AND OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS Deposit Agreement Dated as of November 8, 1990 As Amended and Restated as of May 14, 1999
EXHIBIT 4.1
ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c.
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
As Depositary
AND
OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Dated as of November 8, 1990
As Amended and Restated as of May 14, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER |
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LIMITATIONS ON EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS. |
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PREVENTION OR DELAY IN PERFORMANCE BY THE DEPOSITARY OR THE ISSUER. |
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OBLIGATIONS OF THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE ISSUER. |
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RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR |
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ii
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 8, 1990, as amended and restated as of May 14, 1999, among Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c., incorporated under the laws of Ireland (herein called the Issuer), THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Issuer desires to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Ordinary Shares (hereinafter defined as “Shares”), of the Issuer from time to time with the Depositary or with AIB Custodial Services Ltd, acting at its principal office in Dublin, Ireland, and the Depositary, acting through its principal London, England office (herein collectively called the Custodian), as agent of the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts (hereinafter defined as “Receipts”) in respect of the American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS.
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:
Section 1.1 American Depositary Shares.
The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the rights represented by the Receipts issued hereunder and the interests in the Deposited Securities represented thereby. Each American Depositary Share shall represent two (2) Shares, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.3 or a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.8 with respect to which additional Receipts are not executed and delivered, and thereafter American Depositary Shares shall evidence the amount of Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
Section 1.2 Commission.
The term “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
Section 1.3 Custodian.
The term “Custodian” shall mean, collectively, AIB Custodial Services Ltd, acting at its principal office in Dublin, Ireland, as agent of the Depositary, and the Depositary, acting through its principal London, England office, and any other firm or corporation which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require, and the term “Custodians” shall mean all of them, collectively.
Section 1.4 Deposit Agreement.
The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
2
Section 1.5 Depositary.
The term “Depositary” shall mean The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation and any successor as depositary hereunder. The term “Corporate Trust Office”, when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office of the Depositary which at the date of this Agreement is 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000.
Section 1.6 Deposited Securities.
The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the provisions of Section 4.5.
Section 1.7 Dollars; Euro.
The term “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars. The term “Euro” shall mean the currency other than the national currency of the participating member countries in the European Monetary Union.
Section 1.8 Foreign Registrar.
The term “Foreign Registrar” shall mean the registrar in Ireland for the Ordinary Shares of the Issuer, which as of the date hereof is Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c., or any successor as registrar for the Ordinary Shares of the Issuer.
Section 1.9 Issuer.
The term “Issuer” shall mean Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c., incorporated under the laws of Ireland, and its successors.
3
Section 1.10 Owner.
The term “Owner” shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.
Section 1.11 Receipts.
The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder representing American Depositary Shares.
Section 1.12 Registrar.
The term “Registrar” shall mean any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed to register Receipts and transfers of Receipts as herein provided.
Section 1.13 Restricted Receipts
The term “Restricted Receipts” shall mean such Receipts as are required pursuant to Section 4.4 hereunder to be issued as Restricted Receipts in connection with the issuance of rights by the Issuer, as set forth in such Section. Any such Restricted Receipts shall be held by such Owner and legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall be subject to such restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer under such laws as are required by the opinion of counsel delivered pursuant to Section 4.4.
Section 1.14 Restricted Securities.
The term “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares, as defined below, or Receipts representing such Shares, which are acquired directly or indirectly from the Issuer or its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 to the Securities Act of 1933) in the United States or by U.S. Persons (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933) in a transaction or chain of transactions that are not Offshore Transactions
4
(as such term is defined in said Regulation S) and do not involve any public offering, or which Shares or Receipts are subject to resale limitations under Regulation D under that Act or both, or which are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Issuer, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States, Ireland, or under a shareholder agreement or the Articles of Association and by-laws of the Issuer.
Section 1.15 Securities Act of 1933.
The term “Securities Act of 1933” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
Section 1.16 Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The term “Securities Exchange Act of 1934” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
Section 1.17 Shares.
The term “Shares” shall mean Ordinary Shares in registered form of the Issuer, heretofore validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, non-assessable and free of any pre-emption rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, non-assessable and free of any pre-emption rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or interim certificates representing such Shares.
ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS.
Section 2.1 Form and Transferability of Receipts.
