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Uimhir 29 de 1998
AN tACHT UM ÚDARÁS SÁBHÁILTEACHTA BIA NA hÉIREANN, 1998
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach
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4. | Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais. |
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Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann.
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30. | Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascálacha a lorg i ndáil le sábháilteacht agus sláinteachas bia. |
Bord, Coiste Eolaíochta, Coistí, Príomhfheidhmeannach agus Foireann an Údaráis.
31. | Comhaltas Bhord an Údaráis agus téarma oifige na gcomhaltaí. |
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Caighdeáin Sábháilteachta Bia a Fhorfheidhmiú
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45. | Cumhacht an Údaráis caighdeáin sábháilteachta bia i reachtaíocht bia a fhorfheidhmiú. |
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An t-iarÚdarás a Dhíscaoileadh.
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60. | Conarthaí leanúnacha áirithe a choimeád ar marthain agus tagairtí don iarÚdarás a oiriúnú. |
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Leasú ar an Acht um Chosaint Raideolaíoch, 1991.
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Reachtaíocht Bia
Gníomhaireachtaí Oifigiúla
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1990 | |
Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993 | 1993, Uimh. 8 |
An tAcht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 2 |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 1851, c. 93 |
An tAcht um Chosaint Raideolaíoch, 1991 | 1991, Uimh. 9 |
An tAcht Comhdhlúite Cánacha, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 39 |
Uimhir 29 de 1998
AN tACHT UM ÚDARÁS SÁBHÁILTEACHTA BIA NA hÉIREANN, 1998
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ CHUN COMHLACHT A BHUNÚ AR A dTABHARFAR THE FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY OF IRELAND NÓ ÚDARÁS SÁBHÁILTEACHTA BIA NA hÉIREANN AGUS DO MHÍNIÚ A FHEIDHMEANNA AGUS DO LEASÚ AN ACHTA UM CHOSAINT RAIDEOLAÍOCH, 1991, AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA. [8 Iúil, 1998]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, 1998, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Léiriú
2.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “oifigeach údaraithe” duine a cheapfar ina oifigeach nó ina hoifigeach údaraithe faoi alt 49;
ciallaíonn “an tÚdarás” Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann a bhunófar faoi alt 9;
ciallaíonn “an Bord” Bord an Údaráis;
ciallaíonn “príomhfheidhmeannach” príomhoifigeach an Údaráis a cheapfar faoi alt 37;
tá le “ordú dúnta” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 53;
ciallaíonn “forfheidhmiú”, i ndáil le reachtaíocht bia, iniúchtaí, faireachas, sampláil, anailísiú, ceadúnú agus clárú a sheoladh agus imeachtaí dlíthiúla a thionscnamh;
ciallaíonn “lá bunaithe” an lá a cheapfaidh an tAire faoi alt 3 chun bheith ina lá bunaithe;
folaíonn “bia”—
(a) aon substaint a úsáideann pearsana daonna, atá ar fáil lena húsáid ag pearsana daonna, nó a bheartaíonn pearsana daonna a úsáid, mar bhia nó mar dheoch, agus
(b) aon substaint a chuirtear isteach sna substaintí sin, nó a úsáidtear i ndáil le táirgeadh, comhdhéanamh nó ullmhú na substaintí sin,
agus folaíonn tagairtí do bhia, de réir mar a éilíonn an comhthéacs, tagairt do bhia áirithe nó d'aicme áirithe bia;
ciallaíonn “iniúchadh bia” na córais iniúchta a sheolfaidh an tÚdarás nó a sheolfar thar a cheann d'fhonn a fháil amach an gcomhlíonann—
(a) bia,
(b) na próisis (lena n-áirítear próisis arb é is aidhm dóibh úire agus folláine bia a chaomhnú nó a fhadú) faoina gcuirtear bia,
(c) an timpeallacht fhisiceach ina ndéantar bia a tháirgeadh, a choinneáil, a ullmhú agus a láimhsiú;
(d) scileanna, oiliúint agus inniúlacht na ndaoine a láimhsíonn bia nó a dhéileálann le bia ar shlí eile in áitreabh a thagann faoi réim an Achta seo,
(e) aon substaintí agus ábhair a fhéadfar a úsáid ag aon chéim de tháirgeadh bia (lena n-áirítear, más cuí, ábhair bheatha d'ainmhithe) agus lena n-áirítear scrúdú roimh bhás agus scrúdú iarbháis, i seamlais nó in áitreabh eile den sórt sin, ar ainmhithe a bhfuil a gcuid feola le soláthar mar bhia nó le húsáid i dtáirgeadh bia,
(f) breiseáin bhia, vitimíní, salainn mhianracha, riandúile, blastáin agus breiseáin eile a bheartaítear a dhíol sa cháil sin,
(g) ábhair agus earraí a bheartaítear a bheith i dtadhall le bia,
(h) táirgí de chuid na hithreach, táirgí ó fheirmeoireacht stoic, ó dhobharshaothrú agus ó iascaigh agus géim,
reachtaíocht bia arb é is aidhm di cosc a chur le contúirtí do shláinte an phobail;
ciallaíonn “reachtaíocht bia”—
(a) na hAchtanna (lena n-áirítear aon ionstraimí arna ndéanamh fúthu) a shonraítear i gCuid I,
(b) na hionstraimí reachtúla a shonraítear i gCuid II,
(c) Rialacháin de chuid institiúide de na Comhphobail Eorpacha a shonraítear i gCuid III,
den Chéad Sceideal a mhéid a bhaineann siad le sábháilteacht agus sláinteachas bia,
(d) aon Acht arna rith ag an Oireachtas nó aon ionstraim reachtúil arna déanamh faoi Acht den sórt sin nó aon rialachán arna dhéanamh faoi Acht na gComhphobal Eorpach, 1972, tar éis an lae bunaithe agus a measfar ina leith gur reachtaíocht bia í chun críocha an Achta seo,
ciallaíonn “sábháilteacht bia” na bearta a dhéantar chun contúirtí do shláinte an phobail a thig as bia a bheartaítear mar bhia don duine a sheachaint;
ciallaíonn “caighdeáin bia”, i ndáil le sábháilteacht agus sláinteachas bia, caighdeáin arna mbunú le reachtaíocht bia nó fúithi agus a bhaineann le haon cheann nó gach ceann de na nithe seo a leanas:
(a) comhdhéanamh bia, lena n-áirítear—
(i) an leibhéal éilleán nó iarmhar a fhéadfaidh a bheith i mbia,
(ii) a stádas micri-bhitheolaíoch agus a shábháilteacht mhicri-bhitheolaíoch, agus
(iii) an modh samplála agus tástála bia chun a chomhdhéanamh a chinneadh;
(b) táirgeadh bia, lena n-áirítear an trealamh a úsáidtear agus na próisis a mbaintear feidhm astu;
(c) pacáistiú, stóráil nó láimhsiú bia;
(d) díol, allmhairiú nó onnmhairiú bia;
(e) aon fhaisnéis i dtaobh bia, lena n-áirítear lipéadú, cur chun cinn agus fógraíocht ina leith;
(f) éilliú, de chineál fisiceach, ceimiceach, raideolaíoch, bitheolaíoch nó eile, ar bhia a sheachaint;
(g) contúirtí do shláinte an duine a thig as ionghabháil bia nó a éiríonn ar shlí eile a sheachaint;
(h) an t-uasmhéid nó an t-íosmhéid substaintí a úsáidtear nó a cheanglaítear a úsáid nó a fhéadfar a úsáid le linn bia a ullmhú;
ciallaíonn “iarÚdarás” Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann a bunaíodh leis an Ordú um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann (Bunú), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 524 de 1997);
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais agus folaíonn tagairt do chomhlíonadh feidhmeanna, maidir le cumhachtaí agus dualgais, tagairtí d'fheidhmiú na gcumhachtaí agus do chomhlíonadh na ndualgas;
ciallaíonn “bord sláinte” bord arna bhunú faoi alt 4 den Acht Sláinte, 1970;
ciallaíonn “sláinteachas” i ndáil le sábháilteacht bia nó caighdeáin bia, urramú caighdeán dea-chleachtais arb é is aidhm dóibh éilliú bia a sheachaint;
tá le “fógra feabhsúcháin” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 52(1);
tá le “ordú feabhsúcháin” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 52(4);
tá le “údarás áitiúil” an bhrí a shanntar dó leis an Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Sláinte agus Leanaí;
déanfar “gníomhaireacht oifigiúil” a fhorléiriú de réir an Dara Sceideal;
folaíonn “áitreabh” aon áit, foirgneamh, aerárthach, feithicil, vaigín iarnróid, coimeádán nó soitheach nó áitreabh sealadach ag nó in nó ar a seoltar nó a seoladh aon trádáil, gnó nó gníomhaíocht i dtaca le táirgeadh, ullmhú, próiseáil, monarú, onnmhairiú, allmhairiú, stóráil, dáileadh nó díol bia;
ciallaíonn “forordú” forordú a dhéanamh le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire;
tá le “ordú toirmisc” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 54(1);
ciallaíonn “ceardchumainn agus comhlachais aitheanta” na ceardchumainn agus na comhlachais foirne a bheidh aitheanta ag an Údarás chun críche caibidlí a bhaineann le haistrithe foirne chuig an Údarás, chomh maith le luach saothair, coinníollacha fostaíochta nó coinníollacha oibre oifigigh an Údaráis agus fhostaithe an Údaráis;
folaíonn “luach saothair” liúntais le haghaidh caiteachas, sochair chomhchineáil agus aoisliúntas;
folaíonn “díol” rud a thairiscint lena dhíol nó é a dhíol nó a sholáthar cibé acu le haghaidh brabúis nó nach ea agus forléireofar aon fhocail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “an Coiste Eolaíochta” an coiste a bhunófar faoi alt 34;
tá le “conradh seirbhíse” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 48;
ciallaíonn “sochair aoisliúntais” pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile is iníoctha ar éirí as, ar scor nó ar bhás;
ciallaíonn “bianna neamhshaothraithe” bianna nach dtáirgtear nó nach ndéantar a fhómhar ar bhonn tráchtála, lena n-áirítear beacáin fhiáine, torthaí agus caora agus iasc agus géim a dhéantar a fhómhar trí ghníomhaíochtaí áineasa.
(2) San Acht seo—
(a) aon tagairt d'alt nó do Sceideal, is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo, nó do Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe,
(b) aon tagairt d'fho-alt, do mhír nó d'fhomhír is tagairt í don fho-alt, don mhír nó don fhomhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe,
(c) aon tagairt d'achtachán forléireofar í mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú, arna oiriúnú nó arna leathnú le haon achtachán dá éis nó faoi, lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo, agus
(d) aon tagairt d'ionstraim reachtúil forléireofar í mar thagairt don ionstraim sin arna leasú, arna hoiriúnú nó arna leathnú le haon ionstraim reachtúil dá éis.
An lá bunaithe.
3.—Déanfaidh an tAire le hordú lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
4.—Déanfar gach ordú (seachas ordú arna dhéanamh faoi alt 3 nó 44) agus gach rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin Acht seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú nó an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe nó an rialacháin, beidh an t-ordú nó an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú nó faoin rialachán.
Leasú ar Sceidil.
5.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire iomchuí den Rialtas nó le duine eile atá freagrach as an ngníomhaireacht oifigiúil lena mbaineann, an Chéad Sceideal nó an Dara Sceideal a leasú trí ábhar a chur leis nó a scriosadh as.
Cionta achoimre a ionchúiseamh.
6.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás imeachtaí a thionscnamh agus a ionchúiseamh i ndáil le cion achomair faoin Acht seo.
(2) D'ainneoin fhorálacha alt 10(4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, féadfar imeachtaí achoimre mar gheall ar chion faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh aon tráth laistigh de 12 mhí ón dáta a thiocfaidh fianaise ar iúl an Údaráis, is leor, i dtuairim an Údaráis, chun tionscnamh na n-imeachtaí a fhíréanú, ar tráth é nach déanaí ná 5 bliana ón dáta a rinneadh an cion lena mbaineann.
Cionta ag comhlachtaí corpraithe.
7.—(1) I gcás cion faoin Acht seo a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh é le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú, nó gurb inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí nó aon mhainneachtain ar thaobh, aon duine is stiúrthóir, bainisteoir, rúnaí nó oifigeach eile de chuid an chomhlachta chorpraithe, nó aon duine a d'airbheartaigh a bheith ag gníomhú in aon cháil den sórt sin, beidh an duine sin chomh maith leis an gcomhlacht corpraithe ciontach i gcion agus dlífear imeachtaí a shaothrú ina choinne nó ina coinne agus é nó í a phionósú amhail is dá mbeadh sé nó sí ciontach sa chion céadluaite.
(2) I gcás go ndéanfaidh comhaltaí comhlachta chorpraithe gnóthai an chomhlachta chorpraithe sin a bhainistiú, beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) i ndáil le gníomhartha agus mainneachtaintí comhalta i dtaca lena fheidhmeanna bainistíochta nó lena feidhmeanna bainistíochta amhail is dá mba stiúrthóir, bainisteoir nó rúnaí de chuid an chomhlachta chorpraithe é nó í.
Caiteachais an Aire.
8.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
CUID II
Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann
An tÚdarás a bhunú.
9.—(1) Beidh arna bhunú ar an lá bunaithe comhlacht ar a dtabharfar The Food Safety Authority of Ireland nó Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann sa Ghaeilge chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh an tÚdarás ina chomhlacht corpraithe agus comharbas suthain agus séala oifigiúil aige agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha ina ainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aige talamh, nó leas i dtalamh, a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus aon mhaoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt.
(3) Beidh ag an Údarás na cumhachtaí sin go léir is gá chun a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh nó a ghabhann lena gcomhlíonadh.
Neamhspleáchas an Údaráis.
10.—Faoi réir an Achta seo, beidh an tÚdarás neamhspleách ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna dó.
Príomhfheidhm an Údaráis.
11.—Is í príomhfheidhm an Údaráis gach beart réasúnach a dhéanamh chun a áirithiú, maidir le bia—
(a) a tháirgtear sa Stát (cibé acu a dhéantar é a dháileadh nó a mhargú sa Stát nó nach ndéantar), agus
(b) a dháiltear nó a mhargaítear sa Stát,
go gcomhlíonann sé na caighdeáin is airde ó thaobh sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais a bheidh ar fáil go réasúnach agus déanfaidh sé, go háirithe, gach beart réasúnach chun a áirithiú go gcomhlíonann bia den sórt sin—
(i) reachtaíocht bia i leith caighdeán sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais, nó
(ii) más cuí, forálacha caighdeán nó cód dea-chleachtais a aithnítear i gcoitinne agus arb é is aidhm dóibh a áirithiú go mbainfear amach ardchaighdeáin sláinteachais bia agus sábháilteachta bia.
Caighdeáin a chur chun cinn.
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, déanfaidh an tÚdarás, ar gach céim de tháirgeadh bia, ó tháirgeadh príomhúil go dtí an úsáid deiridh ag an tomhaltóir, bunú agus cothú ardchaighdeán sláinteachais bia agus sábháilteachta bia a chur chun cinn, a spreagadh agus 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 a chur chun cinn agus gabhfaidh sé de láimh, nó socróidh sé go ngabhfar de láimh, cibé iniúchtaí bia is gá chun a chinneadh go gcomhlíontar reachtaíocht bia.
(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 i sábháilteacht bia agus in oiriúnacht bia lena chaitheamh ag an duine, agus, dá dhroim sin, déanfaidh gach aon cheann de na páirtithe a luaitear gach beart réasúnach a ghlacadh chun sábháilteacht agus caighdeán sláinteachais an bhia sin a áirithiú, a mhéid a bhaineann leis an bpáirtí sin.
(4) Chun caighdeáin níos airde a chur chun cinn, féachfaidh an tÚdarás 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.
Scéimeanna chun sábháilteacht bia a áirithiú.
13.—(1) Chun críocha alt 12 féadfaidh an tÚdarás, ina aonar nó in éineacht le cibé ionadaithe de ghrúpaí nó eagraíochtaí áirithe gnó bia is cuí leis, scéimeanna (dá ngairtear “scéimeanna um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia” san alt seo) a bhunú chun leasanna tomhaltóirí a chosaint.
(2) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás bunú scéimeanna um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia a chur chun cinn, a spreagadh agus a éascú agus bunófar na scéimeanna sin ar na cleachtais agus na caighdeáin sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais is fearr a bheidh ar fáil agus beidh ar fáil aige cibé doiciméid agus fianaise eile a bhaineann le hamhábhair, próiseáil, ullmhú, pacáistiú, stóráil agus lipéadú earraí bia is cuí leis an Údarás chun leasanna tomhaltóirí a chosaint.
(3) Ullmhóidh an tÚdarás treoirlínte a bheidh le comhlíonadh aige i ndáil le bunú scéimeanna um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia.
(4) Ní mór ceadú an Bhoird, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an gCoiste Eolaíochta, a bheith ann d'aon treoirlínte den sórt sin.
(5) Faoi réir fho-alt (7), ní bheidh an tÚdarás rannpháirteach i scéimeanna um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia.
(6) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás a cheadú d'aon scéim um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia a dhaingniú ar aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha a shonróidh an Bord, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an gCoiste Eolaíochta, agus féadfaidh an tÚdarás aon daingniú den sórt sin a tharraingt siar.
(7) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás faireachán, agus tabharfaidh sé tuarascáil don Bhord, ar fheidhmiú agus ar chur i ngníomh scéimeanna um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia.
(8) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascálacha a fhoilsiú i ndáil le scéimeanna um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia.
(9) Tabharfaidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil fógra don Údarás i ndáil le haon scéim um áirithiú sábháilteachta bia lena bhfuil baint aici nó lena dtacaíonn sí agus beidh aird aici ar aon chomhairle ón Údarás i ndáil le baint nó tacaíocht den sórt sin.
An Chomhairle Shainchomhairleach.
14.—(1) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás, chun críocha na gcomhchomhairliúchán dá dtagraítear in alt 12(4) nó chun críocha comhchomhairliúchán ar aon ní eile a bhaineann le feidhmeanna an Údaráis, comhlacht a bhunú ar a dtabharfar an Chomhairle Chomhairleach um Shábháilteacht Bia (dá ngairtear “an Chomhairle” san alt seo).
(2) 24 chomhalta ar a mhéad a bheidh ar an gComhairle agus beidh bonn leathan fúithi agus beidh sí leathan-ionadaitheach.
(3) Bunófar an Chomhairle faoi cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Bord roimh a bunú, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire 12 chomhalta ar a mhéad a cheapadh ar an gComhairle, agus—
(a) ainmneoidh an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Bia beirt díobh,
(b) ainmneoidh Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha duine amháin díobh,
(c) ainmneoidh an tAire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta duine amháin díobh, agus
(d) ainmneoidh an tAire Comhshaoil agus Rialtais Áitiúil duine amháin díobh,
agus ceapfaidh an Bord na comhaltaí eile.
(5) Íocfar le comhaltaí na Comhairle cibé liúntais i leith caiteachas a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(6) Beidh aird ag an Údarás ar aon tuairimí a léireoidh an Chomhairle i dtaobh aon ní a bheidh faoi bhreithniú ag an Údarás. Ach, maidir le mainneachtain dul i gcomhairle leis an gComhairle nó dul i mbun gnímh i leith aon ní, ar gníomh é a fhreagróidh don mhéid a bheidh beartaithe ag an gComhairle nó a mbeidh an Chomhairle ag tacú leis, ní chuirfidh sí cinntí ná gníomhartha an Údaráis i leith an ní a bheidh i gceist nó i leith aon ní eile a chur ó bhail.
(7) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuairimí na Comhairle a fhoilsiú.
(8) Déanfaidh an Bord, i gcás ceapachán a dhéanfaidh sé, agus déanfaidh an tAire, i gcás ceapachán a dhéanfaidh sé nó sí, cóimheá chothromasach idir fir agus mná a chinntiú, a mhéid is féidir é.
Comhairle ón Údarás.
15.—Déanfaidh an tÚdarás, ar iarraidh ón Aire nó ó Aire eile den Rialtas, comhairle a thabhairt don Aire nó don Aire eile sin den Rialtas i dtaobh saincheisteanna a bhaineann le gach ceann nó aon cheann de na nithe atá liostaithe san alt seo nó féadfaidh sé, ar a thionscnamh féin, comhairle den sórt sin a thabhairt i dtaobh an mhéid seo a leanas—
(a) galair bhia-iompartha, lena n-áirítear galair bhia-iompartha zónóiseacha,
(b) gnéithe cothaitheacha de bhia agus an ról atá ag aiste bia i sláinte an phobail,
(c) forbairtí reachtúla a bhaineann le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas bia,
(d) teicneolaíocht agus cleachtais thionsclaíocha a bhaineann le bia agus le hullmhú bia,
(e) eagrú agus riaradh córas chun áitreabh a sheolann gnó bia a cheadú, a cheadúnú agus a chlárú agus a iniúchadh,
(f) táirgeadh bia lena n-áirítear saothrú barr, torthaí agus glasraí, baint bianna neamhshaothraithe, saothrú agus táirgeadh sliogéisc agus pórú nó tógáil ainmhithe lena marú agus le haghaidh táirgeadh bia,
(g) lipéadú agus pacáistiú bia (lena n-áirítear ábhair a úsáidtear i bpacáistiú),
(h) an scóip atá ann le haghaidh córas feabhsaithe chun faisnéis a scaipeadh ar an bpobal i dtaobh sábháilteachta bia agus sláinteachais bia, lena n-áirítear láimhsiú sábháilte bia san áit chónaithe, agus
(i) aon ní eile is iomchuí maidir le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas bia,
agus féadfaidh sé comhairle den sórt sin a fhoilsiú.
Sonraí a bhailiú agus a mheasúnú.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás—
(a) an reachtaíocht bia go léir, na cóid iompair go léir agus an t-ábhar go léir eile is iomchuí maidir le feidhmeanna an Údaráis a bhailiú agus féadfaidh sé iad a fhoilsiú i cibé foirm is cuí leis, agus
(b) faisnéis a bhailiú a bhaineann le sláinteachas bia agus sábháilteacht bia, agus ar faisnéis í a éascóidh comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna aige.
(2) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás—
(a) sonraí staidrimh i dtaobh rialú oifigiúil bia a bhailiú i cibé foirm, más ann, a chinnfidh sé agus na sonraí staidrimh sin a mheasúnú, agus
(b) sonraí den sórt sin a bhaineann le táirgeadh agus tomhaltas bia a bhailiú, a mheasúnú nó a anailísiú ar shlí eile,
de réir mar is cuí leis nó de réir mar a iarrfaidh an tAire nó aon Aire eile den Rialtas ó am go ham.
(3) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás cibé measúnachtaí ar shonraí staidrimh i dtaobh galar bia-iompartha, lena n-áirítear galair bhia-iompartha zónóiseacha, is cuí leis nó a iarrfaidh an tAire nó Aire eile den Rialtas ó am go ham, a ghabháil de láimh.
(4) San alt seo folaíonn “rialú oifigiúil bia” na córais iniúchta agus rialaithe ar tháirgeadh, monarú, stóráil, díol nó úsáid bia a cheanglaítear le haon achtachán nó faoi aon achtachán.
(5) Comhoibreoidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil lena mbaineann leis an Údarás maidir le ceanglais an ailt seo a chomhlíonadh.
(6) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás, d'fhonn a fheidhmeanna a chur i gcrích faoin alt seo, a cheangal ar cibé duine a gceapann sé ina leith go bhfuil faisnéis is iomchuí chun na gcríoch sin aige nó aici, an fhaisnéis a sholáthar don Údarás agus comhlíonfaidh an duine sin ceanglas den sórt sin.
Athbhreithniú ar sheirbhísí iniúchta bia.
17.—Déanfaidh an tÚdarás éifeachtacht na seirbhísí iniúchta bia a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire a bhreithniú agus a choimeád faoi athbhreithniú agus déanfaidh sé, uair amháin ar a laghad sa bhliain, tuairisc a thabhairt don Aire, nó do cibé Aire eile den Rialtas nó do cibé gníomhaireacht eile a bheidh freagrach as an tseirbhís áirithe iniúchta bia a chur i gcrích, cibé acu faoi chonradh seirbhíse nó ar shlí eile, faoin scóip atá ann chun an tseirbhís nó na seirbhísí iniúchta bia a chomhordú agus a thabhairt ar shlí níos fearr.
Taighde ag an Údarás.
18.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tionscadail taighde agus gníomhaíochtaí taighde, i dtaobh saincheisteanna a bhaineann le bia, a ghabháil de láimh nó a choimisiúnú nó féadfaidh sé comhoibriú chun tionscadail taighde agus gníomhaíochtaí taighde den sórt sin a chur i gcrích agus féadfaidh sé, chun na críche sin, a bheith páirteach i dtionscadail taighde agus i ngníomhaíochtaí taighde i dtaobh saincheisteanna a bhaineann le bia, ar tionscadail iad a bhfuil baint ag páirtithe ó lasmuigh den Stát leo.
(2) Le linn cinneadh a dhéanamh i dtaobh an bhfeidhmeoidh sé a chumhachtaí faoi fho-alt (1), beidh aird ag an Údarás ar aon ghabháil de láimh, coimisiúnú nó comhoibriú i leith tionscadal nó gníomhaíochtaí den sórt sin ag daoine eile sa Stát.
Bia a dheimhniú.
