Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act, 1997

Interpretation.

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

“the appropriate subcommittee”—

(a) in relation to a committee appointed by either House of the Oireachtas or a subcommittee of such a committee, means a subcommittee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of that House,

(b) in relation to a committee appointed jointly by both Houses of the Oireachtas or a subcommittee of such a committee, means a subcommittee appointed jointly by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of each such House,

that is authorised by the Committee or Committees aforesaid by which it is appointed to perform the functions conferred on it by this Act;

“a 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;

“civil servant” has the meaning assigned to it by the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956 ;

“direction” means a direction under section 3 and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

“document” includes any class or description of document and also includes thing;

“evidence” includes the expression of an opinion, belief or intention.

(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 provision is intended,

(b) a reference to a subsection or paragraph is a reference to a subsection or paragraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and

(c) a reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment.