The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Air quality strategy

10.—(1) The Department shall prepare and publish a statement (in this Part referred to as “the strategy”) containing policies with respect to the assessment or management of the quality of air.

(2) Without prejudice to anything contained in this Article, the Department may, in the exercise of its functions under this Article, co-operate with the Secretary of State in the exercise of his functions under section 80 of the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25).

(3) The strategy may also contain policies for implementing—

(a) obligations of the United Kingdom under the Community Treaties, or

(b) international agreements to which the United Kingdom is for the time being a party,

so far as relating to the quality of air.

(4) The strategy shall consist of—

(a) a statement which relates to the whole of Northern Ireland; or

(b) part of a joint statement, made with the Secretary of State, which—

(i) relates to the whole or part of the United Kingdom; and

(ii) includes any strategy made by the Secretary of State under section 80 of the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25).

(5) The Department—

(a) shall keep under review its policies with respect to the quality of air; and

(b) may from time to time modify the strategy.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of what may be included in the strategy, the strategy shall include statements with respect to—

(a) standards relating to the quality of air;

(b) objectives for the restriction of the levels at which particular substances are present in the air; and

(c) measures which are to be taken by relevant authorities and other persons for the purpose of achieving those objectives

(7) In preparing the strategy or any modification of it, the Department shall consult—

(a) relevant authorities;

(b) such bodies or persons appearing to it to be representative of the interests of industry as it may consider appropriate; and

(c) such other bodies or persons as it may consider appropriate.

(8) Before publishing the strategy or any modification of it, the Department shall—

(a) publish a draft of the proposed strategy or modification, together with notice of a date before which, and an address at which, representations may be made to it concerning the draft so published; and

(b) take into account any such representations which are duly made and not withdrawn.