19.—(1) Gan dochar do cheanglais reachtaíochta bia nó aon nós imeachta deimhniúcháin a oibríonn gníomhaireacht oifigiúil i leith bia i gcomhair díola, féadfaidh an tÚdarás, má iarrann aon duine air é agus déanfaidh sé má iarrann gníomhaireacht oifigiúil air é, córas deimhniúcháin bia i gcomhair díola a chur ar fáil i cibé foirm is cuí leis i leith na hiarrata.
(2) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás treoirlínte a eisiúint i leith aon deimhniúcháin a chuirfidh sé ar fáil faoin alt seo.
Feidhmeanna breise a thabhairt don Údarás.
20.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, más cuí leis nó léi é nó má iarrann Aire eile den Rialtas amhlaidh air nó uirthi, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire eile sin den Rialtas agus leis an Aire Airgeadais—
(a) cibé feidhmeanna breise a mbeidh baint acu le feidhmeanna an Údaráis de thuras na huaire nó le gníomhaíochtaí a mbeidh údaraithe don Údarás de thuras na huaire iad a ghabháil de láimh (lena n-áirítear feidhmeanna chun aon treoir, rialachán nó ionstraim eile a fhorfheidhmiú a ghlac institiúid de na Comhphobail Eorpacha i ndáil le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas) is cuí leis nó léi, a thabhairt don Údarás, agus
(b) cibé foráil a mheasfaidh sé nó sí is gá nó is fóirsteanach maidir le nithe atá coimhdeach i ndáil le feidhmeanna faoin alt seo a thabhairt don Údarás nó a éiríonn as an gcéanna nó i ndáil leis an Údarás do chomhlíonadh feidhmeanna arna dtabhairt amhlaidh nó a éiríonn as an gcéanna.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
Muirir i leith seirbhísí.
21.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), agus ag féachaint go cuí d'aon socruithe eile a bheidh i bhfeidhm agus a bhainfidh le haon táillí nó muirir a éireoidh i ndáil leis an réimse gníomhaíochta lena mbaineann, féadfaidh an tÚdarás cibé muirir is cuí leis an mBord a dhéanamh i gcomaoin an tÚdarás do chomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna, do sholáthar seirbhísí (seachas seirbhís arb é atá inti comhairle a chur ar fáil don Aire nó d'Aire eile den Rialtas) agus do sheoladh gníomhaíochtaí agus déanfaidh sé fáltais ó mhuirir den sórt sin a thaifeadadh mar ioncam.
(2) Beidh cinneadh na méideanna muirear dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) faoi réir cheadú an Aire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás aon mhéid a bheidh dlite agus ag dul dó faoi fho-alt (1) a ghnóthú mar fhiach conartha shimplí in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla ón duine a mbeidh sé iníoctha aige nó aici.
Bronntanais.
22.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh thar ceann an Údaráis ar cibé iontaobhais, téarmaí nó coinníollacha, más ann, a shonróidh an deontóir.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an Bord le bronntanas más rud é go mbeadh na hiontaobhais, na téarmaí nó na coinníollacha a bheadh ag gabháil leis ar neamhréir le neamhspleáchas oibríochta, oibriú éifeachtach nó feidhmeanna an Údaráis nó go ndéanfaidís dochar do na nithe sin.
(3) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás sonraí i dtaobh aon bhronntanais ar mó a luach, i dtuairim an Bhoird, ná £500 nó cibé méid eile a bheidh arna shonrú de thuras na huaire i rialacháin a dhéanfaidh an tAire, a chur san áireamh sa tuarascáil faoi alt 25(1) don bhliain a nglacfar leis an mbronntanas.
An tÚdarás d'fháil iasachtaí.
23.—Féadfaidh an tÚdarás, ó am go ham, chun foráil a dhéanamh maidir le caiteachas reatha, airgead a fháil ar iasacht (cibé acu ar urrús shócmhainní an Údaráis nó ar shlí eile), lena n-áirítear airgead in airgeadra seachas airgeadra an Stáit, ach ní dhéanfaidh sé amhlaidh gan toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais.
Airleacain ón Aire chuig an Údarás.
24.—Féadfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, cibé suimeanna a chinnfidh an tAire chun críocha caiteachais ag an Údarás ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna dó a airleacan chun an Údaráis as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Tuarascálacha agus faisnéis don Aire.
25.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dheireadh bhliain airgeadais an Údaráis ina mbeidh an lá bunaithe agus tar éis dheireadh gach bliana airgeadais de chuid an Údaráis ina dhiaidh sin, ach tráth nach déanaí ná 6 mhí dá éis, déanfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascáil i dtaobh a ghníomhaíochtaí i rith na bliana sin a thabhairt don Aire agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Beidh i ngach tuarascáil faoi fho-alt (1) faisnéis i cibé foirm agus maidir le cibé nithe a ordóidh an tAire.
(3) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás, aon uair a iarrfaidh an tAire amhlaidh, faisnéis a thabhairt don Aire i ndáil le cibé nithe a shonróidh sé nó sí maidir le scóip a ghníomhaíochtaí i gcoitinne nó i ndáil leis an gcéanna, nó i leith aon chuntais arna ullmhú ag an Údarás nó aon tuarascála a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) nó i leith bheartas nó ghníomhaíochtaí, seachas gníomhaíochtaí ó lá go lá, an Údaráis.
(4) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás cibé tuarascálacha eile i dtaobh nithe a bhaineann lena ghníomhaíochtaí agus lena fheidhmeanna a fhoilsiú, de réir mar a mheasfaidh an Bord ó am go ham a bheith iomchuí agus cuí.
Cuntais agus iniúchtaí.
26.—(1) Déanfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach, tar éis comhaontú an Bhoird a fháil, meastacháin ar ioncam agus caiteachas a chur faoi bhráid an Aire i cibé foirm, i leith cibé tréimhsí, agus ag cibé tráthanna a éileoidh an tAire agus déanfaidh sé nó sí aon fhaisnéis a éileoidh an tAire i ndáil le meastacháin den sórt sin, lena n-áirítear tograí agus pleananna sa todhchaí a bhaineann leis an Údarás do chomhall a fheidhmeanna thar thréimhse blianta, a thabhairt don Aire de réir mar a éileofar.
(2) Déanfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach, faoi stiúradh an Bhoird, a chur faoi deara go gcoimeádfar, ar bhonn leanúnach, leabhair chuntais chuí ar ioncam agus ar chaiteachas uile an Údaráis, agus ar fhoinsí an ioncaim sin agus ar ábhar an chaiteachais sin, agus ar mhaoin, ar shócmhainní agus ar dhliteanais an Údaráis agus coimeádfaidh sé nó sí na cuntais speisialta sin go léir a n-ordóidh an tAire nó an Bord, le toiliú an Aire, ina leith, ó am go ham, gur ceart iad a choimeád agus tabharfaidh sé nó sí cuntas don Bhord ina leith.
(3) Is é bliain airgeadais an Údaráis an tréimhse 12 mhí dar críoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig in aon bhliain, agus chun críocha an ailt seo agus alt 25 measfar gur bliain airgeadais an tréimhse dar tosach an lá bunaithe agus dar críoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig dá éis sin.
(4) Aon uair a iarrfaidh an tAire amhlaidh, ceadóidh an Bord, an príomhfheidhmeannach agus oifigigh eile an Údaráis d'aon duine a bheidh ceaptha ag an Aire leabhair agus cuntais an Údaráis a scrúdú i leith aon bhliana airgeadais nó tréimhse eile agus éascóidh siad aon scrúdú den sórt sin agus íocfaidh an tÚdarás cibé táille ina leith a shocróidh an tAire chuige sin.
(5) Déanfar cuntais an Údaráis do gach bliain airgeadais a ullmhú i cibé foirm agus modh a shonróidh an tAire. Ullmhóidh an príomhfheidhmeannach na cuntais agus ceadóidh an Bord iad a luaithe is indéanta, ach tráth nach déanaí ná trí mhí tar éis dheireadh na bliana airgeadais lena mbainfidh siad, lena gcur faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste lena n-iniúchadh. Déanfar cóip de na cuntais agus de thuarascáil an iniúchóra orthu a thíolacadh do chomhaltaí an Bhoird agus don Aire a luaithe is indéanta agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóip de na doiciméid sin a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(6) Is é nó is í an príomhfheidhmeannach an duine cuntasach i ndáil le cuntais an Údaráis agus aon uair a éileoidh Coiste de chuid Dháil Éireann air nó uirthi amhlaidh, ar Coiste é a bheidh bunaithe faoi Bhuan-Orduithe Dháil Éireann chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na cuntais leithreasa agus ar thuarascálacha an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste, agus tuarascáil a thabhairt do Dháil Éireann ar an gcéanna, tabharfaidh sé nó sí fianaise don Choiste sin—
(a) ar rialtacht agus cuibheas na n-idirbheart a bheidh taifeadta, nó a cheanglaítear a thaifeadadh, in aon chuntas a thagann faoi réir iniúchadh ag an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste agus a bhfuil ceangal ar an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó ar an Údarás le reacht nó faoi reacht é a ullmhú,
(b) ar bharainneacht agus éifeachtúlacht an Údaráis ó thaobh a chuid acmhainní a úsáid,
(c) ar na córais, na nósanna imeachta agus na cleachtais a úsáideann an tÚdarás chun éifeachtacht a oibríochtaí a mheasúnú, agus
(d) ar aon ní a fhearann ar an Údarás agus dá dtagraítear i dtuarascáil speisialta ón Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste faoi alt 11(2) d'Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993, nó in aon tuarascáil eile ón Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (a mhéid a bhainfidh sé le ní a shonraítear i mír (a), (b) nó (c)) a leagtar faoi bhráid Dháil Éireann.
Áitreabh an Údaráis.
27.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás chun áitreabh a chur ar fáil is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh go cuí—
(a) aon talamh a cheannach nó, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a thógáil ar léas,
(b) oifigí agus áitreabh a fhoirgniú, a threalmhú agus a chothabháil.
(2) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás aon talamh, oifigí nó áitreabh a bheidh ar teachtadh aige, agus nach gá a thuilleadh chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh go cuí, a dhíol nó a léasú.
Séala an Údaráis.
28.—(1) Soláthróidh an tÚdarás séala dó féin a luaithe is féidir tar éis a bhunaithe.
(2) Déanfar séala an Údaráis a fhíordheimhniú—
(a) le síniú an duine a cheapfar mar chathaoirleach ar an mBord, nó
(b) (i) le síniú comhalta den Bhord, nó
(ii) le síniú oifigigh don Údarás,
a bheidh údaraithe ag an mBord chun gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala an Údaráis agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartaíonn a bheith ina ionstraim a rinne an tÚdarás agus a bheith séalaithe le séala an Údaráis (a airbheartaíonn a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir fho-alt (2)) agus measfar gur ionstraim den sórt sin é gan chruthúnas mura suífear a mhalairt.
Sainchomhairleoirí agus comhairleoirí.
29.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás, faoi réir ceadú a fháil ón mBord roimh ré nó ar iarraidh ón mBord, cibé sainchomhairleoirí nó comhairleoirí a mheasfaidh sé is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh, a fhostú ó am go ham agus déanfaidh an tÚdarás aon táillí is iníoctha ag an Údarás le sainchomhairleoir nó comhairleoir a fhostófar faoin alt seo a íoc as airgead a bheidh ar láimh aige.
Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascálacha a lorg i ndáil le sábháilteacht agus sláinteachas bia.
30.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascálacha ar aon ní, arb é a thuairim ina leith go mbaineann sé le sábháilteacht bia nó sláinteachas bia, a lorg ón Aire cuí den Rialtas nó ón gcomhlacht cuí a bheidh bunaithe faoi reacht a mbeidh freagracht fhoriomlán air sa réimse lena mbaineann an ní.
(2) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascáil a thabharfar dó faoin alt seo a chur ar fáil don Aire.
CUID III
Bord, Coiste Eolaíochta, Coistí, Príomhfheidhmeannach agus Foireann an Údaráis
Comhaltas Bhord an Údaráis agus téarma oifige na gcomhaltaí.
31.—(1) Beidh Bord ann, ar a dtabharfar Bord Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, chun feidhmeanna an Údaráis a stiúradh agus a chur i gcrích de réir an Achta seo agus déanfaidh sé leordhóthanacht na gcóras a bheidh i bhfeidhm chun na críche sin a dheimhniú dó féin agus, thairis sin, déanfaidh sé oibriú an Údaráis a bhainistiú agus a athbhreithniú.
(2) Déanfaidh an tAire, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae bunaithe, daoine a cheapadh chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí den Bhord.
(3) Beidh ar an mBord cathaoirleach agus 9 ngnáthchomhalta, a mbeidh cathaoirleach an Choiste Eolaíochta ar dhuine acu.
(4) Déanfaidh an tAire, nuair a bheidh gnáthchomhalta den Bhord á cheapadh nó á ceapadh aige nó aici, tréimhse comhaltais an chomhalta sin, ar tréimhse í nach faide ná 5 bliana, a shocrú agus, faoi réir an ailt seo, beidh an comhaltas ar cibé téarmaí a chinnfidh an tAire.
(5) Beidh ceathrar de ghnáthchomhaltaí an Bhoird a cheapfar faoi fho-alt (2) i seilbh oifige ar feadh tréimhse nach faide ná trí bliana ó dháta a gceaptha de réir mar a chinnfidh an tAire.
(6) Féadfaidh comhalta den Bhord, aon tráth, éirí as bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta trí litir a bheidh dírithe chuig an Aire agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí as ón dáta a shonrófar sa litir nó ar an dáta a gheobhaidh an tAire an litir, cibé acu is déanaí.
(7) Féadfaidh an tAire, aon tráth, comhalta den Bhord a chur as oifig mar chomhalta den Bhord más rud é, i dtuairim an Aire, go bhfuil an comhalta éagumasach, de dheasca easláinte, ar a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh nó gur mhí-iompair an comhalta é féin nó í féin mar a bheidh sonraithe nó más dealraitheach don Aire gur gá é nó í a bhriseadh as comhaltas le go gcomhlíonfadh an tÚdarás feidhmeanna an Údaráis go héifeachtach.
(8) Scoirfidh comhalta den Bhord de bheith, agus beidh, agus beidh sé nó sí dícháilithe chun bheith, ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord sin más rud é, maidir leis an gcomhalta sin—
(a) go mbreithneofar ina fhéimheach nó ina féimheach é nó í,
(b) go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht le creidiúnaithe,
(c) go ngearrfaidh cúirt dlínse inniúla téarma príosúnachta air nó uirthi, nó
(d) go ndícháileofar é nó í chun bheith, nó go srianfar é nó í ó bheith, ina stiúrthóir d'aon chuideachta (de réir bhrí Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1990).
(9) Más rud é go bhfaighidh comhalta den Bhord bás, go n-éireoidh sé nó sí as oifig, go scoirfidh sé nó sí, go dtiocfaidh sé nó sí faoi dhícháilíocht nó go gcuirfear as oifig é nó í, féadfaidh an tAire duine a cheapadh chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord chun an corrfholúntas a tharlóidh amhlaidh a líonadh agus déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh ar an modh céanna ar ar ceapadh an comhalta den Bhord ba chúis leis an gcorrfholúntas. Déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh laistigh de 2 mhí ón tráth a gcuirfear an folúntas in iúl don Aire.
(10) Beidh comhalta den Bhord a rachaidh a thréimhse nó a tréimhse comhaltais in éag trí imeacht aimsire in-athcheaptha mar chomhalta den Bhord.
(11) Déanfaidh an tAire, a mhéid is indéanta, cóimheá chothromasach idir fir agus mná a chinntiú i gcomhdhéanamh an Bhoird.
Cathaoirleach an Bhoird.
32.—(1) Is é 5 bliana téarma oifige Chathaoirleach an Bhoird.
(2) Má scoireann cathaoirleach an Bhoird de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord scoirfidh sé nó sí freisin, air sin, de bheith ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an mBord.
(3) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach an Bhoird, aon tráth, éirí as a oifig nó as a hoifig mar chathaoirleach le litir a sheolfar chun an Aire agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí as, mura dtarraingeofar siar roimhe sin i scríbhinn é, ag tosach an chéad chruinnithe den Bhord a bheidh ann tar éis don Aire an t-éirí as a chur in iúl don Bhord.
(4) Beidh cathaoirleach an Bhoird, mura n-éagfaidh sé nó sí roimhe sin nó mura scoirfidh sé nó sí ar shlí eile de bheith ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach de bhua fho-alt (2) nó (3), i seilbh oifige go dtí deireadh a thréimhse nó a tréimhse comhaltais den Bhord agus, má athcheaptar é nó í mar chomhalta den Bhord, beidh sé nó sí in-athcheaptha mar chathaoirleach ar an mBord.
Cruinniú den Bhord.
33.—(1) Tionólfaidh an Bord cibé cruinnithe agus cibé líon cruinnithe is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Déanfaidh an tAire, i gcomhairle le cathaoirleach an Bhoird, am an chéad chruinnithe den Bhord a shocrú.
(3) 4 is córam do chruinniú den Bhord.
(4) Ag cruinniú den Bhord—
(a) is é cathaoirleach an Bhoird, má bhíonn sé nó sí i láthair, a bheidh ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú, agus
(b) mura mbeidh, agus fad nach mbeidh, cathaoirleach an Bhoird i láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, roghnóidh na comhaltaí den Bhord a bheidh i láthair duine dá gcuid comhaltaí chun bheith ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
(5) Ag cruinniú den Bhord, beidh vóta ag gach comhalta den Bhord a bheidh i láthair, lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach, agus maidir le haon cheist ar gá vótáil ina leith chun tuairim an Bhoird ar an ní a shuíomh, déanfar í a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí chomhaltaí an Bhoird a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás comhionannais vótaí, beidh dara vóta is vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
(6) Féadfaidh an Bord gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntais nó folúntas i measc a chomhaltaí.
(7) Faoi réir an Achta seo, rialálfaidh an Bord, le buanorduithe nó ar shlí eile, nós imeachta agus gnó an Bhoird.
An Coiste Eolaíochta.
34.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae bunaithe, déanfaidh an Bord coiste (“an Coiste Eolaíochta”) a bhunú chun cúnamh agus comhairle a thabhairt don Bhord i ndáil le nithe de chineál eolaíoch a tharchuirfidh an Bord chuige agus chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an alt seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) 15 chomhalta ar a mhéad a bheidh sa Choiste Eolaíochta.
(3) Glacfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta rialacha agus nósanna imeachta le haghaidh stiúradh a chuid cruinnithe agus a ghníomhaíochtaí i gcoitinne agus cuirfidh sé na rialacha agus na nósanna imeachta sin faoi bhráid an Bhoird lena cheadú a fháil ina leith.
(4) Déanfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBord, comhaltaí an Choiste Eolaíochta (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach) a cheapadh.
(5) Déanfaidh an tAire, i gcomhairle leis an mBord, nuair a bheidh comhalta den Choiste Eolaíochta á cheapadh nó á ceapadh aige nó aici—
(a) tréimhse comhaltais comhalta den sórt sin a shocrú,
(b) téarmaí a chomhaltais nó a comhaltais a shocrú,
(c) aird a thabhairt ar an réimse cáilíochtaí agus taithí is gá chun feidhmeanna an Choiste Eolaíochta a chomhall go cuí agus go héifeachtach, agus go háirithe, aird a thabhairt ar cháilíochtaí agus ar thaithí den sórt sin i ndáil le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas, agus
(d) a chinntiú, a mhéid is indéanta, go mbeidh cóimheá chothromasach idir fir agus mná in aon cheapacháin.
(6) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), tabharfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta comhairle don Bhord, i gcás ina n-iarrfaidh an Bord an chomhairle sin, i dtaobh nithe a bhaineann leis an méid seo a leanas—
(a) ceisteanna eolaíocha agus teicniúla a bhaineann le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas,
(b) seirbhísí iniúchta bia a chur chun feidhme agus a riaradh, agus
(c) luach cothaitheach nó cion cothaitheach bia.
(7) Féadfaidh an Bord tréimhse a shonrú ar laistigh di a thabharfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta comhairle i dtaobh nithe a tharchuirfear chuig an gCoiste Eolaíochta.
(8) Ní ghníomhóidh an Bord i dtaobh aon ní a bheidh tarchurtha chuig an gCoiste Eolaíochta aige go dtí go mbeidh comhairle faighte ón gCoiste Eolaíochta ag an mBord i dtaobh an ní laistigh den tréimhse ama a shonróidh an Bord.
(9) Féadfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta, tar éis na himpleachtaí buiséadacha agus na himpleachtaí eile ó thaobh acmhainní a shuíomh go feadh a chumais agus tar éis—
(a) comhairle a thabhairt don Bhord i dtaobh aon ní a tharchuirfidh an Bord chuige, cibé imscrúdú, measúnacht, taighde nó scrúdú eile nó breise is cuí leis an gCoiste Eolaíochta, i leith an ní, a ghabháil de láimh, nó
(b) scéala a thabhairt don Bhord ar dtús, imscrúdú, measúnacht nó scrúdú is cuí leis an gCoiste Eolaíochta, ar aon ní a bhaineann le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas, a thionscnamh.
(10) I gcás go ndéanfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta aon ní dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (9) a ghabháil de láimh nó a thionscnamh, féadfaidh an Bord teorainn ama a leagan síos ar laistigh di a gheobhaidh sé comhairle an Choiste Eolaíochta agus ní dhéanfaidh an Bord aon bheart i leith an ábhair a ghabhfar de láimh nó a thionscnófar amhlaidh, nó i ndáil leis, go dtí go mbeidh an teorainn ama sin éagtha nó go mbeidh comhairle faighte, cibé acu is túisce a tharlóidh.
(11) I gcás nach mbeidh teorainn ama den sórt sin leagtha síos ag an mBord ar laistigh di a gheobhaidh sé comhairle an Choiste Eolaíochta ar aon ní a bheidh gafa de láimh nó tionscanta aige faoi fho-alt (9), féadfaidh an Bord, dá rogha féin, moill a chur ar aon bheart i leith an ábhair a bheidh gafa de láimh nó tionscanta, nó i ndáil leis, nó aon bheart den sórt sin a chur siar, go dtí go mbeidh comhairle ón gCoiste Eolaíochta tugtha dó.
(12) Tabharfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta comhairle faoin alt seo don Bhord trí chathaoirleach an Choiste Eolaíochta.
(13) Féadfaidh an Bord an chomhairle a thabharfaidh an Coiste Eolaíochta faoin alt seo a fhoilsiú.
Fochoistí.
35.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord nó, de réir mar is cuí, an Coiste Eolaíochta fochoistí a bhunú ó am go ham chun comhairle a thabhairt dó, i ndáil le comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord nó an Coiste Eolaíochta daoine ag a bhfuil eolas agus taithí speisialta a bhaineann le críocha an fhochoiste a cheapadh ar fhochoiste a bhunófar faoin alt seo.
(3) Maidir le ceapadh duine ar fhochoiste a bhunófar faoin alt seo, beidh sé faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Bord nó an Coiste Eolaíochta.
(4) Féadfaidh an Bord nó an Coiste Eolaíochta, aon tráth, fochoiste a bhunóidh sé faoin alt seo a dhíscaoileadh.
(5) Maidir le gníomhartha fochoiste a bhunófar faoin alt seo, beidh siad faoi réir a ndaingnithe ag an mBord nó ag an gCoiste Eolaíochta, de réir mar is cuí, mura rud é go ligfidh an Bord nó an Coiste Eolaíochta ar ceal an gá atá le daingniú.
(6) Féadfaidh an Bord nó an Coiste Eolaíochta nós imeachta fochoiste a bhunófar faoin alt seo a rialáil ach, faoi réir aon rialála den sórt sin, féadfaidh fochoiste a bhunófar faoin alt seo a nós imeachta féin a rialáil.
(7) Déanfaidh an Bord nó, de réir mar a bheidh, an Coiste Eolaíochta, a chinntiú go mbeidh cóimheá chothromasach idir fir agus mná i gcomhdhéanamh fochoiste a bhunóidh sé faoin alt seo.
Luach saothair agus liúntais.
36.—Féadfar cibé luach saothair (más ann) agus cibé liúntais a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc le comhaltaí an Bhoird (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach) agus le comhaltaí den Choiste Eolaíochta agus d'aon fhochoiste a bhunófar faoi alt 35 i leith caiteachas a thabhóidh siad.
Príomhfheidhmeannach an Údaráis.
37.—(1) Beidh príomhoifigeach ar an Údarás ar a dtabharfar, agus dá ngairtear san Acht seo, an príomhfheidhmeannach.
(2) Is é an Bord a cheapfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach agus féadfaidh an Bord é nó í a chur as oifig aon tráth ar chúiseanna sonraithe le toiliú an Aire.
(3) Déanfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach riarachán agus gnó an Údaráis a sheoladh agus a bhainistiú, agus a rialú i gcoitinne, agus comhlíonfaidh sé nó sí cibé feidhmeanna eile a chinnfidh an Bord.
(4) Beidh an príomhfheidhmeannach i seilbh oifige ar feadh cibé téarma agus de réir agus faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha eile (lena n-áirítear téarmaí agus coinníollacha a bhaineann le luach saothair) a chinnfidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBord agus le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais agus íocfar é nó í as airgead a bheidh ar láimh ag an Údarás de réir alt 24.
(5) Féadfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach tograí a chur faoi bhráid an Bhoird i dtaobh aon ní a bhaineann le gníomhaíochtaí an Údaráis.
(6) Ní bheidh an príomhfheidhmeannach i seilbh oifige ná poist ar bith eile ná ní sheolfaidh sé nó sí gnó ar bith gan toiliú an Bhoird.
