Transport Act, 1987

What is this act about?

This law primarily deals with the financial arrangements and borrowing powers of Córas Iompair Éireann (the Board), including the discharge of past liabilities and state guarantees for new borrowings. It also updates certain penalties and procedures related to transport regulations.

Who it applies to: Córas Iompair Éireann (the Board); The Minister for Finance and the Minister for Tourism and Transport.

Deadlines:

Penalties for certain offenses under the Transport Act, 1950, and the Regulation of Railways Act, 1868, have been increased, for example, from "ten pounds" to "£400, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both."

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Criminal law
Articles: 13
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The repayment of certain advances and interest by Córas Iompair Éireann.
The borrowing powers of Córas Iompair Éireann, including in foreign currencies.
State guarantees for borrowings made by Córas Iompair Éireann.
Amendments to existing transport legislation regarding sales, penalties, and railway regulations.

Who does this act apply to?

Córas Iompair Éireann (the Board).
The Minister for Finance and the Minister for Tourism and Transport.

What are the key points?

Advances totaling £44,458,691 made to the Board by the Minister for Finance are no longer repayable, and no interest is payable on these advances after the commencement of this Act.
The Board can borrow up to £45,000,000, with the consent of the Minister for Tourism and Transport and the approval of the Minister for Finance.
The Minister for Finance can guarantee the repayment of principal and interest on the Board's borrowings, up to an aggregate principal amount of £45,000,000.
Penalties for certain offenses under the Transport Act, 1950, and the Regulation of Railways Act, 1868, have been increased, for example, from "ten pounds" to "£400, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both."

Criminal law

Criminal Justice (Location of Victims' Remains) Act, 1999

Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011

Indemnity Act, 1923

Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Act 2004

Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2021

Fisheries and Foreshore (Amendment) Act, 1998

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act, 2002

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023

Criminal law

Legal text

Contents (13)

Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Section 11
Section 12
Section 13

Transport Act, 1987 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 1987 Transport Act, 1987 Transport Act, 1987 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 27 of 1987 TRANSPORT ACT, 1987 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section

Section 1

Interpretation.

Section 2

Discharge of Board's liability to repay certain advances and to pay interest.

Section 3

Borrowing Powers.

Section 4

State guarantee of borrowings by Board.

Section 5

Amendment of section 21 (7) of Transport Act, 1950.

Section 6

Amendment of section 22 (4) of Transport Act, 1950.

Section 7

Amendment of section 59 (1) of Transport Act, 1950.

Section 8

Amendment of section 25 (1) of Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1971.

Section 9

Amendment of section 22 of Regulation of Railways Act, 1868.

Section 10

Amendment of section 5 of Regulation of Railways Act, 1889.

Section 11

Power of arrest.

Section 12

Expenses.

Section 13

Short title.

Acts Referred to Offences against the Person Act, 1861 24 & 25 Vict. c. 100 Regulation of Railways Act, 1868 31 & 32 Vict. c. 119 Regulation of Railways Act, 1889 52 & 53 Vict. c. 57 Transport Act, 1950 1950, No. 12 Transport Act, 1964 1964, No. 30 Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1971 1971, No. 14 Number 27 of 1987 TRANSPORT ACT, 1987 AN ACT TO MAKE FURTHER PROVISION IN RELATION TO TRANSPORT. [22nd December, 1987] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Interpretation.

1.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “the Act of 1950” means the Transport Act, 1950 ; “the Act of 1964” means the Transport Act, 1964 ; “the Act of 1971” means the Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1971 ; “the Board” means Córas Iompair Éireann; “the Minister” means the Minister for Tourism and Transport.

(2)A reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or adapted by or under any subsequent enactment.

Discharge of Board's liability to repay certain advances and to pay interest.

2.—(1) Advances totalling £44,458,691 made to the Board by the Minister for Finance under section 4 (1) of the Act of 1964 shall, notwithstanding any determination under section 4 (2) of that Act by the Minister for Finance of terms requiring the repayment of such advances, not be repayable by the Board.

(2)Notwithstanding any terms as to the payment of interest determined by the Minister for Finance under section 4 (2) of the Act of 1964, no interest shall be payable by the Board in respect of the advances referred to in subsection (1) of this section for any period after the commencement of this Act.

Borrowing Powers.

3.—(1) The Board may, with the previous consent of the Minister, given with the approval of the Minister for Finance, borrow such moneys, including moneys in a currency other than the currency of the State, as it may require, for meeting its obligations and carrying out its duties.

(2)The Board shall exercise the powers conferred on it by this section so that the amount or amounts of principal which the Board may at any particular time be liable to repay on foot of any liability or liabilities incurred under this section does not or do not in their aggregate exceed £45,000,000.

(3)In relation to the aggregate at any one time of the amount or amounts of principal specified in subsection (2) of this section, borrowings in a currency other than the currency of the State shall be calculated as the equivalent in the currency of the State by reference to the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the borrowing.

State guarantee of borrowings by Board.

4.—(1) The Minister for Finance may guarantee, in such form and manner and on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit, the due repayment by the Board of the principal of any moneys (including moneys in a currency other than the currency of the State) borrowed by the Board, other than from the Minister for Finance, under section 3 of this Act or the payment of interest on such moneys or both the repayment of the principal and the payment of the interest and any such guarantee may include a guarantee of payment of incidental expenses arising in connection with such borrowings.

