European Assembly Elections Act , 1984

1 Definitions.

1.—In this Act—

“non-party candidate” means a candidate who is not a candidate of a registered political party;

“the Principal Act” means the European Assembly Elections Act, 1977;

“registered political party” means a party which pursuant to section 8 of the Principal Act is for the time being registered in the Register of Political Parties as a party organised to contest an Assembly election;

“replacement candidate” means a replacement candidate for the purposes of this Act;

“replacement candidates' list” has the meaning assigned to it by section 3 (3) (d).

2 Qualification of candidates, etc.

2.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 7:

“7.—(1) A person who is not eligible to become a member of Dáil Éireann or who holds the office of Attorney General shall not be eligible for election under this Act to be a representative in the Assembly.

(2) A person who is elected under this Act to be a representative in the Assembly or who pursuant to section 6 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984, is to be regarded as having been so elected, and who when so elected, or when he commences to be so regarded, holds the office of—

(a) Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Dáil Éireann or Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Seanad Éireann,

(b) Minister of State,

shall on such election, or, in case he is to be so regarded, on the day on which he commences to be so regarded, cease to hold that office.

(3) If while he is a representative in the Assembly a person—

(a) becomes subject to any of the disqualifications applicable to membership of Dáil Éireann, or

(b) becomes the holder of an office mentioned in subsections (1) or (2) of this section,

he shall thereupon cease to be a representative in the Assembly.”.

3 Replacement candidates.

3.—(1) At an Assembly election—

(a) a registered political party, and

(b) a person who in relation to the election is a non-party candidate,

may, subject to and in accordance with the following provisions of this section, nominate with his or their consent one or more persons to be as regards the election replacement candidates.

(2) Subject to paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section, a person who is a candidate at an Assembly election shall be eligible for nomination as a replacement candidate.

(3) The following provisions shall apply in relation to the nomination of replacement candidates at an Assembly election—

(a) the number of replacement candidates to be so nominated shall not—

(i) in the case of replacement candidates so nominated by a registered political party, exceed by more than four the number of candidates of that party standing validly nominated at the latest time for withdrawal of candidature under Rule 12 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act, and

(ii) in the case of replacement candidates so nominated by a non-party candidate, exceed three,

(b) a person shall not be nominated as a replacement candidate unless he is eligible for election under the Principal Act to the Assembly,

(c) a person may not be so nominated in respect of more than one constituency,

(d) the replacement candidates so nominated as regards a particular constituency shall be nominated by each of their name's being entered on a list (elsewhere in this Act referred to as the “replacement candidates' list”) and in nominating replacement candidates as regards a particular constituency, the registered political party or, as may be appropriate, the non-party candidate concerned, shall, subject to section 5 (4) (a) of this Act, use a single such list.

4 Replacement candidates' list.

4.—(1) A replacement candidates' list shall be in the prescribed form and shall be signed by—

(a) in case the list contains the names of one or more replacement candidates nominated by a particular registered political party, the officer or, as may be appropriate, the officers of such party whose name or names are entered in the Register of Political Parties either pursuant to section 13 (3) (c) of the Electoral Act, 1963, or pursuant to that section as applied by section 8 (4) of the Principal Act,

(b) in case the list contains the names of one or more replacement candidates nominated by a person who is a non-party candidate at the election, that person.

(2) As regards a replacement candidates' list the surname of any person nominated by entry thereon as a replacement candidate shall be placed before his other name or names and the list shall also contain his address.

(3) Where a registered political party or a non-party candidate at an Assembly election nominates more than one replacement candidate, the order in which the names of such replacement candidates appear on the relevant replacement candidates' list shall be determined by that party, or, as may be appropriate, that non-party candidate, and in applying any provision of the European Assembly Elections Acts, 1977 and 1984, in relation to the list, the names on the list shall be listed or given in the order in which they have been so determined or, as may be appropriate, regard shall be had to that order.

(4) As may be appropriate, a replacement candidates' list shall be headed by—

(a) where the list is signed by an officer or officers referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section, the name together with (if the officer or officers by whom the list is signed so wish) the initials or other abbreviation (if any) by which the party concerned is known, or

(b) in case the list is signed by a non-party candidate at the election, the name of that candidate (the surname being stated first).

(5) A replacement candidates' list may, if the Minister so thinks proper, include—

(a) a note of the qualifications, disqualifications and incapacities as regards election to and membership of the Assembly,

(b) a form of declaration, to be signed by—

(i) in case the list is signed by an officer referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section, the officer or, as may be appropriate, the officers signing the list,

(ii) in case the list is signed by a person who is a non-party candidate at the relevant election, that person,

that he has read the notes and, as regards the replacement candidates nominated by entry on such list, he believes each of them to be eligible for nomination under this Act as a replacement candidate and none of them to stand validly nominated as a replacement candidate as regards any other constituency.