(7) Ní bheidh an príomhfheidhmeannach ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord ná den Choiste Eolaíochta ná d'fhochoiste a bhunófar faoi alt 35, ach féadfaidh sé nó sí, de réir nósanna imeachta a bhunóidh an Bord, freastal ar chruinnithe den Bhord, den Choiste Eolaíochta nó d'aon fhochoistí den sórt sin agus beidh sé nó sí i dteideal labhairt agus comhairle a thabhairt don chruinniú iomchuí.
Foireann an Údaráis.
38.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine a chinnfidh sé le toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais a cheapadh chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann an Údaráis.
(2) Is é an Bord, le toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, a chinnfidh na gráid d'fhoireann an Údaráis agus an líon foirne i ngach grád agus an leibhéal cuí luach saothair le haghaidh gach gráid.
(3) Maidir le comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis—
(a) íocfar leis nó léi, as airgead a dhéanfar a airleacan don Údarás de réir alt 24, cibé luach saothair agus liúntais i leith caiteachas a thabhóidh sé nó sí de réir mar a chinnfidh an Bord, le toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, agus
(b) beidh sé nó sí i seilbh oifige nó fostaíochta ar feadh cibé téarma agus de réir agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha eile (lena n-áirítear téarmaí agus coinníollacha a bhaineann le luach saothair) a chinnfidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mBord agus le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(4) Gach duine is comhalta d'fhoireann an iar-Údaráis díreach roimh an lá bunaithe, déanfar, an lá sin, é nó í a aistriú chuig foireann an Údaráis agus beidh sé nó sí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis.
(5) Ach amháin de réir comhaontaithe chomhchoitinn arna chaibidil le haon cheardchumainn nó comhlachais foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann, fad a bheidh duine dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (4) i seirbhís an Údaráis, ní lú an scála pá a gheobhaidh sé nó sí ná ní lú tairbhe dó nó di na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse (lena n-áirítear iad sin a bhaineann le seilbh oifige) a gcuirfear é nó í faoina réir ná an scála pá a raibh sé nó sí ina theideal agus na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse (lena n-áirítear téarmaí agus coinníollacha a bhaineann le seilbh oifige) a raibh sé nó sí faoina réir díreach roimh an lá bunaithe.
(6) Féadfar comhalta d'fhoireann gníomhaireachta oifigiúla, ar duine é nó í, nó ar d'aicme daoine é nó í, a bheidh ainmnithe chun na críche ag an Aire den Rialtas nó ag duine eile ar a bhfuil freagracht sa ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil lena mbaineann, agus faoi réir fho-alt (7) i gcoitinne agus faoi réir thoiliú an Aire den Rialtas ar a bhfuil freagracht sa ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil lena mbaineann, a aistriú chuig an Údarás.
(7) Ach amháin de réir comhaontaithe chomhchoitinn arna chaibidil le haon cheardchumainn agus comhlachais aitheanta lena mbaineann agus leis an ngníomhaireacht oifigiúil iomchuí lena mbaineann, agus le toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, fad a bheidh comhalta d'fhoireann gníomhaireachta oifigiúla a aistreofar chuig foireann an Údaráis faoi fho-alt (6) i seirbhís an Údaráis, ní lú an scála pá a gheobhaidh sé nó sí ná ní lú tairbhe dó nó di na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse (lena n-áirítear iad sin a bhaineann le seilbh oifige) a gcuirfear é nó í faoina réir ná an scála pá a raibh sé nó sí ina theideal agus na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse (lena n-áirítear iad sin a bhaineann le seilbh oifige) a raibh sé nó sí faoina réir díreach sular aistríodh é nó í.
Aoisliúntas.
39.—(1) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás scéim nó scéimeanna a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire chun sochair aoisliúntais a dheonú do cibé comhaltaí d'fhoireann an Údaráis, nó i leith cibé comhaltaí d'fhoireann an Údaráis, is cuí leis.
(2) Socróidh gach scéim den sórt sin an tráth agus na coinníollacha scoir do na daoine go léir a mbeidh sochair aoisliúntais iníochta leo nó ina leith faoin scéim nó faoi na scéimeanna agus féadfar tráthanna agus coinníollacha éagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(3) Féadfar gach scéim den sórt sin a leasú nó a chúlghairm le scéim iardain a ullmhófar, a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire agus a cheadófar faoin alt seo.
(4) Maidir le scéim a chuirfidh an tÚdarás faoi bhráid an Aire faoin alt seo, má cheadaíonn an tAire í le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, déanfaidh an Bord í a chur i gcrích de réir a téarmaí.
(5) Maidir le sochair aoisliúntais a dheonófar faoi scéimeanna faoin alt seo do dhaoine a bhí, díreach roimh an lá bunaithe, ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann an iar-Údaráis, agus maidir leis na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha a bhaineann leis na sochair sin, ní lú an fabhar a bhainfidh leo do na daoine sin ná iad sin a raibh siad ina dteideal díreach roimh an lá sin.
(6) Ní dheonóidh an tÚdarás sochar aoisliúntais ar bith ná ní dhéanfaidh an tÚdarás comhshocraíochtaí ar bith eile chun sochar den sórt sin a chur ar fáil do chomhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis ná i leith comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis ar dhóigh seachas de réir scéime faoin alt seo nó le toiliú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais.
(7) Má bhíonn aon díospóid ann i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ar aon sochar aoisliúntais is iníoctha de bhun scéime nó scéimeanna faoin alt seo, nó i dtaobh mhéid an chéanna, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Aire agus tarchuirfidh seisean nó sise chun an Aire Airgeadais í, agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach a bheidh i gcinneadh an Aire Airgeadais.
(8) Más rud é, sa tréimhse dar tosach an lá bunaithe agus dar críoch díreach roimh thosach feidhme scéime faoin alt seo, go mbeidh sochar aoisliúntais le híoc le duine a aistríodh chuig foireann an Údaráis faoi alt 38, nó i leith duine den sórt sin, déanfaidh an tÚdarás an sochar a ríomh de réir cibé scéime, nó cibé achtacháin i ndáil le haoisliúntas, a raibh feidhm aici nó acu maidir leis an duine díreach roimh an lá bunaithe agus, chun na críche sin, déanfar a sheirbhís inphinsin nó a seirbhís inphinsin leis an Údarás a chomhiomlánú lena sheirbhís inphinsin nó lena seirbhís inphinsin roimhe sin agus íocfaidh an tÚdarás an sochar aoisliúntais sin.
(9) Déanfar scéim faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a déanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an scéim a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime beidh an scéim ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
Comhaltas de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas, de Pharlaimint na hEorpa, d'údarás áitiúil nó de bhord sláinte.
40.—(1) I gcás, maidir le comhalta den Bhord—
(a) go ndéanfar é nó í a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann,
(b) go ndéanfar é nó í a thoghadh mar chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó mar ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa,
(c) go measfar, de bhun alt 19 den Acht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997, é nó í a bheith tofa chun Parlaimint na hEorpa chun folúntas a líonadh,
(d) go dtiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'údarás áitiúil, nó
(e) go dtiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta de bhord boird sláinte,
scoirfidh sé nó sí air sin de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord.
(2) I gcás, maidir le comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis—
(a) go ndéanfar é nó í a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann,
(b) go ndéanfar é nó í a thoghadh mar chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó mar ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa, nó
(c) go measfar, de bhun alt 19 den Acht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997, é nó í a bheith tofa chun Parlaimint na hEorpa chun folúntas a líonadh,
beidh sé nó sí air sin ar iasacht óna fhostaíocht nó óna fostaíocht leis an Údarás agus ní íocfaidh an tÚdarás leis nó léi, ná ní bheidh sé nó sí i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé nó sí ón Údarás, luach saothair ná liúntais i leith na tréimhse dar tosach an t-ainmniú nó an toghadh sin, nó an tráth a measfar amhlaidh é nó í a bheith tofa (de réir mar a bheidh), agus dar críoch an tráth a mbeidh scortha aige nó aici de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Teach sin nó de bheith ina ionadaí nó ina hionadaí sa Pharlaimint sin.
(3) Aon duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin nó a bheidh ina ionadaí nó ina hionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa, beidh sé nó sí, fad a bheidh sé nó sí i dteideal nó ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord, nó ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis.
(4) Aon duine is comhalta d'údarás áitiúil nó de bhord boird sláinte, beidh sé nó sí dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh an tÚdarás duine ar bith a bheadh dícháilithe thairis sin faoin alt seo chun teacht chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord a fhostú nó a áirithiú in aon cháil ach amháin le ceadú an Bhoird.
(6) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (2), forléireofar an fo-alt sin mar ní a thoirmiscfidh, i measc nithe eile, tréimhse a luaitear san fho-alt sin a áireamh mar sheirbhís leis an Údarás chun críocha aon sochar aoisliúntais.
Dearbhú leasanna.
41.—(1) Ar é nó í a bheith ceaptha, déanfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach, gach comhalta den Bhord agus gach comhalta den Choiste Eolaíochta dearbhú i scríbhinn ar a leasanna a thabhairt don Aire i cibé foirm a shonróidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Ar é nó í a bheith ceaptha, déanfaidh gach sainchomhairleoir agus gach fostaí de chuid an Údaráis ag grád nó ag leibhéal a shonrófar roimh an gceapadh ag an mBord, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire, agus déanfaidh gach comhalta d'aon fhochoiste a bhunófar faoi alt 35 agus a ainmneoidh an Bord i dtaca leis sin, dearbhú ar a leasanna a thabhairt i scríbhinn do chathaoirleach an Bhoird agus, laistigh de 3 mhí ó thráth an dearbhaithe sin, déanfaidh an cathaoirleach leasanna dearbhaithe agus ainmneacha na ndaoine a thabharfaidh na dearbhuithe a chur in iúl don Bhord agus don Aire.
(3) Déanfaidh duine lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) nó (2), fad a bheidh sé nó sí i seilbh a cheapacháin nó a ceapacháin, a dhearbhuithe leasanna nó a dearbhuithe leasanna a leasú agus a thabhairt cothrom le dáta de réir mar a cheanglóidh an tAire nó an Bord, de réir mar a bheidh, i dtaca le haon athrú sna leasanna a bheidh ar teachtadh ag an duine.
(4) (a) Déanfar ráiteas ar na leasanna a dhearbhófar faoi fho-alt (1) a chur san áireamh sa chéad tuarascáil eile a ullmhófar de réir alt 25(1) tar éis an dearbhú a dhéanamh agus déanfar aon athrú ina dhiaidh sin i ndearbhú a chur san áireamh freisin i ráiteas sa chéad tuarascáil eile a bheidh ar fáil.
(b) Comhaontóidh an cathaoirleach, an tAire agus an tAire Airgeadais foirm agus comhthéacs an ráitis a bheidh le cur san áireamh sa tuarascáil sin.
(c) D'ainneoin fhorálacha mhír (b), ní gá méid ná luach airgid aon leasa, ná luach saothair ó aon trádáil, gairm nó fostaíocht a bheidh san áireamh sa ráiteas, a shonrú i ráiteas sa tuarascáil sin.
(5) I gcás go mainneoidh duine lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) dearbhú a thabhairt de réir an fho-ailt sin, cinnfidh an tAire an gníomh cuí (lena n-áirítear cur as oifig) a bheidh le déanamh.
(6) I gcás go mainneoidh duine lena mbaineann fo-alt (2) dearbhú a thabhairt de réir an fho-ailt sin, cinnfidh an Bord an gníomh cuí (lena n-áirítear cur as oifig nó conradh a fhoirceannadh) a bheidh le déanamh.
(7) San alt seo:
folaíonn “fostaíocht”—
(a) fostaíocht lánaimseartha,
(b) fostaíocht pháirtaimseartha íoctha, i gcás go mbeidh an fhostaíocht sin ar siúl i mbliain an cheaptha nó go n-éiríonn sí i mblianta ina dhiaidh sin,
(c) fostaíocht shealadach íoctha, ar fostaíocht í ar feadh tréimhse 16 seachtaine nó níos mó i mbliain an cheaptha nó i mblianta ina dhiaidh sin, nó
(d) a bheith ar áirithiú faoi chonradh, go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach, in aon cháil mar chomhairleoir, sainchomhairleoir nó brústocaire, nó chun seirbhísí a chur ar fáil;
ag gnó bia nó i ngnó bia;
folaíonn “gnó bia”—
(a) aon ghnó a dhíolann bia go díreach leis an bpobal, a dháileann bia go díreach ar an bpobal nó a mhargaíonn bia go díreach don phobal (lena n-áirítear lónadóirí agus miondíoltóirí),
(b) aon ghnó a ghabhann do bhia a dháileadh, a iompar, a allmhairiú, a onnmhairiú, a stóráil nó a mhórdhíol, nó
(c) bia a phróiseáil agus a phacáistiú,
agus measfar gur gnó bia é i gcás gur trian, ar a laghad, de láimhdeachas an ghnó atá sa ghníomhaíocht i ndáil le bia;
folaíonn “leasanna”—
(a) fostaíocht leo seo a leanas nó thar a gceann—
(i) gnó bia,
(ii) aon eagraíocht atá ionadaitheach do ghnóthaí bia, nó
(iii) aon eagraíocht atá ionadaitheach do tháirgeoirí bia,
(b) úinéireacht gnó bia,
(c) úinéireacht talún talmhaíochta a úsáideann an páirtí lena mbaineann le haghaidh bia a tháirgeadh lena dhíol, go díreach nó trí pháirtí eile, leis an tomhaltóir, nó i dtaca leis sin,
(d) scaireanna i ngnó bia, bannaí nó bintiúir de chuid gnó bia nó infheistíochtaí eile dá samhail i ngnó bia, i gcás gur mó ná £7,000 comhiomlán na sealúchas sin,
(e) stiúrthóireacht nó stiúrthóireacht fholaitheach (de réir bhrí Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1990) i ngnó bia, atá ar teachtadh i láthair na huaire nó a bhí ar teachtadh i rith an dá bhliain roimhe sin, nó
(f) bronntanais taistil, laethanta saoire, iompair, airgid (de bhreis ar £500) nó sochair eile, lena n-áirítear sochair ó aon leas tairbhiúil i ngnó bia nó i dtalamh talmhaíochta nó i dtaca leis an gcéanna, i rith an dá bhliain roimhe sin, a fuair an duine atá á cheapadh nó á ceapadh nó a fuair céile an duine sin;
folaíonn “úinéireacht”—
(a) aon leas dílseánaigh i dtalamh talmhaíochta nó i ngnó bia, cibé acu is leas ruílse, léasach nó tairbhiúil an leas, agus beidh feidhm aige,
(b) i gcás nach mbeidh an leas ar teachtadh ach ag an duine a bheidh á cheapadh nó á ceapadh nó go mbeidh an leas ar teachtadh i bpáirt le duine amháin eile nó níos mó, agus
(c) i gcás inar £15,000 nó níos mó luach an leasa tráth an cheaptha.
Nochtadh leasanna.
42.—(1) I gcás go mbeidh leas airgid nó leas tairbhiúil eile in aon ní, nó atá ábhartha le haon ní, a bheidh le breithniú ag an mBord, ag an gCoiste Eolaíochta nó ag fochoiste arna bhunú faoin Acht seo, de réir mar a bheidh, ag an bpríomhfheidhmeannach, ag comhalta den Bhord, ag comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis, ag comhalta den Choiste Eolaíochta nó d'fhochoiste arna bhunú faoi alt 35, nó ag sainchomhairleoir, comhairleoir nó duine eile a bheidh ar fostú ag an Údarás—
(a) déanfaidh sé nó sí an cineál leasa atá aige nó aici a nochtadh don Bhord, don Choiste Eolaíochta nó don fhochoiste, de réir mar a bheidh, sula ndéanfar an ní a bhreithniú in aon slí,
(b) ní dhéanfaidh sé nó sí tionchar a imirt, ná ní fhéachfaidh le tionchar a imirt, ar chinneadh i ndáil leis an ní,
(c) ní ghlacfaidh sé nó sí páirt ar bith in aon bhreithniú ar an ní,
(d) más príomhfheidhmeannach, nó comhalta den Bhord, d'fhoireann an Údaráis, den Choiste Eolaíochta nó d'fhochoiste arna bhunú faoin Acht seo é nó í, tarraingeoidh sé nó sí siar ón gcruinniú fad a bheidh an ní á phlé nó á bhreithniú ag an mBord, ag an gCoiste Eolaíochta nó ag fochoiste arna bhunú faoin Acht seo, de réir mar a bheidh, agus ní vótálfaidh sé nó sí ná ní ghníomhóidh sé nó sí mar phríomhfheidhmeannach nó comhalta den sórt sin i ndáil leis an ní.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo, ach gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), measfar leas tairbhiúil a bheith ag duine más rud é—
(a) gur comhalta de chuideachta nó d'aon chomhlacht eile ag a bhfuil leas tairbhiúil i ní dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin, nó ag a bhfuil leas tairbhiúil atá ábhartha le ní dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin, é nó í nó aon duine dá theaghlach nó dá teaghlach, nó aon ainmnitheach dá chuid nó dá cuid nó de chuid aon duine dá theaghlach nó dá teaghlach,
(b) go bhfuil sé nó sí nó aon duine dá theaghlach nó dá teaghlach i gcomhpháirtíocht le duine nó ar fostú ag duine ag a bhfuil leas tairbhiúil i ní den sórt sin, nó ag a bhfuil leas tairbhiúil atá ábhartha le ní den sórt sin,
(c) gur páirtí é nó í nó aon duine dá theaghlach nó dá teaghlach in aon chomhshocraíocht nó comhaontú (cibé acu infheidhmithe nó nach ea) maidir le talamh lena mbaineann ní den sórt sin, nó
(d) go bhfuil leas tairbhiúil ag aon duine dá theaghlach nó dá teaghlach i ní den sórt sin nó leas táirbhiúil atá ábhartha le ní den sórt sin.
(3) Chun críocha an ailt seo ní mheasfar leas tairbhiúil in aon ní, nó leas atá ábhartha le haon ní, a bheith ag duine de bhíthin amháin go bhfuil leas aige nó aici nó ag aon chuideachta nó ag aon chomhlacht eile nó duine eile dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) atá chomh cianda nó chomh beagthábhachtach sin agus nach féidir a mheas le réasún gur dóigh dó tionchar a imirt ar dhuine agus é nó í ag breithniú nó ag plé aon cheiste i leith an ní nó ag vótáil ar aon cheist i leith an ní, nó ag comhlíonadh aon fheidhme i ndáil leis an ní sin.
(4) I gcás ina n-éireoidh ceist i dtaobh arbh ionann nó nárbh ionann iompar áirithe ag duine, dá ndéanfadh sé nó sí dá réir, agus mainneachtain aige nó aici ceanglais fho-alt (1) a chomhlíonadh, is é an Bord a chinnfidh an cheist agus déanfar sonraí an chinnidh a thaifeadadh i miontuairiscí an chruinnithe lena mbaineann.
(5) I gcás go ndéanfar nochtadh don Bhord, don Choiste Eolaíochta nó d'fhochoiste de bhun fho-alt (1), déanfar sonraí an nochta a thaifeadadh i miontuairiscí an chruinnithe lena mbaineann.
(6) Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 a chur air nó uirthi.
Nochtadh faisnéise.
43.—(1) Ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt le dlí, ní dhéanfaidh duine, gan toiliú an Bhoird, faisnéis ar bith a gheobhaidh sé nó sí agus é nó í ag comhlíonadh dualgas (nó de thoradh dualgais a bheith comhlíonta aige nó aici)—
(a) mar chomhalta den Bhord,
(b) mar chomhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis (lena n-áirítear an príomhfheidhmeannach),
(c) mar chomhalta den Choiste Eolaíochta, nó d'fhochoiste arna bhunú faoi alt 35, nó
(d) mar chomhairleoir nó sainchomhairleoir don Údarás,
ná a gheofar ag comhlíonadh conartha seirbhíse, a nochtadh.
(2) Aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 a chur air nó uirthi.
(3) Ní chuirfidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) cosc le nochtadh faisnéise i dtuarascáil a thabharfar don Bhord nó a thabharfaidh an tÚdarás, nó a thabharfar thar ceann an Údaráis, don Aire.
CUID IV
Caighdeáin Sábháilteachta Bia a Fhorfheidhmiú
Tosach feidhme Chuid IV.
44.—Tiocfaidh an Chuid seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú nó le horduithe, i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a cheapadh amhlaidh chun críoch éagsúil agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla.
Cumhacht an Údaráis caighdeáin sábháilteachta bia i reachtaíocht bia a fhorfheidhmiú.
45.—Faoi réir alt 57, in aon reachtaíocht bia a rithfear nó a dhéanfar roimh an lá bunaithe, measfar gur feidhm de chuid an Údaráis aon fheidhmeanna de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla i ndáil le forfheidhmiú na reachtaíochta.
Iniúchtaí, etc. ar bhia.
46.—Chun críocha alt 11, 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) áitreabh agus trealamh, lena n-áirítear áitreabh nó trealamh a úsáidtear i dtaca le monarú, próiseáil, diúscairt, iompar agus stóráil bia, a iniúchadh, a cheadú, a cheadúnú nó a chlárú,
(b) bia, lena n-áirítear comhábhair bia, a iniúchadh, a shampláil agus a anailísiú, agus
(c) lipéadú bia a iniúchadh agus a anailísiú,
chun comhlíonadh reachtaíochta bia a chinneadh.
Iniúchtaí breise.
47.—Chun críocha alt 11, agus i dteannta na gcumhachtaí iniúchta faoi reachtaíocht bia nó faoi alt 46, féadfaidh an tÚdarás, i gcás cúinse áirithe a shainaithneoidh oifigeach údaraithe agus ar cúinse é atá ar mhaithe le sábháilteacht bia agus sláinteachas, cibé iniúchtaí breise a mheasfaidh sé is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhall faoin Acht seo a chur i gcrích nó féadfaidh sé socrú a dhéanamh go gcuirfear iniúchtaí den sórt sin i gcrích agus, a mhéid is indéanta, déanfaidh an tÚdarás aon iniúchtaí den sórt sin a chur i gcrích, nó cuirfear i gcrích iad thar ceann an Údaráis, i gcomhairle le cibé daoine is cuí leis.
Conarthaí seirbhíse.
48.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás, chun a fheidhmeanna faoi alt 46 a chur i gcrích, conradh a dhéanamh (“conradh seirbhíse”)—
(a) i gcás aon reachtaíochta bia a luaitear sa Chéad Sceideal tráth an Achta seo a rith, leis an ngníomhaireacht oifigiúil a bheidh freagrach díreach roimh thosach feidhme alt 45 i bhforfheidhmiú na gcaighdeán sin sa reachtaíocht sin,
(b) i gcás aon reachtaíochta bia a luaitear sa Chéad Sceideal agus a chuirfear isteach le hordú faoi alt 5 tar éis an tAcht seo a rith, leis an ngníomhaireacht oifigiúil a bheidh freagrach díreach roimh an ordú a dhéanamh (nó, i gcás go mbeidh foráil maidir le tosach feidhme san ordú, díreach roimh a thosach feidhme) i bhforfheidhmiú na gcaighdeán sin sa reachtaíocht sin, nó
(c) leis an ngníomhaireacht oifigiúil iomchuí i ndáil le haon reachtaíocht bia a rithfear nó a dhéanfar tar éis an lae bunaithe agus a measfar gur reachtaíocht bia í chun críocha an Achta seo.
(2) Aon ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil a bheidh ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna faoi chonradh seirbhíse, beidh sí ag gníomhú thar ceann an Údaráis agus mar ghníomhaire don Údarás.
(3) Sonróidh an tÚdarás na nithe seo a leanas do ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil a mbeartaíonn sé conradh seirbhíse a dhéanamh léi—
(a) na cuspóirí agus na spriocanna i leith iniúchtaí bia ar mian leis go mbainfeadh an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil amach iad, ag féachaint do na hacmhainní atá ar fáil don ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil,
(b) an tréimhse ama ar laistigh di is mian leis go mbainfear na spriocanna agus na cuspóirí amach, agus
(c) aon ní eile a mheasfaidh an tÚdarás is gá.
(4) Déanfaidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil a bheartaíonn conradh seirbhíse a dhéanamh leis an Údarás na meáin trína mbeartaíonn sí na spriocanna agus na cuspóirí sin a bhaint amach, lena n-áirítear na hacmhainní a mbeartaíonn sí leas a bhaint astu le linn an conradh seirbhíse a chomhlíonadh, a chur in iúl don Údarás.
(5) Beidh conradh seirbhíse i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimhse nach lú ná 3 bliana agus féadfar, ar iarraidh ó cheachtar páirtí, é a chur faoi réir athbhreithnithe i rith na tréimhse sin.
(6) Foilseoidh an tÚdarás aon chonradh seirbhíse laistigh de 3 mhí ó thráth a dhéanta.
(7) Foilseoidh an tÚdarás, laistigh de 3 mhí, na hathruithe ar chonradh, agus na cúiseanna leis na hathruithe sin, ar athruithe iad a éireoidh as aon athbhreithniú a chuirfear i gcrích de réir fho-alt (5).
(8) Déanfaidh an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil lena mbaineann, laistigh de 3 mhí ó dheireadh gach bliana den chonradh, tuarascáil bhliantúil a chur ar fáil don Údarás, nó ar iarraidh ón Údarás, tuarascálacha níos minice ná sin, i dtaobh chur i bhfeidhm an chonartha seirbhíse agus féadfaidh an tÚdarás, más cuí leis é, tuarascálacha den sórt sin a fhoilsiú.
(9) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás cibé bearta is cuí leis chun a chinneadh an bhfuil iniúchtaí á gcur i gcrích go leormhaith ag gníomhaireacht oifigiúil faoi chonradh seirbhíse.