Definitive Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Such Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by
5
the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary; provided, however, that such signature may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed and such Receipts are countersigned by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized signatory or, if a Registrar shall have been appointed, by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and delivered as hereinafter provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution of such Receipts by the Registrar and their delivery or did not hold such office at the date of such Receipts.
The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which Receipts may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
Title to a Receipt (and to the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the
6
person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes.
Section 2.2 Deposit of Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares may be deposited hereunder by delivery to any Custodian of certificates for such Shares to be deposited duly registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, together, if the Depositary requires, with a written order directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposit.
Alternatively, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited by delivery thereof to any Custodian hereunder, accompanied by any appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer, or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodians, together with all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodians in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and, if the Depositary requires, together with a written order directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposit. If required by the Depositary, any such Shares presented for deposit, whether or not the transfer books of the Issuer (or the appointed agent of the Issuer for transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar) are closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
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No Shares shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by such evidence as may be reasonably required by the Depositary that any necessary approval has been granted by the governmental body in Ireland, if any, which is then performing the regulation of currency exchange under the Irish Exchange Control Acts.
At the request, risk and expense of any Owner, and for the account of such Owner, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments herein specified, for the purpose of forwarding such Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit hereunder.
Upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited hereunder that have not been previously registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, together with the other documents above specified, such Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present such certificate or certificates to the Issuer (or the appointed agent of the Issuer for transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar), for transfer and registration of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee.
Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary at such place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
Section 2.3 Execution and Delivery of Receipts.
Upon receipt by any Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.2 hereunder (and in addition, if the transfer books of the Issuer or the appointed agent of the Issuer for the transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar are open, the Depositary may require a proper acknowledgment or other evidence from the Issuer satisfactory to the Depositary that any Deposited Securities have been recorded upon the books of the Issuer or the appointed agent of the Issuer for the
8
transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee), together with the other documents required as above specified, such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be represented thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter or, at the request and risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver at its Corporate Trust Office, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, a Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names and representing any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested by such person or persons, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fee of the Depositary for the execution and delivery of such Receipt or Receipts, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the Deposited Securities.
Section 2.4 Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers on its transfer books from time to time of Receipts, upon any surrender of a Receipt, by the Owner in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or
9
Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, representing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by holders or Owners or persons entitled thereto and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
Section 2.5 Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Shares.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owner of such Receipt shall be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by such Receipt. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery in due course of certificates to such Owner or as ordered by him. Such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered as aforesaid to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon the Depositary shall direct one (or more) of the Custodians to deliver in Dublin, Ireland or London, England, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2, and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit
10
Agreement, to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary if so required by the Depositary and as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, except that the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
At the request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward a certificate or certificates in due course and other proper documents of title for the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Owner, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
Section 2.6 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts.
As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presentor of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 7.7.
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The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Issuer at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, subject to Section 7.7 of this Deposit Agreement. The surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares.
Section 2.7 Lost Receipts, etc.
In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor, in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed or lost or stolen Receipt, upon the Owner thereof filing with the Depositary (a) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (b) a sufficient indemnity bond and satisfying any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
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Section 2.8 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
Section 2.9 Loans and Pre-Release of Shares and Receipts.
In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary will lend neither the Shares held hereunder nor the Receipts; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to (i) issue Receipts prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.2 and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.5, including Receipts which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of Receipts under (ii) above. Each such transaction will be (a) accompanied by a written representation from the person to whom Receipts or Shares are to be delivered that such person, or its customer, owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of Receipts and Shares involved in such transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the Receipts outstanding (without giving effect to Receipts outstanding under (i) above), or Shares held hereunder, respectively; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary will also set limits with respect to the number of Receipts and Shares involved in transactions to be done hereunder with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate.
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
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ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS.
Section 3.1 Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Issuer (or the appointed agent of the Issuer for transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar) of the Shares presented for deposit or other information, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution or rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed.
Section 3.2 Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by any Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of such Receipt to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of such Receipt or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented thereby until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Owner of such Receipt remaining liable for any deficiency.
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Section 3.3 Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free of any pre-emption rights of the holders of outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that the deposit of Shares or sale of Receipts by that person is not restricted under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts.
ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
Section 4.1 Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution by the Issuer on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.5, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and shall distribute the amount thus received to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided, however, that in the event that the Issuer or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed to the Owner for American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Owner a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Owners entitled thereto. The Issuer or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in Ireland all amounts withheld and owing to such agency. The Depositary will forward to the Issuer or its agent such information from its records as the Issuer may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or its agent to file
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necessary reports with governmental agencies, and either the Depositary or the Issuer or its agent may file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Owners of Receipts.
Section 4.2 Distributions Other Than Cash or Shares.
Whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than cash or Shares upon any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including any requirement that the Issuer or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash.
Section 4.3 Distributions in Shares.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and shall if the Issuer shall so request, distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, additional Receipts for an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case,
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the Depositary shall sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.2. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
Section 4.4 Rights.
If the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary shall consult with the Issuer as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to the Owners of Receipts or in disposing of such rights and distributing the net proceeds thereof, as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1, which procedures may contemplate making such rights available to some Owners and not to others and disposing of such rights as are not made available to Owners and distributing the net proceeds thereof to such Owners; provided that, in any event and subject to the Deposit Agreement:
(a) if at the time of the offering of any such rights the Depositary is advised by the Issuer that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to some or all Owners of Receipts in the United States by means of warrants or otherwise, the Depositary shall distribute such warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as the Issuer may require to such Owners of Receipts in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by each of them, respectively, or employ such other method as the Issuer may direct in order to facilitate the exercise, sale or transfer of rights by such Owners;
(b) if at the time of any such offering of any such rights the Depositary is advised by the Issuer that it is not lawful or not feasible to make such rights available to all or some Owners of Receipts by means of warrants or otherwise, or if the rights
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represented by such warrants or such other instruments are not exercised and are about to lapse, the Depositary shall sell such rights or such warrants or other instruments and shall allocate the proceeds of such sales for the account of the Owners of Receipts otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions, or the date of delivery of any Receipt or Receipts, or otherwise, and distribute the net proceed so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1.
In connection with the foregoing, the Depositary shall not offer such rights to Owners having an address in the United States until such time as the Issuer shall furnish to the Depositary:
(i) evidence that a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering such offering is in effect, or
(ii) an opinion of counsel for the Issuer in the United States to the effect that such offering does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933; which opinion may be based upon the assumption that certain enumerated precautions will be taken designed to comply with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 4(2) thereof or Regulation D or Rule 144A thereunder, including a requirement that Restricted Receipts be issued upon the deposit of Shares hereunder upon the exercise of such rights in which case such Restricted Receipts shall be restricted in such manner as such counsel shall so advise.
Section 4.5 Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Whenever the Depositary shall receive foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the
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judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars, and such Dollars (net of any conversion expenses of the Depositary) shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions or otherwise.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency
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received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto.
Section 4.6 Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix a record date for the determination of the Owners who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights, or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or for fixing the date on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on such record date shall be entitled to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
Section 4.7 Voting of Deposited Securities.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting, and (b) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of Irish law and of the Articles of Association of the Issuer, to instruct the Depositary as to
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the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares. Upon the written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor in so far as practicable to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary shall exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities in accordance with such instructions provided, however, that if no such instructions are given, the Owner shall be deemed to have instructed the Depositary to vote such Shares or Deposited Securities in the manner requested by the Issuer.
Section 4.8 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
Upon any change in nominal value, par value, split-up, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent, in addition to existing Deposited Securities remaining, if any, after such split-up, consolidation or reclassification, any such new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, and shall if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities.
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Section 4.9 Reports.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Issuer. The Depositary shall also send to the Owners copies of such reports when furnished by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.6.
In addition, upon notice that the Issuer has not furnished the Commission or any securities regulatory agency or stock exchange with any public reports, documents or other information as required by foreign law or otherwise by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Depositary shall furnish promptly to the Commission or such regulatory agency or stock exchange copies of all annual or other periodic reports and other notices or communications which the Depositary or the Custodian, or their respective nominees, receives as holder of the Deposited Securities from the Issuer and which are not so furnished to or filed with the Commission or such regulatory agency or exchange pursuant to any other requirement of the Commission or such regulatory agency or exchange. The Depositary shall also furnish to the Commission semi-annually, beginning on or before six months after the effective date of any registration statement filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the Receipts, the following information in tabular form:
(1) The number of American Depositary Shares represented by Receipts issued during the period covered by the report;
(2) The number of American Depositary Shares represented by Receipts retired during the period covered by the report;
(3) The total amount of American Depositary Shares represented by Receipts remaining outstanding at the end of the six-month period;
(4) The total number of Owners at the end of the six-month period.
