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Number 8 of 1998
COURTS SERVICE ACT, 1998
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna
Board of Service
Remuneration and expenses of members of Board or committees. |
Chief Executive Officer
Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, not to apply to appointment of Chief Executive. | |
Staff of Service
Transfer of Land, etc., to Service
Miscellaneous
Transitional
Transferred Officers
Functions of Minister to become those of Service
Acts Referred to | |
1956, No. 45 | |
Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 to 1996 | |
1993, No. 8 | |
1935, No. 18 | |
1926, No. 27 | |
1945, No. 25 | |
1951, No. 8 | |
1936, No. 48 | |
1953, No. 32 | |
1961, No. 39 | |
1926, No. 18 | |
1997, No. 2 | |
Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866 | 29 & 30 Vic. c. 39 |
Exchequer and Audit Departments Acts, 1866 and 1921 | |
Finance Act, 1895 | 58 & 59 Vic. c. 16 |
1993, No. 12 | |
Number 8 of 1998
COURTS SERVICE ACT, 1998
PART I
Preliminary and General.
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Courts Service Act, 1998.
(2) Part 1 and section 36 shall come into operation on the date of the passing of this Act.
(3) Part VIII shall come into operation one month after the date of the passing of this Act.
(4) The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may fix by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be fixed for different purposes and different provisions.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“the Board” means the Board of the Service;
“the Chief Executive” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Service appointed under section 17(1);
“the Chief Executive Designate” means the Chief Executive Designate appointed under section 40(1);
“the establishment day” means the day appointed under section 3;
“function” includes a power and duty;
“the Transitional Board” means the Courts Service Transitional Board established by section 37(1);
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform;
“the Service” means the body established by section 4(1);
“the staff of the Service” does not include the Chief Executive.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a section is a reference to a section of this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,
(b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended,
(c) a reference to a Schedule by number is a reference to the Schedule so numbered to this Act,
(d) a reference to an enactment includes a reference to that enactment as amended at any time by any enactment, and
(e) a reference to the performance of a function includes a reference to the exercise of a power and the performance of a duty.
PART II
An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna
Establishment day.
3.—The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.
Establishment of Service.
4.—(1) On the establishment day there shall be established a body to be known as An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna or, in the English language, the Courts Service (in this Act referred to as “the Service”) to perform the functions conferred on it by this Act.
(2) The Service shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(3) The Service shall, subject to this Act, be independent in the performance of its functions.
Functions of Service.
5.—The functions of the Service shall be to—
(a) manage the courts,
(b) provide support services for the judges,
(c) provide information on the courts system to the public,
(d) provide, manage and maintain court buildings, and
(e) provide facilities for users of the courts.
Powers of Service.
6.—(1) Subject to this Act but notwithstanding any other enactment, the Service may do anything necessary or expedient for enabling it to perform its functions.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Service may—
(a) acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land or rights over or in respect of land, and acquire, hold and dispose of any other property,
(b) enter into contracts and arrangements,
(c) arrange staff training and education,
(d) establish arrangements for consultation with users of the courts,
(e) at the request of the Minister, or on its own initiative, recommend to the Minister appropriate scales of court fees and charges,
(f) make proposals to the Minister in relation to the distribution of jurisdiction and business among the courts and matters of procedure,
(g) provide services to other bodies subject to such conditions, including the payment of fees, as it thinks fit,
(h) with the consent of the Minister, engage consultants and advisers in connection with the performance of its functions,
(i) operate public bank accounts within the meaning of section 18 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866, and
(j) designate court venues.
Strategic plans.
7.—(1) As soon as practicable after the establishment day and within six months before each third anniversary of the establishment day the Service shall prepare and submit to the Minister, for approval by the Minister with or without amendment, a strategic plan for the ensuing three year period.
(2) A strategic plan shall—
(a) comprise the key objectives, outputs and related strategies (including use of resources) of the Service,
(b) be prepared in a form and manner in accordance with any directions issued from time to time by the Minister,
(c) have regard to the need to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of the resources of the Service, and
(d) have regard to the Government policy on bilingualism and, in particular, to the need to ensure that an adequate number of staff are competent in the Irish language so as to be able to provide service through Irish as well as English.
(3) The Minister shall, as soon as practicable after the strategic plan has been approved, cause a copy of the strategic plan to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Annual report and provision of information to Minister.
8.—(1) As soon as practicable, but in any case not later than six months after the end of each period of 12 months commencing on the establishment day or the anniversary of the establishment day, the Service shall report in writing to the Minister on its activities during that 12 month period, and the Minister shall lay a copy of the report before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) A report under subsection (1) shall include information on the performance of the functions of the Service during the year to which it relates and such other information in such form as the Service thinks fit or the Minister may direct.
(3) The Service shall, if so requested by the Minister, furnish to the Minister such information as the Minister may request relating to—
(a) any matter concerning the policy and activities of the Service generally,
(b) any specific matter or account prepared by it, or
(c) any report specified in subsection (1),
and the information shall be furnished by the Chief Executive acting under the general authority of the Board.
Independence of exercise of judicial functions.
9.—No function conferred on or power vested in the Service, the Board or the Chief Executive, under this Act shall be exercised so as to interfere with the conduct of that part of the business of the courts required by law to be transacted by or before one or more judges or to impugn the independence of—
(a) a judge in the performance of his or her judicial functions, or
(b) a person other than a judge in the performance of limited functions of a judicial nature conferred on that person by law.
Seal of Service.
10.—(1) The Service shall, as soon as practicable after its establishment, provide itself with a seal.
(2) The seal of the Service shall be authenticated on any document by the signatures of—
(a) the chairperson of the Board or another member of the Board authorised by it to sign documents under the seal of the Service, and
(b) an officer of the Service designated for that purpose by the Board.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Service and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Service and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with subsection (2)) of the Service shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof, unless the contrary is shown.
PART III
Board of Service
Board of Service.
11.—(1) There shall be a Board of the Service which shall consist of—
(a) the Chief Justice for the time being or a judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice,
(b) a judge of the Supreme Court elected by the ordinary judges of that Court,
(c) the President for the time being of the High Court or a judge of the High Court nominated by the President of that Court,
(d) a judge of the High Court elected by the ordinary judges of that Court,
(e) the President for the time being of the Circuit Court or a judge of the Circuit Court nominated by the President of that Court,
(f) a judge of the Circuit Court elected by the ordinary judges of that Court,
(g) the President for the time being of the District Court or a judge of the District Court nominated by the President of that Court,
(h) a judge of the District Court elected by the judges, other than the President, of that Court,
(i) a judge nominated by the Chief Justice for the time being in respect of his or her experience or expertise in a specific area of court business,
(j) the Chief Executive,
(k) a practising barrister nominated by the Chairman for the time being of the Council of the Bar of Ireland,
(l) a practising solicitor nominated by the President for the time being of the Law Society of Ireland,
(m) a member of the staff of the Service elected by the members of the staff for that purpose,
(n) an officer of the Minister nominated by the Minister,
(o) a person nominated by the Minister to represent consumers of the services provided by the courts,
(p) a person nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and
(q) a person who, in the Minister's opinion, has relevant knowledge and experience in commerce, finance or administration and who is nominated by the Minister after consultation with such bodies as the Minister considers are representative of such interests in the State.
(2) The Minister, in making nominations under subsection (1), shall have regard to the need to ensure that membership of the Board includes both men and women.
(3) The Minister may, after consultation with any recognised trade unions or staff associations concerned, make such regulations as are considered necessary or desirable in order to provide for the election of a member of staff for the purposes of subsection (1)(m).
(4) The Chief Justice shall be the chairperson of the Board or, if the Chief Justice is not a member, the judge of the Supreme Court nominated under subsection (1)(a) shall be the chairperson.
(5) Subject to section 14(3), the Board may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies in its membership.
Term of office of members.
12.—(1) A judge nominated as a member of the Board under paragraph (a), (c), (e) or (g) of section 11(1) shall hold office while he or she remains a judge of the court in respect of which he or she was nominated or until the person who nominated the judge as a member ceases to hold the office by virtue of which he or she made the nomination, but in that case the judge shall be eligible for renomination.
(2) A judge elected as a member of the Board under paragraph (b), (d), (f) or (h) of section 11(1) shall hold office for three years, but shall be eligible for re-election, while he or she remains a judge of the court in respect of which he or she was elected.
(3) A judge nominated as a member of the Board in accordance with section 11(1)(i) shall hold office for three years, but shall be eligible for renomination, while he or she remains a judge of any court.
(4) A person nominated or elected as a member of the Board in accordance with paragraphs (k) to (q) of section 11(1) shall hold office for three years, but shall be eligible for renomination or re-election, as the case may be.
(5) A member of the Board who has been nominated or elected to be such a member may resign from membership by letter addressed to the chairperson of the Board and the resignation shall take effect on receipt of the letter by the chairperson.
(6) The chairperson shall as soon as practicable notify the Minister of any resignation under subsection (5).
(7) A casual vacancy in the membership of the Board caused by the death or resignation, or any other event affecting the membership, of a person nominated or elected to hold office as a member for—
(a) a period of three years referred to in subsection (2), (3) or (4), or
(b) the remainder of such a period in respect of which he or she was nominated or elected in pursuance of this subsection, shall be filled, in accordance with the relevant provision of section 11(1), for the remainder of the term of office remaining to be served by the person, and the new member shall be eligible for renomination or re-election at the conclusion of that term.
(8) The Minister may, after consultation with the nominating person or body concerned, remove for stated reasons a person who is a member of the Board referred to in paragraph (k), (l) or (p) of section 11(1).
(9) The Minister may at any time remove for stated reasons a person who is a member of the Board referred to in paragraph (o) or (q) of section 11(1).
Functions of Board.
13.—(1) The functions of the Board shall be—
(a) to consider and determine policy in relation to the Service, and
(b) to oversee the implementation of that policy by the Chief Executive.
(2) The Board, in the performance of its functions, shall have regard to—
(a) the resources of the Service for the purposes of such performance and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of such resources, and
(b) any policy or objective of the Government or a Minister of the Government insofar as it may affect or relate to the functions of the Service.
(3) The Minister may inform the Board of any policy or objective of the Government or a Minister of the Government referred to in subsection (2)(b).
Meetings and procedures of Board.
14.—(1) The Board shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions but in any case shall meet not less frequently than once in every period of three months.
(2) The first meeting of the Board shall be held within one month after the establishment day.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be seven or such greater number of members as the Board may from time to time determine.
(4) The chairperson of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board at which he or she is present and in the absence of the chairperson the members present shall elect one of their number to preside at the meeting.
(5) Each member of the Board present at a meeting of the Board shall have a vote.
(6) Every question at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question and, in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairperson or other member presiding at the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
(7) Subject to this Act, the Board shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, the procedure and business of the Board.
Committees of Board.
15.—(1) The Board may from time to time establish such committees of the Board to advise it in relation to the performance of its functions as it thinks fit.
(2) The Board may appoint to a committee persons who are not members of the Board but have a special knowledge and experience related to the purposes of the committee.
(3) The appointment of a person to a committee shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may determine.
(4) The Board may at any time dissolve a committee.
(5) The acts of a committee shall be subject to confirmation by the Board, unless the Board dispenses with the necessity for confirmation.
(6) The Board may regulate the procedure of a committee but, subject to any such regulation, a committee may regulate its own procedure.
(7) The Chief Executive shall notify the Minister of the establishment of a committee, the purpose of the committee and the names of the members of the committee.
Remuneration and expenses of members of Board or committees.
16.—(1) A member of the Board referred to—
(a) in any of the paragraphs (a) to (i) of section 11(1) shall be paid such allowances for expenses, and
(b) in any of the paragraphs (j) to (q) of section 11(1) shall be paid such remuneration and allowances for expenses,
if any, as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine.
(2) A member of a committee of the Board shall be paid such allowances for expenses and, save in respect of a member of the Board to whom any of the paragraphs (a) to (i) of section 11(1) relate, such remuneration, if any, as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time determine.
PART IV
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive.
17.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Board shall appoint a person to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Service.
(2) The person holding office as Chief Executive Designate immediately before the establishment day shall be the first Chief Executive of the Service.
(3) The Chief Executive shall hold office under a written contract of service (which contract may be renewed) for such period as is specified in the contract, and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration and suspension and termination of employment) as may be determined by the Board and approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(4) In subsection (3), “remuneration” includes allowances for expenses, benefits-in-kind and superannuation.
Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, not to apply to appointment of Chief Executive.
18.—The Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, shall not apply to the appointment of a person as the Chief Executive.
Chief Executive to be accounting officer.
19.—The Chief Executive shall be the accounting officer for the appropriation accounts of the Service for the purposes of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Acts, 1866 and 1921, and the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.
Functions of Chief Executive.
20.—(1) Notwithstanding any other enactment, the Chief Executive shall manage and control generally the staff, administration and business of the Service, including the functions of County Registrars insofar as such functions relate to a function of the Service, and shall perform such other functions as may be conferred on him or her by or under this Act or by the Board.
(2) The Chief Executive shall be responsible to the Board for the performance of his or her functions and the implementation of the Board's policies.
(3) The Chief Executive shall provide to the Board such information (including financial information) in relation to the performance of his or her functions as the Board may from time to time require.
(4) Such of the functions of the Chief Executive as may from time to time be specified by him or her may, with the consent of the Board, be performed by such member of the staff of the Service as may be authorised by the Chief Executive.
(5) The functions of the Chief Executive may be performed during his or her absence or when the position of Chief Executive is vacant by such member of the staff of the Service as may from time to time be designated for that purpose by the Board.
Attendance of Chief Executive before Oireachtas Committee.
21.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Chief Executive shall at the request in writing of an Oireachtas Committee (in this section referred to as “the Committee”) attend before it to give account for the general administration of the Service, including the 3 year strategic plans laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas under section 7, as may be required by the Committee.
(2) The Chief Executive shall not be required to give account before the Committee for any matter relating to—
(a) the exercise by a judge of his or her judicial functions, or
(b) the exercise by a person other than a judge of limited jurisdiction of a judicial nature,
including a matter which is, has been or may at a future time be the subject of proceedings before a court in the State.
(3) Where the Chief Executive is of the opinion that a matter in respect of which the Chief Executive is requested to give account before the Committee is a matter to which subsection (2) applies, he or she shall inform the Committee of that opinion and the reasons for the opinion and, unless the information is conveyed to the Committee at a time when the Chief Executive is before it, the information shall be so conveyed in writing.
(4) Where the Chief Executive has informed the Committee of his or her opinion in accordance with subsection (3) and the Committee does not withdraw the request referred to in subsection (1)—
(a) the Chief Executive may, not later than 21 days after being informed by the Committee of its decision not to do so, apply to the High Court in a summary manner for determination of the question whether the matter is one contemplated under subsection (2), or
(b) the chairperson of the Committee may, on behalf of the Committee, make such an application,
and the High Court may determine the matter.
(5) Pending the determination of an application under subsection (4), the Chief Executive shall not attend before the Committee to give account for the matter the subject of the application.
(6) If the High Court determines that the matter is one to which subsection (2) applies, the Committee shall withdraw the request referred to in subsection (1), but if the High Court determines that subsection (2) does not apply, the Chief Executive shall attend before the Committee to give account for the matter.
(7) In this section “Oireachtas Committee” means a Committee appointed by either House of the Oireachtas or jointly by both Houses of the Oireachtas (other than the Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann or the Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann) or a subcommittee of such a Committee.
PART V
Staff of Service
Service to have unified administrative structure.
22.—The Service shall have a unified organisation and structure.
Staff of Service.
23.—(1) The Board may appoint such number of persons to be members of the staff of the Service as may be approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(2) The Board shall determine the grades of staff of the Service and the numbers of staff in each grade as may be approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(3) A member of the staff of the Service shall be a civil servant in the Civil Service of the State.
(4) The appropriate authority (within the meaning of the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 to 1996) in relation to the staff of the Service shall be the Board.
(5) In this section “civil servant in the Civil Service of the State” means a person holding a position in the Civil Service of the State.
Transfer of staff to Service.
24.—(1) Every person to whom Schedule 1 relates shall, on the establishment day, be transferred to and become a member of the staff of the Service.
(2) Every member of the staff of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform designated by order of the Minister for the purposes of this section shall, on being so designated, be transferred to and become a member of the staff of the Service.
(3) The Minister may make an order for the purposes of subsection (2) but shall not do so without first having—
(a) notified in writing any recognised trade union or staff association concerned of the Minister's intention to do so, and
(b) considered, within such time as may be specified in the notification, any representations made by such trade unions or staff associations in relation to the matter.
Terms and conditions of transferred staff.
25.—(1) Except in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, a person who is transferred by subsection (1) or (2) of section 24 to the staff of the Service shall not, while in the service of the Service, receive a lesser scale of pay or be made subject to less beneficial terms and conditions of service than the scale of pay to which he or she was entitled and the terms and conditions of service to which he or she was subject immediately before the transfer of that person.
(2) Until such time as the scale of pay and the terms and conditions of service of a person transferred by subsection (1) or (2) of section 24 to the staff of the Service are varied by the Service, with the agreement of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, following consultation with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, the scale of pay to which he or she was entitled and the terms and conditions of service, restrictions, requirements and obligations to which he or she was subject immediately before the transfer of that person shall continue to apply to him or her and may be applied or imposed by the Service while he or she is a member of the staff of the Service, and no such variation shall operate to worsen that scale of pay or those terms or conditions of service applicable to such person immediately before the transfer of that person, except in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned.
PART VI
Transfer of Land, etc., to Service
Transfer of land, etc., to Service.
26.—(1)(a) The Minister may by order appoint a vesting day in respect of any land (or a part of any land) used solely for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate or partly for the purposes of the Commissioners and partly for the purposes to which the functions of the Service relate and which immediately before the vesting day was vested in or leased by the Commissioners.
(b) On the vesting day, the land, the subject of the order, and all rights, powers and privileges relating to or connected with such land shall—
(i) where used solely for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate — after consultation with the Commissioners, and
(ii) where used partly for the purposes of the Commissioners and partly for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate — with the consent in writing of the Commissioners,
but without any further conveyance, transfer or assignment, be vested in the Service for all estate, term or interest for which immediately before the vesting day it was vested in the Commissioners, but subject to all trusts and equities affecting the land subsisting and capable of being performed.
(2)(a) The Minister may by order appoint a vesting day in respect of any land (or part of any land) used solely for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate or partly for the purposes of the local authority and partly for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate and which immediately before the vesting day was vested in or leased by a local authority.
(b) On the vesting day the land, the subject of the order, and all rights, powers and privileges relating to or connected with such land shall—
(i) where used solely for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate — after consultation with the local authority, and
(ii) where used partly for the purposes of the local authority and partly for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate — with the consent in writing of the local authority,
but without any further conveyance, transfer or assignment, be vested in the Service for all estate, term or interest for which immediately before the vesting day it was vested in the local authority, but subject to all trusts and equities affecting the land subsisting and capable of being performed.
(3) The Minister may, by order, appoint a day on which land which is vested in the State or an organ of the State and which is used for purposes to which the functions of the Service relate shall become subject to the occupation, management and control of the Service for the purposes of its functions and on that day it shall accordingly become so subject.
(4) The Minister may on his or her own initiative, and shall on the application of the Service, issue a certificate in respect of specified land stating, as the Minister thinks proper, that such land vested in the Service under this section, or did not so vest, and the certificate shall be evidence of the facts so stated.
(5) Every right and liability transferred to the Service by this section may, on or after the day it has been transferred, be sued on, recovered or enforced by or against the Service in its own name and it shall not be necessary for the Service to give notice to a person whose right or liability is transferred by this section of the transfer.
(6) Section 12 of the Finance Act, 1895, shall not apply in respect of the transfer under this section of land to the Service.
(7)(a) Subject to paragraph (b), on the establishment day the Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, shall stand repealed.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), where immediately before a vesting day appointed under subsection 2(a), a person stood appointed as a caretaker or an assistant to a caretaker in respect of courthouse accommodation under section 5 of the Courthouses (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, which accommodation is the subject of the vesting, then that section shall continue to apply to the person as if he or she had been so appointed by the Service.
(8) In this section—
“the Commissioners” means the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland;
“local authority” means the council of a county, a corporation of a county or other borough, a council of an urban district or commissioners of a town.