(10) Déanfaidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil a chuirfidh in iúl don Údarás nach mian léi conradh seirbhíse a dhéanamh nó a athnuachan leis an Údarás an tAire a chur ar an eolas a luaithe is féidir, tríd an Aire den Rialtas nó trí dhuine eile ar a bhfuil freagracht sa ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil, á rá go bhfuil curtha in iúl aici amhlaidh agus tabharfaidh sí cúiseanna lena sonrú.
(11) Soláthróidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil, a dhéanfaidh conradh seirbhíse, na hacmhainní is gá chun an conradh a chomhlíonadh.
(12) I gcás go mainneoidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil conradh seirbhíse a dhéanamh nó, gurb é tuairim an Údaráis nach bhfuil gníomhaireacht oifigiúil tar éis a cuid oibleagáidí go léir nó cuid shuntasach nó cuid ábhartha dá cuid oibleagáidí faoi chonradh seirbhíse a chomhlíonadh, déanfaidh an tÚdarás, gan mhoill agus tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire den Rialtas nó le duine eile ar a bhfuil freagracht sa ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil lena mbaineann, cibé socruithe a chur ar bun a mheasfaidh sé a bheith riachtanach chun ábhar an chonartha seirbhíse a bheidh i gceist a chomhlíonadh.
(13) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás tuarascáil speisialta a thabhairt don Aire i gcásanna ina dtarlaíonn neamhchomhlíonadh iomlán nó neamhchomhlíonadh suntasach conartha seirbhíse agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna de thuarascáil den sórt sin a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Oifigigh údaraithe.
49.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord nó an príomhfheidhmeannach daoine a cheapadh i scríbhinn chun bheith ina n-oifigigh údaraithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord nó an príomhfheidhmeannach aon duine a cheapadh i scríbhinn chun bheith ina oifigeach údaraithe nó ina hoifigeach údaraithe ar feadh tréimhse socraithe chun críocha fhorálacha uile nó aon cheann d'fhorálacha an Achta seo.
(3) Déanfaidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil, i gcás conradh seirbhíse a bheith déanta aici leis an mBord, daoine a cheapadh chun bheith ina n-oifigigh údaraithe chun críche an chonartha sin agus déanfaidh sí, a luaithe is féidir, aon cheapachán den sórt sin a chur in iúl don Údarás agus beidh na cumhachtaí go léir atá ar fáil d'oifigigh údaraithe faoin Acht seo ag na daoine sin le linn conradh seirbhíse a bheith á chomhlíonadh acu.
(4) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás nó an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil, de réir mar a bheidh, barántas a cheaptha nó a ceaptha mar oifigeach údaraithe a thabhairt do gach oifigeach údaraithe a cheapfar faoin alt seo, agus nuair a bheidh aon chumhacht a thugtar dó nó di leis an alt seo mar oifigeach údaraithe á feidhmiú aige nó aici déanfaidh sé nó sí, má iarrann aon duine a ndéantar difear dó nó di amhlaidh, an barántas nó cóip de a thabhairt ar aird don duine sin.
(5) Scoirfidh ceapachán faoin alt seo mar oifigeach údaraithe—
(a) i gcás ceapacháin a dhéanfaidh an Bord nó an príomhfheidhmeannach, má dhéanann an Bord nó an príomhfheidhmeannach, de réir mar a bheidh, an ceapachán a chúlghairm,
(b) i gcás ceapacháin a dhéanfaidh gníomhaireacht oifigiúil, má fhoirceanntar an conradh seirbhíse iomchuí,
(c) más i gcomhair tréimhse socraithe é, ar éag don tréimhse sin, nó
(d) más oifigeach de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla nó oifigeach de chuid an Údaráis an duine a cheapfar, ar scor dó nó di de bheith ina oifigeach nó ina hoifigeach den sórt sin.
Cumhachtaí oifigeach údaraithe.
50.—(1) Gan dochar d'fhorálacha aon reachtaíochta bia, féadfaidh oifigeach údaraithe, chun aon fhaisnéis a fháil is gá chun a chumasú don Údarás a fheidhmeanna a fheidhmiú faoin Acht seo nó do ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil a feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú faoi chonradh seirbhíse—
(a) a cheangal ar aon fhostaí de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla, ar iarfhostaí de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla nó ar aon duine ar áirithiú ar shlí eile ag gníomhaireacht oifigiúil ar bhonn reatha nó san am atá caite, nó ar aon duine a sheolann nó a sheol aon trádáil, gnó nó gníomhaíocht lena mbaineann an tAcht seo nó ar aon duine ar fostú ar bhonn reatha nó san am atá caite i dtaca leis an trádáil, leis an ngnó nó leis an ngníomhaíocht sin cibé taifid a thabhairt ar aird dó nó di, agus i gcás faisnéis den sórt sin a bheith i bhfoirm neamh-inléite, í a atáirgeadh i mbuanfhoirm inléite, nó cibé faisnéis a thabhairt dó nó di a theastóidh ón oifigeach le réasún i ndáil le haon iontrálacha sna taifid sin,
(b) dul isteach gach tráth réasúnach in aon áitreabh, faoi réir fho-alt (2), a mbeidh foras réasúnach ann chun a chreidiúint ina leith go seoltar nó gur seoladh aon trádáil, gnó nó gníomhaíocht ann i dtaca le táirgeadh, próiseáil, diúscairt, monarú, onnmhairiú, allmhairiú, stóráil, dáileadh nó díol bia, nó go gcoimeádtar taifid ann i ndáil le trádáil, gnó nó gníomhaíocht den sórt, agus an t-áitreabh, agus aon taifid san áitreabh nó air, a chuardach agus a iniúchadh,
(c) aon áitreabh nó aon chuid d'aon áitreabh den sórt sin ina gcoimeádtar taifid den sórt sin nó a bhfuil foras réasúnach ann chun a chreidiúint go gcoimeádtar taifid den sórt sin ann a dhaingniú lena iniúchadh ina dhiaidh sin,
(d) aon taifid den sórt sin a iniúchadh, cóipeanna a thógáil díobh nó sleachta a thógáil astu (lena n-áirítear, i gcás faisnéise i bhfoirm neamh-inléite, cóip den fhaisnéis sin, nó sliocht as an bhfaisnéis sin, i mbuanfhoirm inléite),
(e) na taifid sin a thabhairt chun siúil agus a choimeád ar feadh cibé tréimhse a bheidh réasúnach lena scrúdú tuilleadh,
(f) a cheangal ar dhuine dá dtagraítear i mír (a) aon fhaisnéis a thabhairt don oifigeach a theastóidh ón oifigeach le réasún maidir leis an trádáil, leis an ngnó nó leis an ngníomhaíocht nó maidir leis na daoine a sheolann an trádáil, an gnó nó an ghníomhaíocht nó atá ar fostú i dtaca leis an trádáil, leis an ngnó nó leis an ngníomhaíocht sin,
(g) a cheangal ar aon duine dá dtagraítear i mír (a) a úsáideann nó a d'úsáid trealamh sonraí, nó a n-úsáidtear nó ar úsáideadh trealamh sonraí thar a cheann nó thar a ceann, i ndáil le gnó de réir bhrí mhír (b) nó ar aon duine atá i bhfeighil trealaimh sonraí nó aon ghairis nó ábhair ghaolmhair nó a mbeidh baint aige nó aici ar shlí eile le hoibriú an chéanna, gach cúnamh réasúnach a thabhairt don oifigeach i ndáil lena úsáid ina leith sin,
(h) aon duine eile is fostaí, nó ab fhostaí, de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla nó atá nó a bhí ar áirithiú ag an Údarás nó ag gníomhaireacht oifigiúil nó atá nó a bhí fostaithe i dtaca leis an trádáil, leis an ngnó nó leis an ngníomhaíocht atá faoi scrúdú ag an Údarás nó ag a ghníomhaire, de bhua conartha seirbhíse, a thoghairm aon tráth réasúnach chun aon fhaisnéis a éileoidh an t-oifigeach le réasún maidir leis an trádáil, leis an ngnó nó leis an ngníomhaíocht sin a thabhairt don oifigeach agus aon taifid a bheidh i gcumhacht nó faoi urláimh an duine sin a thabhairt ar aird don oifigeach.
(2) Ní rachaidh oifigeach údaraithe, seachas le toiliú an áititheora, isteach i dteaghais phríobháideach mura mbeidh barántas faighte aige nó aici ón gCúirt Dúiche faoi fho-alt (4) lena n-údarófar dul isteach amhlaidh.
(3) Féadfaidh oifigeach údaraithe, má mheasann sé nó sí é a bheith riachtanach, a cheangal ar chomhalta den Gharda Síochána cabhrú leis nó léi agus le linn aon chumhachtaí a chomhlíonadh a thugtar d'oifigeach údaraithe leis an Acht seo ar cumhacht í lena ngabhann briseadh isteach in áitreabh nó aon ghníomh eile a fhágfaidh gur gá forneart a úsáid ina leith agus gur dleathach forneart a úsáid ina leith, agus déanfaidh aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána a gceanglófar amhlaidh air nó uirthi, ach amháin i gcás go mbeidh leithscéal réasúnach aige nó aici, an ceanglas a chomhlíonadh.
(4) Más deimhin le breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ar fhaisnéis faoi mhionn ó oifigeach údaraithe go bhfuil forais réasúnacha amhrais ann i dtaobh faisnéis a theastaíonn ó oifigeach údaraithe faoin alt seo a bheith á coimeád in aon áitreabh, féadfaidh an breitheamh barántas a eisiúint á údarú d'oifigeach údaraithe, agus oifigigh údaraithe eile nó comhalta den Gharda Síochána in éineacht leis nó léi más cuí, aon tráth nó tráthanna laistigh de mhí amháin ón dáta a eiseofar an barántas, ar an mbarántas a thabhairt ar aird má iarrtar amhlaidh air nó uirthi é, dul isteach san áitreabh sin, le forneart réasúnach más gá, agus gach ceann nó aon cheann de na cumhachtaí a thugtar d'oifigeach údaraithe faoin alt seo a fheidhmiú.
(5) Aon duine a mhainneoidh, gan leithscéal réasúnach, ceanglas (seachas ceanglas faoi fho-alt (3)) a dhéanfaidh oifigeach údaraithe faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion.
(6) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (5), dlífear—
(a) ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 3 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi, nó
(b) ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £100,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi.
(7) I gcás go leanfaidh duine, tar éis a chiontaithe nó a ciontaithe i gcion faoi fho-alt (5), den fhoráil sin a shárú, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion ar gach uile lá a leanfaidh an sárú sin agus maidir le gach cion den sórt sin—
(a) ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air nó uirthi, nó
(b) ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £15,000 a chur air nó uirthi.
(8) Aon duine a chuirfidh bac nó treampán ar oifigeach údaraithe agus é nó í ag feidhmiú a chumhachtaí nó a cumhachtaí faoin Acht seo nó a thabharfaidh faisnéis d'oifigeach údaraithe is eol dó nó di a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 3 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi.
Samplaí a thógáil.
51.—(1) Chun críocha iniúchtaí bia a bheidh le déanamh ag an Údarás nó thar ceann an Údaráis, agus gan dochar do sholáthar aon reachtaíochta bia a bhaineann le sampláil agus anailísiú bia, féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Údarás—
(a) rialacháin a dhéanamh—
(i) maidir le samplaí a ghlacadh de bhia nó d'ábhair nó d'earraí a úsáidtear nó a bheartaítear lena n-úsáid le linn bia nó earraí is seachtháirgí de mhonarú bia a ullmhú nó a mhonarú (lena n-áirítear pacáistiú agus innealra), agus
(ii) chun a chumasú tástálacha, scrúduithe agus anailísithe a dhéanamh ar na samplaí sin,
(b) tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an gCoiste Eolaíochta—
(i) an deimhniú nó an fhianaise eile a bheidh le tabhairt ar thoradh aon tástála, scrúdaithe nó anailísithe a dhéanfar de réir na rialachán sin, agus
(ii) na daoine nó na haicmí daoine ag a mbeidh agus dá mbeidh an deimhniú nó an fhianaise sin le tabhairt,
a fhorordú.
(2) Maidir le haon deimhniú nó le haon fhianaise eile a chuirfear ar fáil de réir rialachán arna ndéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) nó de réir reachtaíochta iomchuí bia, is fianaise prima facie é nó í i leith thoradh aon tástála, scrúdaithe nó anailísithe ar shampla agus, go dtí go suífear a mhalairt, glacfaidh gach Cúirt Bhreithiúnais leis an deimhniú nó leis an bhfianaise sin, maidir leis na samplaí sin, mar fhianaise ar thoradh na tástála, an scrúdaithe nó an anailísithe sin agus go ndearnadh an tástáil, an scrúdú nó an t-anailísiú sin faoi réim agus de réir an Achta seo nó aon reachtaíochta bia eile.
(3) Aon duine a chuirfidh bac ar dhuine a bheidh údaraithe ag an Údarás chun samplaí a ghlacadh faoi rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoi fho-alt (1), beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 a chur air nó uirthi.
Fógraí agus orduithe feabhsúcháin.
52.—(1) Más é tuairim oifigigh údaraithe—
(a) maidir le haon ghníomhaíocht ag aon áitreabh (nó cuid d'áitreabh agus lena n-áirítear aon áitreabh ar thailte atá tadhlach leis an áitreabh nó le hais an áitribh) ar gníomhaíocht í lena ngabhann láimhsiú, ullmhú, próiseáil, monarú, dáileadh, stóráil nó díol bia, nó
(b) maidir leis an mbail atá ar aon áitreabh (nó ar chuid d'áitreabh agus lena n-áirítear aon áitreabh nó tailte atá tadhlach leis an áitreabh nó le hais an áitribh) a bhfuil na gníomhaíochtaí sin á gcur i gcrích aige, ann nó air,
gur de chineál í, má leanann sí ar aghaidh, go gcuirfidh sí sláinte an phobail i mbaol nó gur dóigh di sláinte an phobail a chur i mbaol, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó le cibé oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin, fógra (“fógra feabhsúcháin”) a bheidh sínithe ag an oifigeach nó ag an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó ag an oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta eile a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin, agus ina luafar gurb é sin a thuairim nó a tuairim, a sheirbheáil ar an dílseánach nó ar an duine atá i bhfeighil, nó féadfaidh sé nó sí socrú a dhéanamh go seirbheálfar amhlaidh é, agus maidir leis an bhfógra—
(i) sainaithneofar ann an ghníomhaíocht nó an fabht san áitreabh (nó sa chuid den áitreabh) is cúis leis an mbaol,
(ii) ceanglófar leis go ndéanfar gníomh feabhais agus, más cuí, sonrófar ann cineál nó sonraí an ghnímh feabhais sin,
(iii) sonrófar ann teorainn ama ar laistigh di a bheidh an gníomh feabhais le críochnú nó le cur i ngníomh, agus
(iv) beidh ar áireamh ann aon cheanglais eile a measfaidh an t-oifigeach údaraithe gur gá iad sna himthosca áirithe.
(2) Seirbheálfar fógra feabhsúcháin ar an dílseánach nó ar an duine atá i bhfeighil an áitribh agus beidh éifeacht leis láithreach nó, de réir mar is cuí, ó dháta a shonrófar san fhógra agus cuirfear aon seirbheáil den sórt sin in iúl don Bhord ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den Bhord a bheidh ar fáil.
(3) Féadfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach nó comhalta d'fhoireann an Údaráis nó comhalta den Bhord a bheidh údaraithe ag an mBord i dtaca leis seo fógra feabhsúcháin arna dhéanamh de réir an ailt seo a chúlghairm nó a athrú, ar chúiseanna sonraithe, agus cuirfear aon chúlghairm nó athrú den sórt sin, agus na cúiseanna leis, in iúl don Bhord ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den Bhord a bheidh ar fáil.
(4) I gcás nach gcomhlíonfar fógra feabhsúcháin nó nach gcomhlíonfar é chun sástacht oifigigh údaraithe, féadfaidh an tÚdarás nó an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil ordú (“ordú feabhsúcháin”) a lorg ón gCúirt Dúiche a dhíreofar chuig an dílseánach nó chuig an duine atá i bhfeighil, á ordú dó nó di an fógra feabhsúcháin a chomhlíonadh agus sonrófar ann—
(a) an obair feabhais a bheidh le déanamh,
(b) an teorainn ama chun an obair feabhais a chríochnú nó a chur i ngníomh, agus
(c) cibé ceanglas eile, más ann, a mheasfaidh an Chúirt is cuí.
(5) Forálfar le hordú feabhsúcháin go bhféadfaidh an tÚdarás nó an ghíomhaireacht oifigiúil ordú dúnta a sheirbheáil—
(a) i gcás nach gcomhlíonfar an t-ordú feabhsúcháin laistigh den am a shonrófar san ordú feabhsúcháin, nó
(b) i gcás imthosca a bheith ann a bheidh sonraithe san ordú feabhsúcháin agus a éireoidh roimh dheireadh na teorann ama a bheidh sonraithe san ordú feabhsúcháin, ar imthosca iad a fhágann gur ceart ordú dúnta a sheirbheáil.
(6) Ní choiscfidh aon ní san alt seo ar an Údarás ná ar an ngníomhaireacht oifigiúil ordú dúnta a sheirbheáil aon tráth i leith aon áitribh a bheidh faoi réir fógra feabhsúcháin más rud é, i dtuairim oifigigh údaraithe, go n-éilíonn na himthosca ordú dúnta a sheirbheáil.
Orduithe dúnta.
53.—(1) Más é tuairim oifigigh údaraithe go bhfuil contúirt thromaí láithreach ann, nó gur dóigh go mbeidh contúirt thromaí láithreach ann, do shláinte an phobail ag aon áitreabh nó ag aon chuid d'áitreabh den sórt sin, nó ann nó air, nó i gcás nach féidir leis an oifigeach údaraithe, mar gheall ar aon bhac, leibhéal aon chontúirte den sórt sin, más ann, nó a mhéid atá contúirt den sórt sin ann, a shuíomh chun a shástachta nó chun a sástachta, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach údaraithe, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó le cibé oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin fógra (“ordú dúnta”) a bheidh sínithe ag an oifigeach nó ag an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó ag an oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta eile a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin, agus ina luafar gurb é sin a thuairim nó a tuairim, a sheirbheáil ar an dílseánach nó ar an duine atá i bhfeighil an áitribh, nó féadfaidh sé nó sí socrú a dhéanamh go seirbheálfar amhlaidh é agus, de réir mar is cuí—
(a) luafar san ordú gurb é tuairim an oifigigh údaraithe gur ceart an t-áitreabh, nó an chuid den áitreabh lena mbaineann an t-ordú, a dhúnadh,
(b) sonrófar san ordú na nithe arb é a thuairim nó a tuairim ina leith gurb iad is cúis leis an mbaol sin nó, de réir mar a bheidh, gur dóigh gurb iad is cúis leis an mbaol sin,
(c) i gcás gurb é a thuairim nó a tuairim go bhfuil sárú nó, de réir mar a bheidh, go mbeidh sárú ar aon chuid den reachtaíocht bia i gceist leis na nithe sin, luafar san ordú gurb é sin a thuairim nó a tuairim, sonrófar ann an fhoráil nó na forálacha a bhfuil an tuairim sin aige nó aici ina leith, agus tabharfar ann sonraí na gcúiseanna go bhfuil an tuairim sin aige nó aici, agus
(d) ordófar leis an ordú go ndúnfar an t-áitreabh mura ndéanfar, agus go dtí go ndéanfar, na nithe a bheidh sonraithe san ordú de bhun mhír (b), agus aon sárú gaolmhar ar fhorálacha a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh de bhun mhír (c), a leigheas.
(2) Cuirfear seirbheáil ordaithe dúnta in iúl don Bhord ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den Bhord a bheidh ar fáil.
(3) Beidh éifeacht le hordú dúnta—
(a) i gcás go ndearbhófar amhlaidh leis an ordú, láithreach tar éis don duine ar a seirbheálfar an t-ordú dúnta é a fháil,
(b) in aon chás eile—
(i) i gcás nach ndéanfar achomharc i gcoinne an ordaithe dúnta, ag deireadh na tréimhse a bhféadfar achomharc den sórt sin a dhéanamh lena linn nó an lá a sonrófar san ordú dúnta gurb é an lá é a thiocfaidh sé in éifeacht, cibé acu is déanaí, nó
(ii) i gcás go ndéanfar achomharc den sórt sin, an lá díreach tar éis an lae a ndaingneofar an t-ordú dúnta ar achomharc nó a dtarraingeofar siar an t-achomharc nó an lá a sonrófar san ordú dúnta gurb é an lá é a bhfuil sé le teacht in éifeacht, cibé acu is déanaí.
(4) Ní bheidh de thoradh ar achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne ordaithe dúnta a bheidh le teacht in éifeacht de réir fho-alt (3) (a) oibriú an ordaithe dúnta a fhionraí, ach féadfaidh an t-achomharcóir iarratas a dhéanamh chuig an gcúirt lena chur faoi deara oibriú an ordaithe dúnta a fhionraí go dtí go gcuirfear an t-achomharc de láimh agus, ar iarratas den sórt sin a dhéanamh, féadfaidh an chúirt, más cuí léi sin a dhéanamh, a ordú go bhfionrófar oibriú an ordaithe go dtí go gcuirfear an t-achomharc de láimh.
(5) (a) Aon duine arb éagóir leis nó léi ordú dúnta, féadfaidh sé nó sí, laistigh den tréimhse 7 lá dar tosach an lá a seirbheálfar an t-ordú dúnta air nó uirthi, achomharc i gcoinne an ordaithe a dhéanamh chuig breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche sa dúiche chúirte dúiche inar seirbheáladh an t-ordú sa tslí fhorordaithe agus le linn an t-achomharc a chinneadh féadfaidh an breitheamh—
(i) más deimhin leis nó léi gur réasúnach déanamh amhlaidh in imthosca an cháis, an t-ordú dúnta a dhaingniú, modhnaithe nó gan mhodhnú, nó
(ii) an t-ordú dúnta a chealú.
(b) Más rud é, ar achomharc a éisteacht faoin alt seo, go ndaingneofar ordú dúnta, féadfaidh an breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a éistfidh an t-achomharc, ar iarratas ón achomharcóir, oibriú an ordaithe dúnta a fhionraí, d'ainneoin fho-alt (4), ar feadh cibé tréimhse is cuí leis an mbreitheamh dúiche in imthosca an cháis.
(6) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh achomharc i gcoinne ordaithe dúnta nó a dhéanfaidh iarratas ar ordachán chun feidhmiú an ordaithe dúnta faoi fho-alt (4) a fhionraí, déanfaidh sé nó sí, san am céanna, an t-achomharc nó an t-iarratas agus na forais ar a ndéantar an t-achomharc nó an t-iarratas a chur in iúl don Údarás nó don ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil agus beidh an tÚdarás nó an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil i dteideal láithriú, éisteacht a fháil agus fianaise a thabhairt ar aird ar an achomharc nó ar an iarratas a éisteacht.
(7) Féadfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach nó duine eile ar fostaí de chuid an Údaráis nó comhalta den Bhord é nó í, arna údarú nó arna húdarú ag an mBord i dtaca leis seo, ordú dúnta a dhéanfar de réir an ailt seo a chúlghairm nó a athrú, ar chúiseanna sonraithe, agus cuirfear aon chúlghairm nó athrú den sórt sin, agus na cúiseanna atá leis an gcéanna, in iúl don Bhord ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den Bhord a bheidh ar fáil.
(8) (a) I gcás go mbeidh ordú dúnta seirbheáilte agus go seolfar gníomhaíochtaí de shárú ar an ordú, féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt le hordú, ar iarratas ó oifigeach údaraithe, toirmeasc a chur ar leanúint de na gníomhaíochtaí agus a ordú go ndúnfar an t-áitreabh.
(b) Is trí fhoriarratas a dhéanfar iarratas chuig an Ard-Chúirt ar ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, nuair a bheidh sí ag breithniú an ní, cibé ordú eatramhach nó idirbhreitheach (más ann) is cuí léi a dhéanamh agus féadfar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (más ann) is cuí leis an gCúirt, maidir le costais a íoc, a chur san ordú lena gcinnfear iarratas faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(9) Déanfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach, ar mhaithe le sláinte an phobail agus le cosaint an tomhaltóra, cibé socruithe a mheasfaidh sé nó sí is cuí nó is gá chun aird an phobail a tharraingt ar ábhar ordaithe dúnta.
Táirgí bia a tharraingt siar.
