Safety, Health and Welfare At Work Act, 1989

Prosecution of offences, etc.

51.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), any summary offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions may be prosecuted by the Authority.

(2) Where a summary offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions consists of a contravention of a provision which is to be enforced by an enforcing agency, the offence may be prosecuted by the enforcing agency.

(3) Notwithstanding section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 , proceedings for any offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions may be instituted at any time within one year after the date of the offence.

(4) Where—

(a) a special report on any matter to which section 46 of this Act applies is made; or

(b) a report is made by a person holding an inquiry into any matter by virtue of section 47 ; or

(c) a coroner's inquest is held concerning the death of any person whose death may have been caused by an accident which happened while he was at work or by a disease which he contracted or probably contracted at work or by an accident, act or omission which occurred in connection with the work of any person whatsoever;

and it appears from the report or, in a case falling within paragraph (c) from the proceedings at the inquest, that any of the relevant statutory provisions was contravened at a time which is material in relation to the subject matter of the report or inquest, summary proceedings against any person liable to be proceeded against in respect of the contravention may be commenced at any time within six months of the making of the report or, in a case falling within paragraph (c), within six months of the conclusion of the inquest.