Transfer of property other than land to Service.
27.—(1) On the establishment day all property other than land but including choses-in-action, which immediately before that day was the property of the Minister, the Commissioners or a local authority within the meaning of section 26 (as the case may be) and was used in connection with the functions of the Minister corresponding to the functions of the Service, shall be vested in the Service without any assignment.
(2) The Minister may on his or her own initiative, and shall on the application of the Service, issue a certificate in respect of specified property stating, as the Minister thinks proper, that the property vested in the Service under this section or did not so vest, and the certificate shall be evidence of the facts so stated.
(3) Every chose-in-action transferred by subsection (1) to the Service may, after the establishment day, be sued on, recovered or enforced by the Service in its own name and it shall not be necessary for the Service or the Minister to give notice to a person bound by the chose-in-action of the transfer effected by that subsection.
Transfer of rights and liabilities to Service.
28.—(1) All rights and liabilities of the Minister arising by virtue of any contract or commitment (expressed or implied) entered into by him or her before the establishment day in relation to a function of the Minister corresponding to a function of the Service shall, on that day, be transferred to the Service.
(2) The Minister may on his or her own initiative, and shall on the application of the Service, issue a certificate in respect of a specified contract or commitment stating, as the Minister thinks proper, that the rights or liabilities of the Minister thereunder were transferred on the establishment day to the Service under this section or were not so transferred, and the certificate shall be evidence of the facts so stated.
(3) Every right and liability transferred by subsection (1) to the Service may, on and after the establishment day, be sued on, recovered or enforced by or against the Service in its own name and it shall not be necessary for the Service or the Minister to give notice to a person whose right or liability is transferred by this section of such transfer.
Certain functions to become those of Service.
29.—(1) On and after the establishment day a function of the Minister under each of the provisions mentioned in column 3 of Schedule 2 of the Acts mentioned in column 2 opposite the mention of that provision shall be a function of the Service to the exclusion of the Minister, and the provision shall be construed accordingly.
(2) The Minister may by order amend Schedule 2 by the insertion (with or without a condition or restriction) of any function of the Minister under a provision of any enactment which also relates to a function of the Service and the Minister may by order amend or delete any such condition or restriction.
(3)(a) Without prejudice to subsection (2), the Government may, by order, provide that a function of a Minister or any other function under a provision of an enactment relating to a function of the Service shall, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order, be a function of the Service.
(b) An order under paragraph (a) may be amended or revoked by the Government.
(4) Subject to any condition or restriction provided for in this Act, any subsisting instrument made under an enactment that relates to a matter to which a function of the Service relates shall, on and after the day the Service has the function, continue in force, and may be amended or revoked by the Service, as if it had been made pursuant to the powers conferred on the Service by this Act.
PART VII
Miscellaneous
Chief Executive to be member of committees on rules of court, etc.
30.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Chief Executive for the time being shall be a member of the Superior Courts Rules Committee (established under section 67 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936), the Circuit Court Rules Committee (established under section 69 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936), and the District Court Rules Committee (established under section 71 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936).
(2) The Chief Executive for the time being may, from time to time, delegate in writing his or her membership of any of the Committees referred to in subsection (1) to a member of the staff of the Service and any such delegation may be revoked at any time by the Chief Executive.
County Registrars and Service.
31.—Subject to section 9, every County Registrar shall, on the establishment day, be transferred to the Service in respect of those functions of County Registrars which relate to a function of the Service.
Membership of either House of Oireachtas or of European Parliament.
32.—(1) Notwithstanding section 12, where a member of the Board or of the staff of the Service is—
(a) nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,
(b) elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to the European Parliament, or
(c) 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—
(i) in the case of a member of the Board — cease to be a member of the Board, and
(ii) in the case of a member of the staff of the Service — stand seconded from his or her employment with the Service and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from, the Service 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 either such House or such Parliament.
(2) 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 member of the European Parliament shall, while he or she is so entitled or is such a member, be disqualified from becoming a member of the Board.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), that subsection shall be construed as prohibiting, among other things, the reckoning of a period mentioned in subparagraph (ii) of that subsection, as service with the Service for the purposes of any superannuation benefits.
Service deemed State authority for planning and development purposes.
33.—(1) The Service shall be deemed to be a State authority for the purposes of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1993, and a reference in any regulation made under section 2(1)(a) of that Act to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform shall be construed as including a reference to the Service.
(2) (a) Notwithstanding section 2 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1993, or any regulations made under that section which provide for notification in respect of development consisting of the provision of temporary courthouses, it shall be necessary to notify such development once only.
(b) In paragraph (a) “courthouses” means buildings, or other premises or installations, or other structures or facilities, whether provided on a temporary or permanent basis, used for the purposes of or in connection with the transaction of any business relating to a court, tribunal, inquiry or inquest established by statute.
Regulations.
34.—The Minister may make such regulations as are necessary for the purposes of giving effect to this Act.
Laying of regulations and orders before Houses of Oireachtas.
35.—Every order made under subsection (2) or (3) of section 29 or regulation made under section 34 shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable 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 under it.
Expenses.
36.—The expenses incurred 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 VIII
Transitional
Establishment of Transitional Board.
37.—(1) There is hereby established on the passing of this Act a body corporate to be known as the Courts Service Transitional Board.
(2) The Transitional Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name.
Membership, etc., of Transitional Board.
38.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Transitional Board shall be constituted in the same way as provided for the Board in Part III and that Part (other than section 13), with any necessary modifications, shall apply to and in relation to the Transitional Board and its members as if it were the Board under that Part and references therein to the establishment day were references to the date of the coming into operation of this Part.
(2) The Minister shall as soon as practicable after the passing of this Act, after consultation with the relevant staff associations and recognised trade unions concerned, appoint as a member of the Transitional Board a person referred to in Schedule 1.
(3) On his or her appointment under section 40(1), the Chief Executive Designate shall be a member of the Transitional Board.
Functions and powers of Transitional Board.
39.—(1) The functions of the Transitional Board shall be—
(a) to prepare for the assumption by the Service of the functions to be vested in the Service under this Act on the establishment day, and
(b) to appoint a Chief Executive Designate.
(2) The Transitional Board shall have such powers only as are necessary to enable it to carry out its functions.
(3) The Transitional Board shall determine its own procedures.
Appointment of Chief Executive Designate.
40.—(1) The Transitional Board shall appoint a person to be the Chief Executive Designate.
(2) The Chief Executive Designate shall hold office under a written contract of service, which contract may be renewed, for such period as is specified in the contract, and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration and suspension and termination of employment) as may be determined by the Transitional Board and approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(3) In subsection (2), “remuneration” includes allowances for expenses, benefits-in-kind and superannuation.
(4) The Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, shall not apply to the appointment of a person as the Chief Executive Designate.
(5) The Chief Executive Designate shall assist the Transitional Board in carrying out its functions under section 39.
Interim functions not to affect judicial independence.
41.—No function conferred on or power vested in the Transitional Board or the Chief Executive Designate under this Act shall be exercised so as to interfere with the conduct of that part of the business of the courts required by law to be transacted by or before one or more judges or to impugn the independence of—
(a) a judge in the performance of his or her judicial functions, or
(b) a person other than a judge in the performance of limited functions of a judicial nature conferred on that person by law.
Expenses incurred by Transitional Board.
42.—Expenses incurred by the Transitional Board shall form part of the expenses of the Minister in the administration of this Act.
Dissolution of Transitional Board.
43.—On the establishment day the Transitional Board shall stand dissolved and on and after that day all assets, liabilities, obligations and things held, done or executed by the Transitional Board shall be deemed to be assets, liabilities, obligations and things of the Board as if it were in existence at the relevant time, and all documents shall be construed accordingly.
SCHEDULE 1
Transferred Officers
Section 24(1).
Every principal officer within the meaning of Part I of the Court Officers Act, 1926, other than the Master of the High Court and the Taxing Masters.
Every District Court Clerk.
Every member of the general staff employed in the several offices mentioned in paragraph 2 of the Eighth Schedule to the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961.
Every member of the general staff employed in Circuit Court Offices under section 42 of the Court Officers Act, 1926.
Every member of the staff attached to the Circuit Court and to judges thereof under section 43 of the Court Officers Act, 1926.
Every servant attached to a judge of the High Court under section 43 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936.
Every other officer or servant who, immediately before the establishment day, is either attached to a court established pursuant to the Constitution or to the person of a judge then holding office or employed in a court office and is performing duties in relation to any court or judge or employed in any court office.
SCHEDULE 2
Functions of Minister to become those of Service
Number and Year | Short Title | Section |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
No. 18 of 1926. | Section 4 (1), (2) and (3). | |
No. 27 of 1926. | Section 3(3), section 18(1), section 27(1), section 28(1), section 34(2) and (3), section 40(1), section 41(1), section 43(1), (2) and (3), section 46(1) and (2), section 59(1), (2) and (3), section 61(2). | |
No. 48 of 1936. | Section 33(2), section 42(2), (3) and (5), section 44(2), section 64(3). | |
No. 25 of 1945. | Section 6(1), section 9(1) and (2). | |
No. 8 of 1951. | Section 4(1). | |
No. 32 of 1953. | Section 26(1) and (2). | |
No. 39 of 1961. | Eighth Schedule— paragraph 5, paragraph 6, paragraph 7, paragraph 16, paragraph 22. |
Uimhir 8 de 1998
AN tACHT UM SHEIRBHÍS CHÚIRTEANNA, 1998
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. |
An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna.
3. | |
4. | |
5. | |
6. | |
7. | |
8. | Tuarascáil bhliantúil agus faisnéis a chur ar fáil don Aire. |
9. | |
10. |
Bord na Seirbhíse.
11. | |
12. | |
13. | |
14. | |
15. | |
16. | Luach saothair agus caiteachais chomhaltaí an Bhoird nó coistí. |
An Príomh-Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin.
17. | |
18. | |
19. | Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach ina oifigeach nó ina hoifigeach cuntasaíochta. |
20. | |
21. | An Príomh-Fheidhmeannach do fhreastal os comhair Coiste Oireachtais. |
Foireann na Seirbhíse.
22. | |
23. | |
24. | |
25. |
Talamh, etc. a Aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís.