54.—(1) Más rud é, maidir le haon ghníomhaíochtaí a bhainfidh le láimhsiú, próiseáil, diúscairt, monarú, stóráil, dáileadh nó díol bia lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, gurb é tuairim oifigigh údaraithe go bhfuil baol tromaí do shláinte an phobail i gceist leis na gníomhaíochtaí, nó gur dóigh go mbeidh baol tromaí do shláinte an phobail i gceist leo, féadfaidh an t-oifigeach údaraithe, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó le cibé oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta eile a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin, fógra (“ordú toirmisc”) a bheidh sínithe ag an oifigeach nó ag an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó ag an oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta eile a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin, agus ina luafar gurb é sin a thuairim nó a tuairim, a sheirbheáil ar an dílseánach nó ar an duine atá i bhfeighil an bhia a bheidh i gceist, nó féadfaidh sé nó sí socrú a dhéanamh go seirbheálfar amhlaidh é, agus maidir leis an ordú toirmisc—
(a) luafar ann gurb é tuairim an oifigigh údaraithe gur ceart go n-éireofaí as coinsíneacht, aicme, baisc nó mír áirithe bia a dhíol (cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil an táirge ar an margadh lena dhíol sa Stát nó in áit eile),
(b) sonrófar ann na nithe arb é tuairim an oifigigh ina leith gurb iad is cúis leis an mbaol sin nó, de réir mar a bheidh, gur dóigh gurb iad is cúis leis,
(c) i gcás gurb é tuairim an oifigigh go bhfuil sárú nó, de réir mar a bheidh, go mbeidh sárú ar aon chuid den reachtaíocht bia i gceist leis na nithe sin, luafar ann gurb é sin a thuairim nó a tuairim, agus sonrófar ann an fhoráil nó na forálacha a bhfuil an tuairim sin aige nó aici ina leith, agus tabharfar ann sonraí na gcúiseanna go bhfuil an tuairim sin aige nó aici, agus
(d) i leith aon cheann nó gach ceann acu seo a leanas, ordófar leis don duine ar a seirbheálfar an t-ordú toirmisc a chinntiú—
(i) nach n-úsáidfear an bia lena chaitheamh ag daoine,
(ii) go ngairfear an bia ar ais óna dhíol nó óna dháileadh (cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil an bia ar díol nó á dháileadh nó dáilte lena dhíol sa Stát nó in áit eile),
(iii) de réir mar is cuí ar mhaithe le sláinte an phobail, go gcuirfear an bia i riocht sábháilte lena chaitheamh ag daoine nó go gcoinneofar nó go ndíothófar é i slí a fhorordóidh an t-oifigeach údaraithe,
agus, i gcás neamhchomhlíonadh nó moill ag an duine ar a mbeidh an fógra seirbheáilte, déanfaidh oifigeach údaraithe de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta oifigiúla, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an bpríomhfheidhmeannach nó leis an oifigeach eile de chuid an Údaráis nó de chuid gníomhaireachta eile a bheidh ainmnithe ag an mBord chuige sin, cibé bearta a mheastar a bheith riachtanach chun a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfar an t-ordachán a thabharfar faoin bhfo-alt seo agus féadfaidh urghabháil agus díothú na dtáirgí a bheidh i gceist nó déanamh aon socruithe maidir le hurghabháil nó díothú den sórt sin, nó iad araon, a bheith san áireamh sna bearta sin.
(2) Tabharfar fógra don Bhord ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den Bhord a bheidh ar fáil á rá gur seirbheáladh ordú toirmisc.
(3) Déanfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach, ar mhaithe le sláinte an phobail agus cosaint tomhaltóirí, cibé socruithe a mheasfaidh sé nó sí a bheith riachtanach nó cuí—
(a) chun aird an phobail a tharraingt ar an ní is cúis leis an bhfógra toirmisc,
(b) chun fógra faoin ordú toirmisc a thabhairt do na húdaráis inniúla rialaitheacha (trí aon sásra a bheidh comhaontaithe chun é sin a dhéanamh, i gcás go mbeidh sásra den sórt sin ann) i dtíortha eile ina bhfuil an bia ar díol nó ina ndáiltear nó inar dáileadh an bia lena dhíol.
(4) Beidh éifeacht le hordú toirmisc—
(a) i gcás go ndearbhófar amhlaidh leis an ordú, láithreach tar éis don duine ar a seirbheálfar an fógra é a fháil,
(b) in aon chás eile—
(i) i gcás nach ndéanfar achomharc i gcoinne an ordaithe toirmisc, ar éag don tréimhse a bhféadfar achomharc den sórt sin a dhéanamh lena linn nó an lá a sonrófar san ordú toirmisc gurb é an lá é a bhfuil sé le teacht in éifeacht, cibé acu is déanaí, nó
(ii) i gcás go ndéanfar achomharc den sórt sin, ar an lá díreach tar éis an lae a ndaingneofar an t-ordú toirmisc ar achomharc nó a dtarraingeofar siar an t-achomharc nó an lá a sonrófar san ordú toirmisc gurb é an lá é a bhfuil sé le teacht in éifeacht, cibé acu is déanaí.
(5) Ní bheidh de thoradh ar achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne ordaithe toirmisc atá le teacht in éifeacht de réir fho-alt (4) (a) go bhfionrófar oibriú an ordaithe toirmisc, ach féadfaidh an t-achomharcóir iarratas a dhéanamh ar an gCúirt go bhfionrófar oibriú an ordaithe toirmisc go dtí go ndéanfar an t-achomharc a chur de láimh agus, ar an iarratas sin a dhéanamh, féadfaidh an Chúirt, más cuí léi sin a dhéanamh, a ordú go bhfionrófar oibriú an ordaithe toirmisc go dtí go gcuirfear an t-achomharc de láimh.
(6) (a) Aon duine arb éagóir leis nó léi ordú toirmisc, féadfaidh sé nó sí, laistigh den tréimhse 7 lá dar tosach an lá a seirbheálfar an t-ordú toirmisc air nó uirthi, achomharc i gcoinne an ordaithe a dhéanamh chuig breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche sa dúiche chúirte dúiche inar seirbheáladh an t-ordú toirmisc sa tslí fhorordaithe agus le linn an t-achomharc a chinneadh féadfaidh an breitheamh—
(i) más deimhin leis nó léi go bhfuil sé réasúnach déanamh amhlaidh in imthosca an cháis, an t-ordú toirmisc a dhaingniú, modhnaithe nó gan mhodhnú, nó
(ii) an t-ordú toirmisc a chealú.
(a) Más rud é, ar achomharc a éisteacht faoin alt seo, go ndaingneofar ordú toirmisc, féadfaidh an breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a éistfidh an t-achomharc, ar iarratas ón achomharcóir, oibriú an ordaithe toirmisc a fhionraí, d'ainneoin fho-alt (4), ar feadh cibé treimhse is cuí leis an mbreitheamh dúiche in imthosca an cháis.
(7) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh achomharc i gcoinne ordaithe toirmisc nó a dhéanfaidh iarratas ar ordachán chun feidhmiú an ordaithe toirmisc a fhionraí faoi fho-alt (5), déanfaidh sé nó sí, san am céanna, an t-achomharc nó an t-iarratas agus na forais don achomharc nó don iarratas a chur in iúl don Údarás nó don ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil agus beidh an tÚdarás nó an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil i dteideal láithriú, éisteacht a fháil agus fianaise a thabhairt ar aird ar an achomharc nó ar an iarratas a éisteacht.
(8) Féadfaidh an príomhfheidhmeannach nó duine eile ar fostaí de chuid an Údaráis nó comhalta den Bhord é nó í, arna údarú nó arna húdarú ag an mBord i dtaca leis sin, ar chúiseanna sonraithe, ordú toirmisc arna dhéanamh de réir an ailt seo a chúlghairm nó a athrú agus cuirfear aon chúlghairm nó athrú den sórt sin, agus na cúiseanna leis an gcéanna, in iúl don Bhord ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den Bhord a bheidh ar fáil.
(9) (a) I gcás go mbeidh ordú toirmisc seirbheáilte agus go seolfar gníomhaíochtaí de shárú ar an ordú toirmisc, féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt le hordú, ar iarratas ó oifigeach údaraithe, toirmeasc a chur ar leanúint de na gníomhaíochtaí.
(b) Is trí fhoriarratas a dhéanfar iarratas chuig an Ard-Chúirt ar ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, nuair a bheidh sí ag breithniú an ní, cibé ordú eatramhach nó idirbhreitheach (más ann) is cuí léi a dhéanamh agus féadfaidh cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (más ann) is cuí leis an gcúirt, maidir le costais a íoc, a bheith ar áireamh san ordú lena gcinnfear iarratas faoin bhfo-alt seo.
Oifigigh údaraithe, etc. a shlánú.
55.—(1) I gcás gur deimhin leis an mBord go bhfuil oifigeach údaraithe, nó aon chomhalta eile d'fhoireann an Údaráis, tar éis a dhualgais nó a dualgais a chomhlíonadh de bhun fheidhmeanna an Údaráis ar shlí bona fide, slánóidh an Bord an t-oifigeach údaraithe, nó an comhalta sin d'fhoireann an Údaráis, in aghaidh gach caingne agus éileamh, cibé slí ina n-éireoidh siad, i leith é nó í do chomhlíonadh a dhualgas nó a dualgas.
(2) Ní bheidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána faoi dhliteanas i leith aon chaillteanais nó damáiste a tharlóidh mar gheall ar chúnamh a thabhairt d'oifigeach údaraithe de réir alt 50(3) nó le linn cúnamh a thabhairt amhlaidh.
Fógraí a sheirbheáil, etc.
56.—(1) Déanfar aon fhógra a cheanglaítear a sheirbheáil nó a thabhairt leis an gCuid seo nó fúithi a dhíriú chuig an duine lena mbaineann agus a sheirbheáil nó a thabhairt ar cheann de na slite seo a leanas—
(a) trína dhíriú chuig an duine faoina ainm nó faoina hainm agus trína sheachadadh air nó uirthi,
(b) trína fhágáil ag an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar an duine nó ag a seolann sé nó sí gnó,
(c) trína chur leis an bpost i litir chláraithe réamhíoctha a bheidh dírithe chuig an duine ag an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí air nó uirthi nó ag a seolann sé nó sí gnó,
(d) más rud é go mbeidh seoladh le haghaidh seirbheáil fógraí tugtha ag an duine, trína fhágáil ag an seoladh sin nó trína chur leis an bpost i litir chláraithe réamhíoctha a bheidh dírithe chuige nó chuici, chuig an seoladh sin,
(e) i gcás nach féidir an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar an duine, nó ag a seolann sé nó sí gnó, a fháil amach le fiosrú réasúnach agus go gceanglaítear fógra a sheirbheáil air nó uirthi, nó a thabhairt dó nó di, i leith aon áitribh, trína sheachadadh ar dhuine os cionn 16 bliana d'aois a bhfuil cónaí air nó uirthi san áitreabh nó atá fostaithe ar an áitreabh, nó trína ghreamú in áit fheiceálach ar an áitreabh nó gar dó, nó
(f) i gcás go mbeidh saoráid ann chun macasamhail den fhógra a fháil trí mheán leictreonach ag an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar an duine nó ag a seolann sé nó sí gnó, trí mhacasamhail den fhógra a tharchur tríd an meán sin chuig an seoladh sin, ar choinníoll go ndéanfar an fógra a sheirbheáil nó a thabhairt freisin ar aon cheann de na slite eile dá dtagraítear san fho-alt seo.
(2) I gcás nach féidir ainm an duine lena mbaineann a fháil amach le fiosrú réasúnach, féadfar fógra faoin Acht seo a dhíriú chuig “an t-áititheoir”, “an t-úinéir” nó “an duine i gceannas”, de réir mar a bheidh.
(3) Chun críocha an ailt seo, measfar gnáthchónaí a bheith ar chuideachta arna clárú faoi Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1963 go 1990, ag a hoifig chláraithe, agus measfar gnáthchónaí a bheith ar gach comhlacht corpraithe eile agus ar gach comhlacht neamhchorpraithe ag a phríomhoifig nó ag a áit ghnó.
(4) Ní dhéanfaidh duine, aon tráth, i rith na tréimhse 3 mhí tar éis fógra a ghreamú faoi fho-alt (1) (e) an fógra a thabhairt chun siúil, a dhamáistiú nó a aghlot gan údarás dleathach.
(5) Beidh aon duine a sháróidh fo-alt (4) ciontach i gcion agus ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air nó uirthi, agus i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, dlífear fíneáil bhreise nach mó ná £25 a chur air nó uirthi in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion.
Cionta achoimre faoi reachtaíocht bia a ionchúiseamh.
57.—(1) Féadfaidh an ghníomhaireacht oifigiúil a raibh freagracht uirthi, díreach roimh thosach feidhme alt 45, i bhforfheidhmiú na reachtaíochta bia lena mbaineann, leanúint d'imeachtaí, a bhaineann le cion achomair faoi aon reachtaíocht bia, a thionscnamh agus a ionchúiseamh.
(2) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás freisin imeachtaí a bhaineann le cion achomair faoi aon reachtaíocht bia, a dhéanfar tar éis thosach feidhme alt 45, a thionscnamh agus a ionchúiseamh.
CUID V
An t-iarÚdarás a Dhíscaoileadh
An t-iarÚdarás a dhíscaoileadh.
58.—(1) Tiocfaidh an t-iarÚdarás ar an lá bunaithe chun bheith, agus beidh sé, arna dhíscaoileadh.
(2) Déanfar tagairtí don iarÚdarás in aon Acht den Oireachtas arna rith roimh an lá bunaithe, nó in aon ionstraim arna dhéanamh roimh an lá sin faoi Acht den Oireachtas, a fhorléiriú, ar an lá sin agus dá éis, mar thagairtí don Údarás.
Sócmhainní agus dliteanais an iarÚdaráis a aistriú.
59.—(1) Déanfar na nithe seo a leanas a aistriú, agus aistrítear leis seo iad, chuig an Údarás ar an lá bunaithe—
(a) an mhaoin agus na cearta go léir a bhaineann le cibé maoin a bheidh, díreach roimh an lá sin, ar seilbh nó ar teachtadh ag an iarÚdarás nó ag aon iontaobhaí nó gníomhaire dá chuid a bheidh ag gníomhú thar a cheann, agus
(b) na dliteanais go léir a bheidh tabhaithe roimh an lá sin ag an iarÚdarás nó ag aon iontaobhaí nó gníomhaire dá chuid a bheidh ag gníomhú thar a cheann agus nach mbeidh urscaoilte roimh an lá sin,
agus, dá réir sin, gan tíolacadh, aistriú ná sannadh ar bith eile—
(i) dílseoidh an mhaoin sin, réadach agus pearsanta, an lá sin, don Údarás ar feadh an eastáit, an téarma nó an leasa go léir dá raibh sí, díreach roimh an lá sin, dílsithe amhlaidh don iarÚdarás, de réir mar a bheidh, ach faoi réir na n-iontaobhas agus na gcothromas go léir a dhéanann difear don mhaoin agus a bhí ann agus infheidhmithe,
(ii) beidh na cearta sin, amhail ar an lá sin agus uaidh sin amach, ar teachtadh ag an Údarás, agus
(iii) beidh na dliteanais sin, amhail ar an lá sin agus uaidh sin amach, ina ndliteanais de chuid an Údaráis.
(2) Déanfar an t-airgead, na stoic, na scaireanna agus na hurrúis go léir a aistrítear chuig an Údarás leis an alt seo agus a bheidh, ar an lá bunaithe, in ainm an iarÚdaráis nó in ainm aon iontaobhaí nó gníomhaire den sórt sin dá chuid, ar an Údarás é a iarraidh, a aistriú isteach ina ainm.
(3) Gach ceart agus dliteanas a aistrítear chuig an Údarás leis an alt seo, féadfaidh an tÚdarás, ar an lá bunaithe nó dá éis, agra a dhéanamh ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó a chur i bhfeidhm nó féadfar agra a dhéanamh ina leith, nó iad a ghnóthú nó a chur i bhfeidhm i gcoinne an Údaráis ina ainm féin agus ní gá don Údarás fógra faoin aistriú a thabhairt don duine a n-aistrítear a cheart nó a ceart nó a dhliteanas nó a dliteanas leis an alt seo.
Conarthaí leanúnacha áirithe a choimeád ar marthain agus tagairtí don iarÚdarás a oiriúnú.
60.—(1) Gach banna, ráthaíocht nó urrús eile de chineál leanúnach a bheidh déanta nó tugtha ag an iarÚdarás nó thar a cheann d'aon duine nó a bheidh tugtha ag aon duine don iarÚdarás agus a ghlacfaidh an t-iarÚdarás nó a ghlacfar thar ceann an iarÚdaráis agus gach conradh nó comhaontú a dhéanfar idir an t-iarÚdarás, nó aon iontaobhaí nó gníomhaire dá chuid a bheidh ag gníomhú thar a cheann, agus aon duine eile agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm ach nach mbeidh forghníomhaithe agus críochnaithe go hiomlán díreach roimh an lá bunaithe, leanfaidh siad i bhfeidhm ar an lá sin nó dá éis agus forléireofar iad agus beidh éifeacht leo amhail is dá gcuirfí ainm an Údaráis sa chéanna in ionad ainm an iarÚdaráis nó, de réir mar is cuí, in ionad ainm an iontaobhaí nó an ghníomhaire sin dá chuid, agus beidh siad infhorfheidhmithe ag an Údarás nó ina choinne.
(2) Maidir le tagairtí don iarÚdarás, nó d'aon iontaobhaí nó gníomhaire dá chuid ag gníomhú thar a cheann, a bheidh díreach roimh an lá bunaithe ar áireamh i meabhrán comhlachais agus airteagail chomhlachais aon chuideachta déanfar iad, ar an lá sin agus dá éis, a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don Údarás.
Cosaint do ghníomhartha áirithe.
61.—Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san Acht seo difear do bhailíocht aon ghnímh a rinne an t-iarÚdarás, nó a rinneadh thar a cheann, roimh an lá bunaithe agus beidh éifeacht le gach gníomh den sórt sin, ar an lá sin agus dá éis, amhail is go ndearna an tÚdarás é nó go ndearnadh thar a cheann é más rud é go raibh sé i bhfeidhm, agus a mhéid a bhí sé i bhfeidhm, díreach roimh an lá sin.
Imeachtaí dlíthiúla a bheidh ar feitheamh.
62.—Más rud é, díreach roimh an lá bunaithe, go mbeidh aon imeachtaí dlíthiúla ar feitheamh in aon chúirt nó binse agus gur páirtí sna himeachtaí an t-iarÚdarás, nó aon iontaobhaí nó gníomhaire dá chuid ag gníomhú thar a cheann, cuirfear ainm an Údaráis in ionad ainm an iarÚdaráis, nó, de réir mar is cuí, in ionad ainm an iontaobhaí nó an ghníomhaire sin dá chuid, sna himeachtaí sin agus ní rachaidh na himeachtaí ar ceal mar gheall ar an ionadú sin.
Díolúine ó cháin ghnóchan caipitiúil.
63.—Chun críocha na nAchtanna um Cháin Ghnóchan Caipitiúil (de réir bhrí alt 1 den Acht Comhdhlúite Cánacha, 1997), ní gnóchan inmhuirearaithe aon ghnóchan a fhabhróidh chuig an iarÚdarás ar dhiúscairt a dhéanfar de bhua alt 59.
Cúlghairm.
64.—Cúlghairtear leis seo, ar an lá bunaithe, an tOrdú um Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann (Bunú), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 524 de 1997).
CUID VI
Leasú ar an Acht um Chosaint Raideolaíoch, 1991.
Leasú ar an Acht um Chosaint Raideolaíoch, 1991.
65.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Chosaint Raideolaíoch, 1991—
(a) in alt 28(1), trí “agus Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Institiúid,” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “Institiúid”,
(b) in alt 31(1), trí “leis an Aire Comhshaoil agus Rialtais Áitiúil, leis an Aire Sláinte agus Leanaí, le hAire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, leis an Institiúid agus le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “leis an Aire Comhshaoil, leis an Aire Sláinte, le hAire na Mara agus leis an Institiúid”,
(c) in alt 32—
(i) trí “, leis an Institiúid agus le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “agus leis an Institiúid” gach áit a bhfuil sé, agus
(ii) trí “agus Leanaí” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “Sláinte” gach áit a bhfuil sé,
(d) in alt 33(1), trí “i gcomhar le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “Talmhaíochta agus Bia” agus trí “leis an Aire Talmhaíochta agus Bia nó le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “leis”,
(e) in alt 33(2), trí “i gcomhar le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “Talmhaíochta agus Bia” agus trí “leis an Aire Talmhaíochta agus Bia nó le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “leis”,
(f) in alt 33(3), trí “Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha i gcomhar le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “Aire na Mara” agus trí “le hAire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha nó le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “leis”,
(g) in alt 33(4), trí “i gcomhar le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “Airgeadais” agus trí “leis an Aire Airgeadais nó le hÚdarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann” a chur in ionad “leis”,
(h) in alt 41(6), trí “nó féadfaidh Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, i leith ciona a dhéanfar tar éis a bhunaithe, más é Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann a cheap an cigire sin”, a chur isteach i ndiaidh “an tAire a cheap an cigire sin,” agus
(i) in alt 41, tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh fho-alt (6):
“(7) Féadfaidh Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann ionchúiseamh a dhéanamh i leith ciona achomair faoi rialachán arna dhéanamh faoi alt 32(1) den Acht seo, ar cion é a rinneadh tar éis bhunú Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann.”.
AN CHÉAD SCEIDEAL
Reachtaíocht Bia
CUID I
Achtanna
Na hAchtanna Toradh Talmhaíochta (Feoil Úr), 1930 go 1988 | |
An tAcht Toradh Talmhaíochta (Feoil) | |
(Forála Ilghnéitheacha), 1954 | |
An tAcht Toradh Talmhaíochta (Feoil) | |
(Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 1978 | |
Butter and Margarine Act, 1907 | (7 Edw. 7.c.21) |
Margarine Act, 1887 | (50 & 51 Vict. c.29) |
Na hAchtanna Muc agus Bagúin, 1935 go 1988 | |
Na hAchtanna um Biadh agus Druganna do Dhíol, 1875 go 1936. |
CUID II
Ionstraimí Reachtúla
Na Rialacháin Sláinte (Airsnic agus Luaidhe i mBia), 1972 (I.R. Uimh. 44 de 1972)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Lipéadú, Tíolacadh agus Fógairt Earraí Bia), 1982 (I.R. Uimh. 205 de 1982)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Aigéad Earúcach i mBia) (Modh Anailíse), 1982 (I.R. Uimh. 271 de 1982)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Breiseáin i mBia) (Fíorú Caighdeán Íonachta), 1983 (I.R. Uimh. 60 de 1983)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Clóiríd Vinile i mBia) (Modh Anailíse), 1984 (I.R. Uimh. 92 de 1984)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Frithocsaídeach i mBia) (Critéir Íonachta), 1985 (I.R. Uimh. 187 de 1985)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Uiscí Mianra Aiceanta), 1986 (I.R. Uimh. 11 de 1986)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iarmhair Lotnaidicídí) (Gránaigh), 1988 go 1998
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iarmhair Lotnaidicídí) (Earraí Bia de Bhunadh Ainmhíoch), 1988 go 1998
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iarmhair Lotnaidicídí) (Torthaí agus Glasraí), 1989 (I.R. Uimh. 105 de 1989)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Leasaithigh i mBia) (Critéir Íonachta), 1989 (I.R. Uimh. 262 de 1989)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Táirgí Uibheacha), 1991 (I.R. Uimh. 293 de 1991)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Ábhair agus Earraí atá Ceaptha Teacht i dTeagmháil le hEarraí Bia), 1991 (I.R. Uimh. 307 de 1991)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Blastáin le hÚsáid in Earraí Bia lena gCaitheamh ag an Duine), 1992 (I.R. Uimh. 22 de 1992)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Caighdeáin Mhargaíochta d'Uibheacha), 1992 (I.R. Uimh. 254 de 1992)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Earraí Bia Mear-Reoite), 1992 (I.R. Uimh. 290 de 1992)
An tOrdú fán Acht um Chosaint Raideolaíoch, 1991 (Rialú Ginearálta ar Shubstaintí Radaighníomhacha, ar Fheistí Núicléacha agus ar Ghaireas Ionradaíoch), 1993 (I.R. Uimh. 151 de 1993)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Feoil Mhionaithe), 1994 (I.R. Uimh. 215 de 1994)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Foirmlí Naíon), 1994 (I.R. Uimh. 459 de 1994)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Táirgí Feola agus Táirgí eile de Bhunadh Ainmhíoch), 1995 (I.R. Uimh 126 de 1995)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Feoil Coinín agus Feoil Géim Shaothraithe), 1995 (I.R. Uimh. 278 de 1995)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Feoil Géim Fhiáin), 1995 (I.R. Uimh. 298 de 1995)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Forálacha Ginearálta maidir le Rialú Breiseán, go háirithe Dathanna agus Milsitheoirí le húsáid in Earraí Bia), 1995 (I.R. Uimh. 344 de 1995)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Faireachas ar Theocht i Modh Iompair, Stórasaithe agus Stórála Earraí Bia Mear-Reoite agus Nós Imeachta Samplála agus Modhanna Anailísithe i gcomhair Rialú ar Theochtaí Bianna Mear-Reoite a Bheartaítear mar Bhia don Duine), 1995 (I.R. Uimh. 370 de 1995)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Feoil Úr Éanlaith Clóis), 1996 (I.R. Uimh. 3 de 1996)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Bainne Amh, Bainne Teaschóireáilte agus Táirgí bunaithe ar Bhainne a Tháirgeadh go Sláinteach agus a Chur ar an Margadh), 1996 (I.R. Uimh. 9 de 1996) (seachas Rialacháin 6 go 11)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Moilisc Dhébhlaoscacha Bheo) (Coinníollacha Sláinte i dtaobh Táirgeadh agus Cur ar an Margadh), 1996 (I.R. Uimh. 147 de 1996)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Táirgí Iascaigh) (Coinníollacha Sláinte agus Rialacha Sláinteachais i dtaobh Táirgeadh agus Cur ar an Margadh), 1996 (I.R. 170 de 1996)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Feoil Mhionaithe agus Ullmhóidí Feola), 1996 (I.R. Uimh. 243 de 1996)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Forálacha Mionsonraithe maidir le Rialú Breiseán, nach Dathanna ná Milsitheoirí, le húsáid in Earraí Bia), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 128 de 1997)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iarmhair Lotnaidicídí) (Torthaí agus Glasraí) (Leasú), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 218 de 1997)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iarmhair Lotnaidicídí) Táirgí de Bhunadh Plandaí, lena n-áirítear Torthaí agus Glasraí), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 221 de 1997)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Fionraí ar Allmhairithe Cnónna Pistéise agus Táirgí Áirithe a Fhaightear ó Chnónna Pistéise de Bhunadh nó de Choinsíniú na hIaráine), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 432 de 1997)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Feoil Úr), 1997 (I.R. Uimh. 434 de 1997)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Iarmhair Lotnaidicídí) (Táirgí de Bhunadh Plandaí, lena n-áirítear Torthaí agus Glasraí) (Leasú), 1998 (I.R. Uimh. 71 de 1998)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Earraí Bia a Rialú go hOifigiúil), 1998 (I.R. Uimh. 85 de 1998)
Rialacháin na gComhphobal Eorpach (Sláinteachas Earraí Bia), 1998 (I.R. Uimh. 86 de 1998)
Ordú na gComhphobal Eorpach (Earraí Bia a Rialú go hOifigiúil) (Saotharlanna Ceadaithe), 1998 (I.R. Uimh. 95 de 1998).
