Heritage Fund Act, 2001

Disclosure of certain interests by members of Council.

11.—(1) Where at a meeting of the Council a matter falls to be decided by the Council, any member of the Council present at the meeting who otherwise than in his or her capacity as such a member, or as Director, Artistic Director, Chief Executive or Director and Chief Executive Officer (as the case may be) of a body or institution referred to in section 9 , has an interest in the matter shall—

(a) at the meeting disclose to the Council the fact of such interest and the nature thereof,

(b) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision to be made in relation to the matter,

(c) absent himself or herself from the meeting at that point of the meeting during which the matter is discussed,

(d) take no part in any deliberation of the Council relating to the matter, and

(e) not vote on a decision relating to the matter.

(2) Where an interest is disclosed pursuant to this section the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting concerned and, for so long as the matter to which the disclosure relates is being dealt with by the meeting, the member by whom the disclosure is made shall not be counted in the quorum for the meeting.

(3) Where at a meeting of the Council a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a member of the Council, would constitute a failure by him or her to comply with the requirements of subsection (1), the question may be determined by the chairperson of the meeting, whose decision shall be final, and where such a question is so determined, particulars of the determination shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

(4) A person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an offence.