Deeds of Bravery Act, 1947

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Number 11 of 1947.


DEEDS OF BRAVERY ACT, 1947.


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section

1.

Definitions.

2.

Comhairle na Míre Gaile.

3.

The functions of the Council.

4.

Procedure of the Council.

5.

Payment of compensation by the Minister.

6.

Expenses.

7.

Short title.

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Number 11 of 1947.


DEEDS OF BRAVERY ACT, 1947.


AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COUNCIL FOR THE RECOGNITION OF DEEDS OF BRAVERY AND FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE MATTERS AFORESAID. [22nd April, 1947.]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—

Definition.

1.—In this Act—

the expression “the Council” means Comhairle na Míre Gaile;

the expression “deed of bravery” means an effort to save human life involving personal risk;

the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Justice.

Comhairle na Míre Gaile.

2.—(1) There shall be a council to be styled Comhairle na Míre Gaile to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.

(2) The Council shall consist of—

(a) the Ceann Comhairle;

(b) the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann;

(c) the Chairman of the Central Council of the Irish Red Cross Society;

(d) the Lord Mayor of Dublin;

(e) the Lord Mayor of Cork;

(f) the Chairman of the General Council of County Councils;

(g) the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána.

(3) The Ceann Comhairle shall be Chairman of the Council.

(4) The quorum of the Council shall be four members.

(5) The Council may act notwithstanding one or more vacancies in its membership.

The functions of the Council.

3.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the Council, as it thinks fit, may make awards of medals and certificates for deeds of bravery.

(2) The Council may make an award under this Act for a deed of bravery only if the deed was performed on or after the 4th day of July, 1945, and either—

(a) in the State, or

(b) at sea by a member of a crew of a ship registered in the State, or

(c) outside the State by a person giving assistance to a member of the crew of, or a passenger in, an aircraft or a ship registered in the State.

(3) The Council shall not make an award under this Act for a deed of bravery performed by a member of the Defence Forces while on active service.

Procedure of the Council.

4.—The following provisions shall apply to the exercise by the Council of its functions under this Act—

(a) the Council shall hold meetings from time to time as occasion requires;

(b) an award shall not be made at a meeting of the Council unless four at least of the members vote in favour of the making of an award.

Payment of compensation by the Minister.

5.—The Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may pay by way of compensation such sum as the Minister thinks fit to a person who performs a deed of bravery in circumstances under which the Council may make an award under subsection (2) of section 3 of this Act, or to any of the dependants of such person.

Expenses.

6.—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.

Short title.

7.—This Act may be cited as the Deeds of Bravery Act, 1947.