CUID III
Rialacháin de chuid Institiúide de na Comhphobail Eorpacha
Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 194/97 an 31 Eanáir 1997 ón gCoimisiún1 a shocraíonn uasleibhéil i leith éilleán áirithe in earraí bia
Rialachán (CEE) Uimh. 315/93 an 8 Feabhra 1993 ón gComhairle2 a leagann síos nósanna imeachta an Chomhphobail i leith éilleán i mbia
Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 258/97 an 27 Eanáir 1997 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle3 maidir le bianna núálacha agus comhábhair bianna nuálacha.
1I.O. Uimh. L031 an 01.02.1997, l. 48.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Gníomhaireachtaí Oifigiúla
Is gníomhaireacht oifigiúil chun críocha an Achta seo gach ceann acu seo a leanas:
an Stiúrthóir Gnóthaí Tomhaltóirí,
bord sláinte,
údarás áitiúil,
an tAire Talmhaíochta agus Bia,
an tAire Sláinte agus Leanaí,
an tAire Comhshaoil agus Rialtais Áitiúil,
Aire na Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha,
an Institiúid Éireannach um Chosaint Raideolaíoch,
an tSaotharlann Stáit.
Number 29 of 1998
FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY OF IRELAND ACT, 1998
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary
Section | |
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas. | |
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Authority may seek reports in relation to food safety and hygiene. |
The Board, Scientific Committee, Committees, Chief Executive and Staff of the Authority
Membership of Board of Authority and term of office of members. | |
Membership of either House of Oireachtas, European Parliament, local authority or health board. | |
Enforcement of Food Safety Standards
Power of Authority to enforce food safety standards in food legislation. | |
Dissolution of Former Authority
Preservation of certain continuing contracts and adaptation of references to former Authority. | |
Amendment of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991
Food Legislation
Official Agencies
Acts Referred to | |
Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990 | |
1993, No. 8 | |
1972, No. 27 | |
1997, No. 2 | |
1970, No. 1 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 1851, c. 93 |
1991, No. 9 | |
1997, No. 39 | |
Food Safety Authority of Ireland (Establishment) Order, 1997 | S.I. No. 524 of 1997 |
No. 8 of 1988 | |
Agricultural Produce (Meat) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1954 | No. 33 of 1954 |
Agricultural Produce (Meat) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1978 | No. 13 of 1978 |
No. 11 of 1974 | |
No. 28 of 1947 | |
No. 12 of 1961 | |
European Communities (Arsenic and Lead in Food) Regulations, 1972 | S.I. No. 44 of 1972 |
European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1982 | S.I. No. 205 of 1982 |
European Communities (Erucic Acid in Food) (Method of Analysis) Regulations, 1982 | S.I. No. 271 of 1982 |
European Communities (Food Additives) (Purity Criteria Verification) Regulations, 1983 | S.I. No. 60 of 1983 |
European Communities (Vinyl Chloride in Food) (Method of Analysis) Regulations, 1984 | S.I. No. 92 of 1984 |
European Communities (Antioxidant in Food) (Purity Criteria) Regulations, 1985 | S.I. No. 187 of 1985 |
European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters) Regulations, 1986 | S.I. No. 11 of 1986 |
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Fruit and Vegetables) Regulations, 1989 | S.I. No. 105 of 1989 |
European Communities (Preservatives in Food) (Purity Criteria) Regulations, 1989 | S.I. No. 262 of 1989 |
European Communities (Egg Products) Regulations, 1991 | S.I. No. 293 of 1991 |
European Communities (Materials and Articles Intended to Come Into Contact With Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1991 | S.I. No. 307 of 1991 |
European Communities (Flavourings for use in Foodstuffs for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1992 | S.I. No. 22 of 1992 |
European Communities (Marketing Standards for Eggs) Regulations, 1992 | S.I. No. 254 of 1992 |
European Communities (Quick Frozen Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1992 | S.I. No. 290 of 1992 |
Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (General Control of Radioactive Substances, Nuclear Devices and Irradiating Apparatus) Order, 1993 | S.I. No. 151 of 1993 |
European Communities (Minced Meat) Regulations, 1994 | S.I. No. 215 of 1994 |
European Communities (Infant Formulae) Regulations, 1994 | S.I. No. 459 of 1994 |
European Communities (Meat Products and Other Products of Animal Origin) Regulations, 1995 | S.I. No. 126 of 1995 |
European Communities (Rabbitmeat and Farmed Game Meat) Regulations, 1995 | S.I. No. 278 of 1995 |
European Communities (Wild Game Meat) Regulations, 1995 | S.I. No. 298 of 1995 |
European Communities (General Provisions on the Control of Additives, and in particular Colours and Sweeteners for use in Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1995 | S.I. No. 344 of 1995 |
European Communities (Monitoring of Temperature in the Means of Transport, Warehousing and Storage of Quick-Frozen Foodstuffs and Sampling Procedure and Methods of Analysis for Control of the Temperatures of Quick-Frozen Foods Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1995 | S.I. No. 370 of 1995 |
European Communities (Fresh Poultrymeat) Regulations, 1996 | S.I. No. 3 of 1996 |
European Communities (Hygienic Production and Placing on the Market of Raw Milk, Heat-Treated Milk and Milk-Based Products) Regulations, 1996 | S.I. No. 9 of 1996 |
European Communities (Live Bivalve Molluscs) (Health Conditions for Production and Placing on the Market) Regulations, 1996 | S.I. No. 147 of 1996 |
European Communities (Fishery Products) (Health Conditions and Hygiene Rules for Production and Placing on the Market) Regulations, 1996 | S.I. No. 170 of 1996 |
European Communities (Minced Meat and Meat Preparations) Regulations, 1996 | S.I. No. 243 of 1996 |
European Communities (Detailed Provisions on the Control of Additives, other than Colours and Sweeteners, for use in Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1997 | S.I. No. 128 of 1997 |
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Fruit and Vegetables) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997 | S.I. No. 218 of 1997 |
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Products of Plant Origin, including Fruit and Vegetables) Regulations, 1997 | S.I. No. 221 of 1997 |
European Communities (Suspension of Imports of Pistachios and Certain Products Derived from Pistachios Originating in or Consigned from Iran) Regulations, 1997 | S.I. No. 432 of 1997 |
European Communities (Fresh Meat) Regulations, 1997 | S.I. No. 434 of 1997 |
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Products of Plant Origin, including Fruit and Vegetables) (Amendment) Regulations, 1998 | S.I. No. 71 of 1998 |
European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1998 | S.I. No. 85 of 1998 |
European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1998 | S.I. No. 86 of 1998 |
European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) (Approved Laboratories) Order, 1998 | S.I. No. 95 of 1998 |
Number 29 of 1998
FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY OF IRELAND ACT, 1998
PART I
Preliminary
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Short title. Act, 1998.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—Interpretation.
“authorised officer” means a person appointed as an authorised officer under section 49;
“the Authority” means the Food Safety Authority of Ireland established under section 9;
“the Board” means the Board of the Authority;
“chief executive” means the chief officer of the Authority appointed under section 37;
“closure order” has the meaning assigned to it by section 53;
“enforcement” in relation to food legislation, means the carrying out of inspections, surveillance, sampling, analysis, licensing and registration and the taking of legal proceedings;
“establishment day” means the day appointed by the Minister under section 3 to be the establishment day;
“food” includes—
(a) any substance used, available to be used or intended to be used, for food or drink by human persons, and
(b) any substance which enters into or is used in the production, composition or preparation of these substances,
and references to food include, as the context may require, reference to a particular food or class of food;
“food inspection” means the systems of inspection carried out by or on behalf of the Authority in order to ascertain whether—
(a) food,
(b) the processes (including processes aimed at preserving or prolonging the freshness and wholesomeness of food) to which food is subjected,
(c) the physical environment in which food is produced, held, prepared and handled,
(d) the skills, training and competence of people handling or otherwise dealing with food in premises coming within the scope of this Act,
(e) any substances and materials which may be used at any stage in the production of food (including, where appropriate, animal feedings tuffs) and including the pre- and post-mortem examination of animals at abattoirs or other such premises whose meat is to be supplied as food or is to be used in the production of food,
(f) food additives, vitamins, mineral salts, trace elements, flavourings and other additives intended to be sold as such,
(g) materials and articles intended to come into contact with food,
(h) products of the soil, products of stock farming, aquaculture and of fisheries and game,
complies with food legislation aimed at preventing risks to public health;
“food legislation” means—
(a) the Acts (including any instruments made there under) specified in Part I,
(b) the statutory instruments specified in Part II,
(c) the Regulations of an institution of the European Communities specified in Part III,
of the First Schedule in so far as they relate to food safety and hygiene,
(d) any Act passed by the Oireachtas or any statutory instrument made thereunder or regulation made under the European Communities Act, 1972, after the establishment day and deemed to be food legislation for the purposes of this Act,
“food safety” means the steps taken to avoid risks to public health arising from food intended for human consumption;
“food standards” in relation to food safety and hygiene, means standards established by or under food legislation relating to any or all of the following:
(a) the composition of food, including—
(i) the level of contaminants or residues that may be present in food,
(ii) its microbiological status and safety, and
(iii) the method of sampling and testing of food to determine its composition;
(b) the production of food, including the equipment used and the processes employed;
(c) the packaging, storing or handling of food;
(d) the sale, importation or exportation of food;
(e) any information about food, including labelling, promotion and advertising thereof;
(f) the avoidance of physical, chemical, radiological, biological or other contamination of food;
(g) the avoidance of risks to human health arising from ingestion or otherwise of food;
(h) the maximum or minimum amount of substances that are or are required to be or may be used in the preparation of food;
“former Authority” means the Food Safety Authority of Ireland established by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (Establishment) Order, 1997 (S.I. No. 524 of 1997);
“functions” includes powers and duties, and reference to the performance of functions includes, as respects powers and duties, references to the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties;
“health board” means a board established under section 4 of the Health Act, 1970;
“hygiene” in relation to food safety or standards, means the observance of standards of good practice aimed at the avoidance of contamination of food;
“improvement notice” has the meaning assigned to it by section 52(1);
“improvement order” has the meaning assigned to it by section 52(4);
“local authority” has the meaning assigned to it by the Local Government Act, 1941;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Health and Children;
“official agency” shall be construed in accordance with the Second Schedule;
“premises” includes any place, building, aircraft, vehicle, railway wagon, container or vessel or temporary premises at or in or on which any trade, business or activity in connection with the production, preparation, processing, manufacture, exportation, importation, storage, distribution or sale of food is or has been carried on;
“prescribe” means prescribe by regulations made by the Minister;
“prohibition order” has the meaning assigned to it by section 54(1);
“recognised trade unions and associations” means the trade unions and staff associations recognised by the Authority for the purpose of negotiations which are concerned with the transfers of staff to the Authority as well as remuneration, conditions of employment or working conditions of officers of the Authority and employees of the Authority;
“remuneration” includes allowances for expenses, benefits-in-kind and superannuation;
“sale” includes to offer for sale or to sell or to supply whether or not for profit and any cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“the Scientific Committee” means the committee established under section 34;
“service contract” has the meaning assigned to it by section 48;
“superannuation benefits” means pensions, gratuities and other allowances payable on resignation, retirement or death;
“uncultivated foods” means foods which are not commercially produced or harvested, including wild mushrooms, fruit and berries and fish and game harvested through recreational activities.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a section or Schedule is to a section of, or Schedule to, this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,
(b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is to 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,
(c) a reference to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment including this Act, and
(d) a reference to a statutory instrument shall be construed as a reference to that instrument as amended, adapted or extended by any subsequent statutory instrument.
Establishment day.
3.—The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.
Laying of orders and regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
4.—Every order (other than an order made under section 3 or 44) and every regulation made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent 21 days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Amendment of Schedules.
5.—The Minister may, after consultation with the relevant Minister of the Government or other person having responsibility for the official agency concerned, by order amend the First or Second Schedule by making additions thereto or deletions therefrom.
Prosecution of summary offences.
6.—(1) Proceedings in relation to a summary offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by the Authority.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be commenced at any time within 12 months from the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the Authority to justify initiating the proceedings comes to the Authority's knowledge not being later than 5 years from the date on which the offence concerned was committed.
Offences by bodies corporate.
7.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect or default on the part of a person being a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the body corporate, or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, that person as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to be proceeded against and punished as if he or she were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.
(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his or her functions of management as if he or she were a director, manager or secretary of the body corporate.
Expenses of Minister.
8.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Establishment of Authority.
9.—(1) There shall stand established on the establishment day a body to be known as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, or in the Irish language as Údarás Sábháilteachta Bia na hÉireann, to perform the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land and to acquire, hold and dispose of any other property.
(3) The Authority shall have all such powers as are necessary for or incidental to the performance of its functions under this Act.
Independence of Authority.
10.—The Authority shall, subject to this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
Principal function of Authority.
11.—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 available and it shall, in particular, take all reasonable steps to ensure that such food complies—
(i) with food legislation in respect of food safety and hygiene standards, or
(ii) where appropriate, 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.
Promotion of standards.
12.—(1) In order to achieve the highest level of protection reasonably available in the interests of public health and consumer protection, the Authority shall promote, encourage and 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 and promote 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 parties mentioned shall take all reasonable steps to ensure, in so far as that party is concerned, the safety and hygienic standard of that food.
(4) For the purpose of promoting higher standards, the Authority shall 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.
Food safety assurance schemes.
13.—(1) For the purposes of section 12 the Authority may, by itself or with such representatives of particular food business groups or organisations as it considers appropriate, establish schemes (in this section referred to as “food safety assurance schemes”) for the protection of consumer interests.
(2) The Authority shall promote, encourage and facilitate the establishment of food safety assurance schemes which shall be established upon the best available practices and standards of food safety and hygiene available and have available such documentation and other evidence relating to raw materials, processing, preparation, packaging, storage and labelling of foodstuffs, as the Authority considers appropriate for the protection of consumer interests.
(3) The Authority shall prepare guidelines to be observed by it in relation to the establishment of food safety assurance schemes.
(4) Any such guidelines shall require the approval of the Board, following consultation with the Scientific Committee.
(5) Subject to subsection (7), the Authority shall not participate in food safety assurance schemes.
(6) The Authority may endorse its approval of any food safety assurance scheme on any terms and conditions which the Board may stipulate following consultation with the Scientific Committee and the Authority may withdraw any such endorsement.
(7) The Authority shall monitor and report to the Board on the performance and implementation of food safety assurance schemes.
(8) The Authority may publish reports in relation to food safety assurance schemes.
(9) An official agency shall notify the Authority in relation to any food safety assurance scheme in which it is involved or supports and shall have regard to any advice of the Authority in relation to such involvement or support.
Consultative Council.
14.—(1) The Authority shall for the purposes of the consultations referred to in section 12(4) or for consultations on any other matter relating to the functions of the Authority, establish a body to be known as the Food Safety Consultative Council (referred to in this section as “the Council”).
(2) The Council shall consist of not more than 24 members and shall be broadly based and representative.
(3) The Council shall be established under such terms and conditions determined, before its establishment, by the Board, following consultations with the Minister.
(4) The Minister may appoint not more than 12 members to the Council, of whom—
(a) 2 shall have been nominated by the Minister for Agriculture and Food,
(b) one shall have been nominated by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources,
(c) one shall have been nominated by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and
(d) one shall have been nominated by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government,
and the remainder shall be appointed by the Board.
(5) Members of the Council shall be paid such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine.
(6) The Authority shall have regard to any opinions expressed by the Council on any matter under review by the Authority. However, failure to consult the Council or to adopt a course of action on any matter corresponding to that proposed or supported by the Council shall not invalidate the decisions or actions of the Authority on the matter in question or on any other matter.
(7) The Authority may publish the opinions of the Council.
(8) The Board in the case of appointments made by it and the Minister in the case of appointments made by him or her, shall ensure, in so far as is practicable, an equitable balance between men and women.
Advice of Authority.
15.—The Authority shall at the request of the Minister or of another Minister of the Government, provide to the Minister or that other Minister of the Government advice on issues relating to all or any of the matters listed in this section or may, on its own initiative, provide such advice on—
(a) food-borne diseases, including food-borne zoonotic diseases,
(b) nutritional aspects of food and the role of diet in public health,
(c) statutory developments relating to food safety and hygiene,
(d) technology and industrial practices relating to food and food preparation,
(e) the organisation and administration of systems for the approval, licensing and registration and inspection of premises carrying on a food business,
(f) food production including cultivation of crops, fruit and vegetables, the harvest of uncultivated foods, the cultivation and production of shellfish and breeding or rearing of animals for slaughter and for food production,
(g) labelling and packaging of food (including materials used in packaging),
(h) the scope for improved systems for the communication of information to the public on the safety and hygiene of food, including the safe handling of food in the home, and
(i) any other matter relevant to food safety and hygiene,
and may publish such advice.
Collection and assessment of data.
16.—(1) The Authority may—
(a) collect all food legislation, codes of conduct and other materials relevant to the functions of the Authority and may publish them in such form as it considers appropriate, and
(b) collect information concerning the hygiene and safety of food that will facilitate the performance by it of its functions.
(2) The Authority shall—
(a) collect in such form, if any, as it may decide and assess statistical data on the official control of food, and
(b) collect, assess or otherwise analyse such data relating to the production and consumption of food,
as it sees fit or the Minister or any other Minister of the Government may, from time to time, request.
(3) The Authority shall undertake such assessments of statistical data on food-borne diseases including food-borne zoonotic diseases as it considers appropriate or as the Minister or other Minister of the Government may, from time to time, request.
(4) In this section “official control of food” includes the systems of inspection and control over the production, manufacturing, storage, sale or use of food required by or under any enactment.
(5) An official agency concerned shall cooperate with the Authority in meeting the requirements of this section.
(6) The Authority may in order to carry out its functions under this section require such person who it believes holds information which is relevant for those purposes to supply the information to the Authority and such person shall comply with such a requirement.
Review of food inspection services.
17.—The Authority shall consider and keep under review the efficacy of the food inspection services for the time being in place and shall report at least annually to the Minister, or to such other Minister of the Government or other agency as may have responsibility for the carrying out, whether under a service contract or otherwise, of the particular food inspection service, on the scope for better coordination and delivery of the food inspection service or services.
Research by Authority.
18.—(1) The Authority may undertake, commission or collaborate in research projects and activities on issues relating to food, and may, for this purpose, participate in research projects and activities on issues relating to food involving parties from outside the State.
(2) In deciding whether to exercise its powers under subsection (1), the Authority shall have regard to any undertaking, commission or collaboration in such projects or activities by other persons in the State.
Certification of food.
19.—(1) Without prejudice to the requirements of food legislation or any certification procedure operated by an official agency with regard to food for sale, the Authority may, if requested by any person and shall if requested by an official agency provide a system of certification of food for sale in such form in respect of the request as it considers appropriate.
(2) The Authority may issue guidelines with respect to any certification provided by it under this section.
Conferral of additional functions on Authority.
20.—(1) The Minister may, if he or she so thinks fit or if so requested by another Minister of the Government, following consultations with that other Minister of the Government and the Minister for Finance, by order—
(a) confer on the Authority such additional functions connected with the functions for the time being of the Authority or activities that the Authority is authorised for the time being to undertake (including functions for the purpose of enforcing any directive, regulation or other act adopted by an institution of the European Communities in relation to food safety and hygiene) as he or she considers appropriate, and
(b) make such provision as he or she considers necessary or expedient in relation to matters ancillary to or arising out of the conferral on the Authority of functions under this section or the performance by the Authority of functions so conferred.
(2) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).
Charges for services.
21.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), and having due regard to any other arrangements in place concerning any fees or charges arising in relation to the area of activity concerned, the Authority may make such charges as the Board considers appropriate in consideration of the performance by the Authority of its functions, the provision by it of services (other than a service consisting of the provision of advice for the Minister or another Minister of the Government) and the carrying on by it of activities and shall record receipts from such charges as income.
(2) The determination of the amounts of charges referred to in subsection (1) shall be subject to the approval of the Minister following consultations with the Minister for Finance.
(3) The Authority may recover, as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction, from the person by whom it is payable any amount due and owing to it under subsection (1).
Gifts.
22.—(1) The Board may accept gifts on behalf of the Authority of money, land or other property, on such trusts, terms or conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donor.
(2) The Board shall not accept a gift if the trusts, terms or conditions attached to it would be inconsistent with or prejudice the operational independence, effective performance or the functions of the Authority.
(3) The Authority shall include details of any gift which exceeds, in the opinion of the Board, the value of £500, or such other amount as may stand specified for the time being in regulations made by the Minister, in the report under section 25(1) for the year in which the gift is accepted.
Borrowings by Authority.
23.—The Authority may, for the purpose of providing for current expenditure, from time to time, borrow money (whether on the security of the assets of the Authority or otherwise), including money in a currency other than the currency of the State, but shall not do so without the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
Advances by Minister to Authority.
24.—The Minister may, from time to time, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, advance to the Authority out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such sums as the Minister may determine for the purposes of expenditure by the Authority in the performance of its functions.
Reports and information to Minister.
25.—(1) As soon as may be after the end of the financial year of the Authority in which the establishment day falls and of each subsequent financial year of the Authority, but not later than 6 months thereafter, the Authority shall make a report to the Minister of its activities during that year and the Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) Each report under subsection (1) shall include information in such form and regarding such matters as the Minister may direct.
(3) The Authority shall, whenever so requested by the Minister, furnish to the Minister information in relation to such matters as he or she may specify concerning or relating to the scope of its activities generally, or in respect of any account prepared by the Authority or any report specified in subsection (1) or the policy or activities, other than day to day activities, of the Authority.
(4) The Authority may publish such other reports on matters related to its activities and functions, as may from time to time be considered relevant and appropriate by the Board.
Accounts and audits.
26.—(1) The chief executive, following the agreement of the Board, shall submit estimates of income and expenditure to the Minister in such form, in respect of such periods, and at such times as may be required by the Minister and shall furnish to the Minister any information which the Minister may require in relation to such estimates, including proposals and future plans relating to the discharge by the Authority of its functions over a period of years, as required.
(2) The chief executive, under the direction of the Board, shall cause to be kept on a continuous basis proper books of account of all income and expenditure of the Authority, and of the sources of such income and the subject matter of such expenditure, and of the property, assets and liabilities of the Authority and shall keep and shall account to the Board for all such special accounts as the Minister or the Board, with the consent of the Minister, may from time to time direct should be kept.
(3) The financial year of the Authority shall be the period of 12 months ending on the 31st day of December in any year, and for the purposes of this section and section 25 the period commencing on the establishment day and ending on the following 31st day of December, shall be deemed to be a financial year.
(4) The Board, the chief executive and the other officers of the Authority shall, whenever so requested by the Minister, permit any person appointed by the Minister to examine the books and accounts of the Authority in respect of any financial year or other period and shall facilitate any such examination, and the Authority shall pay such fee therefor as may be fixed by the Minister.
(5) The accounts of the Authority for each financial year shall be prepared in such form and manner as may be specified by the Minister. The accounts shall be prepared by the chief executive and approved by the Board as soon as practicable but not later than three months after the end of the financial year to which they relate for submission to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit. A copy of the accounts and the auditor's report thereon shall be presented to the members of the Board and to the Minister as soon as practicable and the Minister shall cause a copy of these documents to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(6) The chief executive shall be the accountable person in relation to the accounts of the Authority and shall, whenever he or she is so required by a Committee of Dáil Éireann established under Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General, give evidence to that Committee on—
(a) the regularity and propriety of the transactions recorded or required to be recorded in any account subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General which the chief executive or the Authority is required by or under statute to prepare,
(b) the economy and efficiency of the Authority in the use of its resources,
(c) the systems, procedures and practices employed by the Authority for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of its operations, and
(d) any matter affecting the Authority referred to in a special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General under section 11(2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993, or in any other report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (in so far as it relates to a matter specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)) that is laid before Dáil Éireann.
Premises of Authority.
27.—(1) The Authority may for the purposes of providing premises necessary for the due performance of its functions—
(a) purchase or, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, take on lease any land,
(b) build, equip and maintain offices and premises.
(2) The Authority may sell or lease any land, offices or premises held by it which are no longer required for the due performance of its functions.
Seal of Authority.
28.—(1) The Authority shall, as soon as may be after its establishment, provide itself with a seal.
(2) The seal of the Authority shall be authenticated by the signature of—
(a) the person appointed to chair the Board, or
(b) (i) a member of the Board, or
(ii) an officer of the Authority,
authorised by the Board to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Authority and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Authority and to be sealed with the seal of the Authority (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with subsection (2)) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
Consultants and advisers.
