leibhéal, ar lónadóirí agus ar an bpobal i gcoitinne i bpáirt atá an fhreagracht as bia sábháilte a chur ar fáil. Folaíonn an fheidhm sin:
(a) feasacht agus eolas ar shaincheisteanna sábháilteachta bia a chur chun cinn i measc an phobail, i measc na ngairmeacha a bhfuil leas acu i sábháilteacht bia nó freagracht orthu aisti, agus sa tionscal bia;
(b) feachtais fheasachta pobail, comhdhálacha, oiliúint agus tacaíocht straitéiseach a shocrú;
(c) comhairle agus treoir a chur ar fáil i dtaobh sábháilteachta bia (lena n-áirítear comhairle ar na gnéithe cothaitheacha de bhianna éagsúla);
(d) naisc a bhunú agus a chothabháil le páirtithe leasmhara ríthábhachtacha sa réimse sábháilteachta bia, lena n-áirítear na comhlachtaí de chuid Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann atá freagrach as forghníomhú sábháilteachta bia.
1.2 Bainfidh réimse freagrachta an Chomhlachta le hoileán na hÉireann go léir i ndáil le cur chun cinn sábháilteachta bia agus oibreoidh sé i gcomhar le gníomhaireachtaí sábháilteachta bia Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann, agus leanfaidh na gníomhaireachtaí sin de bheith freagrach as iniúchadh agus as forghníomhú. Leanfaidh na socruithe láithreacha i leith caibidlí idirnáisiúnta, caighdeáin bhia a leagan síos agus reachtaíocht agus rialacháin a fhógairt, d'fheidhm a bheith acu. Féadfaidh an Comhlacht athbhreithniú a dhéanamh, agus comhairle a thabhairt, maidir le leordhóthanacht socruithe forfheidhmithe bia atá i bhfeidhm ar fud an bhiashlabhra in oileán na hÉireann, ar iarratas ó CATT.
1.3 Coimeádfaidh gníomhaireachtaí forghníomhaithe sábháilteachta bia Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann ról cur chun cinn chun tacú lena bhfeidhmeanna iniúchta agus forghníomhaithe.
2. Taighde i dtaobh sábháilteachta bia:
Beidh réimse freagrachta ginearálta ag an gComhlacht chun taighde i dtaobh gach gné de shábháilteacht bia a chur chun cinn, lena n-áirítear:
(a) tosaíochtaí le haghaidh taighde a shainaithint;
(b) tionscadail taighde a choimisiúnú agus a mhaoiniú de réir mar is gá chun bearnaí sainaitheanta a líonadh;
(c) bunachar sonraí de chláir thaighde a bhunú agus a chothabháil agus faireachán a dhéanamh ar dhul chun cinn;
(e) torthaí taighde a scaipeadh ar pháirtithe leasmhara iomchuí;
(f) bearta a mholadh de dhroim torthaí taighde;
(g) naisc a chothabháil le comhlachtaí idirnáisiúnta taighde.
3. Rabhaidh bhia a thabhairt:
Beidh freagracht ar an mBord a chinntiú go ndéanfar faisnéis i dtaobh rabhadh náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta bia a scaipeadh go pras, go cruinn agus go hiomlán trí na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) forbairt agus faireachán a dhéanamh ar phrótacail chun gníomhú nuair a fhaightear rabhaidh bhia;
(b) idirchaidreamh a dhéanamh le gníomhaireachtaí forghníomhaithe Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann;
(c) oiliúint a chur chun cinn, agus, más cuí, a shocrú dóibh siúd ar dóigh dóibh baint a bheith acu le rabhaidh bhia a bhainistiú agus le gníomhú dá réir;
(d) forbairt a dhéanamh ar nósanna imeachta trasteorann do ghníomhú le linn éigeandála.
4. Faireachas a dhéanamh ar ghalair bhia-iompartha:
Beidh freagracht ghinearálta ar an gComhlacht as comhoibriú trasteorann a chur chun cinn i ndáil le faireachas micribhitheolaíoch ar ghalair bhia-iompartha:
(a) tosaíochtaí a shainaithint maidir le forbairt faireachais;
(b) fóram a bhunú chun faisnéis a mhalartú idir páirtithe leasmhara iomchuí;
(c) comhar a chur chun cinn maidir le gníomhaíocht a bhaineann le faireachas, más cuí, lena n-áirítear oiliúint agus forbairt ghairmiúil;
(d) rochtain a fháil ar na sonraí faireachais arna sealbhú ag údaráis chuí Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann agus anailís a dhéanamh orthu;
(e) faisnéis agus anailís fhaireachais a fhoilsiú;
(f) comhchuibhiú a chur chun cinn, más cuí, maidir le córas faireachais, lena n-áirítear modheolaíochtaí agus modhanna tuairiscithe, agus córais teicneolaíochta faisnéise a fhorbairt.
5. Comhoibriú agus nasc-cheangail eolaíochta idir saotharlanna a chur chun cinn:
Beidh réimse freagrachta ginearálta ag an gComhlacht chun comhoibriú agus nasc-cheangail eolaíochta a chur chun cinn idir saotharlanna atá creidiúnaithe, nó atá ag obair chun creidiúnú a bhaint amach, faoi threoracha iomchuí AE:
(a) straitéis a fhorbairt le haghaidh comhoibrithe agus nasc-cheangal den sórt sin idir saotharlanna, lena n-áirítear socruithe maoinithe atá beartaithe;
(b) córas tuairiscithe a fhorbairt le haghaidh mear-rochtana ar thorthaí saotharlainne;
(c) eolas agus taithí ar mhodheolaíochtaí tástála agus faireachais a chomhroinnt;
(d) tosaíochtaí a leagan síos maidir le forbairt líonra saotharlann;
(e) comhairle a thabhairt maidir le nasc-cheangail a fhorbairt agus maidir leis na modhanna atá le húsáid;
(f) réitigh chuí teicneolaíochta faisnéise a bhunú agus a chur chun cinn;
(g) faireachán a dhéanamh ar éifeachtacht chóras na saotharlann nasctha, lena n-áirítear comhairle a thabhairt maidir lena fhorbairt leanúnach.
6. Saoráidí atá éifeachtach ó thaobh costas de a fhorbairt le haghaidh saintástáil saotharlainne:
Beidh réimse freagrachta ginearálta ag an gComhlacht chun straitéis a fhorbairt agus a chothú i gcomhair oileán na hÉireann chun sainseirbhísí saotharlainne a sholáthar, lena n-áirítear:
(a) luathstaidéar a sheoladh ar éifeachtacht choibhneasta na roghanna atá ar fáil ó thaobh costas de, lena n-áirítear saotharlanna sa Bhreatain Mhór a úsáid, chun sainseirbhísí saotharlainne a fhorbairt,
(b) tograí atá éifeachtach ó thaobh costas de, lena n-áirítear socruithe maoinithe, a ullmhú lena mbreithniú ag CATT;
(c) tar éis do CATT í a cheadú, forfheidhmiú na straitéise a mhaoirsiú, lena n-áirítear comhairle a thabhairt maidir lena forbairt leanúnach.
7.1 Bainfidh an Comhlacht leas as an linn comhairle agus saineolais eolaíochta a bheidh ar fáil do chórais sábháilteachta bia Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann ar leithligh.
7.2 Tá sé beartaithe go gcuirfidh an Comhlacht measúnú neamhspleách ar fáil, trí chomhairle neamhspleách eolaíochta, ar shábháilteacht agus ar shláinteachas an bhia a tháirgtear, a dháiltear nó a mhargaítear in oileán na hÉireann.
8. Eiseoidh an Comhlacht tuarascálacha ar shaincheisteanna sonracha a bhaineann lena fheidhmeanna, ar iarratas ó CATT nó ar a thionscnamh féin.
