In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires

The expression ‘* existing ? means existing at the passing of this Act :

The expression ‘ constituency ” means a parliamentary constituency, or a county, borough, or university returning a member or members to serve in the Irish House of Commons as the case requires, and the expression ‘* parliamentary constituency ?” means any county, borough, or university returning a member or members to serve in the Parliament ofthe United Kingdon :

The expression ‘‘ parliamentary elector ” means a person entitled to be registered as a voter at a parliamentary election :

The expression ‘ parliamentary election ” means the election of a member to serve in the Parliament of the United Kingdom :

The expression ‘ election laws ” means the laws relating to the election of members to serve in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, other than those relating to the qualification of electors, and includes all the laws respecting the registration of electors, the issue and execution of writs, the creation of polling districts, the taking of the poll, the questioning of elections, corrupt and illegal practices, the oath, qualification and disqualification of members, and the vacating of seats :

The expression ‘‘ tax ” includes duties (other; than duties of postage) and fees (other than fees which are charged in respect of any special Irish service, and the receipts from which are, in the opinion of the Joint Exchequer Board, of a character to be properly treated as appropriations in aid) :

The expression * Irish Act ?” means a law made by the Irish Parliament :

The expression ‘ salary ” includes remuneration allow- ) ances, and emoluments :

The expression ‘‘ pension ” includes superannuation allowance, and in relation to a constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary or Dublin Metropolitan Police includes a pension or gratuity payable to the widow or children of a constable :

The expression ‘* office ” includes any place, situation, or employment, and the expression ‘* officer ” shall be construed accordingly :

The expression ‘* officer ” in relation to the Royal Irish Constabulary includes the Inspector-General, the Deputy-[nspector-General, an Assistant-Inspector-General, the Assistant-Inspector-General-Commandant of

-the Depôt, the Town Inspector at Belfast, a County Inspector, a surgeon, a storekeeper and barrack-master, the veterinary surgeon, and a district inspector, and in relation to the Dublin Metropolitan Police, includes the Chief Commissioner, Assistant-Commissioner, and Secretary and Accountant :

The expression ‘ constable ” in relation to the Royal Irish Constabulary includes the head-constable-major, a head-constable, sergeant, acting sergeant, and constable; and in relation to the Dublin Metropolitan Police includes every member of that force not being

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of higher rank than chief superintendent, and not being a member of the clerical staff only :

The expression # Royal Irish Constabulary ” includes the reserve force of that body.

Short title

48. — This Act may be cited as the Irish Government Act, 1912.