8—(1) In connection with the preparation of a marine plan, or of any proposals for a marine plan, the Department may seek advice or assistance from any body or person in relation to any matter in which that body or person has particular expertise.N.I.
(2) The steps that the Department may take for the purpose of facilitating the involvement of interested persons in—
(a)the development of proposals for inclusion in a proposed marine plan, or
(b)consultation in connection with such proposals,
include the convening of groups of persons for such purposes, and in such manner, as the Department considers appropriate.
(3) In this paragraph “interested persons” has the same meaning as in paragraph 5.