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The Depositary shall also furnish the name of each dealer known to the Depositary depositing Shares against issuance of Receipts during the period covered by the report. The Issuer shall furnish the Depositary with the names of each dealer known to the Issuer and the Depositary shall include in its report the names of such dealer or dealers which are supplied by the Issuer.
Section 4.10 Lists of Receipt Owners.
Promptly upon request by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Issuer, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.
Section 4.11 Withholding.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
ARTICLE 5. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE ISSUER.
Section 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers and surrender of Receipts in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
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The Depositary shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be made available to the Issuer and shall also be open for inspection by the Owners, provided that such inspection by Owners shall not be for the purpose of communicating with other Owners in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Issuer or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary may close the transfer books at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder or at the request of the Issuer.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares represented thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registry of such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchange or exchanges.
Section 5.2 Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Issuer.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall incur any liability to any Owner of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law of the United States or any other country, or of any other governmental authority, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Articles of Association of the Issuer, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary or the Issuer shall be prevented or forbidden from doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Issuer incur any liability to any Owner of a Receipt by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections
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4.1, 4.2, or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
Section 5.3 Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Issuer.
The Issuer assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to Owners or holders of Receipts, except that it shall perform its obligations set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owners (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), other than that it shall perform such duties as are specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel,
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accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or effect of any such vote, provided that any such action or nonaction is in good faith.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that the Depositary performed its duties while it acted as Depositary without negligence or bad faith.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Issuer, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Issuer by written notice of such removal effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Issuer shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
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New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Issuer an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor; but such predecessor, nevertheless, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Issuer shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Deposited Securities to such successor, and shall deliver to such successor a list of the Owners of all outstanding Receipts. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the Owners.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
Section 5.5 The Custodians.
The Depositary has appointed AIB Custodial Services, Ltd, acting at its principal office in Dublin, Ireland, and the Depositary, acting through its principal London, England office as custodians and agents of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement. The Custodian or its successors in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. Any Custodian may resign and be discharged from its duties hereunder by notice of such resignation delivered to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the date on which such resignation is to become effective. If upon such resignation there shall be no Custodian acting hereunder, the Depositary shall, promptly after receiving such notice, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian hereunder. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners to do so, it may appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians, which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians
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hereunder. Upon demand of the Depositary any Custodian shall deliver such of the Deposited Securities held by it as are requested of it to any other Custodian or such substitute or additional custodian or custodians. Each such substitute or additional custodian shall deliver to the Depositary, forthwith upon its appointment, an acceptance of such appointment satisfactory in form and substance to the Depositary.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary hereunder, each Custodian then acting hereunder shall forthwith become, without any further act or writing, the agent hereunder of such successor depositary and the appointment of such successor depositary shall in no way impair the authority of each Custodian hereunder; but the successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority as agent hereunder of such successor depositary.
Section 5.6 Notices and Reports.
On or before the first date on which the Issuer gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights, the Issuer agrees to transmit to the Depositary and the Custodians a copy of the notice thereof in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities.
The Issuer will arrange for the prompt transmittal by the Issuer to the Depositary and the Custodian of such notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally available by the Issuer to holders of its Shares. If requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary will arrange for the mailing, at the Issuer’s expense, of copies of such notices, reports and communications to all Owners. The Issuer will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and
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communications as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings.
Section 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, etc.
The Issuer agrees that in the event of any issuance of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for such securities, the Issuer will promptly furnish to the Depositary a written opinion from counsel for the Issuer in the United States, which counsel shall be satisfactory to the Depositary, stating whether or not the circumstances of such issue are such as to make it necessary for a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to be in effect prior to the delivery of the Receipts to be issued in connection with such securities or the issuance of such rights. If in the opinion of such counsel a Registration Statement is required, such counsel shall furnish to the Depositary a written opinion as to whether or not there is a Registration Statement in effect which will cover such issuance of securities or rights.
The Issuer agrees with the Depositary that neither the Issuer nor any company controlled by the Issuer will at any time deposit any Shares, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares previously issued and reacquired by the Issuer or by any company under its control, unless a Registration Statement is in effect as to such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933.