(2)The Minister for Finance shall not so exercise the powers conferred on him by this section that the amount, or the aggregate amount, of principal which he may at any one time be liable to pay on foot of any guarantee or guarantees under this section for the time being in force, together with the amount of principal (if any) which he has previously paid on foot of any guarantee under this section and which has not been repaid by the Board, exceeds £45,000,000.

(3)For the purpose of calculating the amount of principal guaranteed by the Minister for Finance under this section by reference to the limit on principal in subsection (2) of this section, the equivalent in the currency of the State of principal in a foreign currency shall be calculated at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the giving of the guarantee.

(4)The Minister for Finance shall, as soon as may be after the expiration of every financial year, lay before each House of the Oireachtas a statement setting out with respect to each guarantee under this section given during that year or given at any time before, and in force at the commencement of that year— (a) particulars of the guarantee, (b) in case any payment has been made by the Minister under the guarantee before the end of that year, the amount of the payment and the amount (if any) repaid to the Minister on foot of the payment, (c) the amount of principal covered by the guarantee which was outstanding at the end of that year.

(5)All moneys from time to time required by the Minister for Finance to meet sums which may become payable by him under this section shall be advanced out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.

(6)The Minister for Finance may, for the purpose of providing for the advance of sums out of the Central Fund under this section, borrow on the security of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof any sums required for that purpose and, for the purpose of such borrowing, he may create and issue securities bearing such rate of interest and subject to such conditions as to repayment, redemption or otherwise as he thinks fit, and shall pay all moneys so borrowed into the Exchequer.

(7)The principal of and interest on all securities issued under subsection (6) of this section and the expenses incurred in connection with the issue of such securities shall be charged on and payable out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof.

(8)Moneys paid by the Minister for Finance under a guarantee under this section shall be repaid to him (with interest thereon at such rate or rates as he appoints) by the Board within two years from the date of the advance of the moneys out of the Central Fund.

(9)Where the whole or any part of moneys required by subsection (8) of this section to be repaid to the Minister for Finance has not been paid in accordance with that subsection, the amount so remaining outstanding shall be repaid to the Central Fund out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

(10)Notwithstanding the provision of moneys under subsection (9) of this section to repay the amount to the Central Fund, the Board shall remain liable to the Minister for Finance in respect of that amount and that amount (with interest thereon at such rate or rates as the Minister for Finance appoints) shall be repaid to the said Minister by the Board at such times and in such instalments as he appoints and, in default of repayment as aforesaid and without prejudice to any other method of recovery, shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(11)Moneys paid by the Board under subsection (8) or (10) of this section shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance thinks fit.

(12)In relation to guarantees given by the Minister for Finance under this section in money in a currency other than the currency of the State— (i) each of the references to principal, each of the references to interest and the reference to incidental expenses in subsection (1) of this section shall be taken as referring to the equivalent in currency of the State of the actual principal, the actual interest and the actual incidental expenses, respectively, such equivalent being calculated according to the cost in currency of the State of the actual principal, the actual interest or the actual incidental expenses, as may be appropriate, at the time the calculation is made, (ii) the reference to principal in subsection (4) of this section shall be taken as referring to the equivalent in the currency of the State of the actual principal, such equivalent being calculated according to the rate of exchange for the time being for that currency and the currency of the State at the time the calculation is made, and (iii) each of the references to moneys in subsection (5) and subsections (8) to (10) of this section shall be taken as referring to the cost in currency of the State of the actual moneys.

Amendment of section 21 (7) of Transport Act, 1950.

5.—Section 21 (7) of the Act of 1950 is hereby amended by the insertion after “auction” of “or tender”.

Amendment of section 22 (4) of Transport Act, 1950.

6.—Section 22 (4) of the Act of 1950 is hereby amended by the substitution of “£400, or at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment” for “ten pounds”.

Amendment of section 59 (1) of Transport Act, 1950.

7.—Section 59 (1) of the Act of 1950 is hereby amended by the substitution of “£500, or at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment” for “two pounds”.

Amendment of section 25 (1) of Transport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1971.

8.—Section 25 (1) of the Act of 1971 is hereby amended by the substitution of “£500, or at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment” for “£25”.

Amendment of section 22 of Regulation of Railways Act, 1868.

9.—

Section 22

of the Regulation of Railways Act, 1868 , is hereby amended by— (a) the deletion of the words “and travels more than twenty miles without stopping,”, (b) the substitution of “£500” for “ten pounds”, and (c) the substitution of “£500, or at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment” for “twenty-five pounds” (substituted by the Act of 1971).

Amendment of section 5 of Regulation of Railways Act, 1889.

10.—Section 5 of the Regulation of Railways Act, 1889 is hereby amended by— (a) the substitution in subsection (1) of “£400, or at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment” for “forty shillings”, and (b) the substitution in subsection (3) of “to a fine not exceeding £400, or at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment” for the words from “to a fine not exceeding forty shillings,” to the end of the subsection.

Power of arrest.

11.—A member of the Garda Síochána may arrest a person without warrant where the member has reasonable cause for believing that such person is committing or has committed an offence under— (a) section 59 (1) of the Act of 1950, (b) section 25 (1) of the Act of 1971, (c) section 34 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861 , or (d) section 22 of the Regulation of Railways Act, 1868 (insofar as it relates to offences by passengers).

Expenses.

12.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

Short title.

13.—This Act may be cited as the Transport Act, 1987.

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