Electronic Commerce Act, 2000

Prosecution of offenses.

6.—(1) Summary proceedings for offences under this Act or a regulation made under section 3 may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister or a person or public body prescribed by the Minister for that purpose.

(2) Notwithstanding section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 , summary proceedings for an offence under this Act or a regulation made under section 3 may be commenced at any time within 12 months from the date on which evidence that, in the opinion of the person or public body by whom the proceedings are brought, is sufficient to justify the bringing of the proceedings, comes to that person's or public body's knowledge.

(3) For the purpose of subsection (2), a document signed by or on behalf of the person or public body bringing the proceedings as to the date on which the evidence referred to in that subsection came to his, her or its knowledge is prima facie evidence thereof and in those or any other legal proceedings a document purporting to be issued for the purpose of this subsection and to be so signed is taken to be so signed and shall be admitted as evidence without further proof of the signature of the person or public body purporting to sign it.