9. Beidh ag an gComhlacht na cumhachtaí go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú nó atá coimhdeach le feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin.
STRUCHTÚR
10.1 Beidh Bord Comhairleach ag an gComhlacht agus ní lú ná 8 agus ní mó ná 12 an líon comhaltaí a bheidh ar an mBord, lena n-áirítear Cathaoirleach agus Leas-Chathaoirleach. Ceapfaidh CATT na comhaltaí, lena n-áirítear comhalta amháin mar Chathaoirleach agus comhalta amháin mar Leas-Chathaoirleach.
10.2 Faoi réir na bhforálacha eile san Iarscríbhinn seo, is í CATT a dhéanfaidh, le ceadú na nAirí Airgeadais, luach saothair, liúntais agus caiteachais an Chathaoirligh, an Leas-Chathaoirligh agus na gcomhaltaí eile, agus aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha eile ar a sealbhaíonn siad oifig a chinneadh.
11.1 Is é 3 bliana téarma oifige na gcéad chomhaltaí den Bhord Comhairleach. Féadfaidh CATT téarma ceapachán ina dhiaidh sin a athrú chun leanúnachas comhaltais a éascú ach ní rachaidh an téarma sin thar 5 bliana. Ní fhóinfidh comhaltaí ar feadh níos mó ná 2 théarma as a chéile.
11.2 Féadfaidh duine éirí as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach nó mar Leas-Chathaoirleach trí fhógra i scríbhinn a chur chuig CATT. Féadfaidh CATT duine a bhriseadh as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach nó mar Leas-Chathaoirleach, más rud é—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí, gan leithscéal réasúnach, a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí 3 mhí;
(b) go gciontófar é nó í i gcion coiriúil;
(c) go ndéanfar ordú féimheachta ina choinne nó ina coinne, nó go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe nó lena creidiúnaithe; nó
(d) nach mbeidh sé nó sí ábalta nó oiriúnach maidir lena fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
11.3 Má éagann comhalta, má éiríonn comhalta as oifig nó má chuirtear comhalta as oifig, féadfaidh CATT duine a cheapadh chun an folúntas a líonadh, agus déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh sa tslí chéanna inar ceapadh an comhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann. Beidh an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh i seilbh oifige ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige an chomhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann agus beidh sé nó sí inathcheaptha mar chomhalta.
11.4 Beidh Príomh-Fheidhmeannach ag an gComhlacht agus CATT a cheapfaidh é nó í.
11.5 Feidhmeoidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach, nó comhalta eile d'fhoireann an Chomhlachta a bheidh údaraithe ag an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach, feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Le linn dó a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an Comhlacht gach tráth de réir aon treoracha (cibé acu treoracha ginearálta nó treoracha sonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
11.6 Ceapfaidh CATT Coiste Comhairleach lena n-áirítear saineolaithe eolaíochta agus ionadaithe do leasanna forleathana sábháilteachta bia.
CUID 3
Forbairt Trádála agus Ghnó
FEIDHMEANNA A FHEIDHMIÚ
I gCuid 3 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Feidhmeoidh an Comhlacht na feidhmeanna sin de réir na socruithe seo a leanas agus de réir na socruithe sin atá leagtha amach i gCuid 7 anseo thíos.
1.1 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht comhoibriú a fhorbairt maidir le deiseanna forbartha gnó, Thuaidh agus Theas, lena n-áirítear trí na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) scóip, méid agus éifeachtacht na ngníomhaíochtaí láithreacha iomchuí atá gafa de láimh ag gníomhaireachtaí agus Ranna rialtais a athbhreithniú, agus réimsí ina mbeadh breisluach ag baint le comhoibriú trasteorann, agus slite chun comhoibriú den sórt sin a mhéadú agus a dhoimhniú, a mholadh do CATT lena mbreithniú agus lena gcinneadh;
(b) clár a riaradh chun a chumasú do chuideachtaí comhthionscadail um fhorbairt táirgí agus próiseas a mbeadh tairbhe thráchtála ag baint leo a ghabháil de láimh, le cúnamh ó fhorais más cuí (áirítear anseo tionscadail inar féidir le cuideachta agus foras comhoibriú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas);
(c) clár taighde réamhiomaíoch a riaradh agus é dírithe ar thacaíocht a thabhairt do thaighde laistigh den earnáil tríú leibhéal a bhaineann le tráchtáil, agus spreagadh á thabhairt go háirithe do thionscadail a thugann taighdeoirí, cuideachtaí agus forais, Thuaidh agus Theas, le chéile; agus
(d) cláir nua a thionscnamh chun cúnamh a thabhairt d'fhiontair bheaga agus d'fhiontair mheánmhéide chun taighde a dhéanamh ar chomhpháirtíochtaí comhfhiontair agus iad a fhorfheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas nó go comhpháirteach le comhpháirtithe thar lear.
Sa réimse seo, cuirfear de chúram freisin ar an gComhlacht tograí a thabhairt ar aghaidh chuig CATT laistigh de 3 mhí maidir le clár Thuaidh/Theas um chiste infheistíochta cothromais a fhorbairt, agus éifeachtacht raon láithreach an tsoláthair maidir le ciste cothromais, Thuaidh agus Theas, á cur i gcuntas, lena mbreithniú agus lena gcinneadh ag CATT.
1.2 Ceapfaidh an Comhlacht modhanna nua i leith forbartha gnó i gcomhthéacs trasteorann, i dtaighde, in oiliúint, i margaíocht, i bhfeabhsú cáilíochta agus i réimsí den sórt sin trí na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) taighde ar fhorbairt ghnó agus ar thaithí ar fhorbairt ghnó, lena n-áirítear oiliúint iomchuí, i dtíortha agus i réigiúin chomparáideacha chuí, agus i bhforais idirnáisiúnta iomchuí, a athbhreithniú, d'fhonn modhanna nua a mholadh do CATT lena mbreithniú agus lena gcinneadh;
(b) roghanna a scrúdú maidir le comhchuibheas níos mó agus doimhniú ar thaighde agus ar fhorbairt a bhaint amach, agus maidir le comhar leanúnach idir tionscail agus an tríú leibhéal sa réimse, Thuaidh agus Theas, a dhaingniú agus a chur ar bhonn foirmiúil;
(c) cláir bhliantúla de chuairteanna ‘Dea-Chleachtais’ do chuideachtaí a chomhordú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas;
(d) clár feasachta eolaíochta agus teicneolaíochta a fhorfheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas;
(e) scéim dámhachtainí nuálaíochta a fhorfheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas, le tacaíocht ón earnáil phríobháideach;
(f) leas a bhaint as tátail agus as moltaí a éiríonn as tionscnaimh Foresight (pleanáil mheántréimhseach go fadtréimhseach) in Éirinn agus sa Ríocht Aontaithe, agus an fhéidearthacht atá ann chun iad a fheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas a scrúdú; agus
(g) bearta sonracha maidir le hoiliúint agus forbairt scileanna a mholadh do CATT lena bhforfheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas.
Sa réimse seo, cuirfear de chúram freisin ar an gComhlacht tograí a thabhairt ar aghaidh chuig CATT laistigh de 3 mhí lena mbreithniú agus lena gcinneadh ag CATT ar tograí iad a bhaineann leis na nithe seo a leanas:
(h) cláir do chéimithe agus cláir ionadúcháin eile a fhorbairt ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas;
(i) raon seirbhísí tástála a sheoladh le haghaidh tionscal d'fhonn forbairt a dhéanamh ar sheirbhísí tástála, Thuaidh agus Theas, ag dreamanna príobháideacha ar bhonn tráchtála go hiomlán; agus
(j) cláir forbartha agus deimhnithe caighdeán a fhorfheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas.
