National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997

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Interpretation.

2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—

“the Act of 1930” means the National Monuments Act, 1930 ;

“the Act of 1994” means the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994 ;

“archaeological object” means any chattel whether in a manufactured or partly manufactured or an unmanufactured state which by reason of the archaeological interest attaching thereto or of its association with any Irish historical event or person has a value substantially greater than its intrinsic (including artistic) value, and the said expression includes ancient human, animal or plant remains;

“authorised repository of a Board” has the meaning assigned to it by section 16 ;

“the Board”, in relation to the Museum, means the board established by subsection (1) of section 10 and, in relation to the Library, means the board established by subsection (2) of that section, and “a Board” means, as the context may require, each of those boards or either of them;

“the Commissioners” means the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland;

“company” means a company within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1963 ;

“cultural object” has the meaning assigned to it by section 42 ;

“establishment day” means, as the context may require, the Library establishment day or the Museum establishment day or both;

“functions” includes powers and duties and references to the performance of functions includes as respects powers and duties, references to the exercise of powers and the carrying out of the duties;

“the Governors and Guardians” means the Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery;

“the Library” means Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann or, in the English language, the National Library of Ireland;

“Library establishment day” means the day appointed by the Minister under section 9 ;

“library material” means—

(a) any material in the collection of the Library on the Library establishment day,

(b) any manuscript, book, within the meaning of section 56 (6) of the Copyright Act, 1963 , or material, within the meaning of section 65 , concerning human life in Ireland, the natural history of Ireland, and of the relations of Ireland with other countries, considered appropriate by the Board of the Library for inclusion in the collection of the Library,

(c) any library material which passed from the care of the former Ulster Office-of-Arms into the care of the Genealogical Office on the 1st day of April, 1943 (including objects of a heraldic nature), and

(d) any similar material;

“licence” means a licence granted under section 50 ;

“local authority” means a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941 ;

“the Minister” means the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht;

“the Museum” means Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann or, in the English language, the National Museum of Ireland;

“Museum establishment day” means the day appointed by the Minister under section 9 ;

“museum heritage object” means—

(a) any object in the collection of the Museum on the Museum establishment day,

(b) any object (including archaeological objects, objects relating to the decorative arts or natural sciences or to history or industry or folklife) over 25 years old considered appropriate by the Board for inclusion in the collection of the Museum concerning human life in Ireland, the natural history of Ireland, and of the relations of Ireland with other countries, and

(c) any other similar objects;

“the National Gallery” means the National Gallery of Ireland;

“public authority” means—

(a) a Minister of the Government,

(b) the Commissioners,

(c) a regional authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act, 1991 ,

(d) a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946 ,

(e) a health board,

(f) a board or other body established by or under statute,

(g) a company in which all the shares are held by, or on behalf of, or by directors appointed by, a Minister of the Government, or

(h) a company in which all the shares are held by a board, company, or other body referred to in paragraph (f) or (g) of this definition;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;

“the register” means the register of cultural objects established under section 48 .

(2) A reference in this Act to a section, Part or Schedule is a reference to a section or Part of or Schedule to this Act unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended.

(3) A reference in this Act to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.

(4) A reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or adapted, whether before or after the commencement of this section, by or under any subsequent enactment.