26. | |
27. | |
28. | |
29. | Tiocfaidh feidhmeanna áirithe chun bheith ina bhfeidhmeanna de chuid na Seirbhíse. |
Ilghnéitheach.
Idirthréimhseach.
37. | |
38. | |
39. | |
40. | |
41. | Ní dhéanfaidh feidhmeanna eatramhacha difear do neamhspleáchas breithiúnach. |
42. | |
43. |
Oifigigh Aistrithe
Feidhmeanna de chuid an Aire a thiocfaidh chun bheith ina bhfeidhmeanna de chuid na Seirbhíse
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 go 1996 | |
Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993 | 1993, Uimh. 8 |
An tAcht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 2 |
Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866 | 29 & 30 Vic. c.39 |
Exchequer and Audit Departments Acts, 1866 and 1921 Finance Act, 1895 | 58 & 59 Vic. c.16 |
An tAcht Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1993 | 1993, Uimh. 12 |
Uimhir 8 de 1998
AN tACHT UM SHEIRBHÍS CHÚIRTEANNA, 1998
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO BHUNÚ SEIRBHÍSE CHUN NA CÚIRTEANNA A BHAINISTIÚ AGUS CHUN SEIRBHÍSÍ A SHOLÁTHAR DO NA BREITHIÚNA AGUS LENA nAGHAIDH, AGUS CHUN SEIRBHÍSÍ EILE A BHAINEANN LE RIARACHÁN CÚIRTEANNA A SHOLÁTHAR, D'AISTRIÚ MAOINE ÁIRITHE CHUIG AN tSEIRBHÍS, DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ MAIDIR LE FOIREANN DON tSEIRBHÍS, AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA. [16 Aibreán, 1998]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Sheirbhís Chúirteanna, 1998, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh Cuid I agus alt 36 i ngníomh ar dháta rite an Achta seo.
(3) Tiocfaidh Cuid VIII i ngníomh mí amháin tar éis dháta rite an Achta seo.
(4) Tiocfaidh forálacha eile an Achta seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocróidh an tAire le hordú nó le horduithe, i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe, agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú chun críoch éagsúil agus le haghaidh forálacha éagsúla.
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “an Bord” Bord na Seirbhíse;
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach” Príomh-Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin na Seirbhíse a cheapfar faoi alt 17(1);
ciallaíonn “an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe” an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe a cheapfar faoi alt 40(1);
ciallaíonn “an lá bunaithe” an lá a cheapfar faoi alt 3;
folaíonn “feidhm” cumhacht agus dualgas;
ciallaíonn “an Bord Idirthréimhseach” an Bord Idirthréimhseach um Sheirbhís Chúirteanna a bhunófar le halt 37 (1);
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí;
ciallaíonn “an tSeirbhís” an comhlacht a bhunófar le halt 4 (1);
ní fholaíonn “foireann na Seirbhíse” an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach.
(2) San Acht seo—
(a) aon tagairt d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe,
(b) aon tagairt d'fho-alt, do mhír nó d'fhomhír is tagairt í don fho-alt, don mhír nó don fhomhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe,
(c) aon tagairt do Sceideal de réir uimhreach is tagairt í don Sceideal a bheidh uimhrithe amhlaidh agus a ghabhann leis an Acht seo,
(d) folaíonn tagairt d'achtachán tagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú tráth ar bith le haon achtachán, agus
(e) folaíonn tagairt do chomhlíonadh feidhme tagairt d'fheidhmiú cumhachta agus do chomhlíonadh dualgais.
CUID II
An tSeirbhís Chúirteanna
An lá bunaithe.
3.—Déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
An tSeirbhís a bhunú.
4.—(1) Ar an lá bunaithe bunófar comhlacht ar a dtabharfar an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna nó, sa Bhéarla, the Courts Service (dá ngairtear “an tSeirbhís” san Acht seo) chun na feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh a thugtar dó leis an Acht seo.
(2) Beidh an tSeirbhís ina comhlacht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aici agus beidh sí inagartha ina hainm corpraithe.
(3) Beidh an tSeirbhís, faoi réir an Achta seo, neamhspleách i gcomhlíonadh a feidhmeanna.
Feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse.
5.—Is iad feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse—
(a) na cúirteanna a bhainistiú,
(b) seirbhísí tacaíochta a sholáthar do na breithiúna,
(c) faisnéis a chur ar fáil don phobal maidir leis an gcóras cúirteanna,
(d) foirgnimh chúirte a sholáthar, a bhainistiú agus a chothabháil, agus
(e) saoráidí a sholáthar d'úsáideoirí na gcúirteanna.
Cumhachtaí na Seirbhíse.
6.—(1) Faoi réir an Achta seo ach d'ainneoin aon achtacháin eile, féadfaidh an tSeirbhís aon ní a dhéanamh is gá nó is fóirsteanach chun a chumasú di a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), féadfaidh an tSeirbhís—
(a) talamh nó leas i dtalamh nó cearta thar thalamh nó i leith talún a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt, agus aon mhaoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt,
(b) conarthaí agus socruithe a dhéanamh,
(c) oiliúint agus oideachas foirne a shocrú,
(d) socruithe a chur ar bun chun dul i gcomhairle le húsáideoirí na gcúirteanna,
(e) ar iarraidh ón Aire nó ar a tionscnamh féin, scálaí cuí táillí agus muirear cúirte a mholadh don Aire,
(f) moltaí a dhéanamh don Aire i ndáil le dlínse agus gnó a dháileadh ar na cúirteanna agus le nithe a bhaineann le nós imeachta,
(g) seirbhísí a sholáthar do chomhlachtaí eile faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, lena n-áirítear táillí a íoc, is cuí léi,
(h) sainchomhairleoirí agus comhairleoirí a fhostú, le toiliú an Aire, i dtaca le comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna,
(i) cuntais bhainc phoiblí a oibriú de réir bhrí alt 18 den Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866, agus
(j) láithreacha cúirte a ainmniú.
Pleananna straitéiseacha.
7.—(1) A luaithe is indéanta tar éis an lae bunaithe agus laistigh de shé mhí roimh gach dáta ar cothrom trí bliana an lae bunaithe é, déanfaidh an tSeirbhís plean straitéiseach don tréimhse trí bliana ina dhiaidh sin a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire lena cheadú ag an Aire fara leasú nó gan leasú.
(2) Maidir le plean straitéiseach—
(a) beidh ann cuspóirí fíorthábhachtacha na Seirbhíse, a haschuir agus a straitéisí gaolmhara (lena n-áirítear úsáid acmhainní),
(b) ullmhófar é i bhfoirm agus ar mhodh a bheidh de réir aon ordachán arna n-eisiúint ag an Aire ó am go ham,
(c) tabharfar aird ann ar an ngá atá ann a chinntiú go mbainfear an úsáid is tairbhiúla, is éifeachtaí agus is éifeachtúla as acmhainní na Seirbhíse, agus
(d) tabharfar aird ann ar bheartas an Rialtais maidir leis an dátheangachas agus, go háirithe, ar an ngá atá ann a chinntiú go mbeidh inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge ag líon leordhóthanach den fhoireann le go mbeifear in ann seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge agus trí Bhéarla araon.
(3) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara, a luaithe is indéanta tar éis an plean straitéiseach a cheadú, cóip den phlean straitéiseach a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Tuarascáil bhliantúil agus faisnéis a chur ar fáil don Aire.
8.—(1) A luaithe is indéanta, ach in aon chás tráth nach déanaí ná sé mhí tar éis dheireadh gach tréimhse 12 mhí dar tosach an lá bunaithe nó dáta chothrom an lae bunaithe, tabharfaidh an tSeirbhís tuarascáil i scríbhinn don Aire ar a gníomhaíochtaí le linn na tréimhse 12 mhí sin, agus leagfaidh an tAire cóip den tuarascáil faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Áireofar i dtuarascáil faoi fho-alt (1) faisnéis maidir le comhlíonadh fheidhmeanna na Seirbhíse le linn na bliana lena mbaineann sí agus cibé faisnéis eile i cibé foirm is cuí leis an tSeirbhís nó a ordóidh an tAire.
(3) Tabharfaidh an tSeirbhís don Aire, má iarrann an tAire amhlaidh, cibé faisnéis a iarrfaidh an tAire—
(a) i ndáil le haon ní a bhaineann le beartas agus gníomhaíochtaí na Seirbhíse i gcoitinne,
(b) i ndáil le haon ní nó cuntas sonrach arna ullmhú aici, nó
(c) i ndáil le haon tuarascáil a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1),
agus is é an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach, ag gníomhú dó nó di faoi údarás ginearálta an Bhoird, a thabharfaidh an fhaisnéis.
Feidhmiú feidhmeanna breithiúnacha a bheith neamhspleách.
9.—Ní dhéanfar aon fheidhm a thugtar nó aon chumhacht a dhílsítear don tSeirbhís, don Bhord nó don Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach faoin Acht seo a fheidhmiú ar shlí a chuirfeadh isteach ar stiúradh an chuid sin de ghnó na gcúirteanna a cheanglaítear le dlí a dhéanamh ag breitheamh amháin nó níos mó nó os comhair breithimh amháin nó níos mó nó a chuirfeadh i gcoinne —
(a) neamhspleáchas breithimh agus é nó í ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna breithiúnacha, nó
(b) neamhspleáchas duine seachas breitheamh agus é nó í ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna teoranta de chineál breithiúnach a thugtar don duine sin le dlí.
Séala na Seirbhíse.
10.—(1) Soláthróidh an tSeirbhís séala di féin, a luaithe is indéanta tar éis a bunaithe.
(2) Fíordheimhneofar séala na Seirbhíse ar aon doiciméad—
(a) le síniú chathaoirleach an Bhoird nó comhalta eile den Bhord a bheidh údaraithe ag an mBord chun doiciméid a shíniú faoi shéala na Seirbhíse, agus
(b) le síniú oifigigh don tSeirbhís a bheidh ainmnithe chun na críche sin ag an mBord.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala na Seirbhíse agus gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ionstraim é a rinne an tSeirbhís agus a bheith séalaithe le séala na Seirbhíse (a airbheartóidh a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir fho-alt (2)), glacfar i bhfianaise é agus measfar gur ionstraim den sórt sin é gan chruthúnas mura suífear a mhalairt.