(6) (a) Where a replacement candidates' list is presented to the returning officer, he shall assign to the list one or more letters for the purpose of identifying it and, when such letter or letters is or are so assigned, the replacement candidates' list to which it or they relate may (unless it is withdrawn, deemed under this Act to have been withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid) be referred to on any ballot paper, notice or other document by reference to such letter or letters.

(b) An assignment by the returning officer under this subsection shall not form a ground on which an Assembly election may be questioned.

5 Delivery and withdrawal of replacement candidates' list, etc.

5.—(1) At an Assembly election the returning officer shall, during the usual office hours and at such place or places as are named in the Notice of Election, on each week-day during the period beginning on the publication of that notice and ending at 12 noon on the latest date for receiving nominations, provide forms for use as replacement candidates' lists, and he shall supply such a form or forms free of charge to any person applying therefore, but the use at such an election of a form supplied by the returning officer pursuant to this section shall not be obligatory: Provided that the document so used as a replacement candidates' list is in the form prescribed under section 4 of this Act or in a form to the like effect.

(2) Each replacement candidates' list shall be delivered to the returning officer within the times specified for receiving nominations by Rule 7 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act and such delivery shall be made by—

(a) in case the list is signed by an officer referred to in section 4 (1) (a) of this Act, the officer or, as may be appropriate, any of the officers, by whom the list was signed or any person who is as regards the Assembly election concerned a candidate of the party to which the list relates,

(b) in case the list is signed by a person who is a non-party candidate at such election, that person or his proposer.

(3) (a) Where the returning officer is of the opinion that a replacement candidates' list is not properly made out or signed, if the list is not amended to his satisfaction, he shall rule it as being invalid.

(b) A decision under this subsection shall be final.

(c) As soon as may be after the receipt by him at an Assembly election of a replacement candidates' list which he does not rule as being invalid the returning officer shall—

(i) cause to be displayed outside the place at which he is receiving nominations a notice referring to the list and stating the names and addresses of the replacement candidates nominated by entry thereon and in the order in which they appear on the list,

(ii) give, by post or otherwise, notice in writing of such receipt to the person or persons by whom the list was signed, and to each replacement candidate nominated by entry thereon and a notice given pursuant to this subparagraph to a replacement candidate shall refer to the relevant replacement candidates' list and contain the names of the replacement candidates nominated by entry, and in the order in which they appear, thereon.

(d) As soon as may be after the time specified in Rule 12 (1) of the First Schedule to the Principal Act as the latest time for the withdrawal of candidature, the returning officer shall examine the replacement candidates' lists (if any), and

(i) where the number of replacement candidates included in any such list exceeds the maximum number permitted by section 3 (3) (a) of this Act, the returning officer shall delete from the list the number of names equal to the excess commencing with the name which stands at the bottom of the list and if need be there- after working up that list,

(ii) in case the returning officer deletes a name from a replacement candidates' list he shall, as soon as may be, give, by post or otherwise, to the person whose name has been deleted and to the person or, as may be appropriate, each of the persons, by whom the list was signed, notice in writing of the deletion.

(4) (a) A replacement candidates' list may be withdrawn by notice in writing signed by—

(i) in case the list is a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (a) of this Act, the person who is or, as may be appropriate, the persons who are for the time being the officer or officers referred to in that section, or

(ii) in case the list is a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (b) of this Act, the non-party candidate by whom it was signed,

and delivered to the returning officer not later than 12 noon on the latest date for receiving nominations.

(b) A notice referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection may be delivered to the returning officer by being given to him by—

(i) in case the notice relates to a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (a) of this Act,

(I) the officer or, as may be appropriate, any of the officers, by whom it was signed, or

(II) any person who is as regards the Assembly election concerned a candidate of the party to which the list relates,

(ii) in case the notice relates to a replacement candidates' list referred to in section 4 (1) (b) of this Act, the non-party candidate by whom the list was signed or his proposer.

(c) The returning officer shall, immediately on the delivery to him of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection, give public notice of the withdrawal concerned.

(5) Where a replacement candidates' list is presented at an Assembly election and,

(a) in case such list was presented by a registered political party, at the latest time for withdrawal of candidature under Rule 12 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act no candidate of that party stands nominated, or

(b) in case such list was presented by a non-party candidate and the candidature of that candidate is, or pursuant to either section 10 of the Principal Act or Rule 20 of the said First Schedule is deemed to have been, withdrawn.

the replacement candidates' list shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

(6) Nothing done by a returning officer in exercising the power conferred on him by subsection (3) (d) (i) of this section shall form a ground on which an Assembly election may be questioned.