29.—The Authority may, subject to the prior approval of or at the request of the Board, from time to time engage such consultants or advisers as it may consider necessary for the performance of its functions and any fees payable by the Authority to a consultants or adviser engaged under this section shall be paid by the Authority out of moneys at its disposal.
Authority may seek reports in relation to food safety and hygiene.
30.—(1) The Authority may seek reports on any matter which in its opinion concerns the safety or hygiene of food from the appropriate Minister of the Government or body established under statute that has overall responsibility for the area to which the matter pertains.
(2) The Authority may make a report given to it under this section available to the Minister.
PART III
The Board, Scientific Committee, Committees, Chief Executive and Staff of the Authority
Membership of Board of Authority and term of office of members.
31.—(1) There shall be a Board, to be known as the Board of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, to direct and carry out the functions of the Authority in accordance with this Act and it shall satisfy itself as to the adequacy of the systems in place for that purpose and it shall otherwise manage and review the workings of the Authority.
(2) The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the establishment day, appoint persons to be members of the Board.
(3) The Board shall consist of a chairperson and 9 ordinary members, one of whom shall be the chairperson of the Scientific Committee.
(4) The Minister, when appointing an ordinary member of the Board, shall fix such member's period of membership which shall not exceed 5 years and, subject to this section, membership shall be on such terms as the Minister determines.
(5) Four of the ordinary members of the Board appointed under subsection (2) shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years from the date of their appointment as determined by the Minister.
(6) A member of the Board may at any time resign his or her membership by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect from the date specified therein or upon receipt of the letter by the Minister, whichever is the later.
(7) A member of the Board may at any time be removed from membership of the Board by the Minister if, in the Minister's opinion, the member has become incapable through ill-health of performing his or her functions, or has committed stated misbehaviour, or his or her removal appears to the Minister to be necessary for the effective performance by the Authority of the functions of the Authority.
(8) A member of the Board shall cease to be and shall be disqualified from being a member of that Board where such member—
(a) is adjudicated bankrupt,
(b) makes a composition or arrangement with creditors,
(c) is sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction to a term of imprisonment, or
(d) is disqualified or restricted from being a director of any company (within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990).
(9) If a member of the Board dies, resigns, retires, becomes disqualified or is removed from office, the Minister may appoint a person to be a member of the Board to fill the casual vacancy so occasioned and the person so appointed shall be appointed in the same manner as the member of the Board who occasioned the casual vacancy. The person so appointed shall be appointed within 2 months of the Minister being notified of the vacancy.
(10) A member of the Board whose period of membership expires by the effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment as a member of the Board.
(11) The Minister shall, in so far as is practicable, ensure an equitable balance between men and women in the composition of the Board.
Chairperson of Board.
32.—(1) The term of office of the chairperson of the Board shall be 5 years.
(2) Where the chairperson, of the Board ceases to be a member of the Board he or she shall also thereupon cease to be chairperson of the Board.
(3) The chairperson of the Board may at any time resign his or her office as chairperson by letter sent to the Minister and the resignation shall, unless previously withdrawn in writing, take effect at the commencement of the meeting of the Board held next after the Board has been informed by the Minister of the resignation.
(4) The chairperson of the Board shall, unless he or she sooner dies or otherwise ceases to be chairperson by virtue of subsection (2) or (3), hold office until the expiration of his or her period of membership of the Board and, if he or she is re-appointed as a member of the Board, he or she shall be eligible for re-appointment as chairperson of the Board.
Meeting of Board.
33.—(1) The Board shall hold such and as many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.
(2) The Minister, in consultation with the chairperson of the Board, shall fix the time of the first meeting of the Board.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be 4.
(4) At a meeting of the Board—
(a) the chairperson of the Board shall, if present, be the chairperson of the meeting, and
(b) if and so long as the chairperson of the Board is not present or if the office of the chairperson is vacant, the members of the Board who are present shall choose one of their members to be chairperson of the meeting.
(5) At a meeting of the Board, each member of the Board present, including the chairperson, shall have a vote and any question on which a vote is required in order to establish the Board's view on the matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Board present and voting on the question and, in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second and casting vote.
(6) The Board may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies among its members.
(7) Subject to this Act, the Board shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, the procedure and business of the Board.
Scientific Committee.
34.—(1) There shall be established, as soon as may be after the establishment day, by the Board a committee (“the Scientific Committee”) to assist and advise the Board in relation to matters of a scientific nature referred to it by the Board and to perform the functions assigned to it by this section.
(2) The Scientific Committee shall consist of not more than 15 members.
(3) The Scientific Committee shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its meetings and its activities generally and shall submit such rules and procedures to the Board for its approval.
(4) The members (including the chairperson) of the Scientific Committee shall be appointed by the Minister following consultations with the Board.
(5) The Minister when appointing a member of the Scientific Committee shall, in consultation with the Board—
(a) fix such member's period of membership,
(b) fix the terms of his or her membership,
(c) have regard to the range of qualifications and experience necessary for the proper and effective discharge of the functions of the Scientific Committee, and in particular, have regard to such qualifications and experience in relation to food safety and hygiene, and
(d) ensure, in so far as is practicable, an equitable balance between men and women in any appointments.
(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Scientific Committee shall advise the Board where requested by the Board on matters relating to—
(a) scientific and technical questions relating to food safety and hygiene,
(b) the implementation and administration of food inspection services, and
(c) the nutritional value or content of food.
(7) The Board may specify a period within which advice on matters referred to the Scientific Committee shall be given by the Scientific Committee.
(8) The Board shall not act on any matter it has referred to the Scientific Committee until the Board has received advice from the Scientific Committee on the matter within the time period specified by the Board.
(9) The Scientific Committee may, having established to the best of its ability the budgetary and other resource implications and having—
(a) advised the Board on any matter referred to it by the Board, undertake such other or further investigation, assessment, research or examination into the matter as the Scientific Committee considers appropriate, or
(b) first informed the Board, initiate an investigation, assessment or examination of any matter related to food safety and hygiene as the Scientific Committee considers appropriate.
(10) Where the Scientific Committee undertakes or initiates anything referred to in subsection (9), the Board may set a time limit for receipt by it of the Scientific Committee's advice and the Board shall take no action on or in relation to the subject matter so undertaken or initiated until such time limit has expired or advice has been received, whichever first occurs.
(11) Where the Board has not set such a time limit for receipt of the Scientific Committee's advice on any matter undertaken or initiated by it under subsection (9), the Board may, at its own discretion, delay or defer any action on or in relation to the subject matter undertaken or initiated until advice by the Scientific Committee has been given to it.
(12) The Scientific Committee shall give advice under this section to the Board through the chairperson of the Scientific Committee.
(13) The advice of the Scientific Committee given under this section may be published by the Board.
Subcommittees.
35.—(1) The Board or, as appropriate, the Scientific Committee may from time to time establish subcommittees to advise it in relation to the performance of its functions.
(2) The Board or the Scientific Committee may appoint to a subcommittee established under this section persons who have a special knowledge and experience related to the purposes of the subcommittee.
(3) The appointment of a person to a subcommittee established under this section shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board or the Scientific Committee may determine.
(4) The Board or Scientific Committee may at any time dissolve a subcommittee established by it under this section.
(5) The acts of a subcommittee established under this section shall be subject to confirmation by the Board or Scientific Committee, as appropriate, unless the Board or Scientific Committee dispenses with the necessity for confirmation.
(6) The Board or Scientific Committee may regulate the procedure of a subcommittee established under this section, but, subject to any such regulation, a subcommittee established under this section may regulate its own procedure.
(7) The Board or, as the case may be, the Scientific Committee shall ensure an equitable balance between men and women in the composition of a subcommittee established by it under this section.
Remuneration and allowances.
36.—There may be paid to the members of the Board (including the chairperson) and members of the Scientific Committee and any subcommittee established under section 35 such remuneration (if any) and such allowances for expenses incurred by them as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine.
Chief executive of Authority.
37.—(1) There shall be a chief officer of the Authority who shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the chief executive.
(2) The chief executive shall be appointed by the Board and may be removed from office at any time for stated reasons by the Board with the consent of the Minister.
(3) The chief executive shall carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of the Authority and perform such other functions as may be determined by the Board.
(4) The chief executive shall hold office for such term and upon and subject to such other terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration) as may be determined by the Minister after consultation with the Board and with the consent of the Minister for Finance and shall be paid out of moneys at the disposal of the Authority in accordance with section 24.
(5) The chief executive may make proposals to the Board on any matter relating to the activities of the Authority.
(6) The chief executive shall not hold any other office or position or carry on any business without the consent of the Board.
(7) The chief executive shall not be a member of the Board or of the Scientific Committee or a subcommittee established under section 35, but he or she may, in accordance with procedures established by the Board, attend meetings of the Board, Scientific Committee, or any such subcommittees and shall be entitled to speak and advise the relevant meeting.
Staff of Authority.
38.—(1) The Board may appoint such and such number of persons to be members of the staff of the Authority as it may determine with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
(2) The grades of the staff of the Authority and the numbers of staff in each grade and the appropriate level of remuneration for each grade shall be determined by the Board with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
(3) A member of the staff of the Authority shall—
(a) be paid, out of moneys advanced to the Authority in accordance with section 24, such remuneration and allowances for expenses incurred by him or her as the Board may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, determine, and
(b) hold his or her office or employment for such term upon and subject to such other conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration) as may be determined by the Minister after consultation with the Board and with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(4) Every person who immediately before the establishment day is a member of the staff of the former Authority shall, on that day, be transferred to and become a member of the staff of the Authority.
(5) Save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade unions or staff associations concerned, a person referred to in subsection (4) shall not, while in the service of the Authority, receive a lesser scale of pay or be made subject to less beneficial terms and conditions of service (including those relating to tenure of office) than the scale of pay to which he or she was entitled and the terms and conditions of service (including conditions relating to tenure of office) to which he or she was subject immediately before the establishment day.
(6) A member of the staff of an official agency may, being a person or of a class of person designated for the purpose by the Minister of the Government or other person having responsibility for the official agency concerned, and subject to subsection (7) generally and to the consent of the Minister of the Government having responsibility for the official agency concerned, be transferred to the Authority.
(7) Save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade unions and associations concerned and with the relevant official agency concerned, and with the consent of the Minister and Minister for Finance a member of the staff of an official agency transferred to the staff of the Authority under subsection (6), shall not, while he or she is in the service of the Authority, receive a lesser scale of pay or be made subject to less beneficial terms and conditions of service (including those relating to tenure of office) than the scale of pay to which he or she was entitled and the terms and conditions of service (including those relating to tenure of office) to which he or she was subject immediately before his or her transfer.
Superannuation.
39.—(1) The Authority shall prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme or schemes for the granting of superannuation benefits to or in respect of such members of the staff of the Authority as it may think fit.
(2) Every such scheme shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom superannuation benefits are payable under the scheme or schemes and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(3) Every such scheme may be amended or revoked by a subsequent scheme prepared, submitted and approved under this section.
(4) A scheme submitted by the Authority under this section shall, if approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, be carried out by the Board in accordance with its terms.
(5) Superannuation benefits granted under schemes under this section to persons who, immediately before the establishment day, were members of the staff of the former Authority and the terms and conditions relating to those benefits shall not be less favourable to those persons than those to which they were entitled immediately before that day.
(6) No superannuation benefit shall be granted by the Authority nor shall any other arrangements be entered into by the Authority for the provision of such a benefit to or in respect of a member of the staff of the Authority otherwise than in accordance with a scheme under this section or with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
(7) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any superannuation benefit payable in pursuance of a scheme or schemes under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister who shall refer it to the Minister for Finance, whose decision shall be final.
(8) Where, in the period beginning on the establishment day and ending immediately before the commencement of a scheme under this section, a superannuation benefit falls due for payment to or in respect of a person who was transferred to the staff of the Authority under section 38, the benefit shall be calculated by the Authority in accordance with such scheme, or such enactments in relation to superannuation, as applied to the person immediately before the establishment day and, for that purpose, his or her pensionable service with the Authority shall be aggregated with his or her previous pensionable service and shall be paid by the Authority.
(9) A scheme under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the scheme is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Membership of either House of Oireachtas, European Parliament, local authority or health board.
40.—(1) Where a member of the Board—
(a) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,
(b) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or as a representative in the European Parliament,
(c) is regarded pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act, 1997, as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy,
(d) becomes a member of a local authority, or
(e) becomes a member of the board of a health board,
he or she shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Board.
(2) Where a member of the staff of the Authority—
(a) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,
(b) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or as a representative in the European Parliament, or
(c) is regarded, pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act, 1997, as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy,
he or she shall thereupon stand seconded from his or her employment with the Authority and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from the Authority remuneration or allowances in respect of the period commencing on such nomination or election, or when he or she is so regarded as having been elected (as the case may be), and ending when he or she ceases to be a member of that House or a representative in that Parliament.
(3) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein or who is a representative in the European Parliament shall, while he or she is entitled or is a member, be disqualified from becoming a member of the Board, or a member of the staff of the Authority.
(4) A person who is a member of a local authority or the board of a health board, shall be disqualified from becoming a member of the Board.
(5) The Authority shall not employ or otherwise retain in any capacity a person who would otherwise be disqualified under this section from becoming a member of the Board save with the approval of the Board.
(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), that subsection shall be construed as prohibiting, among other things, the reckoning of a period mentioned in that subsection as service with the Authority for the purposes of any superannuation benefits.
Declaration of interests.
41.—(1) On his or her appointment, the chief executive, each member of the Board and each member of the Scientific Committee shall make a declaration in writing of his or her interests to the Minister, in such form as the Minister, following consultation with the Minister for Finance, may specify.
(2) On his or her appointment, each consultant and each employee of the Authority at a grade or level specified before the appointment by the Board, following consultation with the Minister, and each member of any subcommittee established under section 35 designated in this connection by the Board, shall declare his or her interests in writing to the chairperson of the Board and, within 3 months of such declaration, the chairperson shall inform the Board and the Minister of the interests declared and the names of those making the declarations.
(3) A person to whom subsection (1) or (2) applies shall, throughout the tenure of his or her appointment, amend and update his or her declarations of interests as required by the Minister or the Board, as the case may be, of any change in the interests held by the person.
(4) (a) A statement of the interests declared under subsection (1) shall be included in the next report prepared in accordance with section 25(1) following the making of the declaration and any subsequent change in a declaration shall also be included in a statement in the next available report.
(b) The form and context of the statement to be included in such report shall be agreed between the chairperson, the Minister and the Minister for Finance.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b), it shall not be necessary to specify in a statement in such report the amount or monetary value of any interest, or the remuneration of any trade, profession or employment included in the statement.
(5) Where a person to whom subsection (1) applies, fails to make a declaration in accordance with that subsection, the Minister shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office) to be taken.
(6) Where a person to whom subsection (2) applies, fails to make a declaration in accordance with that subsection, the Board shall decide the appropriate action (including removal from office or termination of contract) to be taken.
(7) In this section:
“employment” includes—
(a) full-time employment,
(b) part-time paid employment, where such employment is ongoing in the year of appointment or which arises in subsequent years,
(c) temporary paid employment, being for a period of 16 weeks or more in the year of appointment or in subsequent years, or
(d) being retained under contract, directly or indirectly, in any capacity as an advisor, consultant or lobbyist, or for the provision of services;
by or in a food business;
“food business” includes—
(a) any business selling, distributing or marketing food directly to the public (including caterers and retailers),
(b) any business engaged in distribution, transportation, importing, exporting, storage or wholesaling of food, or
(c) processing and packaging of food,
and shall be considered a food business where the activity in relation to food constitutes at least one third of the turnover of the business;
“interests” includes—
(a) employment by or on behalf of—
(i) a food business,
(ii) any organisation representative of food businesses, or
(iii) any organisation representative of food producers,
(b) ownership of a food business,
(c) ownership of agricultural land used by the party concerned for or in connection with the production of food for sale, either directly or through another party, to the consumer,
(d) shares in, bonds or debentures of, or other like investments in a food business, where the aggregate of such holdings exceeds £7,000,
(e) a directorship or shadow directorship (within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990) in a food business, held currently or during the previous two years, or
(f) gifts of travel, holidays, transport, money (in excess of £500) or other benefits, including benefits from any beneficial interest in or connected with a food business or agricultural land, during the previous two years which were received by the person being appointed or by his or her spouse;
“ownership” includes—
(a) any proprietary interest in agricultural land or a food business, whether that interest is freehold, leasehold or beneficial, and shall apply,
(b) where the interest is held solely by the person being appointed or shared with one or more other persons, or
(c) where the interest, at the time of appointment, has a value of £15,000 or more.
Disclosure of interests.
42.—(1) Where the chief executive, a member of the Board, a member of the staff of the Authority, a member of the Scientific Committee or a subcommittee established under section 35, or a consultant, adviser or other person engaged by the Authority, has a pecuniary interest or other beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter which falls to be considered by the Board, the Scientific Committee, or subcommittee established under this Act, as the case may be, he or she shall—
(a) disclose to the Board, the Scientific Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, the nature of his or her interest in advance of any consideration of the matter,
(b) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision in relation to the matter,
(c) take no part in any consideration of the matter,
(d) if he or she is a chief executive, a member of the Board, the staff of the Authority, the Scientific Committee or subcommittee established under this Act, withdraw from the meeting for so long as the matter is being discussed or considered by the Board, the Scientific Committee or a subcommittee established under this Act, as the case may be, and shall not vote or otherwise act as such chief executive or member in relation to the matter.
(2) For the purposes of this section, but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a person shall be regarded as having a beneficial interest if—
(a) he or she or any member of his or her household, or any nominee of his or her or any member of his or her household, is a member of a company or any other body which has a beneficial interest in, or material to, a matter referred to in that subsection,
(b) he or she or any member of his or her household is in partnership with or is in the employment of a person who has a beneficial interest in, or material to, such a matter,
(c) he or she or any member of his or her household is a party to any arrangement or agreement (whether or not enforceable) concerning land to which such a matter relates, or
(d) any member of his or her household has a beneficial interest in, or material to, such a matter.
(3) For the purposes of this section a person shall not be regarded as having a beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter by reason only of an interest of his or her or of any company or of any other body or person mentioned in subsection (2) which is so remote or insignificant that it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to influence a person in considering, discussing or in voting on, any question with respect to the matter, or in performing any function in relation to that matter.
(4) Where a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a person, would be a failure by him or her to comply with the requirements of subsection (1), the question shall be determined by the Board and particulars of the determination shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting concerned.
(5) Where a disclosure is made to the Board, the Scientific Committee or a subcommittee pursuant to subsection (1), particulars of the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting concerned.
(6) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500.
Disclosure of information.
43.—(1) Save as otherwise provided by law, a person shall not, without the consent of the Board, disclose any information obtained by him or her while performing (or as a result of having performed) duties as—
(a) a member of the Board,
(b) a member of the staff of the Authority (including the chief executive),
(c) a member of the Scientific Committee, or a subcommittee established under section 35, or
(d) an adviser or consultant to the Authority,
or obtained while in performance of a service contract.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) shall prevent the disclosure of information in a report made to the Board or by or on behalf of the Authority to the Minister.
PART IV
Enforcement of Food Safety Standards
Commencement of Part IV.
44.—This Part shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes and different provisions.
Power of Authority to enforce food safety standards in food legislation.
45.—Subject to section 57, in any food legislation, passed or made before the establishment day, any functions of an official agency in relation to the enforcement of the legislation shall be deemed to be a function of the Authority.
Food inspections, etc.
46.—For the purposes of section 11, the Authority shall carry out or arrange to have carried out on its behalf under section 48 the following:
(a) 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,
(b) the inspection, sampling and analysis of food, including food ingredients, and
(c) the inspection and analysis of food labelling,
to determine compliance with food legislation.
Additional inspections.
47.—For the purposes of section 11, and in addition to the powers of inspection under food legislation or section 46, the Authority may, in the case of a particular circumstance identified by an authorised officer which is in the interest of food safety and hygiene, carry out or arrange to have carried out such additional inspections as it considers necessary for the discharge of its functions under this Act, and any such inspections shall as far as is practicable be carried out by or on behalf of the Authority in consultation with such persons as it considers appropriate.
Service contracts.
48.—(1) The Authority may for the purposes of carrying out its functions under section 46 enter into a contract (“service contract”) with—
(a) in the case of any food legislation mentioned in the First Schedule at the passing of this Act, the official agency responsible immediately before the commencement of section 45 for the enforcement of those standards in that legislation,
(b) in the case of any food legislation mentioned in the First Schedule inserted by order under section 5 after the passing of this Act, the official agency responsible immediately before the making of the order (or, where the order contains a commencement provision, its commencement) for the enforcement of those standards in that legislation, or
(c) the relevant official agency in relation to any food legislation passed or made after the establishment day and deemed to be food legislation for the purposes of this Act.
(2) An official agency carrying out functions under a service contract shall be acting on behalf of and as an agent for the Authority.
(3) The Authority shall specify the following matters to an official agency with which it proposes to enter into a service contract—
(a) the objectives and targets for food inspections it wishes the official agency to meet, having regard to the resources available to the official agency,
(b) the timeframe in which it wishes to have the targets and objectives achieved, and
(c) any other matter considered necessary by the Authority.
(4) An official agency which proposes to enter into a service contract with the Authority shall indicate to the Authority the means by which it proposes to meet those targets and objectives, including the resources it proposes to deploy in performance of the service contract.
(5) A service contract shall be in force for a period of not less than 3 years and may, at the request of either party, be subject to review during that period.
(6) Any service contract shall be published by the Authority within 3 months of being entered into.
(7) The Authority shall publish within 3 months the changes to and the reasons for such changes to a contract arising from any review carried out in accordance with subsection (5).
(8) The official agency concerned shall within 3 months of the end of each year of the contract, provide to the Authority an annual report, or at the request of the Authority more frequent reports, on the implementation of the service contract and the Authority may, if it considers it appropriate, publish such reports.
(9) The Authority shall take such measures as it considers appropriate to determine whether an official agency is adequately carrying out inspections under a service contract.
(10) An official agency which indicates to the Authority that it does not wish to enter into or renew a service contract with the Authority shall inform the Minister as soon as may be of its indication through the Minister of the Government or other person having responsibility for the official agency and give reasons for its indication.
(11) An official agency which enters into a service contract shall provide the necessary resources for the performance of the contract.
(12) Where an official agency fails to enter into a service contract or, in the opinion of the Authority, an official agency has failed to discharge all or a significant or material part of its obligations under a service contract, the Authority, without delay and following consultations with the Minister of the Government or other person having responsibility for the official agency concerned, shall put in place such arrangements as it considers necessary for the performance of the subject matter of the service contract in question.
(13) The Authority may make a special report to the Minister in cases of full or significant non-performance of a service contract and the Minister shall cause copies of such report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Authorised officers.
49.—(1) The Board or the chief executive may appoint in writing persons to be authorised officers for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Board or the chief executive may appoint in writing any person to be an authorised officer for a fixed period for the purposes of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
(3) An official agency, where it has entered into a service contract with the Board, shall appoint persons to be authorised officers for the purpose of that contract and shall, as soon as may be, inform the Authority of any such appointment and such persons shall have all the powers available to authorised officers under this Act while in performance of a service contract.
(4) Every authorised officer appointed under this section shall be furnished by the Authority or the official agency, as the case may be, with a warrant of his or her appointment as an authorised officer and when exercising any power conferred on him or her by this section as an authorised officer shall, if requested by a person affected, produce the warrant or a copy thereof to that person.
(5) An appointment under this section as an authorised officer shall cease—
(a) in the case of an appointment made by the Board or the chief executive, where the Board or the chief executive, as the case may be, revokes the appointment,
(b) in the case of an appointment made by an official agency, where the relevant service contract is determined,
(c) where it is for a fixed period, upon the expiry of that period, or
(d) where the person appointed is an officer of an official agency or of the Authority, upon his or her ceasing to be such an officer.
Powers of authorised officers.
50.—(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of any food legislation, an authorised officer may, for the purpose of obtaining any information which may be required in order to enable the Authority to exercise its functions under this Act or an official agency to exercise its functions under a service contract—
(a) require any employee of the Authority or of an official agency, a former employee of the Authority or an official agency or any person otherwise currently or previously retained by an official agency, or any person who carries or has carried on any trade, business or activity to which this Act relates or any person currently or previously employed in connection with that trade, business or activity to produce to him or her such records, and in the case of such information in a non-legible form to reproduce it in a permanent legible form, or to give to him or her such information, as the officer may reasonably require in relation to any entries in such records,
(b) at all reasonable times enter any premises, subject to subsection (2), at which there are reasonable grounds to believe that any trade, business or activity in connection with the production, processing, disposal, manufacture, exportation, importation, storage, distribution or sale of food is, or has been, carried on, or that records in relation to such trade, business or activity are kept, and search and inspect the premises, and any records in or on the premises,
(c) secure for later inspection any premises or any part thereof in which such records are kept or there are reasonable grounds for believing that such records are kept,
(d) inspect and take copies of or extracts from any such records (including in the case of information in a non-legible form a copy of or extract from such information in a permanent legible form),
(e) remove and retain the said records for such period as may be reasonable for further examination,
(f) require a person referred to in paragraph (a) to give to the officer any information which the officer may reasonably require in regard to the trade, business or activity or in regard to the persons carrying on such trade, business or activity or employed in connection with that trade, business or activity,
(g) require any person referred to in paragraph (a) by or on whose behalf data equipment is or has been used in relation to a business within the meaning of paragraph (b) or any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of, the data equipment or any associated apparatus or material, to afford the officer all reasonable assistance in relation to its use thereto,
(h) summon, at any reasonable time, any other person being or having been an employee of the Authority or of an official agency or retained or having been retained by the Authority or an official agency or employed in connection with the trade, business or activity under examination by the Authority or by its agent, by virtue of a service contract to give to the officer any information which the officer may reasonably require in regard to that trade, business or activity and to produce to the officer any records which are in that person's power or control.
