13General directions by Minister

13 General directions by Minister

13 General directions by Minister

(1) The Minister may give the Authority a written direction in relation to the functions of the Authority if the Minister is satisfied that, after consulting the Authority about the proposed direction, it is necessary to do so in the public interest.

(2) A direction by the Minister—

(a) must, unless the Authority agrees otherwise, be of a general nature only, and

(b) must not relate to a specific matter being considered or determined by the Authority.

(3) In particular, a direction by the Minister under this section must not be made in relation to the following—

(a) a report or recommendation made to the Minister,

(b) a state of the environment report under section 10, other than directions for the inclusion of additional information in a report,

(c) any decision to institute criminal or related proceedings.

(4) The Authority must ensure that a direction by the Minister is complied with.

(5) A report of each of the following must be tabled by or on behalf of the Minister in each House of Parliament within 14 sitting days of that House and be included in the next available annual report of the Authority—

(a) a direction by the Minister for the inclusion of additional information in a state of the environment report under section 10,

(b) a direction by the Minister under section 13A and the determination of the Minister in relation to the exercise of the licensing function concerned.

(6) The Authority must publish each direction by the Minister, other than a direction mentioned in subsection (5), on the Authority’s website as soon as practicable after the direction is given.

s 13: Am 1997 No 156, Sch 4.15 [9]; 1998 No 167, Sch 1 [2]. Subst 2022 No 3, Sch 4[5].