1.3 Tacóidh an Comhlacht le gnó trí mholtaí a dhéanamh chun iomaíochas fiontraíochta a mhéadú i gcomhthéacs Thuaidh/Theas i réimsí ar nós fáil ar scileanna, teileachumarsáid, teicneolaíocht faisnéise, agus tráchtáil leictreonach. Déanfaidh sé, go háirithe:
(a) éifeachtacht na socruithe láithreacha maidir le gach gné d'iomaíochas na timpeallachta gnó, Thuaidh agus Theas, lena n-áirítear fáil ar scileanna, teileachumarsáid, teicneolaíocht faisnéise agus bonneagar, a imscrúdú agus moltaí a dhéanamh lena mbreithniú agus lena gcinneadh ag CATT;
(b) feasacht a chur chun cinn i leith na tráchtála leictreonaí, lena n-áirítear taighde a sheoladh agus comhairle a thabhairt maidir le comhordú bhonneagar na tráchtála leictreonaí, Thuaidh agus Theas,
(c) roinnt gníomhartha a fhorfheidhmiú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas chun forbairt na Sochaí Faisnéise an Eolais a éascú ar mhaithe le trádáil agus gnó; agus
(d) féidearthachtaí a bhaineann le forbairt agus comhoibriú eacnamaíoch idir-réigiúnach a chur chun cinn, lena n-áirítear trí chrobhaingí agus lárionaid sármhaitheasa, go háirithe i gceantair teorann, a scrúdú.
1.4 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht trádáil agus slabhraí soláthair Thuaidh/Theas a chur chun cinn, lena n-áirítear trí nasc-cheangail agus comhpháirtíochtaí gnó, lena n-áirítear trí na nithe seo a leanas a dhéanamh:
(a) faisnéis ar chláir nasc-cheangail ag comhoiriúnú soláthróirí agus ceannaitheoirí ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas, lena n-áirítear bunachair shonraí chomhpháirteacha soláthróirí, a chomhordú, a bhailiú agus a leathadh; agus
(b) cláir agus ócáidí soláthair phoiblí a eagrú ar bhonn Thuaidh/Theas.
1.5 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht, faoina bhranda féin, ócáidí trádála agus tionscnaimh mhargaíochta trasteorann a chur chun cinn, réimsí nua trádála idir an Tuaisceart agus an Deisceart a shainaithint agus feasacht margaidh agus forbairt trádála a chur chun cinn i gcomhthéacs Thuaidh/Theas, lena n-áirítear trí earnálacha agus táirgí a shainaithint ina bhfuil an trádáil trasteorann réasúnta íseal, na fáthanna atá leis na leibhéil ísle a shuíomh agus moltaí a dhéanamh más cuí chun an leibhéal trádála a ardú, lena n-áirítear moltaí chun deireadh a chur le haon chonstaicí saorga atá ar thrádáil.
1.6 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht tionscadail agus ócáidí sonracha i ndáil le cur chun cinn na trádála a ghabháil de láimh agus comhairle a chur ar fáil i dtaobh gnéithe sonracha de chur chun cinn na trádála, nuair a chuirfear de chúram air é sin a dhéanamh i gcomhpháirt.
Déanfaidh an Comhlacht tograí i dtaobh tionscadal sonrach sna réimsí sin a thabhairt ar aghaidh lena mbreithniú ag CATT.
2. Beidh ag an gComhlacht na cumhachtaí go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú nó atá coimhdeach le feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin.
STRUCHTÚR
3.1 Beidh Bord ag an gComhlacht agus ní lú ná 8 agus ní mó ná 12 an líon comhaltaí a bheidh ar an mBord, lena n-áirítear Cathaoirleach agus Leas-Chathaoirleach. Ceapfaidh CATT na comhaltaí, lena n-áirítear comhalta amháin mar Chathaoirleach agus comhalta amháin mar Leas-Chathaoirleach.
3.2 Feidhmeoidh an Bord feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Le linn a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an Comhlacht gach tráth de réir aon treoracha (cibé acu treoracha ginearálta nó treoracha sonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
3.3 Faoi réir na bhforálacha eile san Iarscríbhinn seo, is í CATT, le ceadú na nAirí Airgeadais, a dhéanfaidh luach saothair, liúntais agus caiteachais an Chathaoirligh, an Leas-Chathaoirligh agus na gcomhaltaí eile, agus aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha eile ar a sealbhaíonn siad oifig a chinneadh.
4.1 Is é 3 bliana téarma oifige na gcéad chomhaltaí den Bhord. Féadfaidh CATT téarma ceapachán ina dhiaidh sin a athrú chun leanúnachas comhaltais a éascú ach ní rachaidh sé thar 5 bliana. Ní fhóinfidh comhaltaí ar feadh níos mó ná 2 théarma as a chéile.
4.2 Féadfaidh duine éirí as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach nó mar Leas-Chathaoirleach trí fhógra i scríbhinn a chur chuig CATT. Féadfaidh CATT duine a bhriseadh as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach nó mar Leas-Chathaoirleach, más rud é—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí, gan leithscéal réasúnach, a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí 3 mhí;
(b) go gciontófar é nó í i gcion coiriúil;
(c) go ndéanfar ordú féimheachta ina choinne nó ina coinne, nó go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe nó lena creidiúnaithe; nó
(d) nach mbeidh sé nó sí ábalta nó oiriúnach maidir lena fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
4.3 Má éagann comhalta, má éiríonn comhalta as oifig nó má chuirtear comhalta as oifig, féadfaidh CATT duine a cheapadh chun an folúntas a líonadh, agus déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh sa tslí chéanna inar ceapadh an comhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann. Beidh an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh i seilbh oifige ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige an chomhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann agus beidh sé nó sí inathcheaptha mar chomhalta.
4.4 Ceapfaidh CATT Príomh-Fheidhmeannach don Chomhlacht. Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach freagrach as riaradh agus gnó an Chomhlachta a bhainistiú agus a rialú i gcoitinne.
CUID 4
Cláir Speisialta AE
FEIDHMEANNA A FHEIDHMIÚ
I gCuid 4 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Feidhmeoidh an Comhlacht na feidhmeanna sin de réir na socruithe seo a leanas agus de réir na socruithe sin atá leagtha amach i gCuid 7 anseo thíos.
1. Go dtí go dtiocfaidh na Tionscnaimh reatha Chomhphobail chun críche:—
1.1 Maidir leis an gComhlacht—
(a) ullmhóidh sé doiciméid a bhaineann le dul chun cinn clár ó thaobh airgeadais de, faireachán ar fheidhmíocht, tuarascálacha gaolmhara, cláir oibre agus taifid achoimre de chruinnithe, ullmhú na tuarascála bliantúla, riachtanais phoiblíochta;
(b) déanfaidh sé cathaoirleacht ar an gCoiste Faireacháin d'INTERREG II, agus gníomhóidh sé mar rúnaíocht do Choiste Faireacháin PEACE a leanfaidh de bheith faoi chomhchathaoirleacht na Ranna Airgeadais go dtí an 31 Nollaig, 1999, nó cibé dáta dá éis sin a aontóidh CATT; déanfaidh sé na tuairisceáin airgeadais go léir a bhaineann le caiteachas agus gealltanais AE (i.e. leithrannta faoi na Cláir) a bhailiú ó cheannairí Fochlár Roinne, táblaí airgeadais a ullmhú do na Coistí Faireacháin, tuarascálacha faoi dhul chun cinn ó Ranna a chóimheas, tuarascálacha forléargais i dtaobh dhul chun cinn foriomlán na gClár a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid na gCoistí Faireacháin agus faireachán fisiciúil agus faireachán táscairí tionchair a bhainistiú;
(c) coimisiúnóidh sé aon taighde i bhfoirm meastóireachtaí, ar na Cláir go léir, ar taighde é a aontóidh na Coistí Faireacháin;
(d) cinnteoidh sé go gcomhlíonfar na ceanglais dlí i leith meastóireachta ó thaobh táscairí feidhmíochta (airgeadais, neamhairgeadais agus tionchair) do na Cláir a aontú agus faireachán a dhéanamh orthu, mar atá leagtha síos i Rialacháin na gCistí Struchtúracha agus i ndoiciméid na gClár,
(e) beidh sé freagrach as Bearta cúnaimh theicniúil na gClár a bhainistiú;
(f) déanfaidh sé an conradh le hOifigeach Forbartha INTERREG a bhainistiú, agus leanfaidh an tOifigeach sin de bheith ag obair le Ceannairí Beart i Ranna feidhme, agus déanfaidh sé idirchaidreamh Comhchomhairle leis an bhFóram laistigh de chlár PEACE;
(g) maoirseoidh sé a bhfuil fágtha de na cúraimí comhordúcháin i ndáil le INTERREG II agus gníomhóidh sé mar Cheannaire Fochlár i ndáil leis na gnéithe trasteorann de PEACE, lena n-áirítear críochnú leithroinnt na gcistí don Fhochlár um Fhorbairt Trasteorann ina iomláine;
(h) gníomhóidh sé mar Cheannaire Beart don Chomhar idir Comhlachtaí Poiblí agus Bearta Nasc-Cheangal Gnó agus Cultúir den Fhochlár sin.
