Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959

Powers of persons appointed by the Minister to hold inquiries.

323.—(1) Any person (in this section referred to as an authorised person) appointed by the Minister to hold an inquiry under this Act, may do all or any of the following things—

(a) summon witnesses to attend before him at such inquiry,

(b) examine on oath (which such authorised person is hereby authorised to administer) witnesses attending before him at such inquiry,

(c) require any such witnesses to produce any documents in their power or control the production of which such authorised person considers necessary for the purposes of such inquiry.

(2) A witness before an authorised person holding an inquiry under this Act shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court.

(3) If any person—

(a) on being duly summoned to attend as a witness before an authorised person holding an inquiry under this Act makes default in attending, or

(b) so being in attendance as a witness, refuses to take an oath lawfully required by such authorised person to be taken, or to produce any document in his power or control lawfully required by such authorised person to be produced by him, or to answer any question to which such authorised person may require an answer,

such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.