7AProvision of assistance to other institutions and persons

#### 7A Provision of assistance to other institutions and persons (1) Subject to this section, the Authority may, at the request of another institution or person, provide assistance to the institution or person in matters relating to environmental management. (2) The assistance may be provided by the Authority acting by itself or in co‑operation with other institutions and persons. (3) Without limiting the generality of the assistance that may be provided, the assistance may take any of the following forms: (a) the carrying out of research or investigations; (b) the provision of educational, advisory or informational services; (c) the making available of facilities. (4) The Authority shall not perform a function that the Authority has only because of this section unless the Minister has approved, in writing, the provision of the assistance concerned. (5) The Minister shall not give an approval under subsection (4) unless the Minister is satisfied that the provision of the assistance concerned is not likely to affect adversely the performance of the functions of the Authority conferred by other provisions of this Act. (6) An approval under subsection (4) may be given subject to conditions or restrictions set out in the instrument of approval (including conditions requiring the charging of fees). (7) Nothing in this section limits the functions that may be conferred on the Authority by the regulations. (8) The Minister may, by writing, delegate to the Authority or to the CEO his or her power to give approvals under subsection (4).