1.2 Fanfaidh na feidhmeanna iniúchóireachta inmheánaí agus rialaithe airgeadais leis na Ranna, agus fanfaidh an forléargas ar chaiteachas poiblí leis na hAirí. Leanfar de bheith ag déileáil le forfheidhmiú na mbeart, lena n-áirítear cinntí a dhéanamh i leith deontais a leithroinnt, mar a dhéantar faoi láthair trí Ranna de chuid Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann agus trí chomhlachtaí neamhRialtasacha iomchuí eile.
2. I ndáil le Cistí Struchtúracha iar-1999:—
2.1 Tabharfaidh an Comhlacht comhairle do CATT agus do na Ranna Airgeadais maidir le caibidlíocht a dhéanamh, leis an gCoimisiún Eorpach, faoi Thionscnaimh Chomhphobail iar-1999 agus faoin gCaibidil Choiteann ar chomhoibriú idir Tuaisceart Éireann agus Éire sna Pleananna do Chistí Struchtúracha a bhaineann leis an gcéad bhabhta eile de mhaoiniú le haghaidh 2000-2006. Iarrfar air, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na páirtithe leasmhara iomchuí go léir, tograí a thabhairt ar aghaidh i ndáil le feidhmiú Thionscnaimh Chomhphobail iar-1999 agus na Caibidle Coitinne lena gcuirfí cuspóirí beartais an AE i gcuntas, lenarbh fhearr a chomhlíonfaí cuspóirí beartais Rialtas na hÉireann agus Airí Thuaisceart Éireann agus lena léireofaí go cuí riachtanais na spriocréimsí. Maidir leis na réimsí freagrachta sainithe iomchuí, breithneofar comhairle an Chomhlachta:—
(a) i gcomhthéacs straitéis chaibidlíochta Rialtas na hÉireann i leith na dTionscnamh Comhphobail agus na Caibidle Coitinne; agus
(b) i gcomhthéacs thuairimí Airí Thuaisceart Éireann arna gcur in iúl do Rialtas na Breataine chun go gcuirfí san áireamh iad i straitéis chaibidlíochta na Ríochta Aontaithe i leith na nithe seo.
2.2 Maidir leis an gCaibidil Choiteann, tabharfaidh an Comhlacht tuairimí chun cuidiú le hAirí le linn a bPleananna do Chistí Struchtúracha a tharraingt suas.
2.3 Beidh an Comhlacht freagrach as tograí mionsonraithe Clár a ullmhú, lena gceadú ag CATT agus i ndlúthchomhairle leis na Ranna Airgeadais agus le Ranna iomchuí eile, ar tograí iad faoi na Tionscnaimh nua Chomhphobail (ar dóigh gurb iad INTERREG III, LEADER III agus EQUAL agus b'fhéidir, comharba ar PEACE a bheidh iontu). Leanfaidh na tograí sin na Treoirlínte do na Tionscnaimh Chomhphobail arna gcomhaontú ag AE maille le haon treoir a bheidh eisithe, tar éis a comhaontaithe in CATT, ag na hAirí Airgeadais. Sula gcuirfear na tograí faoi bhráid CATT, beidh comhchomhairle agus comhaontú ann i dtaobh na gclár beartaithe idir an Comhlacht, na Ranna Airgeadais agus na Ranna ceannais cuí chun bonn soiléir a chur ar fáil i gcomhair plé in CATT. Rannchuideoidh an Comhlacht, de réir mar is cuí, le caibidlí leis an gCoimisiún Eorpach i dtaobh na nithe sin a bheidh gafa de láimh ag ionadaithe de chuid Rialtas na Breataine agus Rialtas na hÉireann.
2.4 Folóidh na tograí moltaí maidir leis na nithe seo a leanas:—
(a) struchtúr na mBeart a bheidh le cur san áireamh;
(b) na leithrannta do Bhearta;
(c) cuspóirí gach Birt, chun gur féidir cuspóirí soiléire aschuir agus critéir shoiléire incháilitheachta a tharraingt suas; agus
(d) an sásra forfheidhmiúcháin i.e. cén comhlacht ag a mbeadh ról údaraithe leithrannta sonracha deontas do chláir agus do thionscadail.
2.5 Leanfar leis na socruithe atá leagtha amach i mír 1.1 le haghaidh na dTionscnamh Comhphobail de réir mar is cuí ag féachaint do na gnéithe ar leith de na Cláir faoi na Tionscnaimh sin.
2.6 Beidh an Comhlacht freagrach as deontais a thabhairt agus as feidhmeanna bainistíochta eile i leith INTERREG III agus i leith eilimintí Thuaidh/Theas de Chláir faoi Thionscnaimh eile, laistigh de chreat bheartais fhoriomlána iomchuí Rialtas na hÉireann agus Airí Thuaisceart Éireann faoi seach, agus faoi réir na leithrannta caiteachais a bheidh comhaontaithe ag an dá lucht riaracháin agus faoi réir teorainneacha sonracha Clár. Tabharfar treoir don Chomhlacht i dtaobh na nithe sin, ar treoracha iad a eiseoidh na hAirí Airgeadais tar éis comhaontú in CATT. Nuair a bheidh na Cláir ceadaithe go foirmiúil déanfaidh an Coiste Faireacháin iomchuí maoirsiú orthu, agus déanfaidh an Comhlacht, a chuirfidh anailís agus comhairle ar fáil freisin i dtaobh aon leasuithe dá éis sin a bheidh cuí, seirbhísiú ar an gCoiste Faireacháin sin. Le linn iad sin a fhorbairt, beidh comhchomhairle ann chun comhaontú a fháil idir an Comhlacht, na Ranna Airgeadais agus na Ranna ceannais cuí de chuid Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann chun bonn soiléir a chur ar fáil i gcomhair plé agus comhaontú in CATT.
2.7 Ó thaobh INTERREG III agus na n-eilimintí Thuaidh/Theas de Chláir faoi Thionscnaimh eile, déanfaidh an Comhlacht, de réir mar is cuí, deontas a íoc go díreach le Ranna rialtais nó déanfaidh siad conradh leo (agus féadfaidh na Ranna rialtais sin fochonradh a thabhairt, ina dhiaidh sin, de réir mar is cuí, do ghníomhaireachtaí eile) nó déanfaidh siad conradh go díreach le gníomhaireachtaí eile chun na Bearta a sheachadadh. I ngach cás, beidh de fhreagracht ar an gComhlacht comhaontú leis na hAirí Airgeadais agus le hAirí na Ranna ceannais, de réir mar is cuí, i dtaobh conas a chinnteofar go bhfuil na tograí sonracha maoiniúcháin i gcomhréir le beartais fhoriomlána iomchuí Rialtas na hÉireann agus Airí Thuaisceart Éireann faoi seach agus leis na leithrannta caiteachais a bheidh comhaontaithe ag an dá lucht riaracháin.