(2) An authorised officer shall not, other than with the consent of the occupier, enter a private dwelling unless he or she has obtained a warrant from the District Court under subsection (4) authorising such entry.
(3) An authorised officer, where he or she considers it necessary, may require a member of the Garda Síochána to assist him or her when performing any powers conferred on an authorised officer by this Act which involves the breaking open of any premises or any other action in which the use of force may be necessary and is lawful and any member of the Garda Síochána so required shall, unless he or she has reasonable excuse, comply with the requirement.
(4) If a judge of the District Court is satisfied on the sworn information of an authorised officer that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is information required by an authorised officer under this section held in any premises, the judge may issue a warrant authorising an authorised officer, accompanied if appropriate by other authorised officers or by a member of the Garda Síochána, at any time or times within one month from the date of issue of the warrant, on production of the warrant if so requested, to enter that premises, if need be by reasonable force, and exercise all or any of the powers conferred on an authorised officer under this section.
(5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement (other than a requirement under subsection (3)) made by an authorised officer under this Act shall be guilty of an offence.
(6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
(7) Where a person, after conviction of an offence under subsection (5), continues to contravene that provision, he or she shall be guilty of an offence on every day on which the contravention continues and for each such offence he or she shall be liable to a fine—
(a) on summary conviction, not exceeding £500, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, not exceeding £15,000.
(8) A person who obstructs or interferes with an authorised officer in the exercise of his or her powers under this Act or gives an authorised officer information which the person knows to be false or misleading shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both.
Taking of samples.
51.—(1) For the purposes of food inspections to be carried out by or on behalf of the Authority, and without prejudice to the provision of any food legislation concerning the sampling and analysis of food, the Minister, following consultation with the Authority, may—
(a) make regulations—
(i) for the taking of samples of food or materials or articles used or intended for use in the preparation or manufacture of food (including packaging and machinery) or of articles which are by-products of the manufacture of food, and
(ii) to enable the carrying out of tests, examinations and analyses of such samples,
(b) following consultation with the Scientific Committee, prescribe—
(i) the certificate or other evidence to be given of the result of any test, examination or analysis carried out in accordance with such regulations, and
(ii) the persons or the classes of persons by and to whom such certificate or evidence is to be given.
(2) Any certificate or other evidence provided in accordance with regulations made under subsection (1) or with relevant food legislation shall be prima facie evidence in respect of the result of a test, examination or analysis of a sample, and such certificate or other evidence shall, as respects those samples, be accepted by all Courts of Justice as evidence of the result of such test, examination or analysis and that such test, examination or analysis was carried out under and in accordance with this Act or other food legislation until the contrary is shown.
(3) A person who obstructs a person authorised by the Authority to take samples under regulations made under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £1,500.
Improvement notices and orders.
52.—(1) Where an authorised officer is of the opinion—
(a) that at any premises (or part of a premises and including any premises on lands contiguous or adjacent to the premises) any activity which involves the handling, preparation, processing, manufacturing, distribution, storage or selling of food, or
(b) that the condition of any premises (or part of a premises and including any premises or lands contiguous with or adjacent to the premises) at, in or on which these activities are carried out,
is of such a nature that if it persists, it will or is likely to pose a risk to public health, the officer may, following consultations with the chief executive or such other officer of the Authority or an official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, serve, or arrange to have served, on the proprietor or person in charge a notice (“improvement notice”) signed by the officer or the chief executive or other officer of the Authority or official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, and stating that he or she is of that opinion and the notice shall—
(i) identify the activity or defect in the premises (or part thereof) giving rise to the risk,
(ii) require that remedial action be taken and, if appropriate, shall specify the nature or details or such remedial action,
(iii) specify a time limit by which the remedial action is to be completed or implemented, and
(iv) shall include any other requirements as are considered necessary in the given circumstances by the authorised officer.
(2) An improvement notice shall be served on the proprietor or person in charge of the premises and shall be effective immediately or, as appropriate, from a date specified in the notice and the Board shall be notified at the next available meeting of the Board of any such service.
(3) The chief executive or a member of the staff of the Authority or a member of the Board, authorised by the Board in this connection, may, for stated reasons, revoke or vary an improvement notice made in accordance with this section and the Board shall be notified at the next available meeting of the Board of any such revocation or variation and the reasons therefor.
(4) Where an improvement notice is not complied with or is not complied with to the satisfaction of an authorised officer, the Authority or official agency may seek an order (“improvement order”) of the District Court addressed to the proprietor or person in charge, directing him or her to comply with the improvement notice and the order shall specify—
(a) the remedial work to be undertaken,
(b) the time limit for completion or implementation of the remedial work, and
(c) such other requirement, if any, as the Court may consider appropriate.
(5) An improvement order shall provide that the Authority or official agency may serve a closure order—
(a) where the improvement order is not complied with within the time specified in the improvement order, or
(b) where there are circumstances specified in the improvement order which arise prior to the expiry of the time limit specified in the improvement order which warrant the serving of a closure order.
(6) Nothing in this section shall prevent the Authority or official agency from serving a closure order at any time in respect of any premises which is subject to an improvement notice if, in the opinion of an authorised officer, the circumstances require the service of a closure order.
Closure orders.
53.—(1) Where an authorised officer is of the opinion that there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at, in or on any premises or part thereof or where the authorised officer is unable to establish to his or her satisfaction, due to any obstruction, the level of or the extent to which such a danger, if any, exists, the authorised officer may, following consultations with the chief executive or such other officer of the Authority or an official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, serve, or arrange to have served, on the proprietor or person in charge of the premises a notice (“closure order”) signed by the officer or the chief executive or other officer of the Authority or official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, stating that he or she is of that opinion, and the closure order shall, as appropriate—
(a) state that the authorised officer is of the opinion that the premises or part thereof to which the order relates should be closed,
(b) specify the matters which in his or her opinion give or, as the case may be, are likely to give rise to the said risk,
(c) where in his or her opinion any of those matters involves or, as the case may be, will involve a contravention of any of the food legislation state that he or she is of that opinion, specify the provision or provisions as to which he or she is of that opinion, and give particulars of the reasons why he or she is of that opinion, and
(d) direct that the premises be closed unless and until the matters specified in the order in pursuance of paragraph (b) and any associated contravention of provisions so specified in pursuance of paragraph (c) have been remedied.
(2) The Board shall be notified at the next available meeting of the Board of the service of a closure order.
(3) A closure order shall take effect—
(a) where the order so declares, immediately the closure order is received by the person on whom it is served,
(b) in any other case—
(i) where no appeal is taken against the closure order, on the expiration of the period during which such an appeal may be taken or the day specified in the closure order as the day on which it is to come into effect, whichever is the later, or
(ii) in case such an appeal is taken, on the day next following the day on which the closure order is confirmed on appeal or the appeal is withdrawn or the day specified in the closure order as that on which it is to come into effect, whichever is the later.
(4) The bringing of an appeal against a closure order which is to take effect in accordance with subsection (3)(a) shall not have the effect of suspending the operation of the closure order, but the appellant may apply to the court to have the operation of the closure order suspended until the appeal is disposed of and, on such application, the court may, if it thinks proper to do so, direct that the operation of the order be suspended until the appeal is disposed of.
(5) (a) A person who is aggrieved by a closure order may, within the period of 7 days beginning on the day on which the closure order is served on him or her, appeal against the order to a judge of the District Court in the district court district in which the order was served in the prescribed manner and in determining the appeal the judge may—
(i) if he or she is satisfied that in the circumstances of the case it is reasonable to do so, confirm the closure order, with or without modification, or
(ii) cancel the closure order.
(b) Where on the hearing of an appeal under this section a closure order is confirmed, notwithstanding subsection (4) the judge of the District Court by whom the appeal is heard may, on the application of the appellant, suspend the operation of the closure order for such period as in the circumstances of the case the district judge considers appropriate.
(6) A person who appeals against a closure order or who applies for a direction suspending the application of the closure order under subsection (4) shall at the same time notify the Authority or official agency of the appeal or the application and the grounds for the appeal or the application and the Authority or official agency shall be entitled to appear, be heard and adduce evidence on the hearing of the appeal or the application.
(7) The chief executive or other person, being an employee of the Authority or member of the Board, authorised by the Board in this connection, may, for stated reasons, revoke or vary a closure order made in accordance with this section and the Board shall be notified at the next available meeting of the Board of any such revocation or variation and the reasons therefor.
(8) (a) Where a closure order has been served and activities are carried on in contravention of the order, the High Court may, on the application of an authorised officer, by order prohibit the continuance of the activities and order the closure of the premises.
(b) An application to the High Court for an order under this subsection shall be by motion and the Court, when considering the matter, may make such interim or interlocutory order (if any) as it considers appropriate and the order by which an application under this subsection is determined may contain such terms and conditions (if any) as to the payment of costs as the Court considers appropriate.
(9) The chief executive shall, in the interests of public health and consumer protection, make such arrangements as he or she considers appropriate or necessary to bring the contents of a closure order to the attention of the public.
Withdrawal of food products.
54.—(1) Where, as regards any activities which involve the handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling of food to which this section applies, an authorised officer is of the opinion that the activities involve or, are likely to involve, a serious risk to public health, the authorised officer may, following consultations with the chief executive or such other officer of the Authority or an official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, serve, or arrange to have served, on the proprietor or person in charge of the food in question a notice (“prohibition order”) signed by the officer or the chief executive or other officer of the Authority or official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, stating that he or she is of that opinion and the prohibition order shall—
(a) state that the authorised officer is of the opinion that a particular consignment, class, batch or item of food should be withdrawn from sale (whether or not the product is on the market for sale in the State or elsewhere),
(b) specify the matters which in his or her opinion give or, as the case may be, are likely to give rise to the said risk,
(c) where in his or her opinion any of those matters involves or, as the case may be, will involve a contravention of any of the food legislation, state that he or she is of that opinion, specify the provision or provisions as to which he or she is of that opinion, and give particulars of the reasons why he or she is of that opinion, and
(d) in respect of any or all of the following, direct the person on whom the prohibition order is served to ensure that the food—
(i) is not used for human consumption,
(ii) is recalled from sale or distribution (whether or not the food is on sale or being or has been distributed for sale in the State or elsewhere),
(iii) as appropriate in the interests of public health, is rendered safe for human consumption or is detained or is destroyed in a manner prescribed by the authorised officer,
and, in the event of non-compliance or delay by the person on whom the notice has been served, an authorised officer of the Authority or official agency shall, following consultations with the chief executive or other officer of the Authority or official agency designated in that behalf by the Board, take whatever steps are considered necessary to ensure compliance with the direction given under this subsection and this may include the seizure and destruction of the products in question or the making of any arrangements for such seizure or destruction or both.
(2) The Board shall be notified at the next available meeting of the Board of the service of a prohibition order.
(3) The chief executive shall, in the interest of public health and consumer protection, make such arrangements as he or she considers necessary or appropriate to—
(a) bring the matter giving rise to the prohibition notice to the attention of the public,
(b) notify (by means of any agreed mechanism for doing so, where such a mechanism exists) the competent regulatory authorities in other countries where the food is on sale or is or has been distributed for sale of the prohibition order.
(4) A prohibition order shall take effect—
(a) where the order so declares, immediately the notice is received by the person on whom it is served,
(b) in any other case—
(i) where no appeal is taken against the prohibition order, on the expiration of the period during which such an appeal may be taken or the day specified in the prohibition order as the day on which it is to come into effect, whichever is the later, or
(ii) in case such an appeal is taken, on the day next following the day on which the prohibition order is confirmed on appeal or the appeal is withdrawn or the day specified in the prohibition order as that on which it is to come into effect, whichever is the later.
(5) The bringing of an appeal against a prohibition order which is to take effect in accordance with subsection (4)(a) shall not have the effect of suspending the operation of the prohibition order, but the appellant may apply to the Court to have the operation of the prohibition order suspended until the appeal is disposed of and, on such application, the Court may, if it thinks proper to do so, direct that the operation of the prohibition order be suspended until the appeal is disposed of.
(6) (a) A person who is aggrieved by a prohibition order may, within the period of 7 days beginning on the day on which the prohibition order is served on him or her, appeal against the order to a judge of the District Court in the district court district in which the prohibition order was served in the prescribed manner and in determining the appeal the judge may—
(i) if he or she is satisfied that in the circumstances of the case it is reasonable to do so, confirm the prohibition order, with or without modification, or
(ii) cancel the prohibition order.
(b) Where on the hearing of an appeal under this section a prohibition order is confirmed, notwithstanding subsection (4) the judge of the District Court by whom the appeal is heard may, on the application of the appellant, suspend the operation of the prohibition order for such period as in the circumstances of the case the district judge considers appropriate.
(7) A person who appeals against a prohibition order or who applies for a direction suspending the application of the prohibition order under subsection (5) shall at the same time notify the Authority or official agency of the appeal or the application and the grounds for the appeal or the application and the Authority or official agency shall be entitled to appear, be heard and adduce evidence on the hearing of the appeal or the application.
(8) The chief executive or other person, being an employee of the Authority, or member of the Board, authorised by the Board in this connection, may, for stated reasons, revoke or vary a prohibition order made in accordance with this section and the Board shall be notified at the next available meeting of the Board of any such revocation or variation and the reasons therefor.
(9) (a) Where a prohibition order has been served and activities are carried on in contravention of the prohibition order, the High Court may, on the application of an authorised officer, by order prohibit the continuance of the activities.
(b) An application to the High Court for an order under this subsection shall be by motion and the Court, when considering the matter, may make such interim or interlocutory order (if any) as it considers appropriate and the order by which an application under this subsection is determined may contain such terms and conditions (if any) as to the payment of costs as the Court considers appropriate.
Indemnification of authorised officers, etc.
55.—(1) Where the Board is satisfied that an authorised officer, or any other member of the staff of the Authority, has discharged his or her duties in pursuance of the functions of the Authority in a bona fide manner, the Board shall indemnify the authorised officer, or such member of the staff of the Authority, against all actions or claims howsoever arising in respect of the discharge by him or her of his or her duties.
(2) A member of the Garda Síochána shall not be liable for any loss or damage occasioned by or in the course of assisting an authorised officer in accordance with section 50(3).
Service of notices, etc.
56.—(1) Any notice required to be served or given by or under this Part shall be addressed to the person concerned and served or given in one of the following ways—
(a) by addressing it to the person by name and delivering it to him or her,
(b) by leaving it at the address at which the person ordinarily resides or carries on business,
(c) by sending it by post in a prepaid registered letter addressed to the person at the address at which he or she ordinarily resides or carries on business,
(d) if an address for the service of notices has been furnished by the person, by leaving it at, or sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to him or her to, that address,
(e) where the address at which the person ordinarily resides or carries on business cannot be ascertained by reasonable inquiry and notice is required to be served on, or given to, him or her in respect of any premises by delivering it to a person over the age of 16 years resident in or employed on the premises, or by affixing it in a conspicuous position on or near the premises, or
(f) where there is a facility for receiving a facsimile of the notice by electronic means at the address at which the person ordinarily resides or carries on business, by transmitting a facsimile of the notice by such means to that address, provided that the notice is also served or given in any of the other ways referred to in this subsection.
(2) Where the name of the person concerned cannot be ascertained by reasonable inquiry, a notice under this Act may be addressed to “the occupier”, “the owner” or “the person in charge”, as the case may be.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a company registered under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990, shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at its registered office, and every other body corporate and every unincorporated body shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident at its principal office or place of business.
(4) A person shall not at any time during the period 3 months after a notice is affixed under subsection (1)(e) remove, damage or deface the notice without lawful authority.
(5) A person who contravenes subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding £25 for each day on which the offence is continued.
Prosecution of summary offences under food legislation.
57.—(1) Proceedings in relation to a summary offence under any food legislation may continue to be brought and prosecuted by the official agency which had responsibility, immediately before the commencement of section 45, for the enforcement of the food legislation concerned.
(2) Proceedings in relation to a summary offence under any food legislation, committed after the commencement of section 45, may be also brought and prosecuted by the Authority.
PART V
Dissolution of Former Authority
Dissolution of former Authority.
58.—(1) The former Authority shall, on the establishment day, become and be dissolved.
(2) References in any Act of the Oireachtas passed before the establishment day or in any instrument made before that day under an Act of the Oireachtas to the former Authority shall, on and after that day, be construed as references to the Authority.
Transfer of assets and liabilities of former Authority.
59.—(1) The following shall be and hereby are transferred to the Authority on the establishment day—
(a) all property and rights relating to such property held or enjoyed immediately before that day by the former Authority or any trustee or agent thereof acting on its behalf, and
(b) all liabilities incurred before that day by the former Authority or any trustee or agent thereof acting on its behalf that had not been discharged before that day,
and, accordingly, without any further conveyance, transfer or assignment—
(i) the said property, real and personal, shall, on that day, vest in the Authority for all the estate, term or interest for which, immediately before that day, it was so vested in the former Authority, as the case may be, but subject to all trusts and equities affecting the property subsisting and capable of being performed,
(ii) the said rights shall, as on and from that day, be enjoyed by the Authority, and
(iii) the said liabilities shall, as on and from that day, be liabilities of the Authority.
(2) All moneys, stocks, shares and securities transferred to the Authority by this section that, on the establishment day, are standing in the name of the former Authority or any said trustee or agent thereof shall, upon the request of the Authority, be transferred into its name.
(3) Every right and liability transferred to the Authority by this section may, on or after the establishment day, be sued on, recovered or enforced by or against the Authority in its own name and it shall not be necessary for the Authority to give notice to the person whose right or liability is transferred by this section of the transfer.
Preservation of certain continuing contracts and adaptation of references to former Authority.
60.—(1) Every bond, guarantee or other security of a continuing nature made or given by or on behalf of the former Authority to any person or given by any person to and accepted by or on behalf of the former Authority and every contract or agreement made between the former Authority, or any trustee or agent thereof acting on its behalf, and any other person and in force but not fully executed and completed immediately before the establishment day shall continue in force on or after that day and shall be construed and have effect as if the name of the Authority was substituted therein for that of the former Authority or, as appropriate, its said trustee or agent and shall be enforceable by or against the Authority.
(2) References to the former Authority, or any trustee or agent thereof acting on its behalf, contained immediately before the establishment day in the memorandum and articles of association of any company shall, on and after that day, be construed as references to the Authority.
Saving for certain acts.
61.—Nothing in this Act shall affect the validity of any act that was done before the establishment day by or on behalf of the former Authority and every such act shall, if and in so far as it was operative immediately before that day, have effect on and after that day as if it had been done by or on behalf of the Authority.
Pending legal proceedings.
62.—Where, immediately before the establishment day, any legal proceedings are pending in any court or tribunal and the former Authority, or any trustee or agent thereof acting on its behalf, is a party to the proceedings, the name of the Authority shall be substituted therein for that of the former Authority or, as appropriate, the said trustee or agent thereof and the proceedings shall not abate by reason of such substitution.
Exemption from capital gains tax.
63.—For the purposes of the Capital Gains Tax Acts (within the meaning of section 1 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997), any gain accruing to the former Authority on a disposal made by virtue of section 59 shall not be a chargeable gain.
Revocation.
64.—The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (Establishment) Order, 1997 (S.I. No. 524 of 1997), is hereby, on the establishment day, revoked.
PART VI
Amendment of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991
Amendment of Radiological Protection Act, 1991.
65.—The Radiological Protection Act, 1991, is hereby amended by—
(a) in section 28(1), the insertion after “Institute” of “and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, after consultation with the Institute,”,
(b) in section 31(1), the substitution for “Environment, Health and the Marine and the Institute” of “Environment and Local Government, Health and Children and the Marine and Natural Resources, the Institute and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland”,
(c) in section 32—
(i) the substitution for “and the Institute” of “, the Institute and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland” in each place it occurs, and
(ii) the insertion after “Health” of “and Children” in each place it occurs,
(d) in section 33(1), the insertion after “Agriculture and Food” of “in co-operation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland” and after “he” of “or it”,
(e) in section 33(2), the insertion after “Agriculture and Food” of “in co-operation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland” and after “he” of “or it”,
(f) in section 33(3), the substitution for “The Minister for the Marine” of “The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in co-operation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland” and the insertion after “he” of “or it”,
(g) in section 33(4), the insertion after “Finance” of “in co-operation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland” and after “he” of “or it”,
(h) in section 41(6), after “inspector” of “or by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, in respect of an offence committed after its establishment, if the Food Safety Authority of Ireland appointed that inspector”, and
(i) in section 41, after subsection (6) to insert the following subsection:
“(7) A summary offence under a regulation made under section 32(1) of this Act, committed after the establishment of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, may be prosecuted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.”.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Food Legislation
PART I
Acts
(No. 8 of 1988) | |
Agricultural Produce (Fresh Meat) Acts, 1930 to 1988 | |
Agricultural Produce (Meat) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1954 | (No. 33 of 1954) |
Agricultural Produce (Meat) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1978 | (No. 13 of 1978) |
Butter and Margarine Act, 1907 | (7 Edw. 7.c.21) |
(No. 11 of 1974) | |
(No. 28 of 1947) | |
Margarine Act, 1887 | (50 & 51 Vict., c.29) |
Pigs and Bacon Acts, 1935 to 1988 | |
(No. 12 of 1961) | |
Sale of Food & Drugs Acts, 1875 to 1936. |
PART II
Statutory Instruments
European Communities (Arsenic and Lead in Food) Regulations, 1972 (S.I. No. 44 of 1972)
European Communities (Labelling, Presentation and Advertising of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1982 (S.I. No. 205 of 1982)
European Communities (Erucic Acid in Food) (Method of Analysis) Regulations, 1982 (S.I. No. 271 of 1982)
European Communities (Food Additives) (Purity Criteria Verification) Regulations, 1983 (S.I. No. 60 of 1983)
European Communities (Vinyl Chloride in Food) (Method of Analysis) Regulations, 1984 (S.I. No. 92 of 1984)
European Communities (Antioxidant in Food) (Purity Criteria) Regulations, 1985 (S.I. No. 187 of 1985)
European Communities (Natural Mineral Waters) Regulations, 1986 (S.I. No. 11 of 1986)
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Cereals) Regulations, 1988 to 1998
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Foodstuffs of Animal Origin) Regulations, 1988 to 1998
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Fruit and Vegetables) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 105 of 1989)
European Communities (Preservatives in Food) (Purity Criteria) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 262 of 1989)
European Communities (Egg Products) Regulations, 1991 (S.I. No. 293 of 1991)
European Communities (Materials and Articles Intended to Come Into Contact With Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1991 (S.I. No. 307 of 1991)
European Communities (Flavourings for use in Foodstuffs for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 22 of 1992)
European Communities (Marketing Standards for Eggs) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 254 of 1992)
European Communities (Quick Frozen Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 290 of 1992)
Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (General Control of Radioactive Substances, Nuclear Devices and Irradiating Apparatus) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 151 of 1993)
European Communities (Minced Meat) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 215 of 1994)
European Communities (Infant Formulae) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. No. 459 of 1994)
European Communities (Meat Products and Other Products of Animal Origin) Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 126 of 1995)
European Communities (Rabbitmeat and Farmed Game Meat) Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 278 of 1995)
European Communities (Wild Game Meat) Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 298 of 1995)
European Communities (General Provisions on the Control of Additives, and in particular Colours and Sweeteners for use in Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 344 of 1995)
European Communities (Monitoring of Temperature in the Means of Transport, Warehousing and Storage of Quick-Frozen Foodstuffs and Sampling Procedure and Methods of Analysis for Control of the Temperatures of Quick-Frozen Foods Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1995 (S.I. No. 370 of 1995)
European Communities (Fresh Poultrymeat) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 3 of 1996)
European Communities (Hygienic Production and Placing on the Market of Raw Milk, Heat-Treated Milk and Milk-Based Products) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 9 of 1996) (other than Regulations 6 to 11)
European Communities (Live Bivalve Molluscs) (Health Conditions for Production and Placing on the Market) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 147 of 1996)
European Communities (Fishery Products) (Health Conditions and Hygiene Rules for Production and Placing on the Market) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 170 of 1996)
European Communities (Minced Meat and Meat Preparations) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 243 of 1996)
European Communities (Detailed Provisions on the Control of Additives, other than Colours and Sweeteners, for use in Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 128 of 1997)
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Fruit and Vegetables) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 218 of 1997)
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Products of Plant Origin, including Fruit and Vegetables) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 221 of 1997)
European Communities (Suspension of Imports of Pistachios and Certain Products Derived from Pistachios Originating in or Consigned from Iran) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 432 of 1997)
European Communities (Fresh Meat) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. No. 434 of 1997)
European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Products of Plant Origin, including Fruit and Vegetables) (Amendment) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. No. 71 of 1998)
European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. No. 85 of 1998)
European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. No. 86 of 1998)
European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) (Approved Laboratories) Order, 1998 (S.I. No. 95 of 1998).
PART III
Regulations of an Institution of the European Communities
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 194/971 of 31 January 1997 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 315/932 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food
Regulation (EC) No. 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council3 of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients.
1 O.J. No. L031 of 01.02.1997, p. 48.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Official Agencies
Each of the following shall be an official agency for the purposes of this Act:
the Director of Consumer Affairs,
a health board,
a local authority,
the Minister for Agriculture and Food,
the Minister for Health and Children,
the Minister for the Environment and Local Government,
the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources,
the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland,
the State Laboratory.