CUID III
Bord na Seirbhíse
Bord na Seirbhíse.
11.—(1) Beidh Bord na Seirbhíse ann ar a mbeidh—
(a) an Príomh-Bhreitheamh de thuras na huaire nó breitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach a bheidh ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh,
(b) breitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach a bheidh tofa ag gnáthbhreithiúna na Cúirte sin,
(c) Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte de thuras na huaire nó breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt a bheidh ainmnithe ag Uachtarán na Cúirte sin,
(d) breitheamh den Ard-Cúirt a bheidh tofa ag gnáthbhreithiúna na Cúirte sin,
(e) Uachtarán na Cúirte Cuarda de thuras na huaire nó breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda a bheidh ainmnithe ag Uachtarán na Cúirte sin,
(f) breitheamh den Chúirt Chuarda a bheidh tofa ag gnáthbhreithiúna na Cúirte sin,
(g) Uachtarán na Cúirte Dúiche de thuras na huaire nó breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a bheidh ainmnithe ag Uachtarán na Cúirte sin,
(h) breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche a bheidh tofa ag na breithiúna, seachas an tUachtarán, den Chúirt sin,
(i) breitheamh a bheidh ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh de thuras na huaire de bharr na taithí nó an tsaineolais atá aige nó aici ar réimse sonrach de ghnó cúirte,
(j) an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach,
(k) abhcóide cleachtach a bheidh ainmnithe ag Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Bharra na hÉireann de thuras na huaire,
(l) aturnae cleachtach a bheidh ainmnithe ag Uachtarán Dhlí-Chumann na hÉireann de thuras na huaire,
(m) comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse a bheidh tofa ag comhaltaí na foirne chun na críche sin,
(n) oifigeach don Aire a bheidh ainmnithe ag an Aire,
(o) duine a bheidh ainmnithe ag an Aire chun bheith ionadaitheach do thomhaltóirí na seirbhísí a sholáthraíonn na cúirteanna,
(p) duine a bheidh ainmnithe ag Comhar Ceardchumann na hÉireann, agus
(q) duine a mbeidh, i dtuairim an Aire, eolas agus taithí iomchuí aige nó aici ar thráchtáil, ar airgeadas nó ar riarachán agus a bheidh ainmnithe ag an Aire tar éis dul i gcomhairle le cibé comhlachtaí a mheasfaidh an tAire a bheith ionadaitheach do na leasannna sin sa Stát.
(2) Le linn don Aire ainmniúcháin a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1), tabharfaidh sé nó sí aird ar an ngá atá ann a chinntiú go mbeidh idir fhir agus mhná san áireamh i gcomhaltas an Bhoird.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le haon cheardchumainn nó comhlachais foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann, cibé rialacháin a dhéanamh a mheasfar a bheith riachtanach nó inmhianaithe chun socrú a dhéanamh le haghaidh toghadh comhalta den fhoireann chun críocha fho-alt (1) (m).
(4) Beidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an mBord nó, mura comhalta é nó í an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, beidh an breitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach a bheidh ainmnithe faoi fho-alt (1) (a) ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach.
(5) Faoi réir alt 14(3), féadfaidh an Bord gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas amháin nó níos mó a bheith ina chomhaltas.
Téarma oifige comhaltaí.
12.—(1) Beidh breitheamh a ainmneofar mar chomhalta den Bhord faoi mhír (a), (c), (e) nó (g) d'alt 11(1) i seilbh oifige fad a bheidh sé nó sí ina bhreitheamh nó ina breitheamh den chúirt ar ainmníodh é nó í ina leith nó go dtí go scoirfidh an duine a d'ainmnigh an breitheamh mar chomhalta de bheith i seilbh na hoifige ar dá bua a rinne sé nó sí an t-ainmniúchán, ach sa chás sin beidh an breitheamh in-athainmnithe.
(2) Beidh breitheamh a thoghfar mar chomhalta den Bhord faoi mhír (b), (d), (f) nó (h) d'alt 11(1) i seilbh oifige ar feadh trí bliana, ach beidh sé nó sí in-atofa fad a bheidh sé nó sí ina bhreitheamh nó ina breitheamh den chúirt ar toghadh é nó í ina leith.
(3) Beidh breitheamh a ainmneofar mar chomhalta den Bhord de réir alt 11(1)(i) i seilbh oifige ar feadh trí bliana, ach beidh sé nó sí in-athainmnithe fad a bheidh sé nó sí ina bhreitheamh nó ina breitheamh de chúirt ar bith.
(4) Beidh duine a ainmneofar nó a thoghfar mar chomhalta den Bhord de réir mhíreanna (k) go (q) d'alt 11(1) i seilbh oifige ar feadh trí bliana, ach beidh sé nó sí in-athainmnithe nó in-atofa, de réir mar a bheidh.
(5) Féadfaidh comhalta den Bhord a bheidh ainmnithe nó tofa chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den sórt sin éirí as comhaltas trí litir a bheidh dírithe chuig cathaoirleach an Bhoird agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí as ar an litir sin a bheith faighte ag an gcathaoirleach.
(6) Déanfaidh an Cathaoirleach, a luaithe is indéanta, aon éirí as faoi fho-alt (5) a chur in iúl don Aire.
(7) Aon chorrfholúntas i gcomhaltas an Bhoird de bhíthin báis nó éirí as duine, nó de bhíthin aon teagmhais eile a dhéanann difear do chomhaltas duine, a bheidh ainmnithe nó tofa chun bheith i seilbh oifige mar chomhalta—
(a) ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2), (3) nó (4), nó
(b) ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha de thréimhse den sórt sin ar ainmníodh nó ar toghadh é nó í ina leith de bhun an fho-ailt seo,
líonfar é, de réir na forála iomchuí d'alt 11(1), ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha den téarma oifige a bheidh le seirbheáil ag an duine, agus beidh an comhalta nua in-athainmnithe nó in-atofa i ndeireadh an téarma sin.
(8) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an duine nó leis an gcomhlacht ainmniúcháin lena mbaineann, duine is comhalta den Bhord agus dá dtagraítear i mír (k), (l) nó (p) d'alt 11(1) a chur as oifig ar chúiseanna sonraithe.
(9) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith duine is comhalta den Bhord agus dá dtagraítear i mír (o) nó (q) d'alt 11(1) a chur as oifig ar chúiseanna sonraithe.
Feidhmeanna an Bhoird.
13.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Bhoird—
(a) beartas i ndáil leis an tSeirbhís a bhreithniú agus a chinneadh, agus
(b) maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm an bheartais sin ag an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach.
(2) Le linn don Bhord a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh, beidh aird aige ar na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) acmhainní na Seirbhíse chun críocha an chomhlíonta sin, agus an gá atá ann a áirithiú go mbainfear an úsáid is tairbhiúla, is éifeachtaí agus is éifeachtúla as na hacmhainní sin, agus
(b) aon bheartas nó cuspóir de chuid an Rialtais nó de chuid Aire den Rialtas sa mhéid go bhféadfaidh sé difear a dhéanamh d'fheidhmeanna na Seirbhíse nó baint a bheith aige leo.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire aon bheartas nó cuspóir de chuid an Rialtais nó de chuid Aire den Rialtas dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) (b) a chur in iúl don Bhord.
Cruinnithe agus nósanna imeachta an Bhoird.
14.—(1) Tionólfaidh an Bord cibé cruinnithe agus cibé líon cruinnithe is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh, ach in aon chás tiocfaidh sé le chéile uair amháin ar a laghad i ngach tréimhse trí mhí.
(2) Tionólfar an chéad chruinniú den Bhord laistigh de mhí amháin tar éis an lae bunaithe.
(3) Seachtar nó cibé líon comhaltaí is mó ná sin a chinnfidh an Bord ó am go ham is córam do chruinniú den Bhord.
(4) Beidh cathaoirleach an Bhoird i gceannas ag na cruinnithe go léir den Bhord a mbeidh sé nó sí i láthair acu agus mura mbeidh an cathaoirleach i láthair toghfaidh na comhaltaí a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon chun bheith i gceannas ag an gcruinniú.
(5) Beidh vóta ag gach comhalta den Bhord a bheidh i láthair ag cruinniú den Bhord.
(6) Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Bhord a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás comhionannais vótaí, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag an gcathaoirleach nó ag an duine eile a bheidh i gceannas ag an gcruinniú.
(7) Faoi réir an Achta seo, rialálfaidh an Bord, le buanorduithe nó ar shlí eile, nós imeachta agus gnó an Bhoird.
Coistí den Bhord.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord ó am go ham cibé coistí den Bhord a bhunú is dóigh leis is cuí chun comhairle a chur air i ndáil le comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna.
(2) Féadfaidh an Bord daoine a cheapadh chun coiste ar daoine iad nach comhaltaí den Bhord ach a bhfuil eolas agus taithí speisialta acu a bhaineann le cuspóirí an choiste.
(3) Beidh ceapadh duine chun coiste faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Bord.
(4) Féadfaidh an Bord tráth ar bith coiste a dhíscaoileadh.
(5) Beidh gníomharthaí coiste faoi réir a ndaingnithe ag an mBord, mura scaoilfidh an Bord leis an ngá atá ann daingniú a dhéanamh.
(6) Féadfaidh an Bord nós imeachta coiste a rialáil ach, faoi réir aon rialála den sórt sin, féadfaidh coiste a nós imeachta féin a rialáil.
(7) Déanfaidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach bunú coiste, cuspóir an choiste agus ainmneacha chomhaltaí an choiste a chur in iúl don Aire.
Luach saothair agus caiteachais chomhaltaí an Bhoird nó coistí.
16.—(1) Maidir le comhalta den Bhord dá dtagraítear—
(a) in aon cheann de na míreanna (a) go (i) d'alt 11(1), íocfar leis nó léi cibé liúntais i leith caiteachas, más ann, agus
(b) in aon cheann de na míreanna (j) go (q) d'alt 11(1), íocfar leis nó léi cibé luach saothair agus liúntais i leith caiteachas, más ann,
a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Íocfar le comhalta coiste den Bhord cibé liúntais i leith caiteachas agus, ach amháin maidir le comhalta den Bhord lena mbaineann aon cheann de na míreanna (a) go (i) d'alt 11(1), cibé luach saothair, más ann, a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
CUID IV
An Príomh-Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin
An Príomh-Fheidhmeannach.