2.8 Beidh an Comhlacht freagrach as faireachán a dhéanamh ar fhorfheidhmiú gníomhartha comhoibritheacha Thuaidh/Theas agus iad a chur chun cinn, trí mheán na Caibidle Coitinne; déanfaidh an Chaibidil Choiteann an leithroinnt maoiniúcháin do na gníomhartha sin a leagan amach. Féadfaidh an Comhlacht staidéir a choimisiúnú, de réir mar is cuí, chun srianta a fhearann ar chomhoibriú den sórt sin a shainaithint agus a mhaolú, agus déanfar buiséad sonrach a leithroinnt don Chomhlacht chun na críche sin.
3. Cinnteoidh an Comhlacht go gcomhlíonfar ceanglais tuairisceoireachta iomchuí go léir an AE. Beidh an Comhlacht freagrach freisin as na doiciméid go léir, lena n-áirítear tuarascálacha faoi dhul chun cinn agus tuarascáil bhliantúil theicniúil, a sholáthar do na Coistí Faireacháin.
4. Déanfaidh na Coistí Faireacháin iomchuí a bhunófar de réir Rialacháin Chistí Struchtúracha an AE maoirsiú ar oibríochtaí an Chomhlachta.
5. Déanfaidh gach duine de na hAirí Airgeadais oifigeach sinsearach a cheapadh chuig gach Coiste faireacháin chun oibriú go dlúth leis an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach agus chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfar oibleagáidí cuntasachta an dá dhlínse acu.
6. Beidh ag an gComhlacht na cumhachtaí go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú nó atá coimhdeach le feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin.
STRUCHTÚR
7.1 Beidh Príomh-Fheidhmeannach ag an gComhlacht agus CATT a cheapfaidh é nó í.
7.2 Feidhmeoidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach, nó comhalta eile d'fhoireann an Chomhlachta a bheidh údaraithe ag an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach, feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Le linn a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an Comhlacht i gcónaí de réir aon ordachán (cibé acu ordacháin ghinearálta nó ordacháin shonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
CUID 5
Teanga
FEIDHMEANNA A FHEIDHMIÚ
I gCuid 5 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Fhorais. Feidhmeoidh an Foras na feidhmeanna sin de réir na socruithe seo a leanas agus de réir na socruithe sin atá leagtha amach i gCuid 7 anseo thíos.
1.1 Déanfar feidhmeanna Bhord na Gaeilge maidir leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn, agus foireann, sócmhainní agus oibleagáidí Bhord na Gaeilge, a aistriú chuig an bhForas. Díscaoilfear Bord na Gaeilge. Déanfar feidhmeanna Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán na hÉireann i ndáil le tacaíocht airgeadais d'eagraíochtaí deonacha Gaeilge áirithe a aistriú freisin chuig an bhForas.
1.2 Ag féachaint do na ceanglais reachtacha agus do na ceanglais eile curaclaim is infheidhme maidir le gach dlínse acu, le linn don Fhoras a bheith ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna maidir le téarmaíocht agus foclóirí a fhorbairt agus maidir le tacú le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge—
(a) (i) féadfaidh sé athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na hacmhainní curaclaim a chuirtear ar fáil le haghaidh oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le haghaidh mhúineadh na Gaeilge, lena n-áirítear soláthar téacsleabhar oiriúnach, ábhar eile múinteoireachta agus áiseanna múinteoireachta;
(ii) féadfaidh sé taighde a dhéanamh ar aon nithe a bhaineann le soláthar oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge i scoileanna nó in áiteanna eile, lena n-áirítear na modhanna múinteoireachta a úsáidtear, na curaclaim a mhúintear agus na nósanna imeachta measúnachta a ghlactar;
(iii) féadfaidh sé torthaí a chuid taighde agus athbhreithnithe, lena n-áirítear moltaí le haghaidh gníomhú, a fhoilsiú i cibé foirm is dóigh leis is cuí;
(b) feidhmeoidh sé na feidhmeanna a bhí á bhfeidhmiú roimh bhunú an Fhorais ag Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta na hÉireann, tríd an nGúm, maidir le leabhair a fhoilsiú i nGaeilge mar thaca le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge i scoileanna agus in áiteanna eile;
(c) feidhmeoidh sé na feidhmeanna a bhí á bhfeidhmiú roimh bhunú an Fhorais ag Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta na hÉireann, tríd an gCoiste Téarmaíochta, maidir le forbairt téarmaíochta agus stóir focal i nGaeilge; agus
(d) éascóidh sé comhoibriú idir an comhlacht atá le bunú de réir Alt 31 d'Acht Oideachais, 1998, de chuid na hÉireann, agus aon chomhlacht tionscnaimh a mhaoinítear faoi Alt 89 den Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
1.3 Ag éirí as taighde nó athbhreithniú a sheolfar faoi mhír 1.2(a) féadfaidh an Foras comhairle a thabhairt nó moltaí a dhéanamh le haghaidh gníomhú i ndáil le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge agus le múineadh na Gaeilge.
1.4 Gníomhaireacht Ghaeilge de chuid an Fhorais a fheidhmeoidh feidhmeanna an Fhorais i ndáil leis an nGaeilge. Faoi réir fhorálacha an Mheabhráin Airgeadais, is í an Ghaeilge teanga oibre na gníomhaireachta. Faoi réir chomhaontú an Fhorais, cinnfidh an ghníomhaireacht a teideal féin. Le linn feidhmeanna an Fhorais a chomhlíonadh, tabharfaidh an ghníomhaireacht Ghaeilge aird ar staideanna na Gaeilge sa dá dhlínse. I dTuaisceart Éireann, is é a bheidh sa staid sin ná tiomantais Rialtas na Breataine i leith an chuid den Chomhaontú Ilpháirtí dar teideal Cearta, Coimircí agus Comhionannas Deiseanna agus aon reachtaíocht iomchuí. In Éirinn, is é a bheidh sa staid sin ná staid bhunreachtúil dhlíthiúil na Gaeilge, beartas Rialtas na hÉireann agus na bearta agus na cleachtais atá ann chun an teanga a chothú agus a chur chun cinn.
1.5 Aonad Oideachais laistigh den ghníomhaireacht sin a chomhlíonfaidh na feidhmeanna a dtugtar achoimre orthu i míreanna 1.2 agus 1.3.
1.6 Le linn a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh i ndáil le hUltais agus saincheisteanna cultúir Ultach-Albanacha féadfaidh an Foras, ag féachaint do na comhthéacsanna sa dá dhlínse—
(a) comhairle a sholáthar don dá lucht riaracháin, do chomhlachtaí poiblí agus do ghrúpaí eile san earnáil phríobháideach agus san earnáil dheonach;
(b) taighde agus feachtais tionscnaimh a ghabháil de láimh; agus
(c) tacaíocht do thionscadail a ghabháil de láimh agus cúnaimh deontais a thabhairt do chomhlachtaí agus do ghrúpaí de réir mar is gá; ach ní hionann an méid sin agus comhlachtaí agus grúpaí Ultach-Albanacha a oibríonn go heisiach i dTuaisceart Éireann a eisiamh ó rochtain a fháil ar chláir mhaoinithe de chuid Rialtas Thuaisceart Éireann.
