Coast Protection Act, 1963
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Public inquiries. |
27.—(1) Where a report has been submitted under section 2 of this Act, the Minister for Finance, if he considers it necessary, may at any time before the making of the order under subsection (5) of section 10 of this Act, cause a public inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him, in relation to the proposals for coast protection. | |
(2) The following provisions shall have effect in relation to a public inquiry under this section: | ||
(a) the Minister for Finance shall publish in Iris Oifigiúil, and in one or more newspapers circulating in the county of the promoting authority and any other county the council of which named the promoting authority pursuant to this Act, a notice stating that the inquiry will be held at the time (not being less than three weeks after the first publication of the notice) and place specified in the notice, | ||
(b) all persons who in the opinion of the person holding the inquiry are interested therein shall be entitled to appear and be heard (in person or by solicitor or counsel) and adduce evidence at the inquiry, | ||
(c) the person holding the inquiry shall have power by notice in writing signed by him to summon witnesses and to require the production of books and other documents, and any person so summoned who fails to attend the inquiry and give evidence thereat and any person who fails or refuses to produce any book or other document the production of which is so required shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds, | ||
(d) all evidence at the inquiry shall be given on oath, which oath, the person holding the inquiry is hereby empowered to administer, and any person who gives false evidence at the inquiry shall be guilty of perjury and be punishable accordingly, | ||
(e) the person holding the inquiry shall be entitled to adjourn the inquiry as he thinks fit and shall also have power to inspect and examine, and for that purpose to enter upon, any lands and premises affected by the relevant encroachment of the sea. |