Section 5.8 Indemnification.
The Issuer agrees to indemnify the Depositary and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense which may arise out of acts performed or omitted, in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or a Custodian, except for any liability or expense
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arising out of the negligence or bad faith of either of them, or (ii) by the Issuer or any of its agents.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Issuer and hold it harmless from any liability or expense which may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or its Custodian due to their negligence or bad faith.
Section 5.9 Charges of Depositary.
The Issuer agrees to pay the fees and reasonable expenses of the Depositary and those of any Registrar as and to the extent set forth in a separate written agreement, between the Issuer and the Depositary. The charges set forth therein may be changed from time to time hereafter only by written agreement between the Issuer and the Depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in such separate agreement, the Issuer shall not pay or be liable for (1) the fees of the Depositary for the execution and delivery of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.3, transfers pursuant to Section 2.4, the surrender of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.5, and the making of any distribution pursuant to this Deposit Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 hereof, (2) taxes and other governmental charges, (3) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the share register of the Issuer (or the appointed agent of the Issuer for transfer and registration of Shares which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar) and accordingly applicable to transfers of Shares to the name of the Depositary or its nominee or Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder, (4) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in this Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of persons depositing Shares or Owners, and (5) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5. The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses to the Issuer once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
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The Depositary shall charge any party to whom Receipts are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Issuer or an exchange of stock regarding the Receipts or Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof) or who surrenders Receipts a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the issuance or surrender, respectively, of a Receipt. In addition, the Depositary shall charge the Owners and holders of Receipts a fee for, and deduct such fee from, the distribution of proceeds pursuant to Section 4.4, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the issuance of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit by Owners of Shares received in exercise of rights distributed to them pursuant to Section 4.4, but which rights are instead sold by the Depositary, and the net proceeds distributed. The Depositary, subject to Section 2.9 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer and its affiliates and in Receipts.
Section 5.10 Retention of Depositary Documents.
The Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the governing statutes unless the Issuer requests that such papers be retained for a longer period or turned over to the Issuer or to a successor depositary.
Section 5.11 Exclusivity.
The Issuer agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of American Depositary Receipts for Shares so long as The Bank of New York is acting as Depositary hereunder.
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Section 5.12 List of Restricted Securities Owners.
From time to time, the Issuer shall provide the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Issuer, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Issuer shall update that list on a regular basis. The Issuer agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities so listed that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder. The Depositary may rely on such a list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon.
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
Section 6.1 Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Issuer and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the fees of the Depositary for the execution and delivery of Receipts and taxes and other governmental charges), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of three months after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. Every Owner at the time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
Section 6.2 Termination.
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Issuer terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all
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Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Issuer and the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time 120 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Issuer a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt, upon surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.5, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, will be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners which have not theretofore surrendered their Receipts, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all
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obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof.
ARTICLE 7. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 7.1 Counterparts.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any holder or Owner of a Receipt during business hours.
Section 7.2 No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
Section 7.3 Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
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Section 7.4 Holders and Owners as Parties; Binding Effect.
The holders and Owners of Receipts from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance thereof.
Section 7.5 Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Issuer shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c., Bankcentre, X.X. Xxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 0, Xxxxxxx, Attention: Secretary, or any other place to which the Issuer may have transferred its principal office.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to The Bank of New York, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or any other place to which the Depositary may have transferred its Corporate Trust Office.
Any and all notices to be given to any Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to such Owner at the address of such Owner as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Owner shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such request.
Delivery of a notice, to or from any Owners, sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box.
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Delivery of a notice, from the Depositary or the Issuer, to the Depositary or the Issuer, sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box, provided that such notice shall have been previously or simultaneously faxed or telexed to the Issuer or the Depositary. The Depositary or the Issuer may, however, act upon any cable, telex or facsimile transmission received by it from the other or from any Owner of a Receipt, notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid.
Section 7.6 Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Section 7.7 Compliance With U.S. Securities Laws.
Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Issuer and the Depositary each agrees that it will not exercise any rights it has under the Deposit Agreement to prevent the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities in a manner which would violate the United States securities laws, including, but not limited to Section I A(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c. and THE BANK OF NEW YORK have duly executed this agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
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ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c. |
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK |
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