Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital Act, 1954

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Number 1 (Private) of 1954.

SIR PATRICK DUN'S HOSPITAL ACT, 1954.

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Number 1 (Private) of 1954.

SIR PATRICK DUN'S HOSPITAL ACT, 1954.

AN ACT TO LIMIT THE PERSONAL LIABILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF SIR PATRICK DUN'S HOSPITAL AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH. [7th April, 1954.]

Preamble.

WHEREAS under the provisions of an Act passed in the Parliament of Ireland in the fortieth year of the reign of King George the Third, Chapter Eighty Four, the Government of Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital was vested in a Board consisting of the visitors of the College now known as the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, of the President, Vice-President and Censors of the same, of the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, and of twelve other persons to be by the said Governors chosen and elected out of those who might become subscribers to the building or maintenance of the said Hospital.

AND WHEREAS it is apprehended that the members of the said Board of Governors are jointly and severally personally liable for the debts and other liabilities incurred by or on behalf of the said Hospital during such time as they act as Governors.

AND WHEREAS for some years past the moneys received by the said Board of Governors on behalf of the said Hospital have been insufficient to meet the expenditure incurred in the maintenance of the said Hospital, and from time to time a substantial liability to the Bankers of the Hospital has been thereby incurred.

AND WHEREAS it is feared that the indebtedness of the said Hospital will from time to time increase and that the property and assets of the said Hospital under the control of the said Board of Governors will become insufficient to meet the liabilities of the said Hospital.

AND WHEREAS by reason of the matters aforesaid some members of the Board of Governors have resigned and others have intimated their intention of resigning from their position as Governors and it is impossible and will be impossible to fill the vacancies in the Board of Governors thereby created with the result that it will be impossible to carry on the management of the said Hospital.

AND WHEREAS it is expedient that the members of the Board of Governors of the said Hospital should be relieved from any personal liability for the debts and other liabilities incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the said Hospital.

AND WHEREAS it is expedient that such other provisions should be made as are in this Act contained.

AND WHEREAS the purposes aforesaid cannot be effected without the authority of the Oireachtas.

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—

Definitions.

1.—In this Act unless the context otherwise requires:

The expression “the Hospital” means the institution known as Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital and the lands, hereditaments, buildings and premises connected therewith.

The expression “the Principal Act” means the Act passed in the Parliament of Ireland in the fortieth year of the reign of King George the Third, Chapter Eighty Four.

The expression “the Board of Governors” means the Governors for the time being of Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital and includes all persons constituted ex officio Governors by the Principal Act.

Liability for debts of the Board of Governors.

2.—From and after the passing of this Act no member of the Board of Governors whether past or present shall be adjudged personally liable for any debt or other liability incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of and with the sanction of the Board of Governors and for the benefit of or in respect of the running upkeep maintenance or administration of the Hospital.

Extent of liability of the Board of Governors.

3.—The liability of the Board of Governors for the debts or other liabilities mentioned in the last preceding section shall extend only to the general funds and other assets of the Hospital in the hands or under the control of the Board of Governors or of any Trustee or Trustees appointed by the Board of Governors.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Estate of Sir Patrick Dun.

4.—Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to impose any liability upon the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland or the estate of the late Sir Patrick Dun deceased for any debt or other liability (whether liquidated or not) incurred by the Board of Governors.

Costs of Act.

5.—The costs charges and expenses preliminary to and of and incidental to the preparing obtaining and passing of this Act shall be paid by the Board of Governors out of the funds of the Hospital in its hands or under its control.

Short Title.

6.—This Act may be cited as the Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital Act, 1954.