1.7 Is é a thuigfear as “Ultais” ná an leagan den teanga Albanach a fhaightear go traidisiúnta i gcodanna de Thuaisceart Éireann agus de Dhún na nGall. Baineann “saincheisteanna cultúir Ultach-Albanacha” le traidisiúin chultúir an chuid sin de dhaonra Thuaisceart Éireann agus na gcontaetha teorann ar de shinsearacht Albanach í agus tionchar a dtraidisiún cultúir ar dhaoine eile, laistigh d'oileán na hÉireann agus sa chuid eile den domhan.
1.8 Gníomhaireacht Ultach-Albanach de chuid an Fhorais a fheidhmeoidh feidhmeanna an Fhorais i ndáil le hUltais agus le saincheisteanna cultúir Ultach-Albanacha. Faoi réir chomhaontú an Fhorais, cinnfidh an ghníomhaireacht a teideal féin.
1.9 Beidh ag an bhForas na cumhachtaí go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú nó atá coimhdeach le feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin.
1.10 Beidh tuarascálacha ó na gníomhaireachtaí maidir lena gcuid gníomhaíochtaí i dtuarascáil bhliantúil an Fhorais.
1.11 Ainmneoidh an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas (CATT) méideanna na ndeontas a gheofar faoi mhír 2.1 de Chuid 7 a bheidh le húsáid le haghaidh na nithe seo a leanas:
(a) feidhmeanna an Fhorais i ndáil leis an nGaeilge; agus
(b) feidhmeanna an Fhorais i ndáil le hUltais agus le saincheisteanna cultúir Ultach-Albanacha.
1.12 Ceanglóidh an Foras ar gach ceann de na gníomhaireachtaí cuntais chuí agus taifid airgeadais chuí a choinneáil agus ráiteas cuntas a ullmhú i leith gach bliana.
STRUCHTÚR
2.1 Beidh Bord ag an bhForas ar a mbeidh 24 chomhalta agus is í CATT a cheapfaidh iad. Maidir leis na comhaltaí sin—
(a) roghnófar 16 díobh as measc daoine a ndealraíonn sé do CATT go bhfuil spéis acu i nithe a bhaineann le feidhmeanna an Fhorais i ndáil leis an nGaeilge nó go bhfuil taithí acu ar nithe den sórt sin, agus
(b) roghnófar 8 díobh as measc daoine a ndealraíonn sé do CATT go bhfuil spéis acu i nithe a bhaineann le feidhmeanna an Fhorais i ndáil le hUltais agus le saincheisteanna cultúir Ultach-Albanacha nó go bhfuil taithí acu ar nithe den sórt sin.
2.2 Beidh na 16 chomhalta a cheapfar faoi mhír 2.1 (a) freagrach as feidhmeanna an Fhorais a fheidhmiú tríd an ngníomhaireacht Ghaeilge. Ceapfaidh CATT duine amháin mar Chathaoirleach ar an ngníomhaireacht sin. Le linn feidhmeanna an Fhorais a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an ghníomhaireacht i gcónaí de réir aon treoracha (cibé acu treoracha ginearálta nó treoracha sonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
2.3 Beidh na 8 gcomhalta a cheapfar faoi mhír 2.1(b) freagrach as feidhmeanna an Fhorais a fheidhmiú tríd an ngníomhaireacht Ultach-Albanach. Ceapfaidh CATT duine amháin mar Chathaoirleach ar an ngníomhaireacht sin. Le linn feidhmeanna an Fhorais a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an ghníomhaireacht i gcónaí de réir aon treoracha (cibé acu treoracha ginearálta nó treoracha sonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
2.4 Beidh Cathaoirleach na gníomhaireachta Gaeilge agus Cathaoirleach na gníomhaireachta Ultach-Albanaí ina gComhchathaoirligh ar an bhForas.
2.5 Faoi réir na bhforálacha eile den Iarscríbhinn seo, is í CATT, le ceadú na nAirí Airgeadais, a chinnfidh luach saothair, liúntais agus caiteachais na gCathaoirleach agus na gcomhaltaí eile, agus aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha ar a sealbhaíonn siad oifig.
2.6 Is é 3 bliana téarma oifige na gcéad chomhaltaí den Bhord. Féadfaidh CATT téarma na gceapachán ina dhiaidh sin a athrú chun leanúnachas comhaltais a éascú ach ní rachaidh sé thar 5 bliana. Ní fhóinfidh comhaltaí ar feadh níos mó ná dhá théarma as a chéile.
2.7 Féadfaidh duine éirí as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach trí fhógra i scríbhinn chuig CATT. Féadfaidh CATT duine a bhriseadh as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach, más rud é—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí gan leithscéal réasúnach a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí 3 mhí;
(b) go gciontófar é nó í i gcion coiriúil;
(c) go ndéanfar ordú féimheachta ina choinne nó ina coinne, nó go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe nó lena creidiúnaithe; nó
(d) nach mbeidh sé nó sí ábalta nó oiriúnach maidir lena fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
2.8 Má éagann comhalta, má éiríonn comhalta as oifig nó má chuirtear comhalta as oifig, féadfaidh CATT duine a cheapadh chun an folúntas a líonadh, agus déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh sa tslí chéanna leis an gcomhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann. Beidh an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh i seilbh oifige ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige an chomhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann agus beidh sé nó sí inathcheaptha mar chomhalta.
2.9 Beidh an fhoireann a shannfar do gach gníomhaireacht freagrach don Fhoras agus déanfaidh siad tuairisciú don Fhoras tríd an ngníomhaireacht sin.
2.10 Ceapfaidh an Foras Príomh-Fheidhmeannach do gach gníomhaireacht faoi réir cheadú CATT. Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach freagrach as riaradh agus gnó na gníomhaireachta a bhainistiú agus a rialú i gcoitinne.
CUID 6
Cúrsaí Dobharshaothraithe agus Mara
FEIDHMEANNA A FHEIDHMIÚ
I gCuid 6 d'Iarscríbhinn 1 leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Feidhmeoidh an Comhlacht na feidhmeanna sin de réir na socruithe seo a leanas agus de réir na socruithe sin atá leagtha amach i gCuid 7 anseo thíos.
1. Forbairt Loch Feabhail agus Loch Cairlinn a chur chun cinn chun críocha tráchtála agus áineasa:
1.1 Ní bhaineann an fheidhm sin ach le cúrsaí mara, iascaigh agus dobharshaothraithe agus folóidh sí plean straitéiseach a ullmhú i gcomhair fhorbairt tráchtála agus áineasa Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn, agus soláthar na straitéise forbartha a chur chun cinn (lena n-áirítear trí chúnamh deontais) agus a chomhordú;
2. Feidhmeanna láithreacha de chuid Choimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail maidir le hiascaigh intíre a chaomhnú, a chosaint, a bhainistiú agus a fhorbairt, agus feidhmeanna coibhéiseacha i leith Loch Cairlinn:
2.1 Feidhmeoidh an Comhlacht na feidhmeanna a bhíodh á bhfeidhmiú ag Coimisiún Iascaigh an Fheabhail, a dhíscaoilfear, agus feidhmeanna comhréire i ndáil le Limistéar Chairlinn. Tabharfar reachtaíocht isteach chun foráil a dhéanamh maidir le feidhm forbartha iascach intíre a fheidhmiú i ndáil le Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn mar atá leagtha amach i mír 6 anseo thíos.
3. Dobharshaothrú a fhorbairt agus a cheadúnú:
3.1 Beidh reachtaíocht ag teastáil chun foráil a dhéanamh do na feidhmeanna forbartha agus ceadúnaithe dobharshaothraithe i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn. Tabharfar isteach an reachtaíocht sin mar atá leagtha amach i mír 6 anseo thíos.
4. Turasóireacht mhara a fhorbairt:
4.1 Folóidh an fheidhm seo plean straitéiseach a ullmhú i gcomhair turasóireachta mara i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn agus na Limistéir sin a chur chun cinn agus a mhargú (lena n-áirítear trí chúnamh deontais) agus soláthar na straitéise forbartha a chomhordú.