17.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), ceapfaidh an Bord duine chun bheith ina Phríomh-Oifigeach nó ina Príomh-Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin don tSeirbhís.
(2) Beidh an duine a bheidh i seilbh oifige mar Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe díreach roimh an lá bunaithe ina chéad nó ina céad Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach don tSeirbhís.
(3) Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach i seilbh oifige faoi chonradh scríofa seirbhíse (agus féadfar an conradh sin a athnuachan) ar feadh cibé tréimhse a shonrófar sa chonradh, agus faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear téarmaí agus coinníollacha a bhaineann le luach saothair agus le fostaíocht a chur ar fionraí agus a fhoirceannadh) a chinnfidh an Bord agus a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(4) I bhfo-alt (3), folaíonn “luach saothair” liúntais i leith caiteachas, sochair chomhchineáil agus aoisliúntas.
Ní bheidh feidhm ag Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, maidir le ceapadh an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh.
18.—Ní bheidh feidhm ag Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, maidir le ceapadh duine mar Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach.
Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach
19.—Is é nó í an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach an t-oifigeach cuntasaíochta do chuntais leithreasa na Seirbhíse chun críocha na Exchequer and Audit Departments Acts, 1866 and 1921, agus Acht an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste (Leasú), 1993.
Feidhmeanna an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh.
20.—(1) D'ainneoin aon achtacháin eile, déanfaidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach foireann, riarachán agus gnó na Seirbhíse, lena n-áirítear feidhmeanna Cláraitheoirí Contae sa mhéid go mbaineann na feidhmeanna sin le feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse, a bhainistiú agus a rialú i gcoitinne agus comhlíonfaidh sé nó sí cibé feidhmeanna eile a thugtar dó nó di leis an Acht seo nó faoi nó a thabharfaidh an Bord dó nó di.
(2) Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach freagrach don Bhord as a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh agus as beartais an Bhoird a chur i bhfeidhm.
(3) Soláthróidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach don Bhord cibé faisnéis (lena n-áirítear faisnéis airgeadais) i ndáil le comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a theastóidh ón mBord ó am go ham.
(4) Féadfaidh cibé comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse a bheidh údaraithe ag an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach cibé feidhmeanna de chuid an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh a shonróidh sé nó sí ó am go ham, a chomhlíonadh, le toiliú an Bhoird.
(5) Féadfaidh cibé comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse a bheidh ainmnithe ó am go ham ag an mBord chun na críche sin feidhmeanna an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh a chomhlíonadh le linn don Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach a bheith as láthair nó nuair a bheidh post an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh folamh.
An Príomh-Fheidhmeannach do fhreastal os comhair Coiste Oireachtais.
21.—(1) Faoi réir fho-ailt (2) agus (3), freastalóidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach os comhair Coiste Oireachtais (dá ngairtear “an Coiste” san alt seo), ar iarraidh i scríbhinn ón gCoiste, chun cuntas a thabhairt ar riarachán ginearálta na Seirbhíse, lena n-áirítear na pleananna straitéiseacha 3 bliana arna leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais faoi alt 7, de réir mar a cheanglóidh an Coiste.
(2) Ní cheanglófar ar an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach cuntas a thabhairt os comhair an Choiste ar aon ní—
(a) a bhaineann le breitheamh d'fheidhmiú a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna breithiúnacha, nó
(b) a bhaineann le duine seachas breitheamh d'fheidhmiú dlínse theoranta de chineál breithiúnach,
lena n-áirítear ní atá, a bhí nó a fhéadfaidh a bheith sa todhchaí ina ábhar d'imeachtaí os comhair cúirte sa Stát.
(3) Más é tuairim an Phríomh-Fheidhmeannaigh gur ní lena mbaineann fo-alt (2) aon ní a n-iarrtar ar an bPríomh-Fheidhmeannach cuntas a thabhairt ina leith os comhair an Choiste, cuirfidh sé nó sí an tuairim sin in iúl don Choiste mar aon leis na cúiseanna atá leis an tuairim sin, agus mura dtabharfar an fhaisnéis don Choiste tráth a mbeidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach os a chomhair, tabharfar an fhaisnéis amhlaidh i scríbhinn.
(4) I gcás go mbeidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach tar éis a thuairim nó a tuairim a chur in iúl don Choiste de réir fho-alt (3) agus nach dtarraingeoidh an Coiste siar an iarraidh dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1)—
(a) féadfaidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach, tráth nach déanaí ná 21 lá tar éis don Choiste an cinneadh uaidh gan déanamh amhlaidh a chur in iúl dó nó di, iarratas a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte ar mhodh achomair chun a chinneadh an ní atá i gceist faoi fho-alt (2) é an ní, nó
(b) féadfaidh cathaoirleach an Choiste iarratas den sórt sin a dhéanamh thar ceann an Choiste,
agus féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt an ní a chinneadh.
(5) Go dtí go gcinnfear iarratas faoi fho-alt (4), ní fhreastalóidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach os comhair an Choiste chun cuntas a thabhairt ar an ní is ábhar don iarratas.
(6) Má chinneann an Ard-Chúirt gur ní a bhfuil feidhm ag fo-alt (2) ina leith é an ní, tarraingeoidh an Coiste siar an iarraidh dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1), ach má chinneann an Ard-Chúirt nach bhfuil feidhm ag fo-alt (2), freastalóidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach os comhair an Choiste chun cuntas a thabhairt ar an ní.
(7) San alt seo ciallaíonn “Coiste Oireachtais” Coiste arna cheapadh ag ceachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó ag dhá Theach an Oireachtais i gcomhar (seachas an Coiste um Leasanna Chomhaltaí Dháil Éireann nó an Coiste um Leasanna Chomhaltaí Sheanad Éireann) nó fochoiste de chuid Coiste den sórt sin.
CUID V
Foireann na Seirbhíse
Beidh struchtúr riaracháin aontaithe ag an tSeirbhís.
22.—Beidh eagraíocht agus struchtúr aontaithe ag an tSeirbhís.
Foireann na Seirbhíse.
23.—(1) Féadfaidh an Bord cibé líon daoine a cheapadh chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Cinnfidh an Bord gráid foirne na Seirbhíse agus an líon foirne i ngach grád de réir mar a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) Beidh gach comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse ina státseirbhíseach i Státseirbhís an Stáit.
(4) Is é an Bord an t-údarás iomchuí (de réir bhrí Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, agus Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 go 1996) i ndáil le foireann na Seirbhíse.
(5) San alt seo ciallaíonn “státseirbhíseach i Státseirbhís an Stáit” duine a shealbhaíonn post i Státseirbhís an Stáit.
Foireann a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís.
24.—(1) Ar an lá bunaithe, déanfar gach duine lena mbaineann Sceideal 1 a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís agus tiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse.
(2) Déanfar gach comhalta d'fhoireann na Roinne Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí a ainmneofar le hordú ón Aire, chun críocha an ailt seo, a aistriú chuig foireann na Seirbhíse, agus tiocfaidh sé nó sí chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse, ar é nó í a ainmniú amhlaidh.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire ordú a dhéanamh chun críocha fho-alt (2) ach ní dhéanfaidh sé nó sí amhlaidh gan na nithe seo a leanas a bheith déanta i dtosach—
(a) fógra a thabhairt i scríbhinn d'aon cheardchumann nó comhlachas foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann á rá go bhfuil beartaithe ag an Aire déanamh amhlaidh, agus
(b) aon uiríll a bheidh déanta ag na ceardchumainn nó ag na comhlachais foirne sin i ndáil leis an ní a bhreithniú laistigh de cibé tréimhse ama a bheidh sonraithe san fhógra.
Téarmaí agus coinníollacha foirne aistrithe.
25.—(1) Ach amháin i gcomhréir le comhaontú comhchoiteann arna chaibidil le haon cheardchumann nó comhlachas foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann, aon duine a aistreofar le fo-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 24 chuig foireann na Seirbhíse ní lú, fad a bheidh sé nó sí i seirbhís na Seirbhíse, an scála pá a gheobhaidh sé nó sí ná ní lú tairbhe dó nó di na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse a mbeidh sé nó sí faoina réir ná an scála pá a raibh teideal aige nó aici chuige agus na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse a raibh sé nó sí faoina réir díreach sular aistríodh an duine sin.
(2) Go dtí go ndéanfaidh an tSeirbhís, le comhaontú an Aire agus an Aire Airgeadais, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le haon cheardchumann nó comhlachas foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann, scála pá agus téarmaí agus coinníollacha seirbhíse duine a bheidh aistrithe le fo-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 24 chuig foireann na Seirbhíse a athrú, leanfaidh an scála pá a raibh teideal aige nó aici chuige agus na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse, na srianta, na ceanglais agus na hoibleagáidí a raibh sé nó sí faoina réir díreach sular aistríodh an duine sin, d'fheidhm a bheith acu maidir leis nó léi agus féadfaidh an tSeirbhís iad a chur i bhfeidhm nó a fhorchur fad a bheidh sé nó sí ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse, agus ní oibreoidh aon athrú den sórt sin chun gur measa an scála pá sin nó na téarmaí nó na coinníollacha seirbhíse sin a bhain leis an duine sin díreach sular aistríodh an duine sin, ach amháin i gcomhréir le comhaontú comhchoiteann arna chaibidil le haon cheardchumann nó comhlachas foirne aitheanta lena mbaineann.
CUID VI
Talamh, etc. a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís
Talamh, etc. a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís.
26.—(1) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú lá dílsithe a cheapadh i leith talamh ar bith (nó cuid de thalamh ar bith) a úsáidtear d'aon toisc chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, nó chun críocha na gCoimisinéirí, go páirteach, agus chun na gcríoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, go páirteach, agus a bhí, díreach roimh an lá dílsithe, dílsithe do na Coimisinéirí nó ar léas acu.