6 Casual vacancies.

6.—The Principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 15:

“15.—(1) Where a casual vacancy occurs amongst the persons who by virtue of the European Assembly Elections Acts, 1977 and 1984, are representatives in the Assembly, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the following subsections of this section.

(2) (a) In case the relevant representative elected under this Act at the last preceding Assembly election was at that election a candidate of a registered political party which as regards that election presented a replacement candidates' list (not being a list which is withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid)—

(i) the person (if any) whose name, having regard to subsection (3) of this section, stands first or, as may be appropriate, alone on that list shall by virtue of this section (in accordance with subsection (5) hereof) be regarded as having been elected under this Act to the Assembly to fill the vacancy,

(ii) as soon as may be after the casual vacancy occurs, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann shall by letter request the officer or officers of the registered political party whose name or names is or are entered in the Register of Political Parties either pursuant to section 13 (3) (c) of the Electoral Act, 1963, or pursuant to that section as applied by section 8 (4) of this Act to ascertain the person (if any) whose name, having regard to the said subsection (3), stands first, or, as may be appropriate, alone on the said list and to notify him in writing of that person.

(b) In case the relevant representative elected under this Act at such election was at such election a non-party candidate who presented a replacement candidates' list (not being a list which is withdrawn or ruled by the returning officer as being invalid),

(i) the person (if any) whose name, having regard to subsection (3) of this section, stands first, or, as may be appropriate, alone on that list shall by virtue of this section (in accordance with subsection (5) hereof) be regarded as having been elected under this Act to fill the vacancy,

(ii) as soon as may be after the casual vacancy occurs, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann shall by letter request the returning officer for the constituency concerned to ascertain, after consulting such person whose name is or, as may be appropriate, so many as such returning officer considers necessary of the persons whose names are, on the relevant replacement candidates' list, the person (if any) whose name having regard to the said subsection (3), stands first or, as may be appropriate, alone on the said list and to notify him in writing of that person.

(c) In case—

(i) the relevant representative so elected to the Assembly at such election was not a candidate described in either paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, or

(ii) having regard to the provisions of this section, in relation to the vacancy no name stands first or alone on the relevant replacement candidates' list, or

(iii) a requirement made by the Clerk of Dáil Éireann stands not complied with on the expiration of the period of thirty days beginning on the date of the requirement,

Dáil Éireann may select a person whose name is on any replacement candidates' list (being a list of which public notice was given pursuant to Rule 21 (as 45 amended by section 7 of the European Assembly Elections Act, 1984) of the First Schedule to this Act), or, as may be appropriate, the sole such list, presented at the last-preceding Assembly election, and in case Dáil Éireann makes a selection under this paragraph it shall by resolution specify the person so selected.

(3) In ascertaining for the purposes of this section if there is a name first or alone on a replacement candidates' list, or making a selection under this section, the following provisions shall apply—

(a) the name of any person who—

(i) is for the time being—

(I) a representative in the Assembly, or

(II) not eligible for election under this Act to the Assembly, or

(III) a person who, by virtue of any provision laid down under any or all of the treaties, is not entitled to assume the office of representative in the Assembly, or

(ii) is not willing to accept office as such a representative,

shall be disregarded;

(b) in making such an ascertainment, in case the relevant representative elected under this Act to the Assembly at the last preceding Assembly election was at that election a candidate of a registered political party, the name of any person who is not for the time being a member of such party shall be disregarded.

(4) Where pursuant to a requirement made under this section the Clerk of Dáil Éireann receives a notification, he shall, as soon as may be—

(a) cause a copy of the notification to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas,

and

(b) cause to be published in the Iris Oifigiúil a notice of the notification.

(5) (a) Where a copy of a notification is laid pursuant to this section, after the expiration of the period of seven days beginning on the day on which the notice of the notification is published pursuant to subsection (4) of this section the person named in the notification concerned shall thereupon be regarded as having been elected under this Act to the Assembly.

(b) Where pursuant to subsection (2) (c) of this section a resolution is passed by Dáil Éireann, the person specified in the resolution shall thereupon be regarded as having been elected under this Act.

(6) As soon as may be after a person is, by virtue of this section, regarded as having been elected under this Act to the Assembly, the Clerk of Dáil Éireann shall notify the Assembly of the name and address of the person together with the date on which his election took effect.