5. Ciallaíonn Limistéar Chairlinn—
(a) an fharraige ar fad feadh an chósta idir an líne lag trá den phointe is faide ó dheas de Phointe Chreamhchoille i gContae an Dúin agus an líne lag trá den phointe is faide soir de Rinn Bhaile Lagáin i gContae Lú, agus laistigh de líne dhíreach idir na pointí sin, agus aon oileáin nó carraigeacha atá laistigh den chéanna, mar aon leis an sruth taoide ar fad feadh an chósta sin; agus
(b) iomlán na lochanna go léir, na n-aibhneacha go léir agus na gcraobh-aibhneacha go léir a shreabhann isteach san fharraige laistigh den limistéar a mhínítear i bhfomhír (a) agus iomlán an dobharcheantair talún óna sileann uisce isteach sna lochanna agus sna haibhneacha sin.
6. Déanfar, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le CATT, an reachtaíocht atá ag teastáil chun foráil a dhéanamh maidir le dobharshaothrú a fhorbairt agus a cheadúnú agus maidir le feidhm forbartha a fheidhmiú i ndáil le hiascaigh intíre i Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn, a thabhairt ar aghaidh sa dá dhlínse roimh dheireadh na bliana 1999. Go dtí go n-achtófar an reachtaíocht sin, leanfaidh na forálacha reachtúla láithreacha atá sa dá dhlínse d'fheidhm a bheith acu.
7. Feidhmeanna láithreacha Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann i leith áisíní loingseoireachta a sholáthar agus a chothabháil feadh chósta oileán uile na hÉireann agus sna farraigí agus sna hoileáin atá tadhlach leis:
7.1 Beidh reachtaíocht de chuid na Ríochta Aontaithe agus na hÉireann ag teastáil chun go ndéanfar Údarás Ginearálta na dTithe Solais d'oileán na hÉireann den Chomhlacht. Tabharfaidh Rialtais na Breataine agus na hÉireann an reachtaíocht sin ar aghaidh, más féidir, roimh theacht i bhfeidhm don Chomhaontú seo nó, ar aon chor, a luaithe is féidir dá éis sin. Sa chás nach ndéanfar feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta mar Údarás Ginearálta na dTithe Solais a thabhairt faoi inniúlacht Airí Thuaisceart Éireann, comhaontóidh an dá Rialtas go gcinnfidh siad aon socruithe breise is gá chun a chumasú don Chomhlacht feidhmeanna Údarás Ginearálta na dTithe Solais d'oileán na hÉireann a fheidhmiú de réir Airteagal 4 den Chomhaontú seo. Gheobhaidh an Comhlacht maoiniú ó Chiste Ginearálta na dTithe Solais, faoi réir socruithe airgeadais le hIontaobhaithe an Chiste.
8. Beidh ag an gComhlacht na cumhachtaí go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú nó atá coimhdeach le feidhmiú na bhfeidhmeanna sin.
STRUCHTÚR
9.1 Beidh Bord ag an gComhlacht agus ní mó ná 12 chomhalta, lena n-áirítear Cathaoirleach agus Leas-Chathaoirleach, a líon. Ceapfaidh CATT na comhaltaí, lena n-áirítear comhalta amháin mar Chathaoirleach agus comhalta amháin mar Leas-Chathaoirleach.
9.2 Feidhmeoidh an Bord feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta. Le linn a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú, gníomhóidh an Comhlacht gach tráth de réir aon treoracha (cibé acu treoracha ginearálta nó treoracha sonracha) a thabharfaidh CATT.
9.3 Faoi réir na bhforálacha eile den Iarscríbhinn seo, is í CATT, le ceadú na nAirí Airgeadais, a chinnfidh luach saothair, liúntais agus caiteachais an Chathaoirligh, an Leas-Chathaoirligh agus na gcomhaltaí eile, agus aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha eile ar a sealbhaíonn siad oifig.
10.1 Is é 3 bliana téarma oifige na gcéad chomhaltaí den Bhord. Féadfaidh CATT téarma na gceapachán ina dhiaidh sin a athrú chun leanúnachas comhaltais a éascú ach ní rachaidh sé thar 5 bliana. Ní fhóinfidh comhaltaí ar feadh níos mó ná 2 théarma as a chéile.
10.2 Féadfaidh duine éirí as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach nó mar Leas-Chathaoirleach trí fhógra i scríbhinn a chur chuig CATT. Féadfaidh CATT duine a bhriseadh as oifig mar chomhalta nó mar Chathaoirleach nó mar Leas-Chathaoirleach, más rud é—
(a) go mainneoidh sé nó sí, gan leithscéal réasúnach, a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall ar feadh tréimhse leanúnaí 3 mhí;
(b) go gciontófar é nó í i gcion coiriúil;
(c) go ndéanfar ordú féimheachta ina choinne nó ina coinne, nó go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe nó lena creidiúnaithe; nó
(d) nach mbeidh sé nó sí ábalta nó oiriúnach maidir lena fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
10.3 Má éagann comhalta, má éiríonn comhalta as oifig nó má chuirtear comhalta as oifig, féadfaidh CATT duine a cheapadh chun an folúntas a líonadh, agus déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh sa tslí chéanna inar ceapadh an comhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann. Beidh an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh i seilbh oifige ar feadh an chuid eile de théarma oifige an chomhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas a bheith ann agus beidh sé nó sí inathcheaptha mar chomhalta.
10.4 Déanfar feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta i ndáil le Limistéir an Fheabhail agus Chairlinn a fheidhmiú trí ghníomhaireacht de chuid an Chomhlachta ar a dtugtar Gníomhaireacht na Lochanna. Déanfar feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta dá dtagraítear i mír 7 thuas a fheidhmiú trí ghníomhaireacht de chuid an Chomhlachta ar a dtugtar Gníomhaireacht na Soilse.
10.5 Ceapfaidh an Comhlacht Príomh-Fheidhmeannach do gach gníomhaireacht, ach sin faoi réir ceadú a fháil ó CATT. Beidh na Príomh-Fheidhmeannaigh freagrach as riaradh agus gnó na ngníomhaireachtaí a bhainistiú agus a rialú i gcoitinne.
CUID 7
Socruithe Coiteanna
Beidh feidhm ag na socruithe seo a leanas maidir le gach ceann de na sé chomhlacht forfheidhmithe.
CUNTASACHT AGUS TUAIRISCEOIREACHT
1.1 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht plean corparáideach a ullmhú go bliantúil, faoi réir ceadú a fháil ó CATT, lena n-áirítear na hAirí Airgeadais. Folóidh an Plean tuairisc ar na gníomhaíochtaí atá beartaithe ag an gComhlacht agus ar na himpleachtaí maidir le maoiniú.
1.2 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht tuarascáil i dtaobh a ghníomhaíochtaí i ngach bliain a chur faoi bhráid CATT cibé dáta agus i cibé foirm a ordóidh CATT.
1.3 Déanfar cóip den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid Thionól Thuaisceart Éireann agus dhá Theach an Oireachtais.
1.4 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht cibé tuarascálacha agus faisnéis eile a iarrfaidh CATT nó Aire iomchuí ó am go ham a chur ar fáil do CATT nó don Aire.
1.5 Má iarrtar ar aon chomhalta den Chomhlacht nó dá fhoireann déanamh amhlaidh, láithreoidh sé nó sí os a gcomhair seo a leanas, nó comhoibreoidh sé nó sí ar shlí eile leo—
(a) Coiste de Thionól Thuaisceart Éireann nó Coiste nó Fochoiste de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó de dhá Theach an Oireachtais, de réir gnáthchleachtais agus reachtaíochta iomchuí laistigh den dá dhlínse;
(b) CATT.