(b) Ar an lá dílsithe déanfar an talamh is ábhar don ordú, mar aon leis na cearta, na cumhachtaí agus na pribhléidí go léir a bhaineann nó a ghabhann le talamh den sórt sin—
(i) i gcás go n-úsáidtear é d'aon toisc chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo — tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na Coimisinéirí, agus
(ii) i gcás go n-úsáidtear é chun críocha na gCoimisinéirí, go páirteach, agus chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, go páirteach — le toiliú i scríbhinn ó na Coimisinéirí,
ach gan aon tíolacadh, aistriú ná sannadh breise, a dhílsiú don tSeirbhís go feadh an eastáit, an téarma nó an leasa uile dá raibh sé, díreach roimh an lá dílsithe, dílsithe do na Coimisinéirí, ach sin faoi réir na n-iontaobhas agus na gcothromas go léir a dhéanann difear don talamh agus atá ar marthain agus inchomhlíonta.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú lá dílsithe a cheapadh i leith talamh ar bith (nó cuid de thalamh ar bith) a úsáidtear d'aon toisc chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, nó chun críocha an údaráis áitiúil, go páirteach, agus chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, go páirteach, agus a bhí, díreach roimh an lá dílsithe, dílsithe d'údarás áitiúil nó ar léas aige.
(b) Ar an lá dílsithe déanfar an talamh is ábhar don ordú, mar aon leis na cearta, na cumhachtaí agus na pribhléidí go léir a bhaineann nó a ghabhann le talamh den sórt sin—
(i) i gcás go n-úsáidtear é d'aon toisc chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo — tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an údarás áitiúil, agus
(ii) i gcás go n-úsáidtear é chun críocha an údaráis áitiúil, go páirteach, agus chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, go páirteach — le toiliú i scríbhinn ón údarás áitiúil,
ach gan aon tíolacadh, aistriú ná sannadh breise, a dhílsiú don tSeirbhís go feadh an eastáit, an téarma nó an leasa uile dá raibh sé, díreach roimh an lá dílsithe, dílsithe don údarás áitiúil, ach sin faoi réir na n-iontaobhas agus na gcothromas go léir a dhéanann difear don talamh agus atá ar marthain agus inchomhlíonta.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá a cheapadh ar a dtiocfaidh talamh atá dílsithe don Stát nó d'organ de chuid an Stáit, agus a úsáidtear chun críoch a mbaineann feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse leo, chun bheith faoi réir áitiú, bhainistíocht agus rialú na Seirbhíse chun críocha a feidhmeanna agus ar an lá sin, dá réir sin, tiocfaidh sé chun bheith faoina réir sin amhlaidh.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire, ar a thionscnamh nó ar a tionscnamh féin, agus déanfaidh sé nó sí ar iarratas ón tSeirbhís, deimhniú a eisiúint i leith talún sonraithe ina ndéarfar, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire, gur dhílsigh an talamh sin don tSeirbhís faoin alt seo, nó nár dhílsigh sé amhlaidh, agus beidh an deimhniú ina fhianaise ar na fíorais a bheidh ráite amhlaidh.
(5) Gach ceart agus dliteanas a aistrítear leis an alt seo chuig an tSeirbhís féadfaidh an tSeirbhís, ar an lá a mbeidh sé aistrithe nó dá éis, agairt a dhéanamh ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó é a fhorfheidhmiú, nó féadfar an céanna a dhéanamh i gcoinne na Seirbhíse, ina hainm féin agus ní gá don tSeirbhís fógra faoin aistriú a thabhairt do dhuine a n-aistrítear ceart nó dliteanas dá chuid nó dá cuid leis an alt seo.
(6) Ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 12 den Finance Act, 1895, i leith talamh a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís faoin alt seo.
(7) (a) Faoi réir mhír (b), beidh an tAcht Tithe Cúirte (Soláthar agus Cothabháil), 1935, arna aisghairm ar an lá bunaithe.
(b) D'ainneoin mhír (a), más rud é, díreach roimh lá dílsithe arna cheapadh faoi fho-alt 2(a), go raibh duine ceaptha mar airíoch nó mar chúntóir d'airíoch i leith cóiríochta tí cúirte faoi alt 5 den Acht Tithe Cúirte (Soláthar agus Cothabháil), 1935, arb í an chóiríocht í is ábhar don dílsiú, ansin leanfaidh an t-alt sin d'fheidhm a bheith aige maidir leis an duine ionann is dá mba í an tSeirbhís a cheap amhlaidh é nó í.
(8) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “na Coimisinéirí” Coimisinéirí na nOibreacha Poiblí in Éirinn;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil” comhairle contae, bardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile, comhairle ceantair uirbigh nó coimisinéirí baile.
Maoin seachas talamh a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís.
27.—(1) An mhaoin uile seachas talamh, ach ábhair i gcaingean san áireamh, a bhí, díreach roimh an lá bunaithe, ina maoin de chuid an Aire, na gCoimisinéirí nó údaráis áitiúil de réir bhrí alt 26 (de réir mar a bheidh) agus a úsáideadh i dtaca le feidhmeanna an Aire atá ar comhréir le feidhmeanna na Seirbhíse, déanfar, ar an lá sin, í a dhílsiú don tSeirbhís gan aon sannadh.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, ar a thionscnamh nó ar a tionscnamh féin, agus déanfaidh sé nó sí ar iarratas ón tSeirbhís, deimhniú a eisiúint i leith maoine sonraithe ina ndéarfar, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire, gur dhílsigh an mhaoin don tSeirbhís faoin alt seo nó nár dhílsigh sí amhlaidh, agus beidh an deimhniú ina fhianaise ar na fíorais a bheidh ráite amhlaidh.
(3) Gach ábhar i gcaingean a aistrítear le fo-alt (1) chuig an tSeirbhís féadfaidh an tSeirbhís, tar éis an lae bunaithe, agairt ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó é a fhorfheidhmiú ina hainm féin agus ní gá don tSeirbhís ná don Aire fógra faoin aistriú a dhéantar leis an bhfo-alt sin a thabhairt do dhuine atá faoi cheangal ag an ábhar i gcaingean.
Cearta agus dliteanais a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís.
28.—(1) Na cearta agus na dliteanais uile de chuid an Aire a éiríonn de bhua aon chonartha nó gealltanais (sainráite nó intuigthe) a bheidh déanta aige nó aici roimh an lá bunaithe i ndáil le feidhm de chuid an Aire atá ar comhréir le feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse, déanfar, ar an lá sin, iad a aistriú chuig an tSeirbhís.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire ar a thionscnamh nó ar a tionscnamh féin, agus déanfaidh sé nó sí ar iarratas ón tSeirbhís, deimhniú a eisiúint i leith conartha nó gealltanais shonraithe, ina ndéarfar, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire, go ndearnadh cearta nó dliteanais an Aire faoin gcéanna a aistriú ar an lá bunaithe chuig an tSeirbhís faoin alt seo nó nár aistríodh amhlaidh iad, agus beidh an deimhniú ina fhianaise ar na fíorais a bheidh ráite amhlaidh.
(3) Gach ceart agus dliteanas a aistrítear le fo-alt (1) chuig an tSeirbhís féadfaidh an tSeirbhís, ar an lá bunaithe agus dá éis, agairt a dhéanamh ina leith, é a ghnóthú nó é a fhorfheidhmiú, nó féadfar an céanna a dhéanamh i gcoinne na Seirbhíse, ina hainm féin agus ní gá don tSeirbhís ná don Aire fógra faoin aistriú sin a thabhairt do dhuine a n-aistrítear ceart nó dliteanas dá chuid nó dá cuid leis an bhfo-alt seo.
Tiocfaidh feidhmeanna áirithe chun bheith ina bhfeidhmeanna de chuid na Seirbhíse.
29.—(1) Ar an lá bunaithe agus dá éis is feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse, d'eisiamh an Aire, feidhm de chuid an Aire faoi gach ceann de na forálacha a luaitear i gcolún 3 de Sceideal 2 ar forálacha iad de na hAchtanna a luaitear i gcolún 2 os coinne lua na forála sin, agus forléireofar an fhoráil dá réir sin.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú Sceideal 2 a leasú trí aon fheidhm de chuid an Aire (i dteannta nó d'éagmais coinníll nó sriain) a chur isteach faoi fhoráil d'aon achtachán a bhaineann freisin le feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse agus féadfaidh an tAire le hordú aon choinníoll nó srian den sórt sin a leasú nó a scriosadh.
(3) (a) Gan dochar d'fho-alt (2), féadfaidh an Rialtas, le hordú, a fhoráil gur feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a shonrófar san ordú, feidhm de chuid Aire nó feidhm ar bith eile faoi fhoráil d'achtachán a bhaineann le feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse.
(b) Féadfaidh an Rialtas ordú faoi mhír (a) a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(4) Faoi réir aon choinníll nó sriain dá bhforáiltear san Acht seo, aon ionstraim atá ar marthain agus a rinneadh faoi achtachán a bhaineann le hábhar lena mbaineann feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse, leanfaidh sí i bhfeidhm an lá a mbeidh an fheidhm ag an tSeirbhís agus dá éis, agus féadfaidh an tSeirbhís í a leasú nó a chúlghairm, ionann is dá mba rud é go ndearnadh é de bhun na gcumhachtaí a thugtar don tSeirbhís leis an Acht seo.
CUID VII
Ilghnéitheach
Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach
30.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2), beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach de thuras na huaire ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta de Choiste Rialacha na nUaschúirteanna (a bunaíodh faoi alt 67 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936), de Choiste Rialacha na Cúirte Cuarda (a bunaíodh faoi alt 69 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936), agus de Choiste Rialacha na Cúirte Dúiche (a bunaíodh faoi alt 71 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936).
(2) Féadfaidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach de thuras na huaire a chomhaltas nó a comhaltas d'aon cheann de na Coistí dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) a tharmligean i scríbhinn ó am go ham chuig comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse agus féadfaidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach aon tarmligean den sórt sin a chúlghairm tráth ar bith.
Cláraitheoirí Contae agus an tSeirbhís.
31.—Faoi réir alt 9, aistreofar gach Cláraitheoir Contae, ar an lá bunaithe, chuig an tSeirbhís maidir leis na feidhmeanna sin de chuid Cláraitheoirí Contae a bhaineann le feidhm de chuid na Seirbhíse.
Comhaltas de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó de Pharlaimint na hEorpa.