SOCRUITHE AIRGEADAIS
2.1 Gheobhaidh an Comhlacht deontais as airgead a vótálfaidh Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann agus Dáil Éireann. Déanfaidh CATT, le ceadú na nAirí Airgeadais, moltaí maidir le méid na ndeontas sin. Déanfar na deontais tosaigh as airgead a leithreasófar leis an Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 agus as airgead a vótálfaidh Dáil Éireann.
2.2 Comhlíonfaidh an Comhlacht forálacha Meabhráin Airgeadais a tharraingeofar suas don Chomhlacht agus is iad ranna Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann a íocann deontas leis an gComhlacht agus na Ranna Airgeadais a tharraingeoidh suas an meabhrán sin. Forordófar leis na socruithe mionsonraithe airgeadais, lena n-áirítear socruithe a bhaineann le cuntais, leis an mbliain chuntasaíochta agus le cúrsaí airgeadra, a bheidh le comhlíonadh ag an gComhlacht. Faoi réir aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha a shonrófar sa Mheabhrán Airgeadais, féadfaidh an Comhlacht airgead a fháil ar iasacht chun críocha a fheidhmeanna.
2.3 Chun críocha a fheidhmeanna, féadfaidh an Comhlacht cúnamh airgeadais a chur ar fáil d'aon chomhlacht nó d'aon duine, cibé acu go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach de réir socruithe a bheidh le ceadú ag CATT agus ag na hAirí Airgeadais. Féadfar an cúnamh sin a thabhairt trí aon saghas infheistíochta nó iasachta nó trí dheontais a thabhairt.
2.4 Coimeádfaidh an Comhlacht cuntais agus taifid airgeadais chuí agus ullmhóidh sé ráiteas ar chuntais i leith gach bliana ina mbeidh an fhaisnéis sin agus a bheidh i cibé foirm a dhéanfaidh ranna Thuaisceart Éireann agus na hÉireann a íocann deontais leis an gComhlacht a ordú le ceadú na Ranna Airgeadais.
2.5 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht cóipeanna den ráiteas thuas a chur faoi bhráid CATT agus faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste do Thuaisceart Éireann agus Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste na hÉireann agus déanfaidh siadsan na cuntais a scrúdú agus a dheimhniú i gcomhar lena chéile.
2.6 Déanfar an ráiteas a leagan faoi bhráid Thionól Thuaisceart Éireann agus faoi bhráid dhá Theach an Oireachtais. Déanfar aon tuarascáil ón Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste do Thuaisceart Éireann a bhaineann leis an gComhlacht a leagan faoi bhráid Thionól Thuaisceart Éireann agus déanfar aon tuarascáil den sórt sin ó Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste na hÉireann a leagan faoi bhráid an dá Theach sin.
2.7 Ceadóidh an Comhlacht freisin d'oifigigh de chuid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste do Thuaisceart Éireann agus Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste na hÉireann rochtain a bheith acu ar na taifid go léir is gá chun na feidhmeanna thuas nó scrúduithe luach ar airgead a sheoladh agus ceanglóidh sé ar aon duine nó comhlacht a gheobhaidh deontas ón gComhlacht rochtain den sórt sin a cheadú.
SOCRUITHE FOIRNE
3.1 Féadfaidh an Comhlacht chun críocha a fheidhmeanna—
(a) foireann a fhostú; agus
(b) seirbhísí cibé daoine eile a fhostú de réir mar is fóirsteanach leis an gComhlacht chun aon chríche áirithe.
3.2 Féadfar foireann a fháil don Chomhlacht trí earcaíocht oscailte, trí iasacht shealadach agus trí aistriú foirne. Déanfaidh an Comhlacht, le ceadú CATT agus na nAirí Airgeadais, luach saothair, grádú, líon agus coinníollacha eile seirbhíse Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach agus fhoireann eile an Chomhlachta a chinneadh. Féadfaidh an Comhlacht, i gcás cibé daoine dá fhoireann a chinnfidh sé, le ceadú CATT agus na nAirí Airgeadais, cibé pinsin, liúntais nó aiscí a chinnfear amhlaidh a íoc, nó cibé scéimeanna pinsean a chinnfear amhlaidh a sholáthar agus a chothabháil.
3.3 Maidir leis an luach saothair agus na coinníollacha eile seirbhíse d'fhoireann aistrithe, ní lú an fabhar a bhainfidh leo ná mar a bhain leis an luach saothair agus na coinníollacha eile seirbhíse a raibh an fhoireann aistrithe faoina réir díreach roimh a n-aistriú, ach amháin de réir comhaontaithe chomhchoitinn arna chaibidil le ceardchumann aitheanta. Maidir le socruithe aoisliúntais d'fhoireann aistrithe, ní lú an fabhar a bhainfidh leo ná mar a bhain leis na socruithe aoisliúntais a raibh an fhoireann aistrithe faoina réir díreach roimh a n-aistriú agus aon díospóid a bhaineann leis sin, déanfaidh Aire Airgeadais na hÉireann nó an Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra, de réir mar is cuí, í a chinneadh.
3.4 Déanfaidh na Ranna Airgeadais prionsabail maidir le foireann a tharraingt suas.
3.5 Go dtí go gceapfar an chéad Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach ar an gComhlacht, nó ar ghníomhaireacht de chuid an Chomhlachta, déanfaidh an duine a bheidh ainmnithe, roimh theacht i bhfeidhm don Chomhaontú seo, ag Rialtas na hÉireann agus Rialtas na Breataine, feidhmeanna an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh a fheidhmiú.
NÓS IMEACHTA
4.1 Cinnfidh an Comhlacht a nósanna imeachta féin.
4.2 Beidh séala ag an gComhlacht, ar séala é a fhíordheimhneofar nuair a ghreamaítear é—
(a) le síniú Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach an Chomhlachta nó gníomhaireachta de chuid an Chomhlachta; nó
(b) le síniú comhalta eile d'fhoireann an Chomhlachta a bheidh údaraithe chuige sin ag Príomh-Fheidhmeannach an Chomhlachta nó gníomhaireachta de chuid an Chomhlachta.
OMBUDSMAN
5. Tabharfar an Comhlacht faoi dhlínse Ombudsman Thionól Thuaisceart Éireann agus Ombudsman na hÉireann agus déanfaidh siadsan idirchaidreamh lena chéile agus rachaidh i gcomhairle lena chéile.
CÓD IOMPAIR
6.1 Déanfaidh an Comhlacht, a luaithe is indéanta, cód iompair a tharraingt suas lena cheadú ag CATT.
6.2 Cuimseofar leis an gcód aidhmeanna agus luachanna an Chomhlachta, a oibleagáidí i leith an phobail, agus cuntasacht agus iompar a chomhaltaí agus a fhoirne (lena n-áirítear comhaltas in eagraíochtaí eile nó fostaíocht ag eagraíochtaí eile, bronntanais nó sochair eile a ghlacadh agus leasanna eile is iomchuí maidir le hobair an Chomhlachta a nochtadh agus rúndacht).
SAORÁIL FAISNÉISE
7. A luaithe is indéanta, déanfaidh Airí na hÉireann agus Thuaisceart Éireann atá freagrach as saoráil faisnéise, cód cleachtais a tharraingt suas maidir le rochtain ar fhaisnéis lena cheadú ag CATT.
COSAINT SONRAÍ
8. Beidh an Comhlacht faoi réir na reachtaíochta um chosaint sonraí is infheidhme i ngach dlínse ar leith. Le linn imscrúduithe a dhéanamh ar ghearáin a bhaineann leis an gComhlacht, déanfaidh Coimisinéir Cosanta Sonraí na Ríochta Aontaithe agus Coimisinéir Cosanta Sonraí na hÉireann idirchaidreamh lena chéile agus rachaidh siad i gcomhairle lena chéile.