32.—(1) D'ainneoin alt 12, más rud é, i gcás comhalta den Bhord nó d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse—
(a) go n-ainmneofar é nó í mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann,
(b) go dtoghfar é nó í mar chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó do Pharlaimint 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,
air sin—
(i) i gcás comhalta den Bhord — scoirfidh sé nó sí de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord, agus
(ii) i gcás comhalta d'fhoireann na Seirbhíse — beidh sé nó sí ar iasacht óna fhostaíocht nó óna fostaíocht leis an tSeirbhís agus ní íocfaidh an tSeirbhís leis nó léi, ná ní bheidh sé nó sí i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé nó sí ón tSeirbhís, aon luach saothair ná liúntais i leith na tréimhse dar tosach an tráth a ainmneofar nó a thoghfar amhlaidh é nó í nó an tráth a measfar amhlaidh é nó í a bheith tofa (de réir mar a bheidh) agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé nó sí de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta de cheachtar Teach acu sin nó den Pharlaimint sin.
(2) Duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin nó is comhalta de Pharlaimint na hEorpa beidh sé nó sí, fad a bheidh sé nó sí i dteideal amhlaidh nó ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den sórt sin, dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord.
(3) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), forléireofar an fo-alt sin mar fho-alt a thoirmisceann, i measc nithe eile, tréimhse a luaitear i bhfomhír (ii) den fho-alt sin a ríomh mar sheirbhís leis an tSeirbhís chun críocha aon sochar aoisliúntais.
Measfar gur údarás Stáit an tSeirbhís chun críoch pleanála agus forbartha.
33.—Measfar gur údarás Stáit an tSeirbhís chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1993, agus déanfar tagairt in aon rialachán arna dhéanamh faoi alt 2(1)(a) den Acht sin don Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt don tSeirbhís.
(2) (a) D'ainneoin alt 2 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1993, nó aon rialachán arna ndéanamh faoin alt sin lena ndéantar foráil maidir le fógra a thabhairt i ndáil le forbairt arb é atá inti tithe cúirte sealadacha a chur ar fáil, ní gá forbairt den sórt sin a fhógairt ach aon uair amháin.
(b) I mír (a) ciallaíonn “tithe cúirte” foirgnimh, nó áitreabh nó suiteálacha eile, nó déanmhais nó saoráidí eile, cibé acu a chuirtear ar fáil iad ar bhonn sealadach nó ar bhonn buan, a úsáidtear chun aon ghnó a dhéanamh a bhaineann le cúirt, binse, fiosrúchán nó ionchoisne arna bhunú le reacht, nó a úsáidtear i dtaca le gnó den sórt sin.
Rialacháin.
34.—Féadfaidh an tAire cibé rialacháin a dhéanamh is gá chun éifeacht a thabhairt don Acht seo.
Rialacháin agus orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
35.—Déanfar gach ordú arna dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (2) nó (3) d'alt 29 nó gach rialachán arna dhéanamh faoi alt 34 a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is indéanta tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá ina dhiaidh sin 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 faoi.
Caiteachais.
36.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
CUID VIII
Idirthréimhseach
An Bord Idirthréimhseach a bhunú.
37.—(1) Bunaítear leis seo ar an Acht seo a rith comhlacht corpraithe ar a dtabharfar an Bord Idirthréimhseach um Sheirbhís Chúirteanna.
(2) Beidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach ina chomhlacht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus séala oifigiúil agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha ina ainm corpraithe.
Comhaltas, etc., den Bhord Idirthréimhseach.
38.—(1) Faoi réir fho-ailt (2) agus (3), beidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach comhdhéanta ar an tslí chéanna a fhoráiltear don Bhord i gCuid III agus beidh feidhm ag an gCuid sin (seachas alt 13), fara aon mhodhnuithe is gá, maidir leis an mBord Idirthréimhseach agus a chuid comhaltaí, agus i ndáil leo, ionann is dá mba é an Bord é faoin gCuid sin agus ionann is dá mba thagairtí don dáta a dtiocfaidh an Chuid seo i ngníomh na tagairtí sa Chuid sin don lá bunaithe.
(2) Déanfaidh an tAire, a luaithe is indéanta tar éis an tAcht seo a rith, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na comhlachais foirne agus leis na ceardchumainn aitheanta iomchuí lena mbaineann, duine dá dtagraítear i Sceideal 1 a cheapadh mar chomhalta den Bhord Idirthréimhseach.
(3) Ar é nó í a cheapadh faoi alt 40(1), beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Bhord Idirthréimhseach.
Feidhmeanna agus cumhachtaí an Bhoird Idirthréimhsigh.
39.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna an Bhoird Idirthréimhsigh—
(a) ullmhú faoi chomhair an tSeirbhís do ghabháil na bhfeidhmeanna uirthi féin atá le dílsiú don tSeirbhís faoin Acht seo ar an lá bunaithe, agus
(b) Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe a cheapadh.
(2) Ní bheidh de chumhachtaí ag an mBord Idirthréimhseach ach na cumhachtaí sin is gá chun a chumasú dó a chuid feidhmeanna a chomhall.
(3) Cinnfidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach a chuid nósanna imeachta féin.
Príomh-Fheidhmeannach
40.—(1) Ceapfaidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach duine chun bheith ina Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach nó ina Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe.
(2) Beidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe i seilbh oifige faoi chonradh scríofa seirbhíse, a fhéadfar a athnuachan, ar feadh cibé tréimhse a bheidh sonraithe sa chonradh, agus faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear téarmaí agus coinníollacha a bhaineann le luach saothair agus le fostaíocht a fhionraí agus a fhoirceannadh) a chinnfidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach agus a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) I bhfo-alt (2), folaíonn “luach saothair” liúntais i leith caiteachas, sochair chomhchineáil agus aoisliúntas.
(4) Ní bheidh feidhm ag Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, maidir le ceapadh duine mar Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe.
(5) Cabhróidh an Príomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe leis an mBord Idirthréimhseach a chuid feidhmeanna faoi alt 39 a chomhall.
Ní dhéanfaidh feidhmeanna eatramhacha difear do neamhspleáchas breithiúnach.
41.—Ní dhéanfar aon fheidhm a thugtar ná aon chumhacht a dhílsítear don Bhord Idirthréimhseach nó don Phríomh-Fheidhmeannach Ainmnithe faoin Acht seo a fheidhmiú ar shlí a chuirfeadh isteach ar stiúradh an chuid sin de ghnó na gcúirteanna a cheanglaítear le dlí a dhéanamh ag breitheamh amháin nó níos mó nó os comhair breithimh amháin nó níos mó nó a chuirfeadh i gcoinne—
(a) neamhspleáchas breithimh agus é nó í ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna breithiúnacha, nó
(b) neamhspleáchas duine seachas breitheamh agus é nó í ag comhlíonadh feidhmeanna teoranta de chineál breithiúnach a thugtar don duine sin le dlí.
Caiteachais a thabhóidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach.
42.—Beidh caiteachais a thabhóidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach ina gcuid de chaiteachais an Aire ag riaradh an Achta seo dó nó di.
An Bord Idirthréimhseach a dhíscaoileadh.
43.—Ar an lá bunaithe beidh an Bord Idirthréimhseach arna dhíscaoileadh agus, ar an lá sin agus dá éis measfar, maidir leis na sócmhainní, na dliteanais, na hoibleagáidí agus na nithe uile arna dteachtadh, arna ndéanamh nó arna bhforghníomhú ag an mBord Idirthréimhseach, gur sócmhainní, dliteanais, oibleagáidí agus nithe de chuid an Bhoird iad ionann is dá mba rud é go raibh sé ar marthain an tráth iomchuí, agus forléireofar gach doiciméad dá réir sin.
SCEIDEAL 1
Oifigigh Aistrithe
Gach príomhoifigeach de réir bhrí Chuid I den Acht Oifigigh Cúirte, 1926, seachas Máistir na hArd-Chúirte agus na Máistrí Fómhais.
Gach Cléireach Cúirte Dúiche.
Gach comhalta den fhoireann ghinearálta atá ar fostú sna hoifigí leithleacha a luaitear i mír 2 den Ochtú Sceideal a ghabhann le hAcht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 1961.
Gach comhalta den fhoireann ghinearálta atá ar fostú in Oifigí Cúirte Cuarda faoi alt 42 den Acht Oifigigh Cúirte, 1926.
Gach comhalta den fhoireann atá ag gabháil leis an gCúirt Chuarda agus le breithiúna den Chúirt Chuarda faoi alt 43 den Acht Oifigigh Cúirte, 1926.
Gach seirbhíseach atá ag gabháil le breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt faoi alt 43 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936.
Gach oifigeach nó seirbhíseach eile a bheidh, díreach roimh an lá bunaithe, ag gabháil le cúirt arna bunú de bhun an Bhunreachta nó le pearsa breithimh a bheidh, an tráth sin, i seilbh oifige nó ar fostú in oifig chúirte agus a bheidh ag comhlíonadh dualgas i ndáil le haon chúirt nó breitheamh nó a bheidh ar fostú in aon oifig chúirte.
SCEIDEAL 2
Feidhmeanna de chuid an Aire a thiocfaidh chun bheith ina bhfeidhmeanna de chuid na Seirbhíse
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Alt |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
Alt 4 (1), (2) agus (3). | ||
Alt 3(3), | ||
alt 18(1), | ||
alt 27(1), | ||
alt 28(1), | ||
alt 34(2) agus (3), | ||
alt 40(1), | ||
alt 41(1), | ||
alt 42, | ||
alt 43(1), (2) agus (3), | ||
alt 46(1) agus (2), | ||
alt 48, | ||
alt 59(1), (2) agus (3), | ||
alt 61(2). | ||
Alt 33(2), | ||
alt 42(2), (3) agus (5), | ||
alt 43, | ||
alt 44(2), | ||
alt 64(3). | ||
Alt 6(1), | ||
alt 9(1) agus (2). | ||
Alt 4(1). | ||
Alt 26(1) agus (2). | ||
Alt 40, | ||
alt 41, | ||
alt 44. | ||
An tOchtú Sceideal— | ||
mír 5, | ||
mír 6, | ||
mír 7, | ||
mír